On the first day of Early Voting, the state’s highest vote getter, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, is endorsing Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim to succeed her as Comptroller, citing Kim’s extensive financial experience, accomplishments on the Comptroller’s Bank On Illinois Commission, and independence as a fiscal steward.
“Holly Kim is the most skilled and experienced financial professional running for Comptroller. That’s why I’m endorsing her,” Mendoza said. “Holly is a proven fiscal watchdog who has maintained a strong sense of independence throughout her career.”
“As a two-term treasurer of the third largest county in Illinois, Holly has saved taxpayers more than $6 million while boosting investments in schools and parks. Her valuable leadership on my Bank On Illinois Commission helped get 685,000 formally unbanked individuals banked. Holly Kim gets the job done,” Mendoza added.
“As comptroller for nearly a decade, I wrote the playbook on transparency and accountability. For Holly, transparency and accountability are non-negotiable.”
“The job of Comptroller requires proven skills,” Mendoza said. “This office manages billions in taxpayer dollars and the person in this role has a real impact on the state’s credit rating. We have worked hard to deliver ten credit upgrades for Illinois on my watch. Holly Kim is the candidate in this race I trust the most to build on that progress.”
“It’s imperative for voters to consider the comptroller candidate who has the best skills and the proven record of smart, independent fiscal oversight. That’s Holly Kim,” Mendoza said.
“There’s a lot of big money pouring into this race. The voters should not allow those with deep pockets to gain control of an office that manages billions in taxpayer dollars. Illinois is open for business, but it’s not for sale.”
“I’ve long looked up to Comptroller Mendoza as my work mentor,” Kim said. “Not only have I learned the ins and outs of the Comptroller’s office from her, but I’ve also been inspired by her leadership and her fierce independence on behalf of the taxpayers. Susana has accomplished tremendous things as Comptroller–she took over an office that was in shambles, rebuilt it and secured ten credit upgrades. It would be my honor to continue her great work as the chief fiscal watchdog of the state.”
But [Kim has] also had to answer to some critics of her office. In a 2023 memo from the then-Lake County administrator, he pointed to myriad issues that included lengthy delays in publishing statutorily required reports about Lake County’s investments, which jeopardize the accuracy of the county’s fiscal standing, to failing to ensure there was enough money in an account for an employee to cash a check.
Kim told county officials a few weeks later that the reports were up to date and that her office had been “researching solutions for enhancing transparency on the investments reporting” and that the insufficient funds for the check-cashing incident were “caused by an error in another department,” according to a memo she sent to the officials. Her campaign in a statement also blamed “unexpected challenges that arose” during the COVID-19 pandemic for some of the issues in the office.
She has also prided herself as one of the first Illinois politicians to accept cryptocurrency donations, a currency known for its high volatility. But last month, the Tribune reported she invested about $8,300 in crypto donations in a crypto coin she started called CHKN token — named after her flock of chickens —-only for that investment to be worth just a little over $34 by the end of 2025, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
While the comptroller’s office doesn’t handle investments, Croke’s campaign questioned Kim’s fiscal judgment over the poor crypto investment. In response, Kim chalked that up as a learning experience and noted it didn’t involve any taxpayer dollars.
Politically, don’t think I’d want that endorsement as a Democrat in a primary, but I guess we’re close enough to election day that there’s not time to highlight the MAGA tendencies of the endorser.
Substantively, it does concern me that the current comptroller seems to have bought into/be the purveyor of the fallacy that the job of comptroller is in some way to serve as a watchdog. The comptroller signs and mails the checks she is obligated to sign and mail, and she maintains a searchable database of those transactions. She doesn’t meet with credit rating agencies. She doesn’t negotiate policy. She does, however, do a lot of tweets. The winning candidate will be very sad to learn that “independence” has nothing to do with their new bookkeeping job.
And all that naysaying aside, the ad looks pretty good visually. Points deducted for no subtitles on the digital version.
=I’m genuinely unaware of any “MAGA tendencies” of the current comptroller=
The Comptroller’s views on the SAFE-T Act are a good reference point. She also has a tendency to say whatever she thinks the room wants to hear at any given moment. As Illinois Democrats go she’s not exactly a progressive favorite. And if she has another mayoral run in her that could be her Achilles heel.
I’ve been wondering why Mendoza was staying on the sidelines, while all indications have been that she backs Kim. I have to wonder if this is too late? Unless she was waiting to see if Kim could make inroads on her own first (something Pritzker has never done for Rep. Croke or any candidate he supports).
