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C’mon, man

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Illinois

When Illinois’ Auditor General William Holland announced last month that he’d decided to step down at the end of the year, everyone knew immediately what this state needs in his successor — someone exactly like Holland.

Or, perhaps, someone exactly like Holland’s predecessor, the late Robert Cronson.

As the state’s top financial watchdogs over the past 30 years, these two presided over audits of the executive branch in ways that make citizens proud of their government — they were honest, candid and, above all, nonpartisan. To be effective, the state’s financial watchdog has to be as tough on the Republicans as he is on the Democrats — no fears of or favors for anybody.

That’s why state Rep. Frank Mautino’s announcement that he wishes to succeed Holland raises serious concerns.

First of all, nobody, and I do mean nobody, would’ve claimed that Bill Holland was “above all, nonpartisan” when he was elected Auditor General.

He was the Senate President’s chief of staff. Phil Rock was a genuinely nice man. He needed a hit man. Holland perfectly fit that bill. I love the guy - now - but he was a partisan gunslinger in the day. Didn’t love him so much then. Whew.

And let’s just say Mr. Cronson had some, um, attendance issues that were ignored by his media pals. Also, he was needlessly and unconstructively confrontational at times, particularly with the Supreme Court. Holland worked that situation out soon after he was elected.

* Look if you think that Rep. Mautino isn’t qualified or doesn’t have the temperament or is too close to Speaker Madigan to be Auditor General, I’d disagree with you but feel free to make your case.

Just don’t construct a laughably wild fantasy to justify your position.

/rant

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:41 pm

Comments

Just more corruption from the Chicago Machine and it’s puppet master Mike Madigan! /s

Comment by anon Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:45 pm
C’mon is right. How do you think you actually become “non-partisan”?

Take away any retribution opportunity. That’s how. I’m as partisan as the next GOP guy. Mautino works for me because above his partisanship is decency. Can the BS!

Comment by A guy Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:46 pm
No one I know in politics - be they staff, consultants, volunteers or donors - is non-partisan. Even candidates who run in non-partisan municipal races are almost always partisan.

I think Leader Mautino would be much easier for BOTH sides to work with than most partisan-elected officials.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:51 pm
==Mautino works for me because above his partisanship is decency.==

Amen to that.

Intelligence, detail orientation, ability to hear and see in depth, not the center of the universe in his own mind, all good things.

Comment by walker Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:54 pm
Goofy edit. Did they think Holland and Cronson got chosen out of the yellow pages for the gig?

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:56 pm
It’s called integrity. Integrity allows you to keep your head above politics. Mautino showed Herculian restraint during the NRI hearings, the hottest audit this state’s seen in years, which is a hell of a lot more than anyone could say for the Owl and his Owlettes.

Comment by Politix Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:03 pm
Let me just say that there are very few candidates for the Auditor General who could take the non-partisan approach but Mautino can. I have seen it personally. He can see through someone’s spin and get the bottom of things. He won’t be afraid to ask the hard questions and write the tough audit finding.

Comment by No Spin Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:03 pm
I’ve always thought Holland had an overinflated sense of himself.

Comment by Politix Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:07 pm
Uh, hello Rich. This is the Champaign News Gazette you’re talking about here. There’s a sign hanging over their newsroom that reads: “Democrats - bad, Republicans - good.” Not sure, but they also might have to take a loyalty oath to the Republican party as well.

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:10 pm
I have a similar train of thought as Rich: My first reaction was Mautino is way too close to the Speaker, and will use the position to further the Speaker’s agenda, but the same could have been said about Holland’s relationship to President Rock, and Holland turned out pretty good.

Maybe a nice compromise would be Mautino becomes the Auditor General, but the Chairman of the Audit Commission be a Republican?

Comment by Just Me Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:12 pm
Come On? What part of the editorial doesn’t follow? Mr. Mautino may very well be a swell fella, but the optics were not good on the past selections and neither are they here. Just because the chattering class on Cap Fax thinks that all is well certainly does not mean Mautino is the best fit for the job.

