The Civic Federation recommends that the Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts be dissolved and their responsibilities absorbed into Cook County government. In a new report released today, the Federation cites longstanding concerns about inefficiencies, inconsistent service delivery, and limited transparency across the four districts.
CHICAGO – Illinois is home to nearly 9,000 local governments—more than any other state. This sprawling, and at times overlapping, patchwork of governance jurisdictions has long fueled redundancies and inefficiencies, resulting in transparency and accountability deficits. In stark contrast, many other states deliver vital public services through far leaner government structures. A prime example of this inefficiency is found in the four Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts.
Today, the Civic Federation released the first-ever comprehensive examination of the governance, transparency, and finances of these four districts: Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts: Governance, Transparency, and Finances. The report calls on Cook County officials to dissolve the Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts to improve efficiency and transparency, accountability to residents, and equitable delivery of mosquito abatement services. The report is available here: civicfed.org/CookCountyMosquitoAbatementDistricts.
These Districts were established at a time when Cook County lacked the capacity to provide health-related services. The Federation’s report details that in the fiscal year 2022, these districts collectively generated nearly $11 million in revenue—primarily from property taxes—yet they varied widely in the quality and transparency of the services provided. Despite this level of public funding, the report highlights significant discrepancies in service quality and transparency across the Districts. Notably, the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District, which serves much of South Chicago and surrounding communities, has documented ethical concerns and inconsistent service levels as compared to its northern and western counterparts.
“The Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts are a clear example of antiquated government entities that should not exist. The Districts provide an important public service, but they contribute to Illinois’ larger problem of too many governments and too little accountability,” said Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson. “There is simply no compelling reason to maintain a separate taxing body for a service that Cook County could deliver more efficiently, equitably, and transparently. That’s why we are recommending that Cook County officials begin the process of dissolving these Districts.”
Key Recommendations
To improve the delivery of this vital public health service for residents, the Civic Federation recommends that Cook County dissolve the four Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts and transfer their functions, taxing authority, and property tax levies to Cook County. The mosquito abatement services could be provided through the Cook County Department of Public Health, which already provides some vector control services. The Federation recommends that this process begin as soon as possible and conclude within 24 months.
In the interim, the Civic Federation recommends that state and county officials:
- Pass a state statute or county ordinance requiring special districts, such as mosquito districts, to publicly disclose financial and operational data.
- Empower the Office of the Inspector General to investigate these entities and mandate that reports on remedial actions be made publicly available.
Support for Reform and Next Steps
In his FY2026 budget proposal, Governor Pritzker acknowledged the need to reduce unnecessary local governments and proposed simplifying the process for eliminating or consolidating Illinois townships. Cook County lawmakers should lead the way and focus on consolidating the four Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts as a blueprint for future eliminations and mergers.
“I strongly support the findings and recommendations of this report,” said Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen. “By consolidating these redundant government entities, we can create a more transparent and cost-effective system that truly serves all residents of Cook County.”
“In fiscally constrained, tax-burdened times, the findings and recommendations of this report present a low-hanging and readily achievable opportunity,” said Ferguson. “It also presents an opportunity for Cook County to model the behavior needed to earn taxpayer trust and confidence in government.”
The Civic Federation has a long history of advocating for the abolition of unnecessary, duplicative, and unaccountable units of local government. In the early 2000s, the Federation led a successful three-year public education campaign to abolish the Cook County Suburban Tuberculosis Sanitarium District, a move that led to the passage of state legislation in 2006 dissolving the Districts. In 2025, County residents deserve the effective and efficient delivery of this essential public health service. Cook County should seize this opportunity to take decisive action on mosquito abatement reform.