One of Illinois’ smallest counties is looking to get creative to solve the ongoing budget problem. Stark County is one of a dozen counties in the state with less than seven thousand people. And one of several counties struggling to provide either mandates or basic services with a tiny tax base. County chairwoman Coleen Magnussen told the Illinois Radio Network that’s why Stark County is looking to partner with its neighbors to provide those services.
Stark County is looking to partner with Bureau County for emergency services and with Peoria County for E-911. Magnussen says she expects more small counties to look to do the same.