Illinois lawmakers headed back to Springfield on Thursday, January 8, 2015 for a one day special session. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn wanted a special election for the people of Illinois to decide who the state's comptroller should be, and it looks like that's what he'll get.
Governor Quinn's Office says that lawmakers passed the legislation Thursday afternoon. The special election will be held in November of 2016 along with the presidential election. Democrats and Republicans have debated who should become the state's comptroller since Judy Baar Topinka died in December of 2014.
On Monday, January 12, 2015, Leslie Munger will become the state's new comptroller. Governor elect Bruce Rauner named her the new treasurer earlier this month. She will hold the place until the time of the special election. Lawmakers acted fast during the special session. Governor Quinn is in office just three more days.
Meanwhile, Illinois Treasurer elect Mike Frerichs, shown below, hopes to cut the comptroller job by 2016. He says that could save Illinois an extra $24 million.
