PRINCETON — The self-governing powers of home rule versus the potential abuse of home rule were on the front burner at Tuesday's community home rule forum.

About 150 people attended Tuesday's public forum hosted by the Bureau County Republican at the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton. Panelists were James Banovetz, emeritus professor and director of Northern Illinois University's graduate program in public administration; Doug Williams, who has 36 years experience as a city manager in home rule communities; and Jerry Neumann, Princeton resident who has been an active researcher and leader in the Princeton Residents for Self-Reliance pro-home rule group.

In his opening comments, Banovetz said his purpose was not to tell people how to vote, but to share how home rule has been used in the last 30 years, the pros and cons of home rule, and how a community can protect itself against the abuse of home rule.