Endorsement: Grogan for DuPage County auditor

Democrat William “Bill” White became the DuPage County auditor four years ago by defeating then-incumbent Republican Bob Grogan in one of the closest countywide races in recent memory. Now Grogan is back and making the case that he remains better qualified than White to run the office.

One simple truth we must acknowledge is that Grogan succeeded in innovating and improving the office during his three terms as the DuPage auditor.

The Downers Grove Republican was the first auditor in Illinois to put a county checkbook online. He also was the first to create a transparency portal and an audit hotline.

Meanwhile, White, who lives in Downers Grove, has struggled during his first term in office. A vital member of the staff retired soon after he was elected. When White, in 2022, examined why the county lost millions of dollars in marijuana tax revenue, he inexplicably shelved the report until county board members demanded its release earlier this year. His office also fell woefully behind in producing quarterly audit reports.

White said the office fell behind on the quarterly audit reports because of the staffing situation and a problem with outdated software. However, he says the office has caught up on that work.

As a licensed CPA, Grogan says he would have completed the quarterly audit reports by himself and by hand, if necessary.

White is a trained attorney who has continued his education to improve his skills as an auditor and plans to take the CPA exam. We applaud him for doing that.

However, Grogan could walk into the auditor’s office today and do the work. He has the skill and experience to find waste and fraud in county government. Grogan is endorsed.