Manley Backs Measure to Increase Government Consolidation, Fiscal Responsibility

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Looking to save taxpayer dollars and continue efforts at compromise, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, recently helped to pass a measure to allow for the consolidation of local governments.

“Illinois has over 7,000 taxing bodies across the state,” Manley said. “Many of these local units of government serve the same residents and perform very similar functions. By making it easier to consolidate, we can help ensure that tax revenue is not being wasted and reduce the tax burden on homeowners.”

Manley supported House Bill 171, which was negotiated between Democrats and Republicans, to address the governor’s demands before approving a budget. Under this legislation, the township boards of adjacent townships could authorize, via resolution, a voter referendum to consolidate adjacent townships into a single township; or dissolve a township and absorb it into two adjacent townships with which it shares a border. Additionally, the proposal allows a township board to abolish, via resolution, its road district if the roads total less than 15 miles in length and a voter referendum approves of the road district’s dissolution.

“The passage of this legislation shows that Democrats were willing and continue to be willing to work with the governor on non-budgetary items he considers important,” Manley said. “This proposal combines many of the ideas from the Senate’s grand bargain, Republican legislation and initiatives from Democrats in the House. Even with a budget now in place, we must continue to work together on issues that will be beneficial to the state and its residents.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.