IL SB0494

Applies only to counties with populations between 900,000 and 3,000,000 that are contiguous to counties with populations exceeding 3,000,000, and grants county boards authority to dissolve appointed units of local government within their jurisdiction.

Requires county boards to publish an ordinance detailing dissolution purposes and cost savings, conduct a comprehensive audit of the unit's finances and property within 30 days, and wait 150 days before formally dissolving the unit.

Establishes a "backdoor referendum" process allowing voters to petition for a public vote on dissolution if 7.5% of registered voters (or 200 voters, whichever is less) sign a petition within 30 days; dissolution proceeds without referendum if no petition is filed.

Appoints a trustee-in-dissolution to manage the unit's closure, consolidate functions with the county or other entities, pay outstanding debts, and sell property; proceeds from property sales fund a special county account to offset transition costs.

Restricts dissolution authority for fire protection jurisdictions to situations that do not increase average response times or decrease service levels, and prohibits decreasing existing fire protection levies.