Rep. Tom Demmer | Facebook
Rep. Tom Demmer | Facebook
State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) is looking to combine Illinois' State Treasurer and Comptroller's offices into one institution. This position is supported by some experts on government and economics.
Demmer stated his intention to run for state treasurer last month, vowing to provide Illinois residents with a choice and to be a fiscal watchdog, in addition to this proposal. According to the Illinois Valley Times, Demmer said he was driven to run after seeing a large number of people leave the state in favor of better economic opportunities.
“Illinois taxpayers would be better served by having one office perform the duties of Comptroller and Treasurer,” Demmer said. “Reducing state government’s footprint and consolidating functions would achieve savings for taxpayers and streamline the fiscal operations of Illinois in a meaningful way. The late Judy Baar Topinka, who served separate terms in both offices, advocated for combining Comptroller and Treasurer into one position. We can honor her memory and reform an inefficient Madigan-era relic by acting now to let the people of Illinois have the final say on approving this reform later this year.”
Demmer is not alone in his support for this measure. In a 2020 Fiscal Budget Roadmap created by the Institute for Illinois Fiscal Stability, the Civic Federation also backed the consolidation of the Comptroller and Treasurer's offices into one entity. In addition to the merger, other positions supported by the institute are the consolidation of local pension funds, allowing townships to be abolished by referendum, the consolidation of the property tax administration in Cook County and dissolution of the Illinois International Port District.
Demmer has made this proposal on other occasions, according to The Rochelle News-Leader. During the 101st general assembly, Demmer filed HJRCA 22; in the 100th general assembly he filed HJRCA 25; and in the 99th general assembly he was sponsor of House Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s (R-Burr Ridge) proposal to combine the offices in HJRCA 3.
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