McHenry County Blog

This yard sign for Pat Quinn is fresh from Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

I found it at the Farm Bureau tonight where the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee was meeting.

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) was the main attraction. Only a couple of times did I wish I could give a rebuttal. One was when he was talking about property taxes. Being a Cook County Democrat, he naturally did not point out how McHenry County homeowners are assessed at about twice the percentage of their homes’ market value as are homeowners in Chicago. Chicagoans are assessed about 1% of their homes’ worth, while we in McHenry County are assessed about 2%. Since Chicago tax rates are not twice as high as those out here, it means Chicago homeowners pay lower taxes on the same valued home than we do.

McHenry County Democratic Party Chair Cathy Bergan Schmidt had gathered as many signs as she could when she went down to Springfield for the event, Quinn’s included. She stressed that display of the signs did not indicate an endorsement and that, indeed, the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee does not endorse candidates in primary elections.

Former McHenry County Board member John Jung is gearing up for another try.

Jung was defeated by Lake in the Hills Village Trustee Paula Yensen last fall. She won by 1,223 in the hard-fought battle.

I have long contended that women running for office in our area have a five percentage point advantage. Five percent of the 38,673 votes cast is 1,933.

That’s not to minimize Yensen’s hard door-to-door campaigning, but her gender certainly was an advantage.

Yensen also had the advantage of Barack Obama’s carrying McHenry County by 5.3 percentage points.

Jung also campaigned vigorously door-to-door.

“I worked my head off,” Jung told me after the election.

With the Democratic Party incumbent being a male, Jim Kennedy won’t have the same advantage Yensen had.

But, then again, Kennedy did defeat a man, Perry Moy. Kennedy’s direct mail campaign can only be described as vicious.

If you don’t remember, take a look at the extremely negative campaigning by Democrats in District 5 four years ago. See

Picking of Perry – Part 1,
Picking on Perry – Part 2,
Picking on Perry – Part 3,
Perry Takes Another Hit, and
Negative Campaigning Apparently Works.

And, somehow I don’t think the Democratic Party candidate for governor will carry McHenry County, especially, if Democratic legislators hike the income tax on the relatively high income McHenry County residents.

Yensen spent $9,141; Jung spend $6,666.

Perhaps significantly, neither Jung nor District 2 Republican Nick Provenzano ran coordinated campaigns with their female GOP running mates. Both lost to Democratic Party women, Jung to Yensen and Provenzano to Democratic Party Chair Cathy Bergan Schmidt.

In fact, Jung’s running mate, Virginia Peschke, who ran first by 96 votes, did not start campaigning until the end of October. It consisted mainly of yard signs.

Provenzano is also seeking to regain his seat on the McHenry County Board.

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The head shot is of Democratic Party McHenry County Board member Jim Kennedy. The photo of John Jung and his wife Josie is from last year’s campaign pamphlet.

In 2006, there were two open space referendums on the ballot in Nunda Township.

One passed and the other narrowly lost.

You can see the parcels that were identified two years below (click to enlarge this image or any other):

The one to authorize the open space district passed by 132 votes. 51.5% to 48.5%. That was the easy one.

The referendum asking whether voters were willing to pony up the money—$20 million—failed by 27 votes. 49.7% to 50.3%.

Supporters organizing themselves for the campaign as “Nunda Neighbors for Open Space” obviously thought the vote was close enough to try again. This time for $15 million.

Their web site estimates that a $350,000 home would pay $63 annually for the 20-year period the bonds would be outstanding.

The issue re-surfaced at the Nunda Township meeting last year when Democratic Party Chair Kathy Bergen Schmidt made the motion to put the funding referendum on the ballot. Brian Weaver, who ran in the Republican primary for township assessor, seconded the motion. According to the comment left below by Schmidt, the vote to put the referendum on the ballot was unanimous. She reports that all of the “Team Nunda” candidates attended the meeting.

That motion obligated the township to place the issue on the ballot.

The two Democrats running for trustee endorse the proposal, while the opposition Republican slate —Team Nunda— isn’t:

“Team Nunda remains neutral on the Open Space Referendum to sincerely support the choice made by the Nunda Township voters rather than promote any personal agendas.”

It appears the GOP slate is trying to put a little distance between themselves and the tax hike effort.

Meanwhile McHenry County Libertarians are putting on a campaign against the referendum.

An article on the party blog says, in part,

“While unemployment is skyrocketing, the stock market crashing and people worry from day to day about finances our leaders close their eyes to reality and suggest more taxes. Some people say, ‘but Dave, it’s only $$$ a year, what’s the big deal?’ I answer that with this question … ‘Ok , ____, give me a tax number that is enough then.’”

Endorsing the referendum, according to proponents’ direct mail piece, are

• McHenry County Conservation Foundation
• The Land Conservancy
• Boone Creek Watershed Alliance
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation District
• The Sierra Club
• McHenry County Audubon Society
• Friends of the Fox
• Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
• Bull Valley Association
• McHenry County Farm Bureau
• McHenry County Soil & Water Conservation District
• Open Lands Project
• McHenry County Board member Barb Wheeler
• McHenry County Board member Kathy Bergen Schmidt
• State Senator Pam Althoff

Below is the additional information that proponents have mailed out:

The pitches being made include one that more open space will preserve shallow aquifer rainwater recharge areas, as well as curtailing demand in the area. (Remember to click on the image to make it large enough to read.)

Another is that it is cheaper to buy the land and pay the cost of its purchase over 20 years than to subsidize the houses that otherwise would be built on the properties. The argument is made that it costs 31 cents for every tax dollar collected to provide services to open space, but $1.11 for each tax dollar to service homes.

Nunda Neighbors for Open Space Committee members are Ders Anderson, Crystal Lake

• Nancy Schietzelt, Crystal Lake
• Michael Kutnick, McHenry
• Lori McConville, Crystal Lake
• John MacDonald, McHenry
• Louise Reinier, Crystal Lake
• Tom and Carolyn Lillegard, Crystal Lake

The committee argues that with the depressed price of real estate and the low interest rates, this is the best time to buy land.

Other Illinois townships buying open space:

• Dundee Township in Kane County – 862 acres
• Compton Township in Kane County – 781 acres
• Libertyville Township in Lake County – 1,500 acres
• Homer Township in Will County – 200 acres

A press release from the McHenry County Democratic Party:

McHENRY COUNTY DEMOCRATS
EXPRESS SHOCK AT ARKANSAS KILLING

CRYSTAL LAKE—Kathy Bergan Schmidt, Chair of the Democratic Party of McHenry County expressed her shock and dismay at the assassination of Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney in Little Rock on Wednesday.

Bergan Schmidt was attending the Illinois Democratic Party State Convention and Democrats Day at the Illinois State Fair with several other members of the McHenry County Party when the shooting occurred. “We didn’t get word until later,” she said after returning to Crystal Lake on Thursday.

Gwatney was shot multiple times in his office by Timothy Johnson, who was reportedly distraught over loosing his job. Gwatney had no known connection to Johnson. The assassin was killed by police after a 30 chase.

A former Arkansas state senator, Gwatney had been a strong supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign but had subsequently endorsed Senator Barack Obama. He planned to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver as a super delegate.

“Our sympathies go out to Chairman Gwatney’s family and to the dedicated members of the Arkansas Democratic Party,” Bergan Schmidt said. “The actions of a troubled man can not and will not stop Democrats from working for hope and change in America.”

A press release from the McHenry County Democratic Party:

McHENRY COUNTY DEMOCRATS
EXPRESS SHOCK AT ARKANSAS KILLING

CRYSTAL LAKE—Kathy Bergan Schmidt, Chair of the Democratic Party of McHenry County expressed her shock and dismay at the assassination of Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney in Little Rock on Wednesday.

Bergan Schmidt was attending the Illinois Democratic Party State Convention and Democrats Day at the Illinois State Fair with several other members of the McHenry County Party when the shooting occurred. “We didn’t get word until later,” she said after returning to Crystal Lake on Thursday.

Gwatney was shot multiple times in his office by Timothy Johnson, who was reportedly distraught over loosing his job. Gwatney had no known connection to Johnson. The assassin was killed by police after a 30 chase.

A former Arkansas state senator, Gwatney had been a strong supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign but had subsequently endorsed Senator Barack Obama. He planned to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver as a super delegate.

“Our sympathies go out to Chairman Gwatney’s family and to the dedicated members of the Arkansas Democratic Party,” Bergan Schmidt said. “The actions of a troubled man can not and will not stop Democrats from working for hope and change in America.”

Finally made it to the McHenry County Fair Sunday afternoon.

Should have gone earlier. The price for us old geezers was only $3.

Naturally, I decided to find all the political booths. I went by the two power party booths, not once, but twice, to see if I could pick up more candidates.

Not counting candidates with booths financed by tax dollars (these are the folks the Algonquin Founders Day Parade committee call “office holders”), the Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians were represented.

Because the Democrats had the most candidates, I’ll start with their booth.

It was a double wide one.

Standing there to welcome folks was Democratic Party state’s attorney candidate Tom Cynor.

Also greeting voters were county board candidates Jeff Thirtyacre and Cathy Began Schmidt. Schmidt is chair of the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee as well.

Chair Schmidt got me to pose with the Barack Obama cardboard cutout—a duplicate of the one my wife posed with on Navy Pier last week while we were waiting to board the Family PAC cruise boat.

Obama’s image was brought out so I could have my picture taken with it.

How bold these Democrats are!

But, I might be bold, too, if my party had gotten more primary votes that the established power party for the first time since that power party was founded and took control of McHenry County government.

They printed out a copy, but, with my scanner on the fritz, I asked that it be emailed to me. I’ll turn it into a message of the day.

Think Wilson in “Home Improvements.”

On the way out of the building, I found a man wearing a Kerry Julian, Auditor, McHenry County tee shirt walking toward the Democratic Party booth. He is challenging Republican County Auditor Pam Palmer.

It turns out it was the candidate himself.

When I came back, there was another candidate.

Robert Kaempfe was chatting with Huntley residents Diane Ayers, a Democratic Party precinct committeeman, and her husband Rusty. Kaempfe is running against Republican State Rep. Mike Tryon.

A good turnout of candidates, I would say.

Tomorrow, it’s the Republicans’ turn.

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The Holstein cows at the top expressed no political preference.

Finally made it to the McHenry County Fair Sunday afternoon.

Should have gone earlier. The price for us old geezers was only $3.

Naturally, I decided to find all the political booths. I went by the two power party booths, not once, but twice, to see if I could pick up more candidates.

Not counting candidates with booths financed by tax dollars (these are the folks the Algonquin Founders Day Parade committee call “office holders”), the Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians were represented.

Because the Democrats had the most candidates, I’ll start with their booth.

It was a double wide one.

Standing there to welcome folks was Democratic Party state’s attorney candidate Tom Cynor.

Also greeting voters were county board candidates Jeff Thirtyacre and Cathy Began Schmidt. Schmidt is chair of the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee as well.

Chair Schmidt got me to pose with the Barack Obama cardboard cutout—a duplicate of the one my wife posed with on Navy Pier last week while we were waiting to board the Family PAC cruise boat.

Obama’s image was brought out so I could have my picture taken with it.

How bold these Democrats are!

But, I might be bold, too, if my party had gotten more primary votes that the established power party for the first time since that power party was founded and took control of McHenry County government.

They printed out a copy, but, with my scanner on the fritz, I asked that it be emailed to me. I’ll turn it into a message of the day.

Think Wilson in “Home Improvements.”

On the way out of the building, I found a man wearing a Kerry Julian, Auditor, McHenry County tee shirt walking toward the Democratic Party booth. He is challenging Republican County Auditor Pam Palmer.

It turns out it was the candidate himself.

When I came back, there was another candidate.

Robert Kaempfe was chatting with Huntley residents Diane Ayers, a Democratic Party precinct committeeman, and her husband Rusty. Kaempfe is running against Republican State Rep. Mike Tryon.

A good turnout of candidates, I would say.

Tomorrow, it’s the Republicans’ turn.

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The Holstein cows at the top expressed no political preference.

