Column: Mayors tell lawmakers to restore local funds swept to help state balance budget – Daily Southtown*

"Longtime Palos Hills Mayor Gerald Bennett said he’s seen the state gobble up bigger shares of the revenue pie while at the same time impose unfunded mandates during the 40 years he’s worked with state officials. 'As we all know the General Assembly, in doubling the pension mandates to cities and villages, that has absolutely crushed our budgets,' Bennett said. 'We have not been able to keep up with the required payments annually.'"