McHenry County Blog

This is the fourth article on Tuesday’s gambling debate at the McHenry County Board. Click to find who voted how and for Part 1 and Part 2.

Having failed to alter the agenda to allow a Tuesday up or down county board vote on video gambling, Nunda Township’s gambling opponent Barb Wheeler next sought to table the referendum resolution.

This motion was seconded by Ersel Schuster.

As it sat on the agenda, the outright ban was to be considered for 30 days and voted upon the first Tuesday in December.

But that rule can be waived.

Tina Hill asked if the committee was “going to ask to waive the 30-day review (for the gambling ban resolution).”

License and Liquor Committee Chairman John Hammerand related the history of the committee discussion. It started with talk of a ban, then “we decided it would be nice to have the people involved in the decision.”

He said he wanted the county board to have the opportunity to be a leader in the communities, so that municipalities could put similar referendums on the ballot on Feb. 2nd.

“I certainly support the referendum,” he said.

“It’s not my goal to waive the rules,” Hammerand continued.

Cary’s Anna May Miller took the delegate approach:

“I would like to move forward to allowing people with the county weigh in.”

Woodstock’s Hill wondered why there was all the fuss. She listed the number of people in each county board district who would be eligible to vote, 47,923 in all, while there are 200,228 registered voters in McHenry County. That’s not quite 25% of the total living outside of municipalities.

• District 1 – 4,034
• District 2 – 2,340
• District 3 – 11,214
• District 4 – 12,448
• District 5 – 3,254
• District 6 – 14,633

Huntley’s Dan Ryan pointed toward the moral aspect of the issue. He said there was no question from the fiscal point of view:

“Yes, we want the money.”

Ryan voted for a referendum, assuming I would guess that people know what their moral stand on the issue is.

The cost of the referendum also came up. Just under $18,000.

Yvonne Barnes of Cary came down on the trustee side of representation:

“I’m opposed to postponing the vote (on the gambling ban).”

Hammerand re-entered the debate:

“All I’m asking is to have status quo until we have a referendum and let them speak.”

Hill attempted to clarify what would be voted upon. Hammerand seemed to say that a vote on both Tuesday would be acceptable.

Pete Merkel, up for re-election in an unopposed McHenry-Richmond-Burton Township primary, took the trustee approach. He told of two advisory referendums on hot issues which a park board and city council decided to put on the ballot in an attempt to reach consensus.

The votes were 54-46 and 49-51.

No consensus resulted, he noted, supporting the “no advisory referendum” side of the issue.

“That’s why we get paid to make the tough decisions,” Merkel added.

“I’ll bet we’re going to be back here at the end of February with a whole roomful again and we’ll be having the same discussion.

“I think it is a cop out.

“Do we want to do that (have a referendum) with the 2030 Plan, with the public safety building?”

Merkel then pointed out that it was a social issue and questioned whether a “low turnout” primary election would yield a valid reading of public opinion.

Hedging his bet a bit, Merkel concluded,

“I don’t want to say, ‘We don’t want to listen to the people.’”

His vote, nevertheless, was against holding the advisory referendum.

“I totally agree with Mr. Merkel’s position,” Seneca Township board member Ersel Schuster added.

She remembered an advisory referendum that received 80% approval, but was ignored. The subject was whether the county board should require a three-quarters vote to approve conditional use permits.

Bull Valley’s Virginia Peschke agreed.

“I think the referendums should be reserved for asking people if (they want higher taxes).

“This is just government cowardice.”

Sandra Salgado, who like Merkel has not primary opponent, also took the “we can make the decision without voter input.”

“I can’t tell you how aggravated I was when legislators stood up here and said, ‘(You’re) going to make the hard decision.’”

“Obviously, I’m ready to make the tough decision,” Wheeler added.

“You don’t want the people to say you don’t want to hear them. (Let’s) not put the burden on our voters. We are elected to make these tough decisions.”

