The Illinois General Assembly is back in session until adjournment. The state budget and possible reduction of LGDF will be up for consideration during the final weeks of legislative action. This is a great opportunity for local officials to contact their senators and representatives and notify them of their opposition to Governor Quinn's proposal to cut the amount of LGDF funds shared with local governments. Now is the time to take action using the Action Package below and ensure that the Governor's proposal to take this money from county and municipal governments will not make it through the General Assembly.

Recently, the Illinois Municipal League gathered feedback from member municipalities who are concerned about this issue. There has been an overwhelming response against the Governor's proposed cuts. IML President and Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin said, "This would devastate an already bleak budget to the point of causing a direct negative effect on city services... I cannot imagine what city services might look like under this scenario." This sentiment is shared by a plethora of local officials around the state. It is imperative that we let our state legislators know that local governments simply cannot afford to lose this revenue.

IML First Vice President and Mayor of Schaumburg Al Larson also voiced his opposition to the cut in LGDF funds. "We rely on this funding to balance our budget. Losing this income will force Schaumburg to consider the elimination of least 14-18 positions and may require suspending valued services to our seniors and the underserved within our community." Situations like the one in Schaumburg must be brought to the legislators' attention before they vote on this proposal in the coming months. Henderson Yarbrough Sr., Mayor of the City of Maywood, weighed in with a letter to the editor in the Proviso Herald, "Local government is where 'the rubber meets the road.' We have the primary responsibility for protecting residents, providing basic services and ensuring that resources are in place for all. We are Main Street... Any additional revenue loss would make it even harder to maintain the level of service that we do." Below is an extensive list of quotes from lawmakers and local officials denouncing the Governor's detrimental proposal. Follow the lead of these officials and take action during the coming two-week break and notify your legislators where you stand on this issue.

If you haven't already done so, IML urges you to contact your representatives, adopt the resolution provided below, send the sample press release out to your local papers and become active in your opposition to the Governor's proposal to strip our local governments of their income tax revenue.

IML LGDF Action Package:

• Download LGDF Resolution
  
• Sample Press Release
  
• Background Paper on Income Tax Reduction
  
• Media articles relating to reduction of LGDF
  
• Responses of Public Officials concerning LGDF reduction