Campaign urges Villa Park voters to say 'no' to home rule
Just days before voters go to the polls to decide whether Villa Park should have its home rule powers restored, a group has formed to campaign against the village regaining that authority.
Former trustee Tom King has enlisted other residents, including former trustee Joyce Daly, and they have put up dozens of signs urging voters to cast ballots Tuesday against Villa Park's home rule request.
Because they didn't feel that all the implications were being presented, they are warning residents of potential dangers of the increased powers that would come with home rule.
"Tax increases should be up to the voters," Daly said.
If trustees merely want the authority to enact a crime-free housing program, then they should work with state lawmakers to attain that specific ability, she said.
"Why do they have to have the broad powers of home rule?" she said.
Village officials say they anticipated opposition and will continue their effort as planned, with informational forums at 9 a.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Monday at village hall, 20 S. Ardmore Ave.
"People have the right to choose," Village President Joyce Stupegia said. "We just hope everyone goes to the polls informed."
The late-breaking protest comes within days of two area organizations' mailers also urging residents to vote against home rule.
The Mainstreet Organization of Realtors last week warned residents of "serious consequences" to personal finances if the voters say "yes" to home rule. The National Taxpayers United of Illinois sent a letter this week with similar warnings..
The groups noted that home rule governments are exempt from the property tax cap law, can incur debt and impose a variety of taxes including sales, alcohol, cigarette and amusement taxes - all without voter approval.
The Mainstreet group also fears the village will mandate municipal inspections of every single-family home when it is put up for sale. One inspection could turn into multiple, said Jeff Merrinette, of the Realtor group.
"It just stymies the process," he said. "This could be the difference between finding a buyer for your home and not finding a buyer for your home."
Jim Tobin, president of the National Taxpayers, calls home rule a "tax scam" because of the increased taxation that often follows.
"The sky will be the limit," he said.
Home rule proponents say the authority gives broader power to trustees but also to the residents who elect them.
"Instead of being told at the state level what they can do," Stupegia said, "(Villa Park residents) can choose."
Village officials say they would use the broader powers to impose tougher laws to regulate bad landlords.
Under home rule, a mandatory crime-free program would allow the village to license landlords and revoke that right if the units aren't up to code. It also enables the village to compel landlords to evict criminals.
Last year, the village held forums to encourage such anti-crime procedures, but the landlords of problem properties didn't show up, Stupegia said. Officials determined it must be mandatory to make it work.
"We truly just want to clean up the town," Trustee John Davis said.
Officials say they won't rule out future proposals for sales tax increases or initiatives to raise revenues but will only consider them if a specified need is established. They also passed ordinances pledging not to raise property taxes beyond what the tax cap allows and to make it easier for residents to get referendums on the ballot to stop any objectionable taxes.