Law could make Cook Co. split easier
State Sen. Matt Murphy made an appearance at Monday's Palatine village council meeting to speak briefly about legislation he and State Rep. Suzie Bassi have proposed that would make it easier for townships to secede from Cook County.
The council unanimously passed a resolution stating Palatine's support for the bills. The resolution also calls upon state leaders in Springfield to allow the legislation to move forward for consideration, and requests formal support from Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and the board of commissioners.
"If Cook County can't improve, can't change, can't deliver the government we deserve ... we feel we have the right to govern ourselves," Murphy said.
Stroger came out to Harper College last month to speak to residents about the recent sales tax hike and county services. When asked if he would block secession efforts by Palatine or any other town, the president said he wouldn't.
Murphy said he'll present the resolution in Springfield to Senate President Emil Jones and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. He lauded Palatine officials for "having the courage to stand up and lead" on the issue.
Weed be gone: Based on a few lots in town, you wouldn't know there's a law in Palatine requiring real estate owners to keep their property free of grass and weeds more than 12 inches tall.
Vague language in the ordinance has made enforcement difficult, so the village officially cleaned up the language to clean up the eyesores.
Now, the time frame for notices to owners in violation is reduced from five or six weeks to seven days. The notice can also made through first-class mail and a posting on the property.
Beanbags for charity: The recent Hometown Fest is benefiting more than just the Palatine Jaycees.
For the first time ever, the Fourth of July celebration featured a corn hole toss tournament. The event consisted of 45 teams and landed multiple sponsors to raise more than $700, all of which will be donated to Relay For Life.
Parks of the future: The Salt Creek Rural Park District is looking for residents to take part in a focus group to establish priorities for future operations.
One focus group will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 11 and the other at 7 p.m. Aug. 13. Each session will last between 75 and 90 minutes. The park district will use resident input to help draft its five-year comprehensive master plan.
Anyone interested in participating should contact Pegi Fiedler at (847) 259-6890 or pfiedler@saltcreekpd.com.
• Got the scoop on what's happening in Palatine? Contact Kimberly Pohl at (847) 427-4472 or kpohl@dailyherald.com.