The State of Illinois is once again attempting to raid municipal coffers by reducing its revenues from the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF). Mayor John Mahoney stated: “It is a sad state of affairs that the state has continually failed to meet its fiduciary obligations, bringing us to the breaking point of a fiscal crises—and all along local government entities, including the Village of Palos Park, manage to work within their respective budgets”.
Municipal budgets are mandated under State law to be balanced; no such requirement exists for the State’s own budget. Municipalities must balance its budgets even as the State continues to legislate mandates that force communities to fund the growing number of unfunded obligations.
The members of the Palos Park Village Council request that you review the information provided through the following links; then contact your legislators to let them know that these LGDF funds belong to the residents of Palos Park. Let them know that it is time to come up with alternative solutions to solve the financial problems the State has created instead of pilfering funds that belong to the Village of Palos Park and its citizens.
On Thursday, May 20th, Mayor Mahoney represented the Southwest Conference of Mayors and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus at a press conference regarding the State’s proposal to reduce municipal funding.
You can access the press conference here
Helpful links:
Illinois Municipal League
Capitol News Illinois
Daily Herald
List of Elected Officials