Our commitment to the Village’s long-term sustainability is key within our mission statement. As part of our budget planning processes, we are looking at a long-term revenue shortfall, especially as it relates to maintaining infrastructure.

When approved by voters, Home Rule governance allows Illinois towns and villages with populations under 25,000 to enact local solutions for their local challenges, taking back some control from Springfield.

Paying for maintenance of local roads is a particular challenge. Each year we have to resurface a portion of our 54 miles of Village roads and we need about $1.5 million in additional funding on annual basis to do so.

For instance, 84% of visitors to Liberty Square, our largest shopping center, are non-residents who don’t pay our property taxes. Home Rule would allow us to collect a new 1% sales tax, capturing dollars from visitors to our Village and reducing pressure on local property taxes. Note that groceries, prescriptions, and vehicle sales would be exempt.

No. In fact, our Village Board has passed an ordinance to abide by our current property tax limitations.