SR0760 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0760 LRB099 13157 MST 37047 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois has more units of local government than any state in the country, numbered at over 7,000; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that consolidation of units of local government will result in cost-saving for the taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that consolidation of units of local government shall only occur with no reduction in the quality of service to taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, Lake County and the 31st Legislative District would benefit from a study assessing how specific units of local government may be consolidated or dissolved; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Working Group on Local Government Consolidation is created to identify ways to eliminate barriers to consolidation and resolve certain discrepancies in the Illinois statutes governing local governments and special districts in Lake County and the 31st Legislative District; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Working Group shall consist of the following members:

(1) one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall serve as chair;

(2) one member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(3) one member selected from recommendations provided by the Lake County Board appointed by the Governor;

(4) one member selected from recommendations provided by the Lake County Forest Preserve District appointed by the Governor;

(5) three members selected from recommendations provided by an association representing local townships appointed by the Governor;

(6) two members selected from recommendations provided by an association representing local fire protection districts appointed by the Governor;

(7) two members selected from recommendations provided by an association representing local park districts appointed by the Governor;

(8) one member selected by the College of Lake County appointed by the Governor;

(9) two members from local elementary school districts selected from recommendations provided by the Superintendent of Schools appointed by the Governor; and

(10) two members from local high school districts selected from recommendations provided by the Superintendent of Schools appointed by the Governor; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Working Group shall meet periodically but no less than once every 3 months; the group shall meet in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meetings Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Revenue shall provide administrative support and technical assistance to the Working Group; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Working Group shall accept testimony and evidence from third parties, including comments from the public at large, in crafting their report to the General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Working Group shall submit their report to the General Assembly no later than October 1, 2016; the report shall include findings including, but not limited to, the following issues as they occur in Lake County:

(1) an assessment of the number of units of local government and the costs associated with each unit, including salaries, expenses, and operating costs;

(2) an assessment of the units of local government are engaged in intergovernmental cooperation efforts and what, if any, cost savings such partnerships have resulted in;

(3) recommendations for the elimination of barriers to consolidation;

(4) recommendations for the streamlining or consolidation of units of local government; and

(5) recommendations for intergovernmental cooperation potential.