Home Rule

 I have seem a number of ads regarding the HOme Rule vote the past week, including a full page ad in the Carbondale Times supporting the retention of home rule. the only opposition I have seen to retaining it come sfrom a realtor group up in Springfield, which  happens to be a home rule commnunity. Retention should pass easily but the fact that voters have to vote "No" to retain it may prove problematical. Still, the ballot clearly stating that voting "No" is a vot to retain Home Rule should help a lot.

Home Rule

 It is unfortunate that the ballot is written such that  voters will have to vote No to keep Home Rule. Generally the way things work is that if you want something, you say"Yes". I imagine the city tried to get the ballot measure reworded and was unable to do so. No there is a pretty massive blitz (well massive for Carbondale) to get the word out to vot "No on the measure. The last time I remember seeing this much activity on a measure was pushing through the Saluki Way tax a decade ago.

The only group I have seen advocating for an end to home rule is a Realtor's group out of springfield wich touts on their mailer that they have stopped several home rule measures in the past. Given that residents of Carbondale who are active in the community want to retain home rule and agroup of real estate agents that likely have never set foot here, and that I have see messages from even Carbondale realtors pushing for the retention of home rule, appears voting "No" to keep home rule is a good decision.

Home Rule

 Despite the REALTORs opposed to Home Rule mailings, those realtors actually living in the city are in favor of the city maintaining home rule.

Realtor Home Rule Mailer

 Received a direct mail postcard from Illinois REALTORS arguing against a vote for Carbondale to retain home rule. According to the orgainzation's website, it assisted in defeating 5 home rule referendums back in 2018, though it did assist in pushing through sales taxes.  Appears that it does not oppose taxes, just taxes that cause its membership to have spend more time and money. Here are their reasons for opposiing home rule:

We oppose the increased debt for local governments that Home Rule allows.

We oppose higher property taxes without voter approval that comes with Home Rule.

We oppose the additional regulations, red tape and fees on real estate transactions that Home Rule authority allows.

We oppose possible new and excessive property inspections and fees which Home Rule authority can impose.

Home Rule

Retaining home rule status is going to be a pretty important ballot question this fall. If Carbondale fails to vote to remain a home rule community, the city will lose a lot of its taxing authority and about $19 million in annual revenue. In order to make up the difference, the city will have to rely on property taxes more and the average property owner could expect to see property taxes go up a bit over $1400.

A major problem will be the wording of the question: “Shall the City of Carbondale cease to be a home rule unit?”  A yes vote means the end of home rule, a no vote means Carbondale continues to operate as a home rule community as it has for well over half a century. Expect to see a blitz by members of the city council pushing for a "no" vote or , even better, get the question reworded to read "Shall the City of Carbondale retain its status as a home rule community?"

Losing home rule status means a drop in sales taxes, an increase in property taxes and a cut in city services.

Home Rule

 given that Carbondale population has dropped to around 21000 over the past decade, the city will lose its automatic home rule status, which gives it more autonomy over decisions, especially beneficial in regards to taxes. Carbondale will have to put retaining home rule on the next ballot for the city to retain its status. It probably will, as the people who come out to vote are generally the ones who would support home rule. Carbondale first gained home rule status back in 1967 and has held it automatically ever since then. 

Home Rule

 It appears that, unless the city votes at the next election  to maintain it, Carbondale will lose its home rule status. Population , according to the census, has taken a nosedive to 21,857, dropping below the 25,000 level required to maintin home rule status according to Illinois statues. Under home rule status, a city may take any action and pass ordinaces, as long as they do not confict with Illinois and Federal law.. A community without home rule authority "may only exercise powers for which express authority is provided by state law. This means that non-home rule communities are dependent on obtaining grants of authority from the General Assembly and Governor."

 

Census 2

 Why is Carbondale pushing responding to the census so much. Primarily because, if the city's population of record drops below 25,000 it will lose its Home Rule status. Communities get home rule status by either exceeding 25,000 in population or passing a referendum designating it as such. The population requirement is automatic, getting the referendum passed would prove more difficult.

Why does the city want home rule status? Cities with home rule status can perform any function they want as long as it does not conflict with state law, thus giving the city council a lot more freedom in taking actions. Cities without home rule status can only take actions authorized by state law, limiting the city government's power significantly.

Census

Am hearing on the news that every person in an area that does not get counted in the Census results in a loss of $1500 in Federal funding coming to that area. In addition, Carbondale would lose its automatic home rule status if official population levels drop below 25,000. Should that happen, the city would have to seek home rule status again through passing a referendum.  Having home rule status gives Carbondale quite a bit of power in making decisions regarding the community. The only restrictions that I find is that the community cannot incur debt payable from property tax receipts maturing more than 40 years in the future and the community cannot  define and provide for punishment of a felony.

Census

Carbondale is really pushing for an accurate census count since the city fears a low one will push our officially recognized population below 25,000. If the city gets below that level, home rule status is in danger. If Carbondale loses home rule status, a lot of the city's autonomy from the state gets lost.