McHenry County Blog

McHenry County Democrats have sent out an imaginative post card based on the game of Monopoly.

They obviously want people to think that McHenry County Republicans have a monopoly on local office.

While that is not true—think of the Democrats on school boards—the partisan offices at the county level are dominated by Republicans, even though at least one used to be a Democrat.

All of the countywide officials are Republicans and only one of twenty-four county board members is a Democrat (Jim Kennedy of Lake in the Hills in District 5).

This article will address where your town has been placed on the McHenry County Monopoly board.

What town is where Boardwalk is? Who's Park Place?

I would have thought Boardwalk would have been Bull Valley or Barrington Hills and Park Place one of those two as well.

But, that's not the case.

So, this isn't exactly a reality game.

Marengo is where Boardwalk usually appears and Ringwood is identified as McHenry County's Park Place.

Crystal Lake, Huntley and Lakewood are the placed where the next most valuable lots are on the real Monopoly board.

The yellow lots just before where the “Go To Jail” sign on regular Monopoly appears are Algonquin, Hebron and Lake in the Hills.

McHenry, Trout Valley and Prairie Grove are the red lots next to where free parking.

Do you notice a lack of uniformity in what appears to be almost a random placement of village and city names?

The orange ones are labeled McCullom Lake, Cary and Woodstock.

Oakwood Hills, Richmond and Harvard are on the same side next to the jail.

Spring Grove, Union and Johnsburg are right before the jail, but they aren't the color I remember on the original board (but I'm color blind to some extent, maybe I'm wrong).

The two cheapest properties on the regular Monopoly board were named Wonder Lake and Fox River Grove. I wonder if residents there will take offense.

Labels: Fox River Grove, Marengo, McHenry County, McHenry County Democrats, McHenry County Monoploy, Monopoly, Ringwood, Wonder Lake

The following press release was received from U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo:

Marengo Student Appointed to U.S. Naval Academy

[ROCKFORD] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today announced that Gerardo Martinez of Marengo, Illinois, has received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Gerardo graduated from Marengo High School in 2006. He attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School the past year.

At Marengo High School, Gerardo was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Leadership Conference, and was named an All Conference Scholar. He was also a member of the Culture Club, AFS, the Pride Club, the Math League, the Young Eagles, the drill team and his church group. He volunteered with Toys 4 Tots, the local resale shop, the homeless shelter, blood drives, tutoring, at the local nursing home, and with the Marine Corps League.

Gerardo also was a member of Marengo's Varsity Cross Country and Track teams. He also played soccer for two years.

Gerardo is the son of Gerardo and Patti Martinez of Marengo.

Labels: Don Manzullo, Gerardi Martinez, Marengo, Marengo High School, U.S. Naval Academy

On March 31, 2007, McHenry County Blog has a story entitled,

Zoning Race for 500 Employee Chemtool Facility

In it, Chemtool Jim Athans said,

“We’re not looking for tax breaks, TIF districts, we just need zoning.”

He owns land in three potential locations:

• Garden Prairie next to Route 20,
• a Marengo-area location 1 mile west of the old Shady Lane Theater on Route 20, and
• Sharon, Wisconsin.

I got the impression that wherever he gets zoning first will snag Chemtool.

But, maybe not.

When I called the Boone County Building Department to ask if an application had been filed for a building permit, the answer was,

“No, not yet. As far as I know, no, nothing has been submitted to us.”

The part of the proposed McHenry County property, which Athans owns, is zoning for manufacturing. Another parcel, which he has not yet purchased, but for which he has a willing seller, is not.

I haven’t followed the efforts of Marengo to lure Chemtool, but I sense that April’s election returns may have made the city more likely to provide the zoning that is needed.

Maybe the zoning race is not over.

Maybe Boone County is the hare and Marengo is the tortoise.

If so, what a coup for Marengo Mayor Don Lockhart!

Labels: Boone County, Chemtool, Garden Prairie, Marengo, McHenry County, Tax Increment Financing District, TIF

A friend of McHenry County Blog was one tote over the McHenry County line in Walworth, Wisconsin, on Monday.

