SJ0028 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0028 LRB099 12592 GRL 36174 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois has more units of local government than any state in the country, numbered at over 7,000; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that consolidation of units of local government will result in cost-saving for the taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that consolidation of units of local government shall only occur with no reduction in the quality of service to taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, Lake County would benefit from a study assessing how specific units of local government may be consolidated or dissolved; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Working Group on Local Government Consolidation is created to identify ways to eliminate barriers to consolidation and resolve certain discrepancies in the Illinois statutes governing local governments and special districts in Lake County; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Working Group shall consist of the following members:

(1) two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(3) two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(4) two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House;

(5) one member selected from recommendations provided by an association representing counties appointed by the Governor;

(6) one member selected from recommendations provided by an association representing; municipalities appointed by the Governor;

(7) one member selected by recommendations provided by an association representing townships appointed by the Governor;

(8) one member selected by recommendations provided by an association representing park districts appointed by the Governor;

(9) one member selected by recommendations provided by an association representing school districts appointed by the Governor;

(10) one member selected by recommendations provided by an association representing fire protection districts appointed by the Governor;

(11) one member selected by recommendations provided by an association representing labor unions appointed by the Governor; and

(12) one member who serves as an elected officer of a local governmental entity in Illinois other than a county, municipality, township, or park district appointed by the Governor; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Working Group shall meet periodically but no less than once every 3 months; the group shall meet in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meetings Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Revenue shall provide administrative support and technical assistance to the Working Group; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Working Group shall accept testimony and evidence from third parties, including comments from the public at large, in crafting their report to the General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Working Group shall submit their report to the General Assembly no later than October 1, 2016; the report shall include findings including, but not limited to, the following issues as they occur in Lake County:

(1) an assessment of the number of units of local government and the costs associated with each unit, including salaries, expenses, and operating costs;

(2) an assessment of the units of local government are engaged in intergovernmental cooperation efforts and what, if any, cost savings such partnerships have resulted in;

(3) recommendations for the elimination of barriers to consolidation;

(4) recommendations for the streamlining or consolidation of units of local government; and

(5) recommendations for intergovernmental cooperation potential.