State Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-40) voted Tuesday in support of a bill that will release $3.1 billion in state funds to local governments to keep 911 call centers open, plow wintry roads and fund a number of other vital services that have been put at risk by the ongoing budget battle.
“Yesterday's vote is a win for Illinois," Hutchinson said. "It is a win for our communities that are preparing plans to keep our roads safe during winter weather. It is a win for domestic violence shelters that are struggling each and every day just to keep the doors open for victims in desperate need of care. And it is a win for seniors who need a little extra help paying their heating costs over the next several months. This win is only possible because everyone came to the table and worked together."
The vote marks one way around the state's budget stalemate, which has forced towns and cities across the state to scramble to cover road maintenance costs without revenue streams they depend on, such as the motor fuel tax.
The tax is usually collected by the state and disbursed to local communities to cover basic infrastructure. Without an approved budget, though, state officials have said they cannot legally disburse the funds. This week's vote provides an infusion of gas tax dollars that towns have been anxiously waiting for.
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