Freeport voters to decide future of home rule in November election

FREEPORT — There are more than 200 municipalities in Illinois that operate under home rule, according to the Illinois Secretary of State. Currently, that includes the city of Freeport, but this November a home rule ordinance will be on the ballot.

After a drop in population according to the 2020 Census, Freeport must pass a home rule referendum to stay a home rule city. Cities with more than 25,000 residents automatically have home rule while smaller cities must pass a referendum.

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Home rule is the ability of a local government to make decisions for the community rather than the state government. Without it, local governments need to go to the Illinois General Assembly to make changes.

“If you have a problem, you want local solutions. You want local people making those decisions,” Randy Bukas, city manager for the city of Freeport, said. “Home rule is an opportunity for local governments to govern themselves.”

Without home rule, every time a city passes a law, they have to make sure it aligns exactly with state laws.

“You have to go to the Illinois General Assembly every time there’s an issue where there are 118 state reps, 59 senators, and a governor who would have to sign on to a solution,” Bukas said.

For example, speed limits are set by the Illinois Department of Transportation. If a resident wanted to change IDOT’s speed limit in front of their home, they would need to go through the general assembly if they lived in a city without home rule.

Not everyone is in favor of home rule, however, citing home rule allowing cities to increase tax rates. Realtors, like Angela Schmidt with Worth Clark Realty, are one of the leading opposition groups toward home rule.

“I’m against it 100%,” Schmidt said. “For Freeport, I don't think it's a good idea. People are already struggling.”

As an industry, realtors are against home rule because any increase in property taxes directly affects their business. Homeowners don’t want to spend more money per month on a home because of a high property tax rate.

“The American dream is to buy a house, so you want to make it easier,” Schmidt said. “I’ve worked with several clients who moved out of Freeport because of the taxes.”

Randy Bukas calls the tax issue "a bunch of baloney."

“Our tax rate is lower today than it was 5 years ago,” Bukas said.

Property tax rates have steadily gone down in Freeport, according to Bukas and the Stephenson County’s Treasurer's website.

“We’re 9% of your tax bill, so for every dollar, you spend only 9 cents are going to the city. If you’re looking for someone to go after for high taxes, you should look at other high-taxing districts,” Bukas said.

But, according to Bukas, property taxes are likely going to have to go up without a home rule ordinance because more of the tax burden will fall on property owners.

In Freeport, the Home Rule Sales Tax brings in $4 to $5 million a year for the city. Without it, the city would need to find a way to make up that revenue.

“You can cut the whole police department and you still wouldn’t have enough,” Bukas said.

Election day is Nov. 8.

Jena Kleindl is a freelance correspondent.

This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Freeport voters to decide future of home rule in November election