Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Dist. 42) recently took the lead in expressing constituents' frustration and disappointment with the College of DuPage Board's agreement on severance packages.

"It’s distressing to again be forced to look to setting parameters on local government, but the fact of the matter is that the people of our area are demanding action," Ives said. "We can’t sit silently by without bringing solutions to the table."

Ives joins a host of other Republicans who are seeking reform.

Newly elected State Reps. Mark Batinick (R-Dist. 97) and Grant Wehrli (R-Dist. 41) have joined forces to combat the six-year terms afforded to local public entities.

Wehrli hopes to reduce the term to four years.

"Shortening their terms seems completely reasonable, increasing accountability in these down-ballot, low-profile races," he said.

Batinick is striving to recall all nonhome-rule entities, which take their form from a local park board.

"Locally, we had a board that has spun out of control, and clearly this situation seems to fit within those same set of concerns," he said.

State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Dist. 81), who serves as the Republican house floor leader, plans to introduce a proposal maintaining local control and ensuring strict state financial deterrents are imposed when extravagant payouts are issued.