Illinois has far more units of government than any other state. The costs associated with fragmented and overlapping layers of government can translate into higher property taxes, which hurt small businesses, homeowners, renters, and the entire Illinois economy.
As the constituents of local government and the recipients of local services, citizens are in the best position to determine the public services that are worthy of their tax dollars. Local residents know firsthand when two units of government offer duplicative services. They also know when services are essential and should be preserved.
Legislation should be passed that allows citizen-led referenda to consolidate units of local government. Through this legislation, local residents who believe that two governmental bodies are good candidates for consolidation can collect signatures from like-minded local electors and submit a petition to the two governments, who will then notify the public. Constituents can then vote for consolidation during the next general election. With a three-fifths majority vote, the two units of government will consolidate.
It is time to take decisive action on property taxes. Citizen-led government consolidation can have a meaningful and lasting impact on taxpayers across Illinois.