McHenry relay team has its eye on state medal
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013
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Hill’s picks set stage for showdown Chairwoman reveals nominees for Mental Health Board, related committee By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com McHenry County Board members will have two politically-sensitive choices that Chairwoman Tina Hill is asking them to make next week regarding the embattled Mental
Health Board. Hill, R-Woodstock, sidestepped the committee process to nominate a candidate of her own – Crystal Lake City Council member Cathy Ferguson – to fill a vacant seat. But she is also asking the County Board to replace a member of
Transit boards may lose pensions
the Public Health and Human Services Committee in charge of filling said vacancies. Hill said Sandra Fay Salgado’s presence on the committee is a conflict of interest because she is the human resources manager for Pioneer Center for Human Services.
The agency, which receives Mental Health Board funding, happens to be one of the more vocal critics of the board’s management and spending. But Hill’s choice to replace Salgado – Robert Martens Sr. – is the retired head of a collapsed social service agency
that was closely aligned with the Mental Health Board, which spent almost $1.8 million in an unsuccessful bid to save it. Both of Hill’s requests became public Thursday with
See NOMINEES, page A6
Tina Hill
Cathy Ferguson
Better serving local job seekers
Measure on its way to Governor Quinn By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com A bill stripping pension and insurance benefits from future appointees to Chicago-area mass-transit boards is on its way to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk. House Bill 140, filed by state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, takes pension and insurance benefits away from future members of the boards of the Regional Transportation Authority, Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority. It will not affect current appointees, but their pensions will stop accruing and their insurance will cease if they are reappointed after their terms expire. Jack Franks “Their function is to be outside directors, and they have a fiduciary obligation to look out for the taxpayers, but instead it’s been changed for these folks to be treated as if they’re full-time employees and get the perks and benefits of full-time employees,” Franks said. The bill Wednesday cleared the Senate on a 54-0 vote. It sailed through the House last month, 106-0 with one voting present.
Photos by Lathan Goumas – lgoumas@shawmedia.com
Dian Micklevitz speaks Tuesday about the programs offered by McHenry County Workforce Network in Woodstock. McHenry County Workforce Network offers job-placement assistance to individuals who have been out of the workforce for extended periods of time, including individuals who have been incarcerated. BELOW: Career information books sit on a shelf inside the Career Resources Center.
Workforce Network revises training plans By BRETT ROWLAND browland@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – County officials are studying ways to build a more skilled workforce here rather than relying on hiring foreign workers. The McHenry County Workforce Network plans to shift its focus to the west as
it joins with Winnebago and other western counties to pursue funds for worker-training programs aimed at reducing the need to hire workers from abroad through the government’s H-1B visa program. In the past, the county’s Workforce Network, which is funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act, has
teamed with Cook County and the other collar counties. That is changing as it works on more regional projects, said Julie Courtney, director of the McHenry County Workforce Network. In addition, the Workforce Network wants to expand its
See WORKFORCE, page A3
See BILL, page A6
LOCALLY SPEAKING
WOODSTOCK
MAYOR OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE Displaying optimism for the coming years, city leaders put the spotlight on economic development during a State of the City luncheon. Mayor Brian Sager said the city is well-positioned to take on economic growth and noted successes of the past year. For more, see page B1.
Carpenter Joe Tromp H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@shawmedia.com
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77 56 Complete forecast on A8
McHENRY COUNTY: Home sales up 43 percent in the county when compared to levels in April 2012. Business, F1 Vol. 28, Issue 137
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