Illinois comptroller candidates debated over the $4 million paid in bonuses to state employees and public pensions. The comptroller's office has been highlighted during Illinois' financial woes and budget stalemate, which have shown the difficulties of getting payments made to social service agencies and other entities.
Among the campaign issues is incumbent Republican Leslie Munger's assertion that Democratic candidate Susana Mendoza should give back one of two pensions she collected. Mendoza served as both a project coordinator for Chicago's planning department, and an elected Illinois representative.
Mendoza says her pension contributions reflected city pay hours she was docked when she was in Springfield, and that she saw no problem in working two jobs.
Libertarian candidate Claire Ball and Green Party candidate Tim Curtin also participated in the debate.
