No to Huntley park loan, yes to Algonquin electric aggregation

Early results show voters rejecting the Huntley Park District's request to borrow $18.75 million to build an indoor artificial turf facility, and possibly buy and develop more land or upgrade existing park facilities.

With 28 of 33 precincts reporting, unofficial totals show 2,104 "no" votes to 806 "yes" votes.

If rejected, taxpayers would see a reduction, on average, of $125 per year.

Sun City retirement community's roughly 11,000 residents made up a powerful voting block that could have impacted election results. At a recent forum, residents voiced concerns about future tax increases, if voters approve the bond issuance, and the need for such a facility.

Various athletic groups, however, support the turf facility idea because there is none like it in the Huntley area. The closest ones are in DeKalb, Schaumburg and Palatine.

The proposed facility - to be built west of Deicke Park off Route 47 - includes a 250 foot-by-250 foot turf area encircled by a rubberized walking track for winter walkers. It would feature two indoor soccer field-sized areas that can be used for football, soccer, lacrosse and marching band practice, and bleachers.

It also would include a recreation area featuring bocce and multipurpose rooms.

The park district serves 40,000 residents within the village, the western portions of Lake in the Hills and Algonquin, and rural areas west of Huntley.

Algonquin electricity

Given a second chance, Algonquin residents voted to allow village officials a shot at negotiating for lower electricity rates with a company other than ComEd Tuesday night.

Unofficial totals showed 1,187 yes votes compared to 833 no votes with all 26 precincts reporting.

ComEd still will provide service, delivery and billing. Residents can still opt out of any new coverage.

Voters rejected the same question in 2012 by 11 votes.

McHenry board chairman

With 201 of 212 precincts reporting, unofficial totals show 14,268 voters in McHenry County are in favor of electing their county board chairman, while 10,538 voters want to continue the current system of a county board member chosen for the post by his or her peers.

If approved by voters, the binding referendum would allow any resident of the county - not just county board members - to run for the four-year seat starting in 2016. The county board would expand from 24 to 25 members, and the chairman would only vote to break a tie.

Currently, county board members choose a chairman every two years.