Manley - a Certified Public Accountant Who Serves on the Legislative Audit Commission to Examine State Spending

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Certified Public Accountant, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, will examine state spending  as a member of the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC).  The LAC will meet Tuesday to examine compliance reports from several state departments. 

Tuesday’s LAC agenda includes examining reports from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the Department of Children and Family Services. 

The LAC will also speak with the Lake County Regional Office of Education about their lack of cooperation with auditors to complete the fiscal year 2021 financial audit, according to the meeting agenda.

Rep. Manley – who has been working in the accounting field for nearly three decades, joins a select group of legislators to lead public hearings on major audits of state agencies to review performance, correct outstanding issues and ensure public dollars are being spent appropriately for Illinois residents. 

“The Legislative Audit Commission is integral to the General Assembly’s ability to monitor and ensure state agencies that are funded by taxpayers and are using those dollars for their intended purpose,” Rep. Manley said. “Transparency is essential to maintaining the taxpayer's trust.”

The Legislative Audit Commission is a bipartisan body of 12 legislators—divided equally between Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate chambers—responsible for reviewing public audits and the disbursement of public funding. 

Manley brings extensive experience to the commission with a background as a certified public accountant. Additionally, her legislative work has consistently prioritized fiscal responsibility and transparency, helping reduce state debt and earn Illinois 10 credit rating upgrades in recent years. 

“The commission hearings hold department heads  accountable for deficiencies and get them on the record for continuing to make concrete changes to better use and safeguard the state’s assets,” said Manley. “It is my job, along with 11 other legislators, to comb through each departments’ spending with critical eyes. We have an obligation to demand excellence from our government agencies that serve the people of Illinois.”