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On Thursday, January 15th, the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association ratified its 2026 Legislative Priorities, which reflect a focus on issues that are important to Southland communities and their constituents.
SSMMA’s advocacy program looks to partner with state lawmakers on solutions that reduce hardships and spur economic recovery for communities and residents alike across our Southland region.
The following are SSMMA’s top legislative priorities for 2026:
1. Protect Tier II Police, Fire, and IMRF Pension Commitments
2. Secure and Expand Municipal Revenues
3. Ensure Stability and Sustainability - Address Property Tax System
4. Preserve Local Authority, Halt Unfunded Mandates
Our top priority for SSMMA mayors this year is to deliver the message to State lawmakers to resist pressures from public safety unions to roll back critical pension reforms. Municipal Police (Article 3), Fire (Article 4) and IMRF (Article 7) pension systems already meet Safe Harbor standards and are fair for employees and taxpayers. Thus, no changes are needed. Reverting to more expensive pension plans— such as proposed in Senate Bill 1937 currently in front of legislators— would raise costs on local governments now and in perpetuity.
The proposed benefit increases would have devastating impacts on municipal budgets and result in substantial property tax hikes on local taxpayers to meet this added financial burden. Our local Southland delegation and other state leaders must prevent this foreseeable crisis and vote NO to SB1937. Plain and simple: Property taxpayers cannot afford SB 1937!
Get involved and add your voice to this effort. Other SSMMA priorities and our 2026 Legislative Program is available at www.SSMMA.org/legislation or by contacting Kristi DeLaurentiis, SSMMA executive director at kdelaurentiis@ssmma.org or 708.922.4670.
Stay tuned and watch for updates and action alerts!
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