McHenry County10/22/2010

McHenry County e-News
A message from the Chairman... 
McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler
Ken Koehler
 County Board Chairman

 

 

Dear McHenry County Resident,

 

At this past Tuesday night's County Board meeting, the proposed McHenry County Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11)  Budget was placed on public review. The proposed FY11 Budget is balanced and is approximately $6.9 million smaller than the FY10 Budget. In total, the County reduced its budget from $248,381,320 for FY10 to $241,431,558 for FY11. 

 

 In developing the FY11 Budget, the County responded to the reduction in revenues with a corresponding reduction in expenses. McHenry County has consistently used this conservative approach to its budgeting. Prudent revenue estimates determine our expenditures. The proposed FY11 Budget is now on display in the McHenry County Clerk's Office and is scheduled to be adopted at the November 16th meeting of the McHenry County Board.

 

Finally, I would like to thank each and every County Board member in their diligent work and leadership during this long process. If you have any questions in regards to the proposed FY11 Budget, please do not hesitate to contact me or any other of your McHenry County Board members.

 
Sincerely,

 

Kenneth D. Koehler

County Board Chairman

Save the Date

 

Care 4 Breast Cancer
Sunday, October 24 - 8:30 am
Woodstock North High School
Click here for more information

Suicide Prevention and Awareness
Tuesday, October 26 - 7:00 pm - Conference Rooms B and C
County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock
For more information, call 815-334-4021 or click here

Red Ribbon Week - October 23 thru October 31
Red Ribbon Ceremony - October 22, 10:00 am
For more information, click here

"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 on the east side of the road is nearly complete with the asphalt driveways being finished currently.  The traffic switch to Stage III is planned for Tuesday 10/26 which will remove the temporary signal from the bridge and start the construction of curb & gutter, sidewalks and driveways on the west side.  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.

 

Walkup Road - Stage I is complete and Stage II curb & gutter and pavement widening are nearly completed.  Pavement milling and placement of Binder Course on the full width pavement is expected to start about mid-next week.  This will involve large work areas with flagger controlled traffic and could result in significant traffic delays for the duration of about one week.  Landscaping is proceeding behind the curbs in the completed areas where no Multi-use Path construction is to occur next spring.  Work on the retaining walls is continuing.  In approximately three weeks we expect the roadway section from Live Oak to Crystal Springs Roads to be essentially complete for the work to be done this year.  Traffic Signal work will be done through the winter and the pavement widening work at Crystal Springs Road will be done next spring along with the final paving, Multi-use path paving, and any landscaping left to be completed.  The contractor is utilizing additional working hours and plans to make every effort to complete the project on time.  For more information, click here:

 

Harmony Road Resurfacing - Binder Course paving is ongoing this week and will be followed by final surface course placement late this week into early next week. That will leave aggregate shoulders and pavement markings which are expected to be complete by October 29.

Halloween Safety Tips for Trick or Treating

 

Kids look forward to Halloween for many reasons. They like the dressing up in costumes but the mostly they like it for the candy and treats! Who wouldn't? Even some adults still like to go our trick or treating. It makes them feel young and happy again. While this section sticks mainly to guidelines for kids, they are just as useful for adults.

 

Some parents like to take first dibs on some of the candy that the kids have picked up during the night. It's their reward for taking them around from house to house! We suggest that you watch the candy intake when you all get home, too much at one time can lead to stomach aches and indigestion. That includes mom and dad as well!

 

Make your child's Halloween a memorable holiday and they'll have good memories that last a lifetime! If you are taking your kids out for the night, dress up as well. Mom and dad should get into Halloween as much as the kids do!

 

Trick or Treating should be one of the great adventures of Halloween for kids! They can get dressed in scary costumes and go door to door, begging "Tricks or Treats!" from neighbors or at the local mall. Lots of small towns have a Halloween Safe Night at the community center or school so kids can Trick-or-Treat safely but going door to door is the stuff of childhood memories! It should be a fun time, without trouble and pain, so following some easy tips can keep your child safe every Halloween.

 

Children should always go out trick or treating accompanied by a responsible adult. If you have a group of kids going, the parents should choose two or three of them to go along and keep an eye on things.

Some towns set a curfew for trick or treating which makes it easier for townsfolk to know who's coming to their door. Make sure and stick to the curfew times and stick to subdivisions and areas with a lot of homes so your kids can get in as much trick or treating as possible in a few hours time.

