McHenry County e-News

McHenry County, IL

4/08/2011

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler

Dear McHenry County Resident,

Yesterday, County staff presented a recap on the County's Fiscal Year 2011 financial strength through the first quarter. I am proud to report that, though there are budget woes at the State and National level, the County continues to be in strong financial shape. The County's conservative fiscal practices has allowed us to position ourselves to be able to respond accordingly to outside budget variables. While there are concerns regarding Federal and State dollars in the County's budget, staff noted that the Federal share is 9.41% while the State share is only 6.37%

Given that, the County does rely on State and Federal funding for various programs such as salary reimbursements, grant programs, the jail program, and care of the elderly. The likelihood of all funding being eliminated at once is unlikely. Historically, the County's General Fund has finished in a financially strong position because of the ongoing financial management process by the County Board. By following our strong conservative fiscal policies, you can be rest assured that the budget woes of Springfield and Washington will not have a catastrophic impact on the County's budget.

Sincerely,

Kenneth D. Koehler

County Board Chairman

County Board Member Spotlight:

Nick Provenzano

Mr. Nick Provenzano was elected to the McHenry County Board this past November and currently resides in McHenry. Mr. Provenzano serves as Chairman of the Law and Justice Committee and a member of the Building Projects, Transportation, and Legislative Committees. Additionally, Mr. Provenzano serves on the Stormwater Commission and is the County Board liaison to the following organizations: the Child Advocacy Center, the Disaster Planning Committee, and Local Emergency Planning Committee. Click here to learn more about Mr. Provenzano.

May is Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Month, and the McHenry County Community Partners-Mental Health Awareness for All group invites the community to participate in a variety of free educational programs, including a theater performance and art exhibit. Click here to see the free community education programs!

For more information visit http://mchenry.il.networkofcare.org and under Community Announcements click on announcements and press releases. or call 815-455-2828.

Division of Transportation Update

DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION WEBSITE

The McHenry County Division of Transportation (MCDOT) website provides current news, maps, and transportation plans directly from the source! Visit the MCDOT website to learn about 2011 construction projects by using the MCDOT construction interactive map, and to learn about short and long-term transportation plans for McHenry County. Click here to visit the website.

Rakow Road Groundbreaking Ceremony

WHAT: Ground Breaking Ceremony of the James R. Rakow

Road Construction Project between Illinois Route 31 and Ackman Road

WHEN: Wednesday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Parking will be available at the northeast corner of

McHenry Avenue and Rakow Road

WHY: This long awaited project will provide expanded roadway

capacity to serve the existing and growing travel demand on Rakow Road between Ackman Road and Illinois Route 31 within the City of Crystal Lake, the Village of Lake-in-the-Hills, newly opened Three Oaks Recreation Area, and the Lake-in-the-Hills airport. This large-scale undertaking is in direct response to the existing and projected traffic demand and the need for safe and efficient mobility along this heavily traveled and important east-west thoroughfare in southern McHenry County. As the project progresses, additional information will be available on the project website at www.RakowRoad.com. Follow this project on Twitter by clicking here.

RSVP: Due to limited parking, please RSVP to Adam

Lehmann, McHenry County Administration, 815-334-0309 or aflehmann@co.mchenry.il.us by Friday, April 22. Please contact for additional plans, maps, photos, and exhibits.

MCDOT Recognized for Kishwaukee Valley Road Bridge Project

The McHenry County Division of Transportation (MCDOT) was recently recognized by Land and Water magazine in an article entitled "Illinois Bridge Replacement Project Protects High Quality Stream" for its innovative approach to replacing the 58 year old bridge over the North Branch of the Kishwaukee River. The bridge construction project received accolades for preserving both the excellent quality of the stream and endangered Iowa Darter Fish. MCDOT and Illinois Constructors Corporation developed a construction schedule to begin the project in early February 2010 that took into account the spawning season of the Iowa Darter Fish and various needs of area farmers...Read more

MCSO Update

CALEA Certification

On March 26, 2011 the McHenry County Sheriff's Office officially received the Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. In order to be considered for accreditation, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office had to demonstrate compliance with 464 individual standards...read more.

Car Seat Check

The Safe Kids of McHenry County, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office, and the McHenry County Department of Health are hosting this free car seat check. Child Passenger Safety technicians will be available to educate and assist parents with proper installation and usage of car safety seats.

For more information on this or similar events, please contact the Sheriff's Office for additional at (815)338-2144 or sheriff@co.mchenry.il.us or by visiting www.safekidsmchenrycounty.org.

MCDH Update

PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES

McHenry County Department of Health is offering a cardiovascular screening on Saturday, April 16, from 7:30am-11:30am, at its Crystal Lake office, 100 N. Virginia Street (intersection of Route 14 and Woodstock Street). The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, cardiovascular education and heart age assessment. Appointments are necessary at 815-334-4536. The cost is $35.00.

