In Springfield, commissioners lobby for Forest Park
On April 1, Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements Michelle Melin-Rogovin and Commissioner of Public Property Jessica Voogd drove by fields of soybeans and corn down to Springfield, Illinois.
On Illinois Municipal League Day the following day, Melin-Rogovin and Voogd lobbied in the state capital for Forest Park, hearing from government agencies and speaking with legislators about local government funding, infrastructure and public safety.
“I always enjoy going down there and meeting with our representatives when we can,” Voogd said.
“I enjoy going to Springfield,” Melin-Rogovin said. “It’s a long way to go to meet with people that we could meet here in Forest Park. But there is something really important about being in Springfield because you’re there when certain discussions are happening and decisions are being made.”
Melin-Rogovin and Voogd got face time with State Senator Kimberly Lightford while the Senate was in session. They discussed with her what’s important to Forest Park, so she can weigh in on the village’s behalf. Topics included the Crime-Free Housing Bill and how consolidation of local transit would positively impact Forest Park.
The Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act, filed with the Illinois House of Representatives last April, would consolidate the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter trains and Pace suburban buses. Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins previously told the Review that a rebranding of the CTA could improve how safe riders feel and present an opportunity for a new partnership with transit agencies to better patrol the end terminals of the CTA Blue Line and Green Lines in Forest Park.
“There’s a pretty large percentage of calls that go there. It’s an additional stress on our small force,” Voogd said of Forest Park’s fire and police departments.
If passed, the Crime-Free Housing Bill would make it so tenants who contact emergency services cannot be penalized. The Forest Park Police Department’s Crime-Free Housing Unit aims to reduce crime and improve quality of life by partnering with property owners and tenants – who, if they engage in illegal activity, can have their lease terminated.
“With the passage of the proposed bill, it could really limit or change how we can run that program,” Voogd said.
Illinois Municipal League Day
To start Illinois Municipal League Day, government agency representatives gave briefings with updates on their departments.
Melin-Rogovin said Illinois Department of Labor representatives talked about the new Minimum Wage Law, which established a $15 an hour minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2025. And the Department of Transportation’s new director Gia Biagi, who was appointed in December, said she would do more to be more responsive to communities by streamlining the organization – which, according to Melin-Rogovin, has historically been slow and cumbersome in the contracting process.
“We have a good relationship with our local IDOT representative, when we have requests, and it was nice to hear what they’re doing systematically,” Melin-Rogovin said.
Attendees also heard from legislators, who outlined highlights of the year’s legislative session and what they’re advocating for on behalf of all Illinois municipalities.
“We typically hear about pension reform and how we’re all concerned about meeting our pension obligations,” Melin-Rogovin said. The Forest Park Fire Department’s pension is only about 30% funded, while the police department’s is less than 40% funded.
Legislators also talked about the Illinois Local Government Distributive Fund, which disperses state income tax revenues to municipalities. While local governments received 10% of these revenues from 1993 to 2011, they now only get about 6%.
“The Illinois Municipal League and municipalities have historically lobbied or encouraged legislators to fully fund this pool of money,” Melin-Rogovin said.
And legislators discussed how the Trump administration might affect municipalities.
“It was very helpful to hear from a revenue perspective what the state is doing to consistently address and be prepared for challenges in terms of receiving federal funds,” Melin-Rogovin said, though they didn’t share any specific strategies. “The refrain was pretty much the same in terms of ‘everything is very much in flux.’ But I think the fact that communication is happening is very reassuring.”
Early next month, Mayor Rory Hoskins, Melin-Rogovin and Voogd will visit Springfield for the West Central Municipal Conference. There, West Suburban communities will share concerns and goals regarding Illinois legislation.
“Sometimes legislators have questions that they need answered,” Melin-Rogovin said. “They appreciate the fact that we show up. It’s part of being engaged in the process.”
