Mchenry County Board Approves $15m Valley Hi Rebate

On the verge of a vote to issue a $15 million rebate of surplus funds from Valley Hi Nursing Home on Tuesday, several McHenry County Board members stressed that their votes did not come from a place of apathy to the nursing home or its patients. Board Chairman Jack Franks said before the vote that the rebate could be a shining moment that could repeat the message the board gave to residents when it lowered its levy in 2017. Ultimately, board members felt similarly and the rebate resolution was approved by an 18-6 vote, with board members Jim Kearns, Mary McCann, Suzanne Ness, Jeffrey Thorsen, Kelli Wegener and Chuck Wheeler voting no. Ness said after the vote that she was disappointed by the outcome. During board discussion, Ness said that communities and societies are judged by how they care for their children and their elderly and in her heart, the rebate feels wrong. About 88,000 properties could qualify, Franks said.