Elgin, Kane Co. towns bracing for even more cuts in state funding

Last year, Elgin social service agencies joined to decry cuts in state funding.

On Monday, the chorus grew louder, this time with municipalities protesting a proposal to cut 30 percent of the state's income tax that is distributed to municipalities on a per-capita basis.

For Elgin, that translates to about $2.5 million a year.

In Carpentersville, that's about $800,000; in East Dundee, $80,000.

"The state budget situation is dire, but cutting important neighborhood services like funding for fire and police protection and education is not the answer," said state Rep. Keith Farnham, an Elgin Democrat whose district includes Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee and other towns.

Farnham was joined Monday afternoon by Elgin City Councilmen John Steffen and Richard Dunne, along with Carpentersville Village President Ed Ritter.

Elgin had its first round of layoffs back in November 2008 and Steffen predicted more would have to go if Gov. Quinn's plan moves forward.

"We've managed in Elgin to balance our budget without raising taxes," Steffen said.

In Carpentersville, officials have raised towing fees, property taxes, and water and sewer rates, but their budget is still $1 million in the red.

"Carpentersville is a pretty lean place," Ritter said. "We don't have any easy fruit to pick off for cuts."

The proposal, which was floated by Quinn but needs approval from the General Assembly, would cut the local government share of the state income tax by $300 million across the state.

Kane County leaders also have forecast a loss of $1 million.

Farnham said Quinn's proposal should be a starting point for budget cuts, not necessarily an end.

Farnham pointed to his efforts to cut overtime expenses in the state's human services department, and hinted that other lawmakers cut programs that were started when the economy was good.