=Mendoza is absolutely 100% correct that she serves as a financial watchdog.=
It’s a bit of a fallacy. The Comptroller’s “financial watchdog” responsibilities essentially lie in ensuring that payments are made in accordance with the law. That generally means proper appropriations and procedures. I suppose you could call that being a watchdog but beyond the administrative obligations there’s no authority to address fraud.
“Governor Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes Clash Over Short Term Loan”
It amazes me (not really) that when Mendoza does the exact same thing Dan Hynes did, Mendoza is being a “press hound.”
It is “almost as if” there is a double standard when it comes Mendoza. One that has more to do with race than it does gender, I think.
Look: if you want a comptroller who is going to be an outspoken critic of Bruce Rauner’s financial policies, Pat Quinn’s financial policies, and Rod Blagojevich’s financial policies…but not Governor Pritzker’s, I think you are basically saying you want a syncophant for Pritzker in that office.
That’s fine, just say so. But Pritzker is not going to be Governor for Life. And I don’t think Democrats should argue that Washington syncophants are bad, but Springfield syncophants are good.
We need every single honest check-and-balance the system has to offer right now.
This ad/endorsement feels like it could be big. Croke’s three little kids are adorable. But being Lake Co. treasurer shows verifiable practical experience with government finance issues. rating A.
It isn’t surprising that a former Republican like Holly Kim is courting the support of a “DINO” like Mendoza.
As the other candidates in the race were working on Democratic races or already Democratic elected officials, Holly Kim was a Republican in Lake County.
Fast forward and she is courting the support of the “Democrat” who spread lies about the Pretrial Fairness Act.
===new playbook for JB folks now . . . any democrat who isn’t their gal/guy is MAGA===
While you’re right about their legendary dislike of any sort of challenge, please now explain Karina Villa’s ad and all the countless other Democratic candidates using that very same attack in this primary season.
It must be testing really well with voters is all I can say. But to claim it’s only coming from one camp is utterly laughable.
“Pritzker has never done for Rep. Croke or any candidate he supports”
Dear Mr/Ms NIU Grad I believe the Croke tv has JB in it. The real question is size of the “buy”, whether paid mentions in social media platforms has any measurable value, etc. Time will tell.
===Politically, don’t think I’d want that endorsement as a Democrat in a primary===
Politically I would feel better about crossing the street with Comptroller Mendoza’s endorsement.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:41 am:
I’ve seen a couple of Croke ads on TV. I haven’t seen any mailers for either comptroller candidate. I did get a text from the Croke team (honestly, please stop this practice).
@Who Else, you can learn new things about state government every day. Were you there in Michigan with Comptroller Mendoza when she was ringing all those doorbells for Kamala? Supporting law enforcement is a proud Democratic tradition that does not make Democrats “MAGA.” And yes, it IS the duty of the state’s chief fiscal and accountability officer to be a fiscal watchdog, holding up payments if the office finds something fishy about them, as Mendoza has been praised for doing. Yes, she meets with the ratings agencies and they appreciate the watchdog role she has played. They have cited her transparency reforms at the office in some of the 10 upgrades they have granted Illinois under her watch. The drafters of the 1970 constitution created the office of Comptroller as an independently elected office precisely to be a check and balance on the other branches of government. Look closer - the subtitles are there.
With all due respect Rich, JB folks rolled out this playbook first and the others are mimicking what they see. The Gov and his crew obviously have the deepest pockets to push this type of narrative successfully.
This is a great get for Holly Kim. During her tenure, Mendoza has brought a fresh energy, transparency and financial responsibility and education to an otherwise little-known office. To talk about MAGA tendencies is ridiculous. She wasn’t a top vote getter for nothing…she’s appeals to voters of all parties because of her hard work as Comptroller, support for police, fierce advocacy for fiscal stability and not being afraid to say what she feels.
- vertigo - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 8:02 am:
great ad. ads like this break through all the negative dark money junk that is clogging the airwaves. solid endorsement.
- meh - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 8:22 am:
Good to see that JB can’t buy everything and everyone.
- Who else - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 8:24 am:
Politically, don’t think I’d want that endorsement as a Democrat in a primary, but I guess we’re close enough to election day that there’s not time to highlight the MAGA tendencies of the endorser.
