Flood Advisory For Fox River At Algonquin Cancelled

The flood advisory is cancelled for the Fox River at Algonquin Tailwater affecting Kane and McHenry Counties.

At 9:30 a.m. the stage was 8.8 feet. Action stage is 9.0 feet, flood stage is 9.5 feet.

Forecast—the river crested below flood stage and will slowly fall to 8.6 feet by Sunday morning. 

State Budget Exceeds Revenues By Nearly $3 Billion

Springfield…Today, Democrats, breaking their promise with the people of the State of Illinois, passed a budget exceeding state revenues by nearly $3 billion.  State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) stated that the Democrats’ budget is ‘insane,’ deliberately unconstitutional, and guaranteeing the tax increase is made permeate by their votes.

“All told, this budget will spend $3 billion more than we are expected to take in, that is insane,” said Rep. Wheeler.  “Democrats essentially just voted to make the ‘temporary’ 2011 income tax increase permanent.  This goes against our agreed revenue projections, against our constitution, and against the trust of the people of the State of Illinois.”

The income tax increase of January 2011 is set to expire on January 1, 2015.  If the income tax increase is not extended or made permanent, personal income tax rates would decrease to 3.75% (3% prior to increase) and the corporate tax rate would decrease from 7% to 5.25% (5% prior to 2011 increase).

“Illinois residents can not afford one more single day of this tax increase,” said Wheeler.  “Every penny the state takes from our pockets is money invested into fiscal failure.  There is no sense in the state taking more while we lag behind the rest of the nation in all facets of economic recovery.”

Rep. Wheeler argues that the Illinois Constitution clearly states that no budget can exceed projected revenues for the year.  Without action on the income tax issue, the 2015 budget passed by House Democrats would exceed revenues by at least $2.8 billion.  The House budget bills are now in the Senate where Democrats are expected to pass this unbalanced budget.

Crystal Lake Treatment Scheduled Tuesday, May 20

On Tuesday, May 20th, Hey and Associates, Inc. will be conducting the annual spring beach herbicide treatment at both Main Beach and West Beach swimming areas in Crystal Lake. Both swimming areas are to be treated with Navigate™, a granular form of a selective aquatic herbicide to control submersed aquatic vegetation. A granular formulation of Cutrine Plus™, an algaecide used to treat a type of algae called Chara (also known as Muskgrass or Skunkweed), that is found growing in the shallower areas of each swimming area, will also be applied.

Water use restrictions are as follows:

Do not use water from treated areas for irrigation, sprays or for potable (drinking) water for a period of 21 days

Do not swim in treated water for a minimum of 24 hours after the application date (see above)

There are no restrictions on using water from treated areas for fishing after this application. For more information contact Hey and Associates, Inc. at 847-740-0888.

Hearing From Another Party

WASHINGTON — Libertarian Party Executive Director Wes Benedict issued the following statement today in response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address:

Thanks to unprecedented levels of government interference and government coercion, Americans' rights are violated like never before. We are harmed by taxes, regulations, prohibitions, and shocking privacy intrusions.

Unfortunately, most of the harm and injustice of government occurs because too many Americans support existing government policies. We're suffering under a tyranny of the majority. Our Libertarian hope is that we can convince enough Americans to change their minds. We hope voters will come to understand that government is force, and force is unjust.

Here are some of the problems we see.

The government debt situation is atrocious. Government debt is a terrible thing, because it forces future generations to pay off debts they never agreed to incur. From 2001 to 2008, George W. Bush doubled the debt, mostly with the support of a Republican Congress. Since 2009, Barack Obama and the Democrats (and Republicans) have nearly doubled it again. It doesn't matter whether Republicans or Democrats control the government. Libertarians would quickly balance the budget by cutting spending on everything, including entitlements and the military.

Thanks to the work of Republicans and Democrats, America has declined in the Economic Freedom Index. We've been sliding for years, and now we're down to #12. We're below Australia, Canada, and Denmark. Libertarian policies would get us back to #1.

Government should stop creating programs to fight economic inequality. Some economic inequality is natural and healthy in a free society. Actually, government often creates artificial inequality by granting special privileges to certain businesses or classes of people. Republicans and Democrats do that all the time. Libertarians prefer a level playing field.

The employment situation is still pretty bad. Why? Because government gets in between employers and employees, and tries to dictate everything. Minimum wage laws, hiring laws, firing laws, subsidies, and business taxes all make it harder to create jobs and find jobs. These laws are supported by both Republicans and Democrats. Libertarians would eliminate the minimum wage, employment red tape, and business subsidies and taxes.

Since 2001, the federal budget has exploded. Whenever the government spends money, it displaces it out of the private sector. That means the government is making more choices about how we use our resources, and free people are making fewer choices. That inevitably harms our economy. Libertarians would eliminate most programs, and cut spending on the rest.

If there's one thing we have learned since 2001, it's that we can't trust what government officials say. They lie. Bush and Cheney said there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. James Clapper (Director of National Intelligence) said under oath that the NSA does not collect data on Americans. Those are a couple of the most outrageous lies, but there have been many others. The more power government has, the more government officials will have the opportunity and incentive to lie. Libertarians would greatly reduce government power.

Government should not be trusted to tell the truth about global warming, or to create restrictions in the name of fighting it. Look at the waste and environmental damage caused by government ethanol subsidies!

It used to be that if you said the government was watching you, people thought you were paranoid. Now, partly thanks to the efforts of Edward Snowden, everyone knows it's true. Between the Patriot Act, the IRS, the FBI, and the NSA (and probably other agencies as well), Americans have no idea whether ANYTHING they do is private anymore. Government should respect people's privacy, not violate it. Libertarians would end foreign wars, and end the War on Drugs, which would take away most of the government's excuse for spying. Libertarians would also repeal the Patriot Act and other invasions of privacy.

