McHenry County Blog

An automated phone call penetrated McHenry County District 2 homes Friday night.

First people were asked if they were registered voters.

Next people were asked to rate each candidate according to favorability.

There was a scale of one to four on favorability:

District 2 McHenry County Board map.

• One was “very favorable”
• Two was “favorable”
• Three was  “unfavorable”
• Four was “very unfavorable.”
• Five was “undecided.”

This was the candidate order:

• Donna Kurtz
• Ken Koehler
• Jim Heisler
• Tom Wilbeck
• Carolyn Schofield

Next people were to make a choice as if they were voting today. Who would be your first, second, third and fourth choice?

There were ten questions altogether.

The poll was taken out of Chicago, a 773 area code.  The full number was 773-887-9910.

If District 2 voters start getting a lot of mail from a candidate, one can assume that that candidate paid for the poll and it didn’t work out the way he or she hoped.

Larry Snow

“While Democrats say Teachers ‘Have Kept Their Part of the Deal?’“

is the title of an April 5, 2011, article by former Huntley School District 158 Board member Larry Snow.  (The quote was in the Chicago Tribune Marcy 31, 2011.  It is from Executive Director Dick Ingram of Teachers’ Retirement System.)

The article was published in “The Champion” with this teaser:

“82,981 of 132,502 Illinois Teachers Pay Nothing or Little into Their Pensions“

That’s 63% of all teachers in Illinois.

The State Journal-Register is reporting that State Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park) is promoting a bill where state and local governments would all pay six percent of payroll toward employee pensions.

In a revealing sentence in reporter Chris Wetterich’s article, he writes,

“What’s unclear is how much more employees themselves would have to pay.“

Because no one has done the research except, I believe, the Illinois Education Association and Snow, how much extra teachers would have to pay if their so-called contribution rate was raised from 9.4% to 13.77% is a really good question.

While not covering every school district in Illinois, Snow did research the teachers’ contracts for all of the large school districts (by law all are supposed to be on the internet) in order to find out how much teachers pay in order to get a “full 75 percent pension after working only 27 years.” He points out, “Most adults work for 27 years before they turn age 50.”

As way of background, Snow notes that teachers are not in the Social Security System and, therefore, are not forced to pay Social Security taxes.

“Ordinary workers get hit with a 6.2 percent deduction for Social Security,” Snow writes. “It’s a deduction they have to pay federal and state income taxes on.

“Democrats gave teachers a huge loophole of not paying income taxes on any of their pension deductions” he continues. “This enormous no-tax handout to teachers amounts to billions of dollars each year.”

Snow’s research leads him to this conclusion:

“Over 51,000 of the total 132,502 teachers in Illinois contribute nothing from their K-12 paychecks into their pensions. Illinois law says it is to be 9.4 percent.

“About an additional 32,000 teachers pay little into their pensions. It is 1.81 percent to be precise for these 31,956 teachers.“

How many teachers pay not a dime toward their retirement?

51,025 teachers in 186 school districts pay nothing for retirement benefits.

They “don’t pay a penny into the 9.4 percent called out by Illinois law.

“There are a total of 868 districts in Illinois.

“The pay-zero teachers listed are 39 percent of all teachers in Illinois,” Snow reveals.

No agency in state government seems to keep track of this information.

Not the Downstate Teachers Retirement Fund, which boldly and incorrectly claims,

“Active TRS members are required to contribute 9.4 percent of their creditable earnings each year…”

The State Board of Education doesn’t keep track either.

My guess is that only the Illinois Education Association has a matrix showing what school districts have given what benefits in contract negotiations.

Snow discovered this about Lockport:

“…on page 14 of the Lockport Township HS 205 teachers contract it reads:

1. The Board will pay the current level of retirement contribution to the Teachers Retirement System of Illinois.”
2. It is expressly understood that figures appearing on this salary schedule include a sum equal to the current level of TRS contribution of the base salary of each Teacher which is, in fact, payable to the Teachers’ Retirement System on the Teacher’s behalf.”

“The ISBE report shows this board paying nothing. A Democrat bureaucracy doesn’t check the teachers contracts to see if what is reported, matches what’s in writing.”

