It’s less than three weeks after the Primary Election.
I went to the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo searching things political and governmental.
In its usual space right to the right after the entrance at South High School was State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi’s space.
Assistant State’s Attorney Demetri Tsilmigras and Administrative Assistant Lori Slavin were handing out information.
The next booth featuring politics had photos of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Photos of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were at this display. They were being used as nerf targets.
The attraction was promoting a “local community of real estate investors who meet weekly.” The web site is www.epicrer.com. The next meeting is Tuesday, April 5th at the Illinois State Bank’s downstairs room.
Down the line was the McHenry County Genealogical Society. Not a government organization, but of interest.
The McHenry County Genealogical Society was staffed by Kristen Newton McCallum.
The next meeting of the Genealogical Society is 7 PM Thursday, April 14th, at the Pointe Outreach Center east of Sam’s Club. The topic will be “Courthouse Discoveries.”
The Crystal Lake Public Library had a line of people wanting to play their version of Wheel of Fortune.
As usual, the Crystal Lake Public Library had a display.
McHenry County College was the next governmental entity to make its presence known.
McHenry County College was offering information to those attending the Expo.
The next tax district promoting it services was the Crystal Lake Park District.
The Crystal Lake Park District seemed to be promoting summer.
As I walked on, I found the Pro-Life booth.
The McHenry County Right to Life booth was staffed by Nancy Cole and Cathy Klocek. Demetri Tsilimigras walked up right before I took this photo.
A supplier of services for the McHenry County 708 Mental Health Board was next. At 5 PM Monday, Rosecrance is asking the McHenry County 708 Mental Health Board for over $183,000.
Rosecrance had a table staffed by Jim Swarthout. The counseling provider will be at the 5 o’clock McHenry County 708 Board meeting seeking financial help.
On to another tax-supported entity, the McHenry County Clerk’s Office.
McHenry County Clerk Mary McClellan was behind the table of her office’s space.
The City of Crystal had three spaces at the Crystal Lake Expo.
The first of three unified displays for the City of Crystal Lake was the Fire Department.
In the middle was the Crystal Lake Police Department’s presentation.
The Crystal Lake Police Department display was between that of the Fire Department and other city services.
Under the “all other” category was the third display for the City of Crystal Lake.
Zoning, planning, etc., were at the final Crystal Lake municipal display.
Across from the Crystal Lake booths was one for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department.
The Sheriff’s Department had an exhibit near the end of the line in the gym.
There was lots of space for more exhibitors around the corner.
When I reached the food court, I found the closest thing to a Republican display.
It was newly-elected Grafton Township Republican Precinct Committeeman, Fred Falbo, at Pablo’s booth.
Newly-elected Grafton Township Republican Precinct Committeeman Fred Falbo poses with his daughter Sarah at their Crystal Lake Expo booth for their family restaurant Pablo’s.
Two years ago Nunda, Algonquin and Grafton Township Republican organizations got together to rent a CL Expo booth.
But not this year, even though many precincts still don’t have people willing to go door-to-door for this fall’s elections.
The final booth of a local government was that of the McHenry County Recorder of Deeds.
The McHenry County Recorder of Deeds staffed an exhibit at the CL Expo.
One wish: McHenry County Board pass a rule that NO elected politicians face or image may be used on any County Website.
Illinois (state wide) has the second most library employees per capita in the country.
Those employees also are the second highest paid.
Illinois has the seventh highest number of employees per capita involved in Police work.
These employees are the fifth highest paid (again – statewide).
Illinois has the fourth highest number of employees per capita involved in Parks and Recreation. These employees are fifth highest paid.
Cal, how many booths were governmental and how many booths were businesses?
A ball park estimate is good enough.
Connect, If you didn’t know, CL, Alg, and Dundee Twh libraries are all expanding with bigger or more buildings.
Why do we have governmental agencies using tax dollars for booths at any of these expos?
More waste!
Mary McCalamity there just shows she has no shame.
The official election results aren’t even in, yet she has time and audacity to parade around at an expo?!
WTH?
More crap coming from gasser.
If you want to lead so bad how come you didn’t have a booth?
