Cook County And Downstate Illinois An Analysis Of Strategies To Bridge The Chasm An Analysis Of Strategies To Bridge The Chasm
Location
SU 003
Start Date
19-4-2019 12:00 PM
Department
Political Science
Abstract
Downstate Illinois and Cook County share common problems. The pension crisis drains state revenue. Illinois cut funding to higher education with the 12 state public universities not receiving funding for two years. Instead of working together to address these issues that are the core for a better future for the state, downstate Illinois voters believe that Cook County has downstate Illinois at a disadvantage. They believe that Cook County spends more state revenue than it contributes. However, a 2017 Illinois Legislative Review Unit report completed for State Senator Tom Cullerton indicated that the opposite is true. Counties in and around Chicago contribute more revenue than they receive in funding from the state. DuPage County in particular contributes more than its fair share, but more research will be needed to determine whether DuPage pays more because of higher income levels and more property taxes from its higher property values. Legislators cannot adequately address this chasm between the different parts of the state because they dedicate their time to serving their constituents and legislating, which usually requires building consensus. Building consensus involves accepting the various stakeholders’ positions and finding compromise from there. As a result, the chasm between the Chicago area and downstate Illinois persists. The thesis ends with suggestions for bridging the chasm between the Chicago area and downstate Illinois.
Cook County And Downstate Illinois An Analysis Of Strategies To Bridge The Chasm An Analysis Of Strategies To Bridge The Chasm
SU 003
Downstate Illinois and Cook County share common problems. The pension crisis drains state revenue. Illinois cut funding to higher education with the 12 state public universities not receiving funding for two years. Instead of working together to address these issues that are the core for a better future for the state, downstate Illinois voters believe that Cook County has downstate Illinois at a disadvantage. They believe that Cook County spends more state revenue than it contributes. However, a 2017 Illinois Legislative Review Unit report completed for State Senator Tom Cullerton indicated that the opposite is true. Counties in and around Chicago contribute more revenue than they receive in funding from the state. DuPage County in particular contributes more than its fair share, but more research will be needed to determine whether DuPage pays more because of higher income levels and more property taxes from its higher property values. Legislators cannot adequately address this chasm between the different parts of the state because they dedicate their time to serving their constituents and legislating, which usually requires building consensus. Building consensus involves accepting the various stakeholders’ positions and finding compromise from there. As a result, the chasm between the Chicago area and downstate Illinois persists. The thesis ends with suggestions for bridging the chasm between the Chicago area and downstate Illinois.
Comments
William Adler is the faculty sponsor for this project.