SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure passed by state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, to save taxpayers money and make government more efficient by consolidating unnecessary layers of government was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker late last week.

“Every extra layer of government we have costs taxpayer money and makes it more difficult for people to navigate governmental services. We owe it to Illinois taxpayers to consolidate as much as we can in a way that improves the quality of services,” said Didech. “This is a step forward in the fight to make Illinois a more efficient and fiscally responsible state.”

Didech is the chief House sponsor of Senate Bill 90, now Public Act 101-0298, which allows local governments to dissolve drainage districts if those districts largely overlap with municipal boundaries. The new law will make it easier to eliminate small unnecessary taxing bodies by absorbing them into local municipal and county governments that operate professional stormwater management commissions.

“Illinois continues to struggle with high property taxes, and one reason why is because we have more layers of government than any other state in the country. All these local districts have their own expenses and levy their own taxes which increases the burden placed on homeowners,” said Didech. “Legislation like this is a crucial component to proving real tax relief for Illinois homeowners.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to save local taxpayers money and to promote good government practices, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is sponsoring legislation to eliminate the office of the township clerk as a pilot program in certain Will County townships.

“I have spent my time as state Representative listening to the people that I represent, and working to find solutions for their concerns.  The most common concern that local residents share with me is about their skyrocketing property taxes,” said Manley.  “I have listened to both my constituents, who overwhelmingly support this bill, and the critics of this bill and have noted their suggestions on how to improve it. Concerns about rising property taxes are shared by homeowners across the state, which is why my legislation is being backed with wide bipartisan support.”

Manley’s House Bill 3301 recently passed out of the Illinois House Counties and Townships Committee with bipartisan support now is on the House floor for full consideration. Manley’s proposal will serve as a pilot program and a model to potentially be implemented throughout the rest of the state by eliminating the position of township clerk in the six townships in Will County within Manley’s district. Manley’s legislation is backed by a bipartisan group of legislators.

“Elected officials have a duty to taxpayers to continually examine past practices and find new solutions to do things better, which will ultimately save taxpayers money,” said state Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield.  “I am proud to join in the bipartisan fight for this legislation, to save homeowners money on their property tax bill, and to implement a more efficient system in local government.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is backing legislation that would provide residents in McHenry and Lake County with tax relief by allowing them to reduce the size of their local government. Similar legislation was vetoed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner before leaving office. 

“Redundant layers of government are burdening Illinois taxpayers with bills they cannot afford, and Governor Rauner denied them much needed tax relief as one his last acts in office,” Yingling said. “Despite this road block, I will continue to fight to cut taxes for the hardworking families in my community.”

Yingling is sponsoring House Bill 348, which would allow residents of McHenry County to eliminate unnecessary units of government by referendum and require a ten percent reduction in property taxes levied by townships. Additionally, the effort would eliminate redundant road districts in Lake County. Yingling pushed for similar legislation last year, but, despite receiving overwhelming, bipartisan support, the measure was ultimately rejected by Rauner. 

“A new day is upon Illinois, and I’m ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and our new governor to reform state government and provide middle-class families real property tax relief,” Yingling said.