Macomb, IL – Over the years, Macomb has talked about trying to become a home rule community. Now the city is talking about it again.
Home rule communities in Illinois have more power to generate revenue and create ordinances. As a non-home rule community, Macomb's income options have been limited.
Aldermen discussed the issue during Monday's Committee of the Whole meeting and agreed that it's time to gauge whether there is community support for the idea. They say revenue options are drying up while costs continue to rise for insurance, utilities, and other expenses.
There are two ways for a city in Illinois to become home rule:
1) Its population rises above 25,000.
2) Voters approve a home rule referendum.
Right now, Macomb's population is listed as 20,000, though Alderman At-Large Dennis Moon feels it's higher. But because it could take years for the official count to rise above 25,000, aldermen will begin talking to residents and trying to drum up support for becoming a home rule community.
Additional information:
*The city council talked a week ago about the possibility of implementing an amusement tax to help pay for additional police officers. The idea behind the proposal was to assess an extra fee on liquor establishments. But the city has now learned that non-home rule communities are not allowed to impose that fee on such businesses.
*Mayor Mick Wisslead says the city also needs to look at the fees it charges for various services. He feels some are artificially low.
*Macomb resident Merv Roth suggested the city council hike the city's liquor license fee again. Roth has been a frequent critic of bars and the drain he feels they put on city resources.