Audit 306013

FY End
2023-12-31
Total Expended
$10.74M
Findings
16
Programs
17
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2024-05-10

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
396427 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - L
396428 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - L
396429 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - L
396430 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
396431 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
396432 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
396433 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
396434 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
972869 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - L
972870 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - L
972871 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - L
972872 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
972873 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
972874 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
972875 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P
972876 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - P

Contacts

Name Title Type
DZK4HGN78LS4 Jean Ruthe Auditee
8156684434 Adam Kleinmaus Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Note 2. Insurance, Loans, Loan Guarantees or Non-cash Commodities Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. under programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2023. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Where permitted, Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc., it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, change in net assets, or cash flows of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: The auditee used the de minimis rate. None of the Federal Awards expended for the year ended December 31, 2023 were insurance, loans, loan guarantees, or non-cash commodities.
Title: Note 3. City of Chicago Department of Public Health Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. under programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2023. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Where permitted, Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc., it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, change in net assets, or cash flows of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: The auditee used the de minimis rate. Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. received pass through funds from the City of Chicago Department of Public Health (Assistance Listing #93.914) under various contracts as follows: See the Notes to the SEFA for chart/table
Title: Note 4. Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Accounting Policies: The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. under programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2023. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Where permitted, Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. has elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc., it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, change in net assets, or cash flows of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. De Minimis Rate Used: Y Rate Explanation: The auditee used the de minimis rate. Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. received pass through funds from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (Assistance Listing #16.575) under various contracts as follows: See the Notes to the SEFA for chart/table

Finding Details

2023-002 Finding – Internal control over compliance reporting Federal Program: Basic Field, Pro Bono Innovation Fund Expungement, and Pro Bono Innovation Fund Intake; AL #09.514076 Federal Agency: Legal Service Corporation Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to compliance reporting requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that one of the LSC compliance reports was not properly reviewed before it was submitted. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Organizational leadership change and effort to reduce duplicated efforts caused a removal of the control.Context Discovered during testing of reporting compliance. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was not discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures.Effect or potential effect The organization’s compliance reports were not properly approved before submission, which could lead to submitting inaccurate information on grants. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on approval process. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that compliance reports are properly approved before submission.
2023-002 Finding – Internal control over compliance reporting Federal Program: Basic Field, Pro Bono Innovation Fund Expungement, and Pro Bono Innovation Fund Intake; AL #09.514076 Federal Agency: Legal Service Corporation Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to compliance reporting requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that one of the LSC compliance reports was not properly reviewed before it was submitted. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Organizational leadership change and effort to reduce duplicated efforts caused a removal of the control.Context Discovered during testing of reporting compliance. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was not discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures.Effect or potential effect The organization’s compliance reports were not properly approved before submission, which could lead to submitting inaccurate information on grants. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on approval process. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that compliance reports are properly approved before submission.
2023-002 Finding – Internal control over compliance reporting Federal Program: Basic Field, Pro Bono Innovation Fund Expungement, and Pro Bono Innovation Fund Intake; AL #09.514076 Federal Agency: Legal Service Corporation Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to compliance reporting requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that one of the LSC compliance reports was not properly reviewed before it was submitted. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Organizational leadership change and effort to reduce duplicated efforts caused a removal of the control.Context Discovered during testing of reporting compliance. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was not discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures.Effect or potential effect The organization’s compliance reports were not properly approved before submission, which could lead to submitting inaccurate information on grants. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on approval process. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that compliance reports are properly approved before submission.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-002 Finding – Internal control over compliance reporting Federal Program: Basic Field, Pro Bono Innovation Fund Expungement, and Pro Bono Innovation Fund Intake; AL #09.514076 Federal Agency: Legal Service Corporation Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to compliance reporting requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that one of the LSC compliance reports was not properly reviewed before it was submitted. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Organizational leadership change and effort to reduce duplicated efforts caused a removal of the control.Context Discovered during testing of reporting compliance. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was not discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures.Effect or potential effect The organization’s compliance reports were not properly approved before submission, which could lead to submitting inaccurate information on grants. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on approval process. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that compliance reports are properly approved before submission.
2023-002 Finding – Internal control over compliance reporting Federal Program: Basic Field, Pro Bono Innovation Fund Expungement, and Pro Bono Innovation Fund Intake; AL #09.514076 Federal Agency: Legal Service Corporation Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to compliance reporting requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that one of the LSC compliance reports was not properly reviewed before it was submitted. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Organizational leadership change and effort to reduce duplicated efforts caused a removal of the control.Context Discovered during testing of reporting compliance. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was not discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures.Effect or potential effect The organization’s compliance reports were not properly approved before submission, which could lead to submitting inaccurate information on grants. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on approval process. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that compliance reports are properly approved before submission.
2023-002 Finding – Internal control over compliance reporting Federal Program: Basic Field, Pro Bono Innovation Fund Expungement, and Pro Bono Innovation Fund Intake; AL #09.514076 Federal Agency: Legal Service Corporation Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to compliance reporting requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that one of the LSC compliance reports was not properly reviewed before it was submitted. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Organizational leadership change and effort to reduce duplicated efforts caused a removal of the control.Context Discovered during testing of reporting compliance. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was not discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures.Effect or potential effect The organization’s compliance reports were not properly approved before submission, which could lead to submitting inaccurate information on grants. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on approval process. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that compliance reports are properly approved before submission.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.
2023-001 Finding – Internal control over timekeeping compliance Federal Program: Crime Victim Assistance; AL #16.575 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Award Period: 2023 Identification as a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding. Criteria Management is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a system of internal control relevant to timekeeping compliance requirements. Statement of condition During our audit, we noted that of the 31 tested timesheets, 1 of the timesheets were not properly approved by employee and management. This represents a significant deficiency in the organization’s internal controls over compliance. Cause Management error in performing responsibilities. Context Discovered during testing of personnel costs. The issue with the organization’s system of internal control over compliance represents a significant deficiency in internal control. The internal control deficiency was discovered as a result of the use of sampling procedures. Effect or potential effect The organization’s timesheets were not properly approved. Questioned costs $0 Recommendation Management should train staff on timesheet procedures. Additionally, management should evaluate whether it would be cost effective for a detective control be implemented to correct unapproved timesheets. Views of responsible officials Management plans to use the recommendation of the auditors. The organization is in the process of training staff and implementing new procedures to ensure that timesheets are properly approved and corrected in a timely manner.