The Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force concluded on December 31, 2015, per executive order.

Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force final report  http://www.illinois.gov/ltg/issues/localgovernments/Documents/Local%20Government%20Consolidation%20and%20Unfunded%20Mandates%20Task%20Force%20Final%20Report.pdf

​Illinois currently has the most units of local government at nearly 7,000 units. That’s the highest in the country by more than 1,800 units. This is unacceptable. Too many layers of local government aids government corruption. It also contributes to why Illinois residents pay some of the highest local government taxes in the nation, including the 10th highest sales tax and 2nd highest in property taxes.

There are also hundreds of unfunded mandates placed on local governments in Illinois which cost taxpayers billions per year and make it harder for local governments to provide core government services to Illinois residents.

That is why on Friday, February 13, 2015, Governor Bruce Rauner signed Executive Order – 15-15, which created the Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force. The Task Force’s mission is to reduce the heavy burden on Illinois taxpayers by empowering citizens and government officials to streamline local government through consolidation and eliminating unnecessary state mandates.

The governor asked me to oversee the Task Force that will research and analyze all current laws regarding local government consolidation and unfunded mandates. It will then compile a report with specific policy and legislative recommendations and send them to the governor and the General Assembly by the deadline of December 31, 2015.