Illinois Auditor General
| Auditor General of Illinois | |
|---|---|
 | |
Incumbent since May 1, 2026Christopher B. Meister | |
| Term length | 10 years, no term limits |
| Salary | $180,600 (2022 |
| Website | www |
The Illinois Auditor General is a legislative officer provided for by the Constitution of Illinois and appointed by the Illinois General Assembly for a 10-year term.[1] The office reviews all Illinois state spending for legality.[2]
History
[edit]A 1956 scandal prompted the creation of the office. Orville E. Hodge, auditor of public accounts, embezzled or misappropriated over $1 million in public funds.[3][4]
In 1957, the General Assembly passed the Illinois Auditing Act and created the Department of Audits and the Legislative Audit Commission.[5]
In 1970, the Illinois Constitution mandated the office as a legislative entity rather than an executive branch agency.[5] The General Assembly passed the Illinois State Auditing Act.[6]
Robert G. Cronson was the first Auditor General and took office on August 1, 1974.[3]
Duties
[edit]The Auditor General audits public funds of the State and reports findings and recommendations to the Illinois General Assembly and to the Governor of Illinois. They disclose the obligation, expenditure, receipt, and use of public funds. The Auditor General's office performs several types of audits to review state agencies, including performance audits and information system audits.[7]
Officeholders
[edit]| # | Name | Term |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert G. Cronson | 1974–1992 |
| 2 | William Holland | 1992–2015 |
| 3 | Frank J. Mautino | 2016–2026 |
| 4 | Christopher B. Meister | 2026–present[8] |
Current occupant
[edit]Christopher B. Meister became Auditor General of the State of Illinois on May 1, 2026.[8] Prior to his appointment as Auditor General, Meister served as the executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority from 2009 to 2026[9], and as general council from 2007 to 2009.[10]
Former occupants
[edit]Frank J. Mautino became Auditor General of the State of Illinois on January 1, 2016. Prior to his appointment as Auditor General, Mr. Mautino served 24 years in the Illinois House of Representatives, including 12 years as a co-chairman of the Legislative Audit Commission. He was the third Auditor General since the position was created.[11] Mautino did not wish to seek a second term.[9]
See also
[edit]- Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts — a pre-1973 elected constitutional office
- Illinois Treasurer
References
[edit]- ↑ Illinois Constitution of 1970, Article VIII (Finance), Section 3
- ↑ Uphoff, Judy Lee (2012). "The Governor and the Executive Branch". In Lind, Nancy S.; Rankin, Erik (eds.). Governing Illinois: Your Connection to State and Local Government (PDF) (4th ed.). Center Publications, Center for State Policy and Leadership, University of Illinois at Springfield. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-938943-28-0. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
- 1 2 WILLIAM L. DAY and BRITTA B. HARRIS (May 1980). "Supreme Court v. Auditor General- Illinois Issues, May, 1980". www.lib.niu.edu. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ↑ "First Auditor General of Illinois Dies". Illinois Public Media. July 6, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- 1 2 "Office of the Auditor General" (PDF). Illinois Blue Book. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ↑ "30 ILCS 5 Illinois State Auditing Act". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ↑ "Illinois Auditor General - Description of the Office". www.auditor.illinois.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- 1 2 "Illinois lawmakers approve Christopher Meister as state's new auditor general". Chicago Tribune. February 26, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- 1 2 "Finance Authority Chief Recommended as Next Auditor General". The Illinoize. February 19, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Illinois Auditor General - Description of the Office". auditor.illinois.gov. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ O'Connor, John (October 26, 2015). "Q&A: Frank Mautino set to become third Illinois auditor general". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
External links
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