McHenry County Blog

A press release from State Rep. Mike Tryon:

Tryon Co-Sponsors Legislation to End Scholarship Program

SPRINGFIELD – A controversial scholarship program that provides full tuition waivers for each State Representative to award to students in their home legislative districts will officially end this year.

Mike Tryon

State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), a co-sponsor of the bill, said that while he has seen students from District 64 benefit tremendously from the program, the time has come to discontinue it.

“In this difficult budget year, every penny counts,” he said.

“As we face tough decisions regarding funding for all levels of education, it is not appropriate for us to force our State universities to absorb these tuition waivers.”

Through the program, students are awarded full tuition waivers to use at the State school of their choice.

According to Tryon, the system did not have rigid guidelines that prohibited some legislators from handing out the waivers to political allies or donors.

In his office, Tryon said he has always been completely removed from the process, and an independent committee always reviewed the applications and determined the recipients.

“The only time I would see the list of recipients would be after the process was complete so I could ensure that the waivers were spread evenly between the towns I represent.”

In 2011, 1,327 tuition waivers were awarded in Illinois, costing the State $13,508,800.

This $13.5 million is an unfunded mandate on State universities, where the cost is then passed on to other students paying tuition.

“In times like these, unfunded mandates and extra costs to our universities need to be eliminated,” Tryon said. “It was a difficult vote because I know that in some cases the waiver made a difference between a child going to college or not going to college.”

In addition to abolishing the General Assembly Scholarship Program, House Bill 3810 creates the Tuition and Fee Waiver Task Force to evaluate tuition and fee waiver programs offered by State universities.

“The creation of the task force was a key selling point for me, because I believe there still exists a serious issue where children of very high-paid university employees are attending college tuition-free,” Tryon said.

“I believe the waivers need to be either eliminated across the board, or at a minimum that those who continue to receive them should have the amount of the waiver treated as taxable income.”

The bill has been sent to the Governor for his signature.

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Names of those who will receive Tryon’s last legislative scholarships follow:

• Rosa Wu, Jacobs H.S.
• Brittany Daley, Jacobs H.S.
• Brandon Bencko, Huntley H.S.
• Stephanie Konecki, Crystal Lake Central H.S.
• Helen Bengtson, Prairie Ridge H.S.
• Bodecker DellaMaria, already in college, from CL
• Bridgette Martinak, already in college, from Algonquin
• Riley Quinlan, already in college, from Algonquin

A press release from State Rep. Kent Gaffney:

Gaffney, Sullivan Turn Down Legislative Scholarship Program

Ed Sullivan

Kent Gaffney

Barrington, IL… Due to State budgetary troubles, State Representatives Kent Gaffney (R-Lake Barrington) and Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) have jointly decided to turn down the General Assembly Scholarship Program offered to each legislator in the Illinois General Assembly.

The General Assembly Scholarship Program is an unfunded mandate that allows legislators to award up to eight scholarships each year covering tuition at State universities.

“While many people have benefited from this program, in times like these, unfunded mandates and extra costs to the State need to be reviewed,” said Gaffney. “Illinois just had its ninth bond downgrade in the past four years and the State is facing billions of dollars of unpaid bills. We need to look at every option available to save taxpayer dollars, this not the time to be awarding Legislative Scholarships.”

In 2011, 1,327 tuition waivers were awarded in Illinois, costing the State $13,508,800. This $13.5 million is an unfunded mandate on State universities, where the cost is then passed on to other students paying tuition. Tuition rates in Illinois have been skyrocketing the past few years. Since 2003, the University of Illinois’ tuition rate has gone up 53%, averaging $14,414 a year. With State finances in dire straights and taxpayers getting hit with a 67% tax increase, Gaffney and Sullivan want to cut costs by not participating in the program.

“I have participated in this program since I was first elected and many deserving students have benefited from these scholarships. However in these tough economic times, tough decisions have to be made,” said Sullivan. “My office will no longer be offering the General Assembly Scholarship.”

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Here’s what Mike Tryon is doing.

The following press release announces a $500 scholarship to Courtney Kramer:

Johnsburg Grad wins Defenders’ Future Leaders

Scholarship Award

Behind Courtney Kramer are, from left to right, (from left) David Rigby, Kramer's middle school teacher and mentor, her mother Cindy Lellish and Defenders' President Nancy Schietzelt.

WOODSTOCK, IL –   Johnsburg High School senior Courtney Kramer has been selected to receive the 2010 Future Leaders  Scholarship awarded by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC), a local non-profit organization that works to protect and preserve our natural resources and to educate the public on environmental issues.

