The McHenry County Administrative Services Committee on Dec. 3 voted to defer further action on a proposal that would change the timing and overlap of board terms, asking administration to schedule a full discussion in July 2029.

Committee members debated whether the proposal could legally affect incumbents because of election timelines. One member warned the proposal "would trap people" who were already elected because of overlap concerns; another responded that the plan was intended "to bring everybody at the same level at the same time." Committee members noted changes that affect who holds office are subject to timing tied to primary and general-election calendars and discussed aiming for compliance with a 180-day pre-election threshold.

Members discussed the interplay of the decennial census and redistricting, noting the 2030 census and the possibility of a March 2032 primary would affect implementation timing. To avoid turning the change into a political issue, one member urged administration to begin conversations earlier and recommended placing the item on the committee calendar in July 2029. That motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The committee’s action was procedural: no ordinance or formal change was enacted. Instead, the committee asked administration to return the item for a substantive, nonpolitical conversation in July 2029 so members can consider the legal timing and election-cycle impacts before any action is forwarded to the full county board.