Take a look at the minutes of the discussion of the Home Rule/County Executive referendums below, as reported in the official minutes of the July meeting:
Committee of the Whole Minutes
Resolution Requesting the Submission of a Binding Question of Public Policy to the Electors of McHenry County Regarding Becoming a Home Rule County and Adopting the County Executive Form of Government
The board discussed a proposed resolution to place a binding referendum on the ballot asking voters whether McHenry County should become a home rule county and adopt the county executive form of government.
Supporters framed the measure as a way to put the county on more equal footing with Cook County and other home rule jurisdictions, arguing that current state law and carve‑ outs leave McHenry County residents as “second‑ class” in terms of local authority, particularly around taxation and regulatory flexibility.
Opponents expressed significant concern that home rule, combined with an elected county executive, would centralize power in a single individual and create unlimited or expanded taxing authority, raising long‑ term risks if future officeholders are less fiscally restrained than the current board.
Members questioned the timing and effective date of any approved referendum, how quickly a county executive structure would take effect, and whether the board could specify a future implementation date.
Legal counsel indicated that further research was needed but suggested such a change would align with a future general election. Several speakers argued that it is premature to ask voters to decide before the board and staff complete a thorough structural and fiscal analysis, while others countered that elected officials must make tough forward‑ looking decisions and trust that future leaders and voters will act responsibly.
Additional concerns included the possibility that the state legislature could later change how home rule applies, potentially undermining local expectations, and whether a separate referendum might be better aimed at decoupling home rule from the county executive requirement.
Some members favored using a non‑ binding advisory question instead, to gauge public sentiment without immediately altering
the form of government.
The resolution is expected to return for formal consideration at a future board meeting.
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Note that it’s jusrt too bad if you want to know who took what positions on the issue.
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Resolution Requesting the Submission of an Advisory Question of Public Policy to the Electors of McHenry County Regarding Becoming a Home Rule County and Adopting the County Executive Form of Government
The board discussed a proposed resolution to place a non‑ binding advisory referendum on the ballot asking voters whether McHenry County should become a home rule county and adopt the county executive form of government.
Speakers emphasized that, unlike the binding proposal, this question would be used primarily to gauge public sentiment and “take the pulse” of residents before pursuing any structural change, with some members stressing their practice of consulting constituents before making major governance decisions.
Several members reiterated strong reservations about home rule and the county executive model, citing concerns about centralization of power, unlimited taxing authority, and the potential for future misuse even if the current board is fiscally conservative.
Others questioned the timing, necessity, and clarity of a non‑ binding referendum, arguing that it could delay action, create confusion when paired with a binding question, or amount to asking voters to decide on a complex governmental shift before the board and staff complete a thorough analysis.
There was also discussion of whether the same policy goals—especially restoring local control and responding to state preemption—might be better addressed through differently framed questions or legislative advocacy.
The resolution is expected to be considered further at a future board meeting.
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County Board Minutes
Resolution Requesting the Submission of a Binding Question of Public Policy to the Electors of McHenry County Regarding Becoming a Home Rule County and Adopting the County Executive Form of Government
To authorize a binding referendum question regarding home rule and becoming a County Executive Form of government
Aye (1): Althoff
Nay (17): Campbell, Collins, Gottemoller, Greeno, Hendricks, Kamienski, Kearns, Krieger, Kunkle, Sager, Shorten, Skala, Smith, Sullivan, Thomas, Van Hof, and Von Bergen
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Resolution Requesting the Submission of an Advisory Question of Public Policy to the Electors of McHenry County Regarding Becoming a Home Rule County and Adopting the County Executive Form of Government
Mr. Gottemoller and Ms. Greeno spoke, respectively, about the non-binding status of the referendum as a way to allow McHenry County residents to provide the Board with a consensus regarding home rule governance to resist future central planning mandates by the State.
Ms. Campbell spoke against the referendum on home rule being put on the ballot at this time.
Mr. Shorten spoke in favor of the referendum as an avenue of local governance for the Board to consider.
Full comments can be heard on the McHenry County website beginning at 1:19:21 of the audio.
Mover: Gottemoller
Seconder: Kearns
To authorize the submission of a non-binding advisory referendum question regarding home rule and the county executive form of government.
Aye (13): Althoff, Gottemoller, Greeno, Hendricks, Kamienski, Kearns, Krieger, Kunkle, Sager, Shorten, Sullivan, Thomas, and Von Bergen
Nay (4): Campbell, Collins, Skala, and Van Hof
Absent (1): SmithApproved (13 to 4)
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So, the advisory referendum was approved; the binding one was not.
But, constituents have no clue who said what or even who took which positions.
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My fear is that the advisory referendum will pass and members will then look at the results in their districts and vote to put a binding referendum on the next ballot.
That would be ceding their informed judgements (that Home Rule/County Executive form of government is a bad idea) to the uninformed votes of their constituents.
