Coronavirus: No Major Cuts Yet In La Grange

LA GRANGE, IL — La Grange officials expect the coronavirus epidemic to affect the village government's financial situation. But officials say they will not make any drastic changes to the budget for the fiscal year starting May 1.

The proposed budget was drafted before the governor's stay-at-home order took effect. It projects an $11,000 surplus in the general fund and reserves amounting to nearly 60 percent of the village's operating expenditures, officials said at Monday's Village Board meeting.

"The Village Board does have the ability to make adjustments to the budget as it deems necessary," Finance Director Lou Cipparrone told the board, which was meeting remotely because of the stay-at-home order.

While the budget includes no major changes, Cipparrone said, the village is making short- and long-term plans for possible reductions.

"The village has sufficient reserves to maintain essential public health and public safety services during these challenging times," he said.

To prevent further hardship for residents, village officials said they plan to postpone an increase in parking fines to $40, from $35. They also said they would hold off on a $5 increase for commuter-residential parking decals.

In his report, Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham said the village was still on track to resurface streets in the hospital neighborhood. Those streets, he said, are in poor condition and do not require corresponding water main upgrades.

He also said the village is continuing to plan 50th Street sewer improvements and engineering for the Edgewood Avenue project.

The board is expected to vote on the budget April 27.

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 14: 794 Deaths

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