Help Stop State Cuts to Evanston- Please Contact your Legislators Today!
Evanston Advocate Action Alert
Please Contact your Legislators Today!
The General Assembly is completing its work on the 2012 Illinois State Budget, but important decisions still hang in the balance over the next few days. At least one of these proposed pieces, a reduction of the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF), WILL directly affect you as a resident of the City of Evanston. This money is collected at the state level on behalf of local governments and should continue to be returned to them in whole.
If the General Assembly cuts or eliminates the LGDF as part the final State Budget Implementation Bill it will create a significant funding gap of almost $2 million in the City of Evanston’s budget this year and millions of dollars more in future years. This money grab would severely hamper Evanston’s ability not only to provide the basic services residents expect along with critical public safety services, but it would also compel the city to raise local property taxes.
The City of Evanston has already made the tough choices by eliminating millions of dollars out of past city budgets. Municipalities offer police and fire protection, pave local roads, and provide water and sewer services to businesses and residents. If the State of Illinois cuts any local revenues, like the LGDF, it will represent a cut to these core services and a property tax increase. No other alternatives will be available if these harsh cuts are enacted.
Email or call State Senator Schoenberg, Representatives Gabel and Biss today and ask them if Evanston residents can continue to count on their leadership and oppose reductions in the state-collected local government revenue. The residents of Evanston simply cannot afford to have the state balance its budget on the backs of local government and property tax payers.
Click here to send an email to all three members of the Evanston Delegation. Just insert you name, email address and select Evanston as your municipality.
If you prefer to call, their phone numbers are below.
State Senator Jeff Schoenberg (217) 782-2119
State Representative Robyn Gabel (217) 782-8052
State Representative Daniel Biss (217) 782-4194
Please contact the City of Evanston at 847-859-7835 if you have any questions regarding this Action Alert.