Could Leverage Over Other Countywide Elected Officials Be the Reason Jack Franks Wants County Board Governor Power?

Since State Rep. David McSweeney shared with the Northwest Herald part of the contents of his bill to reshape McHenry County government by providing Chairman Jack Franks with line item veto power, albeit with a Board veto override power to … Continue reading

Salary Cap for Elected County Officials Passes Finance Committee

The McHenry County Finance and Audit Committee followed the example of the Human Resources Committee and recommended that the next Sheriff, Clerk, Recorder and Treasurer receive the same salaries being paid incumbents today. There seems to be no disagreement on … Continue reading

Jack Franks Seems to Be Saying that If He Can’t Have a Pension as County Board Chairman, No Countywide Officials Should Get One

Appearing apparently from the head of McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks is a resolution for next Wednesday’s Human Resources Committee that would end pensions for all countywide officials. Franks certainly wants citizens to think that he led, whether he … Continue reading

Circuit Clerk’s Union Contract Clears Committee

Arrived at the McHenry County Board’s Law and Justice Committee a little late on Monday. Discussion was taking place about the collective bargaining agreement between Circuit Clerk Kathleen Keefe’s office and its union, the Metropolitan Alliance of Police. Here’s what the … Continue reading

Countywide Electives To Be Paid $104,750

The McHenry County Board will set salaries for all the countywide officials up for election this fall except the State’s Attorney. $104,750 is what the following will be paid each year of their term: County Auditor Circuit Clerk Coroner Recorder … Continue reading

Algonquin 7 Precinct Results

My precinct is number 7 in Algonquin Township. Going through some stuff, I found the election results from last November’s election. Before I file them I thought I post them. Jim Obeweis won 54% of the vote in Algonquin 7, … Continue reading

Salary Freeze for Countywide Officials

The Human Services Committee has the setting of salaries on the agenda of its next meeting. The most important line on the memo accompanying the resolution follows: Impact on Budget (Revenue; Expenses, Fringe Benefits):  None That means the following will … Continue reading

The Endless Loop of McHenry County’s Phone Answering Message

I yearn for the days when Mrs. Vernon Kays used to answer phone in her husband’s County Clerk Ve3rnon Kays’ Office.  (For those interested, she was the lowest paid person in the office.) One could make contact with a real … Continue reading

Salary and Fringe Benefits for McHenry County Officials Elected Next Year

Here’s what McHenry County Board members will have before them about salaries that they or their successors will earn starting after next fall’s elections: A resolution calls for “compensation beginning December 2012 and fringe benefit options are hereby approved for … Continue reading

Scheduling of Court Cases

Sitting through an hour of Judge Thomas Meyer’s court proceedings before the Zane Seipler Special Prosecutor request case has convinced me that the 22nd Circuit Court Judges should hire a management consultant. Most of the hour was spent re-scheduling cases … Continue reading

County Coffers Gain $250,000 from Fine and Fee Avoiders

A press release from the State’s Attorney and Circuit Clerk: Quarter of a Million Dollars Recovered for County Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, is pleased to announce that with the assistance of the McHenry County Circuit Clerk, Kathy … Continue reading

2007-09 Search Warrants Now Public in McHenry County

This is an interesting development. The press release is from the State’s Attorney’s Office: COURT OPENS SEALED RECORDS Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that hundreds of previously sealed search warrant petitions and orders (from 2007-2009) were opened … Continue reading

County Collecting Back Fines

The following press release comes from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office about collecting fines folks have neglected to pay: STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE COLLECTS OVER 145K IN OUTSTANDING FINES AND COSTS FOR McHENRY COUNTY TAXPAYERS Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County … Continue reading

Oh My, Falling Tax Revenues – What To Do?

The “sky is falling” mentality has not taken hold on the McHenry County Board yet, it seems. The Daily Herald’s Chuck Keeshan first reported that McHenry County revenues will be $4 million short of expectations. Displaying a “We feel your … Continue reading

Oh My, Falling Tax Revenues – What To Do?

The “sky is falling” mentality has not taken hold on the McHenry County Board yet, it seems. The Daily Herald’s Chuck Keeshan first reported that McHenry County revenues will be $4 million short of expectations. Displaying a “We feel your … Continue reading