Three vie for comptroller in Nov. 6 election
The race for Illinois comptroller features incumbent Susanna Mendoza, a Democrat from Chicago, and Republican challenger Darlene Senger of Naperville, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Supporters are making a push for Mendoza to join the crowded race for mayor of Chicago. "That's super flattering, but my focus from Day One is on this job," the comptroller said.
Senger, a former state representative, says Mendoza has been "bashing" Rauner unfairly and "incorporated" her political positions into the office "in a way I've never seen before with the other comptrollers."
Mendoza notes she has gotten bipartisan support for her legislative agenda, including the passing of bills such as the Debt Transparency Act, which unanimously overrode a Rauner veto, and the Truth in Hiring Act.
The Debt Transparency Act requires state agencies to report unpaid bills and interest to the comptroller monthly and the Truth in Hiring Act requires the governor's staff be paid from his office's budget.
Senger proposes merging the offices of comptroller and treasurer, saying taxpayers could save as much as $14 million a year. Mendoza opposes the idea and disputes the savings. She said it would create an opening for fraud and hurt the state's financial ratings.
A former member of the College of DuPage budget committee, accountant Claire Ball is the Libertarian Party candidate.
More information is available online at darlenesenger.com, susanamendoza.com and claireballforillinois.com.