The lack of clarification about campaign spending from a former state representative turned auditor general raises questions about the integrity of the office, according to a Republican state representative who signed letters sent to Frank Mautino.

Before being sworn in as the state’s new auditor general, Mautino closed out the campaign fund he used while he was a Democratic state representative. Since then the media and some lawmakers have asked for information about campaign spending on vehicles, payments to a bank and more.

Republican state Rep. Grant Wehrli, who sent two letters to Mautino in early February on behalf of himself and 11 other representatives, says each day that passes without clarification increases doubts Mautino can perform as auditor general.

In a letter provided to Illinois Radio Network that is dated Feb. 25, Mautino tells lawmakers that he has retained a lawyer and is working diligently to clear the matter up quickly.

In other State news, expect additional interest rate hikes this year, according to the head of the Chicago Federal Reserve.

During his speech to members of the City Club of Chicago, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans said policy makers were correct in refraining from raising the interest rate earlier this month based on a tough start to 2016. That included weaker than expected corporate spending, lower commodities prices and the economic slowdown in China.

But Evans told reporters after his speech that the Fed is on track to raise rates later this year.

Evans added he expects the inflation rate to rise to 1.75 percent and wants more evidence that it will head toward the Federal Reserve’s goal of 2 percent inflation. If inflations rises to 2.5 percent, Evans advises the Fed should take a simplistic policy approach.