Uncontested Races Means Property Tax Policy Change Unlikely

The Daily Herald reports that 64.8 percent of McHenry County's local races in Tuesday's election are uncontested.

While lowering property taxes may ranks high on many local residents wish list, a low number of contested races in the upcoming local election could mean that such policy changes are unlikely, according to the Daily Herald.  The Daily Herald reports 60 percent of the 2,100-plus local races in McHenry, Cook, Kane, DuPage and Lake counties are uncontested going into Tuesday's election. In McHenry County, 64.8 percent of the races are uncontested, according to a Daily Herald graphic. Read more in today's Daily Herald article.

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McSweeney Elected to 52nd House District

McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, won against independent candidate Dee Beaubien in the 52nd House District race.

Republican candidate David McSweeney won the 52nd House District race Tuesday night over independent candidate Dee Beabien. McSweeney, a financial consultant from Barrington Hills, had 23,563 votes — 7,792 more votes than Beaubien, also of Barrington Hills, who is the widow of Mark H. Beaubien, Jr. Mark represented the district from 1996 until his unexpected death on June 5, 2011.  Creating a stronger economy and repealing a tax increase passed in the state last year is top on McSweeney’s to-do list now that he has been elected to office. “I am honored to serve the people of Illinois. I am laser-focused on policies that create jobs and improve the state of the economy,” McSweeney said. He also said he is focused on cutting spending in …

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LIVEBLOG: Follow Along with Local Readers for the Presidential Debate Town Hall

Tuesday's round two between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney is Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. Central Time. The town-hall style debate will be moderated by CNN’s Candy Crowley. Patch will liveblog the event for local readers.

The second presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney is set for 8 p.m. Oct. 16. The debate is at Hofstra University in New York and will be moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. In the first debate, the candidates focused on domestic issues, including the economy and taxes, health care reform and the role of government.  This second debate between the candidates is a town hall-style debate, including questions from the audience. It will focus on both domestic and international issues and will include questions from voters.  The tradition of holding live town hall debates for presidential candidates began in 1992 and has since proved to be one of the biggest challenges for debaters. Taking questions from the …

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The Reason Rick Santorum Downplays His Illinois Ties

Letter to the Editor.

The Illinois Republican primary should have a been a triumphant homecoming of sorts for the Santorum for President campaign. After all, the former Pennsylvania Senator briefly attended and graduated from Mundelein’s Carmel Catholic High School in north suburban Lake County. His chief Illinois backer is Al Salvi, a former state representative and failed U.S. Senate candidate who is not only a fellow Carmel graduate, but whose family’s wealthy trial lawyer fortune paid for the Carmel gymnasium that bears the Salvi name.  Santorum “supporters” created a “Carmel High School for Santorum” Facebook page, (apparently moderated by Salvi family members) that touts Santorum as model Carmel graduate who “embodies everything that true practicing …

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Donny

6:52 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012

This Libertarian Conservative will be voting for Obama in Nobember.   more ›

Where Do I Go to Vote Tuesday?

Today is Election Day.

Registered voters get to excerise their right to be heard today at the voting polls. Check out our election guide for candidates running for office and their stance on key issues. Polls are open on from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Here are the voting locations in Cary. Click here to find out what precinct you live in.

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Early Voting Numbers Low For County

Voters throughout the county will be able to cast their ballot Tuesday on Election Day.

Less than 1 percent of registered voters in McHenry County cast their ballot during the early voting-session in recent weeks.  This year, 1,735 voters in McHenry County went to the polls during the early-voting session, which wrapped up on Thursday, said Katherine Schultz, McHenry County Clerk, in an e-mail. The total of number of registered voters in McHenry County is 202,494. While early voting in the county has ended, voters will still be able to get the chance to vote on Election Day Tuesday. Area races that are up for election, include the Village of Cary Board of Trustees, Cary School District 26 Board of Education and the Cary Park District Board of Commissioners.  For more information on polling place and candidates, go to the Cary…

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Letters to the Editor

Trustee Candidate Says Incumbents Violate Election Law

Village of Cary literature has come under scrutiny of improper use for trustee incumbents election campaign.

Recently, the incumbent candidates for Cary Village Trustee made baseless charges against our candidacies for violating State of Illinois Election Law.  They offer nothing in the way of facts or evidence, but simply pull ideas from thin air. We believe the State of Illinois Elections Laws should be followed and appropriate disclosure be done.  That is why we are very disturbed at the gross negligence by our opponents to distribute yard signs, fliers and advertisements without attributing who “Paid for” or “Authorized” these forms of political speech.  It is deceptive to our neighbors and it violates the State of Illinois’ Election Law. Additionally, we find it increasingly disturbing that our citizens’ tax dollars are being utilized by the…

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Cary Trustee Candidates Discuss Village Board Transparency

The Cary Village board has been questioned about their transparency of committee meetings and village documents.

Candidates running for the village board had an opportunity to answer questions from the public at a March 23 forum. The issue of transparency sparked debates between some the candidates. Critics of the village board has said the village committee minutes and agendas aren't placed online along with other documents pertaining to Cary, such as the village budget and certain municipal codes. Why is transparency a campaign issue; why aren’t documents available online? Mark Kownic's response: First of all, if you go to our website, it’s inadequate," Kownic said. "We have a bid going out for the coming fiscal year to update the site with more information. Any information is readily available either through an FOIA or by request at the front desk…

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