The voters of East Moline have spoken. There will be no “Home Rule” in this Illinois QC city.
East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman said it’s now time for the city to move forward and “explore alternative solutions” to help improve his community.
Voters went to the polls Tuesday, April 1, and overwhelmingly struck down a proposal to adopt Home Rule for East Moline. Unofficial results show about 68% of those voting (or 1,955 residents) voted against the proposal, while only 32% of those voting (or 939 residents) voted in favor.
City of East Moline officials – including Mr. Freeman – were pushing for the home rule proposition’s approval. They said home rule would give East Moline the ability to enact local solutions for local challenges. Specifically, home rule municipalities have greater authority over local finances along with wider policy-making decisions over building, zoning, housing, sanitation, nuisance abatement, civil disturbance, and certain criminal offenses.
In a recent news release, the City of East Moline said state laws prevent the city from pursuing the most effective long-term financing options for upcoming water and sewer utility improvements that will cost over $150 million. But having home rule status would allow the city to spread the cost of these major projects over a longer term (40 years vs. 20 years). In turn, that would lower annual repayment costs and help stabilize future utility rates for the city’s residents.
“We are proposing home rule authority so we can solve our unique local challenges with sensible solutions instead of being confined to the one-size-fits-all approach of the state,” Mayor Freeman said in that release issued prior to this week’s election.
All municipalities in Illinois with more than 25,000 residents are automatically granted the benefits of home rule. Municipalities with fewer than 25,000 residents, such as East Moline, can realize these same home rule advantages by passing a local referendum.
In Illinois, communities are classified as either home rule or non-home rule. As a non-home rule community, East Moline must follow all state mandates and regulations, even when local solutions might better serve local needs, according to information from the City of East Moline.
Much of the opposition to home rule in East Moline appears to center on the belief that home rule will raise property taxes in the community. The grassroots group, East Moline Citizens for Home Rule, called that a myth.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there about Home Rule. … Home Rule DOES NOT mean automatic tax increases. Taxes can go up with or without it, and any tax changes would still need city council approval, just like now. …It can even lower property taxes. Home Rule cities can offer tax relief for new or remodeled homes in struggling areas, to encourage investment without raising taxes,” according to Facebook posts made by the group.
On Thursday, April 3, Mr. Freeman told the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal that while the vote outcome was not what he had hoped for, he respects the decision of the voters.
“As mayor, I remain committed to being fiscally responsible and ensuring that our city operates within its means,” he said in an emailed message.
“Moving forward, I believe it’s essential for us to focus on our further goals and work together to address the needs of our community,” he added. “We will continue to explore alternative solutions that align with our commitment in making East Moline a better place to live and to raise a family.”
