October 2, 2013- 

In today's paper I am happy to see the Representative Verschoore has decided to withdraw Illinois House Bill 3682 that he sponsored would remove the public from the process of building and or remodeling our courthouse.

Verschoore plans to withdraw courthouse bill
By Eric Timmons, Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=654375

This bill drew criticism from the public who remember a similar attempt in 2011 to bypass voter referendum for courthouse projects.  Although the bill would allow a back door referendum to stop the non-referendum project, it should be noted that in any given election cycle only three referendums may appear on a ballot in a normal election.  Hopefully this legislation is now again put to rest with the help of a vocal public.

October 1, 2013-

"Bill would allow new Rock Island County courthouse without voter OK"

In the paper today (Tuesday, October 1st) you may have read an article in the Dispatch and Rock Island Argus written by Eric Timmons titled "Bill would allow new Rock Island County courthouse without voter OK"

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=654246

Well, I am not ok with that.

As Rock Island County Board Member, District 22, I do not favor State Representative Pat Verschoore’s House Bill 3682 as it silences the voter’s voice and their right to make decisions in Rock Island County on the future of our courthouse-- a right they currently have in the direction of indebtedness for building or renovating a courthouse.

I support the Rock Island County Board formed an ad hoc committee to investigate a court house and county building needs study which is currently summarizing the consultant’s findings.

I wish to bring this information to the voters so that they can vote in a referendum on a finite project to address the need for appropriate court facilities that meet the needs of our court system.

Currently for counties under 300,000 population, a referendum is required obtain funds to construct, reconstruct or remodel a courthouse The proposed legislation attempts to amend the Counties Code allowing the county incur indebtedness for the reconstruction and remodeling of an existing courthouse or the construction of a new courthouse.

If this bill passes, the only voice the voters would have in building a new or renovating our courthouse in Rock Island County would be to circulate a petition for a back door referendum to stop it.

As an elected official, I pledge to continue listening and respecting the will of the people.


View press release here