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Local Mayors: Don't Take Our Funding

budget collage

Mayors from communities all over Illinois are hoping to find common ground with Gov. Bruce Rauner - after the new state CEO proposed cutting the Local Government Distributive Fund by half next year.

The proposed cut would mean the loss of $1.25 million for Carbondale. Acting Mayor Don Monty says that's something his community can't absorb.
 
"The state made this mess, we municipalities didn't. They need to find ways to solve this problem that will not result in a financial hardship on the local governments that are closest to the people, providing the services that the people really depend on."
 
Monty, Marion Mayor Bob Butler, and nearly a dozen other southern Illinois mayors met Thursday to let Governor Rauner know they want to help balance the state's budget, but they want to find other ways to do it.

Centralia Mayor Tom Ashby says he wants to work with Gov. Rauner to fix the state's financial troubles - but says passing a deficit on to local communities is not the answer.

"We are trying to represent the taxpayer in their own communities, and we are trying to do the best we can. But we can't tax these individuals anymore."

And Sesser Mayor Jason Ashmore says the potential cuts would mean planned infrastructure improvements might not happen in his city.

"Now, if we take this hit, we're going to have to seriously look at cancelling some of those projects or seriously reducing some of them. And our infrastructure, some of it dates back to the 1920s-1930s. So this is a health and safety issue."

Illinois Municipal League Executive Director - and former Carbondale Mayor - Brad Cole says his organization is working with the legislature and the governor's office on things like pension and workers compensation reform, as well as many unfunded mandates, to try to offset the loss Gov. Rauner is proposing.
 

Jennifer Fuller joined Capitol News Illinois in July 2023 as the organization’s broadcast director. She will oversee the launch and operations of CNI’s new broadcast division.

Contact Jennifer Fuller at jfuller@capitolnewsillinois.com
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