And, if legislation is passed requiring 4.37 percentage points more, how long do you think it will take Lockport taxpayers to pick up the difference?

Given that local teachers’ unions pretty much control school boards wherever they are elected (read everywhere but Chicago), my guess is will be on the top of the collective bargaining list.

Do you wonder if Rep. McCarthy knows that?

Is his proposal just a setting up local taxpayers for an even bigger fall?

Five years from now will 39% of teachers still be paying nothing for their pensions?

Even better for teachers is that this pension payment ups their pension payments.

Take a look at the chart below.  Chances are your school district is on it.

Chart of Pension Contributions by 82,981 District Teachers of 132,502 Total Illinois K-12 Teachers

Name of District	No. of Teachers	Percent of Pension Contributed by Teachers
Thornton Twp 205	428	Zero
Proviso 209	281	Zero
Waukegan 60	1,098	Zero
Morton 201	455	Zero
Kankakee 111	348	Zero
Joliet 204	340	Zero
Round Lake 116	387	Zero
Rockford	1,843	Zero
Decatur 61	454	Zero
Crete Monee	340	Zero
Danville 118	382	Zero
Valley View 365	1,068	Zero
Aurora West 129	706	Zero
East Peoria 309	69	Zero
Galesburg	281	Zero
Bremen 228	313	Zero
Freeport	317	Zero
Leyden 212	219	Zero
Elgin U-46	2,332	Zero
Rock Island	388	Zero
Mattoon	225	Zero
Collinsville	394	Zero
Massac 1	143	Zero
Sterling	219	Zero
Belvidere	531	Zero
Quincy	436	Zero
Dixon	179	Zero
West Chicago	248	Zero
Cook County 130	289	Zero
Cicero 99	738	Zero
Joliet 86	617	Zero
Harvey 152	163	Zero
Crystal Lake 155	412	Zero
Crystal Lake 47	564	Zero
Wheeling 21	489	Zero
Champaign 4	717	Zero
United CUSD 304	68	Zero
Riverdale 100	76	Zero
Reed Custer 255	114	Zero
Wilmington 209U	84	Zero
United Township 30	90	Zero
Summit Hill 161	213	Zero
Plainfield	1,695	Zero
Schiller Park 81	98	Zero
Dolton 149	176	Zero
Township 211 Palatine	799	Zero
Ball Chatham 5	248	Zero
Taylorville 3	152	Zero
Williamsville 15	81	Zero
Harrisburg 3	130	Zero
Belleville 201	281	Zero
Dupo 196	76	Zero
O’Fallon 203	145	Zero
O’Fallon 90	207	Zero
Rochester 3A	142	Zero
Pekin 108	248	Zero
Morton 709	175	Zero
New Lenox 122	287	Zero
Frankfort 157	158	Zero
Marion 2	219	Zero
Carterville 5	110	Zero
Kinnikinnick 131	122	Zero
Tolono 7	116	Zero
Mahomet-Seymour 3	161	Zero
Champaign 4	717	Zero
Urbana	346	Zero
Charleston 1	180	Zero
Park Ridge 64	319	Zero
Evanston 202	222	Zero
Maine HSD 207	508	Zero
Arlington Heights 214	753	Zero
Niles 219	350	Zero
Berkeley 87	165	Zero
Berwyn South	263	Zero
Lyons 204	239	Zero
Lemont 113	144	Zero
Palatine 15	713	Zero
Schaumburg 54	1,003	Zero
Oak Lawn 123	203	Zero
Oak Lawn 229	114	Zero
CHSD 230 Orland Park	519	Zero
Argo 217	111	Zero
Homewood 233	174	Zero
Genoa 424	137	Zero
Sycamore 427	231	Zero
Dekalb 428	362	Zero
Lombard 44	216	Zero
Downers Grove 58	277	Zero
Hinsdale 86	296	Zero
