Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
Home Real Estate Realtor Sign. Photo courtesy of wikipedia

Realtors twisting facts on Home Rule referendum

Posted on March 28, 2023March 28, 2023 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Realtors twisting facts on Home Rule referendum
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Realtors twisting facts on Home Rule referendum

By Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania

If you live in many of the Southwest suburbs, you might be receiving election mailers from the powerful realtors association urging voters to vote NO on referenda that would give local communities Home Rule powers.

The realtors don’t like it because Home Rule gives local communities the ability to force realtors to ensure that buyers and sellers are protected. But many realtors only want to make a profit and they sure do profit not just in selling a home for you, but also helping people buy homes.

They take money from both ends. Some buyers and sellers learn later that the reality of sales often don’t live up to the promises made by the realtors in getting you to sign.

That’s not all realtors, of course. But the realtor lobbyists only care about protecting their turf.

Home Real Estate Realtor Sign. Photo courtesy of wikipedia

 

Readers have been messaging me on social media that they are being inundated with expensive election mailers, text messages, robocalls, and Ads on Facebook that are trying to scare the voters to think that Home Rule is a bad word.

Home Rule is a legal government status defined by the State of Illinois Constitution that is intended to protect taxpayers by giving them a greater voice in government decisions.

The state defines the purpose of Home Rule as “to allow for local solutions to local issues and problems. A municipality with home rule status can exercise any power and perform any function unless it is specifically prohibited from doing so by state law.”
 
In contrast, the state explains, “a non-home rule municipality may only exercise powers for which express authority is provided by state law. This means that non-Home Rule communities are dependent on obtaining grants of authority from the General Assembly and Governor.”
 
Non-Home Rule communities, which have under 25,000 residents, must pass a referendum to enjoy Home Rule powers. It’s one reason why the realtors have been so successful in bullying voters because it’s tough for smaller population communities to stand up to the realtor lobby which bankrolls its scare campaigns with millions with political action fund monies.

One issue is how fast some realtors want to push through sales and purchases. The faster they can turn a home, the more money they can make. A quick sale is profitable for them. But sometimes, in a quick sale, buyers find themselves with issues they didn’t see, but that Home Rule powers would have recognized right away.

Without Home Rule powers, smaller communities find their hands tied and they can’t do much to help once a sale is done.

Having Home Rule authority takes the power away from the realtors and shifts the decision making process from Springfield to the local community.

Home Rule communities allow villages to approve tax relief for residents “by spreading the tax burden” to non-residents.

Home Rule communities can enter into multi-year contracts whereas non-Home Rule communities cannot. That reduces the costs of purchases and saves the taxpayers money.

Home Rule also gives small communities more options in terms of funding to cover operations, improve services, and support local businesses.

Home Rule takes the power away from the State and big buck lobbyists like the realtors and puts it in the hands of local communities.

If you have a chance to approve Home Rule in the April 4th election, you should take it. Don’t let the realtors association control your lives, your homes or your community. They are still going to make a lot of profits from home sales. But with Home Rule, you will have more say in how your government works.

THE NEW AXIS OF EVIL — The China, Russia and Iran alliance is troubling for America. Hypocrites in Congress, who benefit from China’s U.S. investments, are focusing on Tiktok, the social media platform owned by a Chinese company that is far less threatening.

The Biden administration’s mediocre response to Russian war crimes in Ukraine only encourages Russia to be more violent and emboldens Russian support of Iranian terrorist actions in Syria like this week killed one American and injured several American soldiers. Seeing how weak America is, caused by the Biden-Trump bickering, is strengthening the Axis terrorist nations.

America needs tough and smart leadership to confront terrorist nations like Russia, Iran and China. Neither former President Donald Trump nor President Joe Biden can fill that gap. It’s much like gun control in Chicago and Cook County. A weak policy against criminals, like that pushed by Kim Foxx, only empowers criminals to commit more crimes.

(This column appeared in the Des Plaines Valley News Newspaper.)

(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter. A political analyst and CEO of Urban Strategies Group, Hanania’s opinion columns on mainstream issues are published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group in the Des Plaines Valley News, Southwest News-Herald, The Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers. His Middle East columns are published in the Arab News. For more information on Ray Hanania visit www.Hanania.com or email him at [email protected].)

SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Subscribe to Ray's columns

Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

* indicates required field.

 

Select Email Format


Ray Hanania on Politics podcast logo
Ray Hanania on Politics podcast logo

PS … Follow Ray Hanania on Twitter at Twitter.com/rayhanania.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 29
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:2023, April 4, election, government, home rule, Home Rule referendum, Home sales, real estate, realtors, referendum, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

Post navigation

Previous Post: Paul Vallas is clear choice for mayor over Brandon Johnson
Next Post: Palos Park board’s personal attacks continue on social media

Related Posts

  • D230 students win prestigious art awards Education
  • Have a Halal of a time at Pete’s Market, and meet women too Features
  • Serafin Power Poll at https://serafin.com/powerpoll/
    Serafin Power Poll shows anxiety over state economy, the issue that drove presidential election Chicago
  • Nearly 250 seniors attended Orland Township’s Oktoberfest Dinner Dance on Thursday, Oct. 6. The dance, held at Orland Chateau, is a new addition to them many the Township holds throughout the year.
    Orland Township Seniors Celebrate Oktoberfest Baby Boomers
  • Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Palos Heights. Courtesy of Stagg High school
    Stagg High School Selected to Participate in teen Mental Health First Aid Pilot Program Education
  • Orland Township sign
    Orland Township to Host Senior Luncheons Cook County

More Related Articles

march 2024 drug column What does it tell you when pharmaceutical ads dominate Baby Boomers
President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia America is a divided nation that can’t get back on track Blogger
Jeff Lynne’s ELO impresses Entertainment
Emergency Alert sent by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on March 26, 2020 at 7:446 pm to every cell phone customer in Northern Illinois including in the Cook County Suburbs. Trump declares Illinois a Major Disaster Area breaking news
State Senator Michael Hastings, while in military service in Iraq near the border town of Zurbatiyah near Iran, receives the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. Photo courtesy of Senator Hastings Senator Michael Hastings appointed Chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee Government
Chicago Wolves Artyom Serikov courtesy of the Chicago Wolves Chicago Wolves score sixth win in a row Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme