Issues Challenge to State Leadership on Education, Transportation,
Housing & Sensible Growth
With the glow of their swearing in and inauguration
fading, the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. Rod Blagojevich now face the
hefty challenges of eliminating the state's budget deficit while still meeting
the pressing needs of their constituents. Bolstering its work with the new
governor's transition team and building on expertise of its partners around the
region, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has developed a menu of
legislative and administrative policies that make innovative use of scarce
resources.
Among MPC's top priorities are reforming the way education is funded,
reducing traffic congestion and promoting housing development and sensible
growth in ways that benefit businesses and residents alike. After the spring
legislative session adjourns, MPC will use its 2003 Policy
Agenda to evaluate the 93rd Illinois General Assembly.
"We will be keeping a close eye on Springfield this year," explained MarySue
Barrett, MPC president. "Of course, the budget crisis is everyone's top
priority. But, with new leadership in place, this is the time to begin
streamlining the way business gets done, and tackling top priorities at the
state level.
Education
More than 400,000 Illinois schoolchildren in high poverty schools are failing
to meet state learning standards, and with new federal law mandating that 100
percent of schoolchildren meet state standards by 2014, education quality and
funding reforms take on new urgency. MPC and the Network 21: Quality
Schools for Stronger Communities coalition have identified a number of
promising initiatives that can improve educational outcomes for students. Chief
among them are recommendations to replace, over the next three years, at least
25 percent of local property taxes with more equitable and efficient forms of
revenue, and to increase the per-pupil funding foundation level from $4,560 to
$5,500.
Transportation
By September, Congress is expected to enact a surface transportation bill to
replace TEA-21 (the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century).
Although TEA-21 increased funds for highways 40 percent nationwide, Illinois'
increase was only 29 percent, due to a formula that did not make adequate awards
to states with greater need. As the nation's freight hub, the second
largest transit provider in the nation and the third most congested region
overall, Illinois needs more. In order to make a strong case in
Washington, D.C., northeastern Illinois' leaders must reach consensus on what
those needs are. MPC recommends that Gov. Blagojevich keep his campaign
promise to exercise real leadership in coordinating metropolitan Chicago's
transportation priorities.
Housing
According to the U.S. Census, in Illinois, more than half a million
homeowners and half a million renters are paying more than 30 percent of their
incomes on housing. That means a worker earning minimum wage ($5.15 per hour)
must work 120 hours per week in order to afford a market-rate, two-bedroom
apartment. In order to begin addressing the state's housing crisis, MPC
recommends the administration elevate housing as a state priority and link it to
other growth and development programs.
Sensible Growth
Because all of the issues outlined above are inextricably linked, MPC
recommends the creation of a senior advisor on sensible growth. This
cabinet-level position would report directly to the governor and be responsible
for coordinating across various departments all the programs dealing with
housing, transportation, land use and growth management.
"To develop these recommendations, we worked with a wide range of partners —
representing government, the civic community, businesses and even grassroots
activists," said Peter Skosey, VP of external relations for MPC. "We intend to
use our expertise and leadership of regional coalitions to move these issues
forward."
MPC's 2003 Policy Agenda outlines recommendations for federal and local
action as well. These include federal dollars for affordable housing and local
planning initiatives, modernizing the City of Chicago Zoning Code and reforming
Cook County's property tax structure.