CHICAGO | The Cook County Board on Thursday approved a resolution urging the Illinois General Assembly to abolish the Suburban Cook County Regional Superintendent's office and the elected position that oversees it.

The board also approved a resolution that says the current occupant of that office -- Charles A. Flowers -- has misused the post by using government funds for personal purposes and not properly overseeing the office.

In passing the resolution, the County Board cited a report by the Illinois auditor general's office from last month that cited numerous concerns about the Regional Education Office's financial situation including cash advances for two employees for nonbusiness-related expenses, expenditures not allowed under state law and a debt that increased to nearly $1 million between 2007 and 2008.

The board's action comes a day after investigators raided Flowers' home and his Westchester office as part of an ongoing criminal investigation that began in April, and less than two weeks after the Cook County Board approved a resolution asking Flowers to resign.

The regional superintendent position is a state government office, which means only the General Assembly has the authority to remove Flowers from the post.

The Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education issues teacher certifications, conducts health and safety inspections and offers initial training for new school bus drivers for 143 suburban Cook County school districts in 30 townships - including Thornton Township. It receives funding from the state, grants and service fees.

Last year, the county board provided a loan of nearly $200,000 to the office which was to be repaid Tuesday but wasn't