With Gov. Bruce Rauner proposing a 50 percent decrease in local funding, the Village of Itasca asked residents on Monday to voice their opposition to the cuts and higher property taxes by sending letters to their state legislators and the governor.
If Rauner's proposal passes, local governments could lose $1.5 billion in revenue that municipalities rely upon to provide such services as police and fire protection, snow plowing, garbage pickup, road repairs, and programs for seniors and children.
In addition to trimming local government funding, the governor’s proposed budget slashes funding for transportation and higher education as part of $26 million in cuts announced two weeks ago.
Rainier's budget proposal has raised tensions in the state legislature, with the House appointing a new budget oversight committee last week to review what the governor considers nonessential spending.
Itasca residents who want to protest the proposed cuts may send a letter via the website Protect My Town at http://protectmytown.com/.
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