Candidates Step Forward to Replace Longtime Comptroller
Democrat Margaret Croke, a state representative from Chicago, and Republican Bryan Drew, an attorney from Benton, are competing to succeed incumbent Comptroller Susana Mendoza in January.
Mendoza, a Chicago Democrat who has held the comptroller job since late 2016, is forgoing reelection to focus on a second campaign for mayor of the nation’s third-largest city. Her departure opens the position for the first time in a decade, drawing candidates with varying professional backgrounds and policy priorities.
The comptroller serves as the state’s chief fiscal officer, directing funds to and from state accounts. The role has historically been central to Illinois’ financial operations, particularly during periods of budget instability.
Croke Emphasizes Legislative Experience and Fiscal Focus
Croke stated she is excited to build on the work of her predecessor and described the comptroller’s office as an opportunity to set her up for success. She has six years of legislative experience, including work on financial issues within state government.
Her resume includes previously holding leadership positions in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and serving on Gov. JB Pritzker’s 2018 campaign staff. Croke voted for several balanced budgets approved by state lawmakers that helped the state achieve a dozen credit rating upgrades since 2021.
She said she would be “hyper-focused” on state finances, noting that state finances are the backbone to do things Democrats care about deeply.
Drew Highlights Legal Background and Taxpayer Oversight
Drew has been a personal injury and civil litigation attorney in southern Illinois for more than 25 years. He is a small business owner who served eight years as an elected trustee of the Rend Lake Community College Board, including two years as chairman.
He finished second in the 2024 Republican primary for a circuit court judgeship. Drew said owning a cafe with his wife exposed him to the impact of high taxes on small businesses and stated he would use the office as a watchdog for taxpayers.
Drew acknowledged that decisions about state spending are the purview of the governor and legislature but said the office can be a beacon of transparency for taxpayers. He stated his first action if elected would be to improve the comptroller’s website, which he derided as “nearly impossible to figure out,” arguing websites should be for taxpayers rather than public accountants.
Mendoza’s Tenure Marked by Fiscal Turnaround
The transition comes after a decade during which Mendoza navigated significant fiscal challenges. Months into her tenure, the state’s bill backlog ballooned to nearly $17 billion and its credit rating dropped to one notch above junk status amid a two-year budget impasse.
Mendoza ensured social service agencies were at the front of the line for payment and state lawmakers’ paychecks were at the back, while also working to expose executive agency delays in submitting vouchers. State lawmakers approved balanced budgets that helped the state achieve a dozen credit rating upgrades since 2021 and reduce the backlog so bills can be paid as they come in.