Oak‑loss maps prompt McHenry County panel to direct staff to draft tree‑preservation approach A retired conservation district expert told the committee McHenry County has lost large swaths of mature oaks since settlement; commissioners asked staff to study Lake County and other models and return with a locally tailored tree‑preservation ordinance, plus legal review.

McHenry County's cherished oak woodlands are rapidly disappearing, and experts warn we have mere decades to act before they vanish completely!

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#McHenryCounty #IL #BiodiversityConservation #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment #EnvironmentalProtection

McHenry County staff pitches fee-schedule overhaul to close permit office shortfall; committee tables ordinance County planning staff proposed two fee models to close a roughly $693,000 five-year gap in permit-office funding, including higher flat fees, new charges for incident action plans and updated stormwater fees. Commissioners asked for a single draft based on the modest "Model 1" and tabled the ordinance for further work.

McHenry County is considering a major overhaul of its fee structure to address a staggering $693,000 revenue gap, with proposals for increased flat fees and new charges for large events.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #FeeTransparency #CommunityPlanning #PublicFunding

McHenry County zoning board approves Marzano Solar’s conditional‑use permit, 6‑0 The McHenry County Zoning Board voted 6‑0 to approve a conditional‑use permit for Marzano Solar LLC to build a 4.3 MW commercial/community solar facility on a roughly 92‑acre parcel in Door Township; staff conditions and AIMA protections will apply and the petition will be forwarded to the county board.

The McHenry County Zoning Board has given the green light for a groundbreaking 4.3-megawatt solar facility that promises to power 950 homes while generating significant local tax revenue!

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #LocalTaxRevenue #CommunitySolar #CleanEnergy

Sheriff's office: FOIA requests for body‑worn camera footage have surged to about 330 per month A sheriff's office representative told the committee that FOIA requests have increased to roughly 330 per month since body‑worn cameras were introduced, many commercial and AI‑generated, creating substantial staff burdens for viewing and redaction.

FOIA requests for body-worn camera footage have skyrocketed to 330 a month, leaving law enforcement scrambling under the weight of commercial and AI-generated demands!

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#McHenryCounty #IL #AIEthics #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #McHenryCountyFOIA #TransparencyInGovernment

County staff warn housing ‘build’ bill could limit local zoning authority; CMAP water study draws scrutiny McHenry County staff told the Law and Government Liquor Committee they are redlining a proposed state housing “build” bill and coordinating with Collar Counties over concerns about lot sizes, parking, impact fees and loss of local control, while a proposed CMAP regional water study drew questions about local data needs.

Local leaders are raising alarms as a proposed housing bill could strip away zoning rights and impose heavy costs on smaller municipalities.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #LocalZoning #McHenryCountyHousing #InfrastructureCosts

Graupel on my driveway Sunday night around 10:30pm. With power an inch of rain, and more snow on the way

9:43pm snow and rain

@chi.nws-bot.us 1.25" of precip from 7am - 10:30pm #Cocorahs
SW Crystal lake, IL #blizzard Warning alert from DeKalb 🤷‍♀️ #McHenryCounty

Conservation District presents mostly flat FY2027 budget, highlights debt payoff and capital projects The McHenry County Conservation District presented a ~$31 million all‑fund budget for FY2027, said debt service will be fully paid off in 2026, and outlined capital projects including a $320,000 engineering grant for the Hebron Trail connection and a potential $4 million future construction phase.

The McHenry County Conservation District is set to pay off its debt in 2026 while unveiling a budget that prioritizes significant capital projects, including a $320,000 grant for the Hebron Trail connection.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal

McHenry County board recommends conditional use for NP Solar Farm over local flooding objections, 6–1 The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 6–1 in Feb. 2026 to forward a conditional‑use permit for a proposed 10.13 MW NP Solar Farm on about 30 acres in Riley Township, despite repeated neighbor testimony about frequent flooding, wetlands and drain‑tile risks. The petition will go to the county board with the board’s recommended conditions.

