SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The people running for Illinois comptroller and treasurer don’t seem to think much of the jobs.
All four candidates said Monday that if elected, they would try to merge the two jobs into a single financial position to oversee tax dollars.
Republicans Dan Rutherford and Judy Baar Topinka predict a merger would save about $12 million in rent and salary by eliminating duplication.
“There is no reason to run two constitutional offices with two staffs and two of everything else,” said Topinka, who used to be state treasurer and is now running for comptroller.
The pair are visiting 20 Illinois cities to discuss the change, which would require placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot and then getting voters to approve it. The change could not take effect until 2014 at the earliest.
Democratic comptroller nominee David Miller has previously objected to combining the offices, arguing that it would reduce safeguards meant to protect tax money.
But his campaign released a statement Monday saying, “Yes, I’m in favor of merging the two offices.” Miller did point out that a merger would save no money for years to come.
Democratic treasurer candidate Robin Kelly recently announced that she supports a merger, too. “Leaders must pursue every avenue to save money,” she said.
Under the Illinois constitution, the treasurer is responsible for holding and investing state tax dollars. The comptroller pays the state’s bills, writing checks for everything from salaries to tax refunds.
The duties were divided 40 years ago to reduce the chance of one corrupt official embezzling or misspending the money. But Topinka and Rutherford, a state senator now running for treasurer, say modern technology makes it easier to watch the money and prevent misconduct.
Rutherford said he and Topinka have not discussed details such as what the new office would be called — treasurer, comptroller or something new — or which of them might end up being squeezed out in 2014 if the offices merge.