Rauner signs bill banning new units of local government for 4 years

Encouraging the streamlining of government services and more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

On Aug. 14, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a bill that would attempt to curb the ever-growing number of government layers that Illinoisans face.

House Bill 228 places a four-year ban on the General Assembly’s ability to enact laws that create new units of local government. The only exception is for new government units created through the consolidation of two or more existing local governments.

Illinois has almost 7,000 units of local government – the most of any state in the country. All of these layers of government lead to high property taxes and low government accountability. By stopping the proliferation of these government bodies, it will be easier to see the impact of the consolidation efforts that Illinois desperately needs.

Illinois Policy Action supported the passage of HB 228.