Friday, December 27, 2013

McRide Transit Service Fare Changes

Fares on the MCRide Transit Service will increase on January 2nd for riders in Crystal Lake and McHenry to establish equal fares throughout the service area.  MCRide service was established in 2012 to merge demand response transit services in Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Woodstock, enable travel between those communities, and coordinate trip reservations with the McHenry Township Senior Express. 

As part of the merger, two fare increases were planned to bring fares for trips in Crystal Lake and McHenry up to what is paid in Woodstock and equal to the fares for trips between communities.  The first fare adjustment occurred in 2012; and, this is the second planned adjustment.  The MCRide service area includes Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock, Dorr Township, Greenwood Township and McHenry Township.  
As a result of these changes, general public riders in Crystal Lake and McHenry will see their base fare increase from $1.75 to $2 for the first 5 miles of their trip.  Seniors and people with disabilities will see their fare increase from $0.85 to $1 for the first 5 miles.  Each additional mile after 5 miles costs $0.25.  For more information contact Scott Hennings of the McHenry County Division of Transportation at 815-334-4985 or visit the website: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/county-government/departments-j-z/transportation/mcride.
MCRide Fare Change
On January 2, 2014 the MCRide base fare will be consistent across the entire service area (Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Woodstock). 

Rider Type
MCRide Fare (as of 1/2/2014)
General Public
$2.00 for the first 5 miles*
Increased from $1.75 in Crystal Lake & McHenry
Seniors (60+) & People with a Disability
$1.00 for the first 5 miles*
Increased from $0.85 in Crystal Lake & McHenry

* Plus $0.25 for each additional mile after the first 5
Questions about MCRide? Please call the McHenry County Division of Transportation at (815) 334-4985

Learn More About Health Insurance Options


McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will host an informational session for residents to learn more about health insurance options through the Affordable Care Act. Trained counselors will be on-hand on the following dates: 
Wed. Jan 8, 7pm – Crystal Lake Library, 126 Paddock St (register 815-459-1687)
Wed. Jan 8, 7pm – Johnsburg Library, 3000 N Johnsburg Road
Wed. Jan 22, 7pm – Algonquin Township, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake
Wed. Jan 28, 7pm – Crystal Lake Library, 126 Paddock St (register 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 www.GetCoveredIllinois.gov or contact the State Call Center at 866-311-1119.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Free Local Health Insurance Assistance

Get free, local, one-on-one assistance with a Licensed Navigator
The McHenry County Department of Health is here to help you understand the
changes in insurance requirements and guide you through the Illinois Health
Insurance Marketplace and apply for Medicaid or Marketplace coverage.
Schedule an appointment to meet with a Navigator at www.MCDH.info or call trained personnel at one of the locations listed below.
Advocate/Sherman Health System       630-402-1951
                                                        224-622-3144
Centegra Health System                     815-759-4988
 FamiliesETC                                     224-239-1088
 Family Health Partnership Clinic         815-276-1843
McHenry Community Health Center     815-363-9900
McHenry County Department of Health 815-334-4510
Pioneer Center                                   815-690-1459
If you have access to the Internet, you may go online to:
 Answer a few screening questions to see if you are qualified for
Medicaid or Marketplace and then apply online. 

Words Of Wisdom


"I ... place economy among the first and most important of republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared. ... Taxation follows that, and in its turn wretchedness and oppression."
 --Thomas Jefferson, Letter to William Plumer, 1816

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Christmas To All

Words Of Wisdom

he principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale."
--Thomas Jefferson,letter to John Taylor, 1816

Monday, December 23, 2013

Government At Work

No McHenry County Meetings are scheduled until Friday, January 3, when the County Board is schedled to meet as a  Committee of Whole.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Government At Work

MONDAY DECEMBER 23—
11:00 a.m. – McHenry County Mental Health Board Building and Grounds—
Meeting in the Main Floor Conference Room of the Mental Health Board, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.’
A number of matters are to be considered by the board for recommendation and approval, including:

  • Overview of the building and grounds
  • Current annual contracts for services
  • Current legal opinion on use of the building
  • Discussion on use of vacant space including other organizations expressing interest and County use in emergencies
  • Disaster management options for use of space including review of current options
  • Recommendations to the Board

Something For The Very Near Future

The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages you to recycle your natural Christmas tree after the holiday season. Many solid waste haulers provide curbside collection of Christmas trees. However, if your licensed solid waste hauler does not offer curbside collection of Christmas trees, then there are several area locations that will recycle your tree into mulch at no cost to you. Mulch used in landscaping provides multiple environmental benefits such as conserving moisture, improving soil structure, reducing weeds and soil erosion, and provides a source of plant nutrients all while reducing the amount of waste discarded at a landfill. Christmas trees dropped off for recycling must have all decorations removed.  Artificial trees will not be accepted.

OPEN TO MCHENRY COUNTY RESIDENTS
McHenry County Conservation District
Dec 26 - Jan 15 Drop-off Sites:
· Glacial Park, Ringwood, IL (off Harts Rd.)
· Rush Creek, Harvard (at Twin Oaks Parking Area, west of pond)
· Algonquin Township Headquarters
For details, call 815-338-6223
OPEN TO ALGONQUIN TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS
 Algonquin Township Road District
3702 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake, IL
Open 24/7, Dec 26 – Jan 31
For details, call 847-639-2700,ext. 6



OPEN TO DORR TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS
Dorr Township Road District
12322 Davis Road, Woodstock, IL
Dec 26 - Jan 31, M-F during business hours
For details, call 815-338-1060

OPEN TO NUNDA TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS
Nunda Township Road District
3518 Bay Road, Crystal Lake, IL
M-F, 7am-3:30pm or Saturdays 8am-12pm
For details, call 815-459-4410

For more information, contact Kristy Hecke, MCDH’s Solid Waste Manager, at 815-334-4585.