Once again, some very tough decisions are being put off by the legislature.

State lawmakers did not act on the budget or the state spending plan during their latest session.

[Mr Invisible]

No surprise here. Midlothian needs to become Home Rule so that these Springfield politicians have less control over Midlothian.

[Just Asking]

Yes it would really suck if Midlothian was so far into debt that they would have to raise our taxes. Wait, Isn't that what is happening here now. And with Home Rule they will just keep raising our Taxes and we will have no control over it.

[Dear Just Asking]

Look at it as a puzzle

(piece 1)
The Village asked the residents thru a vote to raise taxes because it is needed to help the Village to survive it passed by a huge margin.

(piece 2)
The Village is asking for Home Rule to Start to clean up the Village. A clean Village will attract new business, home sales. New Business and more residents makes a Village Stronger.A Strong Village is what everyone was used to years ago.

We all elected the new Mayor and trustees because they have a plan. The plan is to rebuild the Village that we all enjoyed while growing up.

It would be nice to see the Village finances return to the old days that when Public works needed a new truck they got it or when the Fire Department needed a new engine because they got not one but two new ones because of better pricing for the pair all to better protect the residents of the village.

[Mr Invisible]

Dear Just Asking wrote:

Look at it as a puzzle
(piece 1)
The Village asked the residents thru a vote to raise taxes because it is needed to help the Village to survive it passed by a huge margin.
(piece 2)
The Village is asking for Home Rule to Start to clean up the Village. A clean Village will attract new business, home sales. New Business and more residents makes a Village Stronger.A Strong Village is what everyone was used to years ago.
We all elected the new Mayor and trustees because they have a plan. The plan is to rebuild the Village that we all enjoyed while growing up.
It would be nice to see the Village finances return to the old days that when Public works needed a new truck they got it or when the Fire Department needed a new engine because they got not one but two new ones because of better pricing for the pair all to better protect the residents of the village.

Great response! What people need to understand is that elected officials in a non-home rule community are really nothing more than local administrators for the state general assembly. Only in Home Rule communities do locally elected officials have the power to address local issues.

[Interested]

The fear of Home Rule because of taxes is a legitimate one in most places. The problem people are confusing Midlothian with 'most places'.

It really isn't though....how many places did what Midlothian did in the spring? How many places have a history of 'not' raising taxes (which may have gotten us in this trouble in the first place though) and how many villages have an increase in property taxes on the horizon (still seems so far away) that even if the Sales Tax Revenue never comes back, at least the town will function, albeit in a slimmer version of itself.

Yes the fear of the Village raising taxes again and again is out there amongst the HR opponents...but people forget they have control over the Village. I know some would rather sit back and feel safe not because they hold their politician's accountable, but because their politician's are (like Mr. Invisible says) no more than Local Administrators. They don't have to keep track of the Politician's because they are no more that puppets...ok, that may seem extreme, but I think my point is explained.

The taxes are already raised...why not enjoy some of the freedoms that come with the Autonomy of Home Rule? Sure there are other surcharges and taxes out there that could come into effect....a surcharge if people try and sell their house in an undesirable condition or with back fee's owed...gosh, wouldn't we want to discourage that?

Maybe a tax on some of the services still left in town? Hotel Room Tax (like other communities) or other surcharges that OTHER comunities charge?

At the very worst, we will be like others...and hopefully some of the benefits that come with being in control of the Village locally will outweigh any of the potential negative impact.

I know I reduced the argument to the lowest common denominator but it seems people are out there getting their "tea bags" ready and they forget the taxes were already raised....

[Just Asking]

The last time they tried to pass Home Rule we were told that it had nothing to do with rasing our taxes. Obviously that was not true. Does anyone think that if Home Rule passed there would have been a referendum? Is there anyone out here that really believes that if home rule passes that there wont be some kind of tax increase?

[warren vista]

Just Asking wrote:

The last time they tried to pass Home Rule we were told that it had nothing to do with rasing our taxes. Obviously that was not true. Does anyone think that if Home Rule passed there would have been a referendum? Is there anyone out here that really believes that if home rule passes that there wont be some kind of tax increase?

Yes, I for one don't believe that if home rule passes, there will be more taxes or fees imposed on the residents of Midlothian. We already passed a tax referendum by overwhelming numbers. Home rule is most definitely about creating a safer community and giving the village the ability to opt out of some unfunded mandates from Springfield.