You and you pal Serwatka are missing in action.
You two are full of empty promises.
You both show no leadership and bring nothing to the table.
Until taxpayers actually revolt by not electing anyone to office who they even think will not reduce expenditures, public sector employee wage increases will continue, governments will continue to expand control of everything you do – I mean every thing, taxpayer funded construction will continue to increase.
This past election several candidates for office took credit for the reduced headcount at the County.
The real reason for the headcount reduction was the fact that the county lost people, development slowed to a snail’s pace and taxpayers demanded lower taxes.
While the taxpayers did not see a reduction in taxes by the County at least they froze their property tax levy. (Fees however continue to increase.)
Some municipalities and Townships did actually reduce their expenditures and their taxes.
Meanwhile wage increases continued with a resultant head count reduction to stay within the budget.
Overall, in the State of Illinois, public sector employment has slowed down.
However, wage increases have continued.
The spread between how many public sector employees there are in this state versus what they are paid continues to grow.
U.S. Census does a survey every two years of all public sector employment.
The complete 2014 results were recently published.
Illinois ranks number 13 in the country for public sector employees per capita (with 1 being the best rating and 51 the worst – D.C. is counted).
HOWEVER when you look at what we pay those public sector employees, we rank number 35. Then you take into consideration the pension issue!!
Off the wall question:
There are photos of all the taxpayer-financed booths.
Hey Cal, Sorry I missed you.
There were 118 booths at the event.
Which is a designed to be a public service and allow our community to meet and connect with those who serve the community- Business, Non for profit and Government agencies alike.
It provides an excellent opportunity for the public to ask questions to those who are there representing taxing bodies.
In my eyes- this is an extraordinary service and example of transparency.
The Home & Business Expo was a spectacular success.
I thank everyone who participated for their commitment to the Crystal Lake Community.
Thanks- Mary Margaret Maule
President of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce
The name of the game is to Advertise what is done with your tax dollars to increase the demand / need for more of them!!!
The most blatant example of this is the People in Need Forum at MCC.
I was born in an age when people fended for themselves and if hard times struck, we looked / asked for assistance from the Church.
Now the government has replaced the church and goes out to advertise and convince people there is a need for what they do!!
Cloward-Piven at its finest!
LOL “Woodstock Resident”, we don’t need taxing bodies and public service to spend money on booths.
It’s a waste of taxpayer dollars.
And it’s obvious you have an axe to grind with people who challenge the need for township’s existence.
Overpaid Township politician/employee are you?
A lot of this county waste is coming to an end with the help of people who have had ENOUGH!
Start putting in your applications elsewhere.
In my eyes, this is a lot of completely useless parading about nothing.
Where do I get my money back that was wasted and absolutely frivolous falderal?
I’d have to wonder what was the fee at this expo since they are all different in price.
I can see where people would say gov agencies shouldn’t waste our $$$$ at these expo’s.
That would be because you are informed, but for those that aren’t or are new to the area it helps educated them.
I noticed only Lou and Mary had their names on banners instead of just the office name like the Sheriffs and the rest had.
I also wonder how many people asked Mary about the election failures and what kind of answers they got?
Not hiding was a plus perhaps.
Epic Real Estate Revolution: reboot of Carlton Sheets get rich quick in real estate without any money // MLM.
Sigh.
I counted 10 governmental entities.
These shows typically run about $400 for a regular booth with no electricity.
They have to be staffed let’s low-ball that at $50/hour.
The show runs for 10 hours over 2 days (plus add 2 hours for setup/takedown), that’s $600 for labor.
So, it basically cost us taxpayers $10,000 (or about the cost of 2 home’s average annual property taxes) to have them come to an expo.
RIDICULOUS!!!
And I think I am being generous here.
I didn’t even count the cost of the props and give-aways.
Phen, thanks for the ‘add ’em ups’.
This is blatantly campaigning when it’s about the elected office, rather than the service of the office.
Either way, it’s ridiculous spending.
I can’t believe MARY McCALAMITY had the nerve to show her face in public when the votes hadn’t even been officially counted.
Today they FINALLY came up as official.
Is she that audacious or is she just that clueless?!?!?