Each year, the EDMC offers a $500 scholarship to encourage young people who are interested in pursuing careers in environmental work.  This year’s award was presented to Courtney Kramer of Johnsburg by the EDMC Board of Directors, at their monthly meeting on Monday, May 17.  In addition to the $500 scholarship check, Kramer also received a Certificate of Achievement and a one-year student membership in the Environmental Defenders organization.

Kramer, who will graduate June 4 in the top 3% of her class, is president of the National Honor Society at Johnsburg High School and a leader in the Johnsburg Outdoor Club.  She also volunteers her time in the Big Brother/Big Sister program, teaches tumbling at a local athletic club, and is an outreach educator for the Friends of the Fox River.

Kramer said she plans to study the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she will major in Pre-Law with a minor in Environmental Studies, and hopes to pursue a career as an environmental lawyer.

The selection panel was impressed with Kramer’s academic record, her environmental activities, and her goals for the future, said Rick Johnson, co-chair of the Defenders’ Education Committee.  “We congratulate her and we know that she will be successful in whatever she chooses to do,” he said.

“Courtney is so deserving,” agreed David Rigby, Kramer’s junior high school science teacher, who drove to Woodstock to attend the presentation along with Kramer and her mother.

“She is a good leader,” Rigby said of his former student.  “Since 7th grade, Courtney has logged over 200 hours of volunteer service in environmental issues.  She’s captain of cheerleading squad, she loves the outdoors – and she’s quite a good kayaker, too!”

Founded in 1970, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of our natural environment.  New members and volunteers are always welcome, and donations are tax-deductible. To learn more about EDMC programs and activities, go to www.mcdef.org or contact the Defenders’ office at 124 Cass Street across from the Woodstock Square, phone (815) 338-0393. Business hours are 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Runners in last year's March Madness Half Marathon in Cary (click to enlarge)

The Hillsrtiders Run Club will hold its 32nd March Madness Half Marathon next Sunday at Cary-Grove High School. It took five hours to sell the 1,000 spots.

The group’s press release is below:

On Sunday, March 21st, the local Hillstriders Run Club will host the 32nd March Madness Half Marathon (13.1 miles) at the Cary Grove High School. This race has become very popular in the Chicagoland race circuit. The 1,000 entries for this year’s event were sold out within 5 hours.

The course is renowned for its hills. The March Madness Half Marathon Course has been dubbed the most challenging in Northern Illinois and an excellent training race for spring marathons.

Proceeds from this race fund the Hillstriders Distance Running Scholarship. To honor a former member and President, Fritz Kaufman, this scholarship is for McHenry County, High School, Senior distance runners.

Four $2,000 awards will provided this year. These scholarships are awarded based on the best essay on how running has influenced and changed their young lives. Officers of the club, local educators and representatives of the press judge the entries. Scholarship applications have been sent to all McHenry County High School running coaches and can be found on the club’s web site; www.Hillstriders.com.

The Hillstriders Running Club was founded roughly 30 years ago. The Club consists of nearly 100 members, runners from around the McHenry County area. Members come from all levels of running experience and are committed to sharing their joy in running.

Algonquin Township Republicans do more than try to elect Republican candidates, as they did on Tuesday, when they beat back the first Democratic Party challenge. The three Democrats‘ campaign included signs, the best mailing in the campaign, phone calls and some canvassing.

Mark Guerra, Chairman of the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee’s Scholarship Committee has released the following information on how high school seniors can apply for the two $500 grants. There is a April 30th deadline. The information follows:

Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee to award two $500 Scholarships

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Live in Algonquin Township
2. Be a graduating High School Senior & has been accepted to a College, University, or Vocational / Technical Institution
3. Complete and Sign application form including the essay question’s by April 30, 2009

Award recipients will be notified by June 1st, 2009.

To obtain a Scholarship application; contact Algonquin Township Republican Precinct Committeeman Chairman Mark Guerra at 847-639-3195, your school guidance office or visit www@algonquintownship-gop.org

There are still a few precincts for which volunteer GOP precinct committeemen (or women) are being sought.

If you are interested, email Karla Dobbeck or visit the website,
www.algonquintownship-gop.org.

Look what showed up on the Daily Herald’s web page under McHenry County news:

Here’s the press notice:

Algonquin Township GOP scholarships

The Algonquin Township Republicans will award two $500 scholarships to winning applicants who live in Algonquin Township, are a graduating high school senior, have been accepted to a college, university or vocational/technical school, complete and sign an application form that includes answering essay questions by April 30. Award recipients will be notified by June 1. To get an application, call Mark Guerra at (847) 639-3195 or your high school guidance office or visit algonquintownship-gop.org.

Great timing for sending out press release by Mark Guerra. I figure it can’t hurt the chances of the Republican township trustees running for re-election.