Too much local government makes Illinois inefficient, raises property taxes

By Chris Coffey

05/21/2025

Illinois is the most inefficient state in the Midwest and the 14th-most inefficient in the country. That’s driven in part by excessive units of local government – more than in any other state. High property taxes are one result.

TAGS: local government consolidation

Amendment 1 could block efforts to shrink Illinois’ 6,000-plus layers of government

By Joe Tabor

10/18/2022

Amendment 1 would empower government unions to the point that their contracts could prevent consolidation of Illinois’ nation-leading number of local governments. Neither state law nor voters would be able to do much about it.

TAGS: local government consolidation

DuPage County taxpayers may save $100M by cutting government layers

By Dylan Sharkey

10/04/2022

DuPage County consolidated seven taxing bodies to streamline government. The move will save $100 million for taxpayers over two decades.

TAGS: DuPage County, local government consolidation

Springfield asks residents to remove duplicate layer of government

By Dylan Sharkey

09/29/2022

The Springfield City Council voted to add an advisory referendum to the April ballot asking voters whether to eliminate the local township and let the city handle its duties.

TAGS: local government consolidation, townships

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

House bill would lower property taxes by trimming Illinois government waste

By Jordan Carlson

02/03/2022

Illinois leads the nation in local government bloat, with over 6,000 taxing bodies. The Citizen’s Empowerment Act, sponsored by Illinois House Rep. Jonathan Carroll, would make it easier for Illinois taxpayers to dissolve unnecessary layers of government.

TAGS: Illinois, Jonathan Carroll, local government consolidation, property taxes, waste

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

By Jordan 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 Jordan 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

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