Northfield Gets Home Rule

Northfield residents voted to adopt home rule in Tuesday's election. According to the Cook County Clerk's Office, reporting 1,398 residents voted in favor of the referendum versus 1,158 against with all seven precincts reporting.

"I'm very pleased with the voter turnout, and I'm very pleased we took the time to engage and educate the community on home rule," Village President Fred Gougler said from a private election party at former Village President John Birkinbine's home. "It was a lot of work. So many people worked so hard."

Gougler said village leaders would not be doing anything with home rule right away but within the next year or two would work on potentially implementing tax increases discussed with residents at public meetings -- namely sales, gas, and food and beverage tax increases. He said the village will start working on planning next year's budget and dealing with issues such as abandoned properties and the , now that Northfield has more control to enact local ordinances.

Tracey Mendrek, of the home rule steering committee, was also celebrating the adoption at Birkinbine's house.

"We were just thrilled with the number of people who voted," she said. "I'm excited the referendum passed and we can keep Northfield safe."

Home rule referendums were on the ballot in five other Illinois municipalities but failed in four of them.

Gougler said he's happy the village board's educational efforts paid off. He added that his wife will be happy to know he can clear away his stacks of home rule research documents out of the basement.

"Maybe now we can use the pool table for something else," he said.

For more information on home rule, check out and