Substantively, it does concern me that the current comptroller seems to have bought into/be the purveyor of the fallacy that the job of comptroller is in some way to serve as a watchdog. The comptroller signs and mails the checks she is obligated to sign and mail, and she maintains a searchable database of those transactions. She doesn’t meet with credit rating agencies. She doesn’t negotiate policy. She does, however, do a lot of tweets. The winning candidate will be very sad to learn that “independence” has nothing to do with their new bookkeeping job.
And all that naysaying aside, the ad looks pretty good visually. Points deducted for no subtitles on the digital version.
- ChicagoVinny - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 8:36 am:
I filled out my mail ballot yesterday and voted for Holly for other reasons, but this doesn’t hurt.
I’m genuinely unaware of any “MAGA tendencies” of the current comptroller, unless we’re now saying anyone active on social media is MAGA?
- meh - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 8:43 am:
ChicagoVinny, this is the new playbook for JB folks now . . . any democrat who isn’t their gal/guy is MAGA. It’s insulting and preposterous.
I wonder if he thinks all these folks will be with him when he runs for president.
- Google is Your Friend - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 8:49 am:
==- meh - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 8:43 am:==
Her position on policing and criminal justice has zero substantive differences with Donald Trump.
- Pundent - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 9:07 am:
=I’m genuinely unaware of any “MAGA tendencies” of the current comptroller=
The Comptroller’s views on the SAFE-T Act are a good reference point. She also has a tendency to say whatever she thinks the room wants to hear at any given moment. As Illinois Democrats go she’s not exactly a progressive favorite. And if she has another mayoral run in her that could be her Achilles heel.
- Guildenstern - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 9:09 am:
=== the fallacy that the job of comptroller is in some way to serve as a watchdog. ===
The governor cannot borrow without the signature of the Comptroller and the Treasurer.
Mendoza is absolutely 100% correct that she serves as a financial watchdog.
Have you forgotten already that it was Mendoza’s dogged focus on the state’s pile of unpaid bills that drove Rauner from office?
“$16 billion backlog.”
- meh - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 9:15 am:
Mendoza is a force. Tiny but mighty.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 9:33 am:
I’ve been wondering why Mendoza was staying on the sidelines, while all indications have been that she backs Kim. I have to wonder if this is too late? Unless she was waiting to see if Kim could make inroads on her own first (something Pritzker has never done for Rep. Croke or any candidate he supports).
- Pundent - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 9:34 am:
=Mendoza is absolutely 100% correct that she serves as a financial watchdog.=
It’s a bit of a fallacy. The Comptroller’s “financial watchdog” responsibilities essentially lie in ensuring that payments are made in accordance with the law. That generally means proper appropriations and procedures. I suppose you could call that being a watchdog but beyond the administrative obligations there’s no authority to address fraud.
- Steve - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 9:43 am:
Mendoza is the most inauthentic politician in Illinois.
- Guildenstern - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:02 am:
=== It’s a bit of a fallacy ===
Oh really?
Let’s ask the Governor’s budget director, Dan Hynes:
https://www.wbez.org/2009/12/02/governor-pat-quinn-and-comptroller-dan-hynes-clash-over-short-term-loan
“Governor Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes Clash Over Short Term Loan”
It amazes me (not really) that when Mendoza does the exact same thing Dan Hynes did, Mendoza is being a “press hound.”
It is “almost as if” there is a double standard when it comes Mendoza. One that has more to do with race than it does gender, I think.
Look: if you want a comptroller who is going to be an outspoken critic of Bruce Rauner’s financial policies, Pat Quinn’s financial policies, and Rod Blagojevich’s financial policies…but not Governor Pritzker’s, I think you are basically saying you want a syncophant for Pritzker in that office.
That’s fine, just say so. But Pritzker is not going to be Governor for Life. And I don’t think Democrats should argue that Washington syncophants are bad, but Springfield syncophants are good.
We need every single honest check-and-balance the system has to offer right now.
- Responsa - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:04 am:
This ad/endorsement feels like it could be big. Croke’s three little kids are adorable. But being Lake Co. treasurer shows verifiable practical experience with government finance issues. rating A.
- August West - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:04 am:
It isn’t surprising that a former Republican like Holly Kim is courting the support of a “DINO” like Mendoza.
As the other candidates in the race were working on Democratic races or already Democratic elected officials, Holly Kim was a Republican in Lake County.
Fast forward and she is courting the support of the “Democrat” who spread lies about the Pretrial Fairness Act.
- *ducks* - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:04 am:
“Have you forgotten”
No. Because it never happened. Her continued insistence she played anything other than a small role in the Rauner defeat is revisionist history.
