Don’t think I have ever seen a sitting Republican Senate Leader challenged in a Republican Primary Election before.

But the filing of a committee organization document (called a D-1) with the Illinois State Board of Elections surely appears to be the first step of newly-re-elected Mettawa Village President Casey Urlacher is running against incumbent Dan McConchie.

Urlacher did so in 2016, finishing second in a three-way race.

McConchie defeated Urlacher and now State Rep. Marty McLaughlin in 2016.

Urlacher carried McHenry County.

Since then he was indicted as part of a sports betting ring, was pardoned by President Donald Trump and successfully ran a re-election write-in campaign for Village President.

January 7, 2021, McConchie wrote an op-ed piece for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Included was the following:

Unlike so many citizens of other countries, I have never before had to question whether my president was inciting violence or sedition. It is up to us to defend our country against lawlessness and those who would tear down the core values upon which our democracy has been built.

This riotous activity could understandably cause an instinctual reaction to abandon the party claimed by the president and the people who put him in the position to abuse his power and encourage this chaos. But, to those who want to write the Republicans off forever, I implore you to reconsider.

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Newsweek is even interested in the race:

From the Coalition to Cancel the ICE Contract in McHenry County comes this notice:

This Saturday opponents to house ICE detainees in the McHenry County Jail will gather in Downtown Algonquin at the corner of Route 62 and Main Street at noon.

On Saturday, May 15th, they will move to Huntley on Route 47 at Diecke Park.

Except for the print announcing the location information, it’s a good graphic.

As is the Coalition logo, which can be seen below:

Here is the group’s press release:

Cancel the ICE Contract Roadside Rally Planned in Algonquin

Algonquin—The Coalition to Cancel the ICE Contract in McHenry County will hold a Roadside Rally this Saturday, May 8 in downtown Algonquin at Route 62 and Main Street from noon to 1:30 pm.

Supporters and participants are invited to bring signs demanding that the McHenry County Board finally vote to end the Federal contract to use the County Jail as an immigrant detention center.

Masking is required and social distancing will be observed.

The McHenry event is one of a series of events that have taken the struggle to every corner of McHenry County.

The final roadside rally before an expected vote by the County Board on Wednesday, May 18 when the issue will likely come to a vote will be held in Huntley from noon to 1:30 pm on May 15 along Route 47 at Deicke Park.

The Coalition to Cancel the ICE Contract in McHenry County was formed by concerned organizations committed to immigration justice and ending the ICE contract with McHenry County Jail and includes 30 groups from the County and region.

Over 2000 signatures on a petition to end the contract were recently presented to the Board and 424 individuals now are registered on the Coalition’s Facebook Group.

For more information visit the Facebook Page at
https://www.facebook.com/CancelICEContractMcHenryCounty

From Congresswoman Lauren Underwood’s website come these descriptions of “member initiatives” earmarked in an appropriations bill.

PROJECT SPONSOR: Independence Health & Therapy 
LOCATION: 2028 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098 
AMOUNT REQUESTED: $60,000 

PURPOSE/JUSTIFICATION: Independence Health & Therapy requests funding to purchase an electronic medical record (EMR) database system for their Adult Day program and a separate and distinct EMR for their Behavioral Health program. The Adult Day and Memory Care program is the only such program in McHenry County and seeks to promote independence and improve the quality of life for adults and their family. The intent of the Behavioral Health Program is to provide behavioral health services, within an outpatient community setting, to the greater McHenry County area, including traditional individual counseling, psychiatry services, preventative services, and community supportive services. Appropriate technology improves the delivery of services and agency operations. 

This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because EMRs allow staff to create and maintain individualized treatment plans, record clients’ assessments, and improve communication and access among care providers. The database also permits the creation and recording of daily progress notes, analysis of clinical outcomes, and the ability to bill electronically to multiple funders. Utilizing custom assessments and treatment plans, allows for efficient use of staff time, and improves services through individualized planning with access for all staff involved in client care. Such assessments and treatments plans are also crucial for securing payment for services from insurance companies, managed care organizations, and state Medicaid. Customized electronic medical record systems are critical for appropriate and timely billing, effective and efficient provision of care to the client, and increased amount of direct staff time with the client. The project is supported by the McHenry County Department of Health, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, and McHenry County Mental Health Board.  

PROJECT SPONSOR: McHenry County College 
LOCATION: 8900 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012 
AMOUNT REQUESTED: $822,690 

PURPOSE/JUSTIFICATION: This funding would be used to expand McHenry County College’s existing dual credit/dual degree program in partnership with all 15 public high schools in McHenry County. It is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will fund additional graduate education for high school instructors, qualifying more instructors to teach college courses at their high school and making dual credit and dual degree programs available to many more students. The funding would also be used to help underwrite the cost of college tuition, fees, and course materials for students with demonstrated need. 

