A message from the Chairman...
Ken Koehler
County Board Chairman  |
Dear McHenry County Resident,
Your County government continues to monitor the current economic conditions as we develop our 2011 budget. Nine months into our current fiscal year, we are on track to finish in the black while continuing to meet our financial obligations. We continue to provide exceptional services to the residents of the County even in these financially troubled times.
County Board Members, Elected Officials and Department Directors are working together to make the tough choices to insure that our budget remains in balance. In so doing, we can continue to provide the services you have come to expect. In developing the 2011 budget, we utilize a "maintenance budget" approach. This permits to us to control our budget while justifying new, if any, expenditures. Additionally, we are constantly challenging ourselves to find creative and innovative ways to save taxpayers money.
Sincerely,
Kenneth D. Koehler
County Board Chairman
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McHenry County Sheriff Car Seat Safety Check
Saturday, September 25 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
At Centegra in Woodstock on Route 14
Click here for more information
Trail of History (McHenry County Conservation District)
Saturday & Sunday, October 16 & 17 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, IL
Click here for more information
Care 4 Breast Cancer
Sunday, October 24 - 8:30 am
Woodstock North High School
Click here for more information
"Housing McHenry County" Forum
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Hosted by the McHenry County Community Development Division |
County Road Construction Projects Update
Alden Road Bridge - Stage II construction is proceeding with work on the east side of the bridge and roadway, including curb & gutter and sidewalks this and next week, to be followed by roadway paving. The Stage II (east side) bridge deck pour is currently scheduled for Friday, September 24. Although some time has been lost due to weather and the labor strike, the project is still currently expected to be completed in November of 2010.
Chapel Hill Road Resurfacing - The final surface course was completed on August 23rd and the pavement markings have now been completed. Only some minor punchlist and repair work remains.
Walkup Road - Stage I construction is continuing with excavation for the pavement widening and curb & gutter, now along the east edge of pavement from south of Edgewood Drive to south of Crystal Springs Road. Traffic is now using the new pavement widening on the west side from south of Edgewood Road to Live Oak Road. Utility conflict delays are resolved at this time allowing the contractor to resume storm sewer construction. Two delays have impacted this project including a 3 week labor strike and about 3 weeks of lost time due to unresolved utility conflicts. The contractor is utilizing additional working hours and plans to make every effort to complete the project on time. For more information, click here.
To view a County road construction interactive map for other road projects, click here. |
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National Medication Take-Back Initiative
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) program "National Medication Take-Back Initiative" on Saturday, September 25th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As a joint collaborative of government, public health, and law enforcement, this initiative will provide a safe way for the public to dispose of their expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs at no cost. Residents can bring prescription and over-the-counter, solid dose (tablets, capsules) medications in clear, sealed plastic bags for disposal. Liquids, intravenous (IV) bags/solutions, injectables, needles, lancets and sharps will not be accepted.
Remember to remove prescription labels (or block out personal information with a permanent marker) from plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
The following are locations around McHenry County:
Algonquin Police Department
2200 Harnish Drive
Algonquin, IL
Crystal Lake Police Department
100 W. Woodstock St.
Crystal Lake, IL
Huntley Police Department
10911 Main street
Huntley, IL
Johnsburg Police Department
3611 N. Chapel Hill Road
Johnsburg, IL
Lakewood Police Department
2500 Lake Avenue
Lakewood, IL
Spring Grove Police Department
7401 Meyer Road
Spring Grove, IL
Woodstock Police Department
656 Lake Avenue
Woodstock, IL
To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA's webpage: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/takeback/index.html.
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Early Voting Begins Monday, October 11
Early voting for the November 2nd elections begins on Monday, October 11 at various locations throughout McHenry County.
State law requires that a registered voter show valid photo identification before voting early. Voters casting an early ballot must display a current driver's license, a state-issued ID card, or another government-issued ID with a photograph.
Any voter who requests an "Early Ballot" or an "In Person Absentee Ballot" MAY NOT go to the polls on Election Day and revoke the ballot he originally requested. The law prohibits any voter who has been issued an in person absentee or early ballot from appearing at his precinct polling place and requesting another ballot.
