Officials consider smaller share of income tax revenue
Wheaton could lose more than $1 million in funding if Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal to reduce the amount of state income tax revenue given to municipalities is approved, according to a city official.
On March 6, Quinn’s budget director David Vaught said municipalities across Illinois must “share the pain” by giving up a portion of income tax revenue. Under Quinn’s plan, instead of getting 10 percent, which amounts to about $1 billion a year statewide, municipalities would receive 7 percent.
That would mean a loss of more than $1 million for Wheaton, according to Assistant City Manager Mike Dzugan. He said a loss of that magnitude could result in cutting 17 positions or raising taxes in the city to make up for the revenue.
In a city press release, Mayor Michael Gresk strongly urged Quinn to rethink his proposal.
“We have and are sharing the pain,” Gresk said. “We have balanced our budgets and we have made the hard decisions to live within our means.”
The city has laid off more than 20 people and cut 14 vacant positions in the past year.
Quinn gave his budget speech to a joint session of the General Assembly last week, and legislators are now sorting through his proposals to plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
This article originally appeared in Wheaton Leader.
