Illinois comptroller rivals differ on merger idea

CHICAGO (AP) — The two candidates seeking the job of writing checks in a state notoriously behind in paying bills differ on a big issue hovering over the state comptroller’s office — whether to eliminate it by merging it with the treasurer’s office.

Republican incumbent Judy Baar Topinka said it’s a no-brainer, since combining offices saves money, but her Democratic challenger, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, said there are other ways to cut costs. The two explained their positions in an Associated Press candidate questionnaire focused on the matchup between the GOP veteran and the daughter of the late Democratic U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, which promises to be one of Illinois’ most watched November contests.