State Sen. Jason Barickman supports a proposal to merge the Illinois comptroller and treasurer offices. (WJBC file photo)
By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Illinois lawmakers are expected to consider a special election for the comptroller vacancy this week, but state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, tells WJBC's Scott Laughlin, he would like to see a comptroller vote of a different kind.
"If there's going to be any vote this week on anything relating to the comptrollers office it ought to be that we plan to merge those offices," Barickman said. "That's a Constitutional amendment. We could take it up in the 2016 elections. It seems like the time is now to do that."
A bi-partisan bill to merge the comptroller and treasurer's offices that was introduced in 2013 by publican Senator Matt Murphy and Democratic Senator Kwame Raoul has been stuck in committee.
Barickman said the Democratic House Speaker has kept this measure from seeing the light of day.
"I know this frustrates so many people to hear this, but ultimately Mike Madigan has been an opponent of that measure, Barickman said. "So long as he's an opponent of it, that obviously creates a hurdle."
The idea of a merger has been around for decades. Opponents say separate offices maintain checks and balances over the state's fiscal matters.
Outgoing Gov. Quinn had called lawmakers to Springfield to vote on holding a special election in 2016 to replace Topinka.
Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner has said he wants to appoint businesswoman Leslia Munger to the comptroller post next week, replacing Judy Baar Topinka who died in December.
Gov. Quinn wants a special election in 2016 to name a permanent successor. Barickman said Madigan feels the governor has authority to make a four-year appointment. Barickman doubts the Democrats will mount much of a fight, "unless Madigan decides to change course."
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen's interview with Barickman on WJBC.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
