Dorr Township GOP Leader Tees Off on Democrats’ Secrecy

The following letter is published with the permission of author Joe Monack, who is Dorr Township Republican Central Committee Chairman.  I was originally published in the Northwest Herald on Saturday> Democrats not so democratic By now, everybody is familiar with … Continue reading

Dems Announce Secret Meeting Choices for Office

As predicted, the name of the Democratic Party’s candidate for State’s Attorney was announced in the Northwest Herald. The name didn’t make the headline on either page 16 or page 17. The headline was Democratic Party chooses candidates for several … Continue reading

Hiding the County’s Outside Auditors’ Critical Findings

On Thursday, February 26th, McHenry County’s outside auditing firm will report its findings to the Finance and Audit Committee. State law allows such meetings to be held in secret. Note the word “allows.” There is no mandate in State law. … Continue reading

No Law Keeps Officials from Revealing What Happens in Secret Sessions

Illinois Leaks (Edgar County Watchdog) has an article laying out the basis for why public officials can talk about what they discuss in Executive Sessions. the title pretty much tells it all: Closed Meetings – The truth about what can … Continue reading

McHenry County Board Excluding Taxpayers from Audit Presentation

McHenry County’s Finance and Audit Committee is going to hear the report from the outside auditors on Lincoln’s Birthday (the 12th to those readers who don’t have the day off), but the public won’t be allowed in on the discussion. … Continue reading

Mary McClellan Blasts Nick Provenzano for Participating in Illegal Secret Meetings

A press release from McHenry County Board member Mary McClellan, a candidate for McHenry County Clerk in the March 18th Republican Party Primary Election: County Clerk Candidate Mary McClellan Slams Opponent Provenzano for Participating in Illegal, Closed Door Meetings WOODSTOCK, … Continue reading

Tea Leaves at the Northwest Herald

Maybe it’s not tea leaves. Maybe it’s newspaper clippings to which I should allude. In any event, the first two McHenry County Board endorsement editorials got me thinking. McHenry County’s paper of record has suggested dumping Board Chairman Ken Koehler … Continue reading

McHenry County Board’s Secret Special Prosecutor Meeting Passes AG’s Muster

It couldn’t be characterized as “transparent,” but the secret meeting the McHenry County Board held on Feb. 14, 2011, to discuss legal bills from Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan doesn’t qualify as “Illegal.’ Former McHenry County Board member Lou Anne Majewski … Continue reading

McHenry County’s Very Junior College Continues to Lack Transparency

There are two items on the agenda of the McHenry County College Board’s 6:30 meeting tonight, but we citizens aren’t good enough to see the board packet items under consideration. Any hope that this board will be more transparent than … Continue reading

McHenry County College Signals Condemnation of Neighboring Property

On the agenda for this Thursday night’s meeting of the McHenry County College Board of Trustees is a resolution concerning condemnation. Can’t, that is, don’t want to, let the public in on the details, so first the Board is scheduled … Continue reading

Former County Board Member Lou Anne Majewski Files Open Meetings Complaint Against County Board

Former McHenry County Board member Lou Anne Majewski filed an Open Meetings complaint against the McHenry County Board for going into closed session to discuss a resolution drafted by a county board committee.  Majewski says Chairman Ken Koehler said the … Continue reading

Is Crystal Lake Trying to Sneak Through the New Watershed Ordinance?

First the Crystal Lake Park District objects to passage of McHenry County College’s minor league baseball stadium before the city council revises the three decade old Watershed Ordinance, which the city staff has not followed. That’s after the Planning and … Continue reading

Is Crystal Lake Trying to Sneak Through the New Watershed Ordinance?

First the Crystal Lake Park District objects to passage of McHenry County College’s minor league baseball stadium before the city council revises the three decade old Watershed Ordinance, which the city staff has not followed. That’s after the Planning and … Continue reading

District 300 Secret Meeting About School Safety, Opps, Graduation Location, Returns with a Twist

Remember when District 300’s outgoing Board President Mary Fioretti justified the closed door meeting to rent the Sears Centre for Graduation on the grounds of safety? David Fitzgerald of the Northwest Herald discovered this violation of the Opening Meetings Act … Continue reading

District 300 Secret Meeting About School Safety, Opps, Graduation Location, Returns with a Twist

Remember when District 300’s outgoing Board President Mary Fioretti justified the closed door meeting to rent the Sears Centre for Graduation on the grounds of safety? David Fitzgerald of the Northwest Herald discovered this violation of the Opening Meetings Act … Continue reading