The committee must “summarize its work and findings within a written report, which shall include recommendations in respect to increased accountability and efficiency and shall provide the report to the county board in which the governmental unit is located no later than 18 months after the formation of the committee.” 50 ILCS 70/25. The goal is for the Committee to study and report on local government efficiencies. Ultimately, this can be as simple or complex as you make it. We recommend the following:
First meeting: This meeting would essentially be an “organizational” meeting. Identify committee members, set deadlines for next steps, designate different committee members to compile information and identify efficiencies your government currently has in place, and whether there are increased opportunities for efficiency and whether there are additional opportunities for accountability. This would include identifying any intergovernmental agreements you currently have in place, or whether there are additional opportunities for intergovernmental cooperation (sharing equipment, personnel, resources, etc.) Your committee can also discuss at this meeting whether the committee members want to gather and analyze information, or whether you want to employ specialists in public administration and governmental management or other consultants. Keep in mind, however, that this law is an unfunded mandate, so payment for anyone you hire will have to come from your existing funds. See the sample form report we have included so you can get a sense of the information you should be gathering.
Second meeting: We recommend that you use this meeting to take the information you have gathered and compile it into the report. You can identify any additional information you may need to prepare a final report.
Third meeting: We recommend that you finalize and approve the report at your third meeting.
Remember, there is a minimum of three meetings required. You can have as many meetings as you need or want, provided you have at least three. You can have these meetings throughout the year leading up to the report deadline, which is 18 months after your original committee meeting.
Additional Requirements: At the end of each meeting, the committee must “conduct a survey of residents who attended asking for input on the matters discussed at the meeting.” The easiest way to comply with this would be to simply poll the people present at the meeting while at the meeting, but the law also provides that the Committee can survey people by emailing them. (House Bill 4228 – modifying 50 ILCS 70/20).