The McHenry County Zoning Board has approved a contentious solar farm project despite fierce opposition from neighbors worried about flooding and environmental risks.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #FloodManagement #RenewableEnergy

Food bank urges transfer of $330,000 in ARPA funds as SNAP changes threaten benefits Northern Illinois Food Bank and United Way told the McHenry County finance committee that SNAP work‑requirement changes could put about 2,276 local households at risk of benefit loss in May and asked to move $330,000 from home‑delivery funding into the county food grant to buy more food before ARPA funds expire in October.

As food insecurity grips McHenry County, the Northern Illinois Food Bank fights to secure $330,000 in funding to help families in need before time runs out.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CommunityAssistance #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #SNAPBenefits

McHenry County panel debates raising impervious-area exemption, advances plan for a ‘simplified method’ tool County staff presented analyses showing why keeping a half-acre trigger may be safer than a blanket 1-acre exemption and proposed a GIS-based "simplified method" to let landowners estimate runoff without routine engineering. The committee asked staff to refine curve-number tables and bring a draft tool back for review.

McHenry County is considering a game-changing stormwater ordinance that could raise the exemption threshold for impervious-area reviews—will this move put local communities at greater risk of flooding?

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#McHenryCounty #IL #GISToolDevelopment #FloodRiskAnalysis #CitizenPortal

McHenry County board approves emergency appropriations amid budget concerns The county board approved emergency appropriations including item 13d after members raised concerns about roughly $4.375 million in over-budget expenditures and ongoing efforts to improve expenditure tracking.

The McHenry County Board's recent approval of emergency appropriations raises serious questions about budget management as they face a staggering $4.375 million overage.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #BudgetManagement #FinancialTransparency #McHenryCountyBudget

Health department reports RSV uptick, gastroenteritis clusters and explains new state outbreak coordination Staff reported an increase in RSV among children aged 0–4, recent gastroenteritis clusters prompting a memo to schools, and described IDPH's endorsement of the 2026 immunization schedule and Illinois’ participation in the WHO global outbreak alert network and a multi-state public-health alliance.

RSV cases are surging among young children in McHenry County, while gastroenteritis clusters raise concerns for local schools—what's the health department's plan?

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#McHenryCounty #IL #DiseasePrevention #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal

McHenry County staff report court victory, $35,000 fine for long-running junkyard violations Planning staff told the committee that a trial in September 2025 ended with a guilty verdict and a $35,000 fine against a property owner for a persistent junkyard violation; the committee asked staff to clarify how the fine is recorded, whether cleanup obligations exist, and options to secure cleanup funding.

A McHenry County junkyard owner faces a staggering $35,000 fine after a court ruling for ongoing violations, raising critical questions about cleanup responsibilities and future enforcement.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalEnforcement #CommunityCleanup

McHenry County TAC debates 'simplified method' to let small projects skip full stormwater detention analysis County staff proposed a GIS-backed ‘simplified method’ that would let small impervious-area projects qualify for an exemption if modeled increases at the outfall are below a small threshold; the Technical Advisory Committee debated thresholds (½ acre vs 1 acre vs percent-of-parcel), buffer setbacks, and when engineers must still be required.

McHenry County is considering a groundbreaking 'simplified method' that could streamline stormwater management for small projects, but is it the solution we need or a risk too great?

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EngineeringInnovation #AgriculturalCompliance

Committee reviews board-rules revisions; seeks state's attorney guidance on remote attendance and appeals McHenry County committee members debated proposed board-rule changes including remote attendance, points-of-order and motions-to-reconsider. Members asked the state's attorney to advise on Open Meetings Act interpretation and on how Robert's Rules intersects with appeal rights.

McHenry County's committee is grappling with potential rule changes that could impact remote attendance rights and transparency in decision-making—could this lead to Open Meetings Act violations?

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #RemoteParticipation #OpenMeetingsAct

McHenry County committee approves Fleming Road IGA and opens wide debate on township bridge funding The county committee approved an IGA and $4 million draw from the RTA sales-tax fund for Fleming Road rehabilitation and then spent most of the meeting addressing a countywide shortfall in township-bridge funding, possible joint-levy options and steps to restart engineering pipelines.