Elmhurst 205	538	Zero
Naperville 203	1,063	Zero
Effingham 40	176	Zero
Canton Union 66	175	Zero
Morris 54	61	Zero
Morris 101	50	Zero
Coal City 1	138	Zero
Jersey 100	164	Zero
Central CUSD 301	224	Zero
Kaneland 302	275	Zero
St. Charles 303	880	Zero
Cahokia	298	0.4
Chicago Public Schools	23,219	2
Peoria 150	988	0.4
Springfield	1,105	0.4
Moline 40	461	0.4
Harvard	149	0.87
Dolton 148	236	1.4
Belleville 118	228	0.4
Pekin 303	125	0.4
Hononegah 207	118	0.4
Arlington Heights 59	444	3
Leyden 212	219	0.4
Summit 104	103	0.4
Palos 118	130	0.4
CHSD 219 Orland Park	519	0.4
Bensenville 2	145	1.4
DuPage 88	266	0.4
CHSD 94	122	0.9
CUSD 300	1,189	4.4
Hawthorn 73	253	1.4
Lake Forest 115	132	0.4
Wauconda 118	273	0.4
Johnsburg 12	158	0.4
Cary 26	192	4.9
Woodstock 200	385	1.4
Keeneyville 20	107	0.4
Winnebago 323	117	0.4
LaSalle-Peru Twp. 120	88	0.7
Prairie-Hills 144	187	0.4
Geneva 304	367	Zero
Herscher 2	126	Zero
Manteno 5	160	Zero
Bourbonnais 53	160	Zero
Bradley 61	103	Zero
Bradley Bourbonnais 307	114	Zero
Momence 1	88	Zero
Yorkville 115	329	Zero
Plano 88	154	Zero
Oswego 308	827	Zero
Streator 44	132	Zero
Ottawa 141	140	Zero
Ottawa 140	102	Zero
Glenview 34	343	Zero
Zion 6	177	Zero
Grayslake 46	266	Zero
Elmwood Park 401	181	Zero
Libertyville 70	159	Zero
North Shore 112	374	Zero
HSD 113 Highland Park	249	Zero
Grant 124	91	Zero
Zion-Benton 126	156	Zero
Evanston 65	547	Zero
Grayslake 127	187	Zero
Meridian 15	64	Zero
Mt. Zion 3	133	Zero
Edwardsville 7	480	Zero
Alton 11	467	Zero
Macomb 185	130	Zero
McHenry 15	282	Zero
McHenry 156	158	Zero
Nippersink 2	92	Zero
Columbia 4	111	Zero
Waterloo 5	166	Zero
Hillsboro 3	114	Zero
Meridian 223	113	Zero
Illinois Valley Central 321	139	Zero
Carbondale 165	76	Zero
Carbondale 95	105	Zero
Riverton 14	85	Zero
Auburn 10	90	Zero
Pawnee 11	47	Zero
Panhandle 2	35	Zero
Sullivan 300	75	Zero
Centralia 135	93	Zero
Litchfield 12	83	Zero
Harlem 122	505	Zero
Granite City 9	617	Zero
Princeton 115	86	Zero
Princeton 500	43	Zero
Bond County 2	120	Zero
Duquoin CUSD 300	101	Zero
Rocton 140	102	Zero
Rochelle Twp. HSD 212	71	Zero
Rochelle CCSD 231	131	Zero
Byron 226	127	Zero
Oregon 220	104	Zero
Farmington Central 265	85	Zero
Porta 202	75	Zero
River Bend 2	71	Zero
Red Bud 132	73	Zero
Sparta 140	105	Zero
Southwestern 9	107	Zero
Staunton 6	87	Zero
Gillespie 7	81	Zero
Hamilton County 10	83	Zero
Midwest Central 191	85	Zero
Tuscola 301	86	Zero
West Carroll 314	99	Zero
Oakwood 76	64	Zero
Hoopeston 11	94	Zero
Westville 2	80	Zero
Beardstown 15	98	Zero
El Paso-Gridley 11	99	Zero
Murphysboro 186	137	Zero
Monticello 25	111	Zero
Paris-Union 95	74	Zero
Mt. Vernon Twp. 210	80	Zero
Mt. Vernon 80	109	Zero
Jasper County 1	101	Zero
Steger 194	128	Zero
Calumet City 155	77	Zero
North Boone 200	116	Zero
CCSD 93 Carol Stream	294	Zero
East Maine SD 63	254	Zero
Lockport Township HS 205	205	Zero
Above Teachers Total	82,981

This one is easy.

