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A message from the Chairman...
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Ken Koehler County Board Chairman |
Dear McHenry County Resident:
The United States Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was on hand Wednesday, August 15 to announce the authorization for the establishment of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge through the National Wildlife Refuge System at Glacial Park in Ringwood, IL. The Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge eventually will provide up to 11,200 acres of habitat for wildlife as well as outdoor recreational opportunities within easy driving distance for the residents of southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois.
This wildlife refuge will allow for restoration of wetlands, prairie and oak savanna habitat and provide a home for 109 species of animals and plants that are of concern. The list includes 49 birds, five fishes, five mussels, one amphibian, two reptiles and 47 plants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also provide ample environmental education and recreational opportunities for visitors, including the 3.5 million people within 30 miles of the refuge.
To learn more about the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Hackmatack/. To learn more about the National Wildlife Refuge System, please visit: www.fws.gov/refuges.
Sincerely,
Kenneth D. Koehler
County Board Chairman |
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County Department Spotlight:
Facilities Management
The McHenry County Facilities Management department provides professional management and certified technicians to support all County Government facilities and grounds. Facilities Management supports all departments with the most user-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective operations providing records management, custodial services, maintenance services and grounds management. Facilities Management is also a partner in the planning, design and construction management of renovations and new facilities. Click here to learn more about the McHenry County Facilities Management department. |
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MCDH Update
MCDH receives We Choose Health funding
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) awarded $3.5 million in We Choose Health grants to 21 organizations, including $298,994 to McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH). Partnering with community-based organizations, funding will be used to support the existing Coordinated School Health program (a school-based obesity prevention program), establish safe walking/biking routes to school, further policies for smoke-free outdoor spaces such as parks, create joint use agreements between schools, communities and groups to increase the number of facilities/areas for physical activity and make roads more accessible for pedestrian traffic.
We Choose Health is a multi-year, state-wide initiative to encourage and support obesity and tobacco prevention in Illinois communities. IDPH received a Community Transformation Grant (CTG) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to work with communities to implement proactive health programs.
"It is important that we all work together, area organizations, schools, local health departments, municipalities and others, to improve the health of people in our communities," IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. "I want to congratulate McHenry County Department of Health on receiving one of 21 We Choose Health grants and encourage everyone in the community to get involved in the exciting new programs coming your way."
Created by the Affordable Care Act, the CTG program supports states and communities that tackle the root causes of poor health so Americans can lead healthier, more productive lives. |
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MCDOT Update
Rakow Road
All concrete base courses are complete and asphalt paving of the new westbound lanes and cross-streets is underway. Stage III is scheduled for August 14; westbound and eastbound traffic will be separated by medians and will be limited to one lane in each direction. This will allow the completion of both the medians and roadsides. Please drive with extra caution as the work zone activity has increased and traffic lanes are shifting. Sign up for email updates at www.RakowRoad.com.
The project is now about 75% complete. Underground electrical work on the traffic signals and roadway lighting is progressing with topsoil placement and landscaping work to resume. The relocated Prairie Trail bike path and new pedestrian bridge were opened to the public on June 14.
The estimated completion date for the James R. Rakow Road Project is November 30, 2012.
Walkup Road
Utility relocation work has made progress to allow the start of construction of the permanent improvements on the south leg of Walkup Avenue and the south side of IL 176. The temporary closure of the south leg of Walkup Avenue to the railroad crossing for reconstruction commenced on July 2 and should last about 2 months. The north end of the project is now clear of utility conflicts and construction of storm sewers and roadway widening is underway. Follow us to keep informed and help you make decisions before you travel. Remember to plan ahead. Visit the project website at www.WalkupRoad.com for more information.
Virginia Road/ Klasen Road at Illinois Route 31
This project will relocate Virginia Road to the north for safer operations and widen IL Route 31 to a four lane, divided roadway at a cost of $8.6 million. Weather permitting, August 13 will be a big day on this project. Klasen Road will re-open, IL 31 traffic will be switched to the new northbound lanes, and Virginia Road will be closed in both directions for approximately four weeks with traffic detoured to Rakow Road. This closure will allow the quick construction of the new Virginia Road intersection. This project will tie into the future Western Algonquin Bypass which will start construction soon. Visit the project website at www.il31virginia.com for more information and sign up for email updates.
