DeKalb County Board members voted unanimously to table discussion on the proposed countywide two-cent gas tax at the board’s meeting Wednesday.

In light of a recent court decision that declared a similar tax in McHenry, DuPage and Kane counties illegal, Transportation Committee Chairman Richard O’Kane recommended further study on the proposed tax.

“Until the case is resolved, there’s not much we can do with the proposal,” O’Kane said.

County Board Chairman Robert Hutcheson said the courts were conducting hearings on the legality of the gas tax in the coming weeks.

“Since the board is not fully cognizant of the rulings yet, I think this proposal should be tabled for the next few months,” Hutcheson said.

The board agreed to pick up discussion on the proposed gas tax in February.

Administrative Aide Ray Bockman was somewhat more skeptical.

“Legislation hasn’t authorized this tax and I don’t believe it ever will,” Bockman said.

Board member Thomas Gary, author of the resolution requesting the gas tax, urged the board not to ignore the issue.

“We shouldn’t sit back for too long,” Gary said.

Board member Samuel Bandy proposed a more innovative approach to the gas tax, which is designed to relieve homeowners of steep property taxes.

“We should study the possible future effects of the tax,” Bandy said. “If we’re going to institute this tax it’s something I’d like to see brought to the voters in referendum.”

utcheson reminded Bandy imposing the tax before the hearings in the Illinois courts are over would be illegal.