McHenry County, Illinois
From Sunshine Review
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McHenry County is one of 102 counties in Illinois.
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Illinois county websites
[edit] The good
- Annual fiscal reports are available online.[1]
- 2008 Budget is online.[2]
- Building and zoning permit information is available.[3]
- Board meeting minutes and agendas are available.[4]
- A full listing of county board members and contact information is posted.[5]
- Tax bills can be viewed and paid online.[6] Tax rates are also posted.[7]
[edit] The bad
- County contracts are not online.
- Does not disclose if belongs to taxpayer-funded lobbying associations.
- Information on how to make a public records request is not provided on the site.
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Illinois taxpayer-funded lobbying
In 2008, McHenry County reported $80,000 spent on lobbying. [8]
McHenry County has lobbying representation from The Ferguson Group.[9] This is for "Washington Representation Services," as outlined in the agreement between the county and the firm. This includes:[9]
- Annual visit to McHery County to meet with County officials to plan and understand the county's legislative agenda
- Represent McHenry County's interest with legislators, staff, and agencies
- Advocate McHenry's positions and monitor, report, and analyze actions
- Provide office space and staff support to McHenry County personnel when in Washington
- Train educate officials with regards to legislation and impact of legislation
- Coordinate with McHenry County's state representatives.
The lobbying firm may request a price increase for each renewal up to 6% of the original agreement. The contract also has a "Most Favored Customer" section which states:[9]
The contractor shall give preference to McHenry County regarding representation on priority issues, i.e. the contracto shall not represent client(s) who oppose McHenry County's position on a spercific issue."
| Date start | Date end | Amount |
| 12/01/08 | 11/01/09 | $93,000.00 |
| 12/01/05 | 11/01/06 | $90,000.00 |
[edit] External links
- McHenry County official website
- McHenry County Recorder's Website
- McHenry County Tourism Website
- McHenry County on Epodunk
[edit] References
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State of Illinois Springfield (capital) |
|---|---|
| Transparency |
Freedom of Information Act | Transparency Checklist | Government corruption reports | Transparency Legislation | Open Records procedures | Transparency Advocates | State budget | Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations | |
| Divisions |
State |
List of Counties |
List of Cities |
Illinois school districts A - L |
Illinois school districts M - Z | |
| Government |
Illinois State Constitution | Executive | House of Representatives | Senate | |
| Judiciary |
Illinois Supreme Court | Circuit Court of Appeals | District Courts | Judicial Nominating Commission | Judicial news | Judicial activist organizations | |
| Ballot Measures |
2008 ballot measures | School bond issues | Procedures for qualifying an initiative | Amending the constitution | History of direct democracy | Campaign finance requirements | |
