By: Diane Benjamin

Bloomington has alluded to State cuts before but they have never provided actual numbers (that I remember).

Cities across Illinois used to receive 10% of the money the State collected in local income taxes. Lawmakers reduced that to 7% in 2012.

This story allows people to see how much that has cost municipalities: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/how-much-did-illinois-take-from-your-towns-income-taxes/

Keep in mind local governments aren’t capable of cutting funding like normal people. If your income goes down you likely adjust spending accordingly, unless you love debt. Government never does unless forced to.

How much has Bloomington lost? The search covers 2012-2024.

$65,617,952

In the 12 years since the policy change, that amounts to $5,468,163 a year.

Normal lost:

$44,673,575

$3,722,798 a year.

Counties can also be searched. McLean County lost:

$16,348,320

$1,362,360 a year.

You can search other cities at the link above.

Pat Quinn was governor in 2012.

Even taking money from local governments isn’t enough for the State of Illinois. Pritzker budgets have increased $16.7 billion since he took office: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pritzkers-magic-beans-growing-a-record-setting-55b-illinois-budget/

The State isn’t going to stop spending more or stop taking more from us unless the culprits are thrown out of office.