McHenry County Blog

No way to sneak past Sarah and Chris Lauzen at Chris’ fund raiser in Aurora Saturday.

All the guests were funneled through one door.

Outside was Sarah greeting everyone.

Just inside was Chris greeting them again and posing for a photo.

In line just before me for the reknown Fay’s Pork Chops was 14th District Congressman Randy Hultgren.

The wait was not long because four lines were set up to serve the food.

I discovered that former Will County State’s Attorney, State Senator and Circuit Court Judge Ed Petka (R-Plainfield) and his wife Phyllis were standing behind me.

I asked him about the County Executive form of government which Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks is trying to impose on McHenry County and which now exists in Will  County.

It’s worse than a I thought.

The Will County Board has essentially been neutered.

Every employee not under an independently elected official is appointed by the County Executive or someone he has appointed.

Sounds like a patronage bonanza for whoever wins the office.

And, the County Executive even proposes the re-apportionment map.

I’ve never heard of the head of an Executive Branch being able to reapportion the Legislative Branch.

Although not posing as an expert in the County Executive form of government, he told me the County Board can veto the County Executive’s redistricting suggestion, but, then the County Executive just offers another map.

“Would it be fair to characterize the County Executive a czar?” I asked.

“Czars have less power than a County Executive,” Petka replied.

There were lots of notables in attendance, but I noted that Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady, who inexplicably endorsed Lauzen’s opponent in the primary election, was not among them.

I was wearing one of my Donald Duck tee shirts. (None of which have I purchased. For some reason, my wife keeps giving them to me.  I do admit to be one of the ones who yelled “Donald Duck” during the Mickey Mouse Club song…and Micky Mouse is so, well, Establishment.)  I made contact with the young man you see above.  I think that’s a cell phone with Donald’s face on it.

Looking the pigs over were former State Rep. Deloris Doederlein (R-East Dundee) and her friend Sue Ollman of Elgin.

I got a photo of Kane County Recorder of Deeds Sandy Wegman, whom I had not met until Saturday.

I took a couple of posed photos of her and Kane County Board member T.R. Smith, but Wegman would not be pleased if I published them. So, apologies to Smith.

I got close enough to take some photos of Lauzen giving his speech.

He was preceded by Congressman Hultgren. who sang the praises of Paul Ryan as the person chosen as Mitt Romney’s running mate.

As he was winding down, someone told me that I would not believe how Kane County government would change under Lauzen’s leadership.

Lauzen stress that  he would

• freeze the county property tax levy
• treat people respectfully
• have an honest, competent administration through innovation and austerity

He also said he would “end the perception of pay to play.”

Lauzen said he would be approaching Kane County employers asking them what it would take for them to increase employment 25% in four years.

He wasn’t at the front of the parade but the owner of Port Edward, Ed Woloweic, was the Grand Marshall.

The parade took about an hour, truncated because of construction south on Route 31.

Most of the politic entries which I try to document were fairly near the front of the parade.

But, before they arrived, a volunteer for Congressman Peter Roskam, who will, pending a political upset of tremendous proportions, represent Algonquin Township in Congress next session, was sighted passing out small bags. With candy on their minds, a lot of folks took them.

Of course, there were the members of the Algonquin Village Board.

But before the politicians came Police Chief Russ Laine.

And an entry dedicated to the Chicago Cubs.

Founder Favorite Rusty Cherbak was surrounded by a Chicago Cubs wish fulfillment contingent.

There was even a goat.  A billy goat, of course.

Then came the village politicians.

Village President John Schmidt waved.

Village Trustee Bob Smith was accompanied by Buzz Lightyear.

Village Trustee Debbie Sosine was in waving mode.

Trustee Jerrold Glogowski was one of three trustees walking the route handing out candy.

The other two were Jim Steigert and John Spella.  Handing out candy is the Algonquin Parade is easy on Route 31 because the spectators are all on the south side of the street.

The village clerk came dresses as the clown Lazy Bonz.

The first partisan politician was District 1 Republican McHenry County Board member Bob Bless.

District 1 Republican McHenry County Board members Marc Munaretto and Anna Miller were driving in a Mercedes convertible by Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller.

I asked Munaretto, who is not running for re-election to the County Board, whether he was running for re-election for Algonquin Township Clerk.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” he replied.

That was the same answer he gave last year before for filing deadline for County Board.

There are no Democrats in District 1, but there is one in District 5–Paula Yensen.

Next came Jean and McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

 McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer followed Bianchi.

Both Bianchi and McHenry County Auditor Palmer are unopposed this fall.

Kane County politicians followed the McHenry County ones.

There were two County Board members, Hollie Lindgren and Maggie Auger.

There are always pictures that could have been.  The one below was going to be of the current and future Kane County Auditors, incumbent Bill Keck and candidate Terry Hunt.

Fortunately, I got a shot of Keck and Hunt before the parade.

“Take my picture. Take my picture,” the two members of the Eagles, a youth football team shouted as they mugged for my camera.

How could I resist?

Interrupting the parade was the girder from the World Trade Center brought by the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District.

On the sides of the fire engines you can see the above sticker.

I was seated on the porch of a closed building when I way something political after a truck for the Red Run.  (The 5K is August 11th starting at Presidential Park in Algonquin.)

It was the McHenry County Republican Party entry…right at the end of the parade.

There was a banner for GOP State Rep candidate David McSweeney up front.

Right behind were people carrying Congressman Peter Roskam signs.

Then, Dave McSweeney passed me quickly.  I got his attention and he turned around so I could get the photo above.

Next came the McHenry County Republican float.

I just kept snapping my shutter, getting County Board member Nick Provenzano and County Chairman & State Rep. Mike Tryon.

