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

Illinois township pensioners have collected nearly $300M over past 20 years

By Joe Kaiser

08/21/2018

While often regarded as a duplicative and unnecessary unit of government, former township employees in Illinois have banked more than $273 million in pension benefits since 1998.

TAGS: local government, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, townships

Rauner signs bill allowing consolidation of mosquito abatement districts

By Mindy Ruckman

08/17/2018

With the signing of Senate Bill 2543, taxpayers could soon see savings – and more efficiency – in local government.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, consolidation, local government consolidation, Tom Cullerton

Amid controversy, political township couple banks nearly $100K in pension benefits

By Joe Kaiser

08/17/2018

Voted out of office in 2017 amid allegations of patronage and waste, Algonquin Township’s former highway commissioner has since found work at neighboring townships – while collecting a handsome pension from his former employer.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Bob Miller, consolidation, IMRF: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, local government consolidation, McHenry County, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Rauner gives DuPage County green light to pursue consolidation effort

By Eddie Damstra

08/01/2018

A new law will allow DuPage County to dissolve its election commission and transfer its functions to the county clerk’s office, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Bob Miller, Bruce Rauner, consolidation, DuPage County, local government consolidation

Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district

By Joe Kaiser

07/17/2018

A new law gives townships the option to let voters abolish their road districts through referendum. But Algonquin Township trustees rejected a resolution that would have given taxpayers that choice.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Bob Miller, consolidation, local government, local government consolidation

Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste

By Joe Kaiser

06/18/2018

Two McHenry County highway commissioners hired each other’s sons to township government positions in 2017. Despite concerns of nepotism, these practices are not uncommon in township government.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Andrew Rosencrans, Bob Miller, consolidation, corruption, David McSweeney, Jim Condon, Leda Drain, local government consolidation, McHenry County, Mike Lesperance, municipal pensions, nepotism, patronage, pensions

McHenry County state’s attorney: Consolidate townships

By Joe Kaiser

06/07/2018

An investigation into the office of a former township official concluded with no criminal charges. But the probe did find evidence that calls into question the merits of township governance.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, consolidation, local government consolidation, McHenry County, Patrick Kenneally, townships

More than 230 Belleville school district employees earn more than $100K

By Vincent Caruso

05/30/2018

Many school district employees’ earnings are more than double that of the typical Belleville household.

TAGS: Belleville, Belleville Township School District 201, consolidation, local government consolidation, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, salaries, school district consolidation, St. Clair County, teacher salaries