No money was reported raised from July 1^st through October 3rd, but Donna Kurtz had $7,035.69

Kurtz does have a fund raiser scheduled, however. The details for the Wednesday, October 27th, event are below:

Feb. 2, 2010, District 2 primary election returns. Click to enlarge.

A couple of people have told me that the Northwest Herald has refused to endorse Donna Kurtz for the McHenry County Board.

Not any bigger a deal than the NWH’s not endorsing her during the primary election.

She ran first.

Donna Kurtz

As one person emailed me:

“Payback for standing up against MMC stadium for private baseball team?”

Of course.

Wouldn’t you like to know the reason the folks at the NWH have such a long-standing interest in the rejection of the minor league baseball stadium?

I can think of resentment for the foregone advertising revenue, but could there be something else for the obvious grudge?

Two previously unopposed pairs of Republican Party McHenry County Board candidates now have Democratic Party challengers for the fall.

Ken Koehler

Donna Kurtz

In District 2, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and McHenry County College Board member Donna Kurtz emerged from a heated February 2nd primary. No Democrats filed for office prior to the primary.

Now Mark Booras, 1637 Penny Lane in Crystal Lake, has filed petitions in the Crystal Lake-Lake in the Hills district after being slated by the McHenry County Democratic Party Central Committee. Both Koehler and Kurtz live in Crystal Lake, as well.

Diane Evertsen

Mary McCann

In the county’s most rural district, Dennis Palys has gathered enough signatures to make it on the ballot to challenge GOP primary winners Mary McCann and Diane Evertsen. He lves at 2803 E. Lake Shore Drive in Wonder Lake. McCann lives west of Woodstock and Evertsen lives northwest of Woodstock.

in 2008, two new Democrats were elected to the McHenry County Board.  Paula Yensen of Lake in the Hills and Cathy Bergan Schmidt of Crystal Lake.  Both beat men.

Based on more than forty years of watching politics in the area, it is my belief that woman have about a five percentage point advantage over male opponents at the polls.

In what is looking like a Republican year that does not bode well for the two men who have just decided to joust.  Only one candidate of the four Republicans being attacked is male, County Board Chairman Koehler.

Barring some very well publicized scandal, I don’t look for the Democrats to pick up seats this year.

I had seen little to indicate that Crystal Lake-Lake in the Hills Democrats were putting on any kind of a campaign for Jill Wawhinney and any campaign for Anita Harmon for county board before Sunday. for county board before Sunday. Neither participated in the party primary process; both were nominated by the Democratic Party Central Committee.

On the way to church I saw yard signs for both planted in the yard utilized by the McHenry County Peace Group for its 2007 Gala 4th of July Parade float non-entry.

The day before, I saw the first 4 by 4 foot Jim Heisler sign at the intersection of West Crystal Lake and Dole Avenues. He also has regular sized yard signs.

Heisler is an incumbent Republican against whom the two women are running.

The other Republican candidate, Scott Breeden, was nominated to replace Marie Chmiel, who is retiring. Breeden retired last year as Crystal Lake Park Board President. Previously, he service as village president of Lakewood.

Breeden has yard signs and some cartops.

I had seen little to indicate that Crystal Lake-Lake in the Hills Democrats were putting on any kind of a campaign for Jill Wawhinney and any campaign for Anita Harmon for county board before Sunday. for county board before Sunday. Neither participated in the party primary process; both were nominated by the Democratic Party Central Committee.

On the way to church I saw yard signs for both planted in the yard utilized by the McHenry County Peace Group for its 2007 Gala 4th of July Parade float non-entry.

The day before, I saw the first 4 by 4 foot Jim Heisler sign at the intersection of West Crystal Lake and Dole Avenues. He also has regular sized yard signs.

Heisler is an incumbent Republican against whom the two women are running.

The other Republican candidate, Scott Breeden, was nominated to replace Marie Chmiel, who is retiring. Breeden retired last year as Crystal Lake Park Board President. Previously, he service as village president of Lakewood.

