By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot’s request for state help with the city’s projected budget deficit – specifically, with city pensions – is getting the sort of reaction you might expect.

“The mayor has been a good partner with the state in trying to advocate to the federal government for additional resources,” said State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) “We need it for the state as well as the city. That is just going to tie us at the hip to work in Washington to advocate for another CARES relief bill.”

“She should be asking the General Assembly to adopt a constitutional amendment to allow changes in pensions,” said State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills). “She should be cutting funding in Chicago, and she should be defending citizens and businesses who are fleeing because of the violence.”

In addition to pension help, Lightfoot wants the state to restore the city’s full share of a fund which represents cities’ portions of state income tax. The state has shorted the Local Government Distributive Fund for years.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].