CMS Response:Conferences refused to provide its basis for findings that CMS challenged, either telling us to ?save our argument for our response? or, in the case of legal issues, ?get an opinion from the Attorney General,? knowing full well that there was inadequate time to do so.
Auditor: Comment 5: Generally, the auditors and audited agencies are able to agree on matters of statutory interpretation. In those instances, however, where agreement cannot be reached, it is the auditors? standard practice to suggest the agency refer the matter to the Attorney General who, by law, is charged with rendering opinions to State officials on matters of statutory interpretation. 15 ILCS 205/4. In areas of disagreement over statutory interpretation, the Auditor General’s Office defers to a formal written opinion from theAttorney General on the matter. CMS?objection to this suggestion simply reveals its ignorance of standard audit practices.