MORE GOVERNMENT FOR LESS?

When I read that the Illinois Senate had unanimously passed HB268 (Local Government Consolidation Commission) this week, the topic seemed so familiar I thought I had already written about the subject and was confused.  I did a search on my computer and discovered that I had started a blog on HB268 when it was passed by the Illinois House and had never finished it because I went into the hospital.  Now that the bill will become a law when Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signs it, it seems like a good time to finish my thoughts about HB268 when I started it a few months ago.

The legislation was authored by State Rep. Jack D. Franks (D-Woodstock) and creates a Local Government Consolidation Commission that would be charged with reviewing the effectiveness and impact of local units of government. The Commission would be responsible for formulating recommendations that: permit effective management of local affairs, reduce the multiplicity of local governmental units, eliminate overlapping and duplicative responsibilities, and increase the overall efficiency of local governments.

So basically, Franks has created another governmental body whose sole purpose is to eliminate other government units.  One more unit in hopes of a lot less.  “Illinois has more than 7,000 units of local government, thousands more than the next closest state,” Franks said. “As we find ways to reduce the size of state government, we can also save millions of dollars by identifying opportunities for collaboration and consolidation in local levels of government.”

The Commission will be charged with reviewing the effectiveness and impact of local units of government. They will also be responsible for formulating recommendations that: permit effective management of local affairs, reduce the multiplicity of local governmental units, eliminate overlapping and duplicative responsibilities, and increase the overall efficiency of local governments.

The Commission’s duties include:

• 1.      Making a survey of the entire structure of local governments and their organization, powers, jurisdiction, and functions;

• 2.      Studying all laws governing the organization, powers, jurisdiction and functions of local government;

• 3.      Studying the inter-relationships of local governments to each other and to federal and State governments;

• 4.      Formulating specific recommendations for legislation or constitutional amendments to (i) permit effective management of local affairs, (ii) encourage local policy decision making, (iii) reduce the multiplicity of local governments, (iv) eliminate overlapping and duplicating of unnecessary powers, (v) increase efficiency and economy in local governments, and (vi) allow optional forms of local governments and increase their authority for cooperation among the levels of government.

This seems like a lot of work and should cost a lot of money.  But no!   Section 20 of the bill addresses that issue, ” The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.”   They will be reimbursed only for “actual traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the Commission.”

We just have to hope the Commissioners don’t decide to hold a meeting in Las Vegas because then it will cost us!