DuPage lawmaker: Consolidate fire districts

No, the county should slash it's own budget. They should also pass a county law against driving by illegals with no license, with a hefty fine going to the county. This would improve safety of the roads and county taxes could be cut by the huge amount they would collect in fines. Leave the fire departments alone.

Slash departments across the board. They've been living fat on all of the over inflated real estate taxes so long they forgot to save any for the time when the money is tight.
Cut pensions, pay, workdays, libraries, forest preserves, etc. Extras such as new buildings, expansion of Forest preserve areas, new work to solve problems which have been there all along (like culvert work, bringing water into areas where wells exist aka Carol Stream).
Why should only the residents feel the pain of being out of work and yet still having to pay the high cost of services that aren't being affected.
Next to California, Illinois is now the second worst in having a budget shortfall. When will the spending end?

This Guy Grant Eckhoff must have fallen out of a banana tree. This is stupid

We support Grant's efforts to cut the budget. Over the next five years, they should go to a smaller core of full timers, backed up by vol. paid on call. They should also phase out the pension for new employees, go to 401k match like everyone else. They should also go to standard 8 hour days. If they don't like it they should remember there are many returning vets who would be happy to take those jobs under the new terms.

How about cutting the Commerce boards?
Given the economic crisis, the county commerce is no longer large enough to justify the boards.
Cuts can also be made to the boards of education in the different school districts.
Loosen the rules on commerce in the county and communities. Make it easier to zone a property for small business. More income revenue from commercial activities.