A McHenry County committee just approved a $4 million deal for road rehabilitation, but the real concern is the alarming shortage of funds for aging bridges across the county.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CommunityDevelopment #TransportationReform #McHenryCountyBridges

McHenry County board splits on financing $3.75M radio purchase; RTA, capital, reserves and ARPA interest debated Board members debated funding options for a roughly $3.75 million county radio system on Jan. 15, splitting over whether to use RTA (sales tax) funds, capital/reserve accounts, or ARPA interest. Chair Scala proposed an amendment to divide costs; the purchase is scheduled for a vote Tuesday and would require a supermajority under some scenarios.

McHenry County board members are in a heated debate over how to fund a $3.75 million radio fleet replacement, with potential impacts on future transportation projects hanging in the balance.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #GovernmentFunding #PublicSafety #McHenryCountyRadio

Residents press McHenry County board over proposed Railway Solar project as members warn state law limits local control Residents told the McHenry County Board on Jan. 15 they oppose a proposed Railway Solar community project sited on an aquifer recharge area, raising water‑quality and health concerns. Board members and county counsel said recent state law changes limit local zoning authority and that arguments will likely hinge on LaSalle factors in any court challenges.

Residents in McHenry County are raising alarms over a proposed solar project near homes and vital aquifer areas, fearing potential water contamination and legal limitations on local governance.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #WaterQuality #CommunitySafety #ZoningLaw

I’ll take this as my “office” any day of the week. A couple days of splitting. #firewood 🪵 #mulch #oak #mchenrycounty #fire 🔥

I’ll take this as my “office” any day of the week. A couple days of splitting. #firewood 🪵 #mulch #oak #mchenrycounty #fire 🔥

I’ll take this as my “office” any day of the week. A couple days of splitting. #firewood 🪵 #mulch #oak #mchenrycounty #fire 🔥

I’ll take this as my “office” any day of the week. A couple days of splitting. #firewood 🪵 #mulch #oak #mchenrycounty #fire 🔥

I’ll take this as my “office” any day of the week. A couple days of splitting. #firewood 🪵 #mulch #oak #mchenrycounty #fire 🔥

3 degrees, feels like -10 and winds are coming

Crystal Lake, IL 1/18/26 9am

Morning precipitation gathering for nerds

Yesterday's snow was like crystals, 3 degrees and still falling today. #NorthernIllinois #McHenryCounty

McHenry County finance committee deadlocks on funding for new countywide radios; item moves to full board The county finance committee split 3–3 on a resolution to appropriate $1,875,204 (partly from the RTA fund) for replacement radios after staff said ~560 units arrived Dec. 29 and Motorola offered time-limited deployment incentives. An amendment to split funding among RTA, capital and reserves also failed.

A contentious debate in McHenry County led to a deadlock over funding for new emergency radios, leaving public safety in limbo and the decision to the full county board.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #BudgetTransparency #PublicSafety #McHenryCountyFinance #CitizenPortal

Committee approves $3.7 million Motorola radio purchase; members debate using RTA funds The committee voted to forward a $3.7 million Motorola radio purchase to the full board after staff explained the product and multi-year service costs; members raised concerns about using RTA sales-tax dollars and noted potential ETSB reimbursements.

The McHenry County Transportation Committee is pushing a $3.7 million Motorola radio purchase forward, but heated debates over funding sources could change everything!

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#McHenryCounty #IL #McHenryCountyPublicSafety #EmergencyResponse #FundingTransparency #CitizenPortal

McHenry County health officials report elevated influenza, clinic renovations and new rabies-observation timing Officials told the board that influenza activity is higher than recent seasons, clinic construction in Crystal Lake should finish by mid-March with a ribbon cutting April 10, staff are nearing full staffing and county animal-control guidance now counts the 10-day rabies observation from the date of bite when veterinarians and licensing permit.

McHenry County health officials are tackling a surge in influenza cases and preparing for exciting clinic renovations, all while marking a milestone 60th anniversary celebration!

