Garrett wants county transparency

SPRINGFIELD — Following an audit showing financial scandals from two DuPage County agencies, the Senate approved legislation Friday that would give county officials more oversight of financial transactions by the people they appoint.

Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat who sponsored the measure, said the proposal would allow and encourage county chairs to demand financial reports and budget details from local agencies.

“It's important to look at these counties where so many dollars are being spent,” she said. “There needs to be a discipline where county boards have control and accountability.”

The recent report showing the DuPage Housing Authority had $10 million unaccounted for and the county water commission had wasted $69 million in reserves are two examples, Garrett said, of the need for the legislation.

Garrett said that because agency members are appointed and not accountable to voters, the elected county board needs more oversight of their dealings.

The Senate approved by a 52-0 vote, and it now moves to the House. Garrett got help from Sen. Ron Sandack, a Downers Grove Republican, in sponsoring the plan.

Garrett also has legislation that would require counties to post openings for agency positions in order to encourage community involvement and try to prevent politically connected people from holding every position.