Cronin Sets Sept. 30 Deadline for Agencies to Turn In Fiscal Information

More than two dozen independent public agencies in DuPage County must submit financial and operational information to County Board Chairman Dan Cronin by Sept. 30, in accordance with a new  

Cronin requested the information this week during a meeting with representatives from various taxing districts in the county. The move represents the first time the County Board will have access to all budget and administrative policies from these agencies.

“Taxpayers expect and deserve transparency and accountability at every level of government so they can monitor if their tax dollars are spent wisely and efficiently,” Cronin said.

In August, the County Board passed an ordinance that requires 24 agencies, in which DuPage County appoints the majority of their members, to submit copies of:

• Budgets
• Ethics policies
• Personnel polices
• Procurement policies
• Meetings schedule
• Bylaws

During the spring legislative session in Springfield, Cronin spearheaded and supported Senate Bill 541 that provides the collar county boards with the tools necessary to analyze the financial and operational structure of these independent agencies.

Cronin said once the information is gathered, a productivity analysis will be conducted and pertinent information will be made available to taxpayers on the DuPage County Web site

“During these uncertain economic times, it’s imperative that we scale back government in a way that will allow us to continue to provide essential services to our residents but in a more productive manner,” he said. “I have no reason to believe that there are problems associated with these agencies, I just want to reassure the taxpayers, the County Board and, quite frankly, myself that DuPage County is serving residents in the most effective and efficient manner.