ABOUT THE OFFICE

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 15 years as a co-chairman of the Legislative Audit Commission.

As a constitutional officer, the Auditor General audits public funds of the State and reports findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and to the Governor. The establishment of the Auditor General under the Legislature is important. It ensures that the Legislature, which grants funds and sets program goals, will ultimately review program expenditures and results. Thus, agencies are accountable to the people through their elected representatives.

The Auditor General's office performs several types of audits to review State agencies. Financial audits and Compliance examinations are mandated by law. They disclose the obligation, expenditure, receipt, and use of public funds. They also provide agencies with specific recommendations to ensure full compliance with State statutes, rules, and regulations. The Auditor General also reviews compliance with federal statutes, and rules and regulations for those agencies subject to the Federal Single Audit Act of 1984.

Performance audits are conducted at the request of legislators to assist them in overseeing government. State programs, functions, and activities are reviewed according to the direction of the audit resolution or law directing the audit. The General Assembly then uses the audit recommendations to develop legislation for governmental improvement.

Information Systems audits are performed on the State's computer networks. They determine whether appropriate controls and recovery procedures exist to manage and protect the State's financial and confidential information.

Copies of all audits are made available to members of the Legislature, the Governor, agency management, the media, and the public. Findings include areas such as accounts receivable, contracts, expenditure control, leases, misappropriation of funds, personnel and payroll, property control, purchasing, reimbursements, computer security, telecommunications, and travel.

Audit reports are reviewed by the Legislative Audit Commission in a public hearing attended by the audited agency's officials. Testimony is taken from the agency regarding the audit findings and the plans the agency has for corrective action. In some cases, the Commission may decide to sponsor legislation to correct troublesome fiscal problems brought to light by an audit. All outstanding recommendations are reviewed during the next regularly scheduled audit of the agency; or, if the Commission requests, a special interim audit may be conducted.