Comment by John A Logan Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:19 pm
===the optics===

Perhaps the most over-used (and misused) word in the English language.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:23 pm
Mautino will be great. Always a sound and reasonable lawmaker to whatever side you’re on. Will miss him on the floor, in committee and the by rail.

Comment by Nick Danger Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:23 pm
If a newspaper wants to look at Mautino, and the “partisanship”, they better do more than see a letter at the end of the name, or who leads his caucus.

Lazy, lazy newspapers.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:23 pm
===Perhaps the most over-used (and misused) word in the English language.===

Charles Thomas must consider it underused.

Comment by Gary Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:25 pm
I’d only oppose Mautino because I’d love him to stay in the house. He’s universally respected by both parties.

Comment by 1776 Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:28 pm
+++===the optics===

Perhaps the most over-used (and misused) word in the English language.++++

I’d be in favor of a temporary ban of that one. It’s definitely overused and misunderstood around here pretty often.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:29 pm
The News-Gazette is on a roll for misinformed editorials this week.

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:36 pm
let’s remember this takes a 3/5s vote and since Frank can’t be the 71st vote –it wouldn’t surprise me if Rauner politicizes the issue and tubes Frank.

Comment by anon Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:38 pm
===and tubes Frank.===

The only shot they have at that district is if Frank leaves.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:39 pm
Those concerned about a lot of political shenanigans out of the auditor general’s office haven’t read too many of tneir reports. I suspect.

They follow very strict templates on financials, compliance and performance,.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:39 pm
Rich, you took the words right out of my head. Having been on minority staff during Bill’s leadership of the majority gave me some trepidation. As we all know now, those fears were groundless. As I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older and more experienced, you understand that we play to the roles we are expected to in the jobs we have. I believe Mautino would do a great job. I think the only negative accrues to Madigan in that he risks losing a seat.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:40 pm
beg to differ–nobody is safe with $40m

Comment by anon Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:40 pm
I heard Mautino has cancer. I hope that information is wrong.

Comment by Mama Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:11 pm
I worked for Cronson, he had more than attendance issues. The office itself tends to make independent with its ten year term. Since the Auditor General is selected by and reports to the legislature no one without some ties to the legislature is going to get the job. I’m afraid someone without Illinois political experience would get frustrated very quickly. While the job isn’t partisan there can be lots of negotiations behind the scenes before some of those audit reports are issued. Plus the members of the audit commission members have to trust him and having the auditor come from one of their own gives him credibility with the commission members.

Comment by LTSW Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:20 pm
Mautino is a fine choice. One outlier editorial is irrelevant,

Comment by Bored Chairman Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Frank is golden. Fair minded and willing to get into the weeds. Strong support from this commenter.

Comment by Tatler Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:25 pm
==The only shot they have at that district is if Frank leaves==

Jerry Long gave him a surprisingly close race last time, Rich, in his first time out, but has announced he won’t run again. I imagine that will change if Mautino leaves.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:29 pm
On optics…

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/magazine/07FOB-onlanguage-t.html?_r=0

But, I understood the first usage today just fine.

Comment by Cuddles Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:32 pm
===Jerry Long gave him a surprisingly close race last time, Rich===

Yep. But in a presidential, you’re looking at another 20,000 votes. Mostly Democratic.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:33 pm
===I understood the first usage today just fine. ===

Meh.

I just banned it.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:35 pm
My first impression was to be very leery of someone that close to madigan getting this appointment. Then many of you vouched for mautino. That helped, as well as the realization it takes someone intimately familiar w illinois politics. So did the recollection of hollands transition from the totally partisan position of chief of staff, to nonpartisan auditor. Hopefully, bill
can help with that transition. Bill was one of the people who gave me the ok to move from a partisan background to a nonpartisan job i held for years.

Rauner would be wise to stay out of it. If he politicizes it w an attack on madigan, the republicans should support the appointment all the more. Rauner, and his staff, should zip it.

Comment by Langhorne Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 5:11 pm
The Auditor General position requires a person who understands Illinois government, strikes an authoritative, independent profile and is a strong leader and administrator. Bill Holland is that. And, so will Frank Mautino. Great choice.

Comment by Nothin's easy... Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 11:01 pm