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A message from the Chairwoman...
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Tina R. Hill
County Board
Chairwoman |
Dear McHenry County Resident:
Please think before you throw household items in the trash. McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will be hosting the 2014 McHenry County Residential Electronics & Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the McHenry County Administration Building, North parking lot (667 Ware Road in Woodstock). This event is to collect and recycle residential electronics and a variety of other recyclable materials for residents.
Holiday lights will not be accepted at this event. Accepted items include:
- Residential electronics;
- Televisions, computers, VCRs, video game consoles, printers;
- A limit of ten devices per participant;
- Latex paint (recycling fees apply);
- Fluorescent lamps and CFLs;
- Documents for destruction;
- Clean clothing (slightly stained or torn accepted), eyeglasses;
- Styrofoam, packing peanuts and bubble wrap;
- Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt only) and rechargeable batteries (11 pounds or less) and lead-acid batteries.
Some items will have recycling fees, which include:
- Fluorescent lamps and CFLs range from $.50 to $2.50;
- Latex paint: $1.50 per quart, $2.50 per gallon and $8 per five gallon pail. Latex paint must be in sealed, leak-proof containers. Smaller containers of latex paint should be combined into larger containers prior to drop off. No other types of paint or household hazardous waste will be accepted.
For a detailed list of accepted items, click here or contact Kristy Hecke, Solid Waste Manager at 815-334-4585 or KLHecke@co.mchenry.il.us. Come join other county residents in doing your part to reduce, reuse, and recycle!
Tina R. Hill, Chairwoman
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McHenry County Agriculture Highlight: Refusing to Join the 'Food Fight'
*In an effort to highlight McHenry County Agriculture, McHenry County Board Member and McHenry County Farm Bureau President Michele Aavang granted permission to reprint an article that was posted on her blog Willow Lea Stock Farm. The article is titled Refusing to Join the "Food Fight'.
"Last night a woman who I like and respect quite a bit posted a rather lengthy Facebook status. Tammy and I met several years ago at the farmers market where I'm a vendor and she is a regular customer. Her status bothered me so much that it's now 3:00 a.m., about 5 hours after I read the post, and I've given up trying to sleep, gotten out of bed, and am at the computer in our farm office, trying to regurgitate the thoughts I've had since the initial read.
She's a mom of two, and is making all of the food choices for her family. Her post centered around her feelings of being torn between "seemingly opposing sides" of the "local, heirloom, organic, grass-fed, humanely raised, sustainable, non-GMO, antibiotic-free, free-range" farmers and those who farm using conventional methods"...Read More. |
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National Medication Take Back Initiative - Saturday, April 26
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 26, 2014. The one-day event is from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at participating law enforcement sites. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet...Read More. |
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Open Burning Restrictions, Alternatives
McHenry County Department of Health reminds residents of the restrictions regarding the proper disposal of landscape waste on your property. Landscape waste consists of grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves and tree limbs. The McHenry County Public Health Ordinance permits unincorporated residents to burn landscape waste on Saturdays and Sundays during April, May, October and November if the burn area meets the setback requirements - at least 100 feet from a school, business, church or house and 50 feet from a barn, shed, detached garage or other accessory structure. Burning of any materials, such as cardboard, paper, plastics, construction materials, and manure, other than onsite-generated landscape waste, are prohibited at all times...Read More. |
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Preparing and Training for Public Health Emergencies
On Saturday, April 5, 2014 McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted a preventive medication dispensing exercise in conjunction with a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) training at the United Way of Greater McHenry County. Assistance was provided by the Volunteer Center of McHenry County who registered volunteer "victims" to simulate residents needing medication.
The training provided MRC volunteers with information about Health Department emergency dispensing processes. These volunteers staffed the different dispensing site stations, receiving "just-in-time" instruction to perform their roles and practice shift change procedures. In an actual event, the 270 MRC volunteers would supplement MCDH and County staff at multiple dispensing sites. The MRC are always recruiting new members.
During a public health disaster, MCDH may need to provide preventive emergency medication to residents at an Open Point of Dispensing (POD) site to prevent illness. PODs are NOT treatment centers but residents can pick up medications for family members. MCDH has pre-designated Open POD sites throughout McHenry County...click here to read more. |
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2014 McHenry County Division of Transportation Construction Program
Johnsburg Road at Chapel Hill Road
The County's first roundabout construction is set to begin April 22, 2014. Additionally, this project includes streetscape enhancements such as sidewalks, decorative roadway lighting, park benches and trash receptacles.
