Mr. John Jung was elected to the McHenry County Board this past November and currently resides in Woodstock. Mr.Jung serves as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee and is a member of the Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs, Law & Justice, and Liquor & License Committees. Additionally, Mr.Jung serves as the County Board liaison to the McHenry County Ethics Commission. Click here to learn more about Mr. Jung.

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages residents to take advantage of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) program "National Take-Back Initiative" on Saturday, April 30.  The one-day event is from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, at participating law enforcement sites. A joint collaborative of public health and law enforcement departments, this initiative will provide a safe way for the public to dispose of their expired, unused and unwanted medication at no cost. 

Residents can bring prescription and over-the-counter, solid dose (tablets, capsules) medications in clear, sealed plastic bags for disposal.  Items not accepted include liquids, intravenous (IV) bags/solutions, injectables, needles, lancets and sharps.  Prescription labels should be removed (or personal information blocked out with a permanent marker) from plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers.  Participating drop-off sites include:

·   Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive-Algonquin

·   Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W Woodstock St-Crystal Lake

·   Harvard Police Department, 201 W. Front St.-Harvard

·   Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main Street-Huntley

·   Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N. Chapel Hill Road-Johnsburg

·   Lakewood Police Department, 2500 Lake Ave.-Lakewood

·   Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road-Spring Grove

·   Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Ave-Woodstock

According to the DEA, rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at an alarming rate, as are accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Many Americans toss their unused medicines into the toilet or throw them in the trash - both potential safety and health hazards.  U.S. Geological Survey studies have found traces of prescription drugs in water samples from 30 states which have been linked to ecological harm to fish and freshwater supplies.  

To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA's webpage http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.  Check often as new sites will be added daily.

Additional information is available from your participating local law enforcement agency, on the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or by calling Kristy Hecke, MCDH's Solid Waste Manager at 815-334-4585.

The McHenry County Division of Water Resources will be hosting an upcoming event entitled: Groundwater Protection: Sustainability in the Face of Development.   Peter Annin, author of the Great Lakes Water Wars, will present the keynote address followed by a book signing opportunity.  Following the keynote address, presentations on the "State of Water in McHenry County", "the Science Behind Groundwater", and "Implementing Groundwater Planning" will be given by local, state, and regional water experts.

When:              Monday, May 2, 2011 - 8:30 am to 2:30 pm

Where:            McHenry County Administration Building

                        667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL 60098

Registration is now available on the Delta Institute website http://www.delta-institute.org/protectgroundwater.  Cost to attend this event is $15.00 and includes lunch.  The workshop is sponsored by the Delta Institute, the United States Geological Survey, the Illinois State Geological Survey, and the McHenry County Division of Water Resources.

For more information, contact Cassandra McKinney, McHenry County Water Resources Manager, at 815-334-4213 or clmckinney@co.mchenry.il.us.

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

Village of Oakwood Hills, IL:

e-News: http://www.oakwoodhills.org/index.asp?Type=DYNAFORM&SEC={FBE7F4E9-1055-4533-9AC5-4A0F15300D6B} 

Village of Port Barrington, IL:

Under Newsletter Tab: http://www.portbarrington.net/ 

Village of Richmond, IL:

News and Events: http://www.richmond-il.com/residents_news-and-events.aspx 

Village of Ringwood, IL:

Newsletter: http://ringwood-il.us/about-3/newsletters/ 

Village of Spring Grove, IL:

e-News: http://www.springgrovevillage.com/Email_newsletter.htm 

City of Woodstock, IL:

e-News: http://www.woodstockil.gov/index.asp?Type=DYNAFORM&SEC={F6F487D8-1B30-4478-9024-D4B9AC7CCF6F} 

Village of Wonder Lake, IL:

e-News: http://www.villageofwonderlake.org/?q=village_newsletters  

**Not all McHenry County municipalities have newsletters hyperlinked to their websites.**