Local mayors testify on devastating effects of Rauner budget

SPRINGFIELD – Mayors from across the South Suburbs and Will County told state lawmakers that the governor’s proposed raid on their funding will have devastating effects on local budgets and could force property tax increases or deep cuts to emergency personnel.

“We take pride in the fact that we have no debt in Frankfort, but there are communities that are in a worse off situation than we are in,” said Mayor Jim Holland. “These cuts would have a devastating effect on the South Suburbs and Will County.”

Holland was joined by Mayor Rich Reinbold of Richton Park and Paul Braun of Flossmoor in telling a Senate panel about the detrimental effects of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s plan to have the state keep and spend more than half a billion dollars that had gone to local communities across Illinois.

State Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) is a member of the Senate budgeting committee that heard from the mayors. He agrees that the cuts to local revenue sharing a short sighted and disastrous for taxpayers.

“We already pay high property taxes in the South Suburbs. The governor’s budget plan attempts to solve state problems by making them local problems. Taxpayers need real solutions, not sleight of hand,” said Hastings. “I will continue to work with the governor to make sure he understands the consequences of his proposal and we work to find an alternative that keeps our communities strong.”