As East St. Louis residents celebrate Black History Month, we must ponder some problems far more daunting than paying off credit card debt.
In mid-January, the city was facing $7 million in past-due payments to the East St. Louis police and firefighter pension funds.
Cason informed me that during the summer of 2023 there was a “gentlemen’s agreement” to make an $875, 000 payment toward the police and firefighter pension fund.
This is the case, even although the city received (between 2021-2022) $36 million in American Recovery Act funds. In theory, this could have better positioned the city to manage and offset that debt.
However, according to rules for spending ARPA funds, they may not be used for pension payments specifically.
ARPA funds can be utilized for such things as lost public sector revenue, premium pay for essential workers (like police and firefighters), investment in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure and addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If we’re using logic and fiscal responsibility, the $36 million was used in all the allowable areas mentioned. Thus, there should have been enough resources to satisfy the pension board’s needs.
I looked for answers at ESL City Hall, first going to Mayor Charles Powell III’s office and leaving messages for him as well as the city spokesperson Kakeesha Branigan, to no avail.
City Manager Robert Betts assured me that he would email a statement regarding the city’s effort to address its fiscal crisis, which has the potential to cause layoffs, cuts in city services and missed paydays for city employees. I never received that statement.
The only elected official who responded to my efforts was Councilman Ryan Cason.
Cason informed me that during the summer of 2023 there was a “gentlemen’s agreement” to make an $875, 000 payment toward the police and firefighter pension fund.
According to him, the city reneged on that payment and that “Things don’t look good and could result in the city closing its doors.”
Meanwhile, the pension board has voted to ask the Illinois Comptroller to intercept state funds intended for East St. Louis and direct them to the pension fund.
This would be catastrophic for East St. Louis residents and businesses in terms of a probable increase in already exorbitant home and business insurance rates, because of the potential loss of police and fire protection.
I recently drove through the State Street Center strip mall area near 25th and State Street and found numerous businesses with boarded-up windows or doors; namely Sav-A-Lot, O’Reilly Auto Parts, JWG Beauty Supply, DTLR Clothing Store, Gen X Clothing, Boost Mobile and even McDonald’s.
Imagine a city with little to no police or fire protection for homes or businesses. It would result in anarchy, even with outside assistance from the Illinois State Police.
If you are a city employee, I’d advise you to prepare your resume and get an early start on your job search.
Citizens must pack council meetings and city hall and demand answers and accountability from your mayor, city manager and council persons. You deserve better government. Act before the city slowly goes out of business.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com X@JamesTIngram
