As the governor resolves to find more savings for taxpayers by quote “rethinking how government purchases things,” a group representing local governments says efforts are already underway.

They’re called Joint Purchasing Agreements and Illinois Municipal League Executive Director Brad Cole says they’re a great way for local governments to find taxpayers cost savings by banding together to get discounts for a variety of things.

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Cole says the state could partner with local governments to find even bigger cost savings.

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However, Cole says there is one downside. That’s the possibility of overlooking local services and vendors for bigger savings in the long run.