Controller Judy Baar Topinka notes in her April edition of the Comptroller's quarterly, that actions taken in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2011 have allowed the state of Illinois to gain revenue and avoid financial catastrophe in the short term. But a massive bill backlog and substantial long-term challenges remain.
She notes, at the end of March, the office of the Comptroller had $4.515 billion in unpaid bills with some vouchers dating back to October 2010. The Comptroller's office is at two prioritize critical payments such as debt service and other funding vital to the operation of state programs such as general state aid to school districts.
The report goes on to note that further adding to the backlog is the ongoing need to prioritize Medicaid disbursements in order to receive increased federal stimulus match funding. The federal share of Medicaid payments dropped from 59% to 57% in April. And it will fall to 50% after June 30. Therefore the state is expediting payments on medical bills in order to gain as much of the federal match as possible while time allows. This means others who have been waiting to have their bills paid continue to wait.
The backlog in bills would be even more substantial if not for the $3.7 billion in pension funding bonds issued in March, which was used to pay the majority of the states obligations to the retirement system in fiscal year 2011.
As the report notes, the combination of tobacco bond proceeds, the tax amnesty program and the increase in tax rates led to general funds revenue increase of $1.536 billion, a 7.3% increase. Individual income tax receipts grew by $1.057 billion, through nine months. Corporate income tax revenue increase by $240 million, a 27.6% increase. And the states tax amnesty program contributed $36 million in individual income tax receipts and $215 million in corporate income tax revenue.
SALES TAX: as the report notes, an improving economy increased sales tax revenues by $414 million although $164 million of that was due to the tax amnesty.
GENERAL FUNDS SPENDING: Gen. fund spending increased by $2.45 billion, or 11.3% in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2011. Through nine months of fiscal year 2011 base expenditures have increased by $2.45 billion.
Of this amount, healthcare and family services had the largest increase in vouchers presented for payment among the major agencies, with $537 million. Vouchers presented by the state Board of Education were down $250 million to the first three quarters of the fiscal year. The teachers retirement system of higher education are down $660 million, and $67 million respectively year to date as a larger share of this year's pension payments were funded directly by bond proceeds.
UPCOMING CHALLENGES: the state still has to pay back $1.3 billion from the July 2010 short-term borrowing over the next three months. While that amount is lower than what was outstanding at this time last year, the state shifted over $2 billion in Medicaid spending to other state funds in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 which cannot be repeated this time around.
So while the states tax revenues have grown, the state's bill backlog is not likely to decrease significantly from the current levels, or the levels seen at the end of fiscal year 2010 if the current trends continue.
Thus while the state is collecting some additional dollars, the fiscal challenge of operating the state remains as daunting as ever.
Showing posts with label comptroller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comptroller. Show all posts
Monday, April 11, 2011
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Raja Proposes Three-Point Pay-For-Performance Salary Plan for State Public Officials
From the Campaign Office of Raja Krishnamoorthi for Comptroller
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
SPRINGFIELD -- Raja (RAH-jah) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-MOOR-thee), candidate for the Democratic nomination for Illinois State Comptroller, today proposed a three-point pay-for-performance plan to make state government more sensitive and responsive to the pressures of the economic recession.
"We are going to introduce into Illinois state government the concept of pay-for-performance," Krishnamoorthi said. "One of the main responsibilities of the governor and the legislature is to balance the state budget. In any year state government officials fail to balance the budget, they should not be eligible for an automatic cost-of-living adjustment or pay raise."
Krishnamoorthi pledged not to accept a pay raise or cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as Comptroller until the state's budget is balanced.
"Across our state and nation today, millions of families are struggling with the economic impact of the Great Recession," Krishnamoorthi said. "It's time for public officials to acknowledge the pain these families face by reining in their own endless appetite for pay raises and cost-of-living adjustments."
Krishnamoorthi's three-point pay-for-performance plan would use the Internet to make information about the salaries of state government leaders more accessible on a central state government website.
"We need to make it easier for the people of Illinois to know just how much their government leaders are making," Krishnamoorthi said. "This fits with one of the major themes of my campaign -- making state government more open, transparent and Internet accessible."
Krishnamoorthi's three-point pay-for-performance salary plan would do the following:
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
SPRINGFIELD -- Raja (RAH-jah) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-MOOR-thee), candidate for the Democratic nomination for Illinois State Comptroller, today proposed a three-point pay-for-performance plan to make state government more sensitive and responsive to the pressures of the economic recession.
