Repeal of home rule is taxpayers' only hope

The situation that has occurred in East Dundee in the 14 years since Home Rule was established there should serve as a warning to residents of municipalities throughout Illinois.

According to their Comprehensive Annual Financial Report dated April 30, 2017, East Dundee's total debt was $33 million. That amounts to over $10,000 per resident. East Dundee is a sad example of how far things can go in the wrong direction when home rule is established. All controls over spending and taxation are gone. The voters no longer have a voice in how the village spends taxpayer dollars, nor in how or when tax increases take place.

Unfortunately, the village has gotten itself so far into debt that there is now no easy answer for East Dundee residents. Their only choice to ensure this does not occur again is to repeal home rule and see an increase in their property taxes. Or residents can choose to retain home rule with the hope that future board members are not as irresponsible with their tax dollars as those in the past have been.

The increase in property taxes, however, does not need to be nearly as much as trustees threaten. East Dundee can cut costs, and it can raise sales tax without home rule. Why does East Dundee have over 50 percent more employees on their payroll than other local non-home rule villages with similar populations? Why aren't trustees looking at other options?

Julie Fox

West Dundee