Jeffrey Schwartz

McHenry man Jeff Schwartz broke more than 60 land speed records in October, moving him up to third all-time for most records

The McHenry County Board approved raising its portion of residents' property taxes, which will add about $14 onto a $7,000 bill.

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.

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.

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.

The McHenry County Board approved the increases Tuesday night, despite concerns about the discrepancy in increases for lower-level employees compared to higher-paid staff, along with how it could affect the budget.

The resolution to increase the sheriff’s pay will see the position receive $163,200 annually, about $10,000 more than originally planned in 2023 and 2024.

An affordable housing project in McHenry has been helped along by McHenry County to the tune of almost $2 million, but will still need other funding and final approval from City Council before construction begins.

Jessica Phillips, a Democrat, resigned her seat in November after moving out of the district. The person who replaces her must be a Democrat.

“At this point in our trajectory, I think it’s not going to send a proper statement to the residents at this time in the middle of a pandemic to raise taxes,” board member Jeff Thorsen, R-Crystal Lake, said

McHenry County Board members currently make $21,000 plus benefits and are asked to reevaluate their salary every 10 years

The McHenry County Board voted Tuesday evening to postpone consideration of a flag policy that many board members and residents saw as an attempt to stop the county from flying the gay pride flag.

Appointment will need to be confirmed by full County Board; one more vacancy remains