Mayor Trilla is urging Willowbrook residents to voice their opposition to a state proposal aimed at taking local revenue to fix the state’s budget problem. Residents can visit ProtectMyTown.com to send a letter to their local legislators and Governor Rauner.
State attempts to take the local revenue from the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) to close budget gaps at the state level are spurring mayors across Illinois to fight to maintain control of local funds. Illinois municipalities rely on the LGDF, which was instituted in 1969 as part of an agreement under which municipalities would not impose a separate income tax. It guarantees municipalities a share of state income tax receipts to help fund local services.
The LGDF returns tax dollars to municipalities across Illinois, including Willowbrook, to fund essential services such as police, garbage collection, and street repairs and maintenance. If the local revenue is reduced, Willowbrook will have to make up for the funding shortfall. If the state proposal becomes a reality, the Village of Willowbrook would lose $430,000 annually.
“The legislators and the Governor need to hear from their constituents on this important matter,” said Mayor Trilla. “ProtectMyTown.com is an easy way for residents to let their representatives know that they want their streets and potholes repaired, garbage picked up, and community protected. These are vital services we can’t afford to lose because the state wants to shift the burden on to local communities.”
Designed to stop the LGDF cuts, ProtectMyTown.com allows residents to directly voice their opinion and tell lawmakers to make the tough decisions necessary to balance their own budgets – as municipalities have done since the recession began in 2008 – without taking these much needed dollars away from local communities.
After logging on to ProtectMyTown.com, it only takes three easy steps to directly contact your legislator and the Governor: 1) Review your letter; 2) Fill out your contact information; and 3) Hit the Take Action button to complete the form. Residents can also forward and share the site through Facebook and Twitter, encouraging their friends and followers to join the movement as well.