2022 Legislative Agenda

LAKE COUNTY MUNICIPAL LEAGUE’S 2022 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

TO PROVIDE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL FUTURE

 

  1. PENSION REFORM AND CONSOLIDATION
  • Realize that the new enhancements to Tier 2 pension benefits will increase unfunded liabilities and required contributions of municipalities and that lawmakers need to take action to offset those costs before seeking to further limit potential municipal revenues.
  • Continue to advocate for local governmental control, administrative efficiency and financial strength for the funds and not allow for any future pension benefit enhancements which will lead to increased taxpayer contributions to pension funds.

 

  1. PROTECT, ENHANCE AND MODERNIZE MUNCIPAL REVENUES
  • Support returning the fullest amount of Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) dollars and sales tax dollars, including internet sales tax, to local governments
  • Eliminate the sales tax administrative fee
  • Allow Annual Treasurer’s Report (65 ILCS 5/3.1-35-70) to be posted on municipal websites in lieu of newspaper publishing requirement.
  • Maintain local control over property taxes.
  • Advocate for the automatic appropriation of MFT, video/casino gaming, use tax and 9-1-1 funds for immediate distribution to municipalities. Local sales and income taxes already receive such automatic appropriation authority.
  • Expand eligibility to become a Home Rule unit to communities with a population in excess of 5,000 people.

 

  1. INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE
  • The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) capacity to review and approve projects in a timely manner needs to be increased specifically arising out of the Rebuild Illinois capital program. Continue to identify local and state match programs to support development.
  • Exempt MFT revenues from the Government Accountability and Transparency Act(GATA) which is causing project delays and diverting resources from product delivery.
  1. THE LAKE COUNTY MUNICIPAL LEAGUE WILL:
  • Oppose legislation that would reduce or sweep local revenues that are collected by the State and then distributed to municipalities (e.g. sales, income, gaming and MFT taxes).
  • Support legislation that restores local government revenues to the fullest amounts.
  • Oppose legislation that creates unfunded mandates on the financial health and operations of municipalities.
  • Support Federal legislation regarding the Marketplace Fairness Act to collect taxes on remote electronic sales.
  • Advocate for opportunities to expand and enhance electronics recycling opportunities in Illinois.

 

 

 

Top