Also speaking in opposition to a referendum was Yvonne Barnes of Cary.

“I believe as elected officials it is our responsibility to make these decisions.

“This issue affects people throughout the area (county). An advisory referendum does not include (those in incorporated areas) in making the decision.”

Merkel then referred to the provision in the legislation that allows 25% of the voters to petition for a binding referendum.

Hammerand pointed out how extraordinary high that 25% signature requirement is.

“If it is (for) the board to wash out this referendum, I have no objection.”

He then attempted to amend the resolution motion to require a county board vote after the February 2nd primary election.

Tina Hill seconded the motion, “even though we’re probably on different sides of the issue.”

The attempt failed on a voice vote.

John Hammerand, Chairman of the McHenry County Board’s Liquor and License Committee has informed McHenry County Blog that the question of whether an advisory referendum will be put on the February 2nd primary election ballot will be voted upon November 3rd.

About a month later, the question of whether to ban video poker, as it is euphemistically called by proponents, will be discussed December 1st.

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From left to right are McHenry County Board members Bob Bless, Mary McCann, License and Liquor Committee Chairman John Hammerand, Assistant State’s Attorney’s Sara Jansen and Cynthia Schaupp and County Board member Barb Wheeler.

The following has arrived from McHenry County Board member John Hammerand, Chairman of the McHenry County Liquor and License Committee:

Public Hearing on Video Gambling in McHenry County

The McHenry County Board’s Liquor and License Committee has scheduled a public hearing to hear residents’ opinions on video gambling. The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the county Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

If McHenry County takes no action, gambling will become legal in bars in unincorporated McHenry County.

Do you object, or are you in favor?

Bring your comments to the County’s Public Hearing. Let your Legislators know how you feel.

Thank You

John D Hammerand
Chairman
McHenry County Liquor and License Committee

State law authorizes five slot machines in every bar, tavern and restaurant serving liquor unless local units of local government forbid it.

Thus far in McHenry County, the Lake in the Hills village board has voted unanimously to allow the slot machines.

The McHenry County Board has the authority to ban the slot machines in only the unincorporated areas of the county.

Another option would be for the county board to authorize an advisory referendum pm how citizens would like them to vote.

Fox River Grove county board member Bob Bless made that suggestion about two weeks ago.

It conceivable that the McHenry County Board may allow citizens to vote whether they want slot machines and video poker in McHenry County.

It would be an advisory referendum, because the legislature only allowed binding referendums that are initiated by 25% of the voters in a county or municipality. 

“Why would we decide what’s best for them?” county board member Bob Bless asked.  “I think we should let them (the voters) decide.”

Committee Chairman John Hammerand agreed:

“If we’re all aflutter and can’t be a representative government, as we’re supposed to be, we could still put an advisory referendum on the ballot.

The minimum that will happen is that the county board’s License and Liquor Committee will hold a hearing on the evening of October 6th [since changed to the 7th; meeting starts at 6] to allow public input.  It may be in conjunction with the Finance and Audit Committee and the Law and Justice Committee, if they wish.  The full county board would consider the issue on October 20th.

County Administrator Pete Austin said chairmen of both committees “just want to see the whole board is considering the issue.  They’re glad the issue is coming up today.”

The committee members also want to give gambling expansion opponent State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), and gambling expansion proponents

• State Senator Pam Althoff (R-McHenry)
• State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington Hills) and
• State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake)

to give their views on the issue and answer questions.

The name of State Senator Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) was not mentioned.  The newly-elected state senator voted against the slot machine bill.

Then, on October 20th, the county board could vote whether to ban slot machines in the unincorporated part of McHenry County having an effect on 44 bars, taverns and restaurants, plus 7 golf clubs, according to research that McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler passed out.  Koehler wanted the legislators at that meeting.

Under the slot machine legislation, county government would lose the just under $10,000 from licenses for coin operated amusement machines it now gets and pick up 5% of the amount gambled on a maximum of 225 slot machines.  The county’s share is estimated to be about $241,500.

