PRESS RELEASE
Date Issued: Sept. 11, 2012
After the last federal census in 2010, the reported population for the Village of Westmont fell below 25,000 people, which is the population needed for a community to automatically achieve home rule status with the State of Illinois. Home rule is a State-approved mechanism that allows municipalities to be more flexible with local programs and affects the way they receive and spend tax dollars so that they can better address community needs.
“Because the Village population is under the threshold for automatic Home Rule status,” says Village Manager Ron Searl, “the residents of Westmont must now approve Home Rule via referendum for the Village to continue using this economic tool.” The referendum will be on the ballot on November 6 of this year. The question on the ballot will read as follows:
“Shall the Village of Westmont cease to be a home rule unit? Yes No”
A “Yes” vote will end Home Rule status in Westmont. A “No” vote will continue Home Rule status.
Per State Statute, Village of Westmont officials and staff cannot campaign either for or against a referendum. The only role of the Village is to provide factual information so that the public can be informed regarding the topic prior to the election. To assist with this information, the Village of Westmont will be scheduling several public information forums during the months of September and October leading up to election day.
“We invite everyone to come out and attend these informational meetings so that residents are receiving accurate information regarding this topic,” continues Manager Searl. “Topics such as Home Rule can be the victim of misinformation. We want to make sure that Westmont citizens are aware of the facts so that they can make an informed decision when they vote in November.”
Currently, the following Home Rule Information Meetings have been scheduled. Each of these meetings is open to the public.
Monday, September 17, 7pm, 2012
Westmont Village Hall, 31 W. Quincy Street
Village Board Regular Meeting
Monday, September 24, 7pm, 2012
Westmont Center, One S. Cass, Lower Level
Public Forum
Monday, October 1, 7pm, 2012
Westmont Village Hall, 31 W. Quincy Street
Village Board Regular Meeting
Wednesday, October, 10, 7pm, 2012
Westmont Chamber Hosts Annual State of the Village Address
Westmont Junior High
Saturday, October 13, 1pm, 2012
Westmont Public Library, 428 N. Cass
Public Forum
Monday, October 15, 7pm, 2012
Westmont Village Hall, 31 W. Quincy Street
Village Board Regular Meeting
Monday, October 22, 10:30-11am, 2012
Westmont Senior Center, 55 E. Richmond
Public Forum
Wednesday, October 24, 7pm, 2012
Maercker School, 5827 S. Cass
Public Forum
Monday, November 5, 7pm, 2012
Westmont Village Hall, 31 W. Quincy Street
Village Board Regular Meeting
Look for more information on the Village's Home Rule Information page on the Village Website.
