Be Prepared

Although we would prefer it otherwise, we feel a flood is possible this year.  At this time our best bet is to prepare and be vigilant.  This year, due to a number of reasons, not the least of which is financial, the county will only provide sandbags for emergency protective measures.  Primary consideration will be to protect vital infrastructure, prevention of contamination of municipal water supplies, and protection of functional needs populations.  We have discussed this with our larger townships (McHenry, Nunda, and Algonquin) and have a meeting with all of the township officials later this month. 

EMA has received numerous phone calls requesting sand bags in preparation of a possible flood this spring.  Due to a limited supply and enough time to prepare, we are encouraging jurisdictions and individuals who live in flood prone areas to purchase supplies at this time.  Some jurisdictions have taken action and started purchasing supplies.  We provided direction as to what supplies to purchase, as well as our vendor lists.  Attached are the communiqués that have been sent in this regard to all our local partners.

Director Christensen met with residents and officials in Holiday Hills on March 3^rd to discuss flood fighting alternatives.

We have exhausted our sand bag supplemental in preparation for the flooding and currently EMA has 65,000 sand bags on hand.  Last year EMA distributed 160,000 sand bags mostly to the townships of McHenry, Nunda, and Algonquin.

EMA has created a new emergency awareness portal as a central location for all disaster information including tips and videos on what to do before during and after the flood.

EMA will remain in contact with all our jurisdictions and monitor the situation as it develops.

Information For Next Tuesday

Sheriff Keith Nygren and State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi have been at war for years.

Nygren is stepping down and he and Bianchi are on opposite sides in the race for Nygren’s successor.

Republican Bill Prim, a retired Des Plaines police commander, who lives in Cary, has Bianchi’s backing. Undersheriff Andrew Zinke of Woodstock is endorsed by Nygren.

The sheriff’s and state’s attorney’s offices need to cooperate. According to a news release from Republican candidate for Sheriff, Bill Prim, “It is said the sheriff’s office also needs a top to bottom overhaul.”

Bianchi suggests the best chance for that is with Prim. He notes that the department is top-heavy and suggests several positions could be trimmed to save more than $200,000.

Prim, endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, says in response, “I am grateful for the Tribune’s support and appreciate their confidence in my ability to conduct the overhaul that they and I both see as being needed.

(This should NOT be taken as an endorsement from Town Crier as we are making no endorsements. Voters are urged to make their own decisions.Having worked in journalism -print and radio- locally and in Pennsylvania-- we feel it is the duty of the voter to decide on their own who to vote for.)

Information Regarding Possible Flooding - McHenry County Area

Although we would prefer it otherwise, we feel a flood is possible this year.  At this time our best bet is to prepare and be vigilant.  This year, due to a number of reasons, not the least of which is financial, the county will only provide sandbags for emergency protective measures.  Primary consideration will be to protect vital infrastructure, prevention of contamination of municipal water supplies, and protection of functional needs populations.  We have discussed this with our larger townships (McHenry, Nunda, and Algonquin) and have a meeting with all of the township officials later this month. 

EMA has received numerous phone calls requesting sand bags in preparation of a possible flood this spring.  Due to a limited supply and enough time to prepare, we are encouraging jurisdictions and individuals who live in flood prone areas to purchase supplies at this time.  Some jurisdictions have taken action and started purchasing supplies.  We provided direction as to what supplies to purchase, as well as our vendor lists.  Attached are the communiqués that have been sent in this regard to all our local partners.

Director Christensen met with residents and officials in Holiday Hills on March 3^rd to discuss flood fighting alternatives.

We have exhausted our sand bag supplemental in preparation for the flooding and currently EMA has 65,000 sand bags on hand.  Last year EMA distributed 160,000 sand bags mostly to the townships of McHenry, Nunda, and Algonquin.

EMA has created a new emergency awareness portal as a central location for all disaster information including tips and videos on what to do before during and after the flood.

EMA will remain in contact with all our jurisdictions and monitor the situation as it develops.

Robert Ellsworth, Jr.

Assistant Director

McHenry County EMA

Area Heroin Prevention

On Friday, March 7, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. Congressman Randy Hultgren (Illinois 14th District) sponsored a Community Leadership Forum on Heroin Prevention at the Kane County Government Center in Geneva, IL.  In attendance were numerous members of law enforcement, health care providers, and elected officials from Kane, McHenry, Lake, Kendall, and DuPage Counties.

The keynote speaker, Captain Jeffrey Coady from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) spoke about preventing Opioid abuse and the misuse of these drugs, along with the ever growing presence of heroin in our communities.