The village is right on Route 14 north of Harvard.

He ate at a little restaurant across the village square from the three story antique mall.

It's called the Sunrise Cafe.

And what had he just missed?

“That Illinois state representative,” my friend was told.

“He was here with his granddaughter.”

That must be Lisa’s child.

They were eating lunch.

I wonder when the last time he was referred to as a “state representative.”

Mike has a place in Lake Geneva and takes Route 20 from the Tollway through Marengo to Route 23 north through McHenry County.

So, if you ever want to give him a message, put up a 4 by 8 sign along the route.

I do wonder if the Speaker picked up any encouragement from Wisconsin residents for Governor Rod Blagojecvich’s Gross Receipts Tax.

And, it occurs to me that the proposal is aptly named.

It is a “gross” tax proposal.

Labels: Gross Receipts Tax., Marengo, McHenry County, Mike Madigan, Walworth

The Union Pacific freight train that was roaring through Marengo with horns blasting a little after noon Saturday was not a precursor of Amtrak service to McHenry County.

That was made abundantly clear at a Rockford College presentation Saturday morning.

The once-a-day round trip Amtrak engines and coaches are on the track from Chicago to Rockford and Dubuque though.

They’re picking up speed, but not through McHenry County.

There was a clue late last week when U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s press release announcing Saturday’s meeting did not even mention McHenry County.

McHenry County officials from Huntley and Marengo attended anyway.

Under the aegis of Durbin and Congressman Don Manzullo, Amtrak officials presented the results of a study stimulated by a meeting last July.

There were three alternative routes, but the old Blackhawk route to Dubuque is the one that is so, so most likely to be selected.

Its major problem is “some congestion issues around Chicago,” where there is a need for “additional capacity.” The cost would be about $23 million for what the Amtrak chart calls the “direct route” with estimated annual ridership of 113,300 passengers.

The “Belvidere” route, which would go through Huntley and Marengo, has “no connection between Metra and Union Pacific in Elgin” and would need “a connector in Rockford.” The cost would be $32 million and the number of passengers 62,200.

Part of the route through the Rockford Airport is so bad that it would require “a complete rebuilding” and the “East is quite poor,” Franke said. The cost would be $55-62 million with 51,200.

The old Blackhawk route is the cheapest and Durbin, Manzullo and Acting Illinois Department of Transportation Director Milt Sees want action now. A cursory glance shows construction cost of $200 per annual passenger, while the Belvidere route is in the neighborhood of $513 and the airport route $1,100-1,200.

On capital cost, then, there is no question that the “direct route” is cheapest.

It wins on annual operating cost, too. The Belvidere route is 1.2 times as expensive, while the airport route is 1.24 times higher.

In absolute dollars of annual subsidy, however, the difference between the three is only $600,000.

The congress folks and IDOT want action so “now” that the public hearing will be on Monday, April 16th!

That’s two weeks from now.

And, disagreement is likely to kill the possibilities.

As Sees put it,

I, too, have been in this racket for a long time. The only way for people to get their projects is to agree.

Anytime you get into a protracted debate, you lose time and time increases money.

The window of opportunity can close on you very rapidly.

You have to help them help you,

Sees said, indicating the two congressmen.

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrisey, whose city wins regardless of which route is selected, said, “We don’t want to be fighting against ourselves. We look forward to rail coming to our communities.”

After Amtrak’s Mike Franke indicated service could be started as soon as two years from now, assuming negotiations with the railroad go well, Drubin said, “I’d sure hate to waste this construction season.”

Durbin called for “a spirit of cooperation,” for "not letting the best become the enemy of the good."

Other problems include the need for train stations.

“It’s going to be up to the locals to build the stations,” Franke said. “Five or six stations make sense.”

“Don’t come to us for earmarks for stations,” Manzullo warned.

There would be “no food service” and “the supply of Amtrak rolling stock is extremely tight.”

If Amtrak is to supply them, they will “have to be taken out of storage and rehabbed.”

