Franks’ Patronage Push Loses in First County Board Committee

The patronage employees that Jack Franks hired without County Board authorization around Christmas last year did not received a reprieve in the Internal Services Committee yesterday. After Franks prevailed upon County Administrator Peter Austin to exceed the hiring authority granted … Continue reading

GOP Members of County Board Seek Two Special Meetings Wed. Night

A press release about the call for special McHenry County Board meetings by Republican County Board members: Special Meetings, McHenry County Board Two Special Meetings of the McHenry County Board have been called by Republican members for Wednesday, August 23, … Continue reading

Jack Franks Seeks Leasing Agent for Valley Hi Nursing Home Without County Board Involvement

In a move of which no McHenry County Board member attending State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally’s fundraiser last night was aware, Jack Franks has asked for Requests for Proposals to lease Valley Hi, the County nursing home. One member of the … Continue reading

Anonymous Attack on Crystal Lake County Board Members

Covering the area around the old Aldi’s in Crystal Lake (Algonquin Township Precinct 2) were crude leaflets attacking McHenry County Board members Donna Kurtz and Jim Heisler. Notice the attempt to make people think it comes from conservative Republicans. The … Continue reading

Jack Franks Choices for Committee Chairmen Emerge from County Committee on Committees Meeting

The McHenry County Committee on Committees held its meeting today and the following Finance& Audit – Mike Skala (District 5) Internal Support and Facilities (formerly Management Services) – Yyonne Barnes (District 1) Law and Government – Michele Aavang (District 6) … Continue reading

Franks Makes Progess on Lowering Number of Committees

McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks made significant progress in convincing Board members to lower the number of committees from twelve to seven. Can’t imagine why readers might be intereste, but here’s an attempt to list the proposal: Finance Internal … Continue reading

State’s Attorney’s $75,000 Settlement Runs into Rough Waters

When Assistant State’s Attorney George Hoffman came before the McHenry County Finance and Audit Committee Thursday morning for permission to settle the suit filed by former Assistant State’s Attorney Kirk Chrzanowski for $75,000, he made a cost-benefit argument. He estimated that … Continue reading

Advocate Establishes Another Beachhead in Centegra Country

Advocate Health System selected the Walgreens in McHenry to spotlight its take over of the drug store chain’s health clinics. Advocate, of course, operates Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. 52% of Good Shepherd’s patients come from McHenry County. Advocate also … Continue reading

County Board Considers Multi-Million Dollar Construction

The Facilities Management Committee, chaired by McHenry County Board member Jim Heisler, is looking at multiple options to provide more space for county workers. In the upper right hand corner of each page is a box with dollar signs. The … Continue reading

Valley Hi Surplus in Play at Finance Committee Meeting Thursday Morning?

Listed on the agenda of the McHenry County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee for Thursday, March 31st at 8:15 AM is the following under Old Business: Discussion: Capital Plan Finance Options There has been talk of borrowing from the huge … Continue reading

Committee Votes Down Maintenance Workers Contract

Last Tuesday, the McHenry County Board’s Facilities Management Committee could not muster a majority to recommend the maintenance workers union contract with Operating Engineers Local 150. The vote was 2-2 with three members absent. Voting in favor were Jim Heisler, … Continue reading

No Selection after County Board Interviews

Four men who want to fill out newly-appointed Metra Board member Ken Koehler’s McHenry County Board term were interviewed for over an hour and a half Thursday afternoon by four County Board members. After the interviews, Chairman Joe Gottemoller announced … Continue reading

Finance Committee Fight over Valley Hi Taxes – Part 2

At this point Barnes weighed in. “That’s concerns me,”  she said. “You don’t solve that $20 million problem by [lowering the levy]. “I disagree,” Barnes replied. “If you’re going to be thinking about another facility,” Walkup said, “I think that … Continue reading