Now a task force the Republican governor named to put that idea in motion is preparing its final recommendations.

Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, the commission’s chairwoman, says its suggestions could make government more efficient and effective if the Legislature and Rauner choose to implement them. They include letting voters decide whether a unit of government should be eliminated.

Sanguinetti says: “At the end of the day the savings are going to be huge.”

But some commission members say the year-long process is being tainted by a push to include anti-union provisions that are among Rauner’s top priorities. They say politics could prevent progress on yet another issue before Illinois lawmakers.