When voters say 'no', it's time to listen

Just before noon on an Election Day nearly void of voters, a Daily Herald reader posted this comment below our list of endorsements:

"Please vote no to all tax referendums. If we know how to budget and spend within our means, our village and school boards, etc. must do the same. It's about time, don't you think?"

Be that anonymous poster a prophet or not, the writer nailed the sentiment that marked this election. Not my wallet. Not this issue. Not now.

Election watchers often predict the best voter turnouts come for "pocketbook issues," those that ask taxpayers to part with money. And tax requests did lure more voters than some other races, but it was still a dismal turnout with few taxpayers casting ballots throughout northern Illinois Tuesday. It seems the enthusiasm for change that turned voters out in force last November did not carry over to the local front.

Those who did vote surprised few with resounding "no" votes on almost all referendums requesting money. Schools, libraries and fire boards - with a few rare exceptions like the Roselle Fire Protection District and Elgin Community College tax-hike approvals - did not fare well. Roselle was facing life-safety concerns and ECC's certification was at risk.

But strictly bottom-line tax-hike requests were thoroughly nixed from Antioch to St. Charles where voters were in no mood to hike anything.

The across-the-board rejections should prompt all government bodies considering another referendum to first read the paper, listen to the news, talk to those voters and, perhaps, above all, consider the words of our "just say no" blogger.

We're big supporters of our libraries, schools, parks and fire departments. And some of their requests had merit. But these are challenging times and we all have to make do with less. Stretch. Budget. Trim. The message from a worn electorate is clear: No more.

This week alone, we've learned another 22 Illinois firms notified the state of pending large layoffs. Several smaller firms announced they're closing or cutting staff. Popular restaurants like the Barn in Barrington announced they'll shut their doors. Governments like Kane County are considering cutting more jobs.

Few businesses aren't cutting back. Voters clearly said Tuesday that it's time for taxing bodies to do the same. We endorsed a 'yes' vote on a few of those requests with the caveat that it was either a public safety issue or well-thought out request that met a crucial need. Those voters who bothered to go to the polls, agreed.

We think it's time we all listened.

By the way, if you wonder if your vote counts, consider this: East Dundee has a new president who - barring a recount - won by four votes. An advisory referendum in Bensenville won by one vote. One.

Several races were determined by fewer than a dozen, some by less than five votes. Turnout may have been dismal, but those votes sure counted.