From Lakewood resident Steve Wilson: Crystal Lake Library Annual Statistical Report Crystal Lake Library recently mailed its “Annual Report” to all the families in Crystal. It has lots of pictures and graphics showing statistics on usage for the fiscal year … Continue reading
The Crystal Lake Library sent the following information about how much money is going to each local tax district. … Continue reading
Here is a comparison of property tax burdens levied by libraries in McHerty County for the last three years. All are library districts, except Crystal Lake’s, which is part of city government and whose levy must be approved by the … Continue reading
The first Sunday of every December Crystal Lake Kiwanis sponsors a 5k race. It’s called a Santa Run. While that the 2016 race ended with snow, the weather on the first Sunday of this December was excellent. Last year over … Continue reading
Went to the Crystal Lake Library and noticed Crystal Lake’s flag fluttering in front of the parking lot below the American Flag. … Continue reading
The Crystal Lake Library Board asked for its $31 million advisory bond referendum to be held on Presidential Election Day. I have talked to two political types who advised the Board to wait until a lower turnout election. Had two … Continue reading
We now know that the Crystal Lake Library Board has spent $2 million buying up property around the library for the big new building the public keeps turning down. (See Crystal Lake Library and Real Estate Company.) My FOIA requests … Continue reading
Give credit to the Northwest Herald for publishing this Letter to the Editor from Crystal Lake Library expansion critic. It is published with author Steve Willson’s permission: Editor: Did you know the CL Library bought six pieces of property for … Continue reading
The Crystal Lake Public Library has now purchased six pieces of property near the existing library so they would have room for the new library the public keeps turning down. They bought one piece in January 2017 – AFTER they … Continue reading
The General Election advisory referendum last fall lost and an effort for a re-do by the Crystal Lake Public Library at the much lower turnout April election was withdrawn before a vote by the City Council. That, however, has not … Continue reading
It took twelve minutes for the Crystal Lake City Council to finish its public business tonight. Most items were handled on a consent agenda. Included in the motion that Ellen Brady Mueller made was the indefinite tabling of a resolution … Continue reading
At tonight’s Crystal Lake City Council meeting, there will be seven people allowed to vote on whether a second advisory rererendum to borrow $30.1 million shall be put on the April 4th ballot. Four of them will be on the … Continue reading
As bond analyst Steve Willson has pointed out, in his industry those doing business with a government are banned from future business for two years if they make political contribution related to the entity. No such prohibition exists for builders, … Continue reading
Tonight at its 7:30 meting at City Hall, the Crystal Lake City Council will consider whether to allow new Library supporters a second chance to obtain a majority in favor of borrowing $30.1 million. In the November election, the vote … Continue reading
Not much notice, but the people in favor of borrowing $30.1 million to build a new Crystal Lake Library at the corner of West Crystal Lake and McHenry Avenues are asking the City Council to put another referendum on the … Continue reading
The voters of Lombard passed a $22.3 million bond issue $53-47% in the November election to build a new library. Crystal Lakers were asked to approve a $30.1 million proposal. It lost 55-45% The owner of a $200,000 home in … Continue reading
McHenry County Blog has filed Freedom of Information request to find out how public relations costs this year, when the bond referendum was being run, compared with last year’s. Below is what was found: Listed below are the amounts spent … Continue reading
The following letter from bond analyst Steve Willson, was published originally in the Northwest Herald. It is re-published below with permission from the author: Questionable Contributions Editor: Many years ago it was common for investment banks to contribute to local … Continue reading
From a Friend of McHenry County Blog who was at the Crystal Lake City Council meeting Tuesday night: On balance, last night’s CL City Council meeting went well. We [library referendum opponents] had several public speakers during the public comment … Continue reading
There are three tax hike referendums on the ballot: Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District Crystal Lake Library Bond Issue Village of Greenwood Two of three are behind at this point. The Algonquin-LITH Fire Protection District: Choice Votes … Continue reading
