Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – After ten years as Illinois auditor general and 24 as a state representative, Frank Mautino has had enough.

“That spans the terms of six governors, seven comptrollers, five treasurers, and three (secretaries of state).”

Mautino was surprised at how much he didn’t know. “When I came over after being the chairman of the (Legislative) Audit Commission for twelve years, I thought, I know everything about this job, and realized that I had a learning curve. It required me to listen to the experts in the office and learn from them. I thought I knew everything, but in the course of the last ten years, they have taught me well and continue to teach me to this day.”

Succeeding Mautino as the state’s inside watchdog will be Chris Meister, who has been leading the Illinois Finance Authority. Meister’s nomination is pending approval in the General Assembly.