Kathy Bergan Schmidt’s Taxing History

Former McHenry County Board member Kathy Bergan Schmidt was drafted to fill a slot on the fall ballot when Democratic Party County Board candidate Ken Smith died this fall. In November, 2008, Schmidt ran second in a three-way County Board … Continue reading

Message of the Day – MIA

Look at this set if signs for signs for Democratic Party candidates, national and local, plus one sign favoring a Crystal Lake Library tax hike. Whose sign is not there? I have been told that a similar observation has been … Continue reading

Message of the Day – Signs

Driving on Hillside Drive in Ridgefield, I found signs for pretty much every Democratic Party candidate on the ballot. There was one for Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. Congressional candidate Jim Walz was represented. The Democrat who would replace Jack … Continue reading

Chris Christensen Opens County Board Campaign Fund with $9,300

About-to-be appointed District 3 McHenry County Board member Chris Christensen has filed his first campaign finance report with the Illinois State Board of Elections. It says he has $9,300 so far. Two entities made contributions of $1,000 or more: $2,000 … Continue reading

Kathy Bergan Schmidt Steps Up to the District 3 County Board Plate

Former McHenry County Board member Kathy Bergan Schmidt has agreed to run for the McHenry County Board in place of Kenneth Miller, who died last Friday. Schmidt served one term, but was defeated when she ran for re-election four years … Continue reading

County Fair Politics and Religion

Took a swing through the McHenry County Fair this afternoon. Figured it would be cooler than tomorrow. Coming in the back door in the best air conditioned building, I spotted the McHenry County Citizens for Choice first. Across the aisle, … Continue reading

Franks Makes It Through Convention Week without NWH Revealing He Was a Hillary Clinton Delegate

Maybe I missed a story earlier, but the one I read that was run by the Northwest Herald after Hillary Clinton was named the Democrats’ Presidential candidate did not mention that McHenry County’s own State Rep. Jack Franks was a … Continue reading

Local Democrats Announce Leadership Team

Here’s what is listed on the web site of the McHenry County Democratic Party: Local party leadership Chairman: Mike Bissett Vice-Chair: Kristina Zahorik Treasurer: Mary Mahady Secretary: Kathy Bergan Schmidt General Counsel: James Harrison Fundraising Chair: TBA Membership Recruitment Chair: … Continue reading

Proposal to Raise Pay, End Mileage for ZBA

The McHenry County Board is moving toward raising the pay of Zoning Board of Appeals members, but plan to eliminate mileage. What’s the reason? The memo gives this reason: According to County Administration, processing mileage reimbursement payments for the ZBA creates … Continue reading

Raising Elected Officials Salaries – Not!

The Human Resources Committee held a meeting on April 2nd which I attended. The reason was the following agenda item: Discussion on Establishing Elected Officials’ Salaries During public comment time, former Board member Kathy Bergan-Schmidt encouraged members to “drop the … Continue reading

Gasser Defeat of Chirikos Means GOP Controls All Seats on County Board

In District 1 after about 3,150 early and absentee ballots were added to in-person ballot results from last night, newcomer Andrew Gasser of Fox River Grove defeated incumbent Democrat Nick Chirikos of Algonquin by 382 votes. That increased his 169 … Continue reading

County Board May Have No Democrats

There are now two Democrats on the McHenry County Board: Nick Chirikos Paula Yensen With 20,000 absentee and early votes still missing, Republicans are ahead in all districts where Democrats are on the ballot. With three precincts outstanding, candidates for … Continue reading

Oakwood Hills Power Plant Meeting: All Dressed in Red and No Chance to Talk

A very short Oakwood Hills zoning meeting was held at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn Thursday evening to consider the siting of a gas-fired electric generating plant behind Village Hall. The length was dictated by the power plant applicant’s losing … Continue reading

McHenry County Democratic Party Ends Up with almost $15,000 at the End of the Second Quarter of 2013

The McHenry County Democratic Party raised $16,015 during the second quarter of this year and ended June with $14,703.92 in the bank. Those making contributions which were reported (required if in excess of $150) follow: $1,000 – Paula Yensen, Self … Continue reading

Democratic Party Chairman Mike Bissett Comments on the Election

I asked McHenry County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Bissett for his take on the election.  His reply is below: “I’m sure it’s no coincidence that the Democratic candidates who worked the hardest won. “I’m proud of Nick Chirikos and Paula … Continue reading

Jack Franks Calls Again in Favor of His County Executive Referendum

This afternoon came the third robo-call from Jack Franks urging people to vote for his County Executive referendum. You can read the text of the first one here. The last time he called, State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) told people … Continue reading