Only one ordinary citizen was allowed to speak.

Janet Fisher, describing herself as “The Crazy Train Lady,” said, “I’m just thrilled with all of this. If we get something in place, it will blossom and grow.”

Manzullo wanted to know if the train could be used for commuting from Rockford to Chicago. He was told that the trip would take an hour and 45 minutes, leaving Rockford early enough for commuters and leaving Chicago at 6:15 in the evening for the return trip.

Manzullo made a point of stating,

There is not one passenger train that operates (without a subsidy).

Two of the people allowed to speak were state representatives.

Republican State Representative Dave Winters asked whether this effort could be part of the effort to extend Amtrak service to Minneapolis.

He got a “No” for an answer.

At one point, when Durbin was pointing out that it would take state legislation to change the "footprint" of Metra, Winters indicated that "very informal" talks were taking place that would apparently give the Rockford Airport Authority the power to deal with trains.

It is my impression that the Rockford Airport Authority has significant non-referendum bonding authority. Maybe local influentials intend to use that power to get money to pay for local Amtrak track repairs.

Rockford Democratic Party State Representative Chuck Jefferson was the final speaker. He was effusive in his praise of Durbin.

Also introduced was Boone County’s Republican State Rep. Ron Wait.

Attending from McHenry County were Huntley Village President Chuck Sass and Village Manager Carl Tomaso, plus Marengo Mayor Don Lockhart and City Administrator Scott Hartman.

None got an opportunity to speak at the forum.

= = = = =
The Union Pacific train was on the track speeding through Marengo right after noon.

Next can be seen the three routes being considered and the table showing the cost figures for each route.

Acting IDOT Secretary Milt Sees is below on the right.

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrisey is down to the left with Senator Dick Durbin's picture to his right.

Underneath is a photography of Congressman Don Manzullo.

Below her is "Crazy Train Lady" Janet Fisher.

The three state legislators attending come next. On top, at the left, is Dave Winters. Below him is Chuck Jefferson. To Jefferson's right is Ron Wait.

Beneath the photo credit line are pictures of Huntley Village President Chuck Sass and his Village Manager Carl Tomaso leaving the meeting.

Next is a "before meeting" shot of Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton and Marengo Mayor Don Lockhart. Brereton got to speak, as did Boone County Board Vice Chairman David Taylor and Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen. Christiansen is seen to the left.

Labels: Amtrak, Belvidere, Chuck Jefferson, Dave Winters, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, Huntley, IDOT, Janet Fisher, Larry Morrisey, Marengo, Mike Franke, Milt Sees, Rockford, Ron Wait

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog ran a story about Crystal Lake’s Chemtool trying to obtain zoning for a new manufacturing plant and headquarters in Garden Prairie.

It would be a mega-change for tiny, unincorporated Garden Prairie.

It could bring a property tax base that might allow the area to incorporate, if it wished to do so.

I talked to Jim Athans, who used to live in my neighborhood, about why he was moving out of McHenry County.

After all, he started his company on April 1, 1963.

It’s 45 years old today.

That’s a long time ago.

And it has continued growing.

“We need to build a new facility,” Athans told me.

“We’re not looking for tax breaks, TIF districts,” he said. “We just need zoning.”

He needs space for a new headquarters, a new manufacturing plant, a research facility, and a distribution center.

Athans plans a campus-like facility.

He owns land in three potential locations:

• Garden Prairie next to Route 20,
• a Marengo-area location 1 mile west of the old Shady Lane Theater on Route 20, and
• Sharon, Wisconsin.

I got the impression that wherever he gets zoning first will snag Chemtool.

The part of the proposed McHenry County property which Athans owns is zoning for manufacturing. Another parcel, which he has not yet purchased, but for which he has a willing seller, is not.

While there have been no water pollution problems over the years—he has only solid waste—there have been frustrations with local governments. After winning 22 votes for the 1972 Ridgefield zoning, Crystal Lake took his company to court, eating up over a year.

