A PROPOSAL TO COMBINE THE STATE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND COMPTROLLER IS MEETING SOME RESISTANCE DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT CHECKS AND BALANCES.

REPUBLICANS IN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE ARE CALLING FOR A VOTE ON THE PLAN…WHICH THEY SAY WILL SAVE THE STATE AROUND 12 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR SAYS REPRESENTATIVE JIL TRACY OF QUINCY.

[audio:combine1.mp3] [/audio]

REPRESENTATIVE DAVE WINTERS OF ROCKFORD SAYS IT MAKES GOOD SENSE TO MERGE THE TWO OFFICES THAT HANDLE THE STATE’S FINANCES…AND PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED SAVINGS.

[audio:combine2.mp3] [/audio]

BUT CRITICS WORRY ABOUT ALL THE STATE’S FINANCES BEING HANDLED BY JUST ONE OFFICE. THEY POINT TO THE RECENT SCANDAL IN DIXON…WHERE THE TOWN’S SINGLE FISCAL PERSON IS ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLING 53 MILLION DOLLARS.