How Low Can You Go in Crystal Lake?

Continuing on a republication of findings about Crystal Lake by the Illinois Geologic Survey in 2006: Yesterday, McHenry County Blog reported on the depth measurements made in the West End of Crystal Lake by the Illinois Geological Survey, The bathymetric … Continue reading

What Park Districts Did to 2018 McHenry County Property Tax Bills

There are not a lot of park districts in the United States. In fact, I know of none outside of Illinois. McHenry County has five. They tend to attract people who think recreation is the biggest “good” in government. They … Continue reading

Citizen Inaction Gives CL Park District Ability to Borrow $3.5 Million

The Crystal Lake Park District could have asked voters for permission to borrow $3.5 million to pay for these purposes: 2 playground replacements 1 dump truck 1 pickup truck with plow Lippold synthetic turf replacement Lippold flood relief projects Several … Continue reading

Tuesday from 3-4:30, JB Pritzker Will Be at CL Main Beach House

Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker is coming to Crystal Lake Tuesday. The appearance will be at the Crystal Lake Park District’s Main Beach House. It is sponsored by the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce and you are welcome to … 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

Where the $3.5 Million the CL Park District Plans to Borrow Will Go

The Crystal Lake Park District is planning to borrow $3.5 million. The proposal does not need voter approval, although, if 3,010 people sign petitions, a referendum would have to be put on the ballot this fall. (For those interested, petitions … Continue reading

Illinois Leaks Spotlights CL Park Board Perks

Reprinted with permission from the Edgar County Watchdogs’ Illinois Leaks: Crystal Lake Park District Commissioners gift themselves thousands, while wanting to sell Bonds – BY JMKRAFT ON APRIL 23, 2018 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) Crystal Lake, IL. (ECWd) – CLPD Chairman Debbie Gallagher While … Continue reading

NWH Moves Planned $3.5 Million Bond Sale by CL Park District from Paid Legal Notices to an Article

McHenry Country Blog warned Crystal Lake Park District taxpayers about the proposed borrowing of $3.5 million last Tuesday. Now, new Editor Jon Styf has moved it up to the news pages: Crystal Lake Park District considers selling $3.5M in debt … Continue reading

CL Library Bond Referendum Opponents Surface Literature

The folks behind the signs asking people to vote against the Crystal Lake Library advisory referendum on borrowing $30.1 million have a handout. You can read it below: The contact information is StoptheTrustees@gmail.com. … Continue reading

CL Main Beach, Two in Wonder Lake Closed by Health Department

A press release from the McHenry County Health Department: Beaches closed due to elevated bacteria levels Woodstock Ill. – McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 37 licensed beaches on Wednesday August 17.  The following beaches … Continue reading