Tiny taxing districts with limited duties scattered across Illinois
June 21, 2011
Chicago Tribune -'Illinois is really kind of a poster child for excessive governing bodies,' said David Hamilton, director of the Texas Tech University public administration program, who has criticized the inefficiency of Illinois townships. 'Once a government is there, it's easier to keep the status quo than it is to try to change.'
Orland Hills has a library board, but no library. Norwood Park has a paid three-member board with the sole job of overseeing 40 streetlights. And a southern Illinois tuberculosis board has amassed more than $200,000 yet it treats only one patient every two to three years, the Massac County Board chairman said.
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"Illinois is really kind of a poster child for excessive governing bodies," said David Hamilton, director of the Texas Tech University public administration program, who has criticized the inefficiency of Illinois townships. "Once a government is there, it's easier to keep the status quo than it is to try to change."