LITH Village President Who Lost Endorsed Jack Franks, Too

Looking at the map of mayors and village presidents who endorsed State Rep. Jack Franks for McHenry County Board Chairman, I see a third one who bit the electoral dust–Lake in the Hills Village Paul Mulcahy. He was beaten by … Continue reading

Second Franks-Endorsing Mayor Defeated

Not that I remembered that the Village President of McCullom Lake endorsed Jack Franks for McHenry County Board Chairman, but reader “Swordfish” did under the article entitled, “Marilyn Shepit Elected Village President in McCullom Lake“: Here is what he or … 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

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

Effective Tax Rates in McHenry County

The only way to compare property tax burdens is to divide one’s property tax bill by the value of one’s home. That’s what the Chicago Tribune did in November of 2015. The effective tax rates found for McHenry County towns … Continue reading

Sheriff-Port Barrington Renegotiate

The McHenry-Lake County Village of Port Barrington and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department have apparently renegotiated their deal for the Sheriff’s providing police protection. It must be cheaper for the 1,500 person village to buy police protection than to operate … Continue reading

Comparing City & Village Tax Takes

Yesterday, we took a look at what school districts requested to be collected last year and this year. Today we’ll look at municipalities. A number of McHenry County municipalities overlap into adjacent counties. If you see “McH only,” that is … Continue reading

Income Tax Revenue Sharing Loss Would Cost McHenry County Governments $16.9 Million

The McHenry County Council of Governments (McCOG) has calculated how much money each village and city in the county would lose in state subsides should Governor Bruce Rauner’s budget recommendations be enacted. The Govenror suggests cutting the subsidy in half. … Continue reading

Candidates for McHenry County Cities and Villages

I’ve finally pinned down all who are running for municipal office in cities and villages having all or part of their boundaries within McHenry County. The names have been listed in ballot order.  That makes little difference unless there are … Continue reading

Filings for Municipal Office

Here’s my best effort to find out who filed for village and city offices in McHenry County’s thirty municipalities. Most who didn’t file last week probably waited until late Monday afternoon. Why? Best place on the ballot is first.  With … Continue reading

McHenry County Slot Machine Gambling Loses

With the Crystal Lake City Council again being courted by local liquor serving establishments for permission to install slot machines, the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems organization sent me gambling losses from December, 2014, though May, 2014. … Continue reading

15 Years for Illegal Alien Convicted of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child

A press release from McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi: RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ-SANCHEZ SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR THE OFFENSE OF PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, … Continue reading

Crystal Lake’s Hikes Taxes Almost 10%–More Than Any Other City or Village

Municipal elections were last spring.  The next ones are not until next spring. Perhaps that explains why the City of Crystal Lake decided to hike taxes so much this year–a non-election year. There will go up 9.8%. McHenry, on the … Continue reading

Electric Aggregation Referendum Results Decidedly Mixed

What I thought was going to be the most uncontroversial item on the ballot wasn’t. Having put together the bulk buying of natural gas for state government facilities across Illinois while working for the Department of Central Management Services, it … Continue reading

McCullom Lake is Last in Com Ed Reliablity

McHenry County making the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times twice in one week. That’s probably a record since the tragic school bus-Metra train collision in Fox River Grove in the mid-1990’s. First we are treated to the Thursday revelation … Continue reading

Melissa Bean Holds Another “Private” Meeting

The Northwest Herald is running a story today about a meeting that 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean held at McHenry County College. The public was not invited…again. Just “local leaders.” A dozen of them. No ordinary taxpaying citizens. No advance … Continue reading

Democrats Go for Republican Vulnerabilities – 4

I’m not sure what the last COMMUNITY CHEST substitution has to do with McHenry County Republicans. But, what the heck. This is a political piece and most won’t look at it as closely as I am. Let’s cut them some … Continue reading

Democrats Go for Republican Vulnerabilities – 4

I’m not sure what the last COMMUNITY CHEST substitution has to do with McHenry County Republicans. But, what the heck. This is a political piece and most won’t look at it as closely as I am. Let’s cut them some … Continue reading