Re-election
A record I am proud to stand behind.
My 18 months on the McHenry County Board as the Representative from District 7 have been filled with wins for the residents of our County and the district I represent. District seven covers the cities of Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Greenwood, with a small slice of McHenry. There are 12,000 residents in the district, Woodstock being the largest population with over 25,000 people. Woodstock is tracking to be the largest city in McHenry County and Wonder Lake growing into the third largest growth area. This targeted growth requires representation that balances the unique issues facing each community, development & growth.
Major Events:
Voted no to vote McHenry County as a gun sanctuary – I am dedicated to working with responsible gun owners to design and develop strong regulation about safe gun storage, stronger background checks and limiting automatic weapons in the home.
Workforce Housing Workgroup – With support from the Chair of the public health and community services committee, developed the Workforce Housing Workgroup. Together with Member Althoff we co-chaired bipartisan workgroup. The workgroup spent a year gathering data, listening to subject matter experts and city partners. In June of 2024, the Workgroup will release its findings to the County Board before bringing to the public.
Die Cast Development – Supported the City of Woodstock’s application for $1.2 million dollars to support the development of the former Die Cast Property bringing a mixed development for families, seniors, retail space close to the Metra line and the Historic Woodstock Square.
Food Shed Co-op – After 13 years of careful planning, I helped Food Shed connect to CDBG funds and supported their application for funds to use towards the construction of the Co-op located on Route 14.
Mental Health Funding – During 2023 & 24, urged the county board to increase funding for mental health services by $2.5 million dollars. Throughout the budget cycle, I vigorously held my position on the increased funding. When funding was denied, I supported the Mental Health Sales tax increase and worked to see its passage in the March Primary.
Wonder Lake Unsewered project – Supported and lobbied for the allocation of $1.2 million for sewer and water. I supported the applications to both Rep. Brad Schnieder and Sen. Duckworth. Worked with the MPOA to have the county pay 50% of the costs for the Thompson Stream Gage and promoted the idea of the County taking on the entire cost of the Thompson Stream Gage in 2025.
In addition, I worked with local constituents, struggling with county administration on a variety of zoning and ordnance challenges.
As a veteran and Commander of the Woodstock American Legion Post 412, I have worked with my Woodstock Partners in bringing two county wide events to the McHenry Administration Center in front of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial. Veterans Day and Vietnam Veteran War Memorial event. This is the first time Countywide Veterans events have occurred in our County Space.
I held two community discussions on Taxes – helping residents understand their tax bills.
Presented updates before the City Councils of Woodstock and Wonder Lake and met with the Mayor of greenwood and Wonder Lake to help navigate a dispute over roads.
If you would like to support my efforts, please make a contribution through Act Blue or send a check payable to Citizens for Lou Ness, 466 W. Jackson, Woodstock, Ill.60098.Thank you in advance for your support and encouragement. Let’s do it again. See you on the Campaign Trail!
Lou Ness
McHenry County Board, District 7
www.citizensforlouness.com
815-404-7246
Advocate. Educate. Elevate.
Vote Lou Ness for McHenry County Board
Advocate | Policy and Practice to:
• Create a platform that reflects the concerns of working families and marginalized groups
• Assure reproductive choice for women and girls
• Promote solution-based ideas to end homelessness and reduce poverty
Educate | Securing Democracy:
• Provide opportunities to ensure constituents believe the sacred act of voting is secure
• Replace disinformation with truth
• Enroll community members around the importance of being engaged in community life
Elevate | Solutions to Address:
• Local solutions to difficult issues
• Transparency in government accountability across local and state bodies
• Promote Healthy communities, one neighborhood at a time
50 Years of Public Service
• Chaplain to People Living in gut-wrenching Poverty
Virtue
This word was meaningful in the 18th Century. Virtue was the core of public life and embraced by the First President, George Washington. Virtue meant putting the common good before one’s own interests. Virtue writes the historian Joyce Appleby, was the “lynchpin” of public life – that is the fastener that held together the structure. (First Principles, Thomas E. Ricks)
For me, returning to the intention of those early founders is a primary pillar of my campaign. I believe, putting the common good above personal interest has disappeared from the national and state discourse. I believe we make the most significant changes at the local level and have the greatest impact when we are concerned about the health and well-being of our neighbors. Throughout my career I have always put the common good above personal gain. The few times I strayed from this core value, I did so at my peril.
