By TOM SCHLUETER
GENEVA -- Kane County Board Chairman Mike McCoy and U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert are trying to downplay a
perceived feud between the two.
"There is no feud on this end," said Hastert's press secretary Brad Hahn.
"I think most of the 'feud' between him and me is manufactured," McCoy said.
The two posed for a photo opportunity last week and relations were cordial, McCoy said.
McCoy has been a vocal opponent of the Illinois Department of Transportation's plan to protect a corridor in western Kane County for an outer beltway.
Hastert has publicly supported the concept of the beltway, which is called the Prairie Parkway, and he worked to secure $15 million for engineering studies.
At times it has appeared the two have butted heads over the highway. On Tuesday McCoy offered a compromise on the road's alignment, as well as a plan to appoint a corridor management council to make sure plans move forward.
"I wanted to present an alternative to show I'm not an obstructionist," McCoy said.
"We're glad Chairman McCoy is getting involved," Hahn said.