Nail Biter Referendum Fails In Rockford

As of late last night, Rockford will remain the largest city in Illinois that does not have Home Rule.

Rockford Area Realtors is one of several organizations that came forward in order to oppose the referendum.

CEO Steve Bois says if Rockford voters chose Home Rule it would have been like writing a blank check to city leaders. "We have some good news in this community and we want to keep building on that good news and we want to do it collectively", said Bois. "We're hoping that we can engage the best that we can to have a positive impact on our community and help solve these financial issues as well as others. I think this is a good day for Rockford and we're going to move forward."

I am still new to the Rockford area and I have heard the arguments of locals who were afraid of corruption. After all, they've seen it before. My only argument is that Springfield can't really be trusted either.

Wouldn't you rather have someone in the community you can hold accountable? If Springfield does Rockford wrong there really isn't much you can do about it. I felt it would be irresponsible for me to vote on things that I didn't fully understand. Which is why I did not participate in yesterday's election.

You can bet your bottom dollar I'll be ready when the November election comes around though.