2022 Election Primary: McHenry County Board

Unofficial results for the newly downsized McHenry County Board show 13 Republicans to five Democrats. Of those potential winners, eight new faces could be on the board, making up nearly half of the body.

With the polls now closed in Illinois, the count can begin to see which candidates will take the 18 open seats on the McHenry County Board.

Several McHenry County, state and federal races are on the ballot in this year's midterm, including the governor's race and an amendment to the Illinois Constitution.

The race for Illinois governor won’t be the only one on Tuesday’s ballot. With the redrawing of the state’s political maps, the make-up of the entire McHenry County Board and both the U.S. and Illinois houses of representatives will be determined, along several other races.

With a possible property tax increase looming for the McHenry County Board, one candidate running in District 9 said he supports a boost to keep up with inflation, while his two opponents think cuts can make up the difference.

Three McHenry County Board candidates running in District 8 – Democrat Jack Kaskel and incumbent Republicans Larry Smith and Tracie Von Bergen – weighed in on how the county should handle more than $1.2 million in new costs created by recent legislation.

Lou Ness, who is seeking to represent the McHenry County Board's 7th District, answered Shaw Local's election questionnaire.

While one candidate running for the McHenry County Board’s most centrally located district pledged to not raise property taxes if reelected, another said it’s not off the table and the third said she didn’t consider taxes a high priority issue.

Here's everything you need to know about voting early in McHenry County for the Nov. 8 election

A Republican candidate for the McHenry County Board hopes to unseat a Democratic incumbent, who she says has seemed “very distracted” with things not relevant to the prosperity of the county.

Figuring out how to pay for body cameras for deputies, a higher salary for the sheriff and other new state requirements while keeping property taxes flat is a priority for all three candidates running for the McHenry County Board’s eastern district but they differ in approach.

Monday marked the last day for candidates and parties to file for vacant ballot spots that did not see anybody nominated during the primary.

These are the unofficial election results for contested races across McHenry County as of about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday.

McHenry County voters weighed in Tuesday on who they want to represent them on the newly redrawn and condensed County Board.

Competitive races line both the Democratic and Republican ballots as early voting continues ahead of Tuesday’s primary election. Here's a round-up of who and what is on the ballot.

Republican candidates up and down the ticket will attend a forum hosted by the McHenry County Township Republicans this Saturday.

The primary has three Republican candidates vying for two spots in November’s general election. They include a current board member, a business owner and a construction superintendent with experience on other boards.

McHenry County Board District 4 candidate Joseph Gottemoller answered the Northwest Herald's election questionnaire for the McHenry County Board primary election here

The McHenry County Board's District 5 race has three Republicans running for two spots in November's election.

Asked about audit issues in the Regional Office of Education, McHenry County Board candidate Erik Sivertsen wrote, "As with everything, the county board needs to be more proactive and less reactionary." Read Sivertsen's full election questionnaire here.

Pension relief, aggressive auditing of school spending, unnecessary program evaluation, and government overreach must be addressed, McHenry County Board candidate Paul Barthel wrote in his election questionnaire. Read the full questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board, District 6 candidate Cece Adams said her top three priorities are 1. Oversight and Accountability 2. Education 3. Health. Read the full questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board District 2 candidate Gloria Van Hof said her top three priorities are: 1. Affordable housing 2. Increased transparency in all departments of county government 3. Improved highways, transit systems and public transportation

Asked about McHenry County challenging state law over the ICE contract, McHenry County Board candidate Terri Greeno answered "The State mandate is taking millions of dollars away from McHenry County taxpayers and it is purely politically motivated." Read the full questionnaire.

Asked about the Regional Office of Education, McHenry County Board candidate Laura McGowen said, "The County Board should have made a stronger effort to correct the problems with the Regional Office of Education’s finances." Read McGowen's election questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board member Mike Shorten wrote in his election questionnaire, "As a member of the McHenry County Board, I am committed to holding the line on property taxes." Read Shorten's full election questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board candidate Brian Sager wrote "Suggestions to District 7 infrastructure needs include moving the METRA parking function from downtown Crystal Lake to northwest of Woodstock" as a part of his election questionnaire. Read the full questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board member Michael Skala said the county should continue to challenge the ICE contract. "For me this is not about the ICE contract; it is about the division of power between County Government and State Government," Skala wrote.

McHenry County Board member Kelli Wegener identified "public Health and Mental Health services for our county’s residents, especially the older populations" as a top priority in her election questionnaire. Read Wegener's full questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board, District 1 member Theresa Meshes said "providing proper infrastructure for the current and future needs of our residents and businesses" is a top priority. Read her full election questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board member Lyn Campbell identified a top priority as reducing "the burden on taxpayers by creating a vibrant and sustainable economy." Read Campbell's full election questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board candidate Jack Kaskel wrote "Protecting our groundwater supplies, open-space, and biodiversity" were among the top priorities for him if elected. Read Kaskel's full election questionnaire here.

Asked what road and bridges infrastructure needs to be addressed in McHenry County, Michael Vijuk wrote, "In the short term, the bridges in the northern part of the county needs to be addressed." Read Vijuk's full election questionnaire here.

McHenry County Board candidate Thomas Pavelko wrote in his election questionnaire, "the budget has to be efficient and lean to get the best services for the most reasonable tax burden." Read Pavelko's full election questionnaire here.

Asked how would she encourage economic and employment growth within McHenry County, Board member Pamela Althoff wrote, "I would first continue the County’s collaboration and financial support of both McHenry County Economic Development Corporation and Visit McHenry County."

Two of the Republicans running for the McHenry County Board in District 4 have past experience as small business owners, while two others have experience in local government.

The race to represent District 3 on the McHenry County Board features three Republican candidates – an incumbent, an auto mechanic, and a millennial attorney.

Three Democrats are vying for two slots on the November ballot – one who bills himself as a “fiscal moderate,” another who thinks more education is needed on the county’s role and a third whose goal is to make sure money is spent in the right places.