Consolidation of units of government does not always equate to taxpayer savings. A few years ago in McHenry County, county board members floated a township consolidation proposal without thoroughly understanding the impact of the consolidation. Eventually it was discovered that the proposal, as written, would have raised taxes for citizens in half of the county’s townships.

Legislation was recently filed by State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) to require a cost analysis before township road district consolidation requests could be brought before voters in a binding referendum question. Only after elected officials prove their case and illustrate how services would continue while money is saved could the taxing body move forward with a referendum proposal.

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