GOP Proposes Merging Illinois Comptroller, Treasurer Offices

SPRINGFIELD, IL — A decades-old idea to merge the state treasurer and comptroller offices in hopes of saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year is being brought up again by the GOP candidates for those spots. Chicago Business reported both Democrats currently in office, Treasurer Mike Frerichs and Comptroller Susana Mendoza, are divided on the debated proposal. However, aides to Frerichs and Mendoza allude to the idea that politics are more at the forefront than government efficiency, according to the news report.

In a joint statement regarding the merger proposal, both treasurer candidate Jim Dodge, and former state Rep. Darlene Senger, urged the Legislature to merge the two offices into a new position of chief financial officer. Chicago Business, reported the two said the following in their joint statement: "Illinois is facing a budget shortfall and a politician surplus. We urge the Legislature to save taxpayer dollars by consolidating the offices of treasurer and comptroller." According to the news report, Dodge added that Frerichs and Mendoza should be a part of the Illinois budget solution, not the problem.

Chicago Business said many other states have made this move, and merging the offices could save taxpayers between $12 and $14 million a year, but would require an amendment to the Illinois Constitution.

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