R-341-94 Urging State and Federal Lawmakers to Curb Unfunded Mandates in Observance of National Unfunded mandates Week October 24-31, 1994•
LEMONT
RESOLUTION 3 `//
A RESOLUTION URGING STATE AND FEDERAL LAWMAKERS
TO CURB UNFUNDED MANDATES
IN OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL UNFUNDED MANDATES WEEK
OCTOBER 24 - 31, 1994
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress and the Illinois General Assembly have frequently
responded to public demand for greater government services by mandating new programs
and services at the local level; and
WHEREAS, the cost of each new mandate must be passed on to the local taxpayer
through either a local tax increase or a corresponding cut in another area of local
government; and
WHEREAS, requiring local governments to devote funds to federal or state
mandates distorts local priorities by diverting scarce local resources from local needs to the
priorities of a distant federal or state government; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Illinois voters overwhelmingly approved an advisory measure
urging the Illinois General Assembly to curb state mandates in order to hold down spiraling
property taxes; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly continues to require municipalities to
shoulder a host of state mandates, including new employee benefits, revenue diversions, and
tax limitations; and
WHEREAS, at least nine other states have constitutional prohibitions against
unfunded state mandates, while Illinois' statutory State Mandates Act is much weaker than
any constitutional prohibition;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Lemont joins the
National League of Cities in proclaiming October 24 - 31 "National Unfunded Mandates
Week;" and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Lemont urges federal and state
lawmakers to refrain from imposing unfunded mandates on local governments and urges
state lawmakers to heed the voices of Illinois voters in approving an amendment to the
Illinois Constitution prohibiting the General Assembly and Governor from imposing
mandates without an accompanying revenue source; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be distributed to area
federal and state lawmakers and Governor Jim Edgar.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COUNTIES OF COOK, WILL, AND DU PAGE, ILLINOIS,
on this I'Z day of 1994.
Barbara Buschman
Alice Chin
Keith Latz
Connie Markiewicz
Richard Rimbo
Ralph Schobert
AYES NAYS PASSED ABSENT
7,244/r_tf 77z (47-2A,
CHARLENE M. SMOLLEN, Village Clerk
Approved by me this / UCL day of
Attest:
, 1994.
CHARLENE M. SMOLLEN, Village Clerk
ES , Village President