Crystal Lake Park Board Finance Committee will meet at 10:00 am Monday in the Administrative Building. The agenda indicates several matters to be handled including a meeting with Bond Counsel and the Bond sale. Another matter to be considered is Lexington Homes TIF.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Cardiovascular Screening Offered Saturday, August 28
McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is offering a cardiovascular screening on Saturday, August 28, from 7:30am-11:30am, at its Crystal Lake office, 100 N. Virginia Street. The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, cardiovascular education and heart age assessment. Appointments are required. The cost is $35.00. Call 815-334-4536 for appointment
Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death, respectively, in Illinois – killing 5 people every hour, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Age, gender and family history are risk factors beyond our control. But what we can change is high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise and poor nutrition. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death, respectively, in Illinois – killing 5 people every hour, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Age, gender and family history are risk factors beyond our control. But what we can change is high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise and poor nutrition. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
Friday, August 13, 2010
McHenry County State's Attorney's Office Accredited Provider of Continuing Legal Education
As of July 1 this year, the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office is accredited as a provider of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) for its in-house attorneys.
Continuing legal education is required for all Illinois attorneys in order to retain their licenses. As a designated MCLE provider, attorneys in the office may now obtain MCLE credit hours for all in-house trainings conducted, including updates in the law, changes in the rules of evidence and trial techniques.
"These in-house training classes will help save the county and taxpayers monies that otherwise would be spent sending prosecutors to offsite seminars needed to satisfy MCLE requirements," says State's Attorney Louis A. Bianchi.
To become accredited, the State's Attorney's Office had to provide the MCLE board of the Supreme Court of Illinois samples of written materials from past trainings, and a course list of all legal education presented in the past two years. More than 20 legal education programs for its attorneys were presented before achieving accreditation status.
Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Blackney, an attorney in the Special Prosecution Unit, was the lead applicant for the State's Attorney's Office.
Continuing legal education is required for all Illinois attorneys in order to retain their licenses. As a designated MCLE provider, attorneys in the office may now obtain MCLE credit hours for all in-house trainings conducted, including updates in the law, changes in the rules of evidence and trial techniques.
"These in-house training classes will help save the county and taxpayers monies that otherwise would be spent sending prosecutors to offsite seminars needed to satisfy MCLE requirements," says State's Attorney Louis A. Bianchi.
To become accredited, the State's Attorney's Office had to provide the MCLE board of the Supreme Court of Illinois samples of written materials from past trainings, and a course list of all legal education presented in the past two years. More than 20 legal education programs for its attorneys were presented before achieving accreditation status.
Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Blackney, an attorney in the Special Prosecution Unit, was the lead applicant for the State's Attorney's Office.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Friday's Environmental Committee Meeting Cancelled
The Environmental Committee of the McHenry County Board, scheduled for 9:00 am Friday is cancelled. The next scheduled meeting of the committee is September 10, also at 9:00 am. These meetings are held in the County Administration Building conference rooms, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.
August 18 Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Meeting Is Cancelled
The next meeting of the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, August 18, has been cancelled due to a lack of completed petitions ready for review.
The next meeting of the Commission will be the regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday September 1 at 7:30 pm. in the City Council Chambers, 100 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.
The next meeting of the Commission will be the regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday September 1 at 7:30 pm. in the City Council Chambers, 100 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.
McHenry County Well Testing At A Reduced Fee 'Till End of August
McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) offers reduced fee water testing for individual well water users during the 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.
Bacteria and chemicals can get into well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some bacteria and chemicals occur naturally. Contaminants such as nitrate can come from animal waste, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, or decaying plants. High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women. Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water.
For a nominal charge, MCDH will also sample private wells for nuisance chemicals resulting in water hardness, iron, discoloration and odor. Sampling kits can be picked up at MCDH in Woodstock or at one of eight drop-off centers. Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm at the following centers –
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.
Bacteria and chemicals can get into well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some bacteria and chemicals occur naturally. Contaminants such as nitrate can come from animal waste, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, or decaying plants. High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women. Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water.
