McHenry Co. (ECWd) -
When the government takes your money in the form of taxes, use of that money is bound to specific laws. Spend it outside those restrictions and it is considered a violation of the law.
Algonquin Township receives Motor Fule Tax (MFT) based on the road miles in the Township. Although the road miles stay the same, MFT continues to drop as it is based on gallons of fuel purchased and with vehicles getting better and better mileage, the amount the Townships receive has steadily declined over the years. You can read the law regarding how MFT is collected by the Department of Revenue at this link.
We have confirmed that MFT funds were used for the purchase of Salt in Algonquin Township. We have also confirmed, at least two truckloads (10 cubic yards) of salt was given away during former Highway Commissioner Rob Miller's time in office.
With MFT funds on a steady decline, it is more important than ever to ensure every penny is used for it's intended purpose as outlined in the law. The law is clear, Motor fuel tax funds are allocated for use in road districts and it does not take a rocket scientist to see that the Illinois Railway Museum is not in the Algonquin Township Road District. Even if it was, they don't have any roads!
You may note after reading the MFT law, there is no provision where a Road District is permitted to give away anything, let alone two truckloads of salt. And for those who are going to claim it was not MFT funds used to buy the salt as a form of disputing our findings, let's assume for the sake of argument you're correct. What funds were the salt purchased with?
The fact remains, no matter what funds were used to purchase salt, it was taxpayer funds and nowhere in the law does it permit taxpayer funds to be used to make purchases and give those items away. In this case, it was salt!
Once again we call on the citizens of Algonquin Township to file a formal criminal complaint with the Local Police Department, McHenry County Sheriff, and the State Police so that a proper criminal investigation can be conducted on public property being given away in violation of the law. If any of those three refuse to take your complaint, please contact us ASAP!
Even more disturbing in this matter is the confirmed fact the person who received the salt knows such a practice is not allowed by law. He is the Highway Commissioner for Riley Township. (Riley Township website).
Considering Bob Miller was the former Township Officials of Illinois President, is this yet another example of the failed leadership for Townships across this state?
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