EARLY VOTING WILL BE CONDUCTED AT:
McHenry County Administration Building
667 Ware Rd., 2nd Floor, Conference Room A
Woodstock, IL 60098
Monday, Oct 11th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Wednesday, Oct 13th, 20th and 27th
Hours: 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 16th
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 23rd
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday, Oct 17th and Oct 24th
Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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Algonquin Township Offices
3702 US Hwy 14, Clerk's Office
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Tues, Oct 12th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 16th and Oct 23rd
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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City of Crystal Lake
100 W Municipal Complex, Room P106
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Monday, Oct 11th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday, Oct 16th
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 23rd
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday, Oct 17th and Oct 24th
Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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Grafton Township
Huntley Park District
12015 Mill St.
Huntley, IL 60142
Tuesday, Oct 12th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 16th and Oct 23rd
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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Village of Lake in the Hills
Lake in the Hills Village Hall
600 Harvest Gate, Executive Conference Room
(Enter thru Board Room)
Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Monday, Oct 11th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday, Oct 16th
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 23rd
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday, Oct 17th and Oct 24th
Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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City of McHenry
McHenry City Hall
333 S Green St, Court Entrance Only
McHenry, IL 60050
Monday, Oct 11th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday, Oct 16th
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 23rd
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday, Oct 17th and Oct 24th
Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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McHenry Township Offices
3703 N. Richmond Rd.
McHenry, IL 60050
Tuesday, Oct 12th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturdays--NO Hours
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Nunda Township Offices
3510 Bay Rd, Annex
Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Monday, Oct 18th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturdays--NO Hours
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Harvard Area
Dunham Township Office
107 Airport Rd
Harvard, IL 60033
Tuesday, Oct 12th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 16th and Oct 23rd
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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Marengo Area
Marengo City Hall
132 E Prairie St, Upper Chambers
Marengo, IL 60152
Monday, Oct 11th thru Thursday, Oct 28th
Monday thru Friday
Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday, Oct 16th and Oct 23rd
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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**For more information about early voting or voting locations, contact the McHenry County Clerk's office at
815-334-4242**
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Winter Snow and Ice Control
Removal of snow and ice from McHenry County pavement is essential for public safety and the local economy. During winter storm events, the use of pavement deicing chemicals is widely accepted and, as some would argue, essential means of keeping pavements safe and passable. Sodium chloride (NaCl), or common salt, is by far the most popular roadway deicing chemical because of its reliability, economy, and usability. However, it is also corrosive to vehicles, roadway surfaces, parking lots, driveways, and bridges and has been found to have adverse effects on the environment.
In addition, research indicates that chloride levels are increasing in McHenry County's surface water and groundwater, and salt used for pavement deicing is one of the primary sources of this increase. Therefore, a reduction in salt use, through sensible salting, is likely the most effective method of reducing the risks of chloride contamination. One of the approaches McHenry County takes to educate salt applicators about salt usage is through its annual Winter Snow and Ice Control Workshops.
The McHenry County's Division of Water Resources and Department of Transportation invite you to attend a workshop on Winter Snow and Ice Control on:
- Friday, October 22nd from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm; and
- Friday, November 5th from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.
The workshops will be held at McHenry County College Conference Center at 8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL.
As part of the registration fee, participants will receive course materials, lunch, refreshments, and have the opportunity to receive Level 1: Certification (valid for 3 years) and continuing education credits (6 PDH's).
Preregistration for this event is required (registration form). For further information, please contact Cassandra McKinney at (815)334-0309 or visit the McHenry County Water Resources website at www.mchenryh2o.com. |
McHenry County Department of Health Update
FLU CLINICS
As we approach the fall season, now is the time to get your annual flu shot. This year's theme is "the flu ends with U". The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccinations for everyone 6 months of age and older. Remember young children and grandparents are at greater risk for serious complications from the flu. For busy families, getting sick from the flu can also mean missed school, work and extra-curricular activities.
McHenry County Dept of Health has clinic offerings in September and October for adults and children over 9 years of age. Appointments are easy - go online at www.mcdh.info or call 815-334-4510.
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Microchip your Pet
A dog should always wear his/her license tags; however, collars and I.D. tags can become detached leaving the pet without any visible identification. Microchips are safe, simple and permanent forms of pet identification designed to quickly identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners.
Animal Control schedules microchip appointments the 1st Tuesday of the month at its Crystal Lake location (100 N Virginia Street). For more information or to make an appointment, call 815-459-6222 or visit www.mcdh.info (Animal Control link).
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Open Burning Ordinance
Leaves have already begun falling and residents will soon be looking to rid their yards of landscape waste (defined as grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves and tree limbs). The McHenry County Department of Health reminds residents to review the Open Burning of Landscape Waste Ordinance (effective April 1, 2008) for the proper removal of landscape waste. Check out alternatives such as mulching and composting too. FAQ's are available at www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585. |
TEN QUESTIONS TO A FAIR ASSESSMENT:
AN EXPLANATION OF THE APPEAL PROCESS IN MCHENRY COUNTY
3. How will I know what my new assessment is?
You will be receiving a letter in the mail later this summer or fall from the McHenry County Assessor's Office. This is your new official assessment notice and this is the first year the notice is in letter format that includes more assessment and property information. At the same time you receive your letter, assessment changes (changes made by the assessor not equalization) are published in the local newspaper. That publication date marks the beginning of the 30-day appeal process for your township.
