Chambana Sun

State Rep. Mike Marron (R-Champaign) is applauding a bill by Republican colleague Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) that would allow people in a township to appeal decisions by their road commission.

“From my perspective, I think this is definitely a good move,” said Marron during a House Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee hearing earlier this month. “You'd like to think everybody has the best intentions and most of the time they do. I like to think everyone acts as to what they think is right. But I've seen at times some of these areas there are personal conflicts that get in the way and when things like that happen there is no independent arbitrator.”

House Bill 2863 aims to address those instances by amending the Illinois Highway Code to stipulate that “an owner or occupant seeking consent from a highway authority to construct ditches, drains, track, rails, poles, wires, pipe line or other equipment along any highway or road may appeal the authority's decision to deny consent to the county superintendent of highways by filing an appeal in the office of the district clerk within 10 days after receiving the written explanation of the decision.”

While Swanson seems open to any tweaks that might be necessary to move the bill forward, Marron says it appears to be ready.

“I think this makes sense,” he added. “I would urge everyone to support this. I think it's important for districts like mine.”

Swanson said his whole aim is to calm the waters so two sides are able to work together for the benefit of everyone.

“In one case a sheriff was called out because a road commissioner and a landowner were upset over something that occurred and they got into a pretty heated debate,” he said. “The major part of the opposition is road commissioners and it is my intent to calm the crowd and come to a resolution we can all agree on.”