Over the past several weeks, I’ve seen many conversations in our community about Home Rule on social media, at the doorsteps, watercoolers, and in everyday discussions. Some people believe they know what Home Rule is, but often the details are misunderstood. For example, someone who receives a ticket for a code violation may think the solution is to get rid of Home Rule altogether. But is that really the answer?

As Councilwoman Phillips wisely said recently: “Getting rid of Home Rule is not a good idea. If there is an issue with an ordinance or law, then we fix the law.” That statement gets to the heart of the matter. Home Rule is not the problem, it’s simply a tool of local government that helps strike a balance towards local control and away from Springfield control. If there are issues with how a law is written, those can and should be addressed directly. Eliminating Home Rule would not solve those problems; in fact, it would create new and far greater ones for Pekin.

Some people have also raised questions about whether Home Rule gives too much power to local government. One argument I’ve heard is that “we are a republic, not a democracy.” What that means is simple: in a republic, citizens elect representatives to research the issues and then make decisions on the people’s behalf. In Pekin, you elect seven council members who are entrusted to govern responsibly. If the community is unhappy with the decisions being made, the ballot box is the place to make a change, not by stripping the City of its ability to govern effectively.

It is also important to clear up a few common misconceptions. Removing Home Rule DOES NOT:

• Eliminate the council–manager form of government.
• Stop the purchase of the Lutticken property.
• Prevent private developments, like the Cullinan project.
• Remove or reduce utility or service fees that are set by the Council.

In other words, many of the reasons people cite for wanting to repeal Home Rule would not change even if Home Rule were taken away.

Another misconception is that repealing Home Rule will automatically lower property taxes. The reality is quite the opposite. Other Illinois communities that have repealed Home Rule, such as Rockford, Freeport, Lombard, and Villa Park have seen major budget shortfalls, deep cuts to services, and in some cases significant increases in property taxes.

For Pekin, the immediate loss of Home Rule authority would mean an immediate $8 million shortfall in our budget. To make up that revenue, the City would have little choice but to rely more heavily on property taxes. When Rockford lost Home Rule, their property taxes rose by nearly 300%. Home Rule allows us to keep property taxes lower by sharing the cost of services more broadly, capturing revenue from visitors who shop here, buy gas, stay in hotels, or dine in our restaurants. Without Home Rule, that burden shifts back onto Pekin homeowners.

Finally, I want to address one false claim I’ve seen online that Home Rule is a “dictatorship.” That is simply not true. The Illinois Constitution does grant Home Rule communities broader authority to manage local affairs, but it also places clear limits on those powers. Suggesting otherwise is misleading and does a disservice to our residents. In fact, a social media post listed only a portion of the Illinois Constitution as a source. One needs to read the article referenced in the Constitution in its entirety to see what that truth is. I encourage one to look and read Article 7 of the Illinois Constitution to have a better understanding and see that powers are limited at the local government level.

Home Rule can be complex, but the principle is simple: it gives Pekin more control over our own future. Repealing it would not solve local frustrations; it would create far bigger challenges for our community. We have made many positive strides this past year. This would only roll back the success we have recently seen.

In my next article, I will share in more detail how losing Home Rule would directly impact city services, roads, public safety, and our long-term financial stability. In the meantime, if you have questions, I encourage you to reach out to me at [email protected].

Together, we can ensure that facts, not misconceptions, guide our decisions about Pekin’s future.