Connelly law limits new taxing bodies

SPRINGFIELD, IL – As part of the “Illinois Turnaround,” State Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton) is leading the charge against the expansion of taxing bodies in the state and, as result of his hard work, a key legislative initiative was signed into law.

“I would like to thank Governor Bruce Rauner for signing this common-sense proposal to help us rein in the ever-growing influence of taxing bodies in Illinois. We do not need to be in the business of adding taxes to Illinois’ already ‘sky-high’ property tax levies,” Connelly said.

On Aug. 13, Gov. Rauner approved House Bill 228, which seeks a four-year moratorium on the creation of any new units of government or the subdivision of any existing ones.

Sen. Connelly said Illinois has units of government that focus solely on regulating things like mosquitoes, tuberculosis, museums, hospitals, exposition halls, and airports.

Illinois leads the nation with 6,963-plus units of government, double the number of neighboring states Wisconsin and Missouri. Illinois’ other three neighbors – Kentucky, Indiana, and Iowa – combined have 1,000 less units of government. Illinois’ total is staggering when compared to California’s 4,425 and Texas’ 5,147, considering the relative size of the Land of Lincoln’s population.

House Bill 228 does not prevent two existing units of government from combining or eliminating and consolidating services into one taxing body.