REMINDER-Economic Discussion With Congressmen and Senator

Town Hall meeting focused on Congress' need to cut spending and reduce the deficit to improve our economy and help put Americans back to work are being held Saturday, January 22 by U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo who is joined by U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, and newly elected Congressman Joe Walsh. Manzullo and Kirk are holding a morning public discussion session in Rockford.

 

Crystal Lake Event – 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

The second event is taking place in Crystal Lake from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the McHenry County College Conference Center, located at 8900 US Highway 14 in Crystal Lake. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. on the east side entrance to the building. The closest parking lot is Lot B at this location.

Also joining the members of Congress for the economic discussion will be Dr. Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute. Each of the members and Dr. Biggs will give a short presentation and then the floor will be open to questions and comments from the public.

Upgraded Healthcare Training in Coding At MCC Beginning March

MCC will be offering an ICD-10 Training Program starting in March. ICD-10 is an upgraded healthcare diagnostic and procedural coding system and has been mandated by the federal government for use in the healthcare industry beginning in Oct. 1, 2013.

The class takes place twice a week from 5:30. to 8:30 p.m. starting March 19 for six to eight weeks; or on Saturdays only from 8:30-1:30 p.m. starting March 17 for six to eight weeks.

The 45-hour (8-week) course explains the structure, format and content of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS.  These are new classification systems  replacing the current ICD-9-CM and ICD-9-PCS classification systems. 

This course offers an opportunity for current coding professionals, early adopters, consultants and trainers to become familiar with the basic structure of the ICD-10 and ICD-10-PCS code sets in preparation for the transition.  The required textbook is included in the $699 cost of this 8-week course, which includes a free trial version of EncoderPro.  Students will access and use digital copies of ICD-10 files.  Students are allowed to bring in and use their own laptops and/or print versions of ICD-10.

For more information about this course, call MaryAnn Dimitrov at (847) 915-0360.  To register, call the MCC Registration office at (815) 455-8588.

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Manzullo Votes With Majority To Repeal Health Care Law

The U. S. House of Representatives today voted to repeal the President's $1 trillion health care law in a 245 to 189 vote as reported by Congressman Don Manzullo, (R-IL) who was among the 245 who voted for the repeal.

Manzullo explains, "The next step is working on a replacement bill that makes health care more affordable and accessible to the uninsured without putting millions more Americans on the Unemployment lines. Manzullo is urging Senate Majority Leader Reid and President Obama to join the House in supporting repeal of the health care law so all sides can come together to craft replacement bills.

Short Crystal Lake Council Meeting

A short Crystal Lake City Council meeting took placeTuesday evening with only nine items requiring Council attention. Four of those matters  handled in a consent approval, including approval of January 4 meeting minutes, a request from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church for a Temporary Use Permit for a Friday night fish fry Special Promotion for the upcoming Lenten season; a special use permit for Exclusively Napa, LLC 35 N. Williams Street for a Drinking Place to allow a wine bar, and variation from the required eight parking spaces to allow zero spaces; a Resolution authorizing execution of the Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with IDOT for construction and Phase III Engineering of the Pingree Road Segment 3 Improvement.

Mike Littrell, owner of C-Ideas, Inc., 125 Erick Street, Units 113-120, was the recipient of a Manufacturer Building Improvement and Equipment program matching grant to offset build-out costs for his new headquarters at the Erick Street address. He is moving his business from Cary to Crystal Lake.

The building at 125 Erick Street was acquired by Carey Sherman through bankruptcy and/or foreclosure. Littrell is purchasing the units from Sherman. C-Ideas, Inc. specializes in rapid prototyping projects and 3D modeling, printing, and fabrication of plastic parts. The company produces customer's parts in thermoplastics, urethanes, acrylics and epoxy photopolymers. The company is bringing five full-time jobs to the new Crystal Lake headquarters.

Town Hall Meetings On Cutting Congressional Spending Slated Saturday In Rockford and Crystal Lake

Town Hall meetings focused on Congress' need to cut spending and reduce the deficit to improve our economy and help put Americans back to work are being held Saturday, January 22 by U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo who is joined by U.S. Senator Mark Kirk.

Rockford Event-10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

The first event will take place from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. in Rockford at Rock Valley College Stenstrom Center, 4151 Samuelson Road. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m.

Directions to get to Stenstrom Center—take the Route 20 bypass to Rockford and go south on Alpine Road. Go west on Samuelson Road to the Stenstrom Center which is located a few blocks from entering the road and on the left.

Crystal Lake Event – 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

The second event will be held from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the McHenry County College Conference Center, Crystal Lake, located at 8900 US Highway 14 in Crystal Lake. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. on the east side entrance to the building. The closest parking lot is Lot B at this location.

U.S. Representative Joe Walsh will join Senator Kirk and Rep. Manzullo for the Crystal Lake town hall meeting.

Also joining the members of Congress for the economic discussion will be Dr. Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute. Each of the members and Dr. Biggs will give a short presentation and then the floor will be open to questions and comments from the public.

