Most of it is pretty mild.
There are a couple of tax and fee proposals.
But the second priority seen below is a bit troubling:
Secifically, the County wants a return to the revenue sharing deal which got the 2.5% state income tax passed in 1969. I’ve written on how I and my public finance professor think there should not be a disconnect between the officials levying a tax and those spending it;
So, while it is natural for county officials to want more free money, it wouldn’t move me to support the proposal.
Now for a proposal that I suspect most drivers will oppose:
“Authorize a pilot program for automated speed enforcement at high-crash locations near parks and schools.”
That seems to me to be the job for police officers.
Here is McHenry County’s pitch for higher telephone taxes by $1 a month.
IMPROVE FUNDING FOR THE EMERGENCY 9-1-1 SYSTEM
Issue: Public Safety Telecommunicators are the crucial first point of contact when someone calls 9-1-1 in a crisis acting as first responders. The $1.50 monthly phone surcharge outside of Chicago only funds about 42% of the average call center’s expenses, with local taxes bearing the majority (58%). In 2017, the 9-1-1 surcharge on wireless and wireline phones increased from $.87 to $1.50. This adjustment addressed inflation, cost-of-living changes, evolving technologies, the need for improved staff compensation, and the goal of ensuring consistent statewide 9-1-1 access. This $1.50 surcharge facilitated several critical
advancements, including the statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 Network and Geographic Information System, Text-to-9-1-1 service, consolidations, enhanced training and certification for 9-1-1 telecommunicators and statewide 9-1-1 coverage.
Recommendation: To secure reliable 9-1-1 service that can adapt to evolving technologies and increasing demands- while minimizing the burden on other public safety services, the McHenry County Board supports the 9-1-1 surcharge rate increase to $2.50 and HB4066 and SB2670.
McHenry County proposes changes in the Freedom of Information Act which will diminish transparency.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS
Issue: The widespread use of body cameras in law enforcement has dramatically increased the size and number of law enforcement records as well as the number of commercial requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act.
Requests of law enforcement body camera footage require the redaction of victims and bystanders’ faces, a time consuming, but essential practice to ensure the safety of the public.
Recommendation: Support Illinois Freedom of Information Act reforms that better balance the needs of victims and bystanders, law enforcement agencies, and commercial requesters
= = = = =
This recommendation is so vague that all attempts to limit access to public records could be supported.
McHenry County is boldly opposed the self-interest of newspapers in the following recommendation:
PERMIT THE PUBLICATION OF NOTICES ON GOVERNMENT WEBSITES
Issue: Every four years, county assessment offices must publish all assessments in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in addition to other statutorily required notices.
All are at great cost to the taxpayer.
Recommendation: Given the decrease in newspaper readership, the increase in the use of the internet, and the cost of publication to counties and other governments, McHenry County requests that the legislature pass a bill allowing counties to publish notices on their websites.