[5yr Midlo Resident]

I have to agree with Just Asking. I personally think that it's just a matter of time if Home Rule passes on when they will arbitrarily raise taxes. Let's be realistic. Your defense of home rule that they are just administrators and need more authority against the state goes both ways. They also need more authority against those of us that would vote down a tax increase. So what's to stop them from making it go up if they don't feel we'd give it to them? Maybe it wouldn't happen right away, but it will happen. Whether it's a new administration or the current doesn't matter. Once you give them that authority, be prepared that you may not like what they do with it.

But alas, in politics that's pretty much how the story always goes no?:)

I'm still a big fan of the mentality that if they don't know how to spend what they have properly I'm certainly not inclined to give them more.

[The Sign Guy]

I was never a supporter of home rule, however that was under the old president. If the people of the village of Midlothian want to see Terry's plan work and everyone has trusted him to be the village president, then they have to give him home rule. Giving home rule to the old president would have been like giving a loaded gun to a kid, you dont do it.

[warren vista]

5yr Midlo Resident wrote:

I have to agree with Just Asking. I personally think that it's just a matter of time if Home Rule passes on when they will arbitrarily raise taxes. Let's be realistic. Your defense of home rule that they are just administrators and need more authority against the state goes both ways. They also need more authority against those of us that would vote down a tax increase. So what's to stop them from making it go up if they don't feel we'd give it to them? Maybe it wouldn't happen right away, but it will happen. Whether it's a new administration or the current doesn't matter. Once you give them that authority, be prepared that you may not like what they do with it.
But alas, in politics that's pretty much how the story always goes no?:)
I'm still a big fan of the mentality that if they don't know how to spend what they have properly I'm certainly not inclined to give them more.

Remember, Home Rule is not carte blanche. A number of things that people have brought up as negatives for home rule, still would have to put on a ballot for a vote, even if we were home rule.

[Just Asking]

warren vista wrote:

<quoted text>Yes, I for one don't believe that if home rule passes, there will be more taxes or fees imposed on the residents of Midlothian. We already passed a tax referendum by overwhelming numbers. Home rule is most definitely about creating a safer community and giving the village the ability to opt out of some unfunded mandates from Springfield.

At the Town Hall meeting at BHS Terry said how they tried to Rasie the Fee on Video Gaming from $25 to $500. He said that they could not do it because we were not a Home Rule Community. So there is going to be more Fees imposed on the residents. With Home Rule we can refinance debt at a lower rate. Why is that? We will be able to refinance our debt at a lower rate because there will be no risk involved. If the Village ever has any money troubles they can just raise the tax on just about everything to be able to pay back the $$. So Mister Vista do you think that there will still be no fees imposed on the residents?

[warren vista]

Just Asking wrote:

<quoted text>
At the Town Hall meeting at BHS Terry said how they tried to Rasie the Fee on Video Gaming from $25 to $500. He said that they could not do it because we were not a Home Rule Community. So there is going to be more Fees imposed on the residents. With Home Rule we can refinance debt at a lower rate. Why is that? We will be able to refinance our debt at a lower rate because there will be no risk involved. If the Village ever has any money troubles they can just raise the tax on just about everything to be able to pay back the $$. So Mister Vista do you think that there will still be no fees imposed on the residents?

The fee on video poker machines were on the people installing the machines, who stand to make tens of thousands dollars a year, not on the residents using the machines. The money made off those fees would go towards helping to pay for the policing of the machines, which Springfield does not allow for in their video gambling bill. A village with Home Rule gets a better bond rating, because historically they are more stable communities. Better bond rating means lower interest rates on borrowed money. Again, Home Rule does not give the village board carte blanche to raise fees or taxes on anything they want. Some would still have to go on a ballot for a vote by the residents. And to answer your question, yes I truly believe that passing home rule now has nothing to do with raising taxes or fees.

[Just Asking]

Dear Just Asking wrote:

Look at it as a puzzle
(piece 1)
The Village asked the residents thru a vote to raise taxes because it is needed to help the Village to survive it passed by a huge margin.
True' This means that the people are smart enough to make the correct decisions weather we like them or not.

(piece 2)
The Village is asking for Home Rule to Start to clean up the Village. A clean Village will attract new business, home sales. New Business and more residents makes a Village Stronger.A Strong Village is what everyone was used to years ago.
We all elected the new Mayor and trustees because they have a plan. The plan is to rebuild the Village that we all enjoyed while growing up.
It would be nice to see the Village finances return to the old days that when Public works needed a new truck they got it or when the Fire Department needed a new engine because they got not one but two new ones because of better pricing for the pair all to better protect the residents of the village.

I agree with you 100% here also! I want all this also. But we do not need Home Rule to achieve this. There is so much more that we can do to clean up the community without adding more laws. We need to start off by enforcing the laws we have. Then if that does not work maybe talk to me about Home Rule.

