HR0895 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0895 LRB100 21110 MST 37102 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Transportation infrastructure is critical to the economy and future growth of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Local roads comprise over 88% of the State's public road mileage, carrying around 40% of statewide traffic; and

WHEREAS, Transportation projects have traditionally been paid for with user fees, including gas taxes and vehicle registration charges; and

WHEREAS, Among the various grants awarded to local governments is the Needy Township program; and

WHEREAS, The Needy Township program once provided $10 million annually to townships and road districts that levy the maximum tax rate allowed but still lack adequate revenue to meet a minimum per-mile funding level; the Illinois Department of Transportation determines eligible townships and assistance based on a district's equalized assessed value of all properties, annual average MFT distribution per mile, and average maintenance; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Transportation reduced the Needy Township allocation by almost half after the FY18 budget was enacted; and

WHEREAS, Other grants to local governments were reduced by almost $50 million statewide; and

WHEREAS, These reductions follow a decades long trend of reducing funding by the State to local road districts; and

WHEREAS, The deterioration of local roads is contributing to the economic problems of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Local roads generated tax revenue and economic growth for the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois Department of Transportation to consider that a higher percentage of all new revenues and new transportation investments be distributed for local roads; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Secretary of Transportation, Randall S. Blankenhorn, and to Governor Bruce Rauner.