DeLuca Backs Responsible Budget, Spearheads New Funding Coming to Local Municipalities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of continued efforts to support local government services and reduce the local tax burden, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, successfully pushed for an increase in classroom funding and more Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) dollars in this year’s state budget passed Saturday.

“This is a budget that respects taxpayers and is going to bring needed resources into our communities,” DeLuca said. “I am proud to have joined countless mayors and advocates from around the state who have relentlessly worked to raise the percentage of LGDF funding, and am looking forward to the real, positive impact it will have for families throughout Illinois.”

This year’s budget will deliver an estimated $112 million more for communities through LGDF, on top of a $27 million increase from last year. LGDF is the designated portion of state income tax revenues that cities and counties receive from the state, in lieu of local income taxes. LGDF impacts fire and police services, garbage pickup, snow removal, water and other core municipal services that people use daily.

An increase in LGDF helps to keep local tax burdens lower by preventing the need for local governments to look at property tax hikes or other fee increases to make up the difference in lost revenue to the state.

The budget plan DeLuca supported also focuses on classrooms by increasing education funding by $350 million. Early childhood education, childcare and higher education grants also received substantial increases. First responders will receive $100 million, and contributions to the pension system will exceed statutory requirements by $200 million – creating additional long-term stability.

“It was important that this budget plan included responsible investments in public safety efforts, especially for our first responders who are working hard every day to keep our communities safe,” DeLuca said. “I’m also encouraged to see greater support for our schools. It’s critical that we continue to be good stewards with our budget, and maintain the good progress we’ve seen in recent years that have led to credit rating upgrades, eliminated old bills and saved taxpayers’ millions.”

For more information, please contact RepDeLuca@SBCGlobal.net.