Continued Discussion on School Consolidation

In the “Here we go again” category is consolidation of schools. These comments by Lakewood’s Steve Willson stimulates me to re-post the analysis I did seven years ago under his reflections: I’m so tired of this “consolidate the schools” argument. … Continue reading

Skinner Family Real Estate Tax Bill Increases 1/2 of 1% (Not the 4.6% I Thought When Decimal Misplaced)

I needed addition advice on how to find a copy of my family’s tax bill on the McHenry County Treasurer’s web site. The bill went from $9,988.26 last year to $10,033.66. That’s an increase of 0.46%. [Thanks to Alabama Shake for pointing … Continue reading

CL Grade School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department: Bus Driver Arrested for DUI On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at approximately 7:40 am, Crystal Lake Police were dispatched to the parking lot of Hannah-Beardsley Middle School, 515 East Crystal Lake Avenue, … Continue reading

District 155 Dueling School Board Slates Deploy Signs

There’s a fight for control of the Crystal Lake District 155 School Board this spring. One team is led by McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz. You can see that side’s four by four foot sign below: Running with Kurtz … Continue reading

CL Grade School District Has Three Write-In Candidates

Strange that there would be two empty slots on the Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 Board. It levies about one-third of the taxes in Crystal Lake. Three people have filed as write-ins to join the two announced candidates. The … Continue reading

Tax Protest Suit Against Crystal Lake Grade School District – Part 3

Below is the third tax protest count against Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47. The suit was filed by attorney Tim Dwyer. DISTRICT 47 EDUCATION FUND – EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION In 2015, District 47 levied $52,545,000 for its Education Fund. As of … Continue reading

Tax Protest Suit Against Crystal Lake Grade School District – Part 2

This is the second count in attorney Tim Dwyer’s tax protest suit against Crystal Lake Grade School District District 47: DISTRICT 47 WORKING CASH FUND – EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION At the end of the fiscal year 2015, District 47 had $13,950,587 … Continue reading

Tax Protest Suit Against Crystal Lake Grade School District – Part 1

Attorney Tim Dwyer is not going after just McHenry County, plus Algonquin and McHenry Township levies. He has several school districts in his sites, too. Here is the first of two complaints against Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47: COMMUNITY … Continue reading

School District 47 Plans on 5.6% Tax Hike Monday, 4.2%, If Planned Abatement Passes

With the backdrop of McHenry County residents being the 29th highest taxed county in the USA, Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47 published a “Black Box” ad. Black Box ads, iniated by an advisory referendum that was part of Governor … Continue reading

Democrats on the Crystal Lake Grade School Board

If you live in McHenry County Board District 3 or have read Democrat Diane Johnson’s campaign literature, you know she was on the Crystal Lake District 47 Elementary School Board for 18 years. I post this because there are commenters … Continue reading

Mike Walkup Campaigns for District 3 Seat, Compares Tax Cut Leadership on County Board with Tax Hiking Democratic Opponents

As Jack Franks’ anti-Mike Walkup mailing was being delivered, a positive piece from opponent Mike Walkup was also hitting mailboxes from Crystal Lake to McHenry. It did not mention Franks, Walkup’s opponent for the McHenry County Board Chairmanship. It touted … Continue reading

Cary Grade School District 26 Prepares for Little State Aid

The following was written by Cary Elementary School Board President Scott Coffey under the article about the high effective tax rates paid in McHenry County, compared to the rest of the Chicago Metropolitan Area: Regarding General State Aid for Chicago … Continue reading

Tryon Reports

The end of session report from State Rep. Mike Tryon: New FY17 Spending Bills will Enable Full K-12 School Operations for Entire School Year SB 2047. Some elements of the package appropriated money so that it could be legally used … Continue reading

Looking at My Lakewood Tax Bill

McHenry County property tax bills went in the mail last Friday. Most will probably receive them today. If you don’t or if yours is sent to your mortgage house, you can find your bill here.  Just type in your name … Continue reading

Comparing School Tax Totals – 2015 and 2016 Collections

Schools are the tax districts that take most money in every part of McHenry County. Below is a comparison of what was levied last year for collection this year and what was asked for the year before. Thanks again to … Continue reading

Dems Would Take 50% of State Aid to Education from CL Grade School

From GOP State Rep. candidate Allen Skillicorn: Skillicorn Opposes Manar’s School Takeaway Background facts & figures: School District  FY 15 Disbursements  Change with SB 231 Compared to Disbursements  % Change 300  $      32,265,103.31  $       (2,383,447.01) -7.4% 155  $      10,624,580.88  $       … Continue reading

McHenry County Schools Asking for 1.23% More This Year

Below you can see what McHenry County school districts will be asking to extract from your checking or escrow accounts this year. You will note that all of them put together are requesting 1.23% more, although the rate of inflation … Continue reading