— Herald-Whig | Herald-Whig Staff —
Getting Illinois’ financial accounts in order is a monumental task, and it’s only made more difficult when salaries are paid from accounts from which they shouldn’t be paid.
Known as off-shoring, the practice has gone on for years. Democratic and Republican governors alike have used various funds to pay for their staff. For example, an Associated Press article reports that Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office budget is $4.9 million, but Comptroller Susana Mendoza claims that his office is actually spending closer to $10.4 million, more than twice what is allocated. Where is the money coming from? It’s money directed from other agencies’ budgets.
A way to hide massive expenses, the practice should not be tolerated. Not only is it dishonest, but it also takes away tax dollars from agencies that should be helping Illinois taxpayers, not political allies.
Fortunately, Illinois lawmakers agree with the comptroller. A bill known as the Truth in Hiring Act passed both chambers of the General Assembly by wide margins. Last month, it unanimously passed the Illinois House. Earlier this month, the Illinois Senate gave the bill its assent by a 46-7 margin.
It is satisfying to know that the majority in both parties agree the practice is wrong and must end, and we applaud Rep. Randy Frese, R-Paloma, and Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb, for their support of the measure. The bill now will go on to the governor to sign into law.
Rauner, who campaigned four years ago on shaking up the status quo in Springfield, is waiting for the Legislature to formally send him the bill.
In the meantime, he should voluntarily restructure his staff for the benefit of transparency. Their salaries should be financed through his office budget. If it can’t be done, the governor should either cut his employees’ pay or lay off members of his staff. Many businesses and organizations have had to face similar situations in the last few years; our elected leaders must face that reality, too.
Once he gets the bill, the governor should sign it quickly. Of course, because it would diminish the capabilities of his office, it’s always possible that he could veto it.
This would be a mistake, and West-Central Illinoisans are encouraged to call the governor’s office and urge him to sign the bill.
And should Rauner veto the measure, the Legislature must override that veto. With such overwhelming majorities voting to approve the bill, this should be no problem. There is no good reason for this practice to continue.
This is one of the rare issues that most Democrats and Republicans in Springfield agree upon, and we applaud any such effort — however small — to bring state spending into check.
The time for off-shoring has passed.
The post Time to end off-shoring of governor’s office budget appeared first on Susana A. Mendoza, Illinois Comptroller.