A message from the Chairman...
| Ken Koehler
County Board Chairman |
Dear McHenry County Resident,
I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday spending time with family and friends. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our five new County Board members: Robert Nowak (District 1), Donna Kurtz (District 2), Nick Provenzano (District 3), John Jung Jr. (District 5), and Diane Evertsen (District 6). The County Board will both challenge you, and be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever encounter.
At McHenry County we began our new fiscal year in the black and in a much stronger financial condition than most local governments. However, as an organization we face an uncertain national economy in 2011. In addition, the condition of the State's budget and changing national government priorities will put additional pressure on our financial resources. We will have to wisely manage our existing resources in response to these challenges.
McHenry County will continue its commitment to conservative fiscal management while providing superior services for our residents. We believe our financial stewardship serves as a national model for the sensible and effective management of County government. Sincerely,
Kenneth D. Koehler
County Board Chairman |
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McHenry County Sheriff's Office Update
Internet Crime Complaint Center
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office would like to remind the community of the dangers of Nigerian scams. Recently, the Sheriff's Office has been notified by several citizens that they have been contacted by a phone call from unknown subjects stating that they are a winner of a lottery. Frequently callers will have a foreign accent. Check out the Internet Crime Complaint Center's website to file a claim or for more information on financial scams by clicking here.
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National Do Not Call Registry
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office encourages you to register your phone number to the "Do Not Call" Registry to help stop telemarketing phone calls. You can do this by calling 1-888-382-1222 or TTY 866-290-4326. You can also call those numbers and go to the website to report violations of your "Do Not Call" rights. Click here to visit the "Do Not Call" Registry website. |
CALEA Accreditation
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of a program to achieve accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards.
Administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA�), the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. The session will be conducted in the McHenry County Government Center, Sheriff's Office Training Room, located at 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL. Please use the southeast entrance.
Agency employees and the public are also invited to offer comments by calling 815-334-4298 on Monday, December 13, 2010 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Comments will be taken by the Assessment Team.
Telephone comments, as well as appearances at the public information session, are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA's standards. A copy of the Standards is available at the Sheriff's Office, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL. Local contact for an appointment is Fran Kolzow, 815-334-0315.
Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the McHenry County Sheriff's Office's ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA. 20155 or email CALEA at www.calea.org. |
The McHenry County Housing Commission is offering a Community Education event entitled "Housing McHenry County - Reality... Challenge...Opportunity". The event will be held:
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
McHenry County Administration Building
667 Ware Road
Woodstock IL, 60098
The keynote speaker will be nationally recognized housing professional Dr. Elliot Eisenburg presenting "Housing and the Economy - Creating Jobs and Revenue". Dr. Eisenburg is Senior Economist for the National Home Builders Association (NAHB) in Washington, D.C. He has been featured in Business Week, Forbes Fortune, most national and local newspapers and in many other publications. The first event in an educational series, the forum will elevate community awareness centering around housing issues in McHenry County.
For additional information contact the McHenry County Housing Commission at mchenrycountycom.[email protected].
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MCDH Update
Personal Health Services
Start the New Year off right! Starting January 5, 2011, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) and Centegra Health System will partner to provide "Quit Smoking" classes to teach practical ways to end nicotine addiction. The class offers group support and behavior modification, and also reviews the nicotine replacement products that are currently on the market. The class is taught by MCDH staff, trained in the American Lung Association's "Freedom from Smoking" program. Classes will be held at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center in Crystal Lake, 200 Congress Parkway, on Wednesdays, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. A $25 course fee, payable at the first class, is refundable if all seven sessions are attended.
For more information, and to register, call 1-877-CENTEGRA, or 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 Center
McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center is hosting a low cost rabies vaccination ($10) and microchip event ($15) at its Crystal Lake facility (100 N Virginia St) on Wednesday December 8th, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration fees are separate. Discounts for seniors apply and for pets who have been previously spayed or neutered when purchasing registration tags. Call 815-459-6222 for an appointment.
Adoptions are also available. Fees are $80 and include all vaccinations, spay/neuter, FELV & FIV testing, microchip, de-worming and free first Veterinarian visit at participating veterinarians. Go to www.mcdh.info (click on Animal Control) to view available pets. |
Drug Court Development Continues
In collaboration with the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, McHenry County Public Defender's Office, McHenry County Court Services, McHenry County Sheriff's Office, McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association, McHenry County Bar Association and area treatment providers, the 22nd Judicial Circuit of McHenry County continues as the McHenry County Drug Court Taskforce to work towards an operational Drug Court program in McHenry County.