[Just Asking]

warren vista wrote:

<quoted text>The fee on video poker machines were on the people installing the machines, who stand to make tens of thousands dollars a year, not on the residents using the machines. The money made off those fees would go towards helping to pay for the policing of the machines, which Springfield does not allow for in their video gambling bill. A village with Home Rule gets a better bond rating, because historically they are more stable communities. Better bond rating means lower interest rates on borrowed money. Again, Home Rule does not give the village board carte blanche to raise fees or taxes on anything they want. Some would still have to go on a ballot for a vote by the residents. And to answer your question, yes I truly believe that passing home rule now has nothing to do with raising taxes or fees.

The people who are installing the Machines are the Business owners, The business alot of the business owners are residents also. These fees are going to be passed down to the consumers.
I have been trying to find one community that Has Home Rule that
has not had some kind of Tax increase or fees that have been added. Who Knows Maybe Midlothian will be the first. I hope you are right.

[O F Res 26y]

Just Asking wrote:

Yes it would really suck if Midlothian was so far into debt that they would have to raise our taxes. Wait, Isn't that what is happening here now. And with Home Rule they will just keep raising our Taxes and we will have no control over it.

I live in Oak Forest, but I read your topix because I was born in Midlo and want to keep up with the times. I have to say you have very low taxes and its shows. I pay almost twice what Midlo does but I have cops all over, two full time fire houses, and seven days a week public works.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Your Taxes being so low is why your village is a Three mile EYE SORE to I-57. So dont pay, I dont care but when Midlo Becomes Markham I dont want to hear anyone Complain. Grow Up and try to save your town if you can.

[Mr Invisible]

Riddle me this all you naysayers out there:

If Home Rule was so abusive to the residents under its control, why is it that only four communities have ever voted to strip their local authorities of Home Rule power?

[Just Asking]

Mr Invisible wrote:

Riddle me this all you naysayers out there:
If Home Rule was so abusive to the residents under its control, why is it that only four communities have ever voted to strip their local authorities of Home Rule power?

First, I don't think that the average person would even know where to start to get it put on the ballot. And second i think that people are lazy. Most people would not put forth the time,effort, and money it would take.

[Good point]

Just Asking wrote:

<quoted text>
First, I don't think that the average person would even know where to start to get it put on the ballot. And second i think that people are lazy. Most people would not put forth the time,effort, and money it would take.

Ya, I agree. Those who are lazy don't really deserve to participate anyway, if you ask me. Serves 'em right. I'm not sure what the anti-home rule argument is.........."I don't have time to hold politicians accountable (get invloved in the nitty gritty, ask intelligent guestions etc. etc.), so I'd just rather them not take any responsibility".......... Give me a break. But, I guess It is a lot easier to just sit back and play the role of the cynic. Wouldn't wanna take away anyone's hobby.

[EaSiEr ThAn U tHiNk]

Just Asking wrote:

<quoted text>
First, I don't think that the average person would even know where to start to get it put on the ballot. And second i think that people are lazy. Most people would not put forth the time,effort, and money it would take.

You would think that if the abuses were so wide spread and the public outcry was so loud, that people would take the time to figure out how to remove the power. In this day of internet technology it would take probably a whole eleven minutes to start the process. Just type "Illinois repeal Home Rule" into any search engine and you are well on you way.

[Dutch Oven Chef]

O F Res 26y wrote:

<quoted text>
I live in Oak Forest, but I read your topix because I was born in Midlo and want to keep up with the times. I have to say you have very low taxes and its shows. I pay almost twice what Midlo does but I have cops all over, two full time fire houses, and seven days a week public works.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Your Taxes being so low is why your village is a Three mile EYE SORE to I-57. So dont pay, I dont care but when Midlo Becomes Markham I dont want to hear anyone Complain. Grow Up and try to save your town if you can.

DING DING DING!!! We have a winner (sort of).

Midlothian's taxes have been so low for so long due to abatement which was allowed by offering reeduced services but the money was brought in by the tax revenue from the now departed car dealers.

Now we don't have the back up revenues and the prior administration did not react soon enough to the loss of those revenues to prevent the current financial crisis. Truth is, the tax referendun we passed last year should have been proposed when the revenue began to drop, but guess what, that was an election year an you don't want to paint an ugly picture when you're trying to be re-elected!

Our lower level services have always been underfunded. Our park district is a joke compared to many other communities. I used to coach travel softball and was amazed at some of the complexes other towns have and when I was involved with Tee Ball, we had to mow the fields ourselves sometimes and we were responsible for ALL the maintenance on the fields!