REPORT DIGEST

 

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

 

COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION

For the Two Years Ended: June 30, 2009

 

Summary of Findings:

Total this audit:  9

Total last audit:  9

Repeated from last audit:  7

 

Release Date: May 25, 2010

 

State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor General

WILLIAM G. HOLLAND

AUDITOR GENERAL

 

 

To obtain a copy of the Report contact:

Office of the Auditor General, Iles Park Plaza, 740 E. Ash Street, Springfield, IL 62703

(217) 782-6046 or TTY (888) 261-2887

 

This Report Digest and Full Report are also available on the worldwide web at http://www.auditor.illinois.gov

 

 

SYNOPSIS

 

•           The Commission did not comply with the Fiscal Control and Internal Auditing Act.

 

•           The Commission did not timely publish its decisions.

 

•           The Commission was not in compliance with the Labor and Employment Administrative Code.

 

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE FISCAL CONTROL AND INTERNAL AUDITING ACT

 

            The Commission did not perform an evaluation of its internal fiscal and administrative controls during Fiscal Year 2009. However, the Commission prepared and submitted a Fiscal Control and Internal Auditing Act (FCIAA) certification for Fiscal Year 2009 to the Office of the Auditor General.  In addition, the Commission did not timely file its FCIAA certification for Fiscal Year 2008. The FCIAA certification was due on May 1, 2008 but was not filed until June 5, 2008, which is 36 days late.

 

            We recommended the Commission perform timely evaluations of its systems of internal fiscal and administrative controls and timely file annual certifications regarding the evaluation with the Auditor General by May 1st of each year as required by the FCIAA.  (Finding 1, pages 9-10)

 

            Commission officials partially agreed with the finding, citing the Commission’s monthly en banc meetings report as their evaluation of internal fiscal and administrative controls. 

 

            In an auditor’s comment, we noted the Commission is required to conduct an evaluation of their systems of internal fiscal and administrative controls.  However, general discussion regarding Commission operations does not constitute an evaluation of the Commission’s systems of internal fiscal and administrative controls. 

 

UNTIMELY PUBLICATIONS OF DECISIONS

 

            The Commission failed to publish its decisions in a timely manner.  We noted 12 of 25 (48%) decisions tested were not posted on the Commission’s website within 120 calendar days of the disposal date.  In addition, we were unable to determine if the Commission made the decisions available in their library timely because no record is maintained detailing when decisions were filed and made available.

    

            We recommended the Commission publish all of its decisions within 120 days as required by statute. Furthermore, the Commission should keep a log of their library to ensure compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act.  (Finding 2, pages 11-12)

 

            Commission officials partially agreed with the finding, citing staff vacancies and a lack of scanning equipment as barriers to compliance with the requirement for portions of the examination period and asserting compliance since December 2008. 

 

            In an auditor’s comment, we affirm this statutory requirement was effective for the duration of the examination period.

 

NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

          

            The Commission did not comply with the Labor and Employment Administrative Code.  We reviewed 29 cases, noting 18 (62%) cases in which the Commission did not serve all parties within five days of the complaint being filed.  The notices were 2 to 45 days late.

 

            We recommended the Commission serve all parties within the five days as required by the Administrative Code.  (Finding 3, page 13)

 

            Commission officials agreed with our recommendation.

 

OTHER FINDINGS

           

            The remaining findings are reportedly being given attention by the Commission.  We will review the Commission's progress toward implementation of our recommendations in our next examination.

 

AUDITORS’ OPINION

 

            We conducted a compliance examination of the Illinois Human Rights Commission as required by the Illinois State Auditing Act.  We have not audited any financial statements of the Illinois Human Rights Commission for the purpose of expressing an opinion because the Illinois Human Rights Commission does not, nor is it required to, prepare financial statements.

 

 

WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, Auditor General

 

WGH:CD:pp

 

 

AUDITORS ASSIGNED

 

     This examination was conducted by staff of the Office of the Auditor General.