Petition Circulating to Consolidate Algonquin Township with McHenry County – Volunteers Sought

A petition is circulating in Algonquin Township seeking an April referendum to abolish that unit of government as an independent entity.

If passed, the township’s functions would be taken over by McHenry County at the end of 2021.

A tax cut of 10% in the township portion is mandated by the law sponsored by State Rep. David McSweeney.

Because of objections raised by State Senator Craig Wilcox after the first version was sent to Governor Bruce Rauner, but not signed, all of the tax money collected and the assets of the township, for example, the township complex, must be used for the benefit of township residents.

Some current functions are mandated by law:

  • assessing property
  • maintaining township roads
  • providing a form of welfare called “General Assistance”

In addition, Algonquin Township provides services that are not mandated by law, including

  • bus service for seniors
  • brush drop-off
  • re-cycling

Those and others, such as supplying meeting locations and storage sheds, would be up to the County Board, but, considering half of the County Board members have districts with significant portions in Algonquin Township, it is unlikely that popular programs would disappear.

445 petition signatures are required to put a referendum on the ballot.

They must be submitted by Friday, December 4th.

Those wishing to assist in gathering signatures may email me at calskiner2@gmail.com and I’ll see one is emailed (or mailed).


Comments

Petition Circulating to Consolidate Algonquin Township with McHenry County – Volunteers Sought — 15 Comments

  1. The statement “A tax cut of 10% in the township portion is mandated by the law sponsored by State Rep. David McSweeney” is not exactly “Fake News” but is misleading.

    Here’s what 60 ILCS 1/24-35 says:

    (4) The McHenry County Board shall not extend a
    property tax levy that is greater than 90% of the property
    tax levy extended by the dissolved township or road
    districts for the duties taken on by McHenry County. This
    property tax levy may not be extended outside the
    boundaries of the dissolved township. In all subsequent
    years, this levy shall be bound by the provisions of the
    Property Tax Extension Limitation Law.

    Care to guess what’s going to happen to the levy in “subsequent years”?

  2. Did you comment on Jack Franks’ blatantly misleading “Cut 10” promotion in 2016?

  3. I couldn’t get it up, but if you will email me, I’ll have a copy sent to you.

  4. A left over from the short lived alliance between ‘Young Patty’ and ‘LyingJackFranks’.

    Could be the money train had gone off the rails.

    Wicked business this politics thing.

  5. How will this impact services like getting a building permit.

    As of now, the process is very smooth in Algonquin. Craig and team are very responsive.

    Will I have to go to McHenry in future?

    So many unknowns so I won’t sign this petition.

  6. You are having the same problem my father had when we moved here in 1958.

    It took him two years to figure out that our home in Lakewood was in Algonquin Township.

    You seems to live in the Village of Algonquin, the north part of which is located in Algonquin Township, McHenry County, and he south part in Dundee Township, Kane County.

    Should the referendum pass, since Algonquin Township does not have a role in zoning or building permits, there will be no change in what is happening now.

  7. Townships road dept controls the township road’s row.

    They issue culvert permits and issues like taking down a row tree.

    The guestion we should be asking is what’s the plan if the vote favors consolidation?

    Here is a last minute push with out a plan, like in 2015?

    Now Jack is gone, making the county gov bigger is ok?

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