IML

Make your voice heard at the Capitol. @IMLLeague Lobby Day 2026 will be held Wednesday, April 29 in Springfield - bringing together municipal leaders to engage directly with legislators and advocate on key issues impacting communities. From the Legislative Briefing to Capitol visits and the evening Legislative Reception, this is your opportunity to be part of the conversation. 🔗More information, including registration, is available at iml.org/lobbyday.

.@IMLLeague supports efforts to strengthen passenger rail across Illinois. Expanding reliable, high-frequency rail service is critical to connecting our communities and supporting economic growth. Learn more and join the conversation below. ⬇️

This week's Statehouse Briefing includes: 🔹Governor Pritzker’s SFY 2027 Proposed LGDF Reduction; 🔹FFY 2027 Congressionally Directed Spending Requests; 🔹Register for IML Lobby Day 2026; … and more. 🔗Read the Briefing: buff.ly/qxLWpvz. Find previous editions of the Statehouse Briefing at iml.org/briefings.

What really makes the difference in leadership - the critic or the one doing the work? @IMLLeague Chief Executive Officer @BradCole_IML continues his "From the CEO" 12-part series in March's Review magazine with a reflection on mentorship, hard work and the value of leading by example. Drawing from personal experience, this month's column highlights an important lesson: meaningful work often goes unseen - but its impact can last a lifetime. 🔗Read the March column here: buff.ly/TaoMZyN.

"Don't preempt all of our authority. Instead, give us the tools to implement solutions locally." Mayor Rita Ali (@CityofPeoria_IL) addressed the impact of statewide housing proposal on local zoning authority and the need to improve state permitting timelines during the #2026MovingCitiesForward press conference. Mayor Ali also emphasized that communities across Illinois have unique needs and require the flexibility to make local decisions, while delays in state approvals can stall projects and increase costs. Learn more at: movingcitiesforward.org.

.@GovPritzker has proposed cutting the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) — and that should concern every resident in communities like the @VillageofElburn. LGDF is not some abstract line item. It’s critical funding that goes directly back to our municipalities to help cover essential services like public safety, emergency response, and the growing list of unfunded mandates handed down from Springfield. When that funding is cut, the burden doesn’t disappear — it gets pushed onto local taxpayers. That means higher property taxes, reduced services, or both. Let’s be clear: this isn’t putting Illinois families first. This is shifting responsibility away from the state and onto hardworking residents and small towns that are already doing more with less. If the state needs to tighten its belt, it shouldn’t come at the expense of our local communities. Instead of cutting LGDF, Governor Pritzker should be looking at wasteful spending and pork projects in the state budget. Our towns like Elburn deserve support — not setbacks. It’s time to stand up for local communities and demand better from Springfield. #twill @mikereidjr @MayorBurns @DarrenBaileyIL @JeffWalterIL #ElburnIL 🇺🇸

Illinois communities are facing another proposed reduction in state funding. Governor Pritzker’s proposal would reduce the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF), limiting critical revenue that cities, villages and towns rely on to fund essential services like public safety and infrastructure. Local governments have already absorbed billions in lost revenue throughout the years. Further reductions only shift more burden onto residents. Tell legislators: Protect local funding. Learn more: iml.org/lgdf #LGDF #LocalGovernment #FundOurCommunities #IllinoisMunicipalities

This month's Federal Focus includes: 🔹U.S. Senate Advances Bipartisan Housing Legislation; 🔹White House Executive Order: Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction; 🔹U.S. Census Bureau Request for Public Comment; … and more. Read the Focus:buff.ly/oPK57fK. Find previous editions of the Federal Focus at iml.org/focus.

Counsel Ryan Connor presented at the 2026 Municipal Attorneys Seminar hosted by the Illinois Municipal League, contributing to key discussions shaping municipalities across IL. To learn more or connect, visit: bit.ly/4urDa6L

Local control matters. During the 2026 Moving Cities Forward press conference, Mayor John Lewis (City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois) highlighted the need for 🔹Flexible local revenue tools 🔹Modernized public notice laws 🔹Reduced costs + increased transparency "Modernizing public notice laws is a win for taxpayers, municipalities and public engagement." Learn more about the 2026 Moving Cities Forward platform at movingcitiesforward.org.

This week's Statehouse Briefing includes: 🔹Chicago Tribune Highlights Concerns With Governor Pritzker’s Proposed LGDF Cuts; 🔹Road to Census 2030 Act Introduced; 🔹OSFM – SJR 7 Task Force Report; … and more. 🔗Read the Briefing: buff.ly/F0cEkj5. Find previous editions of the Statehouse Briefing at iml.org/briefings.

Across Illinois, municipalities are beginning to plan ways to recognize our nation’s 250th anniversary — from launching local initiatives to engaging residents in conversations about how their communities can take part in this historic milestone. As we move through 2026, now is the time for municipalities to start planning how they will commemorate @America250 and celebrate their community’s role in our nation’s story. Learn more and explore available resources at iml.org/il250.

The @IMLLeague 2026 Municipal Attorneys Seminar concluded this week in Mount Vernon. Municipal attorneys and local government officials gathered for a full day of discussions on legal issues impacting Illinois cities, villages and towns. Sessions throughout the day covered topics including parliamentary procedure, development agreements, employment law, transparency requirements and other key municipal legal issues. Seminar materials can be found at iml.org/seminar.

Illinois municipalities are raising concerns about @GovPritzker's proposed budget. A new @chicagotribune editorial highlights how a proposed reduction to the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) could shift financial pressure onto cities and villages across Illinois. “Any reduction in shared revenues results in a direct cost increase to residents - this means property tax increases, sales tax increases or any number of other local tax increases to make up the difference," said @IMLLeague Chief Executive Officer @BradCole_IML. Read the editorial: iml.org/file.cfm?key=1… Information about LGDF can be found at iml.org/lgdf.

The @IMLLeague Municipal Attorneys Seminar continues today in Mount Vernon. IML General Counsel Kory Smith is kicking off the seminar with a discussion about parliamentary procedure and meeting rules for local governments. Seminar materials can be found at iml.org/seminar.

📣#CommunityAwareness: The @cityofdekalb_IL adopted the IML Civility Pledge, which seeks to restore civility in local governments, encourage productive dialogue & build public trust across Illinois. To learn more about the Civility Pledge, visit iml.org/civility. If your community has adopted the Civility Pledge, tag IML and share the news. superhits935.com/dekalb-city-co…

Thank you to the first responders, public works crews, emergency personnel and volunteers who acted quickly to support residents in the @CityKankakee (Mayor Chris Curtis) following the recent severe storms. Municipalities across Illinois stand together during times like these. @IMLLeague supports the ongoing efforts of local officials assisting residents and helping their community recover. Municipal officials can find resources, including the American Red Cross, to help prepare for and respond to disasters affecting their communities at iml.org/disaster. #Kankakee

Thank you to the first responders, public works crews, emergency personnel and volunteers who acted quickly to support residents in the Village of Aroma Park (Mayor Brian Stump) following the recent severe storms. Municipalities across Illinois stand together during times like these. @IMLLeague supports the ongoing efforts of local officials assisting residents and helping their community recover. Municipal officials can find resources, including the @RedCross, to help prepare for and respond to disasters affecting their communities at iml.org/disaster. #AromaParkStrong