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A new McHenry County Rise and Thrive video released today!

New Rise and Thrive video highlights county roads and infrastructure

The latest video in the McHenry County Rise and Thrive series highlights our top-notch road system that can get businesses’ goods, and their employees, where they need to be.

In this edition released earlier today, McHenry County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Mark Piekos visits the McHenry County Division of Transportation Sign Shop to talk with Assistant Transportation Director Scott Hennings about how infrastructure is the backbone of economic development, and why McHenry County offers businesses quick and easy access to Chicago, Rockford, and the nation.

Click on the video to watch it – and if you haven’t checked out the other videos in the Rise and Thrive series, click on the link for the Rise and Thrive playlist on YouTube!


EDC, local governments reconvene EDGE Group

The McHenry County Economic Development Corp., in partnership with the McHenry County Council of Governments, has reconvened the Economic Development Growth Experts, or EDGE, Group.

More than twenty economic development experts from McHenry County municipalities, county government, and local chambers of commerce came together earlier this month to share their economic successes, such as progress on business incubator programs, awards, incentives, and new workforce development resources. The group will meet again in January to continue promoting economic growth.

Thank you to EDC Executive Director Mark Piekos, and Chalen Daigle, McHenry County Coordinator and MCOG Executive Director, for bringing the EDGE Group back together!


Watch your mail for a survey invite from CMAP

Watch your mailbox for an invite to take a quick survey to help improve transportation in McHenry County and the Chicago region!

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has launched the My Daily Travel survey to learn about local travel patterns. If selected, you’ll receive a letter with instructions for participating via app, online, or phone, and your input will help shape future transportation improvements. Keep an eye out for your invitation and reminder postcards.

The final data will be available in late 2025, with insights specific to our communities. For more details, click here.


Early voting set to expand in McHenry County

Early voting for the Nov. 5 presidential election will expand next week to a dozen locations across McHenry County.

The new McHenry County Election Center at 410 S. Eastwood Drive, in Woodstock, has been open since September. Starting Monday, another 11 locations will open up, many of which will be open until the day before the election. Click here for a complete list of locations and hours.

More than 14,000 of your friends and neighbors have already voted early or voted by mail – their votes are in the bank and ready to be counted, with no worries about making the time or fighting bad weather on Election Day.

If you’d like to sign up for a vote-by-mail ballot, double-check where your polling place is if you prefer to vote on Election Day, or generate a copy of your ballot to see what races are on it, click here.

The sole countywide referendum on the ballot is a request by the McHenry County Conservation District to raise its limiting rate. To learn more, click here.


County looking for citizen scientists to help monitor groundwater salt

The excessive use of road salt in winter pollutes our streams and groundwater. McHenry County is joining a growing network of local governments enlisting and training citizen scientists to track chloride levels in local streams.

McHenry County’s final Talk and Tour program of the 2024 season to train volunteer chloride watchers will take place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Attendees will learn how to collect water samples, measure the level of chloride, and record the findings online. Visit https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/BMPTourSignup to register, or email Water Resources Specialist Scott Kuykendall at SHKuykendall@mchenrycountyil.gov.


Sheriff’s Office to host Trunk or Treat for kids Oct. 26

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is holding a Trunk-Or-Treat Open House where kids can get candy and the community can learn about the sheriff’s office and its role.

The event takes place from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Sheriff’s Office, which is located in the County Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes and visit each division of the Sheriff’s Office to trick-or-treat.

Because the event is being held at the Government Center, participants must go through the security checkpoint. Items that are not permitted in the building include food, liquids, flammable items, sharp objects, knives, weapons or anything looking like a weapon – please do not bring toy weapons as part of any costume.


We hope you found this newsletter informative. If you’re not a subscriber, click here to join the McHenry County Government Constant Contact list.

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What is McH Thrive?

McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents.