WOODSTOCK – A referendum asking voters whether they want to popularly elect the McHenry County Board chairman will not be on the April ballot.

Board members at a special meeting Friday voted, 11-9, to reject the referendum, citing a lack of information, discomfort with perceived haste and support for the current system in which the board’s 24 members elect the chairman from among themselves after each November general election.

The issue has its roots in recent efforts by state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, to try to force direct election of the chairman. Franks was behind a referendum on the November ballot that, had voters said yes, would have created a popularly elected county executive with wide-ranging powers.