March 28, 2024
Local News

McHenry County residents impacted by COVID-19 invited to speak at special County Board meeting Wednesday

'These stories...need to be told, and the County Board needs to hear them,' Franks says

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McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday morning to hear the testimonies of parents, small-business owners and other residents who have been especially impacted by COVID-19.

The special Committee of the Whole meeting will be held at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday at the county administration building in Woodstock and will be open to anyone who wishes to address County Board members regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release issued Monday afternoon.

“These stories – unemployed parents clinging by their fingernails, small-business owners trying not to lose their dream, charities sagging under the pressure of unprecedented demand as their donations dry up – need to be told, and the County Board needs to hear them,” Franks said in the release.

“And all of this is happening as our fellow citizens struggle under one of the nation’s heaviest property tax burdens. There is real need out there, and we need to do whatever we can to help.”

A variety of locals including business owners and nonprofit leaders have been invited to share their experiences at the meeting, but anyone who wishes to speak is encouraged to contact the chairman’s office at 815-334-4224.

The meeting is part of the work of the Resume McHenry County task force, an initiative created by county government, the McHenry County Economic Development Corp. and other community leaders back in April, according to the release.

Resume McHenry County was designed to support the business community and county residents in reopening the local economy safely and successfully, according to the task force’s website.

County Board members will not be asked to vote on any matters on Wednesday, the meeting’s sole purpose will be to listen to the stories of county residents on how COVID-19 has impacted their lives, according to the release.

The county has compiled a list of resources for residents struggling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the county's website under "COVID-19" and then 'Community Resources.' Residents can also call the county's 211 hotline to be connected with a variety of different resources.