Rauner Signs Bill To Permit DuPage Election Commission Merger

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill Monday that inches the DuPage County Election Commission ever closer to being dissolved. House Bill 5123 was signed into law in a special ceremony in Wheaton, giving the DuPage County Board the final authority to shift the duties of the election commission to the county clerk's office.

Chairman Dan Cronin, who has been the most vocal proponent of the initiative for years, said in a statement, "Together with Gov. Rauner, we are setting the standard of a responsible, effective government, one that adapts and innovates the delivery of its services and works on behalf of the people it serves.”

Voters approved the proposal in the 2018 general election primaries, with nearly 54% of voting residents in favor of the change. Taxpayers are projected to save a total of more than $300,000 a year once the structural change goes into effect.

The new law will take effect on January 1, 2019, which will permit the DuPage County Board to move forward with pursuing an official ordinance to completely dissolve the commission.

Image via DuPage County Board