For a nominal charge, MCDH will also sample private wells for nuisance chemicals resulting in water hardness, iron, discoloration and odor. Sampling kits can be picked up at MCDH in Woodstock or at one of eight drop-off centers. Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm at the following centers –
- Algonquin Townships Office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, (847) 639-2329
- Dorr Township Office, 140 Newell Street, Woodstock (815) 338-0125
- McHenry Township Office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry (815) 385-5605
- Nunda Township Office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake (815) 459-4011
- City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie Street, Marengo (815) 568-7112
- City of Harvard, Police Dept., 201 W Front Street, Harvard (815) 943-4431
- Richmond Township Office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond (815) 678-0077
- Grafton Township Office, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley (847) 669-3328
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Daily Club Open For Iraq and Afghanistan War Vets
The "Down Range Club" at 12320 Davis Road, Woodstock is open. (Frontage Road, just north of Woodstock Harley off Route 47)
Summer Hours—Open Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
The club is a clubhouse for McHenry County Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans to meet up, play cards, chess, horseshoes, video games, watch TV/DVD's, use Wi-Fi Internet, check out books from the lending library, get information on veteran outreach support and check out the job postings. There is no alcohol permitted on premise so this is a haven for honest, interaction and camaraderie.
For more information contact Mary A. Iger, at (love4liberty@rocketmail.com)
Summer Hours—Open Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
The club is a clubhouse for McHenry County Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans to meet up, play cards, chess, horseshoes, video games, watch TV/DVD's, use Wi-Fi Internet, check out books from the lending library, get information on veteran outreach support and check out the job postings. There is no alcohol permitted on premise so this is a haven for honest, interaction and camaraderie.
For more information contact Mary A. Iger, at (love4liberty@rocketmail.com)
Bull Valley Road Closure August 13 - August 19
Beginning Friday, August 13 Bull Valley Road will be closed to through traffic between Illinois Route 31 and Crystal Lake Road. That is expected to last until Thursday, August 19. The Union Pacific railroad crossing on this road has become rough and in need of replacement.
Local traffic will have access from both Bull Valley Road and Illinois Route 31 up to the closure at the railroad tracks for the duration of this repair. It requires complete reconstruction of the railroad crossing and pavement.
The posted detour route will be Illinois Route 31, Illinois Route 120 and Crystal Lake Road.
Local traffic will have access from both Bull Valley Road and Illinois Route 31 up to the closure at the railroad tracks for the duration of this repair. It requires complete reconstruction of the railroad crossing and pavement.
The posted detour route will be Illinois Route 31, Illinois Route 120 and Crystal Lake Road.
McHenry County Corrections Facility Awarded Elite Accreditation
The McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility won an award during an August 2 awards ceremony in conjunction with the American Correctional Association (ACA), 140th Congress of Correction, held at Navy Pier, Chicago. The McHenry County facility joins an elite group of 3.9% of all Illinois County Correctional facilities to be accredited, including DuPage, Lake, and Will Counties.
The awarding of accreditation was the culmination of a long and arduous process that included a three day audit in June of this year by a panel of three certified ACA auditors from across the country.
The audit included examination of 384 performance based standards representing the correctional professions best practices of which 62 are mandatory. The McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility scored 100% compliance on all applicable mandatory standards and 94.2% on non-mandatory standards.
The accreditation process also included an extensive examination of the facility and daily operations, as well as staff and inmate interviews. At the conclusion of the audit, the visiting committee reported its findings to the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections who used the report in making a recommendation to accredit the facility.
The process of accreditation offers agencies the opportunity to evaluate their operations against national standards, to remedy deficiencies, and to upgrade the quality of correctional programming and operations. The recognized benefits from this process include improved management, a defense against lawsuits through documentation and the demonstration of a "good fait" effort to improve conditions of confinement and increased accountability. Accreditation is also a positive selling point when the county goes to the marketplace to obtain insurance quotes.
Achieving ACA accreditation is a direct credit to the professionalism and dedication of the entire staff at the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility.
The awarding of accreditation was the culmination of a long and arduous process that included a three day audit in June of this year by a panel of three certified ACA auditors from across the country.
The audit included examination of 384 performance based standards representing the correctional professions best practices of which 62 are mandatory. The McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility scored 100% compliance on all applicable mandatory standards and 94.2% on non-mandatory standards.
The accreditation process also included an extensive examination of the facility and daily operations, as well as staff and inmate interviews. At the conclusion of the audit, the visiting committee reported its findings to the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections who used the report in making a recommendation to accredit the facility.
