Illinois.

In his state of the city address two weeks ago, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago chastised the state and federal governments for their lack of support of major cities like Chicago.

The mayor said the city is receiving less than half the federal dollars it was getting a decade ago. And, he pointed out, Gov. Jim Edgar's proposed fiscal 1993 state budget would eliminate the distribution of revenues from a temporary state income tax to local governments, a move that could cost Chicago $25.3 million this year.

"The state, too, must realize that Chicago's future is the future of Illinois and that continuing cuts in aid to cities undermine the overall health of the state," the mayor said.

In the meantime, Mayor Daley is relying on his own resources to bolster the city's well-being. He said the plan he proposed May 21 to issue $160 million of general obligation bonds this year, pending City Council approval, would not only repair the city's infrastucture, but would also create or retain jobs. He added that this month he will propose additional bonding of $30 million to the city council for sewer work.

The mayor also said he favors a proposed constitutional amendment on education funding that will appear on the Illinois ballot in November. If passed, the amendment could require the state to pay at least half the cost of primary and secondary education in the state, at an annual cost of $1.2 billion to $3 billion.

"The state's share of education costs dropped from 48% in 1975 to 33% under the governor's proposed 1993 budget," the mayor stated. "Illinois ranks 44th in per pupil spending. It's time for the state to meet its responsibility."

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