SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The organization representing all 1,295 local governments in Illinois wants state lawmakers to help make services more efficient and modern.

Illinois Municipal League president

Illinois Municipal League President and Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen spoke to reporters in Springfield during a press conference on February 25, 2025.

Illinois Municipal League leaders are calling for lawmakers to pass a plan to give local governments the option to post notices on their website instead of paying to have notices printed in newspapers. Municipalities spend roughly $5,000 to $100,000 to place notices in newspapers or the mail.

"Adding an electronic option is both modern and cost effective," said Champaign Mayor and IML President Deborah Frank Feinen. "It saves millions in taxpayer dollars annually and it gets more information into the hands of more citizens."

The group is also backing a plan to allow non-home rule governments to implement a motor fuel tax of 3 cents per gallon. Advocates said this change could offer an alternative revenue source to fund infrastructure projects.

"As we come out of the winter season, we're going to see road crews fixing potholes and repairing roads and bridges," said IML CEO Brad Cole. "The person that they're going to call when they have that pothole is their mayor or alderperson. They're going to want to know why they haven't fixed this. For communities that are not home rule, they don't have the resources."

IML members hope to see lawmakers pass legislation to maintain local authority for housing programs, ordinances and affordable housing measures. Illinois grants local governments limited authority to establish and implement housing programs, but advocates said the local authority is currently under threat. 

"We believe that everyone deserves safe, accessible and fair housing. Municipal housing policies are designed to put residents' needs first while adhering to federal and state laws," said Matteson Village President and IML First Vice President Sheila Chalmers-Currin. "Local governments are in the best position to address the unique needs of their residents and ensure that housing policies align with the values and priorities of their communities." 

A separate plan could help small communities struggling to fulfill the state's annual financial audit requirements due to the high cost and shortage of available certified public accountants. IML members are working with Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) to allow municipalities with a population of 1,000 people or less to complete a financial audit once every four years.

"Senate Bill 82 and House Bill 1082 strike a balance by maintaining effective financial reporting and transparency, while reducing the financial strain on small local governments so they can better serve their communities," said Washington Mayor and IML Second Vice President Gary Manier.

The Illinois Municipal League is also renewing their call for the General Assembly to fully restore the local government distributive fund to allocate 10% of the state's income tax revenues. 

State lawmakers helped raise the fund to 6.47% during Fiscal Year 2024. However, local officials told reporters Tuesday that their communities need more funding or they'll have to raise property taxes and other fees.

"We're focused on maintaining the funding we get and obtaining the local authority to make decisions," Cole said. "There are a lot of demands for a lot of dollars whether you're at the the federal, state or local level. Municipal officials get the same request to do more and unfortunately they have to be able to do it with."

Gov. JB Pritzker proposed no reductions to the LGDF in his Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

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