Editor's Pick: Why did Kenilworth’s Home Rule Referendum Fail?

Inadequate public education? Fear of higher taxes? Or outright opposition?

Why did Kenilworth’s Home Rule Referendum Fail?

Inadequate public education? Fear of higher taxes? Or outright opposition?

Six weeks ago, Kenilworth residents made their way to the polling place, stepped into the booth and voted down the village’s home rule referendum. But what caused 61.8 percent of the 1,382 voters to issue a decisive no to a proposed change billed as a potential solution to Kenilworth’s mounting infrastructure woes? Kenilworth Village President Fred G. Steingraber said he thinks poor timing, insufficient village communication and residents’ fears of higher property taxes are mostly to blame. Had the measure passed, the village would have assumed various taxing, zoning and licensing powers that had previously fallen to the state. More importantly, according to Steingraber, the newfound capabilities would have been used to help finance an …

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David Greenberg

6:50 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

How about an ordinance to implement term limits for all elected officials. Then if someone happens to get an increase through, it can be undone w/o worrying about whether a career politician will connive to prevent the repeal. In the meantime, kudos to the 61% of the voters who chose to wisely limit the power of their Government.   more ›

Will You Vote for Kenilworth to Become a Home Rule Community?

Village hopes becoming a home-rule community could help finance a long-term infrastructure plan, which is projected to cost between $17 to $20 million over 10 years.

UPDATE: Kenilworth Home Rule Referendum Fails When Kenilworth residents head to the polls tomorrow, they will be asked to vote on whether the village should shift some decision-making abilities from the state to the local level by becoming a “home rule unit”. Kenilworth Village President Fred G. Steingraber said in August that the village needs to improve its infrastructure but currently lacks the funds. 78 percent of sewers, 81 percent of water mains and 55 percent of fire hydrants in the village are more than 100 years old, Steingraber said. Home rule allows communities a broad range of powers, such as taxing, zoning and licensing, unless exempted by the State.  “We’ve concluded the best starting point for [financing a long-term …

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Kenilworth Home Rule Referendum on Nov. 6 Ballot

Village hopes becoming a home-rule community could help finance a long-term infrastructure plan, which is projected to cost between $17 to $20 million over 10 years

Kenilworth Puts Home Rule Referendum on Nov. 6 Ballot

Village hopes becoming a home-rule community could help finance a long-term infrastructure plan, which is projected to cost between $17 to $20 million over 10 years.

Facing the need to improve Kenilworth’s infrastructure but lacking the funds, Kenilworth trustees approved putting a referendum on the upcoming election ballot that asks voters if they would give the village greater decision-making powers.  “We’ve concluded the best starting point for [financing a long-term infrastructure plan] is to go into Home Rule for this community,” said Fred G. Steingraber, village president, during the Aug. 20 village board meeting. “The long-term infrastructure plan is going require $17 to $20 million of capital over 10 years.”  When Kenilworth voters head to the polls on November 6, they will be asked whether they approve shifting decision-making abilities from the state level to the local level.  Home rule …

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