Democrat

Patty Sprague

Belleville

Age: 60

Married

Children: 3

Job: Auditor

Phone: 618-233-8383

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E-mail: auditor@st-clair.il.us

Education: High School, 1970

Previous offices: Board of review, 1984-2003

Qualifications: I am an experienced public servant who takes pride in managing a fiscally sound office. We have received a clean financial audit opinion since taking office. I continually challenge my staff to focus on improving ways they can serve the public and do their jobs. I am a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer which also gives me the experience and knowledge of the importance of the handling of taxpayers' dollars. As the county's auditor, I continue to further my knowledge and look for innovative ideas with annual continuing education classes offered by both Illinois and Missouri CPA societies. I have a highly trained staff, which includes two certified public accountants.

Top issues: The top issues in my race are experience and qualifications. I have served the public since being elected to the board of review in 1984, where I heard property tax challenges from homeowners. I become St. Clair County auditor in 2003 and elected in 2004. In both offices, I have made professionalism and the watching of taxpayers' dollars my job. The auditor's office is considered the watchdog of St. Clair County, guaranteeing legitimate expenditures of taxpayers' dollars. We have a balanced budget and continue to lower property taxes and reduce governmental expenditures while operating with fewer resources and continue to pay bills in a timely manner. We have worked to upgrade our accounting system, which has allowed us more transparency. Annual budgets, monthly payment registers and annual financial audits are available on the St. Clair County auditor's website. This allows taxpayers the ability to see where their money is being spent. I also support other elected offices in the management of their budgets. I continue to turn over unspent budgeted funds for my office each year.