McHenry Times

Last spring, the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee unanimously approved a resolution that formally condemned nepotism by public officials, or “favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship.”

This spring, a veteran Algonquin Township Republican public official is running for re-election with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of his own family active on his taxpayer-funded payroll.

And he’s not apologizing for it.

Cary’s Bob Miller, who earns $117,824 in his job as Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner, is actually embracing his nepotism, arguing he purposely hires this way because “one can always count on family.”

And he would know. Miller’s family has run the Algonquin Township Highway Department for the last 52 years.

His father, Delbert W. “Del” Miller, served as Highway Commissioner for 18 years before bequeathing the post to Bob in 1993. Del died after suffering an unexpected stroke. He had taken over the job from Julian Dvorak, his father-in-law and a Fox River Grove lifer, who was in charge from 1964-76.

At that point, Bob had already been on the Algonquin Township payroll for 17 years; his grandfather Dvorak hired him at age 20, in 1972.

Miller’s wife -- a former McHenry County Board member -- serves as his secretary, earning $96,697. His sons-in-law Derek Lee and Andrew Rosencrans also work for him, earning $91,027 and $92,245, respectively

Even the notorious Cook County has gotten into the anti-nepotism act, recently passing a set of anti-nepotism rules after Assessor Joseph Berrios hired his sister and son.

That’s always been the Chicago Way, of course. Might they be more ready for reform than Algonquin Township?

Miller says that Lee and Rosencrans do a good job. And his wife does, too.

"I didn't see any point in trying to reinvent the wheel, so I 'hired' her," Miller said. "The State's Attorney's Office said it was OK and the trustees said they didn't have a problem with it.  That was 18 years ago, so if there's some sort of conflict it's a little late to bring it up."

Algonquin Township Republicans, who put Miller in office in the first place, thought now was as good a time as ever.

“There’s no doubt about it,” said Party Vice Chairman Chris Covelli, as quoted by the McHenry County Blog. “Nepotism diminishes public trust.”

In 2007, a McHenry County judge and political ally of Miller received a formal state reprimand for giving special treatment to Miller’s brother, who had been arrested (and later acquitted) of traffic violations and obstructing justice.

Miller is being challenged by McHenry County Board Member Andrew Gasser, a retired member of the Air Force born and raised in Fox River Grove.