Yingling Leads Government Consolidation Efforts

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Building upon his momentum of recently passing a comprehensive property tax relief package and government consolidation measure in the House, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is carrying new legislation to expand consolidation efforts.

“We simply cannot continue down a path that punishes hard-working families and pits taxing districts against each other,” Yingling said. “Our current taxing bodies are duplicative which result in possible double taxation with taxpayers paying more money for the same level of services. That is a horrible deal for homeowners and small businesses.”

Yingling’s Senate Bill 3 allows voters to approve via referendum the consolidation of township governments. The legislation also expands a DuPage County pilot program statewide that would allow voters to approve the consolidation or elimination of local taxing bodies that provide duplicative or obsolete services, or if the services can be efficiently and effectively absorbed by another unit of local government.

“I have established myself as a fighter for working families and small businesses and will continue to stand up for them,” Yingling said. “It is my hope that we can successfully get this pro-taxpayer bill out of the House and onto the Governor’s desk for his signature.”

Senate Bill 3 passed the Senate with bi-partisan support.