Prairie State Wire

Dec 26, 2023

Comptroller Susana Mendoza has announced the top accomplishments of her office for the year 2023. Highlighting fiscal responsibility and credit rating improvements, Mendoza expressed satisfaction with the progress made.

"In 2023, we’ve really seen our hard work in building up the state’s reserves, paying bills on time and protecting prevailing wage workers come to fruition," said Comptroller Susana Mendoza. "All indications point to Illinois as a premier destination to live, work and run a business."

The Illinois Office of Comptroller's achievements include paying off COVID-19 unemployment insurance loans ahead of schedule, saving taxpayers $20 million. A bipartisan bill aimed at securing regular payments into the Rainy Day Fund and Pension Stabilization Fund passed through committee unanimously.

The office is now processing state bills faster than private sector standards, with significant reductions in payment delays. In labor enforcement efforts, $73,000 was recovered for workers underpaid by a company violating Illinois' Prevailing Wage Act.

Fiscal initiatives saw an additional $200 million deposited into the Pension Stabilization Fund. Accounts payable were reduced below $1 billion for the first time in 15 years. The General Revenue Fund ended with over $1 billion—a milestone not reached in over two decades.

Among top accomplishments was legislation benefiting police officers injured by COVID-19 before vaccines were available. This law was signed by Governor Pritzker in May.

Illinois' Rainy Day Fund exceeded $2 billion for the first time ever, reinforcing financial security against potential crises. Finally, Illinois received multiple credit upgrades this year, promising lower costs for infrastructure projects due to improved borrowing rates.