“What we’re talking about on the county side is very small,” Koehler said.  He suggested it could go for gambling addiction treatment.

“If this is such a terrible thing, then maybe we ought to use it (for counseling).”

“It may have very large ramifications beyond revenues,” Wheeler replied.

Koehler pointed out,

“I’m told there is some gambling going on in McHenry County even as we speak.”

He spoke of some of its being stopped for a while only to spring up again.

Later, sardonically, Wheeler suggested legalizing and taxing marijuana.

“Apparently it grows pretty well in the county. (See 2008-1, 2008-2 and 2009 McHenry County Conservation District stories.)  Maybe we should legalize it and regulate it.”

Democrat Jim Kennedy wanted to make sure that the Chicago Crime Commission testified at the meeting, as well as the State Police, who, along with the state Gaming Commission are charged with with policing the slot machines under the legislation.

Committee Chairman Hammerand made an impassioned argument in favor of banning the slots, evoking how New Yorkers turned Coney Island from a sin city to a family-friendly location.

“Vice does not pay as well as decency,” he quoted those who turned its reputation around.

Hammerand pointed out that McHenry County has the highest percentage of families (adults married) in the state.

“If that’s something we want to continue selling, maybe we shouldn’t have video games here.

 ”If we want to be a bedroom community and attract families, I think we should (forego it).

“I feel revenue does not trump principles,” the Wonder Lake resident said.

In expressing her opposition to slot machines before the meeting Republican Precinct Committeeman Joyce Story of McHenry pointed out something I had not realized before.

Every liquor license holder will not be eligible to have five slot machines.

Only those who hold a license to pour liquor can have the gambling machines.

“That concerns me more,” she said.

“They will stay longer and gamble more.”

Also appearing in opposition was Republican Algonquin Township Precinct 51 Committeeman Eileen Marhoefer.

“I think this is a horse you just don’t want to let out of the barn,” she said.

“I think it’s going to be a huge problem for law enforcement.

“It’s hard enough to enforce cigarette sales (to minors),” Marhoefer concluded.

Bill Parrot, whom I first met at the huge Patriots United meeting on health care at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, also spoke against the proposal.

He asked if the retail businesses favored the proposal.

“Do we have a consensus among the (merchants) of the county?” the McHenry resident asked.

Leading off the meeting was Libertarian Dave Brady.

He had found a mistake in the resolution, which he pointed out to the committee.

After Brady’s presentation, Hammerand said that he “stole it (the resolution) from DuPage County. Just get rid of that (whereas clause).”

Hammerand asked the State’s Attorneys office to review the resolution.

On a philosophical level, Brady argued that the ban was another  example  of “the nanny state.”

“We’re going to protect you from yourself.”

He wondered how McHenry County could “accept money from gambling, but not allow it in the county.”

Brady asked whether that was being “family friendly” or “being hypocritical.”

McHenry County Board member Mary McCann was worried about the competitive disadvantage taverns near village boundaries might face if slot machines were banned for them but not for bars within a nearby municipality.

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McHenry County Board member Bob Bless is in the top photo.

Below is a picture of the whole committee, plus staff from the State’s Attorney and Sheriff’s Office.

The three Republican state legislators representing McHenry County who voted for the gambling expansion bill are next in the article.

County Board member Barb Wheeler listens to County Board Chairman Ken Koehler in the next image.

Committee Chairman John Hammerand is next.

Below are public commenters Joyce Story, Bill Parrot and Dave Brady.

County Board member Mary McCann appears bottom right.

Here’s the mission statement on the McHenry County web site for McHenry County’s nursing home:

Mission Statement

Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock, IL, is operated for the benefit of the aged population of McHenry County who require public assistance.

Valley Hi Nursing Home strives to deliver resident care, clinical, psychological, and spiritual in an environment that promotes dignity and self-respect as envisioned by the McHenry County Board and its inception.

