SR0763 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0763 LRB096 21886 RCE 39865 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The conviction of former Governor George Ryan and the arrest and pending trial of former Governor Rod Blagojevich have caused a crisis of confidence of Illinois citizens and taxpayers in their government; and

WHEREAS, Former Governor Rod Blagojevich was accused of, among other things, corruption involving patronage hiring, awarding of State contracts, making of board and commission appointments, and other abuses of State power; and

WHEREAS, The decisions of State government, boards, and commissions were often based on the level of campaign contributions and not on the best interests of the taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, The State budget deficit is estimated at over $13 billion and liabilities are estimated to total over $120 billion including pension debt, yet there are varying reports of how many programs the State runs, how many special funds exist, and what the precise amount of the deficit is; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois ranks 48th in job growth and economic vitality, has had a net loss of over 700 manufacturing firms in the last year, and has had a population outflow of 735,000 people in the last decade due to loss of confidence in State government; and

WHEREAS, A forensic audit is a thorough and evidentiary audit that can identify corrupt practices that have occurred and provide the basis for prosecution of those who engaged in those practices; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Auditor General is directed pursuant to Section 3-2 of the Illinois State Auditing Act to conduct a forensic audit of all State spending, hiring, procurement, and contracts awarded and the appointment of board and commission officials and decisions made by boards and commissions or those with procurement or hiring authority during the Blagojevich administration, specifically all expenditures and actions from January 1, 2001 to January 1, 2010; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General commence this forensic audit as soon as possible and report the findings and recommendations upon completion in accordance with the Illinois State Auditing Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Office of the Governor shall provide all needed information and, if necessary, the Senate shall issue any needed subpoenas that the Auditor General deems necessary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a commission of 6 individuals equally divided between Republican members (appointed by the Senate Republican Minority Leader) and Democrat members (appointed by the President of the Senate) shall be appointed to oversee the effort; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General, upon finding any incident of suspected corruption, shall file a complaint to the Executive Inspector General or other appropriate Inspector General to be referred for further investigation and possible prosecution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copies of this resolution be delivered to the Auditor General and the Governor.