Long-time McHenry County Board member John Hammerand has passed away.
What impressed me most was his service on the Finance Committee.
He is the one who blew the whistle on the County’s continuing to impose the maximum amount of taxes allowed under the Property Tax Cap for Valley Hi, even after the bonds to build the new facility had been paid off.
The over-taxation was so much that it allow Democrat Jack Franks to send $50 checks to all homeowners with a Homestead Exemption, plus finance the new memory care addition.
The County Board took the “use it or lose it” approach common among school districts who tax to the max.
Currently, that approach is being favored by what seems like a majority of the McHenry County Board by breaking its promise to cut real estate taxes by the $11 million that has gone to finance the Mental Health Board once the quarter of one percent sales tax was passed by referendum.
I don’t have to guess where Hammerand would come down on that issue.
His obituary follows:
John D. Hammerand, age 73, of Wonder Lake, Illinois, passed away on September 28, 2025.
John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cheryl; his son, William; his daughter, April (Bradley) Jones; his grandson, Jasper Jones; his brothers Joseph (Nancy) and James; and his sister, Judith (Dragan) Dobric.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Dorothy Hammerand.
John dedicated his life to his family, providing honest service, cutting bureaucracy and waste, and protecting our lifestyle in McHenry County. He served on the McHenry County Board for 20 years.
Born in Chicago, John grew up in Franklin Park and graduated from East Leyden High School in 1970. He attended Triton College and studied accounting and business management.
In 2015 John was chosen to be in the First Triton College Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame.
He was also a licensed journeyman plumber and master electrician with a universal certificate in refrigeration who started his own mechanical service firm in 1987 after moving his family to Wonder Lake.
In 1990, John was asked by other citizens to petition for appointment to the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District.
As treasurer, he found the district’s financial situation was in poor shape.
He prepared audits and budgets, recovering more than $12,000 worth of overpayments.
After five years, the district was able to purchase two tankers without a levy increase.
In 1998, John won election to the McHenry County Board, chairing the Liquor & License Committee and serving on the Finance Committee, Management Services Committee, Building Projects Committee, Public Health and Human Services Committee, and Stormwater Committee. He also served on the McHenry County Regional Planning Committee.
John identified and cut $400,000 in overspending for construction of the County Highway Department Building.
He served on the McHenry County Board until December 2018.
John was also a Moose member since 1976 and longtime McHenry Lions Club member who served twice as president (1996-1997 and 2005-2006). He was a 4-H leader and McHenry County Fair judge for 25 years and is in the University of Illinois Extension, McHenry County Hall of Fame.
When seeking reelection to the McHenry County Board in 2014, the Daily Herald asked what advice he would give his children.
“Protect your good name; marry your best friend,” was his answer.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to 1st Way Life Center, Johnsburg IL
