Residents of Rochester will go to the polls next Tuesday to vote on whether they want the Central Illinois community outside Springfield to become a Home Rule municipality.
If approved, the measure could allow Rochester’s village board greater latitude to raise taxes and implement new rules. The Illinois Association of REALTORS® opposes Home Rule, and has been active in urging residents to vote against the ballot initiative.
Home Rule would allow village board members the ability to increase property taxes without first consulting voters. It also would allow sweeping power for trustees to enact ordinances that could make it more expensive to rent and buy property in Rochester.
As a REALTOR®, the potential for higher taxes and more restrictive property-related ordinances should be worrisome. Illinois already has some of the highest property tax rates in the nation.
The issue will be on the March 18 primary ballot.