In the tradition of Valley Hi Nursing home, our mission is to continue to provide nursing home services with the highest standards set by policy and ordinance of McHenry County and to conform with all State and Federal regulations

Setting aside that

• its predecessor, the Poor Farm, was used to patch up gangland victims
• the pigs never had hams because the members of the Poor Farm Committee took them home in their trunks
• a member, maybe the chairman of the nursing home’s county board committee tried to shake down the Kishwaukee Valley Road farmer who dug a well

let’s talk about the planned relationship between the company that is going to manage Valley Hi and those most interested in the care it provides, that is, its patients, their family and friends.

McHenry County Board member John Hammerand (R-Wonder Lake) proposed the following amendment to the operating agreement between the county board and the management company:

Valley Hi Complaint and Appeal Procedures

“Patient, Relative, Guardian and Friend Complaints”

“The Authority shall post on the front door and prominently in each wing of the Valley Hi building notices of how anyone wishing to complain of service or conditions may do so.

“The notice shall include reference to a web site where complaint forms may be found and filed. In addition, the notice shall inform people where paper copies of complaint forms may be found at Valley Hi and the Government Center.

“Names of those making complaints shall not be required unless an appeal of corrective action taken, if any, is taken by the Operating Authority and /or staff is made to the McHenry County Board’s Valley Hi Committee.”

“Any patient, relative, guardian or friend may appeal the correction taken, if any, by the Operating Authority and/or staff to the Valley Hi Committee of the McHenry County Board.

“The committee, consisting of three members, shall be appointed in the same manner as all other committees of the McHenry County Board.

“The committee is empowered to hold hearings and conduct any investigations of service quality or conditions based on complaints made by patients, relatives, guardians or friends who are willing to make their identities public or on the committee’s own initiative.

“The Valley Hi staff and Operating Authority are instructed by this ordinance to provide any information and cooperation requested by the Valley Hi Committee.”

Sounds like it would provide something similar to the protection provided with a county board committee overseeing Valley Hi.

I have looked in vain for a complaint form on the county’s web site.

Here is the current complaint policy, provided to every resident/family upon admission.

In addition, as a matter of procedure and implementation, the Valley Hi care plan team addresses complaints and concerns as part of the routine quarterly meetings with residents and their families; part of the monthly Resident Council meeting is designed to address concerns/complaints; and, the Family meetings being conducted since last fall include opportunity for family members to address concerns.

Thanks to the Northwest Herald for assigning Kevin Craver to cover the county board.

He writes today of the Finance Committee’s recommendation that the McHenry County Board vote to borrow $60 million on the Federal “come.”

All members voted to give themselves power to spend the $60 million.

Marc Munaretto is chairman of the Finance Committee, Lyn Orphal is vice chairman and the following are members:

Scott Breeden, John Hammerand, Tina Hill, Daniel P. Ryan, Mary Donner

Former McHenry County College Board member and bond counsel Tim Stratton told the committee that they is going to be “wide availability.”

President Barack Obama’s stimulus package is providing a stream of income (from borrowed billions need not be noted).

Guess the banks that got the billions still aren’t loaning to small business folks. I talked to a couple of CitiBank clients who had had their lines of credit cut, which would lead one to believe that the President’s plan is not working to these businessmen’s satisfaction.

First, McHenry County is going to become a “recovery zone.”

The county board just needs to pass a resolution.

The bonds will be highly taxed favored, won’t be counted against the county’s debt limit and, hey, we county taxpayers don’t have to worry if anyone defaults.

And, we Federal taxpayers, well, this is the year to switch your 401(k) retirement savings into a Roth IRA. (Of course, you’ll have to pay taxes on the money, but the tax rate has to be higher than it will be after the Democrats and President hike them to pay back the trillions they are borrowing.)

If you haven’t figured out I think this is a bad idea, you might want to read

The $60 million has to be out the door by the end of next year.

