Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high

By Dylan Sharkey

05/22/2022

Illinois has 6,032 local governments, the most in the nation by a wide margin – and that excludes 859 school districts. It’s the main reason Illinoisans pay the nation’s second-highest property taxes.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, local government consolidation, property taxes

Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high

By Dylan Sharkey

04/29/2022

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, Illinois, local government consolidation

Civic Federation finds nearly 9,000 tax-guzzling government units in Illinois

By Justin Carlson

04/19/2021

A recent comprehensive analysis found the real number of government units in Illinois is 30% higher than the U.S. Census Bureau’s count. Too many government units mean too many taxes.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, Illinois, local government consolidation, school district efficiency

Too many government units means property taxes are too high in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

03/30/2021

A bill to eliminate some of Illinois’ 1,400 townships is on hold, but state lawmakers could revive it and give voters the power to reduce their property tax bills.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, local government consolidation, property taxes, townships

Citizens Empowerment Act could mean relief for Illinois property taxpayers

By Justin Carlson

03/22/2021

House Bill 433 would make it easier for Illinois taxpayers to dissolve unnecessary units of government in the state with the nation’s highest number of government units.

TAGS: administrative bloat, Citizens Empowerment Act, local government consolidation, property taxes

Illinois taxpayers could cut back local governments under bipartisan bill

By Vincent Caruso

03/06/2019

The Citizens Empowerment Act would let taxpayers cut local government at the ballot box. Illinois lawmakers from both parties are backing it.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, consolidation, David McSweeney, Jonathan Carroll, local government consolidation, property taxes, Sam Yingling, taxes

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students