Rauner gets consolidation idea

County governments would have to report what kinds of boards, commissions and districts they appoint members to and whether those entities collect property taxes under a plan soon to be under review by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The idea behind the plan is to identify units of government that could be eliminated. If Rauner signs the bill into law, counties would have to submit their reports to lawmakers before Jan. 1.

Consolidation has been a focus of lawmakers and Rauner's administration in recent years.

The legislation was sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Tom Cullerton of Villa Park. Republican state Rep. David McSweeney of Barrington Hills carried it in the House. Lawmakers' approval sent the plan to Rauner.

McSweeney and Cullerton tried to eliminate the lieutenant governor's office via constitutional amendment earlier this year, but lawmakers rejected the idea.

One focus of Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti of Wheaton has been government consolidation.