With all the stir created by McHenry County Democrats about not being allowed to campaign in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade this weekend, I thought maybe those planning to attend might like to see what they might be missing.

The photos here are from the last weekend’s apparently no – political – holds – barred McHenry Fiesta Days Parade. They were supplied by GOP parade walker recruiter, McHenry precinct committeeman and District 15 Grade School Board member John O’Neill.

244 Republicans, he reports.

First, let’s look at the front of the Democrats’ contingent.

Lots of flags.

Kids can be seen on the Democratic Party float under a kicking donkey. I imagine the symbolism might have something to do with more people have taken Democratic Party primary ballots than voting on the GOP ticket this spring.

From the tee shirt on the girl to the right carrying the banner, which I looked at first, this looks like State Rep. Jack Franks’ entry.

Looking closer, I see it is a joint marching unit for Franks and Republican Pam Althoff. (No wonder Republicans didn’t come up with an opponent for Franks this year.)

I can’t tell you whether this unit marched with the Republicans, Democrats or far from both contingents. This appears to be a continuation of the cross- promotion that someone sighted a year ago at the McHenry County Fair, where the two shared a tent. Althoff does describe herself as “a social liberal.” She also wants to be known as “a fiscal conservative.”

In any event, it would seem to be allowed in the Algonquin parade, because office numbers on listed. In fact, McHenry County Board member Tina Hill, who is State Rep. Mike Tryon’s administrative assistance is standing behind the banner. I can’t remember if she works for Althoff, too.

Democratic Party Central Committee Chair Kathy Bergan Schmidt, one of the folks from both parties who urged me to run for Republican precinct committeeman again, can be seen promoting her District 3 McHenry County Board candidacy. She wouldn’t meet the Founders Day Parade rule requirements, but, because she heads the local party, she’ll undoubtedly be on Route 62 Saturday.

State Rep. Mike Tryon drove a red (no, a commenter writes; it’s blue) convertible with Althoff’s name and incumbent office on the door. Tryon is the chairman of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee.

Tomorrow: More Republicans.

With all the stir created by McHenry County Democrats about not being allowed to campaign in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade this weekend, I thought maybe those planning to attend might like to see what they might be missing.

The photos here are from the last weekend’s apparently no – political – holds – barred McHenry Fiesta Days Parade. They were supplied by GOP parade walker recruiter, McHenry precinct committeeman and District 15 Grade School Board member John O’Neill.

244 Republicans, he reports.

First, let’s look at the front of the Democrats’ contingent.

Lots of flags.

Kids can be seen on the Democratic Party float under a kicking donkey. I imagine the symbolism might have something to do with more people have taken Democratic Party primary ballots than voting on the GOP ticket this spring.

From the tee shirt on the girl to the right carrying the banner, which I looked at first, this looks like State Rep. Jack Franks’ entry.

Looking closer, I see it is a joint marching unit for Franks and Republican Pam Althoff. (No wonder Republicans didn’t come up with an opponent for Franks this year.)

I can’t tell you whether this unit marched with the Republicans, Democrats or far from both contingents. This appears to be a continuation of the cross- promotion that someone sighted a year ago at the McHenry County Fair, where the two shared a tent. Althoff does describe herself as “a social liberal.” She also wants to be known as “a fiscal conservative.”

In any event, it would seem to be allowed in the Algonquin parade, because office numbers on listed. In fact, McHenry County Board member Tina Hill, who is State Rep. Mike Tryon’s administrative assistance is standing behind the banner. I can’t remember if she works for Althoff, too.

Democratic Party Central Committee Chair Kathy Bergan Schmidt, one of the folks from both parties who urged me to run for Republican precinct committeeman again, can be seen promoting her District 3 McHenry County Board candidacy. She wouldn’t meet the Founders Day Parade rule requirements, but, because she heads the local party, she’ll undoubtedly be on Route 62 Saturday.

State Rep. Mike Tryon drove a red (no, a commenter writes; it’s blue) convertible with Althoff’s name and incumbent office on the door. Tryon is the chairman of the McHenry County Republican Central Committee.

Tomorrow: More Republicans.

