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District 57 urges Cook County forensic audit amid tax portal failures
Summary
District 57 board members reported progress in coalition advocacy pressing Cook County for a forensic audit of recent tax-portal migration problems, urged consistent communication with taxing bodies, and flagged related state bills that would require county repayment if delinquencies occurred.
Board member Mary Gore reported on District 57's participation in a Cook County coalition pushing for transparency and a forensic review of the county treasurer's migration to Tyler Technologies.
Gore said coalition outreach persuaded county leaders to commit to a public hearing and "assurances of an audit," but the coalition insists those assurances should be a forensic audit, not just a routine annual financial audit: "We have used the term forensic audit, and we expect and will continue to demand that it's a forensic audit," she said. The coalition wants a thorough review to determine where funds were held, whether third parties earned interest on funds during migration, and why contingency plans were not in place.
Gore told the board the group has broadened to include public libraries and other taxing bodies, which strengthens advocacy capacity. She also noted draft state legislation (a Senate bill filed by Sen. Lightford and a companion House bill) that would require repayment or restitution from counties if delinquencies harmed taxing districts; she will prepare a summary for District 57 members who will advocate in Springfield.
Board members discussed the need for predictable, timely county communication with taxing bodies and the coalition's plan to press for legislative fixes. The board signaled continued advocacy and planned follow-up communications to legislators and county officials.
