SPRINGFIELD – A plan that would eliminate state restrictions on local government consolidation efforts passed the Illinois Senate today. State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) helped craft the proposal, which includes several initiatives aimed at making it easier for the consolidation of townships and the services they provide.

“For too long, the state of Illinois has stood in the way of common-sense efforts to bring more efficiencies to local government,” Morrison said. “Local governmental bodies and the residents they serve must have the ability to make decisions that are in the best interests of taxpayers.”

Senate Bill 3 expands the ability of townships to consolidate and create greater efficiencies for taxpayers. The plan allows adjacent townships to merge, allows townships to take over the duties of smaller township road districts, removes the current cap on township size and allows voters to approve for the dissolution of townships that are coterminous with a municipality.

The proposal would also allow all counties in Illinois to dissolve local governments that have governing boards appointed by the county. Currently, state law allows only DuPage, Lake and McHenry counties to consolidate local governmental bodies.

Senate Bill 3 passed the Senate this afternoon on a 43-14 vote.