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The recently released audit looks at ISBE over the last two
years up to June 30, 2022, and in total, had 15 findings and
three repeat findings that ISBE did not have proper controls in
place to monitor the requirements regarding professional
educator license renewal.
According to the audit, ISBE also improperly included a $305
million future appropriation for the Education Assistance Fund
as a liability in a different fund. As a result, the fund's
liability and expenses were overstated by $305 million.
State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, who serves on the House
education committee, told The Center Square that these sorts of
problems should not be occurring at such a large agency.
"It shows a lack of control at the state level, and it's
concerning to a lot of us," Halbrook said. "I think that an
agency this size that is getting nearly $10 billion needs to
have some accountability."
According to the audit, ISBE should have performed random audits
of licensees to verify their fulfillment of the professional
development hours required to maintain their licenses. Halbrook
said these sorts of issues are already impacting students.
"We've seen the reports. In Chicago, there were 50 schools that
did not have a single kid that could do math at grade level and
30 schools did not have a single kid who could read at grade
level," Halbrook said. "That emanates throughout the entire
state."
The audit states that ISBE has agreed with the Auditor General's
findings and said that they are working on addressing these
issues.
Halbrook said the state should only give taxpayer funds to the
agency once these issues are cleaned up.
"We see the demand for more and more money, but we have got to
have some accountability. We have got to have more transparency
and we have got to have better outcomes," Halbrook said.
Andrew Hensel reports on issues in Chicago and
Statewide. He has been with The Center Square News since April
of 2021 and was previously with The Joliet Slammers.
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