The Illinois state auditor general urged that...

The Illinois state auditor general urged that the University of Illinois Athletic Assn. be abolished in the wake of a scandal over improper use of association workers and questionable in-kind gifts to athletic officials.

In a report to the state legislature, Robert Cronson said that former athletic director Neale Stoner and other officials had treated the association’s resources “as private funds, which were not subject to the level of accountability expected for public funds.”

Stoner resigned in July. Two other officials quit as a result of similar allegations.

Cronson recommended that the university take direct control of its athletic program, which has been run by the Athletic Assn., a not-for-profit corporation.