John Collins

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.

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.

The candidates running for the McHenry County Board’s in District 2 say the public wants to talk about money. Voters, they said, voiced concerns to them about property taxes, inflation and overall uncertainty about the economy.

An outpouring of support from many in the community has followed the vandalism that took place early Saturday morning at UpRising Bakery and Cafe in Lake in the Hills.

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

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 rally, at the intersection of Route 14 and Exchange Drive, drew between 70 and 100 people between 1 and 3 p.m.

The McHenry County Board unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month, but were split on a vote to fly the gay pride flag.

After opting to not hold a vote on a proclamation to recognize June as Pride Month at its last meeting, the McHenry County Board will have a special meeting on Monday to do that very thing.

The McHenry County Board did not have a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month on its agenda Tuesday, causing backlash from Democrats and some residents.

For the first time in two years, the rainbow pride flag may not fly at the McHenry County administrative building to mark Pride Month.

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.

“She is a wonderful person and everyone loves her, regardless of political affiliation,” the McHenry County Board vice chair said. “She is a hard-working, intelligent person who will be an asset to the County Board.”

For the second time in a year, McHenry County Board Chairman Michael Buehler snubbed the Democrats’ choice to fill a board vacancy and nominated someone else.

Tom Pavelko was nominated by the county Democratic Party to fill a seat left open by the departure of state Rep. Suzanne Ness last year, but John Collins was selected to fill the seat instead.

County officials originally proposed a larger property tax levy increase for 2022, but many board members were uncomfortable with the idea

Removing Regional Superintendent Leslie Schermerhorn "is in the best interest of the county and the people we serve, the students and the faculty of all these school districts,” said board member Paula Yensen, D-Lake in the Hills

McHenry County Board members said it is an unfortunate, but necessary course of action they must take to remove the regional superintendent after years of failed audits and little being done to correct significant mishandling of funds

Collins is a proud father, grandfather, a moderate Democrat and owner of Omni Supply, an Elgin-based grease containment company