Today, the Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force formally presented its final report to Governor Bruce Rauner.According to the US Census of Government, Illinois has more local units of government than any other state in the nation at 6,963. Illinois also has the second-highest effective property tax rate in the nation.
Governor Bruce Rauner created the Task Force on Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates last February. It was charged to find efficiencies and ways to streamline local government functions to save taxpayer dollars.
The Task Force convened 16 meetings across the state and conducted a comprehensive review of state laws pertaining to local governments and school districts. The final report includes a study on unfunded mandates and opportunities to streamline or eliminate governmental bodies and schools districts, and 27 Task Force endorsed recommendations.
The Task Force endorsed 27 recommendations which resulted from the testimony of 33 experts representing government associations, nonprofit think tanks, researchers, and state agencies.
Click HERE to read the full report.