RESIDENTS FOR REECE

Platform

• Advocate for:
  • The Division of Legislative Affairs under the Office of City Council.
    • Independent Lobbying Services
      • Hire lobbyists as either contractors or new city employees.
      • Provide legislative advocacy dedicated to the needs of Ward 9 and other Springfield wards, while maintaining independence from the Mayor's Office.
    • City Ambassador and Liaison Program
      • Appoint City Liaisons/Ambassadors to act as Springfield's representatives to government entities:
        • Sangamon County Board
        • Springfield School District #186
        • SMEAA Board
        • Capital Township
        • State of Illinois
        • U.S. Federal Government
      • Role Description: Functioning separately from lobbyists. These representatives will participate in sessions to provide the Mayor and City Council with briefings on developments relevant to Springfield, aiming to enhance communication between government levels.
  • Fiscal Responsibility.
    • Maintain robust corporate fund budget reserves to mitigate potential fiscal cliffs and ensure timely debt repayment without compromising the City's general operating budget.
    • Commit to disciplined spending and the development of a responsible budget that continues to provide essential services to Springfield residents.
    • City of Springfield - Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
      • Springfield State Journal-Register - February 18, 2026
      • Illinois Times - March 5, 2026
      • FY27 Proposed Budget
    • Raise funding allocations to achieve a fully funded pension system by 2040.
      • The City of Springfield meets the 90% pension funding threshold.
      • Per the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/), state mandate requires minimum annual contributions to attain 90% funding by 2040.
    • Addressing the Elimination of the Illinois Grocery Tax
      • Effective January 1, 2026, the state will abolish the 1% sales tax on groceries under Public Act 103-0781.
      • While local governments are permitted to re-establish this 1% tax by ordinance, the Buscher Administration has chosen not to extend it, leading to a projected $3.8 million annual revenue shortfall for Springfield according to the Illinois Municipal League.
      • Without a proactive replacement plan, this loss of revenue will necessitate future budgetary cuts.
      • More information on the grocery tax ending
    • Preventing Sudden Utility Rate Hikes
      • Springfield faced an abrupt 64% total increase in CWLP Water & Sewer rates, split into 32% jumps on March 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025.
      • We must take a proactive stance to find alternative solutions, ensuring that residents are never again burdened by such unexpected rate increases.
      • Information on the CWLP rate increases
    • Increased oversight on City Water, Light & Power (CWLP).
      • Ensure the City Council provides oversight and regulation of Springfield’s utilities.
        • Require CWLP to create and present a plan to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, meeting the zero-emission deadlines established by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Public Act 102-0662.
        • Establish a Public Utilities Advisory Board.
        • Creates an advisory board for the City Council on rates, budgets, and capital improvements for CWLP. The Board will hear and address complaints from CWLP utility customers.
        • Please see the City of Naperville's Public Utilities Advisory Board as a model for this initiative.
    • An Affordable Springfield.
      • We must prioritize making life affordable for the residents of Springfield. In an era where the costs of basic necessities like groceries and gas are rising, we should be cautious about increasing the tax burden on our community.
      • It’s essential to develop a system where every Springfield resident contributes a fair share based on their income, ensuring that families living paycheck to paycheck are not pushed into financial hardship. Additionally, wealthy individuals who currently pay no city taxes should be held accountable to contribute their fair share to the City of Springfield.
    • Springfield Owned Grocery Stores
      • Rather than waiting for solutions, the City must act to address the rising cost of groceries that impacts us all.
      • We should invest in city-owned grocery stores in the areas with the greatest need. By eliminating food deserts and providing healthy, affordable options, we can support our neighborhoods.
      • This initiative aims to reduce food prices by having the city own the facilities, thereby lowering costs associated with rent and taxes.
      • This project is modeled after an initiative by the City of New York.
    • Affordable Housing
      • We must develop affordable housing across Springfield and within Ward 9 by leveraging resources outside the Corporate Fund.
    • Create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission.
      • This commission will serve to advocate for and advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion throughout Springfield.
      • Proposed membership:
        • A designated City of Springfield Liaison.
        • Additional members appointed by the City Council.
      • Models for this initiative can be found at:
        • City of St. Charles
        • City of Warrenville
• Support and advocate for City Ordinance that:
  • Supports Landlord Registration
    • Create a Landlord Registration.
      • The implementation of this system is long overdue. We must hold all landlords accountable, no exceptions.
      • If you want to do business in the City of Springfield, you must register with the City of Springfield.
    • Create a Division of Tenants within the Mayor’s Office.
      • This division will focus on protecting the rights of Springfield's rental community.
      • This division will launch and provide the oversight of a Landlord Registration.
      • Models for this initiative can be found at:
        • New York City's: The Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants
        • Chicago's Protecting Renters Ordinance
  • Supports Gun Safety.
    • Enact a City Ordinance focused on enhancing community safety and decreasing gun violence.
  • Support the Massey Commission.
    • Enact City Ordinance based on recommendations from the Massey Commission’s Calls to Action and Final Report.
      • Massey Commission’s Calls to Action
      • Massey Commission Final Report "Health as Practice + Protection".
  • Support all Unions.
    • We recognize the essential contributions of all unions in safeguarding employee rights.
    • Our city government must represent and advocate for the needs of every union.
    • Project management for these developments will be overseen by Unions to ensure quality and fair labor practices.
    • Utilize alternative resources beyond the Corporate Fund to construct affordable homes for Ward 9 and all of Springfield, ensure that Unions oversees the project management.
  • Supports and Protects the Environment.
    • Ensure a healthy environment for all residents in the City of Springfield by enacting and strengthening regulations as needed.
  • Safer Roads.
    • We must prioritize funding to ensure our potholes are filled and our roads are well-maintained.
    • Springfield residents deserve safe, paved streets, and it is time to move past temporary fixes.
    • I'm in support of long-term infrastructure planning and responsible budgeting to keep our roads in excellent condition.

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