“Sit Back & Relax” – The Miller Administration’s Motto for Accountability?

April 25, 2025 - Freeport, IL

Freeport residents are calling for a new era of transparency, integrity, and accountability. Yet, the reality under Mayor Jodi Miller’s administration continues to stand in ironic contradiction to those very ideals.

Let’s rewind to 2023, when the City of Freeport rolled out Tolemi, a rental registration system meant to track, regulate, and communicate with property owners renting within city limits. Brought forward by City Manager Rob Boyer and Community and Economic Development Director Wayne Duckmann, the system was sold to the City Council—and the taxpayers—as a solution to what was dubbed the “landlord problem.” On paper, a solid idea. In practice? Another half-baked initiative, lacking follow-through, oversight, and costing real tax dollars.

In late 2024, the program returned to council discussion. That’s when the public learned that despite recently raising taxes, the Miller administration had quietly decided not to enforce the very ordinance meant to ensure Tolemi’s success. No fines were issued to rental owners who failed to register—a revelation that prompted several council members to demand answers. A compromise was reached: landlords had until April 1, 2025 to comply, or face a $100 fine, which would increase after 30 and 60 days of noncompliance.

Now, three weeks after that deadline, the truth has come out.

According to data obtained by Fighting4Freeport, 2,802 rental properties were registered as required. 760 were not. That’s 760 ordinance violations.

So how many fines were issued? Just one.

Yes, only one property has been penalized: 1218 W. Violet St., a rental home owned by local residents. The other 759 violators? Not a single fine, as of April 23, 2025.

At the April 14, 2025 council meeting, 5th Ward Alderwoman Cecelia Stacy and 2nd Ward Alderman James Monroe asked for a status update. With two weeks already passed since the deadline, they expected enforcement to be underway. Director Duckmann’s response? A smug “Sit back and relax.”

Many hoped this meant the city had done its job. Instead, it appears to have been code for business as usual—complacency over compliance.

Meanwhile, Mayor Miller spent the past six months and tens of thousands of dollars accusing her opponent for bringing the “slumlords” into Freeport and allowing them to thrive. All while she herself has been ignoring the very ordinance designed to hold those same “slumlords” accountable. Ironically, it’s her administration that has allowed them to operate unchecked—even as she enters her third term as mayor.

So here we are, asking the real questions:

  • Why was only one property fined?

  • Why was that particular one singled out?

  • Why is enforcement selective?

  • Why does Mayor Miller believe she can choose which laws to uphold?

And finally—what does “Sit Back & Relax” really mean? In Freeport, it seems to mean:
“We’re not going to do our jobs. We’re going to protect the status quo. And we’re hoping you won’t notice.”

Now it’s your turn, Freeport.
If you're tired of broken promises, selective enforcement, and wasted taxpayer dollars, contact your alderperson today. Demand answers. Demand accountability. Demand that your city leaders enforce the laws they pass and respect the people who pay the bills. Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter, or a landlord who played by the rules—you deserve a city government that plays by them too.

Accountability starts with us. Let them know you're watching. Let them know you're done “sitting back and relaxing.”