"We are going to introduce into Illinois state government the concept of pay-for-performance," Krishnamoorthi said. "One of the main responsibilities of the governor and the legislature is to balance the state budget. In any year state government officials fail to balance the budget, they should not be eligible for an automatic cost-of-living adjustment or pay raise."
Krishnamoorthi pledged not to accept a pay raise or cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as Comptroller until the state's budget is balanced.
"Across our state and nation today, millions of families are struggling with the economic impact of the Great Recession," Krishnamoorthi said. "It's time for public officials to acknowledge the pain these families face by reining in their own endless appetite for pay raises and cost-of-living adjustments."
Krishnamoorthi's three-point pay-for-performance plan would use the Internet to make information about the salaries of state government leaders more accessible on a central state government website.
"We need to make it easier for the people of Illinois to know just how much their government leaders are making," Krishnamoorthi said. "This fits with one of the major themes of my campaign -- making state government more open, transparent and Internet accessible."
Krishnamoorthi's three-point pay-for-performance salary plan would do the following:
- Publish salaries of all legislators, judges and executive officials online, along with the salaries of their staffs (with 5 year historical breakdown)
- Prohibit automatic COLAs and prohibit salary increases or COLAs in any budget year not having a balanced state government budget
- Refuse salary increases or COLAs while serving as Comptroller until Illinois has a balanced budget
“Few taxpayers throughout Illinois are getting pay raises, if they're fortunate enough to have a job,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Serving in elected office is a privilege, not a prize. Governing should not be about pay raises and patronage. It should be about providing open, transparent and responsive service to taxpayers.”
Krishnamoorthi served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the state of Illinois where he helped to establish an anti-corruption unit. He also worked for two years as Deputy Treasurer of Illinois, helping to bring significant reforms to the office and overseeing the custody and administration of billions of dollars in state funds.
Previously, Krishnamoorthi served as a board member and audit committee chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority where he helped thousands of Illinois families find affordable housing.
If elected, Krishnamoorthi would become the first Asian American to hold elected statewide office in Illinois. A lawyer and policy expert, Krishnamoorthi, 36, worked on President Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as issues director and then as a senior adviser. Krishnamoorthi also advised Obama during his presidential campaign and his 2000 congressional campaign.
For more information regarding Krishnamoorthi and his campaign for Illinois State Comptroller, please visit www.rajaforillinois.com.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Raja Prevails in Petition Challenge
From the Campaign Office of Raja Krishnamoorthi for Comptroller
Former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja (RAH-jah) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-MOOR-thee) today prevailed in beating back a challenge to his nominating petitions for Illinois State Comptroller which means Krishnamoorthi's name will appear on the February ballot.
“I’ve been running for this office for months with detailed plans to protect the taxpayers and open up state government to its citizens,” Krishnamoorthi said. “My campaign collected thousands of signatures from voters throughout our state who are tired of business as usual and want to bring real reform and openness to Springfield.”
Krishnamoorthi filed the maximum number of 10,000 nominating petition signatures on October 26 with the Illinois State Board of Elections. More than double the 5,000 signatures required by state law to get on the February primary ballot, the signatures for Krishnamoorthi came from counties throughout the state of Illinois.
Thousands of those signatures came from near his hometown of Peoria where his parents have lived in the same house for nearly 30 years.
Even so, the petition challenge questioned the validity of Krishnamoorthi's own father's signature on the nominating petitions.
"Questioning the legitimacy of my own father's signature highlights what is wrong in Illinois politics," Krishnamoorthi said. "The time for these insider games and insider politics is over. Taxpayers need a watchdog to protect their hard earned dollars, and I look forward to serving the people of Illinois as their financial watchdog."
Krishnamoorthi served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, helping to establish an anti-corruption unit, and as Deputy Treasurer of Illinois, he helped bring significant reforms to the office and oversaw the custody and administration of billions of dollars in state funds. Previously, Krishnamoorthi served as a board member and audit committee chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority where he helped thousands of Illinois families find affordable housing.
If elected, Krishnamoorthi would become the first Asian American to hold elected statewide office in Illinois. A lawyer and policy expert, Krishnamoorthi, 36, worked on President Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as issues director and then as a senior adviser. Krishnamoorthi also advised Obama during his presidential campaign and his 2000 congressional campaign.
