Spending pressures abound
Monday, Mar 2, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WTAX…
As the group which represents the state’s mayors and city councils rolls out its legislative wish list for 2020, the cities want a return to the old days for getting money from the state.
River Forest Village President Catherine Adduci wants the “local government distributive fund” returned to ten percent of the state income tax.
“If you can just think, taking another half percent, or another percent, we are talking about $45 million more that can come back to the municipalities. That’s not insignificant,” Adduci told a Capitol news conference Monday. “I don’t think there’s a mayor that is part of the Illinois Municipal League that is not concerned about this constant picking at the possible revenue we have in our budgets”
That LGDF was ten percent for years and was cut to about six percent around ten years ago. The cities want it back at ten percent, whether the graduated income tax passes or fails.
* Republican Sen. Jason Barickman…
Gov. JB Pritzker recently gave his annual budget address in Springfield. In his speech, he laid out his priorities for funding, and there were certainly some good things in there that we can all agree with. The total price tag, however, adds up to $1.6 billion dollars in new spending. Where will the additional money come from? The majority of it would come from the passage of a tax increase the Governor is seeking. Because that new tax money isn’t guaranteed, the governor has proposed holding a certain amount of spending back, until after he sees if the new tax passes.
Unfortunately, the money he is planning on holding back includes $150 million destined for our schools, an idea with which I strongly disagree.
* Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) and Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders…
You may have seen that we recently alerted the public to a very serious concern with funding law enforcement training in the State of Illinois. Without intervention by the Illinois legislature, the responsibility for paying for law enforcement training will be shifted from minor traffic offenses and criminals convicted of more serious crimes paying for this training to, instead, Illinois taxpayers picking up the tab as part of a bigger progressive push to hold criminals less accountable for their actions.
- DIstant watcher - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:26 pm:
It was ten percent when the income tax was three percent. They didn’t carry the water for the tax hike so they didn’t get more. But they didn’t get less, either. Sheesh.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:30 pm:
=== Unfortunately, the money he is planning on holding back includes $150 million destined for our schools, an idea with which I strongly disagree.===
Welp, then I expect Mr. Barickman to support the progressive income tax… if he’s so concerned about funding. Amirite?
Oh… if Mr. Barickman is ready to show his own cuts, he can show them, at ANY time.
- Donnie Elgin - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:36 pm:
The Government Giveth and the Government Taketh Away
- Just Another Anon - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:47 pm:
The deal was 10% in exchange for no local income taxes. The State broke the deal. Just like how probation costs were supposed to be 100% reimbursed….
- City Zen - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:59 pm:
==It was ten percent when the income tax was three percent.==
Correct. It wasn’t as high as 10% until 1995 either.
As it stands today, the LGDF is maybe a hundredths of a percent lower than where they used to be. I don’t mind them lobbying for more, but 10% seems a bit of a stretch.
- Shemp - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:00 pm:
The formula for the reduction in the amount back to cities wasn’t perfect. The State has no problem with more mandates on local governments, but wants to make them do it without keeping pace on the revenues.
When Gov Rauner holds funding hostage for budget cuts, he’s a villain. When Gov JB makes school funding a hostage for votes on a tax, then it’s not the Governor being a villain, but other people. Got it.
- City Zen - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:07 pm:
==the money he is planning on holding back includes $150 million destined for our schools==
This is additional funding above and beyond this year’s budget. Technically, there is nothing being cut.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:10 pm:
I believe the LGDF should be reduced. That’s the easiest way to spread the cuts evenly throughout the state.
- Proud Sucker - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:19 pm:
=== I believe the LGDF should be reduced. ===
Fair enough. Then let the Munis have an income tax and they can deal with the responsibility. With very few exceptions, they have shown that they are capable and are more responsive to their citizens than the State writ large.
- Annonin' - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:00 pm:
Ok eaters got Capt Fax and media to bite…now lets see if they can get
some votes
- DuPage - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:13 pm:
Part of the Edgar income tax increase was an increase to local governments and schools. Edgar said he was assured that the local governments would lower their property taxes a similar amount. That didn’t happen. Local government increased their spending and did not reduce their local taxes. Schools needed the money. Many local governments did not.
- Blake - Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:19 pm:
Shemp, Rauner wasn’t so much going for budget cuts as statutory changes, for example in labor law, that violated a lot of people’s morals.