Breeden has yard signs and some cartops.

Crystal Laker Anita Harmon did not get on the ballot for county board by running in the primary.

She was slated for the District 2 ballot by the Democratic Party after the primary, along with fellow Crystal Lake resident Jill Mawhinney.

Now, Harmon has launched a web site.

She calls is “McHenry County Tracker.”

I have been advised by 3 current County Board members that the financial reports prepared by the County are difficult to read and comprehend.

Here’s some of what she has posted (I have added paragraphs to make it easier to read on a screen):

That is not acceptable. I feel uneasy, as though we have not been fully represented regarding our County finances. Not only do I expect our Board Members to understand County Financial Reports, they should also be responsible for relaying the information to their constituents. (Transparent Government).

I want what you want…A County Government that considers your interests first in all matters:

• County Budgets and Financial Reports,
• Veteran Affairs,
• Zoning Issues and
• Transportation.

The finances behind our transportation issue, mainly the northern bypass, has yet to be secured. How will we pay for this and what are the costs or shared responsibilities involved with this project? While it is great that Manzullo secured matched funds from the State of Illinois, we are a long way off in securing the major funds needed to start this project.

We all need answers – SOON!

Please help me during this election by updating this website with your County concerns. I will work for you and value your input. Together, we can bring back trust and transparency to our local government.

Sincerely,

Anita Harmon Your McHenry County Board Candidate, District 2
Posted on April 21st, 2008 by admin

It should be noted that there is only one Democrat currently on the McHenry County Board, so Harmon must have gotten at least two Republicans to criticize the county’s financial reports.

Also of interest is the misstatement about the Western Bypass.

Harmon calls it the Northern Bypass.

The Northern Bypass was set aside by a county board-appointed committee in favor of the Western Bypass about which I assume her comments are aimed. Congressman Donald Manzullo obtained federal funds for the Western Bypass in two successive federal highway bills. The state has refused to provide the matching funds. Construction costs have escalated, of course, and Harmon is correct in saying that there is not yet enough money identified to build the bypass.

Crystal Laker Anita Harmon did not get on the ballot for county board by running in the primary.

She was slated for the District 2 ballot by the Democratic Party after the primary, along with fellow Crystal Lake resident Jill Mawhinney.

Now, Harmon has launched a web site.

She calls is “McHenry County Tracker.”

I have been advised by 3 current County Board members that the financial reports prepared by the County are difficult to read and comprehend.

Here’s some of what she has posted (I have added paragraphs to make it easier to read on a screen):

That is not acceptable. I feel uneasy, as though we have not been fully represented regarding our County finances. Not only do I expect our Board Members to understand County Financial Reports, they should also be responsible for relaying the information to their constituents. (Transparent Government).

I want what you want…A County Government that considers your interests first in all matters:

• County Budgets and Financial Reports,
• Veteran Affairs,
• Zoning Issues and
• Transportation.

The finances behind our transportation issue, mainly the northern bypass, has yet to be secured. How will we pay for this and what are the costs or shared responsibilities involved with this project? While it is great that Manzullo secured matched funds from the State of Illinois, we are a long way off in securing the major funds needed to start this project.

We all need answers – SOON!

Please help me during this election by updating this website with your County concerns. I will work for you and value your input. Together, we can bring back trust and transparency to our local government.

Sincerely,

Anita Harmon Your McHenry County Board Candidate, District 2
Posted on April 21st, 2008 by admin

It should be noted that there is only one Democrat currently on the McHenry County Board, so Harmon must have gotten at least two Republicans to criticize the county’s financial reports.

Also of interest is the misstatement about the Western Bypass.

Harmon calls it the Northern Bypass.

The Northern Bypass was set aside by a county board-appointed committee in favor of the Western Bypass about which I assume her comments are aimed. Congressman Donald Manzullo obtained federal funds for the Western Bypass in two successive federal highway bills. The state has refused to provide the matching funds. Construction costs have escalated, of course, and Harmon is correct in saying that there is not yet enough money identified to build the bypass.

