Cook County Job Training Program Under Review

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson A state audit of a Cook County jobs training program is raising concerns about some of the program’s expenditures. The Chicago Tribune reports: Among an audit’s 68 findings were questions about whether youths who were paid more than $1 million were even qualified to be in the program, why $31,000 in pension payments...

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson

A state audit of a Cook County jobs training program is raising concerns about some of the program’s expenditures. The Chicago Tribune reports:

Among an audit’s 68 findings were questions about whether youths who were paid more than $1 million were even qualified to be in the program, why $31,000 in pension payments were made for temporary summer youth workers and why a payroll company was given $12,000 to administer wage payments of $38,000 for one pay period.

“During this economic crisis, we have to make sure that every single dollar available to help put people back to work is used efficiently, effectively and appropriately,” Warren Ribley, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said in a June statement to county commissioners.

The agency’s takeover recommendation comes five years after the state labeled the county program as “high risk” when a top official was under investigation for stealing money.

“Anytime there’s more scrutiny and more eyes watching taxpayer dollars, it’s a good thing,” said Commissioner Timothy Schneider, R- Streamwood, in response to the state’s actions. “To have to return money year after year to the state for mismanagement or misused funds is a disgrace.”

Accountability and transparency are vitally important in developing better government and strengthening public trust. To see how the state government is spending your tax dollars, explore our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, which features state salary, pension, and expenditure information. You can also find out which state officials are dedicated to transparency and accountability by checking out our Transparency Pledge page.