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The geographical boundaries of McHenry Township and the McHenry Township Road District are identical. They are overlapping units of two governments, each with its own taxing authority.
At the Nov. 12 township board meeting, members voted and passed a resolution regarding the road district transfer. Section 2 of the resolution reads: A proposition shall be placed on the ballot and submitted to the electors of McHenry Township at the April 6, 2021, consolidated election in the following form – “Shall the Road District of the Township of McHenry be abolished with all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations and responsibilities being assumed by the Township of McHenry? (Yes ... No).”
Why did the board put the question of abolishing the road district and consolidating it into the township before the voters?
Because the road district is an independent unit of government staffed by a road commissioner who, by law, operates with little oversight by the township board of trustees and township supervisor.
What does it mean if I vote yes?
By voting yes on this referendum question, you want McHenry Township and the McHenry Township Road District to be consolidated from two separate government agencies and taxing bodies into one unit of government. The road commissioner position would be eliminated.
What does it mean if I vote no?
By voting no on this referendum question, you are opting to maintain the status quo in which McHenry Township residents are served by two separate government agencies and taxing bodies in the form of the McHenry Township and the McHenry Township Road District.
This means the road commissioner position will continue to remain as the sole authority overseeing the road district in McHenry Township.
Will consolidating the road district into the township affect the services you currently receive?
No. There will not be any change in services that are currently provided.
What are some advantages of McHenry Township government consolidation?
1. It dissolves one unit of government and taxing body within McHenry Township, with McHenry Township assuming all responsibilities associated with the road district.
2. By abolishing the road district and eliminating the road commissioner position, McHenry Township would begin to operate in a similar operational and leadership structure as municipal and county governments with an employed staff position accountable to the elected McHenry Township board.
3. The road district no longer will continue to levy taxes; McHenry Township will be the only taxing body for all township residents going forward.
4. It provides increased transparency of the road department and its operations.
What will happen if the road district is abolished?
In the event that a majority of voters voting on the proposition are in favor thereof, then the road district shall be abolished, effective 90 days after vote certification or on the date the term of the road commissioner in office at the time the proposition was approved by the voters expires, whichever is later.
Have other townships consolidated their township road districts into their township government?
Yes.
During the Nov. 3 presidential election, the voters in three of Illinois’ townships eliminated their township road districts: Ela, Bloomingdale and Elk Grove townships.
Bob Anderson
Wonder Lake