The dust has settled from the April 2nd municipal elections. Here’s what Mainstreet members need to know about the outcomes.
Home rule was passed in Willowbrook and South Chicago Heights. Mainstreet, Illinois REALTORS®, and NAR oppose home rule because residents hand over control to elected officials concerning taxes and regulations. There is no limit to the amount of debt a home rule municipality can take on, and taxes can be raised without voter input to clean up bad financial decisions. The Mainstreet government affairs directors worked hard to defeat these initiatives, but the recent concerns with Sterigenics in Willowbrook and implementing crime-free zones in South Chicago Heights played to voter sentiments.
Bannockburn votes NO to progressive transfer tax. This initiative was defeated and that’s a win for both REALTORS® and private property owners. While Bannockburn is a smaller municipality, the passage of such a referendum could have help to set precedence that this type of revenue source is one that other cities and villages should consider.
Park Forest and Country Club Hills elected strong proponents for our members and their residents. John Vanderbilt was elected as mayor in Park Forest. Mr. Vanderbilt was vetted by the South Government Affairs committee and ran on a platform that included strengthening the housing market and culture concerning real estate transactions in the village.
Mayor James Ford was re-elected for another four-year term in Country Club Hills. Mayor Ford has been an advocate for Mainstreet members and homeowners in the city.
In Naperville, REALTOR® Champion, Patty Gustin, was re-elected to the city council. Patty is a member of the MORe Central Government Affairs Committee and has been an advocate in the Naperville city council for numerous policy positions favorable to real estate professionals and property owners.
If you would like more information concerning advocacy in your area, please visit the Advocacy section of MORe's website or Illinois REALTORS'® site. If your clients have specific concerns regarding home rule, transfer taxes, and property owners rights, Real Property Alliance is a great website for them to browse through.