Resources To Help Others

People in Need Forum, with resources to help your neighbor, will be presented on January 29, 2011 at McHenry County College from 8 am to 12:30.

This annual opportunity for volunteers and staff from human service, civic, and faith-based organizations started in 2003.  The Forum provides an opportunity to learn about community resources available for those in need.  

The half day event includes workshops that provide practical information to help resolve care-receiver issues.  Representatives from human service organizations are in attendance with informational handouts on such timely issues as utility assistance, food stamps, health care, transportation options, homelessness, domestic violence, legal matters, and loss of job.  All participants receive a People in Need Community Resource Directory.

Governments At Work

Wednesday, January 19--7:30 p.m. Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission
The meeting, usually conducted on the first and third Wednesday evening of the month, has been cancelled for this week. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, February 2.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20--8:30 a.m.—McHenry County Board Planning & Development Committee
Meets in the Conference Room A, County Administrative Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.
Dennis Dreher is to given a presentation on Green Infrastructure/Greenways Plan. Dreher has been retained by the Chicago Wilderness Sustainable Watershed Action Team (SWAT) to facilitate the development of Green Infrastructure Plans for McHenry County and the City of Woodstock.

Dreher is to provide the Committee with information regarding the purpose and benefits of developing a Green Infrastructure Plan.

Discussion is scheduled to take place regarding the beginning of a County Unified Development Ordinance. This provides an opportunity to simplify county regulations for development as well as update existing ordinances if needed.

The rather touchy topic of regulating equestrian events in McHenry County has come before the Committee previously. It was determined that surrounding counties have had similar experiences. As a result representatives of Kane, Will, Boone and Winnebago counties met with staff representatives on the topic. A report on that meeting is slated to be provided the Committee.

4:00 p.m.—Finance Committee of the McHenry County Conservation District Board of Trustees

Meets in the MCCD offices, 18410 East Highway 14, Woodstock.

Matters slated for this committee's consideration include change orders and amendments to a professional service agreement with Featherstone, Inc., on the Lost Valley Visitor Center; the FY 2012 Budget Discussion as well as designation of a dedicated account Unrestricted Reserve Fund Balances.

There will also be a closed session to review closed session minutes.

6:00 p.m.— Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of McHenry County Conservation District.

An executive session is to begin this meeting, followed by the regular session of the Board to begin at 7:00 p.m.

In addition to the various reports by the Trustee regarding conferences and meetings they attended.

Actions to be taken by the Trustees include the awarding of a contract for exotic brush removal at Glacial Park Conservation 'area to Clean Cut Tree Service of Long Grove. This qualified and responsible bidder submitted the winning bid for $74,000.

A couple of grant requests are approved for submittal. One is for a grant under the Emerald Ash Borer Planning. This is under the Urban and community Forestry and the Forest Health Cooperative Programs of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Another grant is being submitted for the purchase of Winding Creek Conservation Area addition. This is going to the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

7:30 p.m.—Crystal Lake Park Board
Meeting in the Park District offices, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake

One item on the agenda takes us to July. The Board is being requested to approve the inclusion of a contribution in the 2011-12 operating budget of $5,000 for the July 4, 2011 community fireworks display on the Crystal Lake.

Other agenda items speak of Spring—the Early Youth Sports Sign Up at Main Beach and Park Place February 5 and 12 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Also a request is to be considered by the Board for the purchase of a utility tractor from Reinders, Inc. for $22,940.

McHenry County Collection Efforts Pay Off

The McHenry County State's Attorneys Office, with assistance of the McHenry County Circuit Clerk, Kathy Keefe, has recovered over $250,000 in outstanding fines and court costs owed the County from traffic and criminal offenders.

In January, 2009 a contract was entered into with Alliance One Receivables Managements, Inc., an outside collections agency to recover outstanding fines and court costs due the County on cases that have been closed by the courts.

This collection comes at no cost to the taxpayers as all costs are passed onto the delinquent offenders. This money would have remained largely unpaid without these efforts which help ease financial pressures for McHenry County and the taxpayers.

Government Affairs of Wednesday

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19

8:15 a.m.—McHenry County Board Transportation Committee

Meets in the McHenry County Division of Transportation, 16111 Nelson Road, Woodstock.

Bridge projects dominate the agenda for this Committee. Included is the recommended approval for the acquisition of right-if-way for the North Union Road Bridge Project, as well as for the Alden Road Bridge Project. Also, recommended approval for a wetland agreement for the Lawrence Road Bridge project and appropriation of the necessary funds for same is also included on the agenda. Final approval is made by the County Board.

7:30 p.m. Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission

The meeting, usually conducted on the first and third Wednesday evening of the month, has been cancelled for this week. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, February 2.

High School District 155 Board Meeting This Evening

7:30 p.m.—High School District 155 Board

High School District 155 will meet this evening at 7:30 in the Center for Education, One South Virginia Road. The agenda for the meeting indicates the Board will handle numerous routine matters such as approval of bills; hear reports regarding National Board Certified Teachers and New Faculty Induction Program. Consideration is to be given to a report on Crystal Lake South High School Improvement Plan. Also to be considered is appointment, employment compensation, discipline performance or dismissal of employees and collective negotiating matters between the School District and its employees.

