Grafton Township Hall Referendum (2010)
From Ballotpedia
The Grafton Township Hall Referendum is a ballot measure that may be placed on the February 2, 2010 ballot in McHenry County for voters in Grafton Township. The referendum against a $3.5 million proposed renovation of township hall is headed by Township Supervisor Linda Moore.[1]
109 registered voters have signed the petition to request a referendum, yet more obstacles are in the way of placing it on the ballot. The issue could result in possible litigation.[2]
Controversy
In May 2009, McHenry County Judge Michael Caldwell issued an injunction against the township due to a dispute between two sides, halting the building of new offices until the dispute over the proposed building is resolved in court.[3]
Supporters of building new township offices including outgoing Supervisor John Rossi and the incumbent trustees, say the township government needs to grow along with the communities it serves. Opponents, led by incoming Supervisor Linda Moore, say the new building is not needed and that taxes would go up to pay for the construction.
Status
The township board is set to vote on July 6 on whether to cancel the bank loan that was supposed to fund the construction in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. Town officials have stated that Harris Bank has offered to let the township out of its loan agreement if the township returns the $3.5 million and pays an estimated $141,600 in interest.
Both sides of the township hall dispute have stated that they supported terminating the loan agreement, which would allow the township to stop incurring interest payments while the litigation over the building is pending.
References
- ↑ Northwest Herald, "Grafton Township at odds with possible referendum", June 29, 2009
- ↑ Daily Herald, "Grafton Township may cancel loan for building", July 2, 2009
- ↑ Daily Herald, "Judge Rules against new Grafton Township Hall", May 4, 2009
