SPRINGFIELD - The Local Government Consolidation Commission has concluded that while Illinois lawmakers should make it easier to reduce local government boards and agencies, it shouldn't force communities to do so if they don't want to.
Created by the Illinois Legislature, the government commission was tasked to determine if Illinos' nearly 7,000 units of local government - more than any other state - are necessary. Many have argued that reducing the number of government units would reduce the property tax burden. The commission disagrees.
The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that the commission found instead that Illinois might want to follow the lead of other states where local government units cooperate with each other and share resources.