Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste

06/18/2018

Two McHenry County highway commissioners hired each other’s sons to township government positions in 2017. Despite concerns of nepotism, these practices are not uncommon in township government.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Andrew Rosencrans, Bob Miller, consolidation, corruption, David McSweeney, Jim Condon, Leda Drain, local government consolidation, McHenry County, Mike Lesperance, municipal pensions, patronage, pensions

McHenry County state’s attorney: Consolidate townships

06/07/2018

An investigation into the office of a former township official concluded with no criminal charges. But the probe did find evidence that calls into question the merits of township governance.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, consolidation, local government consolidation, McHenry County, Patrick Kenneally, townships

Controversial hiring in McHenry County townships boost calls for consolidation

04/24/2018

The appearance of patronage hires in some McHenry County townships highlights consolidation efforts at the state and local level.

TAGS: consolidation, David McSweeney, local government consolidation, McHenry County, townships

3 McHenry County townships now under investigation

01/25/2018

The McHenry County state's attorney's office is investigating Nunda and Grafton townships for illegal misuse of taxpayer money, making them the second and third townships - after Algonquin Township - to be under investigation in McHenry County.

TAGS: corruption, townships

New bill empowers voters to eliminate McHenry County townships

01/19/2018

House Bill 4244 would give McHenry County voters an easier path to having a choice in eliminating their township governments, encouraging consolidation in a county where residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, townships

State lawmaker plans to introduce township consolidation bill

12/19/2017

State Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, is working on the framework for a bill that would dramatically improve taxpayers’ ability to eliminate township governments, of which Illinois has about 1,400.

TAGS: consolidation, David McSweeney, local government consolidation, townships

The truth about your property tax bill

By Austin Berg

03/03/2017

Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for such costly promises as they struggle to find opportunities of their own.

TAGS: budget, property taxes

Algonquin Township

Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste

McHenry County state’s attorney: Consolidate townships

Controversial hiring in McHenry County townships boost calls for consolidation

3 McHenry County townships now under investigation

New bill empowers voters to eliminate McHenry County townships

State lawmaker plans to introduce township consolidation bill

The truth about your property tax bill

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students