Should The Algonquin Township Highway Department Be Abolished?

ALGONQUIN, IL -- McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks, dismayed by out-of-control spending of taxpayer money on legal fees in Algonquin Township, is urging the Township Board to put a referendum on the November ballot to eliminate the Highway Department, county officials said Friday. Franks sent a letter Thursday to Township Supervisor Charles Lutzow and Trustees Dan Shea, Rachel Lawrence, Melissa Victor and Dave Chapman, imploring them to take advantage of a new law that allows a township board to put a referendum on the ballot abolishing its township highway district and assuming its responsibilities. Media reports over the past year have chronicled a never-ending parade of legal bills racked up because of lawsuits filed by and against Highway Commissioner Andrew Gasser, according to a news release from McHenry County.

The bill as of the township board’s April 11 meeting stood at $478,892, according to the news release.

“The County Board and I worked hard to reduce our levy by 11.2 percent for this property tax year. The fact that the ongoing circus in Algonquin Township could very well negate whatever tax relief we secured for township residents is infuriating and an unconscionable affront to our taxpayers,” Franks, D-Marengo, wrote.

Franks has been joined by Republican County Board members Chris Christensen, Tom Wilbeck, John Reinert and Christopher Spoerl, all of whom are Algonquin Township residents and taxpayers, in calling for a referendum.

“Government should always be looking at ways to improve redundancy and improve upon the implementation of services. The taxpayers of Algonquin Township deserve better. Consolidation of the Algonquin Township Highway Department is, in my opinion, a step in the right direction. Let the Algonquin Township Board have full oversight,” Christensen, R-Cary, said.

Franks’ letter echoed the sentiments that Algonquin Township’s taxpayers deserve to be heard,
especially with the high property taxes that they pay.

“Algonquin Township residents already suffer one of the heaviest property tax burdens in the
nation. People are being taxed out of their homes. The fact that their hard-earned tax money is
being squandered like this is an embarrassment,” Franks wrote.

Local governments including Algonquin Township have until August 20 to approve binding
referendums for the Nov. 6 midterm election.

Photo caption: The Algonquin Township offices are located along Route 14 in Crystal Lake. Photo credit: GoogleMaps