Springfield, IL – State Representatives Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva), Nicole La Ha (R-Lemont), and Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park) met with several DuPage County mayors last week in Springfield. Much of the feedback from the DuPage mayors involved providing additional funding support for local municipalities.
In response, Reps. Ugaste, La Ha, and Sanalitro are calling for the restoration of full funding for the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) to its original 10 percent level. The formula was reduced when Democrat lawmakers raised income taxes in 2011, and it currently sits at 6.47 percent. The proposed FY 2027 budget from Governor Pritzker would further reduce the formula to 6.28%, resulting in a $60 million dollar funding cut to local governments.
While local municipalities continue to feel the economic strain of sky-high property taxes, other assorted tax hikes, high gasoline prices, and the increasing cost of normal living essentials, something must be done to help. Without full restoration of LGDF, more cuts to public safety, infrastructure, and piling on more property tax hikes could be coming for Illinois families.
Every year, the state budget is full of misplaced priorities and out-of-control spending on new programs. It’s past time to rein in spending and get top priorities in order, and that must include bringing down costs for working families. Restoring LGDF would be a huge step in the right direction, and it can be done if spending priorities are reformed.
“I enjoyed talking with the mayors of DuPage County last week, and more importantly, I heard their concerns,” Rep. Ugaste stated. “As House Republicans continue to bang the drum for property tax relief initiatives, another critical step to help our local municipalities and working families is to fully restore LGDF. It’s time for the Governor and Illinois Democrats to put the hard-working residents of our state first, instead of continuing to raise taxes and implement costly programs we cannot afford.”
“Over the past several weeks, I have brought together mayors and local leaders from across Cook, Will, and DuPage Counties, as well as spoken directly with DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (DMMC) in Springfield last week, about the growing challenges facing our communities,” Rep. La Ha said. “The message was unanimous: restore the LGDF. Local governments are being stretched to the limit while Springfield continues to hold back funding that communities were promised. Our towns should not be forced to choose between raising taxes, cutting services, or delaying critical public safety and infrastructure needs. I will continue fighting to restore these funds and stand up for the taxpayers and local communities I represent.”
“Governor Pritzker’s efforts to cut LGDF funding will only force municipalities into making impossible decisions like raising taxes, increasing fees, or cutting services,” stated Rep. Sanalitro. “I will continue to be a voice for local control while advocating for local governments to get the support they need without putting more of the burden on taxpayers.”