McHenry County To Examine Responsibilities If Algonquin Township Dissolved

Press release from the McHenry County Government:

December 21, 2020

WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County is developing an analysis of its exact responsibilities should voters decide to dissolve Algonquin Township.

County staff, at the direction of County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, began moving forward after learning last week that township voters submitted a petition to put the binding question on the April 6 consolidated election ballot. A state pilot program approved by the General Assembly allows McHenry County voters to abolish individual township governments by referendum.

The county study, which is expected to be ready by February, will be similar to one developed by staff earlier this year when an abolition referendum was submitted to McHenry Township voters, who ultimately rejected it. While state law requires McHenry County government to assume the responsibility of maintaining an abolished township’s roads, it is up to the county to decide the disposition of township property and other services.

The analysis will be nonpartisan, and will strictly focus on how dissolution will be implemented should township voters approve it.

“There are many policy questions that the County Board will need to take up should Algonquin Township’s voters opt for dissolution. Through this report, County Board members will have an understanding of operational and administrative considerations should the voters choose this route,” Deputy County Administrator Scott Hartman said.

Algonquin Township would cease to exist effective Dec. 31, 2021, should the referendum pass.

This press release was produced by the McHenry County Government City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.