Proposal banning new governmental units sent to Gov. Rauner
A proposal that would put a four-year ban on the creation of new layers of local government is headed to Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk after gaining unanimous approval in the Illinois Senate Tuesday.
This plan comes at a time when the Illinois General Assembly is attempting to trim state spending and pass a budget for the next spending year. Rauner has pointed to government consolidation as one way to save money.
The proposal's Senate sponsor, Sen. Michael Connelly, a Lisle Republican, says this sends a message to Illinois residents.
"The message back home is we know, we have more units of local government than any other state," Connelly said. "It sends a signal back home that we support local consolidation of units of local government."
And despite the four-year moratorium, lawmakers in the future could decide to overturn it.