 

Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times. Set a time for their return home. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves. Make sure that they have a cell phone.

 

Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields if they are out alone. Make sure they know to stay in populated areas and not to go off the beaten track. Let them know to stay in well lighted areas with lots of people around. Explain to them why it can be dangerous for kids not to do this. If they are going out alone, they are old enough to know what can happen to them in a bad situation and how to stop it from happening.

 

Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you. This way you can check for any problem candy and get the pick of the best stuff!

 

Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Explain why this is not a god idea and what to do if someone approaches them and tries to talk to them.

 

Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

 

Let them know that they should stay together as a group if going out to Trick or Treat without an adult.

 

 


McHenry County Department of Health Update

 

PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES

Start planning now to be smoke-free for the holidays

Quit smoking classes offered Nov 2 - Dec 14

 

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer a 7-week quit smoking class for adults.   The program begins on Tuesday, November 2, from 5:30pm-6:30pm at its Crystal Lake office (100 N Virginia Street).  The $25 enrollment fee is refundable if all sessions are attended.  Call 815-334-4931 to register. 

 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women.  More than 70% of smokers want to quit and attempt to do so each year, but without help, most fail.  Smoking cessation counseling and medicines are proven to help and improve quit rates.  MCDH classes give participants the assistance and tools needed to stop smoking in a supportive group setting.  The program will discuss readiness to quit, nicotine replacement products, behavior modification, copies strategies, stress and weight management, and how to stay smoke-free for good.

 

For more information, visit www.mcdh.info. To speak with a counselor immediately, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-QUIT-YES.

 

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ANIMAL CONTROL ADOPTION EVENT

Did you know 25% of shelter animals are purebreds? Well, our adoption fees are only $80 and includes all vaccinations, spay/neuter, FELV & FIV testing, microchip, de-worming, free 1st Veterinarian visit and discounted grooming.  Now that's a bargain! The next adoption event "Trick or Treat - Adopt Four Feet" is scheduled for Wednesday Oct 27 from 11am-6pm. If you are already a pet owner, appointments for microchips and rabies vaccinations will also be available during this event from 4pm-5:30pm. 

 

Check out the wonderful animals available for adoption at www.mcdh.info (link to Animal Control, "adoption") or call 815-459-6222.

 

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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Fall is in full swing and that means cooler temperatures and colorful leaves.  But we are also faced with cleaning up the leaves that have fallen.  McHenry County Department of Health reminds residents that burning restrictions of landscape waste (ie grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves, tree limbs) are in effect during April, May, October and November.  Visit www.mcdh.info, Environmental Health, Open Burning to view details of the summary ordinance and municipal burning restrictions in your community. 

 

Some earth-friendly options to consider

         Reduce/reuse - use a mulching mower for grass and leaves or a chipper for branches. Consider native landscaping that will reduce the need for yard waste.

         Recycle - composting landscape waste acts as a soil conditioner to improve plant growth

 

Work collectively with neighbors and associations to arrange the most economical solution for your neighborhood.  You can also drop off landscape waste at a yard waste recycling company that composts these materials into organic compounds for reuse.  A listing of these services is available at www.mcdh.info. Click on Environmental Health, Open Burning, "other alternatives". 

Winter Snow and Ice Control

The McHenry County's Division of Water Resources and Division of Transportation invite you to attend a workshop on Winter Snow and Ice Control on:

 

 - Friday, November 5th from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.

 


The workshop will be held at McHenry County College Conference Center at 8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL.

Registration is due no later than: Friday, October 29, 2010.

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
 

 

Early Voting 

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**

 

TEN QUESTIONS TO A FAIR ASSESSMENT: 

AN EXPLANATION OF THE APPEAL PROCESS IN MCHENRY COUNTY

 

1. What's my first step to determine if my assessment is accurate?

Call your local township assessor. Make sure the information about your property is correct. The local assessor may also be able to show you other properties similar to yours in your neighborhood. You can determine if your property is equitably assessed. He or she may also have sales information. If you have lived in your home for a long time, you may not realize how much it is worth now. 
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. Heisler
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

 

In This Issue
Save the Date
Road Construction
Halloween Safety Tips
Health Update
Snow and Ice Control
Early Voting
Fair Assessments

McHenry County Employment Opportunities 

Click here!
 

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