Illinois towns look to protect state revenue for future budget gridlock by Cole Lauterbach, The Center Square | February 01, 2021 01:00 PM Print this article
A measure backed by Illinois’ mayors would put the distribution of some state-collected tax dollars on autopilot should Illinois lawmakers again fail to pass a budget.
State Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin, D-Olympia Fields, filed
House Bill 42 on Jan. 13. It would make local allocations from Illinois’ State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund, the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, the State Gaming Fund, the Local Government Video Gaming Distributive Fund, and the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund automatic.
Supporters say the legislation would protect local municipalities from any new budget chaos at the state level like what was seen in 2015.
The Normal Town Council met remotely Monday, Dec. 21, 2020.
The Normal Town Council voted overwhelmingly Monday night to waive next year’s liquor license fees for certain businesses negatively affected by Restore Illinois’ pandemic closures and restrictions.
Restaurants and bars, in particular, have suffered losses after bans on indoor dining.
But businesses that violate such pandemic restrictions in the upcoming year will be required to pay the license fee renewal.
The waiver OK d Monday complements federal and state relief, said council member Karyn Smith.
She said eliminating the liquor license fee for 2021 allowed Normal, “at the local level, to provide some specific relief to an industry sector that has been hard hit as we attempt to battle this pandemic,” said council member Karyn Smith.