HR0051 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0051 LRB103 29375 MST 55764 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In November 2020, the people of Illinois overwhelmingly voted "no" on a graduated income tax proposed by Governor JB Pritzker as a means to increase state revenue; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has undergone two income tax increases in the past decade, neither of which have provided a stable solution to the State's budget woes; and

WHEREAS, Certain elected officials actively worked for and succeeded in expanding state spending since the last tax increase was enacted in 2017, without any method to pay for the additional programs; and

WHEREAS, The Comptroller estimates that the State's current bill backlog is $4.77 billion, not including the $4.3 billion in short-term and emergency borrowing liabilities that have to be repaid in the near future; and

WHEREAS, These certain members helped ensure that the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed an FY21 budget with an estimated $6.2 billion deficit; and

WHEREAS, The State is currently faced with over $140 billion in unfunded pension liabilities; and

WHEREAS, The voters' rejection of the failed graduated income tax proposal is further proof that citizens no longer trust government with more tax dollars; and

WHEREAS, With additional revenue items exhausted, it is time for elected officials in Illinois to find other places to save money; and

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

WHEREAS, Identifying waste, fraud, neglect, and abuse is a first step in restoring Illinois citizens' faith in government; and

WHEREAS, Forensic audit findings, coupled with agency cuts and efficiencies by the Governor, can make a meaningful dent in the State's structural deficit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD 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 from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2022; 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 Auditor General, upon finding any incident of suspected waste, fraud, neglect, or abuse, shall file a complaint to the Executive Inspector General or other appropriate Inspector General to be referred for further investigation; and be it further

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