Farm Bureau Policy Opposing Funding Stream Advances
Earlier this year, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) laid out a funding stream for its Go To 2040 plan. To fund the priorities set forth in the plan, CMAP has proposed a quarter-cent sales tax on purchases made in the Chicago metropolitan area, which is defined as the counties in the Regional Transportation Authority service area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will). CMAP estimates that the quarter-cent sales tax would raise $300 million.
CMAP’s proposal sets a precedent for other regional planning commissions including: the Bi-State Regional Commission (Rock Island), Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission (Marion), North Central Illinois Council of Governments (Ottawa), South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission (Harrisburg), and the Western Illinois Regional Council (Macomb) to propose a sales tax on purchases made in the planning area to fund projects. There are 20 planning commissions in Illinois.
Farm Bureau’s resolution states that we will oppose legislation: enacting a quarter-cent sales tax on purchases throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, as defined by the counties in the Regional Transportation Authority service area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties).
The policy now advances to Farm Bureau delegates in December. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the proposal please contact Bona Heinsohn at [email protected] or (708) 354-3276.