WOODSTOCK – McHenry County Board members who want an April referendum asking voters if they want to directly elect the board chairman have gathered enough signatures to force a special meeting to decide.

The faction submitted a petition at Tuesday evening's board meeting to County Clerk Katherine Schultz with the signatures of 11 of the board's 24 members. Eight signatures are needed under board rules for rank-and-file board members to call a special meeting.

The move came a day after a committee discussed, but did not move forward with, putting the referendum on the April 9 ballot. Governments have until next Tuesday to do so under state election law.