Moving Forward as a Home Rule Unit of Government

Earlier this year, ahead of the March General Primary Election, the Village asked voters to decide whether it should become a Home Rule community moving forward. On April 4, 2024, the Cook County Clerk certified our election results showing 53% of residents were in favor of Home Rule, while 47% voted against it. Village Board and Staff are grateful for the community understanding our vision with Home Rule, recognizing its benefits, and trusting us to always serve in Richton Park's best interests. Citizens were engaged and opinionated, but also open to learning from the factual, genuine information that the Village presented. Based on the approval of Home Rule, on April 2, 2024, President Reinbold and the Board of Trustees officially amended the Codified Ordinances in their entirety to reflect the Village's authority as a Home Rule unit of Government. (Ordinance 1831)

Since achieving the status of Home Rule, the Village of Richton Park is full steam ahead in putting together plans and initiatives to benefit the community and make us better than ever. As a Home Rule unit of government, the Village now has the liberty to establish and implement policies that would address our ever-changing goals, cultures, and visions. Seeking Home Rule was about financial stability, economic development, exploring opportunities for new revenue sources, setting standards for landlords, improving public safety, and overall creating a better quality of life for residents - all WITHOUT creating financial burden to our households. That has, and always will be our mission.

There is an abundance of land slated for development, and the Village is taking advantage of being able to create incentive packages for businesses and developers who are beginning to show interest in building new, relocating, or expanding to Richton Park. This anticipated, upcoming influx of attraction and progression will allow the Village to execute various planned projects to improve our infrastructure and public services.

As promised, with the passing of Home Rule, President Reinbold and the Board of Trustees have implemented several exclusive incentives for residents. The following incentive related resolutions have been officially enacted:

• Eliminated Vehicle Stickers for Residents (Resolution R-25-23)
• Frozen the VILLAGE's portion of Property Taxes for Homeowners (Resolution R-26-23)
• Frozen water rates for homeowners, beginning after current term. (Resolution R-27-23)
• Eliminated Park Rental Fees for residents, beginning 2025. (Resolution R-28-23)
• Created a plan to implement policies that will enhance public safety, economic development, and Village beautification. (Resolution R-24-23)
• Current Board will NOT propose to impose a Real Estate Transfer Tax. (Resolution R-29-23)

President Reinbold is enthusiastic about the Village's newly acquired status, commenting "Home Rule authority gives us a broader spectrum of tools we can tap into and utilize for revenue to support progression" As always, we are committed to good governance, strong character, dependability, and safety.