PROJECT SPONSOR: Village of Richmond 
LOCATION: 5600 Hunter Drive, Richmond IL 60071 
AMOUNT REQUESTED: $560,800 

PURPOSE/JUSTIFICATION: This funding would be used to rehabilitate two aging water towers, which serve as the residents of the Village of Richmond. Recent inspections of the towers revealed blight and decaying conditions that potentially pose a threat to public health and safety; therefore, restoration is critical and an appropriate use of taxpayer funds. Further delay in the water tower restoration could result in water quality violations and service disruptions, which may impact emergency fire department water supply. 

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

Lame duck supervisor plans to address Kane County Board May 11 with disinformation about Kane County Clerk

UPDATE 5/6/21 7:10PM CDT: Dundee Township Cause of Action for declaratory judgement filed against Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham on Wednesday, with payment of filing fees dated 5/6/21.

16th Judicial Circuit Case 21-MR-000801 with next action set for August 20, 9AM CDT with the Honorable Kevin T. Busch for Case Management Conference.

Township attorney from Ancel Glink representing the township.

From the desk of John Lopez: Lame duck Dundee Township Supervisor Trish Glees (D, West Dundee), who lost her reelection bid for a 2nd term last month is not going out quietly.

Glees will officially leave office the week of May 17, but she is going out swinging with false accusations concerning Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham (R, Aurora). Last month, with advice from Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser (D, St. Charles), Cunningham did not extend the property tax levy funding two separate 708 Mental Health Boards approved by voters in Dundee and Elgin townships in March of 2020.

McHenry County Blog covered these developments in Kane County last month, and the article with the complete background can be viewed here.

Cause of Action has been filed with Kane County’s 16th Judicial Circuit as authorized by the Dundee Township Board on April 21 as case 21-MR-000801 with Case Management Conference scheduled for August 20.

But the facts of Clerk Cunningham’s decision are easily lost on Glees, as she has initiated an online petition through Ben Rattray‘s San Francisco-based change.org website with disinformation, meaning on-purpose, straying from the truth.

In my honest opinion, Glees knowingly using false information taints the very real need for Mental Health services within the Dundee Township community.

And Glees has decided to champion this initiative through her Facebook page in the waning days of her term as Dundee Township supervisor:

So what’s in the petition which through mid-day Thursday had just under 400 online signatures? Copied and pasted from change.org, the petition from “Advocates for Kane Mental Health” reads as follows:

Advocates for Kane Mental Health started this petition to Kane County Board Members

We, the undersigned voters in Kane County (Illinois), believe that the recent actions of the County Clerk’s Office disenfranchise the 13,533 voters who approved the Elgin and Dundee Townships mental health referenda on March 17, 2020.

Furthermore:

We believe that the Clerk’s Office failed to provide local and county officials in Kane County an essential public service by verifying that referenda language put forth to voters would meet the Clerk’s Office criteria for tax levies. As a result, litigation between the two townships and the Clerk’s Office will occur at the expense of taxpayers.

We believe that the Clerk’s Office has been disingenuous with voters and local government officials by certifying results of a proposition and then nullifying these same results by not executing related tax levies.

We believe that the Clerk’s Office, having experienced a similar lawsuit related to referenda and property tax levies, should have review procedures in place to prevent administrative barriers from enacting the wishes of voters.

We implore the Kane County Board to seek appropriate remedy for the breach of trust that now exists between the Clerk’s Office and Kane County voters.

To begin rebuilding trust with the voters, we ask that the Board request that the Clerk’s Office send letters by June 30, 2021 to all registered voters and taxpayers in Elgin and Dundee Township articulating the specific objections and legal implications in the referenda language used.

Additionally, we request that the letter be posted on the County Clerk’s website through December 31, 2021 as a source of information for all Kane County voters.

Source: “Kane County Votes” petition on change.org website

.

Was it Mark Twain, no, Woody Allen who said, “Why ruin a good story with the truth?”

That’s exactly how the petition contents need to be treated. It’s a story with little basis in fact, particularly with references to “breach of trust” and a misperceived need to “…begin rebuilding trust with the voters…”.

The truth and as published in McHenry County Blog‘s article last month, the case law in my honest opinion is significant and the Clerk did the right thing implementing the advice of the State’s Attorney to not extend the taxes from two improperly worded referenda that did not use the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law.

In my honest opinion, what Clerk Cunningham did wearing his “Election Authority” hat in certifying the March 2020 election results is mutually exclusive to his duties wearing his “Tax Extension Officer” hat a year later.

Finally, as stated above in my honest opinion, Glees’ actions including this purposeful disinformation she’s promoting under her First Amendment rights, taints and undermines the real Mental Health challenges she purports to want to address in the Dundee Township community.

Glees’ successor, Arin Thrower (I, West Dundee) begins her term as Dundee Township supervisor on May 19, and that date can’t get here fast enough!

From the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office:

DAVID STONEBURNER SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR THE OFFENSES OF AGGRAVATED BATTERY AND POSSESSION OF WEAPON BY A FELON

Patrick D. Kenneally, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that David Stoneburner, 36, of Richmond, was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Honorable Judge Michael Coppedge after pleading guilty to

• Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, a Class 2 Felony, and
• Aggravated Battery, a Class 3 Felony.

