Illinois’ first Auditor General has died. Robert Cronson was 87 years old when he passed away earlier this week at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Amanda Vinicky has more:
Illinois didn’t always have an Auditor General. The position was created when the state’s Constitution was redrafted, in 1970.
It was an outgrowth of a scandal from the ’50s. Then, Illinois had an elected, statewide Auditor of Public Accounts — a position held by Orville Hodge.
HOLLAND: “He made off with a couple of million dollars. And back that that was a lot of money. That’s a lot of money today.”
That’s the current Auditor General, Bill Holland — only the second man chosen by the legislature for the position. Holland’s been there for 20 years — before him, there was only Cronson, who was appointed Auditor General in 1974.
Holland credits Cronson with setting a standard of professionalism for the office.
HOLLAND: “My work, over the last 20 years, has in large part, built upon the early years in which the office was first being organized.”
The Auditor General is responsible for monitoring state spending, and checking to see that agencies comply with federal and state laws and regulations.
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday (July 8) from 5 to 6:45 at the Kirlin, Egan and Butler Funeral Home in Springfield, with a eulogy set for 7 p.m.
— Amanda Vinicky
Photo source: ourcampaigns.com.
