A group of suburban Chicago leaders says Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed reduction to local governments' share of income tax revenues could equal public safety cuts.
More than a dozen mayors, presidents and administrators on Monday protested the 50 percent reduction to money that cities receive through the Local Government Distributive Fund. That's how income tax revenues are distributed. Their efforts include a website and follow pleas from southern Illinois mayors.
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner said the cuts represent nearly $10 million for Illinois' second largest city. He said municipalities are still reeling from recession reductions and being asked to shoulder Illinois' fiscal problems.
Rauner said Illinois spends beyond its means. His office said reductions to municipalities would put Illinois in line with surrounding states.
The governor's office released the following statement:
"Overspending and insider deals put in place by career politicians have created a $6 billion budget hole while the amount of money transferred to local governments over the last decade has skyrocketed by 42 percent. The status quo is broken and unsustainable. As part of his Turnaround Agenda, the governor is giving local residents and governments the tools they need to control costs at the local level and get more value for their tax dollars."