Former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja (RAH-jah) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-MOOR-thee) today prevailed in beating back a challenge to his nominating petitions for Illinois State Comptroller which means Krishnamoorthi's name will appear on the February ballot.
“I’ve been running for this office for months with detailed plans to protect the taxpayers and open up state government to its citizens,” Krishnamoorthi said. “My campaign collected thousands of signatures from voters throughout our state who are tired of business as usual and want to bring real reform and openness to Springfield.”
Krishnamoorthi filed the maximum number of 10,000 nominating petition signatures on October 26 with the Illinois State Board of Elections. More than double the 5,000 signatures required by state law to get on the February primary ballot, the signatures for Krishnamoorthi came from counties throughout the state of Illinois.
Thousands of those signatures came from near his hometown of Peoria where his parents have lived in the same house for nearly 30 years.
Even so, the petition challenge questioned the validity of Krishnamoorthi's own father's signature on the nominating petitions.
"Questioning the legitimacy of my own father's signature highlights what is wrong in Illinois politics," Krishnamoorthi said. "The time for these insider games and insider politics is over. Taxpayers need a watchdog to protect their hard earned dollars, and I look forward to serving the people of Illinois as their financial watchdog."
Krishnamoorthi served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, helping to establish an anti-corruption unit, and as Deputy Treasurer of Illinois, he helped bring significant reforms to the office and oversaw the custody and administration of billions of dollars in state funds. Previously, Krishnamoorthi served as a board member and audit committee chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority where he helped thousands of Illinois families find affordable housing.
If elected, Krishnamoorthi would become the first Asian American to hold elected statewide office in Illinois. A lawyer and policy expert, Krishnamoorthi, 36, worked on President Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as issues director and then as a senior adviser. Krishnamoorthi also advised Obama during his presidential campaign and his 2000 congressional campaign.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Forrest Claypool Endorses Raja for Comptroller
From the Campaign Office of Raja Krishnamoorthi for Comptroller
Sunday, November 15, 2009
CHICAGO -- Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool today endorsed former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja (RAH-jah) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-MOOR-thee) for Illinois State Comptroller.
“In this time of economic challenge and large budget deficits, we need officials who will serve as the taxpayers' watchdog,” Claypool said. “I am convinced that Raja can be the kind of comptroller we need to cut the waste and fraud from state government while protecting the vital services it must provide.”
Krishnamoorthi also proposed a three-point pay-for-performance salary plan to make state government more sensitive and responsive to the pressures of the economic recession that has left millions of families without jobs or facing pay cuts and reductions in benefits.
“Few are getting pay raises, if they're fortunate enough to have a job,” Krishnamoorthi said. “It's time for public officials to acknowledge the pain these families face by reining in their own endless appetite for pay raises and cost-of-living adjustments.”
Claypool is the former Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, a $400 million government agency with 3,200 employees. Like Krishnamoorthi, he served as Deputy Illinois Treasurer, and he also was Chief of Staff to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
“People throw around the term 'reformer' and often apply it to public officials who don't really deserve it,” Krishnamoorthi said. “But Forrest Claypool has proved that he's no fake reformer. He has fought hard, often in the minority, to change county government for the better - making it more open and responsive to the people it's supposed to serve.”
Krishnamoorthi's three-point pay-for-performance salary plan would do the following:
Sunday, November 15, 2009
CHICAGO -- Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool today endorsed former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja (RAH-jah) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-MOOR-thee) for Illinois State Comptroller.
“In this time of economic challenge and large budget deficits, we need officials who will serve as the taxpayers' watchdog,” Claypool said. “I am convinced that Raja can be the kind of comptroller we need to cut the waste and fraud from state government while protecting the vital services it must provide.”
Krishnamoorthi also proposed a three-point pay-for-performance salary plan to make state government more sensitive and responsive to the pressures of the economic recession that has left millions of families without jobs or facing pay cuts and reductions in benefits.
“Few are getting pay raises, if they're fortunate enough to have a job,” Krishnamoorthi said. “It's time for public officials to acknowledge the pain these families face by reining in their own endless appetite for pay raises and cost-of-living adjustments.”
Claypool is the former Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, a $400 million government agency with 3,200 employees. Like Krishnamoorthi, he served as Deputy Illinois Treasurer, and he also was Chief of Staff to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
“People throw around the term 'reformer' and often apply it to public officials who don't really deserve it,” Krishnamoorthi said. “But Forrest Claypool has proved that he's no fake reformer. He has fought hard, often in the minority, to change county government for the better - making it more open and responsive to the people it's supposed to serve.”
