Illinois municipalities announce “Moving Cities Forward” legislative package

Municipal leaders today unveiled their 2017 “Moving Cities Forward” legislative reform package designed to create more efficiencies in local government and ensure the long-term viability of local municipalities that are critical to our state economy.

In conjunction with the Illinois Municipal League (IML), mayors across the state are calling for innovative solutions to municipalities’ most pressing issues including ensuring automatic appropriation authority (motor fuel tax, 9-1-1, use tax and gaming revenues), reforming workers’ compensation and prevailing wage, consolidating municipal public safety pension funds and expanding home rule eligibility.

Mayors expressed a sense of urgency for legislators to act on these issues as municipalities grapple with the uncertainties related to the continued budget impasse. IML notes that many of these issues have been consistent for several years. “The ‘Moving Cities Forward’ legislative reforms are crucial for maintaining fiscal solvency in municipalities across the state,” said Brad Cole, IML Executive Director.

“Mayors have long championed these reforms to provide local government with critical tools needed to serve their communities. IML stands ready to continue to work with Governor Rauner and legislative leaders on this common-sense legislative package that benefits both our local communities and our state…” Read the entire press release here.