Local Government Units
Policy Statement
Local Government Units
Illinois has more units of local government than any other state in the nation. When the functions of government are so widely dispersed, it is difficult for our citizens to know who they should hold accountable for their local services and the associated tax burden. It is not uncommon for a taxpayer’s property to be within the governmental boundaries of 8-12 separate units of government. Government efficiency and spending prioritization is hard to achieve with so many governmental units.
The Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois supports initiatives to streamline our governmental structures to produce greater accountability, efficiency, and transparency of operation and purpose. The State should continue to encourage intergovernmental cooperation and efficiency, including through cost-sharing programs. Governmental consolidation or elimination, with the appropriate voter approval and financial protections, should always be a legally available option.
February 2023