Arlington Heights, along with other municipalities in the Northwest Municipal Conference, are asking residents to join our voices in contacting their State Representatives and Senators to tell them to VOTE NO on ANY diversion of local government revenues.
The Governor and the General Assembly are planning to divert revenues due to local governments in order to backfill the massive deficit in the state’s budget. A vote on these diversions is expected prior to the General Assembly’s scheduled adjournment on May 31.
Diverting these revenues from local governments, many of which have already made the hard decisions necessary to balance their budgets, could result in a tax increase upon taxpayers and/or further reductions in vital public services. List of Local Legislators …
What local government revenues are at stake in 2013?
Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF)
Instituted in 1969, the LDGF provides local governments with a 6% share of the state income tax in exchange for local governments not collecting a local income tax. LGDF is distributed on a per capita basis and rises and falls with state income tax collections.
Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax (CPPRT)
CPPRT was instituted in 1979 to replace a previous business tax. In 2011 and 2012, the State began “temporarily” diverting a portion of the CPPRT to pay for state obligations. Senate Bill 492 – House Amendment 2 would expand this diversion and make it permanent.
Local Government Tax Fund (sales tax)
The state collects and holds for disbursement local government sales tax revenues. Senate Bill 622 (which the Governor signed on March 8, 2013) “borrows” $6.6 million to fund the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Fund.
State History of Using Local Government Revenues
In 2002, the state took the local share of the photo-processing tax costing municipalities several million dollars per year.
In 2011, when the state income tax was increased by 67%, the distribution formula for the LGDF was altered to prevent local governments from receiving a share of the increased revenues.
In 2011 & 2012, the CPPRT was “temporarily” diverted (see above).
The General Assembly is working to place additional burdens on local taxpayers
By increasing the cost of local government public works projects (House Bill 924).
By restricting municipalities from closing unneeded or outdated fire facilities (Senate Bill 1456 – House Amendment 2).
By increasing the cost of Workers’ Compensation coverage, which will hasten the exodus of businesses from Illinois (House Bill 3390 – Senate Amendment 1).
By shifting the cost of educator pensions onto local tax bills (no bill # currently assigned).
By planning nearly $1 billion in cuts to social services. Many of those affected by these cuts will turn to local governments for assistance, a demand that local governments do not have the resources to meet.
Illinois Mayors Opposing State Withholding Local Revenues. Illinois Mayors spoke at the Illinois Municipal League in Springfield against the state diverting millions of funds intended for local municipalities, to help pay for the state’s underfunded pension system.