FY2023-24 Budget Workshop Meetings

February 25

March 25

The Village Board will hold the FY2023-24 Budget Workshops on Saturday, February 25 and Saturday, March 25 at 9:00 a.m.

The Village Board will review the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the February 25th meeting.

At the March 25th meeting, the Village Board will review the operating budgets for all Village funds along with special projects.

The workshops will be held at the Cary Municipal Center, located at 755 Georgetown Drive. The public is invited to attend both meetings.

Kidtastic Used Book Sale

February 11

The Friends of the Cary Area Library will be holding their Kidtastic Used Book Sale at the Cary Area Public Library, 1606 Three Oaks Road. The sale will take place on Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Books for only .25 cents for infants through teens, cash or check only.

For more information, contact the Cary Area Library at 847-639-4210.

Cary Business Roundtable with Mayor Mark Kownick

March 2

Make your reservation for the Cary Business Roundtable Luncheon scheduled for Thursday, March 2, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Cary Municipal Center, 755 Georgetown Drive. The cost is $25.00 for Chamber Members and includes lunch.

To make your reservation, visit the Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce website at www.carygrovechamber.com or call the Chamber's office at (847) 639-2800. There is a limit of 75 attendees.

McHenry County Emergency Management Agency Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Survey

The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency is requesting feedback regarding their natural hazards mitigation plan.

The plan involves communication regarding natural hazard risks (like flooding and extreme cold) and ways to reduce risk for residents and their communities. The survey is anonymous and should take no more than 5 minutes. Input received will directly influence actions to reduce the impact of future hazard events. 

To take the survey, visit:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=e7mQz0a-AEqXAIHOT_G39hFGSUCYXyRGmwb2CYTkiRtUMlFNTkJNSllXTkZVMklPQ1g4NjgzQTVaMC4u

For more information, visit the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency website at:

https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/county-government/departments-a-i/emergency-management

Winter Parking Restrictions In Effect

The Village of Cary reminds residents that from December 1 - March 31, the Village's winter parking restrictions are in effect.

During this time, on-street parking is not allowed between the hours of 1:00AM - 6:00AM.

It is also unlawful to park on Village Streets within 12 hours after a snowfall of 3 inches or greater.

Election Judges Needed

Election judges are needed! Earn some money while serving your community. Flexible hours and positions available.

Visit McHenryCountyClerkIL.gov and click "Sign Up to be an Election Judge" or call the McHenry County Clerk's office at (815) 334-4242.

Interested in Joining Girl Scouts?

February 20

Girls in Kindergarten through 2nd grade are invited to attend a fun, informational event on Monday, February 20th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Cary Public Library, located at 1606 Three Oaks Road.

Contact Grace Shapiro at [email protected] to learn more about this event, or see the attached flyer to scan the QR code and request more information.

Click here for the flyer.

Cary-Grove Historical Society Seeking New Board Members

The mission of the Cary-Grove Historical Society is to preserve, promote, and present artifacts relating to the rich history of Cary and Fox River Grove. They are seeking new board members, specifically Secretary, Treasurer, and an administrative assistant. They are working on something exciting for the 130th Anniversary of the Village of Cary. The Cary-Grove Historical Society is a non-profit organization that is run completely by volunteers. If you are interested in being a part of this community organization, email Pamela Losey at [email protected].

CASA of McHenry County Advocate Informational Meetings

The Illinois Juvenile Court Act states that all children in abuse and neglect court in Illinois shall be appointed a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). CASA volunteers are assigned to a single case involving children who have suffered abuse or neglect. The volunteer gets to know the child and advocates for the child’s needs through a report to the juvenile court. CASA volunteers give a voice to abused and neglected children by being a consistent, stable adult in the child’s life and by providing the court with needed information regarding the child’s well-being.

150 CASA volunteers currently serve more than 200 children in McHenry County’s juvenile court system.

CASA of McHenry County conducts quarterly trainings for new Advocates. To fill these sessions, CASA is hosting informational meetings about the volunteer role of a CASA. Virtual information sessions will take place on:

• Tuesday, February 21, 7:00-7:45PM, virtual via Zoom
• Wednesday, March 22, 7:00-7:45PM, virtual via Zoom
• Thursday, April 13, 7:00-7:45PM, virtual via Zoom

An in-person session is planned at the McHenry Public Library on Thursday, February 16, from 7:00-8:00PM. To register for this session, visit http://www.mchenrylibrary.org/.

For more information, access the CASA of McHenry County website: https://www.casamchenrycounty.org/ or attend one of the informational meetings.

Cary-Grove Youth Baseball and Softball Registration

Cary-Grove Youth Baseball and Softball registration is open for the 2023 spring season. CGYBS offers t-ball, baseball, and softball for boys and girls ages 5 and up. Registration closes March 14th. For more information and to register, please visit www.cgybs.org.

Cary Soccer Spring Registration Open

Registration for Cary Soccer Spring 2023 recreational season is open. A $25 late fee will be applied to all registrations after February 15th. Programs for ages 3 - high school.

For information and to register visit:

https://www.carysoccer.org/spring2023rec

Cary Winter Farmer's Market

Shop for local produce, baked goods, eggs, crafters and more on the first and third Sundays of the month, October through April, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Algonquin Township Building #6. 

Algonquin Township is located at 3702 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, IL. 

McHenry County Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The McHenry County Housing Authority administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and has begun accepting applications for winter heating assistance for all income eligible families.

LIHEAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program for low-income families, in which either a family receives a one-time, lump-sum payment toward energy bills, or is enrolled in a monthly Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP), as funding allows.

All appointments will be conducted by phone. Book your telephone appointment online with Appointments Plus by following the link on the McHenry County Housing Authority's website:

www.mchenrycountyhousing.org

Residents may also book directly at:

https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/b0kk9my2/,

If booking an appointment by phone, call 815-308-6057. 

Please be aware that it may take several weeks to receive a return phone call as call volume is high. The program ends May 31, 2023, or when program funding is exhausted.

Click here for informational flyer.

Recent Village Board Actions

This past week, the Village Board took the following major actions at the February 7, 2023, Village Board Meeting. For a complete listing of all past Village Board actions and minutes, go to www.caryillinois.com. Minutes are posted after they are approved.

Approved a Resolution Authorizing Participation in the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) Bid Process and Authorizing the Mayor to Approve a Contract with the Lowest Cost Electricity Provider for a Period up to 36 Months

Approved  an Ordinance Amending Title 8 - Health and Safety, Chapter 8.53 - Towing

Approved a Surplus Ordinance Declaring Certain Equipment as Surplus Property

Approved a Resolution Waiving the Competitive Bidding Requirements and Approving the Execution of a Construction Services Agreement with Dixon Engineering, Inc., Greenfield, WI, for Services Associated with the Water Tower #4 Painting Project in the Amount not to Exceed $54,800 and Authorizes a Ten Percent Contingency for Unforeseen Changes in Scope for a Total Project Budget of $60,280

Approved a Resolution Amending the Well 12 Rehabilitation Contract with Municipal Well & Pump, Waupun, Wisconsin, to Include an Additional Amount Not to Exceed $29,450.00 and Authorizing a 10% Contingency for Unforeseen Changes in Scope for a Maximum Total Project Budget of $86,416.00

Approved a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Baxter & Woodman, Crystal Lake, Illinois, to Provide Temporary Part-Time Municipal Engineering Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $25,000.00

Approved a Resolution Awarding a Bulk Water Softening Salt Purchase Agreement for Calendar Year 2023 to Midwest Salt, LLC, West Chicago, IL, and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract in an Amount Not to Exceed $58,500.00