What about Obamacare? The problems with American health care go far beyond Obamacare. The problem is the whole huge mess that government interference has created. For decades, the government has done nothing but undermine health care by interfering in the health care market, and creating mandates and prohibitions that override our choices. Obamacare took a bad situation and made it worse — but let's not forget that it was already very bad. And that's thanks to the efforts of both Democrats and Republicans. As stated in our platform, Libertarians would "recognize the freedom of individuals to determine the level of health insurance they want (if any), the level of health care they want, the care providers they want, the medicines and treatments they will use and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions."

Libertarians believe that government should have no involvement in education whatsoever. That goes double for the federal government. Unfortunately, the federal government massively interferes with education today: subsidies for preschool, subsidies for K–12 education, subsidies for higher education, and lots of mandates and regulations thanks to efforts like the Republicans' No Child Left Behind law. Our children would be much happier and better educated if government would get out of the way. Libertarians would eliminate the Department of Education and repeal No Child Left Behind.

Republicans and Democrats have also created a mess with immigration. The immigration debate has nothing to do with border security; it's all about employment. Currently, millions of foreigners work here illegally, because Republicans and Democrats have made it almost impossible to do legally. Libertarians would make it very easy for foreigners to come here, live here, and work here.

How about the military? The Libertarian attitude is pretty simple: the U.S. military should leave other countries alone, even if their governments are unstable, and even if there are people living there who hate Americans. We need to cut military spending a whole lot. Try getting Republicans or Democrats to support ANY cuts to military spending.

Amid all this gloom, we do see a bright spot: the War on Drugs. In 2012, voters in Colorado and Washington passed initiatives to end prohibition of marijuana. Recently the New Hampshire House of Representatives did so too. A majority of Americans now believe that marijuana should not be prohibited. As time goes on, we believe that more and more Americans will join us in opposing the War on Drugs. We're pleased President Obama is moving in our direction on this issue.

All in all, the state of our union is a big mess created by Republicans and Democrats. Libertarians offer a path forward to peace and prosperity. Our 149 elected Libertarians nationwide work to implement libertarian policies directly. Hundreds of other Libertarians run for office each election cycle.

Government At Work

THURSDAY MAY 15

8:30 a.m.—McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee—

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

The Committee is to consider an ordinance extending a temporary moratorium for electronic off-premise commercial advertising signs.

Also to be considered is an expedited building plans review program

Also all reports from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Community Development Block Grants, Historic Preservation Commission and Housing Commission.

Warning! Click It Or Ticket -- Seat Belts For All Vehicle Occupants

As motorists take to the roadways this Memorial Day holiday, police are urging everyone to buckle up.  Beginning May 9, hundreds of Illinois law enforcement agencies will join the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police and traffic safety advocates in the 2014 National Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign, cracking down on motorists who are not belted in the front or back seat.

As of January 1, 2012, all Illinois drivers and passengers must wear seat belts in all seating positions in the car, not just the front seat.  During statewide observational surveys conducted by IDOT in 2013, the overall usage rate for rear seat occupants was 77.4 percent versus 93.7 percent for drivers and front seat passengers.  In 2012, back seat passengers in Illinois accounted for 46 fatalities and over 5,000 injuries.  Out of those 46 fatalities, 30 of them were not wearing their seat belt. 

“Seat belts are the single most important safety device in your vehicle.  They have saved countless lives and prevented countless numbers of injuries over the years,” said Patrick J. McNulty, Public Health Administrator for the McHenry County Department of Health. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent. 

“Seat belts clearly save lives.  But, unfortunately, too many people still need to be reminded.  I urge everyone driving on our roadways this summer to drive carefully, do not drive impaired and, most importantly, buckle up, every trip, every time, day or night, front or back,” said McNulty.

The Illinois Click It or Ticket campaign runs from May 9 to May 26.  Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same.  Wearing your seat belt is your best defense against an impaired driver.  

For more information about the Click It or Ticket campaign, please visit www.buckleupillinois.org.

College Classes For "Older Students"

Returning to college as an adult can be a confusing and scary time. Adults who are thinking of returning to college can get their questions answered and their worries eased at “It’s Your Life” college information sessions at McHenry County College from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 16 or May 30 in Room A352.

“It’s Your Life” information sessions will highlight the various programs offered at MCC, provide an overview of financial aid and a tour of the facilities. Participants will also meet other adults like themselves in an informal atmosphere.

“We know how difficult it is to balance all of your responsibilities—family, work, activities, yet adults can also make time for themselves,” said Kellie Carper, manager of New Student Transitions. “Earning a degree is an ideal way to enhance their professional and personal lives.”

The information sessions are free, and the MCC application fee is waived for all who attend an information session. More information sessions are scheduled during the summer at the following times: 1 to 4 p.m. June 5 and 19 and July 10 and 24.

To register for an information session, call (815) 479-7732 or visit www.mchenry.edu/life.

Personal Note: The writer attended MCC and graduated when I was over 50. It was not easy to do while working at a demanding job in Chicago, but it was worth it. 

Spring Garage Sale -- Algonquin Township Garage

The Defenders’ spring Garage Sale at the Algonquin Township Road District garage, 3702 U.S. Route 14, between Crystal Lake and Cary, will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 15th through 17th, from 8am until 4pm.

You never know what ‘treasures’ people are going to bring in. We’ve had a lot of interesting items donated, including a pair of vintage Harley Davidson fenders, a collection of Santas, and tons of golf clubs!” said one of the volunteers who run the sale. “A like new composting bin is a great find for someone looking for a better way to deal with  yard waste.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. They provide the community with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.