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WBGZ Radio 5/16/2021 |
By Kevin Bessler - Illinois Radio Network
A group of Illinois county clerks opposing a hike in a document fee coincides with an audit of the Housing Development Authority that found inaccurate financial reporting.
Lawmakers are considering legislation that would double the fee for documents obtained through Recorder of Deeds offices from $9 to $18, and the money is supposed to be distributed to the Rental Housing Support Program throughout the state.
Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman said his county hasn’t received any grants from the program in the last decade despite contributing nearly $1 million in fees. Two of the 10 clerks opposed to the fee hike say their county has received grants from the program.
Normal, IL, USA / www.cities929.com
May 14, 2021 | 10:08 AM
(The Center Square) – A group of Illinois county clerks opposing a hike in a document fee has coincided with an audit of the Housing Development Authority that found repeated instances of inaccurate financial reporting involving millions of dollars.
Lawmakers are considering legislation that would double the fee for documents obtained through Recorder of Deeds offices from $9 to $18, and the money is supposed to be distributed to the Rental Housing Support Program throughout the state.
Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman said his county hasn’t received any grants from the program in the last decade despite contributing nearly $1 million in fees. Two of the 10 clerks opposed to the fee hike say their county has received grants from the program.
WGLT
McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael, whose office is based in the McLean County Government Center, says it needs to be clear where the fees collected from taxpayers are going, especially if the legislature wants to double a fee paid on deeds and other real estate documents.
A group of 10 Central Illinois county clerks says they re against a proposal to raise a fee that funds housing authority grants because of discrepancies in data reporting and unequal distribution of grants across the state.
The $9 is collected on real estate documents (such as deeds) that county clerks record. The proposal currently in the Illinois Senate would raise that to $18. It would also create a task force to review how the money from the fee is used.
Illinois Senate Republicans and County Clerks ask for transparency in election process
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Illinois Senate Republicans and county clerks from across the state are pushing legislation creating more transparency in elections.
Senate Bill 1326 could require election judges to complete uniform training requirements provided by the State Board of Elections. Sen. Sally Turner (R-Lincoln) said the Illinois State Board of Elections already has election judge training. However, it differs from county to county.
“Unfortunately, that differentiation can lead to differences in how election judges preform their duties in different parts of the state,” said Turner.
Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman also feels it’s important to have a uniform election process.