4. I'm filing a complaint. What now? Don't miss the deadline. By state statute, your appeal can not be accepted after the deadline. Determine if your appeal is to be on equity or on market value. Your home could be assessed at the correct market value, but if all the other similar homes on your street are assessed below market value, then you are over assessed, because you are carrying a larger share of the tax burden. In an equity complaint, you must supply the market value and assessment of comparable properties in your neighborhood. In a market value complaint, you must supply recent sales data to support the fact that your home may be over-assessed.
Remember, you need to use comparable properties. That means properties of similar size, story height, quality of construction and style. You must use the comparable property form to show the differences between the comparable properties and your home. Be sure to file this information with your complaint form. This is your "evidence" to prove that your assessment is incorrect. You want to provide the most convincing case that you can. This means that you also need to show where your information came from. Pictures of your comparables and your own home are very, very valuable evidence. After receipt of your appeal, in most instances, you will receive a Notice of Hearing.
In addition, new this year is the option to have your assessment appeal heard on the evidence and you may check the box indicating no hearing required. In this case, you would submit your evidence to the Board of Review. The township assessor would then submit their evidence. The Board of Review would conduct a hearing based solely on the weight of the evidence provided by both parties.
5. I purchased my home during this past year. Will the Board of Review consider that?
If you recently purchased your home and the Board of Review determines the sale to be "arms length", that is advertised on the open market then they may adjust your assessment and a hearing would not be necessary. In that case, you will receive a "10-day notice." Short sales and foreclosures that are advertised on the open market may be "arms length." This gives you an opportunity to have a hearing if you
6. What happens at the hearing?
The hearing is somewhat informal. Present will be two or three hearing officers, a clerk to handle the paper work, the township assessor, and you the property owner. You may be represented by an attorney if you choose. Most residential property owners choose to represent themselves. You must include the authorization to represent form if you have someone represent you at the hearing.
The Board will ask you to talk about the evidence that you submitted to prove your assessment should be changed. If you go to the hearing and all you have to say is that your taxes are too high, the Board of Review will tell you that they have no jurisdiction over your tax bill. They can only discuss your assessment and the market value of your property. Your tax bill is calculated by multiplying your assessment, minus any exemptions, by the rates for the various taxing districts that serve your property. Even a home located very near to yours, may be served by different taxing districts. Due to all those variables, it is best to compare assessments, rather than tax bills. After hearing your arguments and asking you questions about your evidence, then the Board will ask the township assessor to respond to your evidence and information and provide any additional information he or she may have.
7. When will I know the decision of the Board of Review?
In most cases, the Board will make an oral decision at the conclusion of the hearing. Sometimes, they will want to collect additional information or verify information, prior to making a decision. The Board does not issue official written decisions until all hearings have been held usually by mid-March.
8. What if I'm still not happy?
Once you receive that written Final Notice of Findings, you will have 30 days from the date of the postmark to file with the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB). Those forms are available in the county office.
9. What can I expect if I do that?
You will be expected to provide evidence and proof of your contentions regarding your assessment. Determination of hearing date and all correspondence will originate from the state. However, PTAB hearings are held at the county office for the convenience of the taxpayer. The state sends a hearing officer to preside over the hearing, which is recorded. The hearing is a little more formal than the local hearing.
Again, you are allowed to present your case first. The Board of Review is there to explain their reasons for the assessment they placed on the property. The township assessor may be there to provide information and act as a witness for the Board of Review, if the Board made their decision based on information provided by the assessor. Remember, the appeal to PTAB is "de novo". That means all new. You can provide additional information that you may have neglected to provide at the county level. The Board of Review can also provide new information.
10. I don't think the Property Tax Appeal Board made the right decision. Is there anything more I can do?
Since you have exhausted all of your administrative remedies, you can now file a court action. Contact your attorney.
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Underage Drinking Task Force
The McHenry County Underage Drinking Task Force was officially launched on Monday, September 20 by County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. In attendance at the meeting were leaders from education, law enforcement, and health care professionals from throughout the County. The meeting began with opening remarks by Chairman Ken Koehler in regards to the importance of developing a task force...Read more |
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McHenry County Board
Chairman - Kenneth D. Koehler
Vice Chairman - James L. Heisler
District 1
Yvonne M. Barnes
Robert "Bob" Bless
Anna May Miller
Marc J. Munaretto
District 2
JS "Scott" Breeden
James L. Hiesler
Kenneth D. Koehler
Lyn A. Orphal
District 3
Mary L. Donner
Kathleen Bergan Schmidt
Ed Dvorak
Barbara Wheeler
District 4
Sue Draffkorn
John D. Hammerand
Pete Merkel
Sandra Fay Salgado
District 5
Tina Hill
James P. Kennedy
Virginia Peschke
Paula Yensen
District 6
Randall Donley
Mary T. McCann
Daniel P. Ryan
Ersel C. Schuster
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McHenry County Employment Opportunities
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