McHenry County Council of Governments

2015 Legislative and Transportation Agendas

The McHenry County Council of Governments 2015 Legislative and Transportation Agendas

McHenry County Council of Governments 44 N. Virginia Street Suite 2-A

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Phone 815-477-2090

www.mchenrycountycog.org

McHenry County Council of Governments

McHenry County Council of Governments

2015 Executive Committee

President Rick Mack, Village of Ringwood, MCCG President Mayor Sue Low, City of McHenry, MCCG Vice-President Mayor Charles Sass, Village of Huntley, MCCG Treasurer Mayor Jay Nolan, City of Harvard, MCCG Secretary President Erin Smith, Village of Lakewood, Chairwoman Legislative Committee President John Schmitt, Village of Algonquin, Chairman Transportation Committee President Terry Counley, Village of McCullom Lake, Chairman Water Policy Task Force Mayor Brian Sager, City of Woodstock, Chairman Mayors Caucus Chairman Joe Gottemoller, McHenry County Board 2015 Legislative Committee President Erin Smith, Village of Lakewood (Committee Chairwoman) Ron Kopke, Trustee, Village of Spring Grove Mary Lou Hutchinson, Trustee, Village of Johnsburg Catherine Peterson, Village Manager, Village of Lakewood Peter Austin, McHenry County Administrator Michael Smoron, Attorney with the law firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle James Kelly, Attorney with the law firm of Matuszewich, Kelly & McKeever, LLP 2015 Transportation Committee

President John Schmitt, Village of Algonquin (Committee Chairman) President Rick Mack, Village of Ringwood John Ambrose, Baxter and Woodman Steve Cieslica, Trotter and Associates Ellen Brady Mueller, Councilmember, City of Crystal Lake Lewis Matuszewich, Matuszewich, Kelly & McKeever, LLP John Piwko, Trustee, Village of Huntley

Illinois State Senators and Representatives

Senator Pamela Althoff (R) 32nd District, Years served: 2004-Present District Office: 5400 W. Elm Street, Suite 103 McHenry, IL 60050 (815) 455-6330 (815) 679-6756 FAX

Springfield Office: Senator 32nd District 309L Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-8000 (217) 782-7818 FAX

Senator Dan Duffy (R) 26th District, Years served: 2009-Present District Office: 111 North Avenue, Suite 211 Barrington, IL 60010 (847) 277-7100

Springfield Office: Senator 26th District 108B Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-8010 (217) 782-4243 FAX

Senator Karen McConnaughay (R) 33rd District, Years served: 2013-Present District Office: 130 Washington St. West Dundee, IL 60118 (847) 214-8245

Springfield Office Senator 33rd District 103D Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-1977 (217) 782-4079 FAX

Representative Jack Franks (D) 63rd District, Years served: 1999 - Present District Office: 1193 S. Eastwood Dr.

Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 334-0063 (815) 334-9147 FAX

Springfield Office: 267-S Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-1717 (217) 557-2118 FAX Email: jack@jackfranks.org

Representative David McSweeney (R) 52nd District, Years served: 2013 - Present Springfield Office: 226-N Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-1517

District Office: 105 E. Main St. Cary, IL 60013 (847) 516-0052 (847) 516-8164 FAX Email: ilhouse52@gmail.com

Representative Michael Tryon (R) Assistant Republican Leader 66th District, Years served: 2005 - Present Springfield Office: 200-7N Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-0432

District Office: 1500 Carlemont, Suite D Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815) 459-6453 (815) 356-0643 FAX Email: Tryon@ilhousegop.org

Representative Barbara Wheeler (R) 64th District, Years served: 2013 - Present Springfield Office: 214-N Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-1164 (217) 558-7016 FAX

District Office: 550 W. Woodstock St. Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815) 900-6759 Email: repwheeler64@gmail.com

Representative Steven Andersson (R) 65th District, Sworn in 2015 Springfield Office: Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706

District Office: 2111 Plum St. Suite 201 Aurora, IL 60506 (630) 801-9699 x105

Senator Dick Durbin (D) U.S. Senator for Illinois Years served: 1997 - Present Senate Majority Whip

Chicago Office: 230 S. Dearborn St. Suite 3892 Chicago, IL 60604 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (312) 353-4952 (312) 353-0150 FAX

Senator Mark Kirk (R) U.S. Senator for Illinois, Years served: January 2010 - Present

Chicago Office: 230 S. Dearborn St. Suite 3900 Chicago, IL 60604 (312) 886-3506 (312) 886-2117 FAX

Representative Randy Hultgren (R) 14th District, Years served: 2011 - Present

District Office: 1797 W. State St. Suite A Geneva, IL 60134 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m (630) 232-7104 (630) 232-7174 FAX

