MPC assesses action on education, housing and sensible growth;
Hosts roundtable with legislators to review victories and setbacks
Despite the odds — a new administration, new leadership in the General
Assembly and a $5+ billion deficit — Illinois has made significant strides on
critical regional issues. And, while the legislature did fall far short on
sensible growth and transportation, they kept campaign promises to support
education and elevated housing as a priority, earning them an overall evaluation
of "Exceeded Expectations" from the Metropolitan Planning Council.
Understandably, with a 60-day period to sign or veto legislation, it is still
too early to evaluate Gov. Blagojevich. However, the Council believes the
governor deserves tremendous credit for finding new resources for education in a
tight budget.
"This year, our top priorities included reforming the way education is
funded, reducing freight rail gridlock, and promoting housing development and
sensible growth in ways that benefit businesses and residents alike. Given the
economic climate, we had modest expectations," said MarySue Barrett,
Metropolitan Planning Council president. "We came away from the first spring
session of the new administration with some significant, unexpected
victories."
Today, MPC is hosting a roundtable discussion with key legislators to review
the victories, as well as some setbacks, from the spring legislative session.
Sen. Miguel del Valle (D-Chicago), Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), and Rep. Dave
Winters (R-Rockford) will describe the merits of specific bills, as well as
share their perceptions of changes in the General Assembly that will affect
future sensible growth legislation.
Following the spring session, which adjourned June 1,
and prior to today’s roundtable, MPC measured legislative and administrative
action against the
policy agenda
it released at the beginning of the year. The General Assembly and
governor were evaluated separately on a scale of "exceeded", "met" or "below"
expectations for performance on each of MPC’s — and the region’s — priority
issues: education and tax policy reform, sensible growth, transportation, and
housing. Within each category, MPC has identified where the legislature and
administration made progress, lost ground, did nothing, or where action is
pending. Below is a summary of MPC’s assessments within each issue
area.
Education and Tax Reform = Exceeded Expectations
The governor and Illinois legislators made good on campaign promises to
schools by raising elementary and secondary education funding by $250 per pupil,
or more than $330 million for classroom spending, a significant down payment on
the additional $1,100 per pupil that research shows is needed for high quality
student outcomes. Other important changes were also initiated: increasing
per-pupil funding for the neediest districts, strengthening support for
low-income students, expanding early childhood learning programs by $30 million,
meeting federal mandates on annual student testing, expanding innovation through
charter schools in Chicago, and investing $500 million in school facilities.
Unfortunately, there was no attention to tax reform, the key to breaking the
link between one’s address and the quality of local schools and municipal
services. And, both the legislature and governor lost ground on using technology
to improve student achievement, by cutting funding.
Sensible Growth = Below Expectations
In the area of promoting balanced development, the governor and General
Assembly took no action on any of MPC’s recommendations such as appointing a
senior advisor on sensible growth and awarding technical assistance grants and
incentives to communities making efforts. It did, however, pass the Local Legacy
Act (HB 231), which creates comprehensive, coordinated county-municipal planning
that emphasizes protecting natural, historic and agricultural resources through
a countywide, unified vision. This was a priority for the Campaign for Sensible
Growth. Action by the governor is pending.
Housing: Legislation = Exceeded Expectations; Budget = Below Expectations
The passage of the Illinois Housing Initiative Act (HB 2345) creates a
housing task force to shape a state policy that addresses the housing needs of
underserved populations such as the elderly, workers unable to afford housing
near work and people at risk of becoming homeless. Making housing a state
priority, and formalizing and coordinating state housing policy would be firsts
for Illinois. The bill, which does not expand housing resources, is awaiting the
governor’s signature.
Other legislative accomplishments in the area of housing include the
Property Tax Housing Opportunity
Abatement Program
(HB 2246) and
the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act (HB 625),
providing both a "carrot" and a "stick" for communities struggling to provide a
full range of housing options.
These victories are tempered by reductions in the already limited state
resources committed to housing, especially the 20 percent cutback to the
Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Low Income Housing Trust
Fund.
Transportation = Below Expectations
The General Assembly and governor missed an opportunity by not initiating
planning for a 2004-2009 state transportation funding package. To make matters
worse, the administration is redirecting $367 million in road funds away from
transportation investment, and has put approximately $120 million dollars worth
of Illinois FIRST projects on hold. In addition, no action was taken to
structure a regional freight entity within the Illinois Department of
Transportation to receive future federal funds.
"We knew the budget crisis would demand significant attention this spring,"
said Peter Skosey, MPC vice president of external relations. "But, we were
hopeful that, with new leadership in place, some of the critical issues facing
our state would finally be addressed. We are proud to say that a number of bills
we worked on passed both houses."
For more information, contact Kim Grimshaw Bolton,
MPC communications director, at 312.863.6020
or
kbolton@metroplanning.org.