Krishnamoorthi's three-point pay-for-performance salary plan would do the following:
- Publish salaries of all legislators, judges and executive officials online, along with the salaries of their staffs (with 5 year historical breakdown)
- Prohibit automatic cost-of-living-adjustments (COLAs) in any budget year and prohibit salary increases or COLAs in any budget year not having a balanced state government budget
- Refuse salary increases or COLAs while serving as Comptroller until Illinois has a balanced budget
“Serving in elected office is a privilege, not a prize,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Governing should not be about pay raises and patronage. It should be about providing open, transparent and responsive service to taxpayers.”
Krishnamoorthi served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, helping to establish an anti-corruption unit, and as Deputy Treasurer of Illinois, he helped bring significant reforms to the office and oversaw the custody and administration of billions of dollars in state funds.
Previously, Krishnamoorthi served as a board member and audit committee chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority where he helped thousands of Illinois families find affordable housing.
If elected, Krishnamoorthi would become the first Asian American to hold elected statewide office in Illinois. A lawyer and policy expert, Krishnamoorthi, 36, worked on President Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as issues director and then as a senior adviser. Krishnamoorthi also advised Obama during his presidential campaign and his 2000 congressional campaign.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Raja Blasts Miller for "Insider Tactics" Meant to Deny Voters a Chance for Change
From the Campaign Office of Raja Krishnamoorthi for Comptroller
November 9, 2009
Former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja (RA-ja) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-MOOR-thee) today blasted State Rep. David Miller and one of Miller's Facebook supporters for challenging Krishnamoorthi’s petitions of candidacy for Illinois State Comptroller, charging that Miller's campaign was trying to deny Democratic primary voters a progressive alternative to business as usual.
“I’ve been running for this office for months with detailed plans to protect the taxpayers and open up state government to its citizens,” Krishnamoorthi said. “My campaign collected thousands of signatures from voters throughout our state who are tired of business as usual and want to bring real reform and openness to Springfield.”
Krishnamoorthi filed the maximum number of 10,000 nominating petition signatures on October 26 with the Illinois State Board of Elections. More than double the 5,000 signatures required by state law to get on the February primary ballot, the signatures for Krishnamoorthi came from more than 50 counties throughout the state of Illinois.
“The challenge to my petitions is nothing less than harassment and intimidation,” Krishnamoorthi said. “As the endorsed candidate of the Cook County Democratic Organization, Miller's campaign is using heavy-handed insider tactics to limit access to the ballot and deny voters an alternative to the business as usual he represents.”
Krishnamoorthi noted that the name of the challenger to his petitions, Emily Svitak, appears on the social networking site Facebook as a supporter of Miller’s. He called on Miller, in the interest of honesty and transparency, to admit that his campaign is behind the petition challenge and to withdraw its complaint.
“As a longtime state legislator who has voted repeatedly to increase his own salary, David Miller is practiced in the art of insider politics,” Krishnamoorthi said. “His petition challenge is doomed to failure. The voters of Illinois have had enough, and they’re not going to take it anymore.”
Krishnamoorthi served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, helping to establish an anti-corruption unit, and as Deputy Treasurer of Illinois, he helped bring significant reforms to the office and oversaw the custody and administration of billions of dollars in state funds. Previously, Krishnamoorthi served as a board member and audit committee chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority where he helped thousands of Illinois families find affordable housing.
If elected, Krishnamoorthi would become the first Asian American to hold elected statewide office in Illinois. A lawyer and policy expert, Krishnamoorthi, 36, worked on President Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as issues director and then as a senior adviser. Krishnamoorthi also advised Obama during his presidential campaign and his 2000 congressional campaign.
November 9, 2009
Former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja (RA-ja) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-MOOR-thee) today blasted State Rep. David Miller and one of Miller's Facebook supporters for challenging Krishnamoorthi’s petitions of candidacy for Illinois State Comptroller, charging that Miller's campaign was trying to deny Democratic primary voters a progressive alternative to business as usual.
“I’ve been running for this office for months with detailed plans to protect the taxpayers and open up state government to its citizens,” Krishnamoorthi said. “My campaign collected thousands of signatures from voters throughout our state who are tired of business as usual and want to bring real reform and openness to Springfield.”