Over 50 officials who attended also participated in round table discussions that concentrated on the public, law enforcement, and care provider issues that we face.  In attendance from McHenry County were Undersheriff Andrew Zinke and members of the Special Services Division, Corrections Division, and the Narcotics Division.  Also in attendance were County Chairwoman Tina Hill, Candace Yeargin, Project Success Supervisor (McHenry County Substance Coalition), Coroner Anne Majewski, and other members of the McHenry County (HEAT) taskforce.

"We are committed to protecting our children and working with every agency possible, to target the heroin and illegal drug use in McHenry County.  Working together and sharing information is key to our mission," said Undersheriff Andrew Zinke.

McHenry County Sheriff Candidate And Pension Plan

Republican candidate for McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim said Monday that if elected 

he would not participate in any pension plan for county employees or state elected officials, 

would not accrue service time or make contributions that could be redeemed toward any 

future pension, or participate in the pension system in any other way. 

 “I have repeatedly made this statement verbally, but for the sake of clarity, I will now 

put it in the public record.  I state unequivocally that on my first day in office, I will notify the 

pertinent pension plan administrators that I will not participate and that I voluntarily opt out of 

any and all pension arrangements available to County employees or elected officials,” Prim 

said. 

  “I expect voters to hold me to this promise.  No pension.  Period.” 

Government At Work

TUESDAY MARCH 11

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Human Resources Committee—

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room,-County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The committee is to consider adopting a resolution authorizing Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois to provide administrative services, a new PPO plan and high deductible plan’/health savings account, a 5% increase in the PPO, HMO and  Dental premiums and entering into a contract with employee Benefits Corporation for providing third party administrative services for the HAS program.

Another resolution is to be consider authorizing the creation of a flexible spending plan

9:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Finance and Audit Committee-

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room,-County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The committee is to consider 12 resolutions including:

Authorizing monthly transactions for the delinquent tax program

Authorizing the creation of a flexible spending plan and contract agreement with Employee Benefits Corporation for providing third party administrative services for employee plan

Authorizing Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois as the provider of administrative services, a new PPO plan and high deductible plan/health savings account, a 5% increase in the PPO, HMO premiums, and entering into a contract with Employee Benefits Corporation for providing third party administrative services for the HAS program.

A number of other resolutions are being presented for approval providing for various supplies and parts

A resolution is also being presented for approval authorizing the acceptance of the 2013 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Award for the sheriff’s office

Also a resolution accepting an emergency management hazardous materials preparedness 2014 HMEP Grant.

Early Voting

Early Voting Opportunities

Voters who have difficulty in finding a time to vote

should consider opportunities remaining for early

voting through Saturday March 15

Opportunities include:

McHenry County Administration Building

667 Ware Road, 2^nd Floor, Conference Room A

Woodstock

Monday March 10 and Tuesday March 11

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Wednesday, March 12

Hours 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, March 15

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Algonquin Township Offices

3702 US Highway 14, Community Room

(Adjacent to sheriff’s Substation )

Crystal Lake,

Monday, March 10 thru Friday, March 14

Hours 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday March 15

Hours 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

City of Crystal Lake

100 W. Municipal Complex, Room P106

Crystal Lake

Monday, March 10 thru Saturday, March 15

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Huntley Area

Huntley Park District

12015 Mill Street

Huntley

Monday March 10 thru Friday March 14

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Saturday March 15

8:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Village of Lake in the Hills

Lake in the Hills Village Hall

600 Harvest Gate, executive Conference Room

(Enter thru Board Room)

Monday, March 10 thru Saturday March 15

Hours 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

City of McHenry

McHenry City Hall

333 S. Green St. Court Entrance Only

Monday, March 10 thru Saturday, March 15

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

McHenry Township Offices

3703 N. Richmond Rd.

Johnsburg, Il

Monday, March 10 thru Friday March 14

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, March 15

Hours 8:30 AM to Noon

Nunda Township Offices

3520 Bay Road Annex

Crystal Lake

Monday thru Friday

Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Saturday, March 15

Hours 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Harvard Area

Dunham Township Office

107 Airport Rd.

Harvard

Monday, March 10 thru Friday March 14

Saturday, March 15

8:30 AM to Noon

Marengo Area

Marengo City Hall

132 E. Prairie St. Upper Chambers

Marengo

Monday, March 10 thru Friday March 14

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, March 15

Hours: 9:00 AM to Noon

Registered voters are required by law to provide a valid photo identification before voting. This would include a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph

Absentee Voting For March 18 Election

Katherine C Schultz, McHenry County Clerk announced that voters may make application for an absentee ballot for the March 18 2014 General Primary Election.

The first day to apply was Thursday, February 6 , 2014.

The last day for the County Clerk’s Office to receive applications by mail is Thursday, March 13, 2014. 