A drug court is a highly specialized, multifaceted collaborative effort, overseen by the court, which diverts individuals who commit crime and are addicted to drugs or alcohol, from the traditional criminal justice system. These individuals will be identified early, screened and upon acceptance be placed into this intensely supervised and highly structured program. The program will target individuals who have a high risk of committing new offenses and a high need for treatment and other services to address the participant's individual issues...Read More |
Severe Weather Spotters Class
The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with McHenry County College, is presenting a free "SEVERE WEATHER SPOTTERS CLASS" on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the McHenry County College Conference Center. There will be two sessions with the afternoon session from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and the evening session from 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.. Guest Speakers for this event will include: McHenry County Emergency Management Director Barry Valentine and Jim Allsopp from the National Weather Service. Barry Valentine will be discussing the procedures that are implemented at the McHenry County Government Center in the instance of severe weather. This will be followed by Jim Allsopp discussing the nature of severe weather systems, the do's and don'ts during severe weather, how to report severe weather to the National Weather Service, and the role of the National Weather Service. The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency asks that individuals register in advance for this event by completing the form attached here.
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Purposes of Court-Why do we need courts?
All too often courts are blamed for the ills of society. People often are unhappy with decisions or sentences that are rendered. In order to understand a court, one must first understand why courts exist.
It was the Founding Fathers that designed our government into three separate, but equal, branches of government. In McHenry County the 22nd Judicial Circuit is a separate branch of government, independent, of the executive and legislative branches. The idea is that this form of government provides for a check and balance system.
On a very basic level, the court is a governmental solution to some form of fight or argument. The court does not advertise for clientele, people come to the court seeking some form of resolution. The court provides an orderly forum for the resolution of disputes. Throughout history there have been attempts made by individuals or groups to seek their own form of justice. Often to the detriment of themselves or to the other party.
Ernest Friesen, a graduate of the University of Kansas and Columbia Law School and the founding Dean of the National Judicial College, has had the opportunity to ask more than 3,000 judges about the purposes of court. The following represents the eight purposes of courts.
1. To do individual justice in individual cases.
This again is a fundamental function of the court. It is the constitutional obligation of the court to process and decide cases by applying the law, given by the legislative branch, to the facts of the individual cases.
2. To appear to do individual justice in individual cases.
While this may sound similar to the first purpose, it is quite different. The appearance of justice provides for the predictability and consistent application of laws to similar cases. People are more apt to obey the law when they perceive that courts will consistently apply the law.
3. To provide a forum for the final resolution of legal disputes.
It is the forum of the court by the application of the facts to the law provides the outcome for a dispute. The court through interpretation of the law decides the outcome and possible penalties of the specific case or dispute.
4. To make a formal record of legal status.
Much of the time and expense incurred by courts are related to making a "formal" record. Since much of what comes before the court involves some form of legal dispute, it is this formal record of status, of guilt or innocence the court maintains. The court is mandated to keep many records forever.
5. To protect individuals from the arbitrary use of government power.
This is a very important purpose of the court. The authors of the Constitution of the United States deemed the existence of an independent judiciary to be the safeguard against the excesses of the legislative and executive branches of government. A government of limited powers was inconceivable to them without an independent judicial branch. All citizens are afforded the right to due process under the law so it is the purpose of the court to oversee and ensure that all due process rights are adhered to.
6. To deter criminal behavior.
The courts are a public forum for the pronouncement of punishment when persons are convicted of crimes. Deterrence comes when the public perceives that those that commit crimes are regularly and swiftly punished.
7. To rehabilitate persons convicted of crimes.
The sentencing of a convicted person has more than one purpose. It is the desire of the court that the imposition of sentence will bring about a change of the individuals behavior, so they may return as a productive, law-abiding member of society.
8. To isolate persons convicted of crime from society.
When all else has failed, it is the responsibility of the court to order convicted criminals to be separated from society to protect society from their criminal behavior. However, it is important to understand and remember that there are laws governing sentencing which even the court must follow.
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WaterSense Water Conservation Tip
Be proud. Be strong. Be a fixer of leaks.
Being handy around the house does not have to be difficult. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easily correctable, in many cases requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings...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. 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
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McHenry County Employment Opportunities
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