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Lake County Offers Rauner Task Force Ideas To Cut Government Costs

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The head of the Lake County Board on Friday said lower jury duty pay should be among the things considered as task force appointed by the governor looks into lowering the cost of local governments.

Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor also said the county could save approximately $10 million by consolidating all its separate 911 emergency dispatch operations.

As for unfunded mandates?

"What we came up with was a potential $2.1 million in immediate savings, as well as millions more in ongoing savings, if they took on issues like workman's comp reform," he said.

Lawlor also suggested changing a new law that increases pay for jury duty. He said the measure costs Lake County $400,000.

"What we find is that the strong majority of jurors don't lose pay from their employer for participating in juries," he said.

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He also suggested relaxing requirements for newspaper notices about tax increases, government budgets, bids for public contracts, zoning changes, election information, new laws, and other government actions. Lawlor said he backs proposed legislation to allow the public to get information online instead.

"Do the cost-benefit analysis, look at the human component, but be able to make decisions based on a global view of what's going on," he said.

The chairman acknowledged these will be difficult conversations, but he said a task force formed by Gov. Bruce Rauner to look into unfunded mandates and possible consolidation local governments should consider at least some of Lake County's suggestions.

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