Krishnamoorthi filed the maximum number of 10,000 nominating petition signatures on October 26 with the Illinois State Board of Elections. More than double the 5,000 signatures required by state law to get on the February primary ballot, the signatures for Krishnamoorthi came from more than 50 counties throughout the state of Illinois.
“The challenge to my petitions is nothing less than harassment and intimidation,” Krishnamoorthi said. “As the endorsed candidate of the Cook County Democratic Organization, Miller's campaign is using heavy-handed insider tactics to limit access to the ballot and deny voters an alternative to the business as usual he represents.”
Krishnamoorthi noted that the name of the challenger to his petitions, Emily Svitak, appears on the social networking site Facebook as a supporter of Miller’s. He called on Miller, in the interest of honesty and transparency, to admit that his campaign is behind the petition challenge and to withdraw its complaint.
“As a longtime state legislator who has voted repeatedly to increase his own salary, David Miller is practiced in the art of insider politics,” Krishnamoorthi said. “His petition challenge is doomed to failure. The voters of Illinois have had enough, and they’re not going to take it anymore.”
Krishnamoorthi served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, helping to establish an anti-corruption unit, and as Deputy Treasurer of Illinois, he helped bring significant reforms to the office and oversaw the custody and administration of billions of dollars in state funds. Previously, Krishnamoorthi served as a board member and audit committee chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority where he helped thousands of Illinois families find affordable housing.
If elected, Krishnamoorthi would become the first Asian American to hold elected statewide office in Illinois. A lawyer and policy expert, Krishnamoorthi, 36, worked on President Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as issues director and then as a senior adviser. Krishnamoorthi also advised Obama during his presidential campaign and his 2000 congressional campaign.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Krishnamoorthi to Give "Open Look" into State Government
From the Campaign Office of Raja Krishnamoorthi for Illinois Comptroller
SPRINGFIELD – Former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi (krish-nah-MOOR-thee) today announced that if elected Illinois State Comptroller he would enact measures to make state government more open and accountable to the media and voters.
“A large part of the problems with state government in Illinois is that too much is hidden from the taxpayers who pay for it,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Fortunately, the Internet and its search engines can make government information much more accessible – if the people in charge of state government are committed to making information available.”
Krishnamoorthi, 36, would expand the existing Open Book database maintained by the Illinois Comptroller’s office that provides a searchable online database of state contracts and vendor’s campaign contributions.
“I will turn Open Book into Open Look,” said Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat. “Open Look will have a user-friendly e-contracts library that is easily searchable.”
The e-contracts library would publish full, searchable copies of state contracts on a going forward basis for products valued at more than $10,000 and for services valued at more than $5,000 for all state agencies.
As Comptroller, Krishnamoorthi’s transparency efforts will also include establishing an Online Checkbook for the Illinois Comptroller’s office that will allow taxpayers to track how the office spends its money, including payments for salaries, rent and purchases of goods and services.
“The Online Checkbook can serve as a model for all state agencies to allow taxpayers to see how each and every taxpayer dollar is spent,” said Krishnamoorthi.
Krishnamoorthi also said he would push to disclose all funds received by Illinois as part of the federal stimulus legislation known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“Illinois taxpayers have the right to know where and how their money is being spent in Springfield and Washington,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Krishnamoorthi lauded the enactment of the Illinois Transparency & Accountability Portal but noted that questions remain regarding its implementation. Krishnamoorthi's vision for online state contracting transparency calls for a more interactive Open Look where taxpayers and bidders can police state contracts and hold government officials accountable.
As a result, Krishnamoorthi called for the creation of a single online portal to let the public track all Illinois fiscal information.
“The technology is available, and state government ought to be willing to embrace technology to open up Illinois state government and help reduce waste and fraud,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Well-run government should not be an oxymoron, and we need a government willing to embrace new rules and new technologies that can make it more efficient and more effective.”
A lawyer and policy expert, Krishnamoorthi worked on President Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as issues director and then as a senior adviser. Krishnamoorthi also advised Obama during his presidential campaign and his 2000 congressional campaign.
Krishnamoorthi would become the first Asian American to hold any elected state office in Illinois.
As Deputy Treasurer of Illinois, Krishnamoorthi helped bring significant reforms and oversaw the custody and administration of billions of dollars in state funds. Previously, Krishnamoorthi served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, helping to establish an anti-corruption unit. As a board member and audit committee chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, he helped thousands of Illinois families find affordable housing.
