CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

MAYOR, CITY OF PEKIN

7. Do you support Home Rule in Pekin? Why or why not?

Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Yes. Home Rule gives the City Council greater flexibility and control in how they finance and manage our community.

Mark A. Luft: As far as Home Rule, I believe this should be a decision made by the taxpayers. I would be in support of a referendum at any time to give the citizens of Pekin their voice and choice.

John McCabe: Yes, I am in support of Home Rule for the city of Pekin. No one likes paying taxes, and there are so many levels of taxes we pay today. But communities in the state of Illinois had for years been too dependent on the state dealing with delays, rejections and too much bureaucratic red tape in collecting taxes. With the adoption of the state’s fourth Constitution in 1970, home rule has made the passage and collection of local taxes a manageable tool for communities such as Pekin. Home rule also grants municipalities the power to regulate for the protection of public health, safety, morals and general welfare and to issue licenses. Without home rule, we would be at the mercy of the State of Illinois.