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IL Comptroller and Treasurer Hope to Combine Offices
(IRN)-State lawmakers have introduced legislation to consolidate the offices of treasurer and comptroller.

This was at the request of Treasurer Dan Rutherford and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, who campaigned on consolidating the offices. Rutherford estimates the savings at $12 million per year, $4 million from reduced staff, and $8 million from the state being able to hold onto money longer before having to pay it out.

The two offices were established under the 1970 state Constitution, but Rutherford says the check-and-balance function contemplated then is now handled by the auditor general, the Legislative Audit Bureau and anyone else interested, because everything is now done by computer so anyone can look at the accounts.

The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), calls for a constitutional amendment to combine the offices into one office, to be called "comptroller of the treasury." It would have to pass by the General Assembly by a three-fifths majority, and then be placed before voters next year.

If voters approve, the new office of comptroller of the treasury would be up for election for the first time in 2014.

State Representative Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) has proposed similar legislation in the House of Representatives.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
02 14 11 by Newsroom
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