Journal & Topics Media Group

Prospect Heights Considers Referendum On Home Rule For November


Aldermen at Monday night’s (July 9) Prospect Heights City Council workshop meeting discussed placing a referendum on Home Rule on the November General Election ballot later this year.

Mayor Nick Helmer discussed his email correspondence with an individual with previous experience of passing similar referendums in other cities, who could provide consultation on the possible Home Rule referendum in Prospect Heights. The consultant is expected to give a Monday, July 16 presentation to the city council on Home Rule and his background.

The Illinois State Constitution gives a Home Rule municipality the right to “exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs including, but not limited to, the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare; to license; to tax; and to incur debt.” Currently, as a non-Home Rule municipality, Prospect Heights is required to follow state law regarding certain matters such as taxation, handling of revenue and more. If a referendum on Home Rule is passed, the city would have increased control over those governing issues. All other towns around Prospect Heights currently possess Home Rule powers.

Despite the council’s previous discussion, that seemed set on a 12-month educational program leading up to a referendum, following Helmer’s email correspondence aldermen were in favor of moving up the timeframe.

Though not opposed to placing the referendum on the November ballot, Ald. Matthew Dolick (5th) expressed concern over whether or not it gave the council enough time to educate voters.

“I personally felt it was too quick,” Helmer said, although emails from the consultant provided convincing that the November ballot gives the city enough time.

City attorney Kevin Kearney reminded the council that although the council can use city funds to spread information about Home Rule, it cannot devote city resources to advocating in favor of Home Rule.

City Treasurer Rich Tibbits reminded the council that the city loses close to $750,000 each year without Home Rule power. He noted that with all the flooding and drainage issues related to recent heavy rains, citizens might be more motivated to approve Home Rule if they know some of that money could go to resolving those issues.

Should the council move forward with placing the referendum on the November ballot, they must decide and take action on it before Aug. 29.

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