Lake in the Hills eyes electricity aggregation ballot question

Lake in the Hills has joined a growing number of municipalities who are considering placing a municipal electricity aggregation referendum question on the March election ballot.

At a special committee meeting Tuesday night, board members approved an ordinance that would allow residents and small business owners to decide on March 20 whether they want the village to negotiate a bulk purchase of electricity. That could result in savings for residents if the bids come in at rates lower than ComEd’s.

If the board moves forward on Thursday and the referendum question is approved, the village would switch electricity providers only if the bids are favorable. Although the electricity would be supplied by a different company, billing and repairs would continue to be handled by ComEd. Residents and small business owners would have the option to opt out of the program, Village Administrator Gerald Sagona said.

Trustee Paul Mulcahy asked whether the village would put forth an educational campaign so that residents are properly informed about their choices. “Absolutely,” Sagona replied, adding that the village plans to work on that with consultants.

Harvard and Fox River Grove are the only two municipalities in McHenry County that approved such referendum questions in April.

Cary, Huntley and Crystal Lake are also considering putting the question on the March 20 ballot; the McHenry County Board is debating the issue for the county’s unincorporated areas. McHenry voted this week to place the question on the March ballot, officials said.