From the Editor

Week in Review: Home Rule Fails, Dillard Wins

Patch looks back at five of the most popular stories from the primary week of March 19 to March 23.

1. Home Rule Referendum Fails After 86 Percent Vote "No": One Clarendon Hills voter said the village's request for additional powers was "upsetting"; village manager Randy Recklaus says, "We have our answer." 2. Dillard Gets Landslide Win Over Nybo in 24th Senate District Race: "I take this as a nice referendum on my leadership style," Dillard said over the phone after the win became official. 3. Village Gets Green Light to Shop for Power: Seventy-eight percent of Hinsdale voters said yes to electrical aggregation in a Tuesday night referendum. 4. Westmont Park Fire Caused By Teens Playing with Lighter: The "fairly large" fire burned a 800-square-foot area of the Westmont park and is believed to have been started by two juveniles playing …

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Home Rule Referendum Fails After 86 Percent Vote "No"

One voter said the village's request for additional powers was "upsetting."

The home rule saga in Clarendon Hills appears to be over after a landslide vote on Tuesday's primary-ballot referendum kept the village from attaining the additional powers that have become a hot topic since the Village Board approved the referendum in December. According to results posted on the DuPage County website, 2,005 of 2,329 voters (86.09 percent) voted against attaining home rule, while only 324 voting in favor of it (13.91 percent). "We have our answer," village manager Randy Recklaus said Wednesday morning. Recklaus and village staff had explained at several public meetings since approving the referendum what could be done with home rule, which allows towns to exercise some powers not otherwise granted to them by the Illinois …

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Dillard Wins Big, Home Rule Falls Short on Primary Night

Patch recaps the final results of all the pertinent races and referenda for Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills residents.

Editor's note: Voting totals are courtesy of the DuPage County and Cook County websites. Percentages are approximate. It was a big night Tuesday for those who supported State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and those who did not support the attainment of home rule in Clarendon Hills. Dillard, the long-time incumbent, won in a landslide over challenger and State Rep. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard); the Hinsdale native grabbed 62 percent of the vote. An even bigger landslide, however, was the vote against home rule in Clarendon Hills. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, 86 percent of voters checked "No" on the controversial referendum. Here are the full results for local races affecting Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills residents: STATE SENATE, 24TH …

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5 Things You Should Know

Friday's Morning Report: High of 50 Degrees, Rain Likely

The weekend is here; get it started right with these important items from Patch.

1. There's an 80 percent chance of rain during the day Friday, according to the National Weather Service. The high temperature will reach 50 degrees and wind gusts will reach 20 mph. Friday night, there's a 60 percent chance of snow before midnight, as the low dips to 29 degrees.  2. The Hinsdale Central Red Devils boys basketball team will play Downers South Friday night in a regional final at Downers South. The ball tips at 7:30 p.m. 3. Looking ahead, Monroe School's garage sale is Saturday at 8 a.m. More than 100 families have donated everything from toys, to clothes, to shoes. All proceeds go towards the Monroe School PTO. See the event's Patch listing for more info.  4. Also Saturday, the Clarendon Hills Public Library is hosting a …

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Village Board Passes Local Cap for Property Taxes Under Home Rule

The tax cap would be the same as the state's, which Clarendon Hills is currently subject to without home rule.

The Clarendon Hills Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday that would implement a local property tax cap if home rule were attained by the village next month and would require a referendum for any increases that exceed that cap. The local tax cap would use “the exact same methodology” of the current state tax cap, according to village manager Randy Recklaus: year-over-year property-tax increases would be limited by the prior year’s consumer price index (CPI) or five percent, whichever is less. Recklaus said that Tuesday’s local tax cap ordinance is a reaction to community concerns with the Village Board’s power under home rule to raise property taxes beyond the state cap with a simple majority vote. “Many residents have …

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Larry C

12:01 am on Friday, February 24, 2012

Mary, if you go to www.citizensforCH.com you will not find bullying, insulting or remotely offensive tactics being used by C4CH to debate home rule. I have also received the emails you are referring to and found them to be very objective. Their message has been fact-based, and has remained consistent from the start. The Village Board has invested considerable time and energy into promoting home …   more ›

From the Editor

Week in Review: Protective, Preemptive Home Rule Regulation Proposed

Patch looks back at five of the biggest stories from the week of Feb. 13 to Feb. 17.

1. Proposed Measure Offers Increased Protection from Home-Rule Tax Hikes: The Clarendon Hills Village Board will vote Feb. 21 on an ordinance that would make direct public approval a prerequisite for property-tax increases if home rule is attained via referendum on March 20. 2. Police Use Apple's Locating Service to Make Felony Burglary Arrest: It was the second time in the last six months that officers used Apple's built-in locating service to find stolen electronics and the suspects who allegedly took them. 3. D181 Board Discusses Schedule for Gifted Program Overhaul: Since the presentation of Dr. Tonya Moon's findings, administration hired a consultant to lead a committee that would develop a philosophy statement for the gifted program…

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State Senator Sandack Speaks on Home Rule at Clarendon Hills Meeting

The former mayor of Downers Grove said home rule was "by and large" used responsibly in his hometown, but did not advocate for or against it in Clarendon Hills.

Before the voices of Clarendon Hills staff, elected officials and community members filled the Prospect School gym Wednesday night at the third home rule informational meeting, a notable voice from outside the village was heard. State Senator Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) made a brief birthday visit to Clarendon Hills to talk about his experience with home rule as a former mayor and village trustee of Downers Grove, which has had home rule since the early 1970s because of its size and maintained it after a 2005 referendum to rescind the powers was unsuccessful. Sandack said he was speaking as a private citizen who wasn’t advocating for or against home rule in Clarendon Hills.  “It can be used in a good way, in a productive way that …

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Proposed Measure Offers Increased Protection from Home-Rule Tax Hikes

The Clarendon Hills Village Board might need direct community support to raise property taxes if home rule is attained via referendum on March 20.

The Clarendon Hills Village Board will consider an ordinance at its Feb. 21 meeting that would require an affirmative advisory referendum from the community to pass any property-tax increases under home rule. Village President Tom Karaba announced the proposed ordinance at Wednesday night’s home rule informational meeting at Prospect School. It was the third public meeting put on by the village and the last one scheduled before voters determine via a referendum on the March 20 General Primary ballot whether or not Clarendon Hills will attain home rule, which would grant the municipal government powers otherwise reserved by the state government. “Most of the concerns being raised [are related to] property taxes and the ability of the …

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State Senator to Speak at Third Home Rule Meeting

The former mayor of Downers Grove served on that village's board of trustees when home rule was discussed and retained.

The following is a release from the Village of Clarendon Hills: State Senator Ron Sandack (R-21st) will speak about home rule at the Village’s third home rule informational meeting set for 7 p.m., Feb. 15 at Prospect Elementary School.  Sandack said he hopes to offer his perspective as a private citizen who has some experiences that may assist Clarendon Hills residents with their decision to support or oppose the home rule referendum question. Sandack served on the Board of Trustees for Downers Grove at a time when the community extensively discussed home rule and ultimately retained it in a community referendum. Clarendon Hills residents will have the opportunity vote whether the Village should become a home rule municipality during the …

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