It might take a week to compile a list of all the local, county and state boards, commissions, task forces and councils with mixes of elected officials, appointed members and in some cases paid administrators – and that might be a light estimate if the roster were to include all the formally created bodies that don’t convene regularly, if at all.

And while Illinois is known for government bloat, occasionally there are great reminders of the value of creating pathways to connect decision makers with the people who must live with their choices.

Consider Luke Tomsha, founder and director of the La Salle-based Perfectly Flawed Foundation, a nonprofit agency focused on substance use prevention and recovery support. Shaw Local’s Bill Freskos and Tom Collins reported on the group’s work Tuesday

See Full Page