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#McHenryCounty #IL #PublicHealth #DiseasePrevention #McHenryCountyHealth #CitizenPortal

County staff reports surge in permits after SmartGov rollout, outlines staffing changes McHenry County planning staff told the committee that permit applications and reviews jumped in 2025 after a new permitting system, with total permit activity up roughly 30%; staff described staffing realignments, higher volumes of solar and conditional-use filings, and modest fee changes under consideration.

McHenry County saw a stunning 30% increase in permit activity in 2025 thanks to the new SmartGov portal, reshaping the landscape for development and infrastructure.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CommunityPlanning #McHenryCountyPermits #PermitActivity #CitizenPortal

McHenry County Board of Health accepts $25,000 Illinois vaccine access grant to expand pediatric respiratory immunizations The McHenry County Board of Health voted Jan. 12 to accept a $25,000 Illinois Vaccine Access Program grant to expand access to respiratory-virus vaccines for children under 3; the board authorized an emergency appropriation and detailed how the funds will offset personnel costs.

McHenry County is taking a big step to protect its youngest residents by securing a $25,000 grant to enhance access to life-saving respiratory vaccinations for children under 3.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #PublicHealth #VaccineAccess #McHenryCountyHealth #CitizenPortal

McHenry County Zoning Board denies conditional‑use permit for small animal‑processing facility at landlocked parcel After hours of testimony and two rounds of votes, the McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals approved staff conditions but rejected a conditional‑use permit and two variances for a proposed on‑farm slaughter and processing facility (petition Z250068), denying the petition 6–1 on concerns about access, traffic data, and neighborhood compatibility.

In a heated debate, the McHenry County Zoning Board decisively denied a controversial permit for a small animal-processing facility, raising serious concerns about safety, access, and community impact.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #AgriculturalRegulations #PublicSafety #CommunityInput

Committee advances five-year transportation program, approves Lincoln Road speed reduction The McHenry County Transportation Committee advanced a fiscally constrained five-year program and approved an altered speed zone on Lincoln Road while several other speed-zone proposals failed in committee. Staff said the county anticipates just over $196 million in revenue across five years.

McHenry County's Transportation Committee has approved a new speed limit on Lincoln Road while grappling with a $2.2 million shortfall in their ambitious five-year transportation plan.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #CommunityDevelopment #InfrastructurePlanning #PublicSafety

Committee hears about SB25, legal risks and battery-storage safety as solar projects grow Staff briefed the committee on SB25 (the state 'solar bill of rights'), legal exposure for counties, and technical and emergency-response considerations for battery storage as solar projects and conditional-use filings climb in McHenry County.

As solar proposals surge, McHenry County faces new legal challenges and safety considerations under the recently passed SB25.

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#McHenryCounty #IL #EnergyPolicy #LegalReform #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #McHenryCountySolar

McHenry County board appeals approves two Yam Solar community projects, 7-0 The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals on Dec. 2 approved conditional-use permits for Yam Solar 1 LLC and Yam Solar 2 LLC for commercial community-solar facilities on about 60.74 acres at Pleasant Valley and Sunnyside Road in Seneca Township; both petitions passed 7–0 with conditions and will be sent to the county board.

The McHenry County Zoning Board just gave the green light for two innovative community-solar projects that promise to transform local agriculture and generate renewable energy!

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#McHenryCounty #IL #RenewableEnergy #CommunityOutreach #AgrivoltaicInitiatives #CitizenPortal

McHenry County board hears traffic, easement and neighborhood safety concerns over proposed slaughterhouse Neighbors, county transportation staff and planners debated a conditional‑use request for a 1.044‑acre slaughterhouse that would use a 33‑foot shared easement to reach Greenwood Road. DOT said a traffic memo/study and likely widening of the first 500 feet of access will be required; the board continued the hearing to Jan. 8 and requested the state's attorney weigh in on parcel interpretation.

A proposed slaughterhouse in McHenry County is stirring up heated debates over traffic, safety, and neighborhood impacts—will the board's decision favor local concerns or business interests?

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#McHenryCounty #IL #AgriculturalRegulations #PublicSafety #CommunityInput