Princeton City Council takes next step in the Home Rule issue

The big issue at Tuesday night’s Princeton City Council meeting was the recommendation from the Home Rule Ad Hoc Committee to move forward. The committee, consisting of twelve citizens, was represented by committee chairman Tom Hall and vice-chair Katie Chamberlain. They stated the growing need to improve Princeton’s infrastructure, diversifying the tax base to fund specific projects, the uncertainty of Springfield affecting municipal governments, allowing the community greater flexibility to address particular problems, and protecting the community from outside regulations as reasons to adopt Home Rule. Hall said that Home Rule allows local solutions for local issues. Some issues of concern currently are clearing the sidewalks on Main Street in the winter, managing dilapidated properties due to foreclosures, maintaining and repairing storm sewers, and could address, according to City Manager, Jeff Fiegenschuh, animal control, tree protection, and regulating businesses such as adult-themed enterprises. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Terry Madsen said he would like to see the council go ahead with whatever they have to do to get this issue on the ballot. Mayor Cain stated it was the consensus of the council to keep moving forward.