(Part 3 of a 3-part series on the 2016 election.)
This is probably the easiest decision in the 2016 election for me–Claire Ball for Illinois Comptroller. According to the Illinois Constitution, the Comptroller’s responsibility is:
The Comptroller, in accordance with law, shall maintain the State’s central fiscal accounts, and order payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer.
In other words, an accountant. And yet, the position has never been held by an accountant. Claire Ball is a CPA with 10 years of accounting experience. Imagine, in Illinois of all places, electing someone who actually has the credentials and experience to do the job!
When you talk to Claire, it’s clear that she enjoys accounting and actually wants to do the job. She’s not just building credentials to run for governor, or put in place to help facilitate other politicians’ agenda. That’s how you can tell she’ll do the job and do it well.
Of course, one of the key principles of accounting is separation of duties, and Claire understands that. It’s why she doesn’t support merging the Comptroller’s office with the Treasurers. And, as a Libertarian, she’s not beholden to the two-party system, so she’ll be open, transparent, and above all, responsible to the people of Illinois.
Finally, she’ll help to bring accountability to local governments as well by reviewing and following up with payments at that level as well as opening the books so everyone is held accountable. And, let’s be honest, couldn’t the state of Rod Blagojevich, George Ryan, Rita Crundwell, and many others do with a some transparency and accountability?
Bottom line, if ever there’s been an ideal candidate for an office, it’s Claire Ball for Illinois Comptroller.