A construction informational meeting for the Johnsburg Road Improvement Project will be held Monday, April 21, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at the McHenry Township Hall, 3703 Richmond Road (Rt. 31) in Johnsburg. This meeting will consist of a short presentation, which will provide an overview of this year's construction, construction timelines and detour information, as well as time for questions and answers.
To learn more about this project, ask questions and follow the progress, visit the project website at www.johnsburgroad.com, where you can sign up for email updates. You can also connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Johnsburg-Road-Improvements/318077941578141 or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JohnsburgRoad.
Franklin Road Bridge over the Kishwaukee River Reconstruction (just North of IL 176)
This project consists of the complete replacement of the existing bridge. Construction is expected to start late June and be completed mid-October 2014. Closure of Franklinville Road between IL Route 176 and Kunde Road is necessary to facilitate reconstruction of this bridge.
Main Street Bridge over South Branch Kishwaukee River Rehabilitation (Huntley)
This project consists of partial deck removal and replacement, installation of new concrete wearing surface and bridge railing. Closure of Main Street between Marengo Road and Coyne Station Road is necessary to facilitate rehabilitation of this bridge. This work will be completed during the summer months when school is not in session.
New Traffic Signals at the intersections of Main Street at Marengo Road and Harmony Road at Hemmer Road
This project consists of installation of two sets of traffic signals to enhance the safety and operation of these intersections.
Western Algonquin Bypass
Work continues on the Western Algonquin Bypass project with an estimated completion date of summer 2014. Please visit www.dot.il.gov/il31alg/index.html for more information.
2014 Pavement Preservation Program
This year's Pavement Preservation work consists of crack sealing and resurfacing.
County roads planned for crack sealing are portions of Airport Road, Algonquin Road, Charles Road, Greenwood Road and Spring Grove Road. This work is scheduled to begin late May and be complete mid-July, 2014.
County roads planned for resurfacing are portions of Airport Road, Alden Road, Keystone Road, Altenberg Road and Flat Iron Road. This work is scheduled to begin early May and be complete early August, 2014. |
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Let's Prepare! As Individuals and as a Community
Just over the past weekend McHenry County experienced one of the first severe thunderstorms for this severe weather season. While the biggest impact from this weekend's storm was hail, it could have been a lot more devastating.
It is almost as if Mother Nature was reminding us that severe weather is a very real danger and gave us one more chance to better prepare as individuals and as a community.
There are many things that we can do as individuals. If you already have an emergency kit and an emergency plan, this a great time to review your plan, update contact information and check expiration dates on your emergency kit supplies.
If you don't have a plan and kit just yet, there is no better time than now to get started. It is much easier than you think! First, make a family emergency plan, then gather some basic emergency supplies and make sure that your family knows who to call if something happens.
Templates for a family emergency plan, emergency kit checklist and printable contact cards are all available on McHenryAware.com, your emergency information portal for McHenry County.
Being prepared as a family and as an individual is great, but we will only have true strength if our whole community is prepared. "Whole community means everyone in a community needs to be prepared for disasters, not just emergency response agencies" said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "Individuals, families, businesses, schools, faith-based groups and other community organizations should develop and practice emergency plans that address the needs of everyone in our community. This should include senior citizens, children, those with health concerns or disabilities, non-English speaking residents and others."
Take a moment to discuss emergency preparedness at home, work, school and every other group that is part of your daily life. Knowing what to do when disaster strikes, no matter where you are, saves lives.
Don't forget your friends, neighbors, elderly and individuals with functional needs. These vulnerable populations are usually more severely impacted when disaster strikes, so take a moment to find out if they have a plan and make sure that your community has included all those groups and individuals in the emergency planning. |
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Civil Law Conference for Illinois State's Attorneys
On Friday April 11, 2014, the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office hosted a conference on legal issues facing civil divisions of Illinois State's Attorney's offices. Government lawyers from across the state convened at the McHenry County Administration Building to discuss a myriad of topics specifically tailored to the legal representation of counties...Read More. |
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McHenry County on Social Media
Are you following McHenry County Departments on Facebook and Twitter? Are you signed up for Nixle messages from the Sheriff's Office? Visit the McHenry County Social Media Portal to sign-up. |
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Board and Commission Appointments
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 Housing Commission
- McHenry County Board of Health
- McHenry County Community Development Block Grant
- McHenry County Agricultural Easement and Farmland Protection Commission
- McHenry County Tuberculosis Board
- McHenry County Valley Hi Nursing Home Operating Board
- Regional Transit Authority Commuter Rail Board (Metra)
- Regional Transit Authority Bus Board (PACE)
Please click here to view Board and Commission descriptions and to obtain an application. |
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McHenry County Employment Opportunities
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