CHICAGO (AP) — A state panel studying how to reduce the number of government offices in Illinois as part of an initiative by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner is finalizing its recommendations.
The task force voting on recommendations Thursday also is looking at eliminating some unfunded mandates on local governments.
Illinois has more units of government than any other state with nearly 7,000. They include park districts, counties and townships. Texas has the second-highest number and it has 1,800 fewer units.
Rauner created the task force in February with an executive order. But it will be up to state lawmakers and Rauner to decide whether to implement whatever the group suggests.
Rauner has said the state’s large bureaucracy creates “unnecessary layers of government” that lead to waste, high taxes and the opportunity for corruption.
