December, 2016 Stories | McHenry Times

McHenry County revises travel expense policy

By Philip Gonzales | Dec 22, 2016

The McHenry County Management Services met Oct. 7 to revise the travel expense policy.

Huntley Plan Commission hosts public hearing

By Philip Gonzales | Dec 22, 2016

The village of Huntley Plan Commission met Oct. 10 to host a public hearing.

McHenry zoning board renews conditional use permit

By Philip Gonzales | Dec 22, 2016

The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals met Nov. 3 to renew a conditional use permit.

Sauk Valley Media tells Dems to stop suing for pay, start working on budget deal

By McHenry Times | Dec 22, 2016

Stating that the “Chicagoland 6” should just do their jobs, a regional publication has issued a definitive stance on the half-dozen legislators who recently sued the former state comptroller over delayed legislator-paycheck issues.

Skillicorn says high property taxes are fueling exodus from Illinois

By Ruth de Jauregui | Dec 21, 2016

Allen Skillicorn, who was recently elected to the state House seat in District 66, spoke out regarding the continuing exodus of Illinois residents, blaming high property taxes for driving families and businesses out of the state.

Munger blasts Dem lawmakers' 'cowardly' paycheck lawsuit as she leaves office

By McHenry Times | Dec 21, 2016

Outgoing Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Munger blasted Democratic lawmakers on her final day in office.

Advocacy group: Income-related student-success gap in state persists

By McHenry Times | Dec 21, 2016

Chicago-based independent education advocate Advance Illinois, which compiles data for its annual “The State We’re In” report, recently released its newest findings on the state’s education statistics, illuminating an achievement gap in need of rebalancing.

Columnist: Let Illinois voters decide on term limits

By McHenry Times | Dec 21, 2016

Following an election year rife with accusations aimed at the “Madigan Machine” and other factions in Springfield, Chicago Sun-Times writer Mark Brown said recently that the time for term limits may have arrived in Illinois.

Newly launched website aims to expose Madigan's sphere of influence

By McHenry Times | Dec 21, 2016

The Illinois Republican Party launched a website on the same day House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) again skipped a meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders in Springfield.

General Assembly adjourns veto session without budget; stopgap expires Dec. 31

By McHenry Times | Dec 21, 2016

As the clock ticks down toward the new year, budget talks remain at an impasse in Illinois and the stopgap budget will expire on Dec. 31.

Madigan nears milestone, faces opposition as he runs for 17th speaker term

By McHenry Times | Dec 20, 2016

After a year of many changes, something may wind up remaining as it has been for decades in the General Assembly.

McHenry County College volleyballer named NJCAA Second Team All-American

By Brent Zell | Dec 19, 2016

McHenry County College sophomore volleyball middle blocker Kayli Trausch recently was named to the 2016 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II All-America Second Team, according to www.njcaa.org.

Skillicorn to focus on county tax-freeze referendum effort

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 19, 2016

To get a jumpstart on key property tax matters, Republican Allen Skillicorn, newly elected to the District 66 state House seat, yielded his East Dundee trustee position after his last official meeting on Monday.

Medium shutterstock no brainer exit sign

Reick: Skipping legislative pension a ‘no-brainer’ ethically, economically

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 19, 2016

Honoring his campaign promise, Steve Reick, recently elected to the District 63 state House seat, officially and openly opted out of the Illinois General Assembly Retirement System (GARS) recently with requisite paperwork, plus a message to the public.