IL comptroller candidate touts experience, focuses on transparency

IL comptroller candidate touts experience, focuses on transparency

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A state representative running for Illinois comptroller says she’s got the life, professional and government service experience to do the job.

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is a Marine veteran, a former city council member and a registered financial advisor. She says her goal is transparency and to secure what’s owed to Illinois.

“As comptroller, I will continue to fight for our taxpayers of Illinois and bring back the funding that we’re supposed to be getting rightfully from the federal government,” she told The Center Square.

Kifowit could face state Rep. Margaret Croke in the Democratic primary March 17. Croke’s campaign announcement video also focused on “efficiency, transparency and oversight.”

“As the mother of three and a dedicated public servant, Margaret cares deeply about the future of this state and has pragmatic ideas for helping it achieve success,” Croke’s campaign website says. “A leading voice in Springfield for passing balanced budgets and promoting economic development, Margaret knows that responsible stewardship of our resources is key to delivering real results.”

Kifowit is confident she will get through the primary to the November election.

“This is not a stepping stone for me. It’s a position that I care very deeply about,” she said. “The state of Illinois, I care very deeply about.”

One issue that comes up during elections is the idea of combining the Illinois treasurer and comptroller offices.

“I think that’s something that we need to look into to save some money and to actually look at the inherent benefits of it,” Kifowit said. “And, you know, I have always been one as a fiscal hawk to look at saving even a penny.”

Previous resolutions to combine the two offices never advanced.

Kifowit said she’ll also work to make financial audits of state spending more timely.

“And certainly, making sure that … not only the office is accountable, but the whole state of Illinois is accountable to the taxpayers,” she said.

Illinois is among the states with the most tardy comprehensive annual financial reports.

Candidates are collecting nominating petition signatures and can start turning them into the Illinois State Board of Elections in late October.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Fitzpatrick says pro-union bill dealing with contracts will pass U.S. House

Fitzpatrick says pro-union bill dealing with contracts will pass U.S. House

By John ColeThe Center Square During a speech to the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters Convention in Hershey last week, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District, guaranteed its members that a...
Feds investigate LA schools for sexual misconduct allegations

Feds investigate LA schools for sexual misconduct allegations

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education has opened a Title IX investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District over sexual misconduct allegations. The department contends...
Advocates criticize bipartisan housing bill

Advocates criticize bipartisan housing bill

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Advocates warned the U.S. Senate’s bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act could create affordability concerns, and reduce competition in the marketplace. In March, the U.S. Senate...
Johnson, municipal leaders statewide clash with Pritzker over local funding cuts

Johnson, municipal leaders statewide clash with Pritzker over local funding cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayors and municipalities across Illinois have called on Gov. JB Pritzker to reverse course on local government...

WATCH: Report: Washington high schools rank near bottom in personal finance literacy

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A new report finds Washington state ranks near the bottom in the nation when it comes to financial literacy education for high school students. WalletHub...
Citizen Voting Amendment may avoid partisan SAVE Act pitfalls

Citizen Voting Amendment may avoid partisan SAVE Act pitfalls

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Despite public support and majorities in both houses, Republicans have been unable to pass the SAVE Act because of Democratic objections in...
Democrats 'Red to Blue' targets 18 seats in 12 states in November

Democrats ‘Red to Blue’ targets 18 seats in 12 states in November

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is targeting multiple seats in Congress to take back the Democratic majority in November. Its “2026 Red to Blue”...
Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would force employers to pay employees regular wages while they...
VA suicide screening doubles after watchdog found mass failures

VA suicide screening doubles after watchdog found mass failures

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has improved suicide risk screening and follow-up care among veterans in its system after a December 2024 federal watchdog...
Trump says Iran agrees to no nuclear weapon, claims deal is close

Trump says Iran agrees to no nuclear weapon, claims deal is close

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A breakthrough deal may be on the horizon between the U.S. and Iran, according to President Donald Trump. During a Wednesday afternoon news conference in...
Beecher Baseball Bobcats

Late-Inning Surge and Dominant Relief Lift Beecher Past Bloom 12-5

The Beecher varsity baseball team secured a 12-5 non-conference road victory over Bloom on Tuesday afternoon, using a combination of late-inning offensive fireworks and a lights-out relief performance by Chasten...
Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties

Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrats in Congress on Wednesday renewed calls for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to resign after testifying about his ties to convicted sex offender...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Norkus Strikes Out 16 in One-Hit Masterpiece as Beecher Downs Donovan 10-1

The Beecher varsity softball team rode a dominant pitching performance by senior Taylor Norkus to a commanding 10-1 home conference victory over Donovan on Tuesday. Norkus was nearly untouchable in...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Carmela Irwin Throws One-Hitter as Beecher Offense Erupts in 18-1 Rout of Donovan

The Beecher varsity softball team unleashed a relentless offensive assault on Tuesday, capitalizing on Donovan’s defensive miscues to roll to a decisive 18-1 home conference victory in a four-inning, run-rule...
Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud

Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-TX, and her north Texas colleagues have called for a federal investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud occurring in counties...