Frankfort Mayor Cites Defeat of State ‘Build Act’ as Win for Local Control

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | June 1, 2026

Article Summary: During his report at the Monday, June 1, 2026, meeting, Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle told the board that a state measure he called the “Build Act” — which he said would have overridden local zoning authority — failed to pass in Springfield, and he tied the outcome to a formal opposition resolution the board adopted in April.

Local Control Legislation Key Points:

• Ogle said the bill would have stripped local governments of zoning authority over housing and that it did not pass amid opposition from local mayors.
• He said the board adopted a resolution opposing the measure on April 6, in conjunction with the Illinois Municipal League, and that he had earlier submitted a letter of opposition alongside the Will County Governmental League.
• Ogle said Frankfort has lost roughly $16 million over the years as the Local Government Distributive Fund share fell from 10% to just over 6%.

FRANKFORT — Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle used his report at the June 1, 2026, board meeting to highlight the defeat of a state measure he described as the “Build Act,” telling trustees the proposal would have removed local communities’ authority over zoning and housing decisions.

Ogle said the legislation “would have basically overridden any local control for zoning” and stripped municipalities of a voice in how housing is sited, but that it failed “at the last minute” amid what he described as overwhelming opposition from local mayors. He said he had submitted a letter opposing an early version of the bill alongside the Will County Governmental League, and that the board followed with a resolution adopted April 6 in conjunction with the Illinois Municipal League formally opposing the measure.

The mayor framed the issue within a broader critique of the state budget. He said residents had asked for property tax relief and proper school funding, and he pointed to the Local Government Distributive Fund — money the village uses for services — as an area where Frankfort has lost ground. According to Ogle, the LGDF share has been reduced from 10% to a little over 6% over time, a reduction he said has cost Frankfort roughly $16 million in funds that would otherwise have supported services.

Ogle also characterized the recently passed state budget as the largest in Illinois history, saying it added some $800 million in new taxes and fees and ran roughly 3,500 pages, which he said lawmakers had only a few hours to review before voting. Several trustees echoed the mayor in their comments, with Trustee Michael Leddin saying he was “really glad that the [Build Act] did not move forward.”

The remarks were delivered as part of the mayor’s report and did not involve any board action at Monday’s meeting. The figures and characterizations reflect statements made by the mayor during the meeting.