The process of accreditation offers agencies the opportunity to evaluate their operations against national standards, to remedy deficiencies, and to upgrade the quality of correctional programming and operations. The recognized benefits from this process include improved management, a defense against lawsuits through documentation and the demonstration of a "good fait" effort to improve conditions of confinement and increased accountability. Accreditation is also a positive selling point when the county goes to the marketplace to obtain insurance quotes.
Achieving ACA accreditation is a direct credit to the professionalism and dedication of the entire staff at the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility.
New Manager For McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center
Dr. Lisa Lembke has recently joined the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) as Division Manager/Veterinarian for the Animal Control and Adoption Center. She will begin those duties on August 16.
The announcement made by the MCDH follows the retirement of current Manager, Jerry Rivard, who has served in the position for five years. MCDH extends best wished to Mr. Rivard for his years of service.
Patrick J. McNulty, MCDH Public Health Administrator says, "We are fortunate to have someone of Dr. Lembke's caliber to continue the improvements made in our Animal Control Division that have taken place under Mr. Rivard's tenure."
Dr. Lembke is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Veterinarian School and has worked as a veterinarian in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois for animal humane societies and animal shelters. She brings to McHenry County an extensive public health background in rabies control, zoonotic diseases and illness outbreak investigations from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and local Health Department. Dr. Lembke’s most recent experience was in private practice as owner/operator of a veterinary clinic.
The announcement made by the MCDH follows the retirement of current Manager, Jerry Rivard, who has served in the position for five years. MCDH extends best wished to Mr. Rivard for his years of service.
Patrick J. McNulty, MCDH Public Health Administrator says, "We are fortunate to have someone of Dr. Lembke's caliber to continue the improvements made in our Animal Control Division that have taken place under Mr. Rivard's tenure."
Dr. Lembke is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Veterinarian School and has worked as a veterinarian in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois for animal humane societies and animal shelters. She brings to McHenry County an extensive public health background in rabies control, zoonotic diseases and illness outbreak investigations from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and local Health Department. Dr. Lembke’s most recent experience was in private practice as owner/operator of a veterinary clinic.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Lakewood Village Board Meeting Cancellation
The Lakewood Village Board meeting regularly scheduled for this evening has been cancelled. The next meeting of the Village Board will be August 24 at 7:00 pm in Red Tail Golf Club, 7900 Red Tail Drive, Lakewood.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Crystal Lake Public Library Public Relations Committee Meeting
The Public Relations Committee of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board of Trustees is meeting this evening at 7:00 pm in the Library Director's Office of the Library.
One Lane Traffic On Union Road Bridge Over South Branch of Kishwaukee River
The McHenry County Division of Transportation(McDOT) will reduce traffic to one lane on the Union Road Bridge over the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River in Seneca Township.
The lane reduction is due to a loss of structural integrity in an interior bridge beam. Motorists should expect some delays. Approximately 2,050 vehicles per day travel over this bridge.
The McHenry County Division of Transportation is currently working on the design plans for the replacement of this bridge with Baxter & Woodman. The duration of the lane reduction is indefinite; however, the bridge has been programmed for replacement in the Spring of 2011.
Inspections are accomplished on a routine basis and intermittently as required on all bridges on County Highways throughout McHenry County. These inspections are performed as required by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The Union Road Bridge is located approximately half a mile north of the Village of Union and approximately two miles east of the Village of Marengo. The South Branch of the Kishwaukee River crosses Union Road just south of IL Rte 176.
The lane reduction is due to a loss of structural integrity in an interior bridge beam. Motorists should expect some delays. Approximately 2,050 vehicles per day travel over this bridge.
The McHenry County Division of Transportation is currently working on the design plans for the replacement of this bridge with Baxter & Woodman. The duration of the lane reduction is indefinite; however, the bridge has been programmed for replacement in the Spring of 2011.
Inspections are accomplished on a routine basis and intermittently as required on all bridges on County Highways throughout McHenry County. These inspections are performed as required by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The Union Road Bridge is located approximately half a mile north of the Village of Union and approximately two miles east of the Village of Marengo. The South Branch of the Kishwaukee River crosses Union Road just south of IL Rte 176.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Observing Government
MONDAY, AUGUST 9
8:15 am -- Human Resources Committee of McHenry County Board, meets in the County Administration Building conference room, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. The agenda indicates an overview of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act along with a reclassification of a position in the Assessors Office and a review of the Human Resources budget.
