advertisement

Rauner signs plans aimed at curbing local government costs

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday signed legislation from a bipartisan duo of suburban lawmakers geared toward cutting local government costs.

One new law was sparked by the reporting of Daily Herald columnist Jake Griffin and would limit spending on travel for local officials and prohibit using taxpayer money for entertainment costs.

"Illinois has the highest property taxes in the nation," state Rep. David McSweeney, a Barrington Hills Republican, said of the plan he sponsored. "We need to make sure our tax dollars are being used wisely and we need to reduce property taxes."

Another new law signed Friday would require counties to write a report for state lawmakers about what local governments they make appointments for. The idea is to try to identify unnecessary local agencies.

"Through our bipartisan work, we have made DuPage County a leader in government consolidation," state Sen. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, said of his plan. "We know the government needs to evolve with the needs of the people."

Cullerton and McSweeney carried each others' legislation through the Illinois House and Senate.

CLC board spent $110,000 on travel, food in two years

Kirk faces tough re-election challenge as he skips Cleveland

Judge blocks Illinois redistricting plan from ballot

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs 2 anti-opioid laws into Illinois law

Rauner once called Chicago teachers 'virtually illiterate'

Gov inks early education law with first lady in attendance

Illinois governor apologizes for calling teachers illiterate

Tom Cullerton
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.