Elgin Township eyeing new prescription, recycling programs

Elgin Township is working on plans to establish a new prescription drug program for seniors this year and possibly expand its recycling efforts from just batteries to all electronics, Elgin Township Supervisor Annette Miller said.

The township has about $25,000 for the drug program, but the board still needs to figure out some details for the program, such as age requirements, Miller said.

Miller, a Republican, was re-elected last week, defeating Democrat June Wooten with nearly 59 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results. She was first appointed in 2005 and elected in 2009.

Republicans swept all township offices last week.

Trustees Vicki Pelock, Patrick Hudgens and Robert Johnson were re-elected, and they were joined by newcomer Randy Endean of South Elgin. Outgoing Trustee Carol Rauschenberger, a Democrat, was elected to the Elgin City Council.

Township Clerk Laura Wallett, who was appointed in December, was elected over Democratic challenger Frank Imhoff.

Richard Burnidge was re-elected highway commissioner, beating Democrat Donna Griffin-Lego. Incumbent Steven Surnicki was the only candidate in the race for assessor.

The township has a prescription drug card — available to everyone — that allows people to get medications at discounted prices, Miller said. The new program will be just for seniors, to try to make up for the termination of the Illinois Care Rx program, she said.

The township offers battery recycling at four sites in Elgin, and ships out more than 15,000 pounds of batteries per year, she said.

“We are looking to going for a different (recycling) company that will be cheaper,” she said. “If we can save a substantial amount of money, maybe we’ll start an electronics recycling program, maybe in the spring and fall.”

Elgin Township’s combined town and assessor budgets ending March 31 were balanced at $1.8 million, Miller said. The township did not increase its property tax levy for 2013.

Officials will be working on the current year’s budget in the next couple of months, after getting a final report from the Kane County tax extension office, she said.

Newly elected officials will be sworn in at 8 a.m. May 20 at the township office, 729 S. McLean Blvd., South Elgin.