Treasurer warns of long-term revenue loss; gaming board to recoup $14,703.92 from Lincoln
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Summary
City treasurer presented a December financial report, cited state income-tax distribution changes that he said cost Lincoln millions since 2011, and said the Illinois Gaming Board will recoup a $14,703.92 overpayment from February–March 2026 distributions.
The city treasurer presented the December report at the Jan. 20 council meeting and outlined long-term pressures on Lincoln's general fund.
Key points: The treasurer said the city's general fund balance is down from a year earlier and cited an analysis (attributed to the Illinois Policy Institute and Illinois Municipal League data) showing reduced state income-tax shares since 2011. He said the shortfall to incorporated municipalities and counties over the period totaled billions and that the City of Lincoln's estimated loss was $12,026,085.
Gaming board recovery: The treasurer also read a letter from the Illinois Gaming Board that listed an overpayment to the city of $14,703.92 for the July 2024–June 2025 period; the board plans to recover that sum by deducting it from February and March 2026 distributions.
Sewer receipts and questions: The city clerk reported December sewer receipts of $239,036.74, including a line-item of about $27,004 that the clerk said came from two prisons; council members asked when revenue from a third prison would begin.
What comes next: The treasurer and staff will continue monitoring distributions and present financing and budget options to the council as needed.