At their Nov. 6 meeting, the Village Board approved placing a home rule referendum question on the March 19, 2024 election ballot so that Roselle voters can decide the best way to fund mandated improvements and support our community’s long-term infrastructure needs. Roselle voters will be able to vote "Yes" or "No" to the question: "Shall the Village of Roselle, Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois become a home rule unit?"
In addition to approving the home rule referendum question at their Nov. 6 meeting, the Board also approved three resolutions that outline how the Board would use home rule authority if the referendum passes:
1. Vehicle Stickers
The Board will evaluate by the end of 2025 whether the vehicle sticker program can end without negatively impacting core municipal services and infrastructure improvements that are currently funded by vehicle sticker revenue.
2. Stabilize CIS Rates
Revenue from a home rule sales tax would allow the Village to reduce reliance on CIS revenue. If Roselle becomes home rule, the Board has determined CIS rates shall not exceed:
- 2025 - $9.00 per 1,000 gallons
- 2026 - $9.25 per 1,000 gallons
- 2027-29 - $9.50 per 1,000 gallons
If Roselle remains non-home rule, CIS revenue will remain the Board’s only means of funding water and wastewater improvements. CIS rates would have to increase dramatically, reaching $20 per 1,000 gallons by 2032, to meet revenue demands of mandated wastewater projects.
3. Property Tax Increase Limitations
The Board will continue to follow the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) that Roselle is currently subject to as a non-home rule municipality, even if Roselle becomes a home rule unit. Under PTELL, any increase in property tax collection has to be no more than 5% or the rate of inflation in the consumer price index, whichever is less.
Why is home rule going on the ballot?
Roselle needs a minimum of $4.5 million in additional, annual revenue to fund mandated improvements to our wastewater treatment plants. Over the next decade, Roselle will also have to address other critical and mandated infrastructure issues that will require additional funding.
As a non-home rule municipality, the Village has limited tools to raise revenue for infrastructure. Home rule status would allow the Board to create new revenue streams to support needed infrastructure improvements, such as a local sales tax and local gasoline tax.
Visit our Investing in Infrastructure portal to learn more about Roselle's infrastructure funding needs and how infrastructure improvements are currently funded, read FAQs about home rule and about infrastructure, and watch recordings from past Community Forums on this topic.
Voter Information
Important Dates for March 2024 Election:
Helpful Links: