Health & Fitness
State Budget Maintains Local Share of State Income Tax
"This is a major victory for the City of St. Charles, and the residents of St. Charles, who fought diligently to preserve our portion of the income tax!"
The City has received word from the Illinois Municipal League that the Illinois General Assembly adjourned on Tuesday night with the local share of the state income tax left in place with no reduction. This means that the City of St. Charles will continue to receive approximately $2.5 million in state income tax to fund vital community services.
Originally, there was a proposal put forth to reduce the municipal share of the state income tax by $300 million statewide. Under this proposal, St. Charles would lose approximately $800,000 annually. In response, St. Charles put on a "full court press" by contacting the state legislators that represent our community in Springfield. In addition, Mayor DeWitte took the unprecedented step of sending a letter to every St. Charles household and encouraging residents to contact Governor Quinn and their elected representatives to communicate their concerns with what was called a "stealth tax."
The response was amazing as hundreds of letters, faxes, and e-mails were sent by St. Charles residents. In the days leading up to the close of the Spring legislative session, St. Charles received pledges of support from Senator John Millner, Senator Chris Lauzen, Representative Tim Schmitz, and Representative Randy Ramey. All agreed to oppose a reduction in the local share of state income tax!
Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Municipal officials and representatives were monitoring the activity in the legislature right up to the midnight deadline on May 31st. As recently as Monday, there were reports that the Local Government Distributive Fund would be reduced, with estimates ranging from $45-200 million. The impact to St. Charles would have ranged from $120,000-$530,000.
The State budget has been sent to Governor Quinn along with the FY2012 Budget Implementation Act (SB 335 House Amendment #2) which actually implements the State budget.
Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This is a major victory for the City of St. Charles, and the residents of St. Charles, who fought diligently to preserve our portion of the income tax!
On behalf of Mayor DeWitte and the City Council, I would like to thank all residents and businesses who contacted Governor Quinn or state legislators to request that the local share of the state income tax be maintained at the current levels!
Also, I encourage all residents to join me in thanking Senator Millner, Senator Lauzen, Representative Schmitz, and Representative Ramey for their support!
