HOFFMAN ESTATES — Gov. Bruce Rauner and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti joined local leaders in Hoffman Estates Tuesday in unveiling a report highlighting examples of local governments banding together to share services, equipment and expertise to increase government efficiency and save taxpayer dollars.
“We are celebrating all of you because you are wonderful examples of how service consolidation and partnership among local governments in this state can reduce duplication, improve services for our communities and decrease the tax burden on our hard-working families,” Rauner said. “We have some of the highest property taxes in the country, and they are crushing the people and families in our state. You are showing the way to better government and your constituents are the winners.”

The Second Edition of the Journal of Local Government Shared Service Best Practices (Journal), published by the Lt. Governor’s Office, promotes 20 top examples of ways public entities are working together to cut costs and reduce property taxes. Sanguinetti chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates.
“With 7,000 units of local government — more than any other state — it is no surprise that Illinois homeowners and businesses pay among the highest property taxes in the nation,” Sanguinetti said. “I commend these local leaders for finding innovative ways to deliver more efficient, effective, streamlined services for our taxpayers, and I encourage other local governments to follow their lead.  At the same time, I will continue to fight for legislation to allow citizens the ability to control costs and consolidate units of government as they see fit.”
The examples in the Journal’s second edition were collected from a survey conducted by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in partnership with many local government organizations, including the Illinois Municipal League, Township Officials of Illinois, Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Association of School Business Officials, Illinois Association of Park Districts, Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts, Illinois Library Association, Illinois Community College Trustees Association and the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
In total, 262 shared service examples were provided for best practice consideration. Out of those responses, 20 were selected to be published in the Journal.