As 1995 comes to an end, the staff of the League and I want to take this occasion to wish all the readers of the REVIEW a joyous and happy holiday season. I particularly want to express my gratitude and thanks for the support you have given to the League during this most active and successful year. The individual support and participation of each municipal official is the bedrock upon which the Illinois Municipal League is built.

November was a momentous month. For the first time ever a Conference of Local Governments was held on November 14, 1995. Approximately 100 local government officials were invited to convene in Chicago, Illinois to discuss the roles of government at all levels and to begin a national debate on the sweeping changes in governance proposed by the Congress.

Jointly convening the Conference were the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Association of Counties. Illinois was well represented with IML Board members; Mayors Richard Daley (Chicago), Charles Box (Rockford), Joseph Sinkiawic (Loves Park), along with Alderman Gene Feldman (Evanston), Manager John Novinson (Northbrook) and myself.

Three major statements came out of this first ever Conference of Local Governments dealing with Localism, Investment Strategy and Unfunded Mandates. They are printed following this article.

This brings me once again to the IML Unfunded Mandates Task Force being pursued at the state level. Early January 1996 is the target date for culmination of the drafting of an Unfunded Mandates Constitutional Amendment by the drafting committee. We anticipate introduction shortly thereafter with strong bipartisan sponsorship and support. You, each municipal official, will be the determining factor as to that strong bipartisan sponsorship and support.

If your community has not passed the model resolution from the October 1995 REVIEW, you must get it approved and forwarded to your legislators with a copy to the League office. Passing a constitutional amendment will take all of us, working together, to make it happen. •

Page 5 / Illinois Municipal Review / December 1995