Senator Raoul: Let the People Pick a Comptroller, Then Merge Offices

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago 13^th) voiced his strong support for letting voters choose a new comptroller in 2016. Legislation calling for special elections to fill long-term vacancies of constitutional offices will be taken up by lawmakers in tomorrow’s special session.

“Making the electoral process fairer and more accessible has been the touchstone of my public service, so it’s self-evident to me that people, not politicians, need to decide who fills this four-year, elected position,” Raoul said. “We also need to move toward consolidation to improve government efficiency and save the taxpayers money. But first, we should do the right thing and let voters choose a comptroller when they go to the polls in 2016.”

Raoul pledged to seek approval of a constitutional amendment aimed at merging the statewide fiscal offices of treasurer and comptroller. His previous effort won Senate approval in 2011.

Illinois was left without a comptroller or comptroller-elect when Judy Baar Topinka died last month. With no provision in state law for a special election, an unelected appointee picked by the incoming governor would serve as comptroller unless legislators act to give voters a say.

Tomorrow, legislators will consider putting the comptroller position back on the statewide ballot in 2016 so voters can pick who should serve out the final two years of Topinka’s term. An appointee would serve the first two years. The same legislation would close a loophole in state law by requiring a special election to fill any future vacancy in the statewide executive offices of attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller or treasurer if more than 28 months remain in the term.

“Next week, I’ll file a proposed constitutional amendment merging the comptroller and treasurer positions. We can fully discuss and debate this advance in good government, and the people can vote on the amendment at the same time they choose someone to serve out the rest of the comptroller’s four-year term,” Raoul said. “In 2018, we can start realizing the benefits of consolidation for greater efficiency and savings to taxpayers.”