Des Plaines mayor critical of 2 aldermen over state budget stance

Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz is openly criticizing two aldermen for not taking a hard line against Gov. Bruce Rauner on cuts to local revenue, and questioned whether they'd want capital projects in their wards delayed as a result.

The aldermen, two of the mayor's critics, fired back, calling Bogusz's comments “excessive” and “irresponsible.”

The mayor made his remarks Tuesday night at a city council meeting, in which he questioned previous statements by Aldermen Jim Brookman and Patti Haugeberg on the state budget stalemate.

Bogusz blamed Rauner for delaying payment of Des Plaines' share of gambling tax revenues, and cutting local motor fuel tax and 911 fund revenues.

At the same time, the mayor brought up comments by Brookman, who said at a previous council meeting that the state budget issue would be resolved and wouldn't be a problem for Des Plaines. Bogusz also cited an email sent by Haugeberg to other council members in which she wrote “the sky isn't falling for Des Plaines right now”.

“My question is simple and it's for Alderman Haugeberg and Alderman Brookman: Would you be interested, knowing that $11.9 million of this proposed cut is in question and roughly 90 percent of that goes to capital projects, in volunteering your capital projects for 2016 be postponed until this gets figured out?” Bogusz asked.

He said the city council needed to “stay firm” with state leaders to make sure revenues collected at the local level come back to the municipalities.

Brookman said his ward shouldn't be “penalized” because of comments he made about the state budget.

“I don't disagree with the fact this money should come to the city,” Brookman said. “I said the budget issue will get resolved and the casino money will come to Des Plaines. To ask me to give up capital projects because I took that position is irresponsible and outrageous on your part.”

Haugeberg said the mayor took her email out of context, and that it was written at a time when only the gambling tax issue was being discussed.

“You are packaging everything, Mr. Mayor, and that is ridiculous, because you know what? The budget will get resolved,” Haugeberg said. “Gov. Rauner is applying pressure as a successful businessman to get the budget balanced. I think your comments are a little bit excessive.”

Alderman Dick Sayad, another of Bogusz's critics, questioned whether Bogusz was targeting two political opponents who may run against him for mayor in 2017.

“This is a mayor that wanted to bring the city council and the city together. If this is your way, mayor, you're doing it the wrong way,” Sayad said. “But I guess this is the way you think it should be — beat up on the two people that may run for mayor and get 'em and go after them.”

Bogusz said his statements weren't politically motivated, but that he was surprised at “how lightly” Brookman and Haugeberg were taking the state budget impasse.