Public Expects City Government to Provide Basic Services —
Plus a Lot More!

By J. MICHAEL HOUSTON

On December 2, 1987, I returned to the private sector after serving 8 1/2 years as Mayor of Springfield. During those two terms of office, I worked closely with the Illinois Municipal League, and had the honor and privilege to serve on the League's Board of Directors and as its President.

Since April, 1979, there have been a great many changes in the way city government operates in Springfield. Many of those changes were rational improvements well thought out, some were initiated through concerned public attitude, some by pure necessity, and some by Federal and State mandates or cuts in programs.

In Springfield, as in communities around the State, city government responded to those changes. Today, city government cannot simply just provide basic services as it has in the past. The public still expects its streets to be plowed and pot holes filled as well as police and fire protection. City government must also be involved in economic development, downtown revitalization, and long range planning to insure orderly growth.

Unfortunately, these additions to basic service requirements have taken place at a time of drastic cutbacks at the federal level, and new mandates from State government that add to the cost of the operation of municipal governments.

As these changes take place, it has become quite clear that while we cannot completely control our own destinies, we do have the opportunity to influence them, particularly when it comes to legislation and funding by the State of Illinois.

There are two basic ways that municipal officials can make a difference in the legislative process, one is to communicate with their State Senator and Representative on issues affecting municipalities, and second, to work closely with the Illinois Municipal League.

There was a time when the Illinois Municipal League alone could adequately represent the interests of municipal governments without the assistance of elected officials, but those days had passed prior to the time I assumed office in 1979.

Any effective lobbying campaign must be ongoing. By meeting regularly with your State Senator and Representative, both city officials and lawmakers will have a better understanding of the problems and constraints that each possess. It will provide a better communications link which will be critical when you need help on pending legislation which impacts your community.

The Illinois Municipal League and its staff are an effective force in Springfield. The staff are professionals who know their business, who work long and hard hours to represent the best interest of Illinois municipalities. The effectiveness of the Illinois Municipal League will ultimately depend on how well municipal officials are communicating with their own individual lawmakers. Change is a part of life, and we are going to continue to see changes in municipal government operations. Whether these changes are positive or negative, may depend on how well you have communicated with your lawmakers.

As Mayor of Springfield, I have always viewed the lobbying of my legislators as an extremely important part of my job. I have thoroughly enjoyed my two terms of office, and will always remember and treasure the opportunity to have served as President of the Illinois Municipal League. •

Page 4 / Illinois Municipal Review / December 1987