Absentee ballots mailed to individuals must be voted, post marked prior to Election Day and received no later than the 14th day after the Election

Persons may apply for an absentee ballot by mail (McHenry County Clerk, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois 60098).

Applications for absentee voting may be obtained by calling 815-334-4242 or downloaded from the County Clerk’s website

https://www.co.mchenry.il.us/home/showdocument?id=26924

As a safeguard to absentee voting the following provisions are in effect:

 “A candidate whose name is on the ballot is prohibited from assisting a physically disabled absentee voter unless the candidate is the spouse, parent, brother or sister of the voter,” Schultz explains.

 “Also, no one other than the absentee voter, shall deposit the absentee ballot in the mail,” she added.

 An absentee ballot may be delivered “in person” to THE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE, by either the voter or by a spouse, parent, child, brother or sister of the voter.  If the ballot is delivered by any of the aforesaid persons, written authorization from the voter must also be provided.  A ballot may also be delivered to the Clerk’s office by an authorized delivery service.

 A voter who was issued an absentee ballot, by mail, may surrender his unvoted absentee ballot on Election Day, at the polling site and vote in person.

 SCHULTZ NOTED THAT INDIVIDUALS, WHO REGISTER TO VOTE BY MAIL, MUST PROVIDE SUFFICIENT PROOF OF IDENTITY.  
Any person, who registered by mail, who has never voted in McHenry County before, and is requesting an absentee ballot through the mail, must provide sufficient proof of identity, to allow the election authority to verify the voter’s identity, prior to the mailing of an absentee ballot; or the absentee voter may vote “in person” at the McHenry County Administration Building, Rm. 107, with one exception:  any voter who is voting under the provisions of the uniformed and overseas citizen absentee voting act, who registered by

mail, may vote absentee by mail.

Further information may be obtained by calling 815-334-4242 or the Illinois State Board of Election at 217-782-4141 in Springfield or 312-814-6440 in Chicago.

“In person” absentee voting will be conducted at:  

McHenry County Administration Building

667 Ware Rd, Rm 107, Woodstock

Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

VOTE BEFORE MARCH 18

If voters are unable to take the time on Election Day, Tuesday, March 18, to vote, there is an alternative. Early Voting.

It is in process now since March 3 and will conclude Saturday, March 15.  There are eight locations in the county where early voting is taking place with the last opportunity on Saturday, March 15.

McHenry County Administration Building

667 Ware Rd. 2^nd Floor, Conference Room A

Woodstock

Monday thru Friday

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Algonquin Township Offices

3702 US Highway 14, Community Room

(Adjacent to Sheriff’s Substation)

Crystal Lake

Monday thru Friday

8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 15

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

City of Crystal Lake

100 w. Municipal Complex, Room P-106

Crystal Lake

Monday thru Friday

 8:30 am. To 4:30 pm

Saturday March 15

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Huntley Area

Huntley Park District

12015 Mill Street

Huntley,

Monday thru Friday

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 15

8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Lake in the Hills Village Hall

600 Harvest Gate, Executive Conference Room

(Enter thru Board Room)

Monday thru Friday

Hours – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

City of McHenry

McHenry City Hall

333 S. Green St. – Court Entrance Only

Monday thru Friday

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 15

Hours 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm.

McHenry Township Offices

3703 N. Richmond Rd.

Johnsburg

Monday, thru Friday

8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 15

8:30 a.m. to noon

Nunda Township Offices

3310 Bay Rd. Annex

Crystal Lake

Monday thru Saturday

9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Harvard Area

Dunham Township Office

107 Airport Road

Harvard

Monday thru Friday

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday March 15

8:30 a.m. to Noon

Marengo Area

Marengo City Hall

132 E. Prairie Street-Upper Chambers

Marengo

Monday thru Friday

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 15

9:00 a.m. to Noon

State law requires that a registered voter show valid photo identification before voting early.

Voters casting an early ballot must display a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID car or another government-issued ID with a photograph

Any voter who requests an “Early Ballot” or an “In Person Absentee Ballot May Not vote on Election Day and revoke the ballot originally requested. The law prohibits any voter who h as been issued an “in person Absentee Ballot” or “Early Ballot: from appearing at this precinct polling place and requesting another ballot.

Government At Work

MONDAY MARCH 10—

8:30 A.M. – McHenry County Board Management Services Committee—

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee will be interviewing two individuals—Lynn Ryan and Scott Hartman--for recommendation to the County Board for two, two-year terms on the McHenry County Ethics Commission.

Also being presented for Committee consideration is a resolution appropriating funds for Cartegraph Software license renewal and maintenance for Fiscal Year 2014.

Another resolution being presented is to authorize the County to enter into a contract with Nicor Enerchange for the purchase of natural gas for county facilities.

A discussion is to be held regarding County Administrator Evaluation Process.