22
Oct
2015
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - To help offset the damage of the state's budget crisis, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is sponsoring legislation to release state funds to local cities and prevent those communities from cutting critical services and raising property taxes.
"Local villages, cities and townships have many responsibilities to their residents, and they rely on state dollars when they budget every year," Smiddy said. "Residents in our communities need access to life-saving 911 services and proper maintenance of our infrastructure, and local governments don't have to wait for an end to the budget crisis for the support they were promised."
Smiddy is sponsoring House Bill 4305, which pays local communities their share of funds the state collects from its tax on motor fuels and gambling. These dollars are used by local governments to maintain roads, ensure public safety and emergency services are maintained and provide critical aid to the elderly. Illinois continues to collect money on these items, but Governor Rauner vetoed the state's budget that would have distributed these important dollars. Many communities are considering raising property taxes to offset the damage caused by Illinois' failure support local governments. Instead, this Smiddy backed legislation would release these critical dollars to local governments immediately.
"The residents in our communities already pay too much in taxes on their homes, and there is no reason they should be asked to shoulder a larger burden when the state has this money ready to spend right now," Smiddy said. "Illinois made a commitment to residents and their communities, and these funds should not be ransomed during the ongoing budget debate and give them the tools they rely on to serve their residents."
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