- Torco Sign - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:22 am:
– - meh - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 8:43 am:
ChicagoVinny, this is the new playbook for JB folks now . . . any democrat who isn’t their gal/guy is MAGA. It’s insulting and preposterous.
I wonder if he thinks all these folks will be with him when he runs for president. –
It’s ironic that they are comparing opponents to Trump/MAGA when they bully everyone who dares to challenge their power.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:29 am:
===new playbook for JB folks now . . . any democrat who isn’t their gal/guy is MAGA===
While you’re right about their legendary dislike of any sort of challenge, please now explain Karina Villa’s ad and all the countless other Democratic candidates using that very same attack in this primary season.
It must be testing really well with voters is all I can say. But to claim it’s only coming from one camp is utterly laughable.
Maybe go back to Facebook for a while.
- Annon'in - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:36 am:
“Pritzker has never done for Rep. Croke or any candidate he supports”
Dear Mr/Ms NIU Grad I believe the Croke tv has JB in it. The real question is size of the “buy”, whether paid mentions in social media platforms has any measurable value, etc. Time will tell.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:36 am:
===Politically, don’t think I’d want that endorsement as a Democrat in a primary===
Politically I would feel better about crossing the street with Comptroller Mendoza’s endorsement.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:41 am:
I’ve seen a couple of Croke ads on TV. I haven’t seen any mailers for either comptroller candidate. I did get a text from the Croke team (honestly, please stop this practice).
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:52 am:
… I mean, even AIPAC is using the line now https://x.com/RyanInEvanston/status/2028507019842363823
- Gary Bears - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 10:58 am:
= Have you forgotten already that it was Mendoza’s dogged focus on the state’s pile of unpaid bills that drove Rauner from office? =
Thank you for the laughs on a Monday morning. Genuinely appreciated the week beginning on a funny note.
- Bob - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 11:24 am:
==MAGA tendencies of the endorser.==
That’s ridiculous.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 11:59 am:
Mendoza has an excellent record of public service and can compare it with anyone. This is a great endorsement of another great public representative.
- Abdon - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 12:08 pm:
@Who Else, you can learn new things about state government every day. Were you there in Michigan with Comptroller Mendoza when she was ringing all those doorbells for Kamala? Supporting law enforcement is a proud Democratic tradition that does not make Democrats “MAGA.” And yes, it IS the duty of the state’s chief fiscal and accountability officer to be a fiscal watchdog, holding up payments if the office finds something fishy about them, as Mendoza has been praised for doing. Yes, she meets with the ratings agencies and they appreciate the watchdog role she has played. They have cited her transparency reforms at the office in some of the 10 upgrades they have granted Illinois under her watch. The drafters of the 1970 constitution created the office of Comptroller as an independently elected office precisely to be a check and balance on the other branches of government. Look closer - the subtitles are there.
- Meh - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 12:44 pm:
With all due respect Rich, JB folks rolled out this playbook first and the others are mimicking what they see. The Gov and his crew obviously have the deepest pockets to push this type of narrative successfully.
By the way millennials don’t use facebook.
- Sundown - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 12:55 pm:
This is a great get for Holly Kim. During her tenure, Mendoza has brought a fresh energy, transparency and financial responsibility and education to an otherwise little-known office. To talk about MAGA tendencies is ridiculous. She wasn’t a top vote getter for nothing…she’s appeals to voters of all parties because of her hard work as Comptroller, support for police, fierce advocacy for fiscal stability and not being afraid to say what she feels.
- Shytown - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 12:56 pm:
With all due respect, Meh, a simply search will tell you that 85-89% of millenials use facebook. In fact, they use it the most.
So get back to facebook.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 1:07 pm:
===others are mimicking what they see===
lol
Sure
- Justin - Monday, Mar 2, 26 @ 2:41 pm:
Good pick by Susana Mendoza to endorse Holly Kim. She has my endorsement, too.
- Burt - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 6:30 am:
Since Rich didn’t post it - Kifowit was endorsed by the Daily Gerald. It’s a good write up why experience matters. How about equal reporting? https://www.dailyherald.com/20260227/endorsements/endorsement-kifowit-for-democrats-as-illinois-comptroller/
- Isabel Miller - Tuesday, Mar 3, 26 @ 7:54 am:
===Since Rich didn’t post it===
Maybe you haven’t been paying attention, but we don’t normally post editorial board endorsements.