Township Budgeting – Cutting Out the People

Somewhere in the debate on township consolidation, the comment was made that the people have the power to decide the budget at the Annual Town Meeting. Unless there has been a drastic change since the 1970’s. The public has not … Continue reading

Will Lower Assessments Lead to Lower Taxes?

The Illinois real estate assessment system bases one’s share of the total bill on the value of one’s property (unless one has farm land). A short history of how we got where we are. The 1870 Constitution required that real … Continue reading

Dick Tracy Fails to Get the Ladies’ Vote – Part 1

Tina Hill was kind enough to remind me Sunday that her Management Services Committee would be considering candidates for McHenry County Seal yesterday morning. I made it in time and was asked to sit in the empty press session, where … Continue reading

Dick Tracy Fails to Get the Ladies’ Vote – Part 1

Tina Hill was kind enough to remind me Sunday that her Management Services Committee would be considering candidates for McHenry County Seal yesterday morning. I made it in time and was asked to sit in the empty press session, where … Continue reading

To Let People Vote in Township Primaries or Not – Part 1

That is the question that Republican and Democratic township central committees are now considering. Precinct committee have very little power. In their precincts, if they develop a rapport with local residents, they can influence elections. But, they can have real … Continue reading

To Let People Vote in Township Primaries or Not – Part 1

That is the question that Republican and Democratic township central committees are now considering. Precinct committee have very little power. In their precincts, if they develop a rapport with local residents, they can influence elections. But, they can have real … Continue reading

McHenry County Board Finally Goes Too Far

I’m sure a number of you have had that feeling for a long time. But, now there is hard evidence. McHenry County politics and the courts have been closed systems for decades. After I beat the system in 1966 and … Continue reading

McHenry County Board Finally Goes Too Far

I’m sure a number of you have had that feeling for a long time. But, now there is hard evidence. McHenry County politics and the courts have been closed systems for decades. After I beat the system in 1966 and … Continue reading