Kelli Wegener

The McHenry County Board narrowly approved a property tax increase for next year, but taxpayers will still see a decrease in the county’s share of their property tax bill.

Here are the unofficial results for the 2024 November election for the McHenry County Board and referendum questions for McHenry County, the village of Cary, the Marengo Park District and Harvard Fire Protection District.

McHenry County officials overestimated how much the new mental health sales tax would take in, using calculations that included vehicle sales tax, which doesn't apply.

There will be more contested out races in November election than in the March primary, but some Republicans running in countywide races face no opposition.

One McHenry County Board member openly questioned the reference to job discrimination in the pride proclamation's language.

A Republican member of the McHenry County Board took issue with language in the Women's History Month proclamation that mentioned diversity, equity and inclusion

Proponents argued the raises for McHenry County assistant state's attorneys and public defenders will help the county attract and retain lawyers.

Raises are being sought for prosecutors and public defenders in McHenry County to make them more competitive. But the discussion led to accusations of politicking.

McHenry County Board Mike Buehler highlighted upcoming work like the widening of Route 47 and the opening of the Longmeadow Bridge.

McHenry County is considering renting out a former Aldi to use as an election center and polling place.

The list of candidates for next year’s elections began to take shape this week. On the ballot next year are countywide offices, two county-level judicial vacancies and seats on the McHenry County Board and in the Illinois House and Congress.

The $247 million McHenry County budget was approved along with a levy that will raise property taxes slightly for homeowners and businesses.

The McHenry County Board voted Tuesday evening to change the zoning allowing the creation of six new solar farms, mostly in western McHenry County.

McHenry County Board member Kelli Wegener will hold a town hall meeting open to all McHenry County residents from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Nunda Township Hall, 3510 Bay Road in Crystal Lake.

With an eye on tourism and boosting the economy, economic officials and political figures across the spectrum in McHenry County called the news of Chicago hosting the Democratic National Convention in 2024 a win.

Nearly 40 residents spoke Tuesday at the McHenry County Law and Government Committee meeting about a resolution denouncing the new gun ban in Illinois

With nine new McHenry County Board members being seated this month, members, both new and old, say their priorities are tackling inflation, making progress on Valley Hi, and doling out federal money

Half of the McHenry County Board is new, with seven incumbents losing their seats in November. Eight of the previous board’s members opted against running for their seat this year.

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.

McHenry County could raise property taxes, or will have to make cuts, in order to balance part of its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The McHenry County Board voted along party lines to send a pair of resolutions voicing opposition to SAFE-T Act and another piece of criminal justice legislation proposed at the state level.

Candidates for the Republican Party across local, state and federal races, were in Crystal Lake on Wednesday to meet with residents and talk about the state of Illinois, the SAFE-T Act and other issues.

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.

McHenry County Board determined Tuesday how it will stagger the terms of its members for the next decade.

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.

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.

Voting information cards with new polling locations went out before the McHenry County Board voted on the changes

A stoplight could eventually be installed at an intersection near Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake after some officials expressed concerns over student safety at the spot.

A day many local activists have hoped for arrives Saturday when Illinois law requires McHenry County’s contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to end and the county jail is no longer home to people in ICE custody.

Democratic leaders said the map making process lacked transparency after it was unveiled Thursday ahead of Tuesday's vote

“I think they will see the same level of success we saw once they get their programs up and running,” Woodstock's police chief said. “I’m willing to say they will wish they had them sooner.”

McHenry County is the only county in Illinois where voters can vote to dissolve a township. County Board members want state lawmakers to either repeal the law or expand it to all counties.

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 are considering establishing a new committee specifically to oversee Valley Hi Nursing Home in a move that would give the County Board more direct oversight of the county-run facility.

“I’m losing staff. I lost five day-shift staff [members] in a week to the hospital,” Valley Hi Nursing Home administrator Tom Annarella said

Up to $29 million from the American Rescue Plan could be available to small units of government and non-profit organizations later this year

Some McHenry County Board members wanted to address inequalities they saw between their own benefits and those for part-time employees

The McHenry County Board approved a new map Tuesday dividing up what parts of the county its soon-to-be reduced membership will represent.

One county board member said the superintendent's testimony to state lawmakers about the failed audits was "misleading"

McHenry County Board member Jeffrey Thorsen and other supporters of the policy said the resolution does not target any specific flag or community, something other board members argued isn't true.

The policy would limit county buildings to displaying 5 flags and prohibit others, such as the pride flag

Further discussion on the redistricting proposal could take place during the County Board’s June meeting

The redrawing of district lines is moving forward at the federal, state and local level without the results of the 2020 U.S. Census, which were delayed until September

Resolution will be considered by second committee next Thursday; activists say action at the local level is sends an important message

‘The processes in place worked as intended to identify and correct the issue,’ McHenry County Board chairman says

‘There’s a process in place. We should abide by that process,’ state Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock, during a Friday redistricting hearing

The push to end McHenry County's contract with ICE has gone on for months with protests, a car caravan and numerous public comments at public meetings.