THE FOLLOWING IS AN OFFICE OF ILLINOIS HOUSE REPUBLICANS RELEASE
State Representative Mike Marron (R-Fithian) has seen his legislation dealing with county auditors approved in the Illinois Senate. HB1153, amends the Officers and Employees Article of the Counties Code. The bill decreases the minimum number of inhabitants that must reside in a county for the county to be required to create the office of county auditor from 75,000 inhabitants to 70,000 inhabitants.
The measure was an initiative of the County Auditors Association and Vermilion County as Vermilion County’s population has dropped below 75,000, as determined by census, and they wanted to maintain an Auditor.
Marron said it was important to get the bill passed and keep an independent watch-dog for the taxpayers of Vermilion County.
AUDIO: They’re the independent watchdog that makes sure that the county board is appropriating money properly and doing what they’re supposed to do; and that the elected officials are spending money in an appropriate way. And so, through my experience in county government, I have learned that unfortunately elected officials don’t always act responsibly, and the taxpayer needs an independent voice. And so, it was important that we were able to pass that bill and and keep an independent watchdog for the taxpayers of Vermilion County.
Vermilion County Chairman Larry Baughn says the auditor’s role is a major asset, in addition to being a watchdog.
AUDIO: You see in the day to day business of the county how the auditor’s office comes in; works closely with the County Board Office, the Treasurer’s Office, and the outside auditors too. It’s an important role.
Baughn says without this legislation being signed, the county would most likely hire an auditor on its own. But he says it’s better to have it as an elected position, to keep the auditor’s position more independent.
The measure was approved in the Senate on a 56-0 vote after being unanimously approved in the House. The legislation now heads to the governor’s desk.
