Truth in Accounting, a nonpartisan think tank, announced that Illinois’ most recent statewide audit documents serious federal‑program compliance and monitoring failures that put taxpayer dollars at risk.
According to Truth in Accounting, the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023) statewide Single Audit of Illinois issued an adverse opinion regarding the COVID-19 Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). Auditors noted that the state agency failed to conduct necessary risk assessments or monitor the subrecipient managing the program. The audit detailed $177.1 million in HAF expenditures.
The audit also addressed issues within the Crime Victim Assistance program. Auditors indicated that essential oversight of subrecipients was not maintained and highlighted deficiencies related to subrecipient reporting requirements. The digest reported $78.2 million in program expenditures, illustrating how pass-through funding was impacted by these monitoring lapses.
Overall, Illinois spent approximately $44.8 billion in federal awards during FY2023. The audit identified 46 findings, including a notable weakness in statewide financial reporting. Auditors pointed out that Illinois lacks an adequate process for accurately and timely completing the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards.
Founded in 2002, Truth in Accounting is dedicated to promoting government financial transparency with the goal of educating and empowering citizens through accessible and reliable financial information. The organization advocates for comprehensive public financial reporting and offers tools such as Data-Z for citizens and media to directly examine state and local fiscal data.