I wasn’t the only one staying up late to bring you the news about the McHenry County Democratic Party’s slating of four candidates in spots they could not find anyone to run for in their primary election.

Democratic Party Central Committee Secretary Patrick Murfin did, too.

His press release arrived at 1:06 AM while I was trying to get my story posted. (For some reason, Google’s Blogger takes much too long to post stories.)

Rather than revise my story to include some details I did not have on the candidates, I thought I’d just publish Murfin’s press release. If you are really interested, you can read them together.

If you are really, really interested, you can read Reagan Foster’s Northwest Herald story and Chuck Keeshan’s Daily Herald story, as well.

Here is the press release:

McHENRY COUNTY DEMS CAUCUS
CANDIDATES ON TO NOVMEBER BALLOT

WOODSTOCK—The McHenry County Democratic Central Committee voted to add candidates for State’s Attorney and Auditor to the November ballot when they caucused at the McHenry County Farm Bureau on Wednesday Night.

Former party Chair Thomas J. Cynor of Woodstock was slated for State’s Attorney. Cynor is currently the Research Attorney for the 22nd Judicial Circuit. A law school graduate of the University of Illinois in 1993, he has a varied legal background including many hours of trial experience as a private lawyer, a public Defender and court appointed Special Prosecutor in Livingston County, and a Municipal Attorney and Village Prosecutor in Washington Park, Illinois.

“I have no misconceptions as to the hurdles any Democratic Candidate for public office faces in McHenry County,” Cynor said. “But I know that our county and its citizens are ready for change and…ready to finally have a competent, ethical, and well qualified attorney representing their interests.”

The nod for McHenry County Auditor went to Woodstock insurance agent Kerry E. Julian. Julian has operated the Julian Agency since 2002. Prior to that, he was an executive with major insurance companies. He oversaw a staff of over a hundred and a budget of $10 million for accounting, claims, customer service, legal and other operations a HCC Insurance in Northbrook. He is a volunteer Boy Scout leader and the treasure of his church.

“I feel I have a good skill match for the post of Auditor and I am ready to give back to my community,” Julian said. “An independent county Auditor can be the best watch dog of tax payer interests. I’m not tied to existing power centers. My only allegiance will be to the citizens of McHenry County.”

Party Chair Kathy Bergan Schmidt said, “More choices on the ballot in November is another step to breaking the one-party monopoly that has so long dominated McHenry County. The Democratic Party is not sitting on the sidelines but is engaging in County campaigns with qualified candidates ready to fight hard for victory.”

Precinct Representatives from County Board District 2 also caucused at the meeting and selected Anita Harmon and Jill Mawhinney as the party’s nominees. Both had been unanimously recommended by the Party’s Executive Committee, which interviewed multiple candidates.

Harmon is a Crystal Lake business woman and veteran of the U.S. Navy. She is currently business manager of Premier Commercial Realty and was previously employed by the engineering firm Of Baxter & Woodman. She has been a community volunteer as President of the League of United Latin American Citizen (LULAC) in McHenry County, board secretary of the Galleons Advocacy Group in Crystal Lake, volunteer tax preparer through the Woodstock Rotary and VITA-Woodstock, and a Director of Children’s Ministry for her church.

Mawhinney is a retired Professor of Student Development at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. The long time Crystal Lake resident’s resume includes experience as a provider of a full range of counseling services, an instructor in small and large group settings, and organizational development. Mawhinney is married to Attorney Richard Jackson, a previous candidate for the County board who gladly demurred to his wife this time around.

The party still has the opportunity to caucus additional candidates onto the ballot until early April.

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McHenry County Democratic Central Committee Secretary and author of the press release above Patrick Murfin is seen at the top right. McHenry County State’s Attorney candidate Thomas Cynor is at the top of the press release. Next is McHenry County Auditory candidate Kerry Julian. McHenry County Democratic Party Central Committee Chair Kathy Bergan Schmidt is in the smaller picture down to the left from Julian.
Next comes a waving in recognition to being address McHenry County Board District 2 candidate Anita Harmon. On the bottom is the second District 2 candidate, Jill Mawhinney, speaking extemporaneously. All pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.