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* From Illinois Municipal League executive director Brad Cole…
Dear Governor Pritzker:
The United States Congress is considering H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act which is designed to provide more than $2 trillion in aid in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
While the plan, under Title VI, Section 601, provides $150 billion to state and local governments to address spending shortages related to the pandemic, the legislation specifically includes in its definition of “unit of local government” a municipality with a population that exceeds 500,000.
As you are aware, only one municipality within Illinois meets this requisite population threshold. In effect, Congress has turned a blind eye to the economic crisis facing all municipalities and has effectively ignored 1,297 of Illinois’ cities, villages and towns.
This action is a failure on the part of Congress to provide the necessary fiscal resources that all Illinois municipalities need.
The Illinois Municipal League (IML) formally requests any aid received by the state designated for municipal governments be dispersed by your office to all 1,298 cities, villages and towns on a per capita basis so that every community receives the financial help they need to weather this crisis.
OK, first of all, it doesn’t just apply to Chicago as Cole claims. From the bill…
LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘unit of local government’ means a county, municipality, town, township, village, parish, borough, or other unit of general government below the State level with a population that exceeds 500,000.
Kane, Will, Lake, DuPage and Cook counties will also qualify under that language.
Even so, that won’t go over well with everyone else.
Secondly, assuming this language survives a House vote, if it’s in federal law there’s not a whole lot a governor can do about it.
* Meanwhile, here’s Hannah Meisel…
Tim Bartik, a senior economist from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in Michigan, told The Daily Line that both the limited amount of money for local governments included in the relief package and the lack of flexibility on spending concerned him.
“[Local governments] can spend it on public health stuff you didn’t budget for,” Bartik said. “But if your tax revenue’s collapsed because of economic problems, you can’t use it to keep police, fire or other employees on. You have to use it for additional services you weren’t planning for.”
Those restrictions could create “a really strange situation” where local governments have a surplus to spend on public health, “but not regular activities,” Bartik said.
That could hamper hopes for a “V-shaped recovery,” in which a recession’s shape charted on a graph takes a swift nosedive but also experiences a sharp upturn, Bartik said.
“This essentially is a planned recession; we’re shutting the economy down,” Bartik said of the executive measures many governors, including Pritzker, have taken to shutter non-essential businesses to prevent the spread of Covid-19. “We hope it comes back like a V. But if state and local governments — due to balanced budget requirements — are cutting spending in the fall and [government and consumer] spending plummets, that’s going to have a negative effect on the economy.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:22 am
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The GOP really knows how to eat the faces of their voters, don’t they?
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:27 am
Impetus for county consolidation?
Comment by Fly like an eagle Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:27 am
===Impetus for county consolidation? ===
If we consolidate how on earth am I supposed to make sure my cousin or “our people” get the municipal government jobs and contracts?
/s
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:31 am
“Kane, Will, Lake, DuPage and Cook counties will also qualify under that language.”
Sixty-three percent of Illinois citizens reside in those five counties, btw.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:32 am
If Trump signs this anti rural bill then I guess presidents own. How will rural folks feel about the President?
Comment by All this Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:34 am
If you have Brad Cole representing your group and he can’t grasp how things work in governing or bills…
Either your group is a ignorant on issues as Mr. Cole, or you should know better than have Mr. Cole produce and distribute such nonsense.
I’m old enough to remember the IML as one of the more thoughtful organizations and knowledgeable of policy and governing.
It’s like watching a great implosion of knowledge, reading every word of silliness.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:34 am
If I were feeling snarky, I’d mutter something about how some of those Eastern Bloc types claimed the virus was a “Chicago problem”, but I’m trying to be nice.
Nevertheless, they’ve got a point. There’s no doubt that smaller municipalities are, and will continue to be, affected, so if some way could be found to send some of the money their way, that wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Comment by JoanP Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:36 am
First off, $150 billion to local and state governments is peanuts compared to the trillions of corporate aid dished out. Second off, let’s see if it passes first. Finally, if it does, I’d love to hear some of our Congressmen and Congresswomen explain what the heck happened here. Seems like a pretty big mess up. Hopefully this gets addressed before becoming law.
For full disclosure-I live in McLean County and we have 9 confirmed cases as of this morning.
