THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008

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Village Staying Right Where It Is

By TOM ROBB

JOURNAL REPORTER

Mayor Craig Johnson rejected the idea that Elk Grove Village should consider breaking away from Cook County after meeting with County Board President Todd Stroger on Tuesday.

Johnson was short on details of the meeting. He said he and Stroger talked for an hour and a half, discussing O'Hare Airport among other issues and that Stroger accepted an invitation to personally visit the village.

Johnson said he has fielded many questions from residents on the idea of seceding from Cook County in the wake of recently approved county tax increases.

"It's just never going to happen," said Johnson.

Elk Grove Village lies mostly in Cook County with a small southern portion in DuPage County south of Devon Avenue.

Johnson said it is better to build a good relationship with Cook County leaders and said secession to DuPage would cost taxpayers dearly. Johnson said if Elk Grove Village became wholly in DuPage County, taxes on residents would increase 50 to 100%.

Last month, Palatine Councilman Jack Wagner raised the idea of the village seceding from Cook County in response to tax increases.

Stroger will meet with Palatine officials and residents on Wednesday, Apr. 30 at Harper College.

Johnson said Elk Grove Village residents are not happy about Cook County's recent tax hikes but said it is better for both parties to understand the other's perspective on things.