Professor Laurie Reynolds was recently invited to speak at a Next Rockford meeting in order to give the group an overview of home rule, how it works, and how it might benefit Rockford. Next Rockford is a nonprofit that brings together young professionals working to improve the city.

According to a news article in the Rockford Register Star, Reynolds told the group that lack of home rule puts Rockford at a disadvantage, unable to tax those who visit and benefit from Rockford but don’t pay property taxes. 

"If you are worried about local government run wild, there are more than 200 home rule governments in Illinois with home rule and there aren’t people screaming, raving and ranting, saying that home rule has gone crazy in my town," Reynolds said. "It’s doing exactly what it’s intended to do."

Full story at rrstar.com.