Firefighter Pensions

A Friend of McHenry County Blog tallied the following pension information for firefighters from the Illinois State Comptroller’s web site: In 2007 there were 3,753 retired firefighters and 9,039 active firefighters. In 2016 there were 5,069 retired firefighters and 9,160 … Continue reading

Five Years of Overtime at Woodstock Fire Protection District Totals $1.8 Million

Today the summary of the five years of overtime–totaling $1,808,830–is published. The amounts for each of the five Fiscal Years follows: 2014 – $415,769.68 2015 – $405,416.31 2016 – $352,050.33 2017 – $241,898.62 2018 – $393,595.42 The Department’s Fiscal Year … Continue reading

Fire Protection District Taxation

Here’s what Fire Protection Districts have been taxing for the last two years: Fire Protection District INCR / DECR INCR / DECR 2015 – 2014 2014 – 2013 IN TOTAL TAX IN TOTAL TAX BARRINGTON COUNTRY ($24,849.10) $55,835.84 RICHMOND ($3,813.48) … Continue reading

Lakewood Fire Protection Switch from Woodstock to CL Draws Criticism

This email from Linda Wagner criticizes the Lakewood Village Board’s 3-1 vote to switch fire protection from the Woodstock Fire Protection District to the City of Crystal Lake Fire Department. Voting favor were Jeff Iden, Paul Serwatka and Bev Thomas. … Continue reading

Comparing Property Tax Burdens

Reader Susan provided two commentaries on property taxes this weekend. The first tells how to compare real estate taxes from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, state to state. It’s called the effective tax rate. Divide one’s tax bill by what one’s property … Continue reading

Early Afternoon House Fire on 400 Block of Calhoun Street in Woodstock

A friend of McHenry County Blog turned photojournalist this afternoon when he spotted a fire in Woodstock. Another shot of the response to the house fire. “Tons of equipment,” our correspondent wrote. “About 20 – 35 men,” continued our cell … Continue reading

Honoring Dick Locher

The Sunday before, the Tribune syndicated Dick Tracy comic strip’s current creators Joe Staton and Mike Curtis honored Dick Locher for his time as chief cartoonist. Locher has retired and been honored with a statue of Dick Tracy in his … Continue reading

Candidates Withdraw from Local Races

There were not many contested races in the April 5, 2011, election to start with, but there are fewer now. In the Village of Barrington Hills, Trustee candidate Dawn Davis has withdrawn. Blake Hobson, appointed to fill a vacancy, is … Continue reading