Orland Park's Mayor highlighted the urgent need for fiscal responsibility during the recent Breakfast with the Mayor event, emphasizing the significant financial challenges facing the state of Illinois. The Mayor expressed concern over a projected $4 billion budget deficit, which he believes is being overlooked by state officials touting financial success.

He pointed out that the state's budget has ballooned from $38 billion to $55 billion over the past five years, a trend he described as unsustainable. The Mayor also referenced a historical agreement from 1967, where the state committed to sharing 10% of its income tax collections with municipalities. This agreement was intended to prevent local income taxes, similar to those in Chicago. However, he noted that this share has been significantly reduced over the years, dropping to as low as 5.4% in 2011 and currently sitting at 6.4%.

The Mayor's remarks underscored the financial strain on local governments, with Orland Park and other municipalities collectively losing $57 million in funding since 2011. He called for renewed advocacy from mayors across the state to restore funding levels, stressing the importance of these resources for local communities.

As the meeting concluded, the Mayor's message resonated with attendees, highlighting the critical need for fiscal reform and collaboration between state and local governments to ensure sustainable financial practices moving forward.