Home Rule

What is Home Rule?

 

á      The authority granted to local governments by the State Constitution that allows them to govern at a higher level than what is permitted to non-Home Rule communities.

 

á      Permits local governments to provide greater regulatory functions.

 

á      Provides greater ability to manage financing and economic development incentives and negotiations.

 

Why is Home Rule Needed?             

 

á      To create new money that will relieve the burden of property taxes.

á      To maintain and expand Village services.

 

Examples of revenue generating entities through Home Rule:

 

á      Cigarette Tax

á      Vehicle Fuel Tax

á      Liquor Tax

á      Regulatory Laws

 

Why Does a Community Want Home Rule?

 

á      A community has more authority to pass ordinances on various projects

á      Flexibility to bring economic development and business to Hazel Crest.

 

Why Does Hazel Crest Want Home Rule?

 

Home Rule allows more control over such nuisance problems as:  vicious dogs, curfew, loitering, loud music, etc.

 

Hazel Crest has had a history of providing a high level of service with very little staff when compared to other communities.

 

What Does it Do for Me?

 

The Village needs to look at other sources of revenue that non-residents would also pay as a means to avoid raising property taxes to cover essential services.

 

Why Are Some Communities Home Rule and Others Not?

 

Communities of 25,000 or greater automatically receive Home Rule status under the Illinois Constitution. Communities under 25,000 can choose to be Home Rule by referendum.

 

How Will the Village Use Home Rule?

 

á      Maintain Village Services as costs for services increases, i.e. Police, Fire, & Water/Sewer

á      Fund youth, senior, and cultural programs

á      Fund capital improvement projects

á      Regulatory: Housing Code enforcement

á      Regulatory Intergovernmental Agreements w/ other governmental entities.

 

What Nearby Communities Have Home Rule?

 

Alsip, Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Dolton, East Hazel Crest, Evergreen Park, Glenwood, Harvey, Lansing, Oak Forest, Orland Park, Park Forest, Posen, South Holland, Thornton, Tinley Park and University Park.

 

What Happens If The Citizens DonÕt Approve Home Rule?

 

á      Village expenditures cannot exceed revenues.

á      A balanced budget is mandatory by state statute.

á      Village will have to consider other means to balance the budget by reducing services.

 

How Can Residents Control the Use of Home Rule?

 

The Legislature built several safeguards into the process:

á      The State Legislature could over-rule the local powers.

á      Court decisions can also be filed to correct abuses of power.

á      The voters can vote out of office any official who abused the power.

á      Ten percent (10%) of the voters can file a petition to have the question of removing home rule status placed on the ballot.

 

Does It Change the Form of Government?

 

á      No. The six members and Mayor of the Village Board elected at large will continue to represent all the citizens of Hazel Crest.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information contact:

The Hazel Crest Educational Task Force on Home Rule

Rev. Carol Long (708) 798-8862 or  Rod Bashir (312)502-8686

Vote

Hazel Crest Village Hall

3000 W. 170th Place

 February 27 , 2006 through March 16, 2006