Grand Detour voters say no to offer of building

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Grand Detour Township voters overwhelmingly rejected a gift valued at more than $97,000 when they cast their ballots Tuesday.

A referendum asking if the township should accept the property at 8094 S. Ill. 2 was voted down 215 to 83.

Township trustee John McLane, who campaigned for accepting the no-strings-attached gift, called the defeat “disheartening.”

“I’m really disappointed in the people of Grand Detour Township that they decided not to take advantage of an opportunity like this,” McLane said. “We’re proud that we ran an honest campaign and that all the information we put out there was factual. I’m glad the voters have had a chance to speak.”

Township supervisor Francis Drew, who opposed accepting the property, did return a phone call.

Township officials were at odds over whether or not to accept the property offered by Hernando and Angela Madronero, who have homes in Grand Detour and Lincoln Park.

The property includes a 2,000 square foot building on a 132 by 119 foot lot with frontage on Ill. 2.

The township board voted 3-2  last fall to reject the Madroneros’ offer, with McLane and trustee Dennis Coomes voting yes, and Drew voting no along with trustees Connie Ross and John Foxley.

Part of the controversy centered on the value of the property.

Records at the Ogle County Supervisor of Assessments office set the fair market value of the property at $97,017.

However, an appraisal done in January set the value at a mere $50,000.