Representative Peter J. Roskam (R) 6th District, Years served: 2007 - Present Chief Deputy Whip

Satellite Office: 200 S. Hough St. Second Floor Barrington, IL 60010 Tues & Thurs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (847) 656-6354

MCCG 2015 Legislative Agenda

The McHenry County Council of Governments was established in 1976 to provide a venue for a small group of local elected officials to share information and talk about the issues facing their communities. Today, the MCCG still provides a venue for sharing information but now includes 25 municipalities, McHenry County, several townships and other local governments that collectively represent the 308,000 residents of McHenry County. The MCCG is also supported by 25 corporate members, which include municipal law firms, engineering companies and other private entities that provide services to local governments and their communities.

Our mission is to provide a forum and structure for intergovernmental cooperation, uphold and advocate for principles of effective local government, facilitate solutions to regional issues and otherwise lessen the burdens of government. We carry out our mission through the work of our standing committees: Water Policy Task Force, Mayors Caucus, Legislative, Transportation, Finance and Executive Committees, through joint purchasing programs, regular forums, administration of mutual aid networks, involvement with other regional Councils of Government and our state and federal advocacy efforts.

From both a legislative and philosophical standpoint, the MCCG believes that local elected officials, as those closest and most accountable to the residents and communities they serve, must be empowered to make local budgetary, land use, staffing, and operational decisions as independently as possible. Therefore, we seek to preserve local government authority and oppose mandates from state or federal government that add costs to local governments and their residents.

2015 Legislative Principles:

● Support Legislation that grants additional permissive authority for counties, townships and municipalities.

● Support Legislation that empowers local governments to share resources, implement intergovernmental service arrangements and joint purchasing authority in order to preserve and maximize public resources.

● Support Legislation that allows counties, townships and both home rule and non-home rule municipalities to expand non-property tax revenue sources.

● Support Legislation that upholds local and regional land planning and zoning authority.

● Oppose Legislation that imposes unfunded mandates on local governments by the state or federal government.

● Oppose Legislation that reduces the existing authority of county, township or municipal governments.

● Oppose Legislation that erodes or diverts existing county, township or municipal revenues.

● Support partner agencies and local governmental organizations on legislation that impacts shared interests and goals.

2015 Legislative Priorities

● Monitor and Support the Local Government Distributive Funds to Local Government – With the expiration of the State Income Tax hike in early 2015, local municipalities need to remain vigilant that they will continue to receive the same amount of funding through the Local Government Distributive Fund. Despite what will happen with the income tax rollback, local governments rely on and budget for those funds. Any decrease in funds returned to the local governments could be devastating. This includes making sure the funds are going directly from the State to the LGDF.

● Support Pension Reform – The Pension Fairness for Illinois Communities (PFIC) Coalition is making great strides in bringing awareness and studying the impacts of local government police and fire pensions on municipal budgets. The MCCG needs to work closely with legislators on changing the way public pensions are mandated and funded.

● Oppose Unfunded Mandates that Make it Difficult for Local Governments to

Function Including any Regulations that would Limit Fees – Unfunded mandates to any local government or agency can cripple their budget. The MCCG will oppose any legislation that requires local governments to “do more with less”. County, township and municipal budgets are already strained and unfunded mandates place additional burdens on communities. In addition, bills such as SB3507 that could have regulated tap-on fees will be opposed as local governments rely on these types of fees for repayment of water and sewer utility improvements and upgrades.

● Keep Local Government Funds Local – In addition to state income tax, local governments and taxing districts must ensure that the funds acquired are being returned to the respective taxing body. Any Bill that takes funding away from the respective taxing body will be opposed. The MCCG will also closely monitor any education reform discussions that could severely affect residents and taxing bodies.

● Invest in Transportation Infrastructure – Local and regional transportation

projects are a top priority for the County, townships and municipalities. Dedicated transportation dollars and programs for local and state projects need to be consistent and funded. Funding formulas should be fair and the outdated 55/45 split should be replaced with Performance-Based Funding. Capital Bills and Capital Programs need to funnel dollars to the local level so that transportation infrastructure can be maintained and expanded, if needed. The

MCCG supports a fully funded Capital Program that will help construct projects currently being engineered and provide engineering and construction funds for projects being planned. In addition, the MCCG supports any improving, upgrading and maintaining any transit projects that connect municipalities, counties and the region and provide better service for McHenry County residents.

