Because it is an extremely important issue (and perhaps due to recent federal and state elections portend no tax solutions there) some follow up on the discussion here will continue to be forthcoming.
There was a four part series in the Herald & Review last June/July called "Big Government" which discussed at length Illinois' penchant for multitudinous taxing authorities. (Unfortunately it appears to no longer be available online.) It pointed out that Illinois has some 8,500 units of government - the most in the country. Pennsylvania is second with around 2,100.
As we've seen, there are those that applaud this feeling that it brings democracy and accountability closer to the citizen. In theory, this seems correct. However, it does not take into account the complexity which this system has bred. There is a fascinating summary of the Herald & Review's articles here:
Public must take lead to cut surplus government
A FOUR-PART series in the Herald & Review, "Big Government," ends today. The series examined the large number of local governmental units we have in Illinois, its effects and what can be done about it.
Two conclusions can be drawn from the series.
First, there is a need to study the issue of how to reduce the number of governmental bodies, not only statewide, but in Macon County. But this issue deserves more than study. It also deserves action.
Second, change will not be easy and will have to come from the voters.
As the series pointed out, Illinois has nearly 8,500 units of local government. That's easily the most in the nation; Pennsylvania is second with about 2,000 fewer units of government.
Macon County alone has about 170 taxing districts, not including 63 drainage districts.
The problems with this system are obvious. First, it grossly inefficient. Second, it's costly. Third, it doesn't serve the public well at all.
There are those who say the numerous units of government are a good thing - that it brings democracy and government service closer to the people.
Really? Quickly, name your township supervisor? Who do you call if you have a mosquito problem? Know anyone at the local mosquito abatement district? Got a drainage issue? Know anyone at one of the county's 63 drainage districts?
OK. Now name the mayor of Chicago. The truth is Richard Daley is more accountable to the people he serves than most other local government officials.
The system of government is so complex that in some cases, taxpayers are paying twice for the same service. Some residents in Long Creek, for example, pay for fire protection from the city of Decatur and the Long Creek Fire Protection District. The only way to get out of paying twice for the same service is to go to court - a process that can cost hundreds of dollars in legal fees.
How democratic is that? How sensible is that? Is that serving the public?
The fact is, multiple units of government make it more difficult for citizens to get their problems solved.
The multiple units also have to be frustrating for developers who want to build new houses or create jobs in a community. Can you imagine trying to wade through the many governmental bodies necessary to get that kind of work done?
The system is also expensive.
"Each one takes a bite of the tax apple," said former Decatur Mayor Terry Howley, a proponent of studying unified government. The bites may be mere nibbles, but they add up.
Although a study by the Indiana Policy Review Foundation concluded that cutting taxes was usually not the result of consolidation attempts, we have to believe that Illinois would be different. With so many taxing bodies - each with overhead - tax savings would have to be a part of the equation.
The lack of tax savings in consolidation attempts also says more about government than it does about consolidation. A business consolidation almost always includes programs to increase customer service and reduce costs. We have not seen that sort of objective in many government consolidations.
Any logical person would look at the Illinois system of local government and conclude there has to be a better way. So, why hasn't anything been done?
The answer is simple. Leaders in each of these local governments receive a salary, giving each a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. "In many cases, you've got too many chiefs and not enough Indians, and the chiefs don't want to become Indians," Howley said.
It's clear there is little momentum toward reducing the number of governmental units. The Illinois General Assembly approved a commission to study the issue nearly a year ago. But the commission hasn't met because Gov. Rod Blagojevich hasn't made any appointments to the group.
In an administration where an education plan can be thrown together in a matter of days to answer a potential political opponent, the lack of action on government consolidation shows a lack of interest.
But there also is a lack of interest locally. Although there is a degree of cooperation among local officials, it isn't normal operating procedure. All governments, for example, are facing increased health care costs, but none of the governmental units have discussed working together on the issue.
It's clear change is only going to happen if voters demand it. One expert quoted in the series said it would take a catastrophe - government going bankrupt - for change to occur.
But change can happen before a catastrophe, if the voters demand it. Think taxes are too high? Demand that elected officials quit paying lip service and do something about the state's number of governmental units.
Macon County can't wait for Illinois to take action. One way to transform government in the county is to put forth a reform plan that will reduce the size of government and lower taxes. A good start would be to consolidate all of the various taxing districts into at least the township level. Secondary steps would be to incorporate township functions into the county; look seriously at a consolidation of law enforcement agencies; merge the Decatur Park District with the city of Decatur.
Nothing will happen if we wait for governmental leaders. The voters must demand reform or forever be faced with a governmental system that is inefficient and expensive.
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