Comment by CubsFan16 Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:37 am
“How will rural folks feel about the President?”
They will just blame the media for the confusion. That is not snark. I am completely serious. The level of support this president will receive from rural communities is completely inelastic.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:39 am
Brad:
Put on your Big Boy pants and urge Illinois’ GOP delegation to vote against the bill.
Let me know what Shimkus and Bost tell you.
Also: make up your mind, is it 1) a hoax, 2) a Chicago problem 3) a global pandemic.
Sincerely,
YDD
PS. The time for political grandstanding is long past. Lead or get out of the way.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:42 am
Many of those municipalities that are smaller and outside of the Chicago Metro area, appear to be among the first who will be able to restart their economies and get back to business if the current plans hold. That is an advantage they will have.
Comment by A Guy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:43 am
Muni’s should save a few grand this year by skipping their IML dues.
Comment by estubborn Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:44 am
I mean, the “New Illinois” folks are pretty on board the, “it’s a hoax, it’s the new impeachment, 3% mortality means nothing, it’s blue states only” train so why would they complain? They’ve already stated they don’t need it!
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:44 am
===some of those Eastern Bloc types claimed the virus was a “Chicago problem”===
In a few weeks there will be plenty of opportunity for communities throughout Illinois and the country to regret some of the decisions they’ve made at the ballot box in local elections.
This pandemic will be the most significant test of leadership our country has had in decades.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:45 am
Candy Dogood - Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:27 am:
-The GOP really knows how to eat the faces of their voters, don’t they?-
A lot of downstate Democrats and this seemed about as close to a bipartisan bill I have seen in a while.
Comment by OpentoDiscussion Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:48 am
-The level of support this president will receive from rural communities is completely inelastic.-
And the support of any Democrat President/nominee from urban areas is completely inelastic.
Comment by OpentoDiscussion Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:50 am
== They will just blame the media for the confusion.==
I dunno, the media ain’t handing out aid to some communities and not to others. That’s the federal government’s doing. Hopefully like Cubsfan16 suggests it will be fixed before becoming law. Otherwise folks are gonna get pretty angry.
Comment by All this Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:50 am
Replacing lost state revenues is a must. I posted on this before. In 2008 the estimated lost revenue for all states was $140 billion (Sorry I can’t cite source. Memory brings back number only.). This will be worse.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:50 am
=== Democrat President===
This is why old, angry, rural and white isn’t going to attract folks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:52 am
===A lot of downstate Democrats===
It’s federal legislation coming out of a GOP controlled Senate where the Senate Majority Leader represents — KENTUCKY — of all places.
When looking at the other states that have consistently elected GOP Senators to represent them, this a definite and apparent “leopards ate their faces” scenario.
Especially in light of the fact that almost three quarters of the aid is going towards business, with a bias for incredibly large businesses, which is going to likewise wind up excluding a lot of the economic activity in rural regions throughout the country.
This senate bill does so little for rural communities that it is apparent that the GOP has low regard for the people that specifically elected them to serve vs. the folks that paid for their ads.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:54 am
=== urban areas is completely inelastic.===
Explain the suburbs, the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 14th districts of Illinois?
The Trumpkins and Slytherin/Raunerites are not welcoming.
See: Raja unopposed, Ives, Oberweis…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:56 am
I mean, it’s not just farmers that screwed when downstate gets screwed. The citizens of Peoria, Springfield, the Quad Cities, Decatur, Bloomington-Normal, etc do as well.
Comment by PeoriaDem Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 9:58 am
-This is why old, angry, rural and white isn’t going to attract folks.-
Be more original in your diatribes.
Comment by OpentoDiscussion Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:02 am
=== Be more original===
… but I won’t refute it.
I know you won’t refute it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:03 am
-Explain the suburbs, the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 14th districts of Illinois?-
Easily explained. These are urban areas.
urban area
“An urban area is the region surrounding a city”
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/urban-area/
Comment by OpentoDiscussion Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:08 am
== And the support of any Democrat President/nominee from urban areas is completely inelastic.==
I’m not sure I follow. There are only two Democratic Presidential candidates, Biden and Sanders. Biden isn’t in office and couldn’t have been part of the stimulus bill negotiations. That leaves Sanders, who was quite vocal about more stimulus money for unemployed people vs corporations etc. Downstate Illinois rural areas have unemployed people too, and they have less corporate headquarters than the Chicago metro area, so maybe explain what you mean.
