Defenders Take to the River Clean-Up Next Saturday

A press release from the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County: It’s Our River Day ‘16 Woodstock, IL – September 7, 2016 – The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the Village of Algonquin are sponsoring the 9th annual “It’s Our River … Continue reading

Franks Almost Agrees with Walkup that Valley Hi Tax Should Be Abolished

At his second Town Hall Meeting, held at the Eastgate Library in Algonquin, State Rep. Jack Franks was asked whether he favored a zero levy, knowing that it would eliminate the tax for Valley Hi forever. Franks, running for the … 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

Democrats in Algonquin Parade

Yesterday Republicans in Algonquin’s Founders Day Parade were featured. Today we look at the Democrats. Behind the banner was a young man carrying a “Thank You Bernie” sign, plus one opposed to the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement being pushed by … Continue reading

Pols in the Algonquin Parade – Part 1

While McHenry’s Fiesta Days Parade was blistering hot last Sunday, Algonquin’s Founders Day Parade Saturday had a pleasant temperature, was cloudy and had a good breeze. In short, the day was comfortable. I parked near Port Edward, where dignitaries ate … Continue reading

Saturday Gathering of Tax Freeze Referendum Petition Signatures in Algonquin

A press release from GOP State Rep. candidate Allen Skillicorn: Tax Freeze Referendum Petition Drive in McHenry County Most of us agree that property taxes are out of control. Who can afford an additional mortgage payment every month, just for … Continue reading

Getting the Cheapest Electric Rate

Before we went on vacation, my Village of Lakewood sent out the press release below. I just got around to acting on it. The points out that Commonwealth Edison, our most avaricious utility–always asking the Illinois General Assembly to raise … 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

Endangered Mussel Announced in Longmeadow Parkway Meeting

Citizens are meeting at the Algonquin Village Hall tonight. The topic is the Longmeadow Parkway, proposed to have a toll bridge across the Fox River. Most attending oppose the project. The discovery of an endangered species could delay construction of … 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

The Route 62 Four-Lane Question

For as long as I can remember, Barrington Hills has opposed turning Route 62 into four lanes. When Jim Kempe was Village President and I served as State Representative and was Republican Spokesman on the Appropriations Committee that handled the … Continue reading

Sanders Supporters Seeking 20 to Guarantee Colonial Meeting Space Saturday

Patrick Gibbons has sent you an invitation to ‘Jan 23rd address with Bernie- Algonquin/ LITH/ Dist 6’ — click here to view the invitation and submit your response: https://go.berniesanders.com/page/event/detail/4xz9 — The political revolution that we’ve built is approaching a critical juncture. The … Continue reading