PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria County internal Autitor position may not last much longer after all.
Four years after a measure to eliminate the office was narrowly defeated, this time, the outcome was much more certain. Voters by a more than three to one margin voted “yes” on the question to eliminate the position, opting instead to keep the external auditor.
We asked Auditor Jessica Thomas prior to Election Day if she had thought about such an outcome.
“I’m not nervous about me,” Thomas said. “I have a master’s degree, well-educated…unlike other elected officials, I have education and experience. So I’m not concerned for me.”
Thomas says what she is concerned for is the taxpayers of Peoria, and their opportunity to make sure their money is spent properly, with oversight.
Thomas’ term ends in two years, November 30, 2024; so, the office can’t be eliminated until then, should the County Board choose to subvert state law and eliminate the office. State law dictates that counties with populations over 75,000 must elect a county auditor.
“What I am concerned about, as a taxpaying citizen who owns property in Peoria…should be concerned about the opportunity to ensure that the tax dollars that I spend have oversight and accountability with someone who will hold all elected officials accountable. Losing that office is very concerning to me as a taxpayer.”
Thomas herself fell into scrutiny for how she spent her office’s money, but later rectified that — despite the county cutting the budget of the office to just Thomas herself.
(Source: Peoria County Election Commission)
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