Although the Finance Committee will screen the public and business applicants, Munaretto said,

Maybe, but the committee surely sounds like the bankers who will make the decisions.

I hope they put in the contracts that no recipient, their officers or straw man or woman is allowed to make campaign contributions to themselves or anyone they hint could “use some help.”

The McHenry County Mental Health Board and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation appeared in support of borrowing the money.

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Click to enlarge the 1934 Chicago Tribune cartoon.

Maybe I’m mis-reading the last “Whereas” clause of this resolution passed Tuesday by the McHenry County Board.

Only Ersel Schuster and John Hammerand voting “No.”

Read it and tell me if you think it says those twenty-two who voted “Yes” favor

• an income tax and/or
• Motor Fuel Tax hike:

WHEREAS, regardless of the funding source (a Motor Fuel Tax or income tax increase), it is critical that local governments receive their fair share and are treated equitably in any capital bill.

Just wondering?

The whole resolution is below:

RESOLUTION
URGING PASSAGE OF A COMPREHENSIVE CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

WHEREAS, passing a comprehensive Capital Infrastructure Program in the 2009 Legislative Session is critical to Illinois; and

WHEREAS, ten years have passed since the Illinois General Assembly and Governor last passed and signed into law a comprehensive Capital Infrastructure Program; and

WHEREAS, local communities are facing the problem of maintaining their roadways, bridges, water systems and sewer systems to meet growing needs; and

WHEREAS, units of local government have responsibility for over 88% of the public roads in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Motor Fuel Tax Allocations for municipal, county and township roads and bridges are only 10% higher than they were eight years ago, yet the cost of construction on local roads is 90% higher during that same timeframe; and

WHEREAS, the Motor Fuel Tax has not been changed since it was raised to 19 cents a gallon in 1990; and after expenses are removed the balance of the 19 cent Motor Fuel Tax is distributed as follows: 45.6% to the state, 26.7 % to municipalities; 19.1% to counties; and 8.6% to townships; and

WHEREAS, it is extremely important that the dollars are divided by formula and that the current formula is kept intact; and that units of local government have the opportunity to control what projects will be funded in their respective jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, regardless of the funding source (a Motor Fuel Tax or income tax increase), it is critical that local governments receive their fair share and are treated equitably in any capital bill.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the McHenry County Board of Illinois believes it is imperative that a comprehensive capital infrastructure bill be passed in 2009 and that local governments receive an equitable share of such capital infrastructure program to be delivered through existing formula; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this resolution be distributed to Governor Quinn, Speaker of the House Madigan, Senate President Cullerton, House Republican Leader Cross, Senate Republican Leader Radogno, State Senators Althoff and Duffy, State Representatives Beaubien, Franks and Tryon, the County Administrator and the Director of Transportation/County Engineer.

DATED at Woodstock, Illinois, this 2nd day of June, A.D., 2009.

________________________________
KENNETH D. KOEHLER,
Chairman McHenry County Board

I would point out that consideration of raising the Motor Fuel Tax is not serious in Springfield, even it would be logical a logical way to finance road improvements.

In these photos you can see Judge Michael J. Sullivan swearing in the eight McHenry County Board members who took office on Monday.

From left to right are

• Randy Donley (R-Union),
• Jim Heisler (R-Crystal Lake),
• John Hammerand (R-Wonder Lake),
• Virginia Peschke (R-Bull Valley),
• Bob Bless (R-Fox River Grove),
• Paula Yensen (D-Lake in the Hills),
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt (D-Crystal Lake),
• Mary Donner (R-Crystal Lake),
• Ersel Schuster (R-Woodstock),
• Scott Breeden (R-Lakewood),
• Sue Draffkorn (R-Wonder Lake) and Marc Muneratto (R-Algonquin).

In the bottom picture, you can see (if you click on the image) McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler to the right of Munaretto’s head awaiting the election of board officers.

Here are the details about the discussion about the contested election before the vote, which resulted in two Crystal Lakers taking control.