A 1992 addition, with a construction manager sick, ended up with a county zoning citation for moving some black dirt to a low area. The suit still is not settled.

There was another addition in 1999.

Now, Chemtool is out of space.

I admit I was shocked when I learned that Chemtool might move from its hometown to Boone County.

What a coup it would be to have a facility with 500 employees anchoring Boone County's eastern border.

But, with local opposition, there still may be a chance to keep Chemtool in McHenry County.

There is obviously institutional antagonism among McHenry County’s zoning enforcers.

And, given the attitude of unhelpfulness of at least one of the persons involved—Sue Ehardt--I can certainly understand why Athans might be more than willing to move to another county.

But, I hope he doesn’t.

I hope the McHenry County Board can get its act together before the Boone County Board can act.

Labels: Boone County, Chemtool, Garden Prairie, Jim Athans, Marengo, McHenry County College

Genoa’s pretty happy.

They must be where the two southern routes cross in northen DeKalb County.

Two of three possible Amtrak routes would run through Geonoa to Rockford all the way to Dubuque.

According to the DeKalb Chronicle, former Crystal Lake and now Genoa City Manager Joe Missurelli said,

”Sen. (Dick) Durbin and Rep. (Don) Manzullo are both applauding the study."

But he added that “there would still be significant capital costs and operating costs to consider.”

The Rockford Register-Star reported March 6th,

Durbin and U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, will meet with local officials in the next few weeks and also hold a public meeting at some point to talk about routes.

I wonder if anyone from McHenry County will be at the meeting, which has not yet been set, according to Manzullo’ office.

I called up Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari for some details and a decent map.

Here’s what he told me:

“We were asked to run one trip a day. That’s not the same as multiple frequency commuter service. The capacity for one in-bound and one out-bound train per day is different from multiple frequency commuter service.

“It’s entirely possible that the capital cost for what we looked at would not be the same as what others are looking for.”

$62 million is Amtrak’s number. Magliari told me that he keeps seeing a much higher number in the Rockford media.

The map can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Here's the link to an article that appeared on July 4th on McHenry County Blog.

Labels: Amtrak, Genoa, Marengo, McHenry County Huntley

It’s been a little over five weeks since the Village of Lakewood started its own fire department.

So, I thought it was time to see what the firemen had done.

Village Administrator Catherine Peterson filled me in

“Since January 1st, through last Thursday, Lakewood residents have used its new fire department 24 calls,” she told me.

There were 11 ambulance calls:

• 7 advanced life support (on the way to the hospital) and
• 4 either “released” (where people calling decided going to hospital was not needed) or “basic life support” (more minimal care on an ambulance).

"There were six residential fire alarms, all false alarms,” she continued.

“Two open burning complaints.

“The Department responded to two motor vehicle accidents.”

There was one mutual aid response.

“A tanker truck was sent to the big fire in Hebron,” Peterson said. “It went with three individuals and we had five paid-on-call firemen replace them.

"It worked just like we planned,” Peterson observed.

“And, we had an arcing overhead wire to which the department responded.

"And a carbon monoxide detector went off, but no one was ill."


= = = = =
The photo of the tanker truck, purchased from Marengo, had not been painted with Lakewood's name when I took the photo in late December.

Labels: Catherine Peterson, Hebron, Lakewood Fire Department, Marengo

Periodically checking the recent campaign disclosure findings of the State Board of Elections led me to a change in control of former McHenry County Board member Richard Klasen.

Klasen died last year and left over $3,000 in his campaign fund.

When I checked his original filing statement, he said he wanted any money left over to go to the Marengo Area Schools Educational Foundation.

In late November, I checked with some of the folks who would know and discovered that it had not been transferred.

New political action committee treasurer, by then elected to fill one of the seats left vacant in the western McHenry County board district, Mary McCann told me it would be issued the next week.

Now it has.

The Foundation got a $3,242.24 check, although Klasen's committee's final report, dated December 27, 2006, does not say when.

Labels: Marengo, Mary McCann, McHenry County Board., Richard Klasen