EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – In effort to protect critical local services from the effect of the state budget crisis, state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, is sponsoring legislation to help fund programs and services administered by cities and townships.

“Without the proper state funding many local municipalities and governments struggle to continue services to local families,” Greenwood said. “The budget crisis has made a mess of our state, and we need to do everything we can to help local cities and townships continue to provide for people in need.”

Greenwood is sponsoring House Bill 617, which would require the state to continue distributing funds to local units of government even without a state budget. Local forms of government receive funding through the state and local sales taxes, and motor fuel tax that is collected. Additionally, the Metro-East Mass Transit District relies on these funds to provide local commuters with transit services. Many counties also depend on the Motor Fuel Tax to pay for road construction and maintenance.

“Despite the impasse, the state is still collecting these funds, and it would be a disservice to local taxpayers if these dollars are not returned to our communities where they are desperately needed to sustain important services,” said Greenwood. “This legislation will ensure local forms of government can continue providing services and resources to residents despite the budget crisis.”

House Bill 617 is currently awaiting assignment to a House committee for consideration during the spring legislative session.