1:30 pm -- McHenry County Windenergy Task Force is conducting its inaugural meeting in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.
The public is invited to participate in this newly formed group to be comprised of members of the County Board as well as interested municipalities to develop a model wind energy ordinance.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 10
8:30 am—Management Services Committee of the McHenry County Board meets in the County Board Room of the County Administration Building. The agenda for this meeting includes a review of a resolution authorizing a lease agreement for Telephony Solution Upgrade. This integrates the main county government center with the Department of Transportation, Valley Hi and the Animal Control Crystal Lake Facility.
The committee will also review the budgets for Facilities Management, Information Technology/GIS, Purchasing as well as the Recorder.
9:30 am –Finance and Audit Committee of the McHenry County Board meets in Conference Room A of the County Administration Building. The agenda indicates a number of matters to be considered including resolutions to reclassify an assessment department position; engineering service agreements related to work on Randall and Rakow Roads; authorization to install, operate and maintain communications equipment on a Spring Grove Village tower. Also authorize a four-year Toughbook Lease with HP Financial Services,
Other financial matters for consideration include: acceptance of a Department of Justice COPS Technology Grant Award for equipment at a Remote Radio Transmission Site; also authorizing increases in the Circuit Court Clerk's fees to cover document storage and automation fee increases; monthly transactions for the delinquent tax program; and a lease agreement for the telephony solution upgrade. Also to be reviewed is the Auditors budget for the following year.
8:15 am -- Human Resources Committee of McHenry County Board, meets in the County Administration Building conference room, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. The agenda indicates an overview of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act along with a reclassification of a position in the Assessors Office and a review of the Human Resources budget.
1:30 pm -- McHenry County Windenergy Task Force is conducting its inaugural meeting in the conference room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.
The public is invited to participate in this newly formed group to be comprised of members of the County Board as well as interested municipalities to develop a model wind energy ordinance.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 10
8:30 am—Management Services Committee of the McHenry County Board meets in the County Board Room of the County Administration Building. The agenda for this meeting includes a review of a resolution authorizing a lease agreement for Telephony Solution Upgrade. This integrates the main county government center with the Department of Transportation, Valley Hi and the Animal Control Crystal Lake Facility.
The committee will also review the budgets for Facilities Management, Information Technology/GIS, Purchasing as well as the Recorder.
9:30 am –Finance and Audit Committee of the McHenry County Board meets in Conference Room A of the County Administration Building. The agenda indicates a number of matters to be considered including resolutions to reclassify an assessment department position; engineering service agreements related to work on Randall and Rakow Roads; authorization to install, operate and maintain communications equipment on a Spring Grove Village tower. Also authorize a four-year Toughbook Lease with HP Financial Services,
Other financial matters for consideration include: acceptance of a Department of Justice COPS Technology Grant Award for equipment at a Remote Radio Transmission Site; also authorizing increases in the Circuit Court Clerk's fees to cover document storage and automation fee increases; monthly transactions for the delinquent tax program; and a lease agreement for the telephony solution upgrade. Also to be reviewed is the Auditors budget for the following year.
Vito Buffalo Orchestra Closes Concerts In The Park
Concerts in the Park are held every summer Tuesday evening in the Crystal Lake Park District's band shell, located at the Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive.
The 70 to 90 minute concerts begin at 7:00 pm. Admission is free as the result of generous sponsors, Raue Center For The Arts, McHenry County Living Magazine, Home State Bank, and Judson College.
The featured presentation for Tuesday August 10 is Vito Buffalo Orchestra. In case of rain or other inclement weather, the concert will take place in Park Place, 406 West Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.
Call the Park Weather Hotline at 815-459-PARK (7275) after 3 pm to confirm if there is inclement weather.
The 70 to 90 minute concerts begin at 7:00 pm. Admission is free as the result of generous sponsors, Raue Center For The Arts, McHenry County Living Magazine, Home State Bank, and Judson College.
The featured presentation for Tuesday August 10 is Vito Buffalo Orchestra. In case of rain or other inclement weather, the concert will take place in Park Place, 406 West Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.
Call the Park Weather Hotline at 815-459-PARK (7275) after 3 pm to confirm if there is inclement weather.
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