Bond Retirement Allows Fox River Grove to Cut Real Estate Taxes, Partially Offset by Hike to Fund Police Pensions

A press release from the Village of Fox River Grove: Village Property Taxes Will Reduce 7% Fox River Grove property owners will pay less in taxes to the Village during calendar year 2019. The Village Board adopted an $18,882 (2.1%) … Continue reading

6-Year Old Cary Boy [NOT] Hit by Boat While Swimming Under Water in Fox River- Update

A July 24th press from the Sheriff’s Department updating the one below issued on July 16th: Boat/Swimmer Accident Reclassified as “Near Drowning” The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit has concluded its investigation into a boat/swimmer accident that occurred on … Continue reading

Young Folks Arrested for Selling Drugs in Fox River Grove

A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department: Fox River Grove Drug Arrests On November 9, 2017 the McHenry County Sheriff’s Police Narcotics Task Force (which includes Task Force Officers from Lake in the Hills PD and McHenry City … Continue reading

Andrew Gasser Writes about Venetian Gardens Bridge Replacement

An email arrived from Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Andrew Gasser in reply to some criticism from Clerk Karen Lukasik.  [I have emailed Lukasik for the content of her criticism, but have not received a reply.] Here is Gasser’s reaction: Edwards … Continue reading

Local Governments Spent $1 Million Fighting Flooding, Illinois Total Too Low for Federal Reimbursement

Local governmental expenditures submitted to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency from McHenry County totaled $1,080,640.62. According to the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency, “In the four counties proclaimed a disaster area by Governor Rauner, uninsured damages to public property and … Continue reading

FRG Mayor Throws in with Chicago on State Aid to Educatoin

Fox River Grove’s Village President Robert J. Nunamaker has thrown in with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Here’s what a Chicago Sun-Times article says today: “Robert J. Nunamaker, mayor of Fox River Grove, was asked why he was supporting a bill … Continue reading

Tax Freeze Referendums Bracket High School District 155

There are three tax freeze referendums. Well, not exactly. They are actually advisory referendums in Lakewood, Fox River Grove and Cary. Lakewood’s asks, Shall each taxing body located partially or wholly within the corporate limits of the Village of Lakewood … Continue reading

McHenry County Taxpayers Owe Over $130 Million for Underfunded Police and Fire Pensions…as of Two Years Ago

Commenter Mark has laid out all of the municipal police and fire pension fund money owed by McHenry County taxpayers. Let’s review police and fire pension funding status in McHenry County. Remember, Jack Franks says he has a plan to … Continue reading

Mayors Endorsing Jack Franks

Just thought you’d like to know the mayors and village presidents who have endorsed Jack Franks as of 7-12-16: City of Harvard Mayor Jay Nolan City of McHenry Mayor Susan Low City of Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager Village of Algonquin … Continue reading

Cost to Taxpayers of FRG TIF

Chicago Reader’s Ben Joravsky’s take on Chicago Tax Increment Financing Districts: “As you know, TIFs are, in effect, a surcharge added to your property tax. “The proceeds are used to pay for pretty much anything the mayor wants.” He adds … Continue reading

CL High School District Votes 6-1 to Approve FRG TIF

While we were on vacation, Crystal Lake High School Board 155 approved a Tax Increment Financing District in Fox River Grove. Over ten years ago, McHenry County Blog’s first article was one critical for the Crystal Lake City Council’s proposal … Continue reading

Traffic Ticket Discrimination Against Out-of-Towners Everywhere, But Crystal Lake and

The Chicago Tribune released results of a study of traffic ticket data that shows whether police departments discriminate in favor of their own residents. In the towns studied in McHenry County Crystal Lake and Harvard stood out as being even-handed. … Continue reading

Tax Takes for Cities and Villages

Below is what cities and villages in McHenry County did to property taxpayers last year and what can be expected this year: City or village INCR / DECR INCR / DECR 2015 – 2014 2014 – 2013 IN TOTAL TAX … Continue reading