SR0584 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0584 LRB099 12457 GRL 35801 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Numerous municipalities across Illinois are struggling to provide the required basic services, including public safety and public works, because of mounting debt and structurally insufficient tax bases; and

WHEREAS, The financial situations in small and medium-sized municipalities garner little, if any, public attention, leaving the public and the Illinois General Assembly in the dark and lacking independent information about such challenges; and

WHEREAS, The public has a right to understand the depth and scope of financial problems facing municipalities in order to contemplate solutions; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly needs to understand the depth and scope of financial problems facing municipalities in order to effectively govern the State and ensure adequate basic services to all residents; and

WHEREAS, Municipalities are required to submit annual financial information to the Illinois Comptroller under the Governmental Account Audit Act, including an accounting of revenue, expenditures, and debt; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Comptroller is required to make such information public and to produce an annual report under the Fiscal Responsibility Law; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Comptroller is statutorily required to appoint an advisory board of local government officials and certified public accountants, known as the Local Government Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, An annual report delineating municipalities that are in financial distress would help the public and Illinois General Assembly understand and address such challenges that may threaten the public welfare; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Comptroller to collaborate with the Local Government Advisory Board to develop metrics that will help identify municipalities with a population of less than 100,000 that are in financial distress; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Comptroller to produce an annual report to the public delineating municipalities in financial distress and the metrics used to determine such a designation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Comptroller.