'Business As Usual' After Voters Reject Home Rule Referendum: Mayor

CARY, IL — Village officials say it will be business as usual despite a failed referendum last week, which will mean Cary will not become a home rule community. Voters overwhelmingly opposed the home rule change, and a 1 percent sales tax hike meant to fund infrastructure improvements, during the primary election last week.

Mayor Mark Kownick told the Daily Herald he'd hoped the sales tax would help "level the playingfield" with neighboring communities and show that Cary could "be as progressive as other communities are," according to the article. Last year, Barrington passed a home rule referendum after years of failed attempts and other communities that have home rules status include Algonquin, Crystal Lake, McHenry and Lake in the Hills.

Despite voters rejecting the measure at the polls, Cary plans to move forward with infrastructure improvements including creating a Maplewood Access Road, a new bike path at Rawson Bridge and sidewalks in the Hilltop subdivision.

“We will continue to move forward as we normally do. We will pivot,” Kownick told the Daily Herald. “This village has always been able to keep its head above water.”

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