Homer Township lets voters weigh in on pension reform, key issues

Voters in Homer Township will have the chance to weigh in on public pension reform, federal and state redistricting and unfunded state mandates. Illinois state lawmakers have yet to act on the trio of issues.

Homer Township voters will have a chance to voice their opinions on three major state issues on their April 1 ballots: government pensions, federal and state lawmaker redistricting and unfunded mandates from state lawmakers.

The questions will read as follows:

Pensions: “Should the state of Illinois enact constitutional pension reform to protect workers’ existing retirements and generate savings which could provide property tax relief or be reinvested in the community?”

Redistricting: “Should the state of Illinois create an independent citizens commission to draw fair and competitive federal and state redistricting maps, rather than allowing lawmakers to decide?”

Unfunded mandates: “Should the state of Illinois be allowed to force unfunded mandates on local governments who may raise property taxes to cover the costs of those mandates?”

Homer Township Supervisor Steve Balich said the questions are good chances for voters to weigh in on key issues. The township in Will County has about 41,000 residents, including Homer Glen.

“These questions are very important to what’s happening right now. We needed this redistricting question a long time ago. I’m glad people will get a chance to vote on it.” Balich said.

Barrington Township gave voters the same question on pension reform Nov. 5, which passed with more than 70% voting yes. Homer Township’s question gives voters the same chance. All five trustees voted unanimously in favor of putting the three questions on the April 1 ballot.

“We want what’s best for the taxpayer, and for people working here, too. But with increasing pension costs, all it means is higher property taxes or other costs for people,” Balich said.

Illinois has the worst pension crisis in the nation at $143.7 billion in debt, with only 46% of the funds that will eventually be needed to pay for state worker retirements. Add to that another $70 billion in local government pension debt, which drives Illinois’ property tax pain to second-highest in the nation.