Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, clockwise from upper left, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk and Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin discuss COVID-19 issues, in a Zoom meeting Wednesday.
The mayors of six of Illinois’ largest cities are as eager as anyone to see life return to normal, with shops, restaurants and other “nonessential” businesses open again.
But they all acknowledged Wednesday that, due to differences in how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting different areas of the state, a decision to loosen restrictions might best be made on a regional basis.
The mayors talked about how business closings are blowing huge holes in their budgets — and delays in receiving income and property tax payments will exacerbate the problem. (Bob) O’Dekirk said Joliet is on track to receive 70% less revenue than it budgeted — and is missing out on about $300,000 a week in taxes from its two riverboat casinos. Joliet is using reserve funds to maintain city services and may borrow money from its water utility fund, he said.
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