(The Center Square) – Separate referendums on local ballots to eliminate the elected offices of McLean and Champaign counties’ auditors has led some opponents to believe there’s an attack on government accountability.
The League of Women Voters of McLean County and Champaign County are pushing for the referenda to pass. Proponents in both counties argued the poor performance of both county auditors as a reason to vote “yes.” They also argue it’s wasteful to spend tax dollars on an auditor.
Incumbent Democrat George Danos said his performance has been great, but pointed out that he and the county board have been feuding over a proposed sales tax hike that’s also on the ballot this election.
“I came out gangbusters against the so-called public safety sales tax, and there were mutterings amongst the board members, ‘we can’t put up with him … he ruined the tax,’” said Danos.
On Dec.17, 2023, Danos published an op-ed opposing the quarter-cent public safety sales tax.
On Dec. 23, 2023, the board tried and failed to pass a referendum resolution to eliminate the office of the auditor.
In April 2024, Danos gave a presentation on the “State of the County” showing their finances were too healthy to warrant a tax hike. In May 2024, Danos was censured by the board.
In July 2024, about 13 days after Danos revealed the county lost $2.1 million in interest, the referendum resolution to eliminate the auditor was finally passed.
Danos said the league is using dated arguments such as an auditor can’t be independent because of their party affiliation.
“I, a Democrat, am standing practically alone against a Democratic supermajority board and pointed out the shocking loss of $2.1 million in interest we should have earned by placing ARPA money in an interest-bearing account, such as Illinois Funds,” said Danos.
In McLean County, incumbent Auditor Michelle Anderson is the 73rd out of 100 lowest-paid employees, according to 2023 payroll data. McLean County GOP Chairman Dennis Grundler said some Republicans say it “sends the wrong message” for the party to be in opposition of the referendum.
“First of all, the board did not make a decision on getting rid of the auditor,” said Grundler. “So we’re going to eliminate one job that’s $100,000 because it’s wasteful? Sure, let’s talk about the people who work a couple years and retire. They need to go and get a 401k and stop pensions. If we’re gonna talk about wasteful spending, let’s not cut just one position.”
Grundler said Anderson has not “made friends,” and that’s the “reason” for the referendum.
“One guy was going on a trip to Vegas and he bought a ticket for his daughter on the county’s dime. He eventually reimbursed the county I believe, but I’m not going to put personal stuff on that [county card]” said Grundler. “Michelle called that out and all of a sudden they hate her for doing her job.”
Anderson could not be reached for comment.
Danos said hiring an internal “professional” that isn’t chosen by the electorate could cost taxpayers more.
“I am a Certified Public Accountant and the county could not find a CPA for budget director despite paying him $27K above my salary,” said Danos.
Danos explained that shortly after he told the Democrat Champaign County treasurer and made the board aware of the $2.1 million loss of interest that the county board passed the referendum question that asks voters if they want to eliminate the auditor.
“There is no coincidence that McLean and Champaign are bordering each other and they’re both getting it at the same time. That’s because the woke clique among the Democrats support each other across county lines and they want to eliminate a Republican auditor in McLean County or they want to eliminate not-their-kind-of-Democrat in Champaign County,” said Danos.
According to Illinois law, in all counties containing less than 3 million and over 70,000 inhabitants there is created the office of county auditor.
There are only 17 counties that fit into the population limitations, via referendum the Peoria county auditor was ousted by voters in 2022. If Champaign and McLean referendums pass, that leaves about 14 auditors statewide.