Forty-some McHenry County Democratic Central Committee members slated Tom Cynor to run for McHenry County State’s Attorney against Republican primary victor Lou Bianchi. The meeting was held at the McHenry County Farm Bureau building Wednesday night.

You got a foretaste of that possibility in this February 12th article.

Now, it’s official.

“We’re the majority in McHenry County,” Cynor asserted, as he explained why he wanted to be the candidate for and, “ultimately, state’s attorney.”

He currently works for McHenry County government answering legal questions from judges in the 22nd Circuit Court. If he worked for the state or the circuit, he would have to resign his job to run for a partisan office. Not so, he explained, as long as he is on county government’s payroll.

He has fifteen years as a litigator after graduating from the University of Illinois Law School. He worked for Kemper Insurance as an asbestos litigator, supervising attorneys around the country.

He also has served as Livingston County Public Defender, a Special Prosecutor for that county and prosecutor of Washington Park.

“In a county the size of 300,000, the state’s attorneys here no longer try cases,” Cynor explained. “They are adminstrators.

They need to “recognize good litigators and hire good folks.”

“That, folks, is where the current state’s attorney has fallen down mightily.”

Cynor said that a reporter in the room had found 125% turnover in three years.

“What kind of efficiency, accountability would you have in your business (if your turnover were that high)?

“Why (the turnover)?

“We have put political patronage first and foremost in a role that should be supremely public service.

“We have not (so far) been able to master a two-party system in McHenry County,” Cynor said, clearly indicating that he intended to change that situation.

In addition, the Democrats named Woodstock Farmers Insurance agent Kerry Julian to run against Union resident McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer. Besides selling insurance, Julian also substitute teaches.

Julian has been in the industry for 20 years, opening his own agency in 2002. He lived for 13 years in Crystal Lake and 9 in Woodstock. He earned an MBA while living in Michigan.

He has served on District 200′s boundary review committee, is treasurer of his church, is secretary of his Boy Scout troop (I think), and has volunteered at PADS for 3 years.

“My allegiance will be to the people of McHenry County,” Julian said.

Two women stepped forward to run for the McHenry County Board against the two Republican men who were unopposed in the February 5th primary election.

Coventry’s Anita Harmon and Oriole Tail’s Jill Mawhinney will challenge incumbent board member Jim Heisler and former Lakewood Village and Crystal Lake Park Board President Scott Breeden.

Harmon works for American Commercial Realty handling a number of duties, beside her four children. At the office, she is involved in site development, property management, condominium associations, the budget and supporting 17 “very active agents, ten full-time.” She has lived in the county eleven years and worked previously for Baxter and Woodman as a project manager coordinator.

She wants to “bring together a political charged climate and a culturally charged climate.”

Harmon seeks to have “our board take on foreclosure” by counseling homeowners.

She likes the way the county board has put the budget online and “the minutes online almost on time.”

“I’d like to see the county be more conservative.

“If we can have a moderate McCain, we can certainly have a conservative Democrat.”

After sitting down, she remembered she had not mentioned her military background. She said that meant she knew how to manage.

Mawhinney said she hadn’t prepared a talk, but, by way of background, she had worked at Oakton College before retiring. I think she said she was a student development officer.

“I’m a good listener, a good communicator,” she said.

“For over twenty years I’ve been going to the polls and haven’t had a choice.

“I believe people need a choice.”

Her husband is Rich Jackson, an attorney who has run for countywide office as a Democrat several times.

= = = = =
All the pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.

In the top photo are the candidates slated by McHenry County Democrats on Wednesday night. They are, from left to right, McHenry County Auditor candidate Kerry Julian, McHenry County State’s Attorney candidate Tom Cynor and District 2 county board candidates Jill Mawhinney and Anita Harmon.

Below is a head shot of a smiling Cynor, a picture of most of those attending, an acknowledgment of his slating by Cynor, head shots of Julian and Harmon, Mawhinney and Harmon after the four or five District 2 precinct committeemen voted to nominate them for the county board and a head shot of Mawhinney.

Below the line is a photography of Northwest Herald reporter Regan Foster and Daily Herald reporter Chuck Keeshan interviewing Kerry Julian.