SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) advanced legislation through the Senate last week to require local governments to change the auditors they use to review their finances every five years.

Over the years, government employees in Dixon, Chicago and Winnebago County have been investigated for stealing millions of dollars in taxpayer funds.

“Too often, we have seen auditors fail to identify fraud and abuse within the governmental bodies they are supposed to be auditing,” Stadelman said. “This legislation will help prevent a cozy relationship between the auditors and local governments by requiring a new set of eyes look over the books every five years.”

Under Stadelman’s proposal, Senate Bill 2270, counties, municipalities, townships and other bodies of government would have to accept competitive bids on auditing contracts every five years.

If signed into law, Illinois would also join the state of California to require local governments to rotate auditors every five years.

The legislation passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 37-15 and will now head to the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below after Governor Rauner signed Senate Bill 2059, which will provide funding for Rock Valley College, in addition to MAP grants and four-year universities.

“It is encouraging that after months of unproductive partisan rhetoric, the governor, legislative leaders and lawmakers were able to come together to find a solution to allow Rock Valley College to avoid further layoffs.

“This proposal is far from perfect, but it is finally a good first step at providing much-needed stability for our state.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) released the statement below after the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 2059, which provides funding for MAP grants, community colleges and state universities.

“This proposal is a meaningful start at a compromise budget. It is not perfect, but it allows universities and community colleges like Rock Valley College to keep their doors open while the governor and legislative leaders continue to work toward an agreement.”

Please join State Senator Steve Stadelman at Terrace Senior Apartments in Rockford for a Senior Fraud Seminar with the Attorney General's office.