Yingling Pursues Bill to Reduce the Size of Government, Save Taxpayer Dollars

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. –  State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is advancing legislation that would ease property taxes by allowing voters to do away with layers of government that have outlived their usefulness.

“Illinois has changed a lot since the 1800s, but how we manage local government hasn’t kept up with the times,” Yingling said. “Some governmental units like townships are now just another line item on a property tax bill which middle class families are struggling to afford. In developed areas like ours, they provide the same services already offered at the county and municipal level. Voters ought to have a say if they want to dissolve these redundant taxing bodies.”

Currently, Illinois has 7,000 units of local government, more than any other state. Illinois leads the next highest state, Pennsylvania, by 2,000 units of government. Of Illinois’ 7,000 bodies of government, 1,400 are townships. According to the Better Government Association, only 20 states have townships, with Illinois having more townships than any other state.

Yingling’s House Bill 3133 creates a process for the elimination of township government through a voter referendum, Yingling relied upon his experience as a former township supervisor of Avon Township in Lake County and met with local advocates of consolidation in other highly developed counties that have passed similar measures.

“My goal is to get rid of as many duplicative positions and government entities as possible,” Yingling continued. “Right now, townships as they exist are prime territory for government consolidation and property tax relief. We have too many assessors who assess too few properties and highway commissioners who maintain too few roads.”