On August 5, Governor Rauner signed legislation into law sponsored by Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) that allows McHenry and Lake County to dissolve certain units of local government whose governing body is appointed by the county chairman.
“Illinois has more local governments than any other state which creates inefficient and often times duplicate governmental services,” said Sen. McConchie. “Taxpayers deserve local governments that are financially stable.”
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| Under a new law, McHenry and Lake County can dissolve local governments. |
Before House Bill 229 was signed into law, the power to dissolve local government was only provided to DuPage County. The new law now grants permission to McHenry and Lake County. The new law excludes conservation districts and community mental health boards from being dissolved.
“DuPage County is working on consolidating up to 13 governments and estimates it will save taxpayers $116 million in the next 20 years,” said Sen. McConchie whose district includes both Lake and McHenry counties. “If we can extend that power not just to a few counties but statewide, just think of how much wasteful spending we could cut. While I would have preferred there to be no exclusions for certain governmental units in this new law, this bill is a good step in the right direction.”