May 17, 2010
Will County Auditor: Launches New Expenditure Report
JOLIET, Illinois – To help set the standard for transparency in Will County, Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn has announced on Monday he will “open up the County’s checkbook.”
“My office will have a new feature on the Auditor’s website. We will begin posting a list of checks issued by the County,” Blackburn said.
According to Blackburn, he will use a report similar to a neighboring county. He said he has worked closely with Bob Grogan, DuPage County Auditor, to fashion the report for Will County.
“Bob and I have a good relationship and I appreciate all the information we’ve shared,” said Blackburn.
The reports will be posted quarterly and will include: a detailed listing of checks paid by each elected official and department; a detailed listing of vendors being paid: and a detailed listing of purchases made through the County’s procurement card. Blackburn said only checks issued through the general corporate fund approved under Will County Board appropriation will be listed. A public notice will be published quarterly in the newspaper to notify when this report and the Quarterly Analysis Report are viewable.
“This move is consistent with the County’s policy of transparency,” he added.
Approximately 56,000 claims are audited each year by the County Auditor’s Office. Blackburn said the first quarter report is more than 485 pages. He also said the new reports were able to be created under the County’s existing accounting system without any additional expenses.
“I feel it is important to let the residents know how their tax dollars are being spent.”
Will County Executive Larry Walsh said he is supportive of Blackburn’s initiative.
“As elected officials, we are always accountable to the taxpayers of this County,” Walsh said. “I think this is a responsible step for Duffy’s office.”
October 17, 2009
Will County Auditor: Right Time for Change
JOLIET, Illinois - Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn has announced this week his department will begin fiscal year 2010 with some important changes.
“We’ve begun preparation to move the day-to-day accounting duties from the Auditor’s Office into the Finance Department beginning December 1, 2009.” Blackburn said. “Due to the rapid growth in the county, this move will help the two departments become more effective.”
Management of the accounting, budget, and fixed assets of the County will also now fall under the Finance Department leaving the Auditor’s Office to focus on the statutory duties. Blackburn, who is in his first year of his 4 year term, said it is not the duty of the Auditor’s Office to be involved in the bookkeeping while at the same time auditing its own books.
“This restructuring will be advantageous to our office in making it more independent, and ultimately making the County more accountable and transparent,” he said. “We will still work closely with the Finance Department to make specific recommendations.”
Historically, the Will County Auditor has acted as a general accounting department. With the continued growth in the County, this move has become even more timely. This restructuring will align Will County with other counties of similar size across the country. Blackburn said he has a good working relationship with Finance Director Paul Rafac and this move will make that cooperation even stronger.
“We have had discussions with the County Board and Paul Rafac and we all agree this is the right time for this change. This will allow us to focus on the auditing duties of this office set by Illinois statute. ”
In addition, Blackburn enumerated his schedule and list of changes which will yield a more cost-effective office which include eliminating the auditor’s vehicle and related maintenance costs at the beginning of 2009, simplifying and automating financial reports this past spring, and the elimination of paid interns and contractual employees this past summer.
The planned schedule going forward includes the preparation and cross-training of employees in the months of October and November and by December 1 to reach an overall staff reduction of 60 percent, half of which will be transitioned to the expanded Finance Department.
County Board Finance Committee Chairman Ed Kusta acknowledged the restructuring will be beneficial in keeping the County operating financially sound.
“The silver lining to every economic downturn is the overall reduction of the size of government at all levels,” Kusta said. “My hat is off to County Executive Walsh and the County Board, through the leadership of Chairman Jim Moustis, as well as Auditor Blackburn and all other elected officials and department heads for rising to the challenge and making the reductions necessary to keep the County financially healthy. “
Added Blackburn, “The timing is really perfect. We have a new auditor, a new finance committee chairman, and we are entering a new fiscal year.”
For more information, contact Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn at (815) 740-4607.
February 8, 2009
Men Who Cook
JOLIET -- The Will County Children's Advocacy Center this year has cooked up an entirely new event to raise funding necessary to fulfill its critical mission of protecting children.
The center is asking men in the community to don their chef's hats and prepare their favorite dishes for the upcoming Men Who Cook fundraiser 6-8 p.m. March 21 at Republic Hall, 113 Republic.
Men Who Cook will be a casual event featuring local men who prepare and offer up for judging bite-sized samples of their favorite dishes. Tim Reilly, owner of Babe's Hot Dogs, will emcee the competition.
If you're a guy who can do more in the kitchen than warm up frozen fish sticks in the microwave, then put your favorite homemade entree, side dish, appetizer or dessert up for consideration. The center also is looking for local businesses and organizations to sponsor Men Who Cook.
The center, which was established by Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow in 1995 to improve the way child sexual abuse cases are investigated, has more than a dozen spaces open for male cooks with a competitive streak.
"The Children's Advocacy Center deals daily with the serious problems of child abuse," said Glasgow. "This year's Men Who Cook competition offers everyone a chance to have some fun while they support an important cause."
The cost to taste bite-sized samples of fine cuisine is $35 per person; $60 per couple.
Local men who will put their culinary skills to the test include: Detective Sgt. Tom Quillman of the Joliet Police Department; newly minted County Auditor Duffy Blackburn; Detective Dave Margliano of the Will County state's attorney's office; Jim McFarland of the Joliet Exchange Club; and Steve Larranga of Joliet Litho Print.
Organizations that already have agreed to sponsor the event include IBEW Local 176, Northern Illinois Steel, the Joliet Exchange Club, T.J. Lambrecht Construction and City Beverage.
For details on participating as a cook or a sponsorship, call the center at 815-774-4565, or visit www.willcountychildadvocacy.com.
Executive Larry Walsh speaks at the Will County Board Meeting introducing the Elected Officials. (left to right: Pam McGuire, Circuit Clerk; Duffy Blackburn, Auditor; Nancy Shultz Voots, Co.Clerk; Larry Walsh, Co. Executive.)
Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn is sworn in by: Judge James E. Egan on December 1, 2008.
Duffy speaking with the children of St. Mary Nativity School on “Be Proud of Who You Are Day”.
Duffy Blackburn receiving a school stocking cap from a student of St. Mary Nativity School.
The children had some very interesting questions for the Auditor.