State Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-Dist. 32) called for more legislative reforms to address Illinois' economic crisis. Althoff cited the recent credit downgrade by ratings agency Fitch, as well as unemployment rates and overall job losses as reasons to push harder for changes.
The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals will consider 10 amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance at a meeting on Nov. 12. The amendments deal with sign regulations, residential construction, vacation-rental use of homes, "agriculture exempt" structures, farmstands, driveway widths and recreational-vehicle storage, among other items.
The Woodstock Department of Public Works will begin collecting bulk leaves next week and continue on three other dates this fall. Residents north of the railroad tracks can set leaves out for collection by 7 a.m. on Oct. 26 and again on Nov. 9. Residents south of the railroad tracks should set leaves out for pickup by 7 a.m. on Nov. 2 and Nov. 16.
The Village of Lake in the Hills is actively changing village policies and ordinances to attract new businesses. “The economic-development mission of the village is to assist businesses in locating their operation in the village, grow an existing company locally or start a new business enterprise in Lake in the Hills,” Village Administrator Gerald Sagona said.
The Village of Algonquin's budget has earned international honors for the 12th straight year. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded the village its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the current year's budget.
Port Barrington is reminding residents to pay the village's mandatory vehicle tax, which was due on June 30. The $20 fee helps support road and parkway maintenance.Past-due notices are in the mail now and will include the original $20 tax, plus a $20 late fee.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) this week praised the U.S. government's efforts in reuniting hundreds of North Korean families who were separated during the Korean War, and called on the governments of both countries to continue the work.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined three other Democratic senators in writing a letter this week to the U.S. Department of Education, urging the agency to take a harder look at its funding policies for for-profit colleges.
U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Dist. 14) hosted a roundtable in Chicago on Monday with state and federal policymakers to discuss Illinois' transportation infrastructure needs with stakeholders. Twenty five representatives from Illinois transportation authorities, universities, governments and businesses met with Hultgren and Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The City of Harvard will hold a public open house 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Harvard Diggins Library, 900 E. McKinley St., for Harvard residents who want to provide feedback on the latest draft of the city's comprehensive plan.
Construction crews are working in and around Church Street this week, focusing on completing concrete curbs and gutters, bases, sidewalks, driveway aprons and brick pavers. Pavement preparation and asphalt binder paving may occur during the latter part of the week.
The Algonquin Historic Commission will hold its second workshop meeting of the month on Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Historic Village Hall, 2 S. Main Street. The agenda will cover a variety of administrative tasks -- including filing, sorting research, accessioning -- as well as work on any current projects.
The Village of Cary's Board of Zoning, Planning and Appeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday to consider builder Pedcor's appeal in its efforts to secure a building permit for the Garden Place Apartments project.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) became the first Republican U.S. senator to earn the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence's (ICHV) Abraham Lincoln Award, given to officials who have taken a strong position against gun violence.
Several community members spoke out at Fox River Grove's recent Committee of the Whole meeting to express concerns about the town's proposed public works facility expansion. Concerns primarily were focused on the impact the project would have on neighboring property values and nearby residents' views.
The Algonquin Police Department said it will have special patrols on the roads this Halloween as part of its "Drive Sober of Get Pulled Over" campaign, aimed at discouraging drunk driving. “Driving while alcohol- or drug-impaired is deadly, it is illegal, and it will get you pulled over and arrested this Halloween,” Sgt. Robert Salazar said.
The Woodstock City Council will meet on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Woodstock City Hall. Agenda items include the renaming of Bates Field No. 4, snow-removal contracts and a new noise ordinance for amplified noise in public places.
The Village of Johnsburg board of trustees will hold its regular meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, located at 1515 Channel Beach Ave.Agenda items include a presentation on McHenry's emergency warning sirens by the township's fire-protection district, as well as consideration of a proposal to approve funds for a replacement siren for Station 2 in Johnsburg.
U.S. Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) called on President Obama to confirm whether Iran's recent ballistic missile testing violated United Nations guidelines, and if so, to explain how the White House will respond.