 Link is behind a plan that would eliminate or consolidate some of
Illinois' nearly 7,000 taxing authorities.Illinois leads the nation
with the number of taxing bodies. Pennsylvania is No. 2 on that list
with about 4,900 taxing districts, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau.
"We've studied this to death, because Republicans and Democrats
agree on one thing -- we do have too many units of local government,"
Link said.
Taxing authorities include park districts, townships, counties and
even mosquito abatement districts. The large number stems from a
19th-century law that limited how much debt local governments could
take on. That law has since changed, but the large number of taxing
bodies has not.
Link's measure, Senate Bill 173, creates an eight-person commission
to study the topic. The four legislative leaders would each appoint
two members to the commission, although no local government official
could serve on the panel.
Commission members would then recommend eliminating or consolidating
either a specific type of taxing body or individual taxing
districts. A majority of the panel would have to agree for a unit of
government to be put on the "end" list.
Ultimately that list would come out of the commission and then go to
the General Assembly for an up or down vote. No changes could be
made by legislators. If the Legislature doesn't vote on the plan, it
automatically goes into effect.
Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, called Link's proposal imperfect but
commended him for taking on the topic.
"I have a problem with some of the provisions in here, but he's
taking a stab at what everyone in this room says is a problem, but
there's been a real hesitancy to reach out and make a specific
attempt to deal with it," said Righter, who voted against the plan
in a committee hearing.
Others had stronger opinions. Timothy Bramlet, of Township Officials
of Illinois, called the measure unconstitutional. Having eight
unelected people holding the fate of the more than 1,400 townships
in the state in their hands is unacceptable, according to Bramlet.
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Township Officials of Illinois is a private, not-for-profit group
that represents most of the state's 1,433 townships, according to
its website.
"I think it usurps your authority, your power, the voters' authority
and power, and the ability of townships and other local governments
to make our case before you as elected officials or (to) voters by
referendum," Bramlet said.
Link said he understands Bramlet's and Righter's concerns and said
he would work with lawmakers to make necessary changes.
SB 173 has yet to be taken up by the Senate, though Link said he
plans to ask for a vote when the Senate returns in May from its
spring break.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By ANDREW THOMASON]
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