Carolyn Campbell

Nearly 40 residents spoke Tuesday at the McHenry County Law and Government Committee meeting about a resolution denouncing the new gun ban in Illinois

Half of the McHenry County Board is new, with seven incumbents losing their seats in November. Eight of the previous board’s members opted against running for their seat this year.

With the polls now closed in Illinois, the count can begin to see which candidates will take the 18 open seats on the McHenry County Board.

The race for Illinois governor won’t be the only one on Tuesday’s ballot. With the redrawing of the state’s political maps, the make-up of the entire McHenry County Board and both the U.S. and Illinois houses of representatives will be determined, along several other races.

While crime in McHenry County has been stable over the past decade, both Republicans running for the McHenry County Board in the district that includes parts of Crystal Lake, Algonquin and Lake in the Hills say they have their concerns.

Developing McHenry County’s economy could both reduce property taxes and help pay for services, said one McHenry County Board candidate running from Lakewood south to the Kane County border.

McHenry County Board determined Tuesday how it will stagger the terms of its members for the next decade.

“She is a wonderful person and everyone loves her, regardless of political affiliation,” the McHenry County Board vice chair said. “She is a hard-working, intelligent person who will be an asset to the County Board.”

For the second time in a year, McHenry County Board Chairman Michael Buehler snubbed the Democrats’ choice to fill a board vacancy and nominated someone else.