February 6, 2012

After 3 years of reporting on local government finance, it saddens me to announce, The Number Crunchers - Bolingbrook will no longer be investigating or reporting on local government.

I can honestly say, it's been a privilege spreading the message of fiscal conservatism.  I would like to thank the volunteer reporters, and those in the community that participated in the site.  Without you, none of this would've been possible.

We will continue to keep the website open and available to the community as a resource.

I wish you all the best, and encourage you to keep asking questions, and debating the issues.  Our community is better for it.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

Article published by the BGA on February 2, 2010.  "Ill-Gotten Gains? At CPS, Unused Sick Days Payoff".

By Barbara Rose & Patrick Rehkamp/BGA

The cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools spends tens of millions annually on a perk that few other employers offer: cash to departing employees for unused time off.

Since 2006, the district paid a total $265 million to employees for unused sick and vacation days, according to an analysis of payroll and benefit data obtained by the Better Government Association under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

 
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Village Changed Auditors 4 Times in the Past 9 Years

January 31, 2012

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

Last year, we published an explosive article highlighting the major weaknesses identified in the audit of the Village 2010 financials.   

Seldon Fox, CPA was hired by the Village board to examine and verify the accuracy and completeness of information presented in the financial statements.  From the results, they issued a formal opinion, and submitted a management letter to the Village board, which identified areas of weakness, and offered recommendations.

The Number Crunchers published 3 of the major weaknesses identified in the report.  Now that the Village fiscal year 2011 audit is complete, we can't wait to get our hands on the management letter for fiscal year 2011.  To determine if the Village board addressed any of the weaknesses identified in Seldon Fox's report.

We submitted a FOIA request to the Village earlier this week, and will publish the auditor's findings for fiscal year 2011 soon.

To read the list of material weaknesses/recommendations identified in fiscal year 2010 CLICK HERE.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1.  Did you know, the Village changed auditors 4 times in the past 9 years?

• PTW& Co. - Fiscal years 2003, 2004
• Crowe - fy 2005, 2006, 2007
• Seldon Fox - fy 2008, 2009, 2010
• Wolf - fy2011

2.  What's the significance, if the Village board choose to ignore the auditor's list of weaknesses and recommendations?  -  The problems identified can result in "management making business decisions based on inaccurate financial data, and the Finance department reporting info to various outside parties that is not accurate, which could increase overall business risk."  - Per Seldon Fox, CPA, Management Letter

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Local Leeches

Illinois General Assembly

Track the voting record of our local legislators; Senator, AJ Wilhelmi (D), and Representative, Emily McAsey (D).

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