Stoneburner, a convicted felon, was apprehended by members of the Crystal Lake Police Department during a routine traffic stop when they discovered a switchblade knife in Stoneburner’s possession.

Police investigation also revealed that Stoneburner was responsible for a battery which occurred outside the Woodstock Walmart in February of 2019.

This case was investigated by members of the Crystal Lake Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Tyler Mikan of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

From the Chicago Tribune comes these paragraphs:

“At least two former Illinois House Democrats have gone before the federal grand jury within the last week to explain the full scope of Madigan’s power and control of the legislative process while he was speaker, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

“At least one of the lawmakers had changed a vote on the House floor that opposed a key piece of ComEd legislation and then supported Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of the measure, a source said.

“The ex-lawmakers themselves were not accused of doing anything improper but were asked a series of questions about the basic way the House operated under Madigan, a source said.

“In addition, a third former lawmaker told the Tribune they were recently interviewed by federal authorities, and said questions included ‘Madigan’s role in the process’ about ComEd and other issues.”

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Note well that Jack Franks’ name is not mentioned in the Tribune article.

See Jack Franks’ campaign contributions relating to Commonwealth Edison here.

On May 4th, McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally wrote a strong letter to local legislators asking for opposition to a bill that would rollback penalties for breaking drug laws.

Commenter “Correcting” noted that the Illinois House had already passed the bill and that is was now in the Senate.

Here is the House Roll Call from April 21st, where the bill passed with just one vote to spare:

From State Senator Craig Wilcox:

Senator Wilcox Targets Growing Local Pension Sustainability Problem

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) joined colleagues from the Senate and House and an independent financial watchdog group on Wednesday to draw attention to a growing crisis in Illinois-the unsustainability of local government pension systems.

Wirepoints, an independent, nonprofit company that researches Illinois’ economy and government through an examination of fiscal policies, recently concluded a comprehensive project that scored the state’s largest 175 cities on 10 metrics relative to the health of local pension systems between 2003-2019.

“Pension sweeteners offered to state employees over time in exchange for union support is a primary contributor to Illinois’ debt crisis, and while the unsustainability of the state’s publicly funded pension systems gets a lot of media attention, the growing local pension crisis poses the greatest new threat for taxpayers,” said Sen. Wilcox.

“We need look no further than the state’s heavy-handedness, greed over budget dollars, and collective bargaining laws that strongly favor unions to see how problems have rolled downhill and are now impacting our cities and villages.”

Sen. Wilcox went on to explain that an endless stream of unfunded mandates handed down to local units of government and frequent sweeps of Local Government Distributive Funds (LGDF) have left cities and villages with few options for balancing their budgets, none of them good.

“Our municipal leaders have to make very difficult decisions,” added Sen. Wilcox.

“Because pension payments to retirees must be paid, municipal leaders must decide if they would rather decrease staff and the level of services, like police, fire, and public works, or if they want to increase taxes locally on constituents who are already overtaxed.

In McHenry and Lake Counties, residents pay some of the highest taxes in the nation, so our municipalities have, in most cases, chosen to reduce staff.

“This, in turn, creates the current crisis where there are more retirees collecting pension benefits than there are employees currently paying into the system.”

While all municipalities in the 32nd District are struggling, Sen. Wilcox pointed to the City of Crystal Lake, where taxpayers today contribute more than three times the amount of taxes toward local pensions than they did in 2003, while Crystal Lake pension obligation quadrupled during that time.

He also pointed to the City of Woodstock, which saw it’s pension obligation double over the last ten years.

“As local pension costs continue to eat up a greater percentage of local government budgets, essential local services are being crowded out,” Sen. Wilcox said.

“The State of Illinois needs to stop trying to solve its own financial mismanagement problems at the expense of our local communities. They need to get out of the way, stop with the unfunded mandates and fund sweeps, and allow our cities and villages to operate without interference.”

Wirepoints has analyzed the pension situation in the 150 largest cities in Illinois.

[C]

[C]overage was restricted to the 175 cities, excluding Chicago, that have their own independent police, firefighter, and Illinois Municipal Retirement (IMRF) pension funds.

Crystal Lake made that list.

Here are the top level results:

Crystal Lake did not hold its own during this time when Aaron Shepley served as Mayor.

The results for each of the factors above can be found at this link.

Wirepoints points out

Complicating the situation is the fact that  local officials can do little about the crisis. Local retirement costs are largely a consequence of the state’s top-down, one-size-fits-all mandates which prevent cities from actually solving their pension problems.

Funding ratios in 2019 for Crystal Lake’s pension funds follow:

• Police – 58.4%
• Firefighter – 70.5%
• INRF – 94.8%

City debts per household as a % of income in Crystal Lake is 1.5%.

City contribution per household as a % of income in Crystal Lake is 2/10 of 1%.

City contribution as a % of budget is 4.9%.

City-to-worker contribution ratio is 2.02.

Actual vs. actuarial city contribution (P&F only) is -19.9%.

Asset-to-payout ratio (P&F only) is 27.3%.

Worker-to-beneficiary ratio (P&F only) is 5.4.