Watching Government

Cancelled Meeting

The McHenry County Tuberculosis Care and Treatment Board meeting scheduled Tuesday morning has been cancelled.

7:00 p.m. District 47 Board—West School

School District 47 Board of Education is meeting at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday in West Elementary School, 100 Briarwood, Crystal Lake. In addition to board consideration of necessary matters relating to finances, employment, resignations, leaves and other personnel matters, the board is also to consider the first reading of a number of policy sections. The Board also is expected to consider the 2011-2012 calendar and staffing requirements for the same period.

It is also noted that the February Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 22 in North Elementary School. This is also a changed date from the regular meeting date due to Presidents Day.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board is Monday, January 31 in the C.O.R.E. Center for Financial Review

7:00 p.m. McHenry County Board

Meeting takes place in the County Board Room of the Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Two zoning matters are before the County Board for approval. One is for property located at 4111 East Wonder Lake Road, Wonder Lake. The property owners are seeking a reclassification from B-2 Business to B-1 Neighborhood Business District with a conditional use permit to allow three existing apartments on the property. The ZBA recommended approval of the request.

A second zoning request involves property located on the northwest corner of Lucas Road and U.S. Route 14, kitty-corner from McHenry County College. The petitioner, Kabir-Pramukh Realty, Inc., is in the business of locating retail and convenience stores. This company owned the property for five years, purchasing it as an investment. It has been vacant for Surrounding property, except for MCC, is zoned agriculture. The property is also located in an area of sensitive aquifers and an area for possible location of the Blanding's Turtle.

One resident was present to express opposition to the planned zoning citing the sensitive aquifers as well as the numerous accidents at that intersection. The zoning board voted 5-1 approval of the requested zoning. The final decision is up to the County Board.

Several ordinances are scheduled to be adopted by the County Board setting various fines in the building code.

7:30 p.m.- Crystal Lake City Council

This is expected to be a short meeting. In addition to the routine reports, the Council is expected approve an ordinance authorizing a Historic Landmark designation for the Paul Bertram House at 50 Caroline Street. A grant is to be requested by the Council for the renovation of a building on Erick Street for a manufacturer.

A new business, Exclusively Napa, LLC is seeking a Special Use Permit for a Drinking Place at 35 N. Williams Street. The new business is seeking a Special Use Permit to locate the business at 35 N. Williams Street.

Approval of a resolution is being sought authorizing the execution of the Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with IDOT for construction and Phase III Engineering of the Pingree Road Segment 3 Improvement.

A one-year review of the Unified Development Ordinance is also on the agenda.

MCC Financial Aid Workshop

A hands-on workshop to complete the federal financial aid form online using college computers will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24 at McHenry County College in Room A121.

Staff members from the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services at MCC will help students and/or parents complete the online form for the 2011/2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is the required document that students must complete in order to be considered for federal and state grants, work-study, and student loans.

Appointments are required. Call (815) 455-8761 beginning Feb. 1 to schedule an appointment and receive important details.

A Special Graduation Coming January 25

The 22nd Judicial Circuit of McHenry County Mental Health Court will host its 4th Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony is open to the public and will take place in Courtroom 204 at McHenry County Government Center. Guests are required to use the Government Center’s East Entrance. The ceremony includes a presentation on the Illinois Mental Health Courts Study which will be conducted by Monte Staton of Loyola University and the presentation of Graduation Certificates by Mental Health Court Presiding Judge, Honorable Charles P. Weech.

The MHC is a voluntary program designed to serve defendants who are struggling with mental illness and are currently involved in the criminal justice system of McHenry County. In lieu of traditional punishment, the MHC diverts defendants with diagnosed mental illness away from the criminal justice system by offering alternative court, intensive judicial and community supervision, and treatment. The goals of the MHC are to reduce recidivism and promote self-sufficiency by offering community based treatment alternatives to incarceration.

The 4th Graduation ceremony will be a time of celebration and reflection for four (4) program graduates who have worked so hard to improve their lives and we commend them for their efforts. This brings the program’s graduation total to 25 individuals since its inception in April of 2007. The MHC is extremely proud to say that the program has a post graduation recidivism rate of only 8%!

The MHC would not be possible without the McHenry County Board, McHenry County Court Administration, McHenry County Mental Health Board, McHenry County Department of Health, McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, McHenry County Public Defender’s Office, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Family Service and Community Mental Health Center and various other mental health service providers.

For questions pertaining to the Mental Health Court, please contact Scott Block at 815-334-4913.

Martin Luther King Birthday--Government Buildings And Schools Closed

The birthday of Martin Luther King is being celebrated today, although the birth date is January 15. All government offices and schools are closed.

District 47 Board meeting scheduled to meet this evening is moved to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and is being held in West Elementary School, 100 Briarwood Road.

The McHenry County Mental Health Board meeting is rescheduled to January 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mental Health Offices, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.