Veteran lawmaker Mautino named auditor general

Posted on October 21, 2015
Frank Mautino
Frank Mautino will replace William Holland as Illinois auditor general. (Photo courtesy Illinois House Democrats)

By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Frank Mautino must have felt like Tom Sawyer, watching his own funeral.

Lawmakers gave him a near-unanimous send-off to a new job as auditor general, a watchdog position being vacated by the retiring Bill Holland. The ten-year term protects the person in that office from possible retribution, allowing Mautino to report his office’s findings without fear or favor.

“He will still be our friend,” said State Rep. Lou Lang on the House floor, “but he will be honest. He will be talented. He will be fair. And he will also be courageous. He will not hesitate to speak truth to power.”

Mautino, a longtime lawmaker who succeeded his father in the Illinois House in 1991, has served on the Legislative Audit Commission, for many years as its co-chairman.

While ten Republicans – all in the House – saw fit to vote against Mautino, the vote was still a bi-partisan show.

“There has been a Mautino in this chamber since 1975,” marveled one Republican, State Rep. David Harris. “For forty years, a Mautino has represented Spring Valley. We’re losing that, but it’s great to have Frank as the new auditor general.”

SJR 35 has passed the Senate, 55-0, and the House, 102-10-1.

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