Rauner Seeking More Government Consolidation
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Friday he's backing four pieces of legislation that would allow local governments to consolidate services in order to save money for taxpayers.
The city of Naperville has taken the first step towards government consolidation by seeking an agreement with the Naperville Township Highway Department to take over road services from the township.
Those services would include snow plowing, road maintenance, leaf collection, street sweeping, and more.
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said taxpayers would save $800,000 a year by consolidating those government services.
Naperville Township Highway Commissioner Stan Wojtasiak would need to approve the proposal before there could be an agreement, he's leaning against it.
"Their whole idea is to lay people off, and cut services. I could do the same thing and still maintain the road district intact," he said.
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Wojtasiak said if he decides against consolidation, the people who want it could get the matter on a referendum to let voters decide.
"The referendum would be the best thing, and take our chances," he said.
Rauner said consolidating local governments must be done to help Illinois get on a proper footing.
"We have 7,000 units of government. Texas, which is way bigger than us, has 2,000 less; fewer, I guess is the right word," he said.
State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) said he supports the consolidation plan, and he said more local governments in Illinois should be eliminated.
"Our present system of 7,000 governments is simply unsustainable," he said. "Our system is bloated, it's inefficient, it's opaque, and it's unaccountable."
