State Senator Raoul to Reintroduce Merger of Comptroller, Treasurer Offices

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago 13^th) pledged today to reintroduce legislation that could give voters the opportunity to approve a merger of two state constitutional offices: comptroller and treasurer. The move, which would require amending the Illinois Constitution, would save an estimated $12 million per year.

“As we remember the extraordinary life of Judy Baar Topinka and mourn her passing, many of us are reflecting on her passion for protecting taxpayers by exercising frugality in state government,” Raoul said. “Judy believed eliminating her own office was the right thing to do, and now is the time to honor her legacy while winning a victory for government efficiency.”

Raoul has sponsored a constitutional amendment to merge the two offices every year since 2010. In 2011, the Senate passed the resolution without opposition. (It never received a vote in the House.) If both chambers approve Raoul’s proposal in the upcoming legislative session, voters at the November 2016 general election will be asked whether or not they agree with changing the state constitution to eliminate the position of comptroller and assign its duties to the state treasurer. The constitution will be amended only if a majority of individuals casting ballots in that election (or three-fifths of voters who answer the ballot question) vote yes.

“Great public servants like Judy Baar Topinka teach us never to rest in pursuit of better, more responsive government,” Raoul said. “So many core state services — from education to Medicaid to youth employment programs — are in dire need of funding. That $12 million will be put to good use each year.”

The new legislative session begins Jan. 14, 2015.