HR0191 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0191 LRB101 06124 MST 51145 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, A school treasurer is the only lawful custodian of school funds and is responsible for all receipts, disbursements, and investments of school funds; and

WHEREAS, For most school districts across the State, each school board appoints a member of the school board as treasurer for a term of one year or the board appoints a non-member to serve as treasurer; and

WHEREAS, However, the trustees of schools in Cook County appoint a township treasurer to serve as the treasurer for all schools located within the township; and

WHEREAS, If a school district wants to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the township treasurer, they must either seek legislative approval from the General Assembly or go through a lengthy process that includes approval from each school board under the jurisdiction of the township treasurer and a referendum approved by the voters; and

WHEREAS, Over time, the General Assembly has exempted seven school districts from having to go through the lengthy withdrawal process in order to no longer be under the jurisdiction of the township treasurer in the Proviso and Cicero Townships; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, a Better Government Association's investigation into the financial practices of the Lyons Township Treasurer's Office revealed that the township treasurer had been pilfering township funds for his own use; and

WHEREAS, Many school districts in Lyons Township would like to withdraw from the jurisdiction and authority of the township treasurer because they believe they can appoint a treasurer to provide the same duties at a lower cost; however, they have been unsuccessful in withdrawing from the jurisdiction of the township treasurer's office as of yet; and

WHEREAS, It is essential for the General Assembly to fully understand the duties of the township treasurer's offices to ensure they are still a necessary component of the public school system in Cook County; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created the Review of the Township Treasurer's Office Task Force to study the efficacy of the township treasurer's offices and to determine if they provide adequate services to the school districts in which they serve; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force will consist of the following members:

(1) Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

(2) Four members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House;

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall elect amongst themselves a chairperson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall call upon current and past township treasurers, school finance experts, and current and past school administrators in districts under the jurisdiction of township treasurers to provide testimony and expertise to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall meet at the request of the chairperson, but shall meet no less than four times prior to December 31, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall present its findings to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be dissolved after submitting its findings to the General Assembly.