Cook County Chairman Richard Phelan urged local officials Monday to gather support for a referendum to stop the state from mandating unfunded programs.

Phelan called a press conference with local reporters and mayors to discuss the issue. “Much of the legislation and regulations passed in Springfield are paid for by us,” Phelan said. “It all adds up.”

“In the 90s, the buck stops at local government,” said DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow.

Phelan said an overwhelming majority of “yes” votes for the November referendum would “implore the state to stop adopting new unfunded mandates that impose additional costs on units of local government.”

Both DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow and DeKalb County Chairman Bob Hutcheson said they support the campaign to stop unfunded mandates.

Hutcheson estimated that about 20 percent of county and local government spending is due to state and federal mandates.

Phelan said about 25 percent, or $1 billion, of Cook County spending is because of mandates the state enforces but does not fund.

Hutcheson said many of these mandates are for nursing homes, hospitals, jails and water quality. While the legislation might be good, the entire burden falls in local government’s hands, he said.

“I’m not quibbling about the things they’re legislating. I’m quibbling about who’s going to pay for them,” Sparrow said.

Phelan said the matter will be put on the ballot in two years as a constitutional amendment. He said local officials must inform the public about unfunded state mandates to begin the legislation process.