McHenry County township consolidation bill advances to Senate floor

By Vincent Caruso

11/17/2018

The bill would make it easier for McHenry County residents to dissolve the county’s 17 townships at the ballot box – and find relief through tax savings.

TAGS: Allen Skillicorn, consolidation, David McSweeney, local government consolidation, McHenry County, Sam Yingling

Vernon Township voters drive their road district to the junkyard

By Vincent Caruso

11/08/2018

Voters just north of Cook County scrap an unnecessary layer of local government and its six-figure commissioner.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes, taxes

Metro East voters dissolve underwater park district

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Taxpayers voted overwhelmingly to dissolve Collinsville Area Recreation District – but the debt the district incurred will burden taxpayers for years.

TAGS: Collinsville, consolidation, local government consolidation, Madison County, Metro East, property taxes

Godfrey voters eliminate township

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Godfrey voters decided Nov. 6 to dissolve the village’s duplicative township, a measure that officials had been weighing for nearly 20 years.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes

Madison County voters eliminate office of recorder of deeds

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Madison County voters decided Nov. 6 that responsibilities such as recording land transfers and maintaining deeds no longer justify a separate office for an elected official.

TAGS: local government consolidation, Madison County, pensions, property taxes

Voters want Springfield to shed a little government

By Janelle Cammenga

11/07/2018

Voters said they don’t need a township on top of Springfield city government, but unless Sangamon County leaders act there will be no tax savings.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes, Springfield, taxes, townships

Alton Township survives consolidation referendum

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Alton Township was on the chopping block Nov. 6. While neighboring communities consolidated unnecessary layers of government, Alton residents will keep their township.

TAGS: Alton, consolidation, local government consolidation, taxes, township

Collinsville area voters to decide whether to eliminate park district

By Joe Barnas

10/25/2018

Voters residing in the Collinsville area will consider Nov. 6 whether the Collinsville Area Recreation District should be dissolved.

TAGS: ballot referendums, Collinsville, consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes, taxes

Rauner vetoes Lake County assessor bill

By Mindy Ruckman, Austin Berg

08/31/2018

Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a measure that would let Lake County voters elect an assessor, suggesting that it apply to all counties instead.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Lake County, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Springfield taxpayers could see savings through township consolidation

By Joe Kaiser

08/28/2018

A ballot question asking voters whether to eliminate Capital Township could bring savings to Springfield taxpayers – but that would just be one of many steps worth taking to lower Springfield’s high property taxes.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, Sangamon County, Springfield, townships