Elmhurst May Face Budget Challenge With State's 'Slap In Face'

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst and other towns are poised to get a "slap in the face" from the state on income tax money, Elmhurst's mayor said Monday.

It's coming at a time when Elmhurst is facing budget difficulties.

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Over the last dozen years, Illinois has cut municipalities' share of the state's income tax money to less than 7 percent, from 10 percent.

The local share has gone up a bit in the last few years, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker this year proposed increasing it by a fraction of a percent for the coming budget year.

Mayor Scott Levin estimated the budget hit for Elmhurst at $250,000.

"I will be talking to our state elected officials that this is unacceptable," he told the City Council on Monday. "I understand how dire things are for the state and its budget. We have our own budget problems."

In a statement to Patch on Tuesday, state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, a Western Springs Democrat whose district includes Elmhurst, said she pushes for an increase in the municipal share every year.

"Conversations are ongoing, and I will continue talking with local elected officials to ensure their voice is heard at the table," she said.

Late last year, the City Council increased its property tax levy by $1 million and cut spending by $3.6 million.

The city is looking to make more budget cuts, as officials expect shortfalls to increase in the coming years.