County staff warn housing ‘build’ bill could limit local zoning authority; CMAP water study draws scrutiny
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Summary
McHenry County staff told the Law and Government Liquor Committee they are redlining a proposed state housing “build” bill and coordinating with Collar Counties over concerns about lot sizes, parking, impact fees and loss of local control, while a proposed CMAP regional water study drew questions about local data needs.
County staff and committee members spent substantial time on a legislative briefing that highlighted two policy threads: a pending housing “build” bill that could override local zoning and a separate proposal asking CMAP to study regional water availability.
Deputy County Administrator Lisa Shalit told the committee the county and municipal partners are preparing a redline of the housing bill and meeting with the governor’s office and mayors to identify items that would be harmful to smaller municipalities. Staff and members said the bill includes provisions that could change lot‑size rules, restrict impact fees, and dictate parking requirements—measures members said could impose large infrastructure and school‑funding costs on smaller towns.
Shalit and a presenter identified as Shannon said they are coordinating with Collar Counties and the Illinois Municipal League; they described ongoing negotiations over issues such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs or "granny flats"), parking minima, and statewide formulas for impact fees. Committee members repeatedly warned that a one‑size‑fits‑all approach could force costly new infrastructure in areas lacking transit and sewer capacity.
On water issues, Shalit flagged House Bill 4689 (as referenced in the briefing) directing CMAP to study water usage in Northeastern Illinois; members questioned whether a regional study would provide the municipal‑level detail needed. One member pointed to work already done by the Northwest Water Planning Alliance and ISWS and called for targeted funding for municipal‑level studies and projects where aquifers are being drawn down faster than sustainable rates.
Committee members asked staff to continue tracking these bills and to press for municipal input in negotiations. Staff said they would share redline recommendations with mayors and legislative contacts, and keep the board informed as the bills progress through committee deadlines.