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
The Dunham Road Bridge over Rush Creek in Dunham Township is progressing with the new concrete bridge completed and approach paving underway. Expect the roadway to re-open to traffic in the third week of August.
The Hill Road Bridge in Richmond Township was not awarded by IDOT to the low bidder within the required time frame. As a result, the project will have to be re-bid with construction to then occur in 2013.
2040 Long Range Transportation Plan Open House
The McHenry County Division of Transportation (MCDOT) is working on the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan to identify the County's future transportation needs and figure out how to best address them. As part of this project, MCDOT has been obtaining input through a number of different methods, including pop-up meetings, high school learning programs, focus groups, charettes, library display boards, and an interactive map on the website. This comprehensive outreach effort has led to an unprecedented amount of participation among the public for a planning effort in McHenry County.
MCDOT will be holding an open house on Thursday, August 23, 2012, between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM at Crystal Lake City Hall. The purpose of this open house is to allow attendees to review all of the public comment that has been heard to this point, review the goals and objectives of the plan, and provide more input on the direction of the Plan. County staff and consultants will be in attendance to listen to your ideas and get your input. To learn more about the Plan, review documents, and see what others in the County have to say about transportation on the "Map", visit: http://www.2040mchenrycountyplan.org.
Additional public meetings will be held in the fall to present the draft plan. |
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Emergency Management Volunteers Provide Invaluable Service
The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency has a long history of volunteerism. McHenry County Emergency Services Volunteers, who donate their time and talents, provide an invaluable resource to the County. These individuals donate countless hours every year serving to make McHenry County a safer place to live. In each, 2010 and 2011, individuals donated over 4,400 hours in volunteer hours annually. As of July of this year, Emergency Services Volunteers contributed 3,200 hours.
Individuals serve in a wide capacity in the McHenry County Emergency Management Volunteer's many divisions. The Search and Rescue, Communications, Weather Observation, Support, Mass Care, and Executive Staff are the volunteer divisions that support the operation of the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency. A breakdown of responsibilities is given below as to how these divisions support our County operations. The McHenry County Emergency Services Volunteers is always seeking new participants! General Membership Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month (except July & December) at 7:00 P.M. Please join us if you would like to explore the volunteer opportunities...Read More. |
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"Counties Work" Online Game
Students in schools across the country are now able to learn about county government through an online game and curriculum that the National Association of Counties (NACo) created in partnership with iCivics, Inc.
The game, "Counties Work," will educate students, grades 6 through 12, about the important role and functions of county government by letting them run their own county. A curriculum and "webquest" have also been developed to assist teachers with preparing lessons on county government.
While playing the game, a student takes on the role of a county official responsible for providing services, dealing with citizen requests, setting and raising revenues, and working within a budget. Along the way, students will learn about the various services provided by county departments while having to make tough decisions.
Created under the leadership of NACo Past-President Glen Whitley and his initiative "County Government Works", the online game is just one of the many projects that will serve as a long-lasting benefit to assist counties in raising public awareness of county government.
"This is a great opportunity for students to better understand the programs and services that counties provide," Whitley said. "We need to get students to play the game. I encourage county officials to contact teachers, principals and school superintendents in your county to let them know the game is available at www.naco.org/CountiesWork."
iCivics is a Web-based education project designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in America's democracy. iCivics was the vision of retired United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was concerned that students are not getting the information and tools they need for civic participation, and that civics teachers need better materials and support.
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MCSO Update
Fire Investigations
The McHenry County Sheriff's Office announced today the arrest of two 17 year old males responsible for multiple fires in the rural McHenry County area. Since May 29, 2012, the Sheriff's Office has experienced six fires in rural Woodstock, Marengo and Harvard involving hay barns. In addition to the fires in McHenry County, Kane and Boone Counties as well as Lakewood have also experienced barn fires in their respective jurisdictions...Read More. |
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The McHenry County Board is currently accepting applications for appointment to the following boards and commissions:
- McHenry County Community Development Block Grant Commission
- McHenry County Housing Commission
- McHenry County Housing Authority Board
- McHenry County Senior Services Grant Commission
Click here to view board and commission descriptions and to obtaining an application.
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McHenry County Employment Opportunities
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