Kane County Jail

Kane County to consider one year of property tax relief

Kane County taxpayers may get a break in their property taxes in 2012 in trade for delaying progress on a $39 million wish list of construction projects.

The county boardÂ’s finance committee began 2012 budget deliberations Wednesday. County board Chairman Karen McConnaughay pitched a plan to cut the countyÂ’s $2.54 million tax levy targeted specifically for capital projects down to $100,000.

The plan was bereft of detail, but McConnaughay said the levy reduction would drop local property tax bills. Without cutting the levy, McConnaughay said taxpayers will actually pay more to the county this year.

“In these times, you simply cannot do that,” McConnaughay said.

The impact to the countyÂ’s budget means the county will rake in less revenue in 2012. But McConnaughay said the county wonÂ’t need that money if the board agrees to not pursue any projects the capital levy would normally pay for.

The capital funds are typically used to pay for construction on county-owned land and facilities. In recent years, the county has also used the money to pay for items such as copy machines. Transportation-related construction projects are paid for with money from a different account.

“This board has been very fiscally conservative in its spending,” McConnaughay said. “As a result, you have sufficient cash reserves.”

Back in February, county board members prioritized a $39 million list of projects officials had hoped to tackle during the next five years. At the top of that list is an expansion of the judicial center, including a new parking garage. Opening the shell space in the county jail to add more room is also on the list.

Board members were told in February the county only had about $7 million in capital funds to address the list. The 2012 capital levy would have added to what the county has saved up.

But finance committee Chairman Jim Mitchell agreed with McConnaughay in saying more parking at the judicial center is not high on his list of expenses in the current economy.

ItÂ’s possible the county could still begin to tackle some of that wish list. McConnaughay has said publicly sheÂ’d favor borrowing the bulk of the money, through bonds, to pursue most of the projects on the list.

But finance committee members said they want more detail on the impact of McConnaughayÂ’s proposal before theyÂ’ll support it.

Board member John Hoscheit said he wants an analysis on how dropping the tax levy will affect the countyÂ’s reserve funds, and therefore its credit rating. In contrast to the federal government, Kane County recently saw its bond rating improve to AA+.

Kane County Chronicle | Timera Branch convicted of murder

Timera Branch, age 35, formerly of Streamwood, was convicted today by Kane County Associate Judge Allen M. Anderson of two counts of first-degree murder, in the death of 17-year-old John Keyes III of Elgin, according to a news release issued by the Kane County State's Attorney's office.

Judge Anderson announced his decision in court today following a bench trial.

At about 4 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2009, Branch drove her car and intentionally hit John Keyes III with her 1991 Chrysler Imperial crushing him against an apartment building at 260 Center Street, Elgin. Judge Anderson found that after Branch ran John Keyes III down, she exited her heavily damaged car and incited others with her in a second car to continue the attack, according to the news release. 

Judge Anderson set Branch’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 28 for post-trial motions and sentencing. Branch faces a sentence of between 20 and 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. She will be required to serve 100 percent of her sentence, the news release stated.

Branch remains in the Kane County jail, where she has been held since her arrest. Bond was revoked upon conviction, the release stated.

“We are pleased with the decision of Judge Anderson today finding Timera Branch guilty of both counts of first-degree murder," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said. "It is this type of vigilante justice that has no place in a civilized society. Ms. Branch’s conduct both before and after she intentionally ran down John Keyes III with her car is intolerable and indicates a complete disregard for human life.

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