The Illinois Municipal League is angry, as they should be, about federal bailout money for Chicago as the only Illinois town or city to get federal aid.
Per an open letter it sent to Governor JB Pritzker, the legislation Congress is apparently about to pass provides $150 billion for state and local governments, but defines local governments as those with a population over 500,000.
For Illinois, that means Chicago only, plus a few of its largest counties.
“Congress has turned a blind eye to the economic crisis facing municipalities and has effectively ignored 1,298 of Illinois’ cities, villages and towns,” says the IML. “The Illinois Municipal League formally requests any aid received by the state designated for municipal governments be dispersed by your office to all 1,298 cities, villages and towns on a per capita basis so that every community receives the financial help they need to weather the crisis.”
-Mark Glennon
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
TIF-for-All represents a novel solution to a novel situation. If all of unincorporated Illinois organized into TIF-for-All Villages (wherein every property was rebated their TIF incremental payment pro rata to ameliorate their own blight): 1. The unnatural additional State school funding would be evened out—all TIF=no unnaturally low EAV in Chicago, because ALL would enjoy the same unnaturally low EAV as Chicago. 2. Unincorporated properties serving as cash cows to fund Illinois political class inequities would regain some level footing: sharing in Illinois sales tax and Illinois replacement tax distributions to incorpoated municipalities. 3. Brand new development springing up in… Read more »
Just as long as all government employees get their pay, benefits, and Pensions. That is all that counts in Illinois.
Residents screwed again, but government is working on a solution.
Run for you economic life, things will never ever change in Illinois.
““The Illinois Municipal League formally requests any aid received by the state designated for municipal governments be dispersed by your office to all 1,298 cities, villages and towns on a per capita basis so that every community receives the financial help they need to weather the crisis.””
Yes, Lori, equity and socialism. Share and spread the wealth, you didn’t earn that. Perfect opportunity to employ your equitable nature, Lori.