Learning the risk factors of heart disease is the first step towards lowering your chances of having a heart attack, stroke or similar health condition. Age, gender and family history are risk factors beyond our control but there are many dietary and lifestyle changes that you can implement to not only reduce the risk but actually reverse the damage of heart disease. Risk factors you can change are high cholesterol, smoking (including second-hand smoke), diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol use and poor nutrition. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

For more information on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION

McHenry County Department of Health reminds residents to review the Open Burning restrictions on its webpage (www.mcdh.info), Environmental Health, quick link "Open Burning) for the removal of landscape waste. Landscape waste consists of grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves and tree limbs. Residents may burn landscape waste on weekend days (Saturday, Sunday) if the burn area meets the setback requirements of at least 100 feet from a school, business, church or house and 50 feet from a barn, shed or detached garage. In areas where there is not a ban or more restrictive ordinance, the County ordinance - which is in effect year round - must be followed.

MCDH encourages a more earth-friendly approach:

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 can reduce material volume by 70 - 80% and acts as a soil conditioner to improve plant growth.

Licensed municipal waste haulers in McHenry County are required to provide residential pick up of landscape waste although an additional fee may be charged. Homeowners may also drop off landscape waste at a local facility that composts these materials into organic compounds for reuse. A listing of these services is available on the Open Burning link ("other alternatives").

Enforcement of open burning issues should be directed to your local police, fire department or MCDH non-emergency phone numbers. If you are reporting an emergency complaint that is life threatening or is a fire safety issue, CALL 911. Residents may also call MCDH's after-hours phone number 815-344-7421 for assistance.

Details about the ordinance and suggested alternatives are available online at www.mcdh.info or by calling 815-334-4585.

Housing Division Update

McHenry County Housing Commission Accepting Applications

The McHenry County Board is seeking applications from individuals interested in appointment to the McHenry County Housing Commission. The Commission is a recommending body as related to Housing and Urban Development-funded projects authorized by the McHenry County Board, and an educational resource for housing policy and planning related initiatives. The Commission reports directly to the McHenry County Planning and Development Committee...read more

Visit the Corporation for Affordable Homes of McHenry County (CAHMCO) website by clicking here.

Find CAHMCO on Facebook:

Water Resources

The McHenry County Division of Water Resources encourages you to visit the links noted below. Learn about how water impacts our daily lives, what is in our water, and how much water do we actually use without realizing it?

The Hidden Water We Use - National Geographic - Learn about

the availability of freshwater in the world, our water footprint, and the hidden amount of water we use.

WaterSense Water Saving Calculator - How much water can you save in your home or apartment building?

Test your WaterSense - Think you know everything there is to know about water? You can't be sure until you Test Your WaterSense!

Become a Fan of the McHenry County Water Resources Division on Facebook by clicking here.

County Appoints New EMA Director

McHenry County is pleased to announce the appointment of David H. Christensen as McHenry County's new Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director. Mr. Christensen will formally begin his new role on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.

Mr. Christensen is currently the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Village of Hoffman Estates and an instructor at the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy in Glenview. During his extensive emergency management career, Mr. Christensen has:

· Assisted FEMA, State, and local agencies in the development of emergency management curriculum, programs, and plans;

· Served on State and local emergency management committees and tasks forces;

· Managed and coordinated safety operations at local events; and

· Responded to disasters and events at the National, State, and local level including responding to Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Katrina (2005), the Utica, IL tornado (2004), and Lake County Wildwood Windstorm (2005).

Mr. Christensen has worked in the field of emergency management for over 30 years. Prior to his Hoffman Estates position, he was the EMA Director for Lake County, IL, served as Trustee and Emergency Management Coordinator for the Village of Round Lake Park and served for 10 years in the United States Navy.

Over 100 applications were received from across the country for the EMA Director position. Ultimately, eight candidates were interviewed by County Board members and County staff. Three very qualified finalists received a second interview and Mr. Christensen was selected as the best fit for McHenry County.

Special Courts Presentation:

22nd Judicial Circuit and McHenry County

Date: Thursday, May 12, 2011

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Where: McHenry County College - Shah Center

4100 West Shamrock Lane

McHenry, IL 60050

RSVP: 815-455-2828

Presentation: Scott Black - Special Courts Coordinator

Dan Wallis - Court Administrator

Hon. Charles P. Weech - MHC Presiding Judge

In conjunction with "May is Mental Health Month" and "National Drug Court Month" the 22nd Judicial Circuit is offering a presentation highlighting the existing Mental Health Court and upcoming Drug Court programs.

"When one person rises out of mental illness/substance use and crime, WE ALL RISE!"

CMAP: Future Leaders in Planning

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is calling all Northeastern Illinois high school students! If you are concerned about having better parks, about the streets in your community, or ever wondered how and why a community is planned the way it is, then apply to CMAP's Future Leaders in Planning Program. CMAP is looking for high school students who want to learn about our region while interacting with other students from the Chicagoland. If you have ideas on how to make Northeastern Illinois a better place to live, go to school, work, and play, please apply to Future Leaders in Planning by clicking here.

McHenry County Board

Chairman - Kenneth D. Koehler

Vice Chairman - John Jung, Jr.

District 1

Robert Nowak

Robert "Bob" Bless

Anna May Miller

Marc J. Munaretto

District 2

JS "Scott" Breeden

James L. Heisler

Kenneth D. Koehler