District 6 News

Special Meeting

• Gave out awards
• Discussed grants received
• Discussed upcoming fundraising

General Discussions

• Library will be receiving large-print books from Hearthstone (closing)
• Primary vendor of library books closed - looking at other options
• Staffing almost full, library traffic up
• HVAC and Carpet need repair

General Discussions 

• Outside events
• Plaque for K.H., long-time board member
• Still have HVAC issues

Democratic Party of McHenry County Announces Slate of 2026 Candidates

Crystal Lake, IL - The Democratic Party of McHenry County announces their slate of candidates for the 2026 County-wide elections. Ruth Scifo, Chair of the Democratic Party of McHenry County issued the following statement:

“The Democratic Party of McHenry County is proud to announce our slate of eleven candidates for the County Board and Executive Offices. Our candidates’ backgrounds in community service, technology, military service, and environmental stewardship represent the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of our big tent party. 

“The Democratic Party of McHenry County is prepared to back these candidates every step of the way. Over the past few months, Democrats in McHenry County collected just under 12,000 signatures, four times our goal amount, to get our candidates and Democrats across the state on the ballot. 

“We look forward to bringing balance, fiscal responsibility, and dedication to public service back to our county government.”

Get to know our great slate of candidates:

County Board District 1 - Deanna "Dee" Darling - Current Cary District 26 School Board Member. Focused on advocating for social services, championing public education, affordable housing availability, protecting natural resources, and transparency and accessibility. [email protected]

County Board District 2 - Gloria Van Hof - Current County Board Member for District 2 and 50 50-year resident of McHenry County. A mom, teacher, writer, previous business-owner, licensed Nursing Home Administrator, an Underground Railroad researcher and lecturer, and a volunteer and board member of numerous groups. Dedicated to improving communication, transparency, economic vitality, community identity, and effective management of our resources.

County Board District 3 - Carolyn "Lyn" Campbell -  Current County Board Member for District 3 and long-time advocate for the protection of our natural and agricultural resources, Carolyn has proven her support for our mental health community, for common sense transportation solutions, public safety, and effective senior services. A former local government finance and administration professional, she is an advocate for a strong local economy as a means of reducing the overall tax burden on property owners. https://carolynlyncampbell.com 

County Board District 4 - Edward "Bud" Bowie - Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and former sanitation industry CEO. Bud will use the analytical and planning skills honed by a long career in both government and private industry to ensure transparent fiscal responsibility, protect our Conservation Districts, preserve agriculture, promote responsible economic growth, and support fair-minded, unbiased County leadership that represents the interests of all residents.

County Board District 5 - Austin May - Born & raised in McHenry County. A dedicated public servant, his background includes service in AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and currently as a US Army Reserve officer. Austin is focused on lowering our property taxes through improving infrastructure, supporting community health, and fiscal responsibility. abetterwaymc.com

County Board District 6 - Sheryl Lindenbaum - A 4-year McHenry County resident,  Sheryl has worked in the health insurance industry for over 40 years. Her focus is on resources and affordability of elder-care, support for family caregivers, women’s health, support for local farmers, sustainable growth, and creating an environment where all individuals, regardless of background, can participate fully and equitably in McHenry County.

County Board District 7 - Patrick J. Shea - A career in the construction industry, including project managing and acting as crew foreman. Pat's vision is to build McHenry County’s future with practical experience, responsible growth, and respect for our land and water. https://www.citizensforpatshea.com/ 

County Board District 8 - Christy "Chris" Stevens - Chris, a resident of McHenry County since 1981, has had a prior career in Information Technology, implementing e-Commerce websites for top 1000 retailers. Her experience also includes a home building business, giving her insight into the lack of workforce housing in our county, water quality, open land and conservation, maintaining agriculture, property taxes, economic opportunity/development, global warming impacts, and sustainable growth.  https://christystevens.com/ 

County Board District 9 - Christine B. Hamm - Christine is a nonprofit executive, community organizer, and advocate for inclusion and community empowerment who has called Huntley and McHenry County home for much of the past seventeen years.https://www.christine-hamm.com/ 

McHenry County Clerk - Bill McNeese - A U.S. Navy veteran, small business owner, and father of three, Bill brings a record of service, accountability, and hands-on leadership. He’s committed to running an efficient, transparent Clerk’s Office that makes county services more accessible to every resident.

McHenry County Treasurer - Amin Karim - Resident of Crystal Lake, McHenry County, for the past 22 years, and proud father of four and grandfather of three. Amin is an engineer by profession with an MBA in Finance and a 30-year career in corporate management, including a proven track record of leading and executing Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Projects.

Board Gives Significant Raises to County-Wide Elected Officials

• No discussion about large raises to county-wide elected officials
• Delay vote on County Board Member Raises
• Discussion about political violence and ideology
• Approving the Appointment of the County Administrator
• Emergency Appropriation of $9,000 in Opioid Overdose Prevention Grant to Department of Health

Normal Meeting

• Greeno using politics to "correct" newspaper reporting about tough financial times.
• Solar Vote
• Appointments
• Intergovernmental Agreements
• Lots of Transportation items for construction

Regular Meeting

• Dave Gutowsky appointed
• HVAC issues
• State grant for AV equipment
• Librarians resigned.

Regular Meeting

• HVAC Upgrade
• Librarians leaving
• Discussion about library security

Slaughterhouse Request & Other Business

• Resident requesting to process his own chickens on property
• New Trustee started
• Trustee Kelly requesting to be on McHenry County Planning Commission
• ATV use on trails denied

Special Meeting - Lifesaving Award Presentation & Regular Meeting

• Presented Awards to Fire Rescue, Police, Dispatch, Northwestern ER for Pride Parade rescue
• Normal meeting followed presentation