REPORT DIGEST

DRYCLEANER ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE TRUST FUND COUNCIL

COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION

For the Year Ended: June 30, 2009

Summary of Findings:

Total this audit: 1

Total last audit: 3

Repeated from last audit: 1

Release Date: May 18, 2010

State of Illinois

Office of the Auditor General

WILLIAM G. HOLLAND

AUDITOR GENERAL

To obtain a copy of the Report contact:

Office of the Auditor General, Iles Park Plaza, 740 E. Ash Street, Springfield, IL 62703

(217) 782-6046 or TTY (888) 261-2887

This Report Digest and Full Report are also available on the worldwide web at http://www.auditor.illinois.gov

SYNOPSIS

• Council member appointments or reappointments had not been made as required by statute.

INTRODUCTION

The Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Council (Council) oversees the licensure of all retail drycleaning facilities in the State of Illinois. The Council also reimburses drycleaner facilities for costs of remedial action for solvent releases, which occurred in fiscal years 1998 through 2006. The Council offers insurance to facilities to insure against solvent release cleanup costs subsequent to fiscal year 2006. The Council has contracted with a third party administrator to conduct daily operations and fiscal and administrative duties, under the oversight of the Council.

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

EXPIRED COUNCIL MEMBER APPOINTMENTS

During fiscal year 2009, the appointed terms had expired for seven of seven (100%) Council members. The appointed terms had been expired for one to three years as of June 30, 2009. (Finding 1, Page 9)

We recommended the Council direct all interested persons to apply online for appointment. Further, we recommended the Council continue to work with the Governor’s Office to obtain current appointments.

Council representatives stated council members have applied for reappointment. Representatives further stated that beyond continued contacts with the Governor’s Office, the appointments are outside the Council’s control.

We will review the Council’s progress toward implementing our recommendations in our next examination.

AUDITORS' OPINION

We conducted a compliance examination of the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Council as required by the Illinois State Auditing Act. We have not audited any financial statements of the Council for the purpose of expressing an opinion because the agency does not, nor is it required to, prepare financial statements.

WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, Auditor General

WGH:LW

AUDITORS ASSIGNED

This examination was conducted by staff of the Office of the Auditor General.