McLean County Board accepts 2024 audit and financial reports after auditor delays draw public criticism

The McLean County Board on a special evening session accepted multiple 2024 financial reports, after an external auditor delivered a clean opinion but acknowledged the county’s audited financial statements were issued later than typical.

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) representative Ms. Perry told the board the audit firm “issued a clean, unmodified opinion on both the financial statements and the major federal programs,” and that the firm found no reportable findings under government auditing standards or the Uniform Grant Guidance for the major federal programs it tested. The reports the board accepted on voice votes included the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), the Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2024, and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFAR).

The board’s acceptance came amid criticism from public speakers about delayed county financial processing. A public commenter identified as Mr. Rodriguez said, “The auditor needs to resign,” and described delayed payments to veteran organizations and other community groups. Gary Stevens, another public speaker, said he was “glad to listen to find out what is going on” regarding county finances.

Why it matters: County audits and the related reports are used by elected officials, creditors, grant administrators and the public to evaluate fiscal stewardship; Illinois rules expect counties to complete audits within a…