Jim Heisler Interim Chairman County Board

Dear McHenry County Resident:

On January 7, McHenry County Board Chairwoman Tina R. Hill issued a personal statement to the McHenry County Board communicating that, due to recent health complications, she will be taking a brief leave of absence. In my role as the County Board Vice Chairman, I will be serving as the Interim Chairman during Chairwomen Hill's absence.

In this capacity, let me assure you that your County government will continue to function smoothly in the absence of our Chairwoman. We will continue to provide superior services for our residents and will continue to serve as a model for the sensible and effective management of County government.

As you know winter weather driving this year has been a challenge. I want to extend my gratitude to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office and the McHenry County Division of Transportation for all their dedication and hard work in keeping our communities safe and our roads clear.

As of this week, the MCDOT Maintenance Staff (plow trucks) have:

- Been out 61 times for snow, ice, and blowing snow

- Has used just over 10,000 tons of salt (generally this would be the same amount used in an entire season)

- Have used 560,000 gallons of the liquid.

- Staff and equipment have put in over 570 hours each on snow removal with 36 employees on the MCDOT Maintenance Staff.

- MCDOT Maintenance Staff has worked all but two days since December 8, including holidays to keep the roads clear.

Thank you to all staff members as we appreciate all the effort you put in to keep the road safe!

Jim Heisler

The 11th annual People in Need Forum will be held on Saturday, January 25 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Please click here for more information.

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is hosting an informational session for residents to learn more about health insurance options through the Affordable Care Act. Trained counselors will be available on Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street in Crystal Lake. Please register by calling 815-459-1687.

For more information, or to make an appointment with a Navigator to enroll for coverage, call MCDH at 815-334-4510 or online at www.mcdh.info.  There are 15 sites throughout the County offering day and evening appointments, seven days a week.

The following Navigators are also available for questions:

- Pioneer Center for Human Services: 815-690-1459

- McHenry Community Health Center: 815-363-9900

- FamiliesETC: 815-308-0861 or 224-239-1088

- Family Health Partnership Clinic: 815-276-1843

- Centegra: 815-759-4988

- Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital: 630-402-1951 or 224-622-3144

"Get Covered Illinois", the official Health Insurance Marketplace, offers a new way for Illinois residents to find the health coverage they need. Individuals, families and business owners can also access information online at www.GetCoveredIllinois.gov or contact the State Call Center at 866-311-1119.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office has received notification of an attempted scam. We are sharing the information with others in an effort to help protect you as well.

The victim was contacted by someone posing to be "John Foster" from the Illinois Lottery. The call originated out of Jamaica and the caller appeared to have a thick accent. The victim was asked to send the caller money. "These scams are now very common in our area. We need to keep reminding the community to be vigilant against such calls, emails, and letters. Please do not trust strangers with your personal information or money," stated Undersheriff Andrew Zinke.

The victim was contacted by someone posing to be "John Foster" from the Illinois Lottery. The call originated out of Jamaica and the caller appeared to have a thick accent. The victim was asked to send the caller money. "These scams are now very common in our area. We need to keep reminding the community to be vigilant against such calls, emails, and letters. Please do not trust strangers with your personal information or money," stated Undersheriff Andrew Zinke.

The Sheriff's Office reminds all residents to not provide personal or financial information to those who solicit you by phone. Do not mail or email personal information to those you are not familiar with. The safest way to conduct business is in person and with those that you have worked with in the past or have received a referral from a trusted family member or friend.

Those who have become a victim of a scam or identity theft are encouraged to make a report with the McHenry County Sheriff's Office or their local police jurisdiction.  

The Nondedicated Subdivision Road Paving Program was approved by the McHenry County Board at their January 21 meeting.  You can also sign up for email notifications to receive news that the MCDOT sends out regarding Nondedicated Subdivision Roads. Click on the link below to get to the County's "e-notification" web page.

www.co.mchenry.il.us/about-us/advance-components/enotification

Then fill out the form and under News, check any you wish to receive but be sure to check the box next to: "MCDOT Nondedicated Sub Rds".

You can view the new MCDOT Nondedicated Subdivision Paving program by clicking here.

As of January 1, all Illinois residents are banned from using hand-held cell phone devices while driving. Governor Pat Quinn signed the new law in August, making Illinois the twelfth state in the country to initiate the ban. Drivers caught using their cell phones will face fines up to $75. For every subsequent offense, the fee will increase by $25 with a maximum fine of $150.

This new law doesn't completely cut drivers off from using their devices while driving. Hands-free options such as Bluetooth devices and speakerphones are safe under the law, which also makes exceptions for two-way mobile radios and for using a cell phone in an emergency.

Texting while driving has already been banned in the entire State of Illinois, and drivers of any age caught doing so can receive citations and fines. These infractions will be enough to get a driver pulled over if a police officer witnesses them, making them primary violations.  

Have you ever wanted to serve on an appointed Board or Commission in McHenry County? The McHenry County Board is accepting applications for appointments to the following Boards and Commissions:

- McHenry County Conservation District Board of Trustees

- McHenry County Ethics Commission

- McHenry County Housing Commission

- McHenry County Mental Health Board

- Marengo Rescue Squad

- McHenry County Community Development Block Grant

- McHenry County Agricultural Easement and Farmland Protection Commission

Please click here to view Board and Commission descriptions and to obtain an application.