2015 MCCG Transportation Priority List

Key Corridor Projects

● IL 47 from US 14 to Charles Road in Woodstock IDOT has a Phase I Engineering study underway for IL 47 from Charles Road to US 14. Design approval is currently anticipated for the summer of 2015. It is anticipated that the project will be broken into two construction segments: Charles Road to north of IL 120 and north of IL 120 to US 14. IDOT’s FY 2015-2020 Proposed Multi-Modal Transportation (MYP) includes $3,425,000 for Phase II Engineering for the segment from north of IL 120 to US 14 and another $3,425,000 for Phase II Engineering for the segment from Charles Road to north of IL 120. Of the $6,850,000 programmed for Phase II Engineering, $1.8 million is included in FY 2015. However, the current MYP does not include any funding for either segment beyond Phase II Engineering. The estimated cost of additional funding for the entire project is $133,250,000.

● IL 47 and IL 176 Intersection Improvements Phase I Engineering for this project – including engineering for the realignment of Pleasant Valley Road with the south leg of the IL 47/IL 176 – wrapped up in the summer of 2014 and Design Approval is expected this spring. The FY 2015

IDOT Annual Program includes $1,750,000 for Phase II Engineering for contract plans for IL 47 from Reed Road to US 14. The current MYP does not include any funding for land acquisition or construction of this project. IDOT Secretary of Transportation noted that currently the intersections of IL 47 and IL 176 are included in the overall IL 47 reconstruction project.

● IL 31 from IL 176 in Crystal Lake to IL 120 in McHenry IDOT has a Phase I Engineering study underway on the IL 31 project within these limits. Design Approval is anticipated this spring. The FY 2016-2020 portion of the Department’s FY 2015-2020 MYP includes $5.8 million for Phase II Engineering for this project. However, the current MYP does not include any funding beyond Phase II Engineering. The estimated cost of additional funding required to implement this project is $94,000,000.

● Randall Road Improvements from County Line Road to Ackman Road Phase II Engineering for this project is currently underway. The project is divided into three segments – County Line Road to Stonegate Road, Stonegate Road to south of Acorn Road (which includes the Algonquin Road at Randall Road intersection) and north of Acorn Road to Ackman Road. In September the McHenry County Board approved a resolution supporting a conventional intersection at the Algonquin Road and Randall Road intersection. McHenry County has secured some federal funding for this project and currently has it listed in their 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan and Five Year Transportation Improvement Program.

● IL 47 from Reed Road in Huntley to US 14 in Woodstock This project is currently in Phase I Engineering. The overall project will include additional lanes from Reed Road to US 14. The most recent stakeholder meeting was held in March 2014. Stakeholders were able to view preferred alternatives and Best Management Practices. Phase II Engineering is listed in IDOT’s MYP, but is currently not funded.

Regional Projects for which the MCCG Supports

● Union Pacific Northwest Line New Start Projects An environmental assessment for the Union Pacific Northwest Line New Start Project is currently underway. The project will include two new yard sites – Johnsburg and Woodstock, new stations at Johnsburg, Prairie Grove and Woodstock, improved and upgraded signals, increased parking spaces and new rolling stock.

● Longmeadow Parkway

The Longmeadow Parkway Corridor is the proposed four-lane Fox River Bridge crossing and four-lane arterial roadway approximately 5.6 miles in length. The

Parkway will connect IL 62 in Barrington Hills to Huntley Road west of Randall Road. Although located in Kane County, significant support and planning has been received by municipalities in McHenry County, including the County itself, as it will help alleviate congestion in the southeast portion of McHenry County. Kane County Division of Transportation is the lead on the project and has engineers currently working on final design and land acquisition. Construction could start in late 2015. To date, $9,000,000 in federal funding has been secured for land acquisition and IDOT has committed $40 million towards the construction. The overall cost of the project is approximately $100 million.

● IL 53 Extension into Lake County and connection to IL 120 and US 12 In June 2012, the IL 53 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council (BRAC) released a recommendation for the IL 53 Corridor through Lake County. The proposed project would be a four-lane, limited access, tolled parkway connecting the current IL 53 to IL 120 and providing access to US 12. Currently, an IL 53 Finance Committee has been meeting to discuss funding the $2.35 - $2.65 billion project. McHenry County Board Member James Heisler represents McHenry County on the Finance Committee. If completed the traffic will be able to travel IL 53 north to IL 120 west into Lakemoor and McHenry.

● IL 23 at I-90 Interchange

The City of Marengo has been working closely with the Illinois Tollway on a possible interchange at IL 23 at I-90. As part of the I-90 widening and reconstruction project, the IL 23 bridge over I-90 was widened to accommodate a possible interchange. To date, the City of Marengo has funded planning and engineering for the project. In September, the McHenry County Board approved a resolution in support of the project. If built, the project will be the first interstate interchange in McHenry County.