In these photos you can see Judge Michael J. Sullivan swearing in the eight McHenry County Board members who took office on Monday.

From left to right are

• Randy Donley (R-Union),
• Jim Heisler (R-Crystal Lake),
• John Hammerand (R-Wonder Lake),
• Virginia Peschke (R-Bull Valley),
• Bob Bless (R-Fox River Grove),
• Paula Yensen (D-Lake in the Hills),
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt (D-Crystal Lake),
• Mary Donner (R-Crystal Lake),
• Ersel Schuster (R-Woodstock),
• Scott Breeden (R-Lakewood),
• Sue Draffkorn (R-Wonder Lake) and Marc Muneratto (R-Algonquin).

In the bottom picture, you can see (if you click on the image) McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler to the right of Munaretto’s head awaiting the election of board officers.

Here are the details about the discussion about the contested election before the vote, which resulted in two Crystal Lakers taking control.

As expected, that hole in dike has manifested itself in District 5, where Republican turned Democrat Lake in the Hills trustee Jim Kennedy picked off Perry Moy two years ago.

With 59% of the vote has counted, Paula Yensen is leading the pack.

Odd man out, so to speak, is John Jung.

Yensen is leading the four-way race with 32.4%.

Top vote getter four years ago, Virginia Peschke, for whom I saw no literature, is second with 32.3%.

Jung is running third with 28.2%.

Green Party candidate Frank Wedig is pulling 7%, enough to earn the Green Party “established party status” in the Lake in the Hills-Huntley-Woodstock-Bull Valley district. (That means the party, if it elects a precinct committeeman, can nominate candidates the way the Democrats did in McHenry County this year—without running anyone in the primary election. Dave Bachmann is the only except on the Democratic Party side. He did stand for nomination in the primary.)

A similar upset may occur in the Crystal Lake-Prairie Grove-McHenry District 3, where Democratic Party Chair Kathy Bergen Schmidt is leading another incumbent male, Nick Provenzano, by 115 vote with only 3 out of 37 precincts not counted.

Leading is incumbent female Mary Donner with almost 37% of the vote in a three-way race.

There could also be a Democratic Party pickup in the most rural district in McHenry County.

With half the votes counted, the two Republicans in District 6 are leading, but they are not splitting the vote evenly.

Randy Donley is ahead with 31% of the vote in the four-way race. His running mate Ersel Schuster has 26.6%. Atypically, the male Republican is running ahead of the female. Incumbent Donley got more votes than Schuster in the primary election, too.

The leading Democrat, Darryl Frank, is 600 votes behind Schuster at 22%. He is ahead of his running mate Bob Ludwig by almost 300 votes. Ludwig has 20% of the vote.

I wonder if voters see the name “Frank” and think he must be related to Jack Franks, the candidate for state representative against whom the Republicans did not run a candidate.

In county board District 1 (Fox River Grove, Cary and Algonquin), with 77% of the vote counted, the two Republicans are winning handily. Newcomer Bob Bliss has 37% of the vote, incumbent Marc Munaretto has almost 34%.

Democrat James McTague claims 29%.

Republicans are leading in the Crystal Lake-Lake in the Hills District 2.

Perennial top vote getter Jim Heisler pulled it off again, leading the four-way race with almost 32% of the voted. His running mate Scott Breeden is running second at 25.5%

Two Democratic Party women—Jill Mawhinney and Anita Harmon—are running behind with 20.8% and 22%, respectively.

54% of the vote is counted.

Not much of a contest in District 4 either. It has a lot of Wonder Lake—where both of the candidates reside—McHenry, Johnsburg, Richmond and Spring Grove.

Republican John Hammerand is leading with 37.5% of the vote. His running mate Sue Draffkorn is second at 35%, with Democrat Jeff Thirtyacre coming in last with 27.5%. Note the anomaly of a male Republican out tallying a female Republican in this race. 66% of the votes are counted.