Hutnley was only nine people short of the 25,000 population that would have automatically conferred Home Rule status on the vilage.

The just released 2010 Census figures are going to disappoint Huntley and Woodstock officials.

The village is 709 people short of becoming a Home Rule municipality, while the county seat missed by 230.

In Illinois the State Constitution provides that a village of city achieves Home Rule status automatically once it reaches 25,000 in population.

Under Home Rule a village board or city council can do anything the legislature doesn’t forbid.

Before Home Rule a municipal board can only do what state law allows.

Woodstock missed the magic Home Rule mark by 230 people.

Because of the flexibility it provides, most municipal officials who don’t have it wish they did.

That’s because boards can then levy whatever taxes they desire.

Crystal Lake is a Home Rule city because it has more than 25,000 people.

So are Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and McHenry. All have imposed Home Rule sales taxes.

Algonquin, Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills tacked on three-quarters of a percentage point, while McHenry recently added one-half of a percentage point.

Cities and villages under 25,000 can become Home Rule units only with voter approval.

Locally, Barrington Hills went that route.

Lakewood officials tried to gain referendum approval, but failed.

If officials want to contest the census count, there are procedures to do so. (You can find frequently asked questions about such a challenge here.)