Rock Island Today

TONY M MCCOMBIE, House Minority Leader of Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois General Assembly said on Sep 29th.

"This week, we've had two different audit reports of state agencies revealing horrible problems and an important hearing on the work of another agency. Audit reports are the only source of agency accountability that we as Republicans have access to. And of course, the problems go beyond this week's news and continue to plague the state. The Department of Children and Family Services issues brought to light this week brought to light the fact that they're putting children and workers at risk. "Many of the issues that we heard are repeated findings and continue to be decades old. A Department of Corrections audit this week Illustrated the lack of reporting for sex offenders being released into our communities. And then the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; our caucus started a conversation months ago with the department and a hearing this week thankfully called by one of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle called attention to the severity of Professional Licensing processes and issues especially in industries that we need the most. "I could give you several more examples and I'll just give you a few — Department of Employment Security fraud costing the state and taxpayers over 5.2 billion Dollars in COVID-19 era overpayments within the unemployment system. Department of Human Services, abuse and neglect at our mental health and developmental centers. The Department and Innovation and Technology, it was hacked. A total lack of transparency and understanding of who had been hacked what information was taken, and what is the cost. Central Management Services, procurement processes hiring, how are we going to speed up the procurement processes and bolster hiring where it is needed? There's excuse after excuse, blaming previous agency directors, budgets, and staffing needs. Systematic problems go beyond these repeated excuses. We need to acknowledge the problems and those reports have provided us with answers to where the fault lies. Now as lawmakers, it's up to us to make the changes we need for the people of Illinois — the people we serve and those who rely on the state agencies for their well-being.

" To act we need access. Republicans are shut out of the process and we're tired of it. We're here to work, we're here to provide Solutions. So, today we're here again for a call to action. Work with us. These are not partisan issues, these are human issues. I know there are Democrat lawmakers out there who are willing to work with us. We welcome their support. We respect their efforts to join us and helping to solve problems in our state, especially these state agencies. We cannot do it alone. State Rep. Fred Crespo, who I worked with on the audit commission, has talked about the necessary pressures that we must put on agencies, particularly in their budgets, if departments aren’t doing what they're supposed to, maybe cut their budgets. The point is there needs to be punishments, they need to be held accountable for their lack of doing their job. We can all go into solutions that our caucus has presented, legislation that we have presented, and legislation that we have filed right now, but I know we don't have all day. These audits have repeated issues, most of them like I said for decades. These agencies are essential we've seen what happens when we're left out of the conversation, when there is no access, when there's no accountability — there are Federal investigations, there's corruption and Illinoisans can't wait. They can't afford to wait."

According to the Illinois Auditor General's report, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has faced significant issues. In 2022, nearly 50 more children died while in DCFS custody than in 2021. Furthermore, the report found that the DCFS had misrepresented $2.6 million in funds in 2021 and 2022. It also revealed that the agency failed to properly maintain duty segregation regarding access to the agency's daycare providers' licensing information, billing systems, and childcare information.

McCombie highlighted other problems in state agencies, including the Department of Corrections' lack of reporting for released sex offenders, Department of Employment Security fraud costing over $5.2 billion in COVID-19 era overpayments, abuse and neglect at mental health and developmental centers under the Department of Human Services, and a lack of transparency and understanding of a hack at the Department of Innovation and Technology.

McCombie stressed the need for access and accountability, stating that Republicans are shut out of the process and called for bipartisan collaboration. He also emphasized the importance of holding agencies accountable for their lack of performance and proposed potential budget cuts as a means of punishment.

In conclusion, McCombie urged lawmakers to address the repeated issues revealed by audit reports and make the necessary changes to improve the well-being of the people of Illinois who rely on state agencies.