McHenry County officials still are looking for ways to cut expenses and increase revenue as the County Board gets ready to vote on next year’s budget and a proposed property tax levy increase.

The hearing at the Joliet Public Library was the first of nine Pace will hold around the Chicago area on a proposed budget with 10% fare hikes.

Facing financial pressures – and vows to voters just last year – county board members are debating whether and how much to raise the property tax levy and cut spending.

The McHenry County Board will consider whether to reset its property tax levy to what it was before voters signed off on a sales tax increase to fund the Mental Health Board.

Bus fares will go up 10% under proposed plan. Pace schedules first budget hearing for Friday at Joliet Public Library's Ottawa Branch.

The McHenry County Board promised to lower its property tax levy if voters approved a sales tax increase for mental health services. But a year later, the board is now looking at raising the levy back to pre-referendum levels.

Authorities say they've seen a "dramatic increase" in those sharing images of child sexual abuse. But officials in Kane and McHenry counties have employed technology and teamwork to track down sources of lewd images and videos of kids.

Those who win seats to countywide elected positions in McHenry County over the next two election cycles will receives raises, as approved by the county board Sept. 16.

McHenry County has promoted a familiar face to the county administrator role.