IL comptroller candidate touts experience, focuses on transparency

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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.