$5.7 Million of Randall Road Expansion Money Could Be Spent on Law Enforcement

Below is a paragraph from the Friday article on the report to the McHenry County Transportation Committee asking for $10 million to “expedite” right-of-way purchase to widen Randall Road from four lanes to six lanes from Crystal Lake to just north of the Kane County line.

“$5,750,000 will come from the RTA Sales Tax Fund (funded by a tax imposed by the Illinois General Assembly with no political cost of County Board members which could replace property taxes spent on law enforcement) and $4,250,000 from the Marching Fund, supported by property taxes.”

When the Regional Transportation Authority was last lusting for more tax dollars, all but one of the DuPage County State Senators sold out the rest of the collar counties so that their State’s Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Office could get more money.

The result was an increase in the RTA sales tax from 1/4 of one percent to 3/4 of one percent.

Upon passage, it was estimated to bring in $9 million per year.

Sheriff car on Wdstk SqIn 2008, Kane County decided to split its share

  • 82% for roads
  • 15% for law enforcement
  • 3% for contingency

So, here’s my modest suggestion:

The County Board should weigh whether it is more important to buy right-of-way with the RTA sales tax money, spend it on law enforcement, e.g., replacing aging squad cars for the Sheriff’s Department or use it to replace what real estate taxes now pay for.


Comments

$5.7 Million of Randall Road Expansion Money Could Be Spent on Law Enforcement — 14 Comments

  1. I for one vote to replace the cars AND use the money that was budgeted to replace those cars to reduce the Levy next year as this year’s levy is already set.

  2. Sharing is fine, but many think the Sheriffs budget is to fat also.

    I’d like to see more $$$$ going to any county debt retirement so interest payments are eliminated.

  3. RTA sales tax should not be used as a slush fund to fill the budget gaps of irresponsible government bodies.

    This website and Primmbots laud Primm’s work “saving taxpayers money”.

    Is this how Primm will continue his ‘savings’–by stealing it from road funds?

    If the Sheriff’s office can afford to let officers take squad cars home while off duty, maybe residents and the County Board should be asking the Sheriff’s Dept additional questions.

    How many squad cars are in the Sheriff’s Office fleet vs. officers on duty per shift?

    When driving in Harvard on any given day, one can find three-four squad cars parked at homes in Park Pointe while officers are off duty.

  4. If you are a deputy living in Cary and have to drive to Woodstock to get a car before going to your assigned area, it is a waste of time and gas.

    In an emergency response situation, it is best to have them be able to jump into their cars and respond.

    That is a reason that the squads at home ARE NOT IN GARAGES.

    Ready for immediate use.

    Other counties all over the country find that is is both time and money saving as well as better for emergency.

  5. What is the normal turn over time/miles for a county Squad, is it hire than surrounding counties or nation wide?

    Typically there is a ideal standard, but that isn’t always a realistic standard.

    Are the maintenance cost to maintain the fleet which seems fat in volume, that high?

    Has calls been missed or taken longer because of failures?

  6. Bot: You may believe the parking of Sheriff’s cars in residential areas is a waste of taxpayer money but based on personal experiences throughout the country, I fully support the practice.

    In addition, I believe State troopers and Municipal police officers should also engage in that practice.

    Parking of MARKED police vehicles in residential areas is a proven crime deterrent.

    Police cars do not collect pensions.

    Now if you want to discuss what we pay police officers, that is a different topic.

    Illinois has the fourth most police officers per capita in the country and they are paid the fourth highest.

  7. The law did not mandate that the RTA Sales Tax be spent on roads.

    It’s up to the County Boards to decide how this money which they took no heat for levying is spent.

  8. If presence is the best deterrent to crime (which i believe) why so many unmarked vehicles in the fleet???

  9. DATA:

    how many beat officers are on call when your proposed emergency calls arise- these officers work shift positions?

  10. DATA:

    how many beat officers are on call when your proposed emergency calls arise?

    These officers work shift positions.

  11. Bot: Have you called the Sheriff and asked?

    Or, maybe call the Chairperson of Law and Justice, Sue Draffkorn.

  12. Conservative voter: I wish I felt safe revealing my name while criticizing anything pertaining to the Sheriff’s Office.

  13. The point of this post, I believe, is:

    McHenry County receives RTA Sales tax funds.

    These funds may be spent on roads, or, on OTHER budget needs including police.

    The County Board is spending property-tax-derived funds on police, then spending RTA funds on arguably frivolous and politically driven road projects.

    The Board could instead use the RTA funds to meet budget demands of police, thus reducing local property tax burden, but chooses not to do so.

  14. People say some road projects are a waste, others say some police debt functions are a waste.

    Either way there is only so many dollars, not enough no matter where they are spent to really reduce property taxes.

    I’d have to say this is kind of a political nonsense issue.

    IMO, the only real way to reduce taxes in a meaningful way is cut services.

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