Illinois' government structure breeds distrust among the public

In Illinois, the organization Reform for Illinois has raised concerns regarding the excessive number of inactive state boards and commissions, which it believes undermine public trust. A report by the Illinois Auditor General revealed that over 100 of these boards are inactive, and nearly 30% of those still operational fail to meet minimum meeting requirements. This situation has prompted calls for reform in the state's government structure, with David Milton, the Chairman of Reform for Illinois, advocating for a reconsideration of how many boards are necessary, suggesting that many were established without the intention of taking substantive action. Milton pointed out the ineffectiveness of previous commissions, especially those focused on campaign finance reforms, highlighting their tendency to publish reports that provided no actionable recommendations. He noted that the lack of follow-up on these reports has rendered them essentially useless both for legislators trying to address issues and for the public seeking reliable government action. The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority is cited as a clear example of a 'zombie board', continuing operations despite having fulfilled its original mission of developing stadiums. Critics argue that such boards operate with little oversight or meaningful impact, raising concerns about taxpayer money being used to support entities that lack clear objectives. Bryce Hill from the Illinois Policy Institute echoed this concern by pointing out the financial burden on Illinois taxpayers when funds are siphoned off to accommodate wealthy sports team owners. Amid discussions about government efficiency, Milton has expressed skepticism towards proposals that would place billionaires in charge of streamlining government operations, arguing that accountability should rest with elected representatives. He believes a significant overhaul or right-sizing of Illinois's number of government units is essential for creating an effective governance structure that genuinely serves the public interest.