Next came supporters of State Senator Dan Duffy, whose district mirrors that of David McSweeney on the eastern edges of McHenry and Kane Counties.

Next I found McHenry County Board member Robert Nowak.

And with the passing of the next entry, cheerleaders from CEE Snowball Blast Grand Champion, the Algonquin Founders Day Parade was over.

Afterward, however, the young man who had been assiduously gathering candy during the parade put on a Young Republican sticker and agreed to let me take his photograph.

= = = = =
A special note for you Sheriff’s Department watchers. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Department had no entry in the parade. Neither Sheriff Keith Nygren nor his Undersheriff Andrew Zinke was anywhere to be seen.

A press release from Terry Hunt, who is about to announce his candidacy for Kane County Audito:

Kane County Auditor Campaign

Since 1992 Bill Keck has served our community with honor and commitment. Bill has chosen not to seek re-election after he completes his current term. For the first time in twenty years Kane County will elect a new Auditor in 2012.

Terry Hunt understands the vital role performed by the Kane County Auditor as the primary elected financial advocate for the taxpayers. Terry Hunt has the right combination of experience and education to make a seamless transition in the office. Terry Hunt also has a plan to provide a high level of cost efficient financial services for the citizens of Kane County.

Terry promised to run an honorable campaign based upon the respective qualifications of the candidates and the issues specific to the efficient operation of the office.

Terry’s campaign theme centers around three basic qualities that he will bring to the office and that are crucial to effectively performing the duties of County Auditor. Those principles are Integrity, Independence, and Innovation.

Hunt believes that, especially for the Kane County Auditor, integrity and independence are so closely linked that true fiscal integrity cannot be achieved without total independence. As such, Terry has fiercely protected his uncompromised independence, and the only promises he will make are to the taxpayers of Kane County.

Innovation is among those promises. Terry has a comprehensive plan that includes prioritized, achievable goals. Among the near term targets are efforts to create an Audit Hotline, to publish the County Checkbook online, to enhance Fraud Protection protocols, to increase Operational Audits where needed based upon Risk Assessment, to use preventative Forensic Accounting, to extend the Positive Pay Policy, to audit the County Credit Cards system, and to approve and monitor all County Contracts.
Additional details and other information are available through his website at www.ElectTerryHunt.com
Please feel free to contact Terry Hunt directly at Terry@ElectTerryHunt.com or by phone at 630-567-2006.

On Saturday, October 1st at 10:00 AM Terry Hunt will host an event to publicly launch his campaign at the Big Rock Town Hall. Everyone is invited to join us for refreshments following the announcement. The public and the media are encouraged to join us.

Terry Hunt Biography

Terry and his wife Marty have been married for 36 years, and have lived in Kane County for the past 20 years at their farm in Big Rock. They have one daughter, Sarah Herron who lives with her husband Sean in Sugar Grove.

Terry graduated from the University of Evansville where he attended the Schroeder Family School of Business and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an Accounting Major and Finance Minor. Terry was on the Dean’s List and a member of the Business Honors Fraternity.

After graduation Terry worked for two public accounting firms gaining experience while performing audits of a variety of retail and manufacturing businesses, bank examinations, and governmental compliance reviews. Terry also prepared personal and business financial reports, as well as individual and corporate income, payroll and sales tax returns.

Terry was recruited to the private sector where he began as the Assistant Controller for a multi-state mining and manufacturing company with operating plants located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and North Carolina. Within six months Terry earned a promotion to Controller, and within three years he was promoted again to Vice President. Altogether he served as Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance fourteen years.

Terry has also owned and operated a small business in Kane County for over 26 years now. In addition to handling the financial responsibilities of a growing company, Hunt also demonstrated his ability to establish and execute a plan of action. Beginning with a plot of farm ground in 1984, Terry quickly developed his vision into one of the country’s top ranked breeding farms for champion performance horses over the past two decades.

The Hunts have always been active in the community. Terry coached the girls’ basketball teams at the local high school for five years. He has also coached and sponsored virtually every youth sport ranging from beginner t-ball to highly competitive AAU basketball teams. Through the farm, Terry also supports programs such as FFA and 4-H. The entire family serves as volunteers for Equine Dreams, a therapeutic riding center for clients with special needs serving Kane County and other area communities. Terry’s family attends the Orchard Valley Community Church in Aurora.

Terry is a Trustee for the Village of Big Rock, and is the elected Republican precinct committeeman for his district. Hunt has been a Guest Speaker at the Kendall County Tea Party Rally, and previously served as the Field Director for the Speaker Education Project for the 11th and 14th congressional districts.

I don’t know what he’s hunting for, but Jack Roeser just donated another $25,000 to his Family Taxpayers Network.

In the last six months of last year here are the candidates who got contributions from FTN:

• Jim Krenz, running for state representative against Tim Schmitz – $10,000
• Jim MacRunnels, running for Kane County Board chairman – $10,000
• Nick Provenzano, candidate for re-election to the McHenry County Board – $1,000
• Lou Bianchi, candidate for re-election as McHenry County State’s Attorney – $1,000
• Terry Hunt, candidate for state representative to replace Pat Lindner – $5,000

I don’t know what he’s hunting for, but Jack Roeser just donated another $25,000 to his Family Taxpayers Network.

In the last six months of last year here are the candidates who got contributions from FTN:

• Jim Krenz, running for state representative against Tim Schmitz – $10,000
• Jim MacRunnels, running for Kane County Board chairman – $10,000
• Nick Provenzano, candidate for re-election to the McHenry County Board – $1,000
• Lou Bianchi, candidate for re-election as McHenry County State’s Attorney – $1,000
• Terry Hunt, candidate for state representative to replace Pat Lindner – $5,000