County boards could monitor appointees’ spending

SPRINGFIELD — Suburban county boards could have much more financial supervision over their appointees to local agencies if Gov. Pat Quinn signs a measure that passed the Illinois House on Monday.

The legislation is in part a response to two DuPage County agencies that misspent millions of dollars. An audit earlier this year revealed the DuPage Housing Authority failed to account for more than $10 million, while the DuPage Water Commission accidentally spent $69 million in reserves through poor accounting practices in 2010.

Rep. Michael Connelly, a Lisle Republican who sponsored the measure in the House, said county board chairs should have authority to look over the financial practices of those they appoint and this would go a long way to prevent wasteful spending.

“It’s just one of these quirks in local government where it takes an unfortunate situation to bring this to light,” Connelly said. “To the extent this provides more transparency, the taxpayers are big winners with this.”

It was DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin who urged legislators to grant oversight authority after the controversies.

Cronin and the county board are responsible for appointing nearly 240 people to about four dozen different boards and commissions.

The legislation passed the Senate and House with no opposition and now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk for his review.