A new state officeholder is cutting back on government sprawl.

When it comes to saving taxpayer dollars, new Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford is starting out small.

But he has bigger plans down the road.

Rutherford recently announced that he's closing six regional offices that were opened during the tenure of former Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

This decision is not a big money-saver. Closing the offices will cut one job while those of five other employees remain under review. It will reduce expenses for office supplies and make the unused space available to other state agencies that need it.

Rutherford also has indicated that he'll continue to use the paper products and marketing brochures that carry the Giannoulias brand until that supply is exhausted. "Frugality is (Rutherford's policy), and this will save some taxpayer dollars," said Don Gray, deputy chief of staff in the treasurer's office.

It's understandable that there's paper left from the prior administration. But what's with regional offices for the state treasurer? They're simply a waste of scarce resources.

The state currently operates two main offices in Springfield and Chicago. Employees there are available over the phone (217-782-2211 or 312-814-1700) to answer questions. Plus, the state operates what's called a virtual office on the Internet at http://www.treasurer.il.gov.

Obviously, this is nickle-and-dime stuff, but it matters. People have got to know that at least someone in elective office cares about how tax money is spent. Rutherford is sending the right message.

He also has another money-saver in mind that will require action by the Legislature and the voters.

Rutherford and new Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka support the consolidation of the duties of their two offices. State Rep. Dave Winters, a Republican from Shirland, has drafted a proposed constitutional amendment to do it.

Given widespread bipartisan support, it should not be difficult to pass the measure and put it to a vote in the 2012 election. Rutherford has estimated it would save about $12 million.

That's a lot more than he'll save with his more minor penny-pinching. But every little bit helps.