Illinois senators promote legislation combining offices

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Two Illinois lawmakers are calling for legislation to be considered during a special session this week that would combine the offices of the state comptroller and treasurer.

Republican Sen. Matt Murphy and Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul filed legislation merging the two offices in 2013. The bill has been stuck in committee ever since.

Murphy says Thursday's special session is the perfect time to consider advancing the bill. Outgoing Gov. Pat Quinn had called lawmakers to Springfield to vote on holding a special election in 2016 to replace the late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.

The idea of a merger has been around for decades. Opponents say separate offices maintain checks and balances over the state's fiscal matters.

The comptroller is in charge of writing state checks. The treasurer invests state funds.