McHenry County e-News

McHenry County, IL

8/12/2011

Ken Koehler County Board Chairman

Dear McHenry County Resident:

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts recently notified McHenry County that the 22nd Judicial Circuit of Illinois (McHenry County) will be receiving two additional Associate Judgeships in December, 2011. The two additional Judgeships for the 22nd Judicial Circuit will allow the Court to enhance the administration of justice in McHenry County and help bring resolution to cases in a more efficient and timely fashion. These additional Judgeships will allow McHenry County to explore the possibility of establishing a permanent Branch Court facility away from the Government Center complex in Woodstock, specifically the southeastern section of the County.

In the coming months the County Board looks forward to working with personnel of the 22nd Judicial Circuit as they review the current court structure, case management practices, and process and procedures. This analysis will determine how these two additional Judgeships will increase the efficiency of the administration of justice in McHenry County.

Sincerely,

Kenneth D. Koehler

County Board Chairman

County Board Member Spotlight:

Peter J. Merkel

Peter J. Merkel was elected to the McHenry County Board in November 2000 and currently resides in McHenry. Mr. Merkel is Chairman of the Building Projects Committee and is also a member of the Natural & Environmental Resources and the Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs Committees. Mr. Merkel is the County Board Liaison to the McHenry County Conservation District and is also the Chairman of the McHenry County Stormwater Commission. Click here to learn more about Mr. Merkel.

Tax Bill Reminder

The second installment for the 2010 property taxes for McHenry County property owners is due September 13, 2011.

Those looking for payment options may obtain this information online at www.mchenrytreasurer.org or by calling the Treasurer's Office at 815-334-4260.

It is extremely important for property owners to pay close attention to their total property tax exemptions listed on the bill which could lower the current tax bill. For a complete list of exemptions, please click here.

County residents receive a single tax bill for the full year's taxes, payable in two equal installments in May 2011 and will not be receiving a second bill when the second installment is due.

Pursuant to Illinois law, the County is required to add a 1.5% penalty for taxes paid or post-marked after the due dates.

Illinois Tollway Public Meeting

Last week, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors announced their Congestion Relief Plan (CRP) that includes priority projects such as: the I-90 reconstruction and widening, the construction of the Elgin O'Hare West Bypass, the building of an interchange at I-57 and I-294 and the planning studies needed for the extension of Illinois Route 53. This announcement was made through the following press release: Click here.

Additionally, the Illinois Tollway will be conducting public hearings in each of the 12 counties that the Tollway travels as the proposed CRP calls for a toll increase. The McHenry County public hearing will be held in Huntley on Friday, August 19.

When: Friday, August 19 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Huntley Village Hall

10987 Main Street

Huntley, Illinois 60142

Division of Transportation Update

COUNTY ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS UPDATE

Rakow Road Reconstruction - PLEASE NOTE: A NEW CONSTRUCTION SPEED ZONE OF 35 MPH HAS BEEN CREATED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT. Violation carries a minimum fine of $375. This measure has been taken for the safety of the motorists, as well as the workers on the roadway. In addition, as is the law in Illinois, handheld cell phone use is prohibited in construction zones. The nighttime ONLY detour and closure of Rakow Road from Virginia Road to IL 31 started on July 11 and has been very successful with the completion of 22 road crossings without the interruption of daytime traffic. A few more night closures will soon take place, weather permitting, to complete the excavation in the area, and then night work will take place with the road open to construct the aggregate base course with minimal traffic disruption. The temporary traffic signal timings on this project are continuously being monitored and have been adjusted numerous times to maximize their ability to move traffic as efficiently as possible. We appreciate your patience and extra care in driving through the construction zones.

Walkup Road Widening, Resurfacing and Multi-Use Path Construction - This project is now complete with the exception of the sodding which cannot take place until September due to weather restrictions. Thank you for your patience and consideration during this project. Visit www.WalkupRoad.info for more information.

Dunham Road Bridge Replacement - The bridge is now complete and open to traffic. Some minor punchlist work remains to be completed.

Union Road Bridge Replacement - The contract completion date for this work is September 30, 2011. There is a marked Detour Route in effect for the duration of construction using IL 176, IL 23, US 20, West Union Road and North Union Road. The detour route and additional information will be available at www.McHenryCountyDOT.org in the near future.

County Pavement Preservation Projects - This project is now complete, except for some repair work remaining to be done on Maple Street.

Three New Bridge Replacement Projects - Work started on all three bridges on June 27, 2011. The Lawrence Road bridge over Lawrence Creek just north of Oak Grove Road is open to one-way traffic using a temporary traffic signal. The Dunham Road bridge over Rush Creek west of Illinois Route 23 in Dunham Township, and the Graf Road bridge over Lawrence Creek just north of Oak Grove Road in Chemung Township are closed and both have marked detour routes. The completion of these projects will eliminate three load posted bridges on the County and Township roadway systems.

Blivin Street Bridge Replacement - This project will start on August 8, 2011 with the road closure and detour route marking using U.S. Route 12, Wilmot Road and Main Street. Blivin Street will remain open to local traffic only up to the bridge, but the bridge will remain closed for the duration of the construction. The project has a milestone completion date to be open to traffic on November 15, 2011, with final completion of the project by May 11, 2012. Significant public utility relocation challenges need to be met in order for the project to proceed on schedule.

Watch for notices of road closures, detour maps, and schedules for these projects at www.mchenrycountydot.org.

Visit www.McHenryCountyDOT.org and check out the interactive Construction Map for the latest information or links to specific projects.

McHenry County Sheriff's Office Update

Get Your Children Fingerprinted

On Saturday, August 20, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office will be offering to the public the opportunity to fingerprint children at the Algonquin Township Touch a Truck Event from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Sheriff's Office will be staffing the substation located at Algonquin Township and will be offering the electronic fingerprinting ID system. The system takes an electronic scan of all ten fingers, along with a photograph of the child. The information is then formatted on a piece of paper for parents to take home and keep in a safe place. If something unforeseen ever happens, parents are then able to provide the fingerprints to their local law enforcement agency.

Car Seat Check Events

Saturday, September 10 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

McHenry County Animal Control in Crystal Lake.

Saturday, September 24 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Centegra Hospital in Woodstock

McHenry County Department of Health Update

Reduced Fee Water Testing Offered in August

In honor of Safe Drinking Water Month, McHenry County Dept. of Health (MCDH) will offer reduced fee water testing for individual well water users for the entire month of August. Residents can have their well water sampled for coliform bacteria and nitrate for $18. Testing your well regularly is the only way to determine whether well water is safe to drink as many contaminants are colorless and odorless. Water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards.

Sampling kits can be picked up at the MCDH in Woodstock or at one of eight drop-off centers. For more information, contact the MCDH's Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585 or visit www.mcdh.info .

Division of Water Resources Update

Waterlinks
Coal Tar- Food For Thought: Are you considering sealing your driveway this summer? Nationwide, governments are considering banning the use of Coal Tar containing sealants as they contain PAH's, which are known to be toxic. Before you seal, consider your options and seek out alternative products.

Nature's Expert Witnesses: Plants - This practice of sampling and analyzing tissue from trees and other plants to determine the presence of contaminants in soil and groundwater holds promise because it gives engineers a quick, accurate and inexpensive way to measure the extent of environmental pollutants without having to dig into the ground.

Do not forget to become a FAN of the McHenry County Division of Water Resources on Facebook!

McHenry County Appointments

The McHenry County Board is currently accepting applications for appointment to the following boards and commissions: