Social Media Communication For McHenry County Courts

The Twenty Second Judicial Circuit of McHenry County has launched a new initiative in the form of social media communication.  Recently, the Court developed both a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

These media tools are meant to enhance how the Court communicates with members of the public, jurors, attorneys, media and others. The Court will continue to issue press releases as it has in the past, but this information will also be released through the Court’s social media sites.

Twitter will allow the Court to communicate information very quickly in the case of an emergency, courthouse closure due to severe weather or other situations which require mass communications.  Furthermore, Twitter will be used as a means to disseminate information by linking information from the Twenty Second 

 The Facebook page will not be a discussion forum about pending Court cases, outcomes of cases or for legal information. Instead, it will be utilized to publicize pertinent information about what is taking place in the Court.  If individuals have questions concerning the Court, they are encouraged to contact the Court directly.

 
Both Facebook and Twitter accounts are searchable, so interested individuals who have a Twitter and Facebook account can search for the Twenty Second Judicial Circuit Court and “like” the Court on Facebook or choose to “follow” the Court on Twitter.

For more information, please contact McHenry County Court Administrator Dan Wallis at 815-334-4385.

McHenry County Courts Closed Friday

Abraham Lincoln, the 16^th President of the United States, was born on February 12, 1809 near Hodgenville, KY. The anniversary of his birth is being commemorated Friday February 11 with the closing of state buildings as well as some others.

McHenry County Government Building is open. However, the Courts are closed.

Collection of Fees, Fines and Court Costs Enhance County Coffers

Fees, fines and Court Costs can no longer go unpaid. McHenry County State's Attorney Louis A. Bianchi reports that with the assistance of County Circuit Clerk, Kathy Keefe, over $250,000 in outstanding fines and court costs owed the County from traffic and criminal offenders has been recovered in under two years.

In January 2009 a contract was entered into with Alliance One Receivables Management, Inc., an outside collections agency to recover outstanding fines and court costs due the county. These were amounts due on cases closed by the courts and there is no added charge to the county taxpayers. All fees are paid by the offenders.

The receipt of the outstanding $250,000 is a welcome addition to running the county government.

Hinckley Man To Be Sentenced For Attempted Armed Robbery

Over two years ago, on Mar 24, 2008, Mathew Reno of Hinckley was the masked gunman who pointed a gun at a Midwest Bank teller in Union. On October 1 he will be sentenced for the offense of Attempt Armed Robbery. A McHenry County Jury deliberated approximately two and one half hours before delivering the verdict in case.


McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi reports that the evidence presented in the case consisted of testimony of a co-defendant, a bank teller and cellular telephone records which placed the defendant in the vicinity of the crime scene.


The bank teller testified that a masked gunman pointed a gun at her and demanded money and a co-defendant in the case, testified that he acted as a get away driver.


The case was prosecuted by McHenry County Assistant State's Attorneys Jeff Bora and Michael Combs. Reno's sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 pm on October 1.