New Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger sees her new job as a chance to help the state get its budget problems in order.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner appointed Munger to replace Judy BaarTopinka, who died last year after winning another term as comptroller. Munger says she brings valuable experience to the role of overseeing the state's checkbook.
Munger managed multibillion-dollar budgets as a business executive. The Lincolnshire Republican also served on the board of a social service agency, where she saw how Topinka's policy of prioritizing state payments to small agencies helped keep them afloat.
Munger says she can say no to Rauner if needed. She says Rauner wanted someone independent who'll work relentlessly on fiscal issues. She says: "That's what I intend to do."
