House Sponsors: LANG-HOWARD-CURRY,JULIE-JONES,LOU, RYAN, BOLAND, FRANKS AND MCGUIRE. Senate Sponsors: LAUZEN Short description: ST DEBT COLLECTION-AUD GEN Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the State Finance Act and the Illinois State Collection Act of 1986. Requires that the Auditor General establish a Debt Collection Unit for the collection of overdue debts owed to the State. Beginning July 1, 2002, requires State agencies other than universities to determine the uncollectibility of debts using rules adopted by the Auditor General and to turn over to the Debt Collection Unit debts more than 90 days overdue. Exempts confidential debts owed to the Department of Revenue. Permits universities to use the Auditor General's rules and to turn debts over to the Debt Collection Unit. Requires that 10% of debts collected by the Debt Collection Unit be deposited into a special fund in the State treasury for payment of the Unit's administrative costs. Requires the Auditor General to report semi-annually to the General Assembly and State Comptroller upon debts owed to the State and upon collection efforts. Abolishes in 2002 the Debt Collection Board, the Comptroller's use of special account receivable funds, and the use of private collection services by individual State agencies. Effective immediately. FISCAL NOTE (Auditor General) The Debt Collection Unit would have a projected workload of approximately $2.5 billion and projected start-up costs of $2,918,800. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Further amends the Illinois State Collection Act of 1986. Provides that the Auditor General may contract with private debt collection entities and attorneys to pursue the collection of uncollectable debts. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Further amends the Illinois State Collection Act of 1986. Provides that the Department of Public Aid is exempt from the provisions concerning the Debt Collection Unit of the Auditor General's Office with regard to child support debts governed by certain requirements of the federal Social Security Act. Provides that the Department of Public Aid may refer child support debts to the Unit for collection. Provides that moneys for child support debt that are collected by the Unit must be distributed and disbursed at the direction of the Department of Public Aid in accordance with certain requirements of the federal Social Security Act, State law, and the Department's rules. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 2 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status