Trustees: Proposed State Cuts Would Be 'Devastating'

Village of Glenview Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday, May 3 that formally opposes up to $3.4 million in potential cuts in income tax revenue from the state.

At issue is a proposed change to the Local Government Distributive Fund formula by the state of Illinois, which would reduce Glenview's share of state income taxes from 10 percent to 7 percent. Illinois lawmakers will have to vote on the issue, as well other statewide budget cuts on the table.

The current formula, based on population, has been in place since 1969, when the state agreed to collect income taxes for municipalities.

"We have spent the last four decades building a finacnial structure on receiving that revenue per capita," explained Village Manager Todd Hileman.  "Any shaving of those revenues would have a pretty devastating effect on us. We think it's the wrong thing to do."

Village President Kerry Cummings said officials in "municipality after municipality have expressed frustration with this."

She added that many towns and villages have already sliced revenue from their budgets, including Glenview -- which has decreased staffing by 22 percent over the last few years.

"[The cuts] would further reduce essential serves, raise taxes, raise fees and we would have to look for other ways to replace these services," Cummings said. 

Other trustees also expressed their displeasure.

"Not only is this a 42-year deal that was struck as a conduit for the state to fund what otherwise could have collected locally, the impact on our budget would be significant," said Trustee Paul Detlefs. "Just to put it in perspective for our residents, if we had to replace all of this entire fund with revenue taxes, it would be something like a 30 percent property tax increase -- which of course, none of us have any interest in doing."

Trustee Philip White also urged residents to contact their local state senators and representatives.

"They need to understand this shift of taxes from the local level to the state level is not a fair way of conducting business," White said.

In other business, outgoing trustee Jim Patterson was recognized for eight years of service on the board while newcomer was sworn in.

Jenny ran for trustee uncontested, along with incumbents Philip White and Scott Britton on the .