Results: River Forest Says No to Home Rule

In a decisive vote on Tuesday in River Forest, voters clearly rejected a referendum on whether the village should become a home rule community.

Nearly 80 percent of voters in River Forest voted no on the measure, which would have allowed the village more local control to implement new taxes and raise property taxes.

Voters at River Forest's Village Hall on Tuesday largely said they felt becoming a home rule community would give local officials too much power, and were particularly concerned about the prospect of any tax increase—especially on their property.

By 8:30 p.m. the outcome was clear.

"In this election voters in River Forest were asked on whether or not they wished for the Village to become a home rule unit of government," Village Administrator Eric Palm said in a statement released soon after. "By a significant margin, the electorate has responded and we accept their decision and continue to work together to move the Village forward in a positive direction."