Move slowly on home rule
Tread carefully.
That’s our advice to city of McHenry officials who are about to embark on a new journey of local governance that will give them more authority to make decisions without the potential for state interference or voter approval.
But with that additional power comes more responsibility, particularly to taxpayers.
The city learned recently that it met the population requirements for home-rule status in Illinois. A recent special census counted 27,525 residents of McHenry, a few thousand more than the 25,000 requirement for a home-rule city.
Once certified by the state, McHenry will have the ability to increase taxes without a referendum, enforce property standards locally and allocate revenue as it sees fit.
Certainly, there are benefits that come with home rule.
McHenry will have local control over zoning issues that can affect property values. In non-home rule communities, residents can petition the state as a final authority on such matters. Home rule also gives municipalities more flexibility on taxation and other financial matters.
Home rule allowed the village of Algonquin, for example, to take advantage of the regional draw of its Randall Road corridor. Algonquin decided several years ago to add a 0.75-cent sales tax, which applies to both village residents and nonresidents who shop in Algonquin. At the same time, the village lowered its natural gas fee, which only applies to village residents. So the village was able to increase revenue but spare its own residents much of the additional cost.
Of course, that added authority also can be abused. Home rule gives local government the ability to issue bonds and increase property taxes, sales taxes and other taxes and fees with no approval. Careless use of this new authority can quickly turn taxpayers against their municipal leaders. It’s up to the leaders to use it responsibly.
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