State Senator Chris Balkema (R-Channahon) has been appointed to the Legislative Audit Commission, a bipartisan panel made up of members from both the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives that reviews state audits and ensures agencies are held accountable for taxpayer dollars.
“Every dollar wasted is a dollar that could have strengthened our schools, repaired our roads, or supported Illinois families,” Balkema said. “When every dollar is spent wisely, it’s a win for hardworking taxpayers who expect results.”
The Commission, created by law, reviews audits from the Auditor General, holds hearings to address concerns, recommends legislative fixes, and ensures agencies follow through on corrective actions.
“I look forward to working with state agencies to resolve audit findings and demand real corrective action,” Balkema added. “Government must answer to the people, and this Commission is one of the key tools to make that happen.”
Balkema brings 31 years of experience at Caterpillar, where he worked with efficiency frameworks like Six Sigma and The Agile Framework. He says those tools will help strengthen transparency and improve accountability in Illinois government.