River Forest voters will decide whether they want the village to become a home rule community on Nov. 6. Since the village board approved the referendum question in August, officials have held several meetings allowing residents to ask questions about what that designation could mean for the village if it is passed. Here are some frequently asked questions Wednesday Journal has heard over the past months about the issue, and the responses the village and home rule opponents have given.
Q: What is home rule?
A: Home rule is a designation automatically granted to municipalities with a population over 25,000. The state currently has 209 home rule communities, including neighboring Oak Park. These municipalities can take any authoritative action in the state constitution or statutes except actions specifically limited by the state. Non-home rule municipalities must find specific authority in the state laws to take action.
Q: How will becoming home rule help the village?
A: If the village becomes a home rule community, board members and staff have said it will give them more control over local issues rather than relying on legislators in Springfield. It allows the village to open new revenue streams by implementing new taxes or fees including on gas, liquor or the village’s two universities. The village has said it could utilize expiring debt service payments to help pay for street improvements, or enter sales tax sharing agreements to spur development. Some home rule municipalities enter public-private partnerships to improve facades and create economic development districts.
Opponents have said a home rule designation gives the village too much power, and are concerned residents would be removed from decision-making processes in the future.
Q: Will my property taxes go up?
A: Home rule communities have the authority to tax more than non-home rule communities because they can remove the property tax cap. Last month, the board passed an ordinance saying it wouldn’t increase the property tax levy in a given year by more than five percent or the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, whichever is less. That is the same limit placed on non-home rule communities by tax caps.
The village may use an exception, like a natural disaster or unfunded state mandate, to increase the levy after holding a hearing that is published in the newspaper and after a vote of five of the seven trustees. The board may also repeal the ordinance in the future.
Opponents say the board’s action is simply a dodge and expect the village to actively work around the limit.
Q: As a home rule community, should residents be concerned about a big development that will leave the village in debt?
A: Opponents have mentioned the Toyota Park soccer stadium in Bridgeview, which led the home rule community to almost triple property taxes in less than a decade to cover debt payments. Under home rule, the village would still be able to incur debt. But officials say the village is small, there is no place to build a large-scale venue and that lenders would not extend debt with the limited repayment sources the village could offer.
Q: What can voters do if they don’t like home rule?
A: Voters can participate in elections to unseat board members every two years or the president every four years. They can also speak at board meetings or file a petition to rescind home rule by referendum.