Krishnamoorthi was a valedictorian at Richwoods High School in Peoria. With the help of financial aid, Krishnamoorthi attended and graduated with honors from Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
He is married to Priya, a doctor, and they have two young sons. The family lives in Hoffman Estates, a suburb of Chicago.
For more information regarding Raja Krishnamoorthi and his campaign, please visit www.rajaforillinois.com.
SPRINGFIELD – Former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi (krish-nah-MOOR-thee) today announced that if elected Illinois State Comptroller he would enact measures to make state government more open and accountable to the media and voters.
“A large part of the problems with state government in Illinois is that too much is hidden from the taxpayers who pay for it,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Fortunately, the Internet and its search engines can make government information much more accessible – if the people in charge of state government are committed to making information available.”
Krishnamoorthi, 36, would expand the existing Open Book database maintained by the Illinois Comptroller’s office that provides a searchable online database of state contracts and vendor’s campaign contributions.
“I will turn Open Book into Open Look,” said Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat. “Open Look will have a user-friendly e-contracts library that is easily searchable.”
The e-contracts library would publish full, searchable copies of state contracts on a going forward basis for products valued at more than $10,000 and for services valued at more than $5,000 for all state agencies.
As Comptroller, Krishnamoorthi’s transparency efforts will also include establishing an Online Checkbook for the Illinois Comptroller’s office that will allow taxpayers to track how the office spends its money, including payments for salaries, rent and purchases of goods and services.
“The Online Checkbook can serve as a model for all state agencies to allow taxpayers to see how each and every taxpayer dollar is spent,” said Krishnamoorthi.
Krishnamoorthi also said he would push to disclose all funds received by Illinois as part of the federal stimulus legislation known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“Illinois taxpayers have the right to know where and how their money is being spent in Springfield and Washington,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Krishnamoorthi lauded the enactment of the Illinois Transparency & Accountability Portal but noted that questions remain regarding its implementation. Krishnamoorthi's vision for online state contracting transparency calls for a more interactive Open Look where taxpayers and bidders can police state contracts and hold government officials accountable.
As a result, Krishnamoorthi called for the creation of a single online portal to let the public track all Illinois fiscal information.
“The technology is available, and state government ought to be willing to embrace technology to open up Illinois state government and help reduce waste and fraud,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Well-run government should not be an oxymoron, and we need a government willing to embrace new rules and new technologies that can make it more efficient and more effective.”
A lawyer and policy expert, Krishnamoorthi worked on President Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate, serving first as issues director and then as a senior adviser. Krishnamoorthi also advised Obama during his presidential campaign and his 2000 congressional campaign.
Krishnamoorthi would become the first Asian American to hold any elected state office in Illinois.
As Deputy Treasurer of Illinois, Krishnamoorthi helped bring significant reforms and oversaw the custody and administration of billions of dollars in state funds. Previously, Krishnamoorthi served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, helping to establish an anti-corruption unit. As a board member and audit committee chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, he helped thousands of Illinois families find affordable housing.
Krishnamoorthi was a valedictorian at Richwoods High School in Peoria. With the help of financial aid, Krishnamoorthi attended and graduated with honors from Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
He is married to Priya, a doctor, and they have two young sons. The family lives in Hoffman Estates, a suburb of Chicago.
For more information regarding Raja Krishnamoorthi and his campaign, please visit www.rajaforillinois.com.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Statement by Raja Krishnamoorthi Regarding Cemetery Oversight Task Force Recommendations
From the Campaign Office of Raja Krishnamoorthi for Illinois Comptroller
“The tragedy of Burr Oak must never recur. The heartache to the families involved is almost beyond imagining. While I have proposed stronger measures to police the cemetery industry under the Comptroller’s existing powers, I would support the Task Force’s recommendations to vest all oversight within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation if these measures could be implemented without delay. As I have said all along, time is of the essence in enacting cemetery oversight reform. I look forward to seeing legislation incorporating these initiatives.
“I call on the Illinois General Assembly to pass the required laws as soon as possible. It was the legislature’s failure to better regulate cemeteries that helped lead to the Burr Oak tragedy. They shouldn’t compound the problem by delaying the changes in law and regulation that Illinois needs.”
For more information regarding Krishnamoorthi and his campaign, please visit www.rajaforillinois.com.
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