Tom Cullerton leads compromise to get local taxpayers' money

SPRINGFIELD- DuPage County residents may soon have millions of dollars going back in their communities to keep their roads safe, local health departments operating and provide energy assistance to seniors.

State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), sponsor of Senate Bill 2039, led efforts to get local money back to the people of Illinois.

“The key point is that this gets local money back in local hands where it can do some good,” said Cullerton.

The Senate concurred on SB 2039, a bipartisan compromise that, among other things, gets millions in gas tax money back in local communities. That money had been stalled in Springfield since July 1 because of the budget stalemate with the governor.

That gas tax money totals millions of dollars for area communities. For instance, last year, Villa Park received $542,276 and local governments across all of DuPage County received more than $33.5 million last year.

“My interest as a former mayor is to make sure our local governments have what they need to keep our communities safe and services running,” said Cullerton. “This is a step in the right direction. I’ll continue to work with the General Assembly and governor to reach a compromise and put a responsible budget in place.”

SB 2039 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support and now moves to the governor for approval.