Grundy Reporter

Senators Chris Balkema and Chapin Rose have expressed their opposition to Governor JB Pritzker's proposal aimed at eliminating townships in Illinois. During a recent press conference, the Republican senators criticized the plan for potentially leading to higher property taxes and reducing essential local services.

Governor Pritzker's proposal suggests consolidating townships by transferring their responsibilities, assets, and debts to county governments. This could impose additional financial burdens on counties already managing various services. Senators Balkema and Rose acknowledged their support for consolidating unnecessary government forms where appropriate but argued that the governor's statewide approach might result in increased property taxes for many Illinois families.

The senators stressed that decisions regarding government consolidation should be made locally rather than imposed from Springfield. They highlighted the importance of allowing local communities to determine the governmental structure that best suits their needs.

In response, Senator Balkema introduced Senate Bill 1347, designed to facilitate community-driven consolidation referendums. The bill aims to provide a more localized and transparent process, ensuring consolidation occurs only when it benefits taxpayers while preserving essential services.

Senate Bill 1347 seeks to empower communities with decision-making authority, protecting residents from unwarranted tax increases and service cuts while promoting governmental efficiency where feasible.