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

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

Illinois property tax relief begins by culling nearly 7,000 local government units

By Adam Schuster

10/08/2019

Illinois’ overabundance of local government layers provides ample room to consolidate and save property taxes.

TAGS: budget, consolidation, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes, townships

Illinois voters could eliminate townships that share city limits under bill

By Ben Paoletti

04/02/2019

Illinois townships often spend more on administration than services when they cover the same territory as a local municipality. One bill would make it easier for voters to change that.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, Tom Demmer, townships

Bipartisan township consolidation bill reintroduced in Springfield

02/05/2019

Former Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the bill before leaving office, but bipartisan support in the General Assembly may send it back to the governor’s desk.

TAGS: Allen Skillicorn, consolidation, David McSweeney, Jonathan Carroll, local government consolidation, Mark Batinick, Sam Yingling, townships

Bipartisan township consolidation bill heads to governor’s desk

By Vincent Caruso

11/30/2018

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

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