Ramsay and Hernandez do not deny that the suit also stems from the County Board’s rejection of the controversial proposal by Boone Heritage Wind Farm LLC to build a 15-turbine wind farm near Quail Trap and Ramsay roads in rural Boone County.
Ramsay and Hernandez do not deny that the suit also stems from the County Board’s rejection of the controversial proposal by Boone Heritage Wind Farm LLC to build a 15-turbine wind farm near Quail Trap and Ramsay roads in rural Boone County.
BELVIDERE — Let’s just say Wallace Ramsay is seeking payback in more ways than one.
Ramsay, 67, a retired Boone County farmer, filed suit against the County Board and treasurer Wednesday on behalf of all Boone County residents on the basis that the 2005 and 2006 budgets passed by the County Board were in violation of Illinois law.
The illegality stems from special meetings held Nov. 29, 2004, for last year’s budget and Nov. 28, 2005, for this year’s budget. Moments before filing the lawsuit, Ramsay and his attorney, Rene Hernandez, spoke to the media at the Boone County Courthouse.
Hernandez said that for the County Board to hold a special meeting, at least one-third of the board has to make the request in writing stating the time …
BELVIDERE — Let’s just say Wallace Ramsay is seeking payback in more ways than one.
Ramsay, 67, a retired Boone County farmer, filed suit against the County Board and treasurer Wednesday on behalf of all Boone County residents on the basis that the 2005 and 2006 budgets passed by the County Board were in violation of Illinois law.
The illegality stems from special meetings held Nov. 29, 2004, for last year’s budget and Nov. 28, 2005, for this year’s budget. Moments before filing the lawsuit, Ramsay and his attorney, Rene Hernandez, spoke to the media at the Boone County Courthouse.
Hernandez said that for the County Board to hold a special meeting, at least one-third of the board has to make the request in writing stating the time and place of the meeting, something Hernandez said was not done.
“Boone County has acted illegally in collecting two years’ worth of taxes,” Hernandez said. “This action is to take back the government’s action. We want them to give back the money.”
Hernandez also is seeking an injunction to stop the collection of the second installment of this year’s property taxes.
Stating he has knowledge of two cases showing precedent of a judge ruling in favor of such a request under similar circumstances, Hernandez said, “We believe we’re strong on the merits.”
Ramsay and Hernandez do not deny that the suit also stems from the County Board’s rejection of the controversial proposal by Boone Heritage Wind Farm LLC to build a 15-turbine wind farm near Quail Trap and Ramsay roads in rural Boone County.
The wind farm proposal, billed as a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to producing electricity, was filed in April 2005 in Boone County and has spawned a number of often heated public meetings.
In October, the County Board voted 8-4 against the project.
In May, at a special County Board meeting, the board approved the project 5-4. However, Boone County State’s Attorney Jim Hursh advised the meeting was called improperly and that all action taken was null and void.
Last month, the full board took yet another vote and this time rejected the project 7-4.
Boone County Board Chairman Susan Anderson is aware of the suit.
“We are in litigation now, and I can’t comment,” she said.
Staff writer Chris Green can be reached at 815-987-1241 or cgreen@rrstar.com.