Huntley grows into a 'home rule' community

Huntley will soon have the power to impose new taxes and more regulations.

But don't blame Huntley's officials; blame the 20,000 people who have moved into the village in the past decade.

A special census completed late last year revealed Huntley's population to be more than 25,000 - the threshold above which towns automatically attain "home rule" status.

As a home rule community, Huntley will be able to raise tax rates and exert more control over code enforcement.

Village leaders say they're more interested in having greater local control than the ability to raise sales and property tax rates.

"We do have additional taxing authority," said Trustee Harry Leopold, who has been a supporter of seeking home rule status. "I don't think anybody in Huntley has to worry about additional taxes. That's definitely not the intent."

With its new status, Huntley can pass additional regulations targeting graffiti and abandoned buildings. The village can also inspect townhouses and apartments to ensure they meet building codes, village officials said.

"The powers are just shifted from the county to the village, thereby making them more expedient," Leopold said.

Huntley trustees are expected to vote Thursday to formalize the village's home rule status. To actually exercise its greater powers, the village board would have to adopt new ordinances.

"It just basically sets the framework for the board," Village Manager Dave Johnson said. "There is no set agenda to start rolling a bunch of these things out."

The village could have achieved home rule status earlier if voters had consented, but the village board decided two years ago to wait until Huntley's population surpassed 25,000.

Huntley officials would have had to wait even longer if not for a new law that allows towns to use partial censuses - instead of only a full census - to show they have more than 25,000 people.