Rep. Morthland: "Let's use this audit as a tool to streamline bureaucracy..."
Moline, IL, April 5, 2012...Today, William Holland, Auditor General of the State of Illinois released the audit of the Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card Program pursuant to House Resolution 89, which was sponsored by State Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova). Rep. Morthland introduced this legislation as a companion to House Bill 3500 that gained statewide notoriety for protecting the privacy of FOID cardholders in Illinois.
The Office of the Auditor General found "significant deficiencies" in the reporting of potentially disqualifying mental health conditions by circuit court clerks through the state. Notably, "...only 3 of the 102 circuit court clerks submitted mental health court orders."[1] The report identified shortcomings of the Illinois State Police's Firearm Services Bureau to respond to phone calls and applications due to understaffing. It was also reported that the State Police spent over $200,000 in overtime pay for three employees over the period of three years. In light of these facts, the Illinois FOID card program is found to be severely limited in promoting and protecting public safety.
"The audit notes the inefficiencies of the entire process," Morthland stated. "Let's use this audit as a tool in cooperation with the Illinois State Police to streamline the bureaucracies behind the FOID card process from the application, to the mailing, to the screening of potential applicants."
Morthland added, "We are exploring legislative options to apply the recommendations by the Auditor General and apply the principles of fiscal conservatism to this understaffed and failing governmental program."
To read the full report and the recommendations visit: http://auditor.illinois.gov/
Moline, IL, April 5, 2012...Today, William Holland, Auditor General of the State of Illinois released the audit of the Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card Program pursuant to House Resolution 89, which was sponsored by State Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova). Rep. Morthland introduced this legislation as a companion to House Bill 3500 that gained statewide notoriety for protecting the privacy of FOID cardholders in Illinois.
The Office of the Auditor General found "significant deficiencies" in the reporting of potentially disqualifying mental health conditions by circuit court clerks through the state. Notably, "...only 3 of the 102 circuit court clerks submitted mental health court orders."[1] The report identified shortcomings of the Illinois State Police's Firearm Services Bureau to respond to phone calls and applications due to understaffing. It was also reported that the State Police spent over $200,000 in overtime pay for three employees over the period of three years. In light of these facts, the Illinois FOID card program is found to be severely limited in promoting and protecting public safety.
"The audit notes the inefficiencies of the entire process," Morthland stated. "Let's use this audit as a tool in cooperation with the Illinois State Police to streamline the bureaucracies behind the FOID card process from the application, to the mailing, to the screening of potential applicants."
Morthland added, "We are exploring legislative options to apply the recommendations by the Auditor General and apply the principles of fiscal conservatism to this understaffed and failing governmental program."
To read the full report and the recommendations visit: http://auditor.illinois.gov/
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