"Since 1917, our state leaders have wreaked havoc with the pension system by underfunding and sometimes not funding it at all. And now Reick wants teachers and seniors to pay for the incompetence of those responsible," Dorothea King of McHenry writes in a letter to the editor.

The Department of Health and Human Services says investments in these centers have helped reduce homelessness, substance abuse and reliance on emergency rooms and hospitalization, all of which ease tension on the social safety net.

"Kelli will bring her leadership, passion, responsibility, and consensus-building traits as chairperson," Adria Tyndall of Crystal Lake writes a letter to the editor.

"I have been a Republican my entire life. On Nov. 5, I am going to vote for Democrat Mary Mahady for 63rd District State Representative," Thomas Popovich of McHenry writes in a letter to the editor.

"Kelli Wegener, who has been on the McHenry County Board for six years, deserves your vote for County Board chairperson. She knows the importance of taking care of the seniors in our community," Kate Bailey of Crystal Lake writes in a letter to the editor.

"Donald J. Trump wants you to hate anyone who doesn’t see the world the same way as you do, or isn’t the same color, or religion, or they don’t fall into the gender binary, or was born somewhere else," Mary W. Hood of Richmond writes in a letter to the editor.

"After a great deal of rhetoric, the elections are at hand. There are many things that worry me and few that cheer me," Nancy Vazzano of Crystal Lake writes in a letter to the editor.

"So, Donald 'No Collusion' Trump has talked to his pal Vladimir Putin at least seven times since he left office in disgrace, according to Bob Woodward’s new book 'War,'" Richard Keslinke of Algonquin writes in a letter to the editor.

Quite a bit of administering a government happens between seemingly interminable campaign cycles, and a key to understanding the next election is observing what incumbents do when they’re not on the stump.

"I continue to watch Donald Trump tell lie after lie. I am always confused by people who choose to believe them. They accept the lies because they are scared or uninformed about the truth," Jeff Varda of McHenry writes in a letter to the editor.

Getting some time off is essential for a caregiver. Unfortunately, that's never easy. An outing for this year's Autumn Drive, however, did the trick for one frazzled caregiver.

"I am a two-time Male Breast Cancer “Thriver.” Approximately 2,750 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in any given year. It is extremely important that men take care of their health," John F. Falk of Lakewood writes in a letter to the editor.

Pro soccer doesn’t maintain nearly the same stature in the civic pride firmament as other major sports, but that could change with a Fire franchise owned and operated by a local guy.

"Kelli’s commitment to the residents of McHenry County is evident. She advocated for a stoplight at a local high school to enhance the safety of our kids and young drivers," Lori Wolfberg of Crystal Lake writes in a letter to the editor.

"If you do not believe that either presidential candidate is worthy of leading our country for the next four years, then leave your ballot blank," Rebecca Ogan of Huntley writes a letter to the editor.