Also “from urban areas” I wouldn’t consider Burlington Vermont (population 42,417) nor Wilmington DE (population 79,635) “urban areas, though I guess it depends on what you’re used to.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:09 am
=== Easily explained. These are urban areas.
urban area===
lol, so you know most people live in urban areas.
Land doesn’t vote, but if you’re cool with an angry, old, rural, white party literally ceding districts because they are not… old, angry, rural, white, majority districts… that party won’t sustain.
Good on you.
You are welcoming the phasing out of Trump GOP.
LOL
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:12 am
-“An urban area is the region surrounding a city”
Soon an “urban area” will be defined as having paved roads and indoor plumbing.
Comment by VerySmallRocks Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:13 am
“And the support of any Democrat President/nominee from urban areas is completely inelastic.”
You might want to remember Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. He was roundly criticized by Democrats for the lackluster economic rebound and nearly had a primary challenge by Sanders. He also dropped in vote totals by almost 5 million. It is lazy to always say both parties are the same.
Comment by JIbba Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:13 am
=I’m not sure I follow.-
So I will explain. The original comment upon which I based this statement was “The level of support this president will receive from rural communities is completely inelastic.”
Note that this did not just pertain to this election or Biden or even specifically the bipartisan (that seems to be ignored by some comments on this site) stimulus package.
I have no idea as to what you are talking about as regards to Burlington Vt. or even Wilmington. Not all rural areas are Republican, which I have pointed out, and Wilmington is certainly not a rural area regardless. For example, my county, Fulton, is very, very rural and although it did go for Trump (the first Republican since Reagan) it is still heavily Democratic. Try running for a county office on the Republican ticket- the odds ain’t good.
Comment by OpentoDiscussion Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:22 am
Boy Congressman Davis, that Trump cheerleading is certainly paying off for your district. Well done.
Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:23 am
=== is a noted expert about being old, white and angry===
Nah. I can see who is supporting this President, and where that support is coming from.
Projection - the unconscious transfer of one’s own desires or emotions to another person.
Another Trump trait.
It’s important to realize, bringing it back to the post, what it means to understand *who* Mr. Cole seems to be signaling… and the *why*…. even if it’s off board or not helpful to the facts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:28 am
== Note that this did not just pertain to this election or Biden== You just said “And the support of any Democrat President/nominee from urban areas is completely inelastic.” You made your comment about the Democratic nominee. No one else.
== I have no idea as to what you are talking about as regards to Burlington Vt. or even Wilmington.==
The two Democratic candidates are from Burlington VT. (Sanders) and Wilmington DE (Biden). You said the Democratic potential nominees were from “urban areas”. These areas are not rural either, people call them “small towns.”
You still haven’t explained how the Democratic nominee is inelastic in his support.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:40 am
===“And the support of any Democrat President/nominee from urban areas is completely inelastic.” You made your comment about the Democratic nominee. No one else.===
They “misremembered”
What Mr. Cole is doing with this is try to make sure there’s a “line in the sand” difference that he wants those “like minded” to agree with, even if facts and honesty to those facts suffer.
It’s like trying to justify 51st state thoughts… but knowing it’s a phony argument while making it.
This is the IML using that play.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:45 am
Perhaps Mr. Cole could ring up the empty suits — aka Darrin, Rodney et all and suggest action. yesterday Empty Suit Darrin was embarrassing his family and whining about “pork” like the Kennedy Center while ignoring giveaways for Boeing and their parked 737Max Fleet.
Comment by Annonin Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 10:50 am
I had noted concerns about the $150B for State and Local governments being tied to healthcare/coronavirus related expenditures a few days ago. Unfortunate that it seems that’ll pan out.
Our state and others are definitely going to need a fourth package which gives out general block grants to make up for revenue shortfalls.
Comment by Nick Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 11:19 am
–Burlington Vermont (population 42,417) ==
Burlington is smaller than Streamwood?
OMG
Comment by Streamwood Retiree Friday, Mar 27, 20 @ 1:57 pm