Parkway getting a fair hearing

I understand the frustration expressed by Billita Jacobsen and others that the Longmeadow Parkway continues to move forward, despite their opposition. It is not easy for any one person or any group of people to accurately assess public support or opposition to a major public works project that serves an entire region of our state.

Nearly four years ago, when I attended my first County Transportation Committee meeting, my experience from serving 20 years in the Illinois state Senate was that the only way to gauge this sentiment was to hold an accurate referendum. Obviously, I was wrong. There are many ways to measure the collective will of people, especially when the planning and construction of a public asset spans three decades and serves multiple communities and counties in the region.

We live, work and raise our families in a democratic republic. We elect people to represent our views and interests at the local, county, state and federal levels. What I learned, after I spent much more time researching and listening to people on both sides of the Longmeadow Parkway issue, was that the overwhelming majority of those elected by the people over many years were in favor of this project.

Popularly elected trustees in villages and towns throughout the affected region like Algonquin, Barrington Hills, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Gilberts, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Sleepy Hollow, and West Dundee demonstrated their support by sending official resolutions, in many cases passed by unanimous votes, to the Kane County Department of Transportation.

I understand that Barrington Hills has more recently rescinded its support, but I can't imagine that political will could be sustained in all areas for all times over a 30-year generation.

The past two chairmen of Kane County, who served for 12 years before me, have enthusiastically supported the Longmeadow Parkway. McHenry County has consistently demonstrated its support of our regional mutual efforts. All state legislators and federal congressmen have expressed their support for the project.

During my time serving as chairman of Kane County government, voters have sent Maggie Auger, Becky Gillam and Joe Haimann to serve as the voices for approximately 25,000 constituents each. Their collective voice has been unanimously in favor of the parkway.

At times, over the past four years, I have given each of those county board members authority to serve on the Transportation Committee, so that their citizens' views would be fully heard.

Recently, Joe Haimann, who has diligently served with remarkable skill and generous spirit, has not been re-nominated to run in the next general election. Candidates from both parties from that district oppose Longmeadow Parkway. I anticipate appointing whoever wins to the Transportation Committee so that he or she can give full representation to the opposition that has prevailed in electing them.

However, Maggie Auger and Becky Gillam continue to staunchly gather public support and board support for Longmeadow Parkway.

I do wonder this: If opposition to this regional project is as widespread, broad and deep as opponents claim, why haven't opponents been able to secure expressions of opposition from communities, other than Barrington Hills recently and Dundee Township.

Again, I understand that Ms. Jacobsen disagrees with me that the Dundee Township referendum was intentionally drafted in a biased manner that diminished the effect of its result. However, the word bias means "unfairly prejudiced (pre-judged) for or against someone or something". The wording of the referendum asserted four reasons or prejudices against the project and none in favor in its language. Even Daily Herald reporter, Jim Fuller, observed that supporters expected more yes than no votes "based on wording in the question that suggests the parkway will have numerous negative effects to homeowners and the environment." (February 29, 2016).

I respect the substantial opposition expressed by the result of this referendum, but the end does not justify the biased means of obtaining that conclusion. Nevertheless, Dundee Township is now listed in my tally as "opposed."

Just because we disagree on this major topic doesn't justify Jacobsen's inaccurate assessment that "Kane County is just as inept and lacking common sense as Cook County," her false (nearly libelous) accusation that someone "got to me" regarding what she calls a boondoggle that will stuff the pockets of a few companies, and her misrepresentation of the history and levels of support for work that has been done for a generation of three decades by thousands of people just as passionate as she is.

For the past six budget years, the Kane County Board and I have frozen the county's property tax levy, cut our bond debt in half and opened the county books and processes for the greater participation of all the constituents we serve.

We have enough unpleasant nastiness in federal and state politics. In local government, we're trying to do our best to be honest, competent and respectful of others, even when we disagree.

Christopher J. Lauzen is chairman of the Kane County Board.