Pride Month Cometh to McHenry County

The premiere Pride Month event in McHenry, County, Illinois.

If it’s June it must be LGBTQ+ Pride Month even in McHenry County, Illinois.  We were late to  the party out here in the Northwest Chicago metroplex boonies but made up for it in enthusiasm.  Yet after years of steady gains and acceptance the celebration and the celebrants are under a cloud as MAGA fueled backlash emboldens would-be oppressors.

Before the weather Sunday turned ugly a couple of hundred people strolled leisurely through downtown Crystal Lake or watched on sidewalks lining Williams Street.

On one hand my hometown held its first ever public Pride Month event on Sunday, June 2, the Downtown Crystal Lake/Main Street Pride Walk & Social.  Spurred on by some local Gay small business owners and downtown merchants willing to tap into merchandising opportunities, the event had the whole-hearted support of Mayor Haig Haleblian who also endorsed an official city Pride Proclamation.  Haleblian has been cautiously supportive of diversity and inclusiveness being careful not to go to far and stir the wrath of a considerable block hard core conservatives and MAGA voters.  The march down Williams Street—the city’s main drag—to the Depot park where a small with venders, businesses, and community organizations was deliberately modest and “family friendly” compared to the extravaganza up Route 14 in neighboring Woodstock.  No floats, vehicles, bands, and perhaps especially drag performers, just folks ambling down the streets carrying a few flags and hand lettered signs.  A couple of hundred folks may have participated on a cool day before a cold rain sent most scattering from the park.

On the other hand, County Board Member Lou Ness who sponsored County’s Pride Month Proclamation last year, declined to even bring one up this year due to the board’s lurch to the right as Republicans scramble to court Trumpistas in the party.  Even last year, her proclamation was watered down.  This year the board majority tipped it hand when they removed the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion from an innocuous Women’s History Month proclamation.  Firebrand Terri Greeno of Crystal Lake charged that the language was the “dogma of the far left” and “straight out of the Communist Manifesto” which is clear that she never read even in the Cliff Notes version.  The same attacks were inevitable to a new Pride Proclamation and cowed supposedly moderate Board members won’t defy the howling mob.  A debate would also lead to hurtful slanderous attacks on transgender youth and their parents, drag queens,  and popular children’s books in libraries.

The first Woodstock Pride Parade entering the Square in 2019.  Thousands showed up for the event.

Despite the whiff of oppression in the air, Pride Month activities fill the calendar across the County.  The biggest of all will be the  Woodstock Pride Fest and parade this Sunday, June 11 beginning at 11 am on and around Woodstock Square.  The original brain child of Crystal Squires, the young mother of a gender non-conforming child, gathered volunteers and supporters to stage the first Pride Fest in 2019.  It was wildly successful, drawing huge crowds to a community with a reputation for homophobia.  2022 was largely a wash out due to the Coronavirus pandemic and last year a day-long cold rain held down attendance.  It also came in the midst of a Drag Queen show panic that made celebrants more defiant than the usual exuberant party. 

This year the long range forecast call for a relatively comfortable partly cloudy day with highs in the upper 60s but no rain.  The urgency of national attacks on hard fought gains and freedoms will likely insure crowds with a militant attitude.  

The Sunday line up for entertainment from the Woodstock Square Gazebo for Pride Fest.

In addition to a full program on the Gazebo, the fest will have numerous vendors and information booths, plenty of swag giveaways, and children’s activities.  Many churches and religious organizations will participate in the parade and have tables.  Among them, the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation from McHenry which will also conduct its Sunday morning services led by Chaplin Dave Becker at the Festival.

Tree of life will be there rain or shine.

Woodstock Pride is also sponsoring several other events this month including an on-going Art Exhibition at Stage Left Café and Warp Corps,  Lesbians Eating Quiche at Faith Community United Church of Christ Friday at 6:30 pm, a Rainbow Fun Run at 9 am Saturday, and a Pride Pub Crawl beginning at 6 pm that evening, and the Pride Promenade through the streets and neighborhoods of Woodstock on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th from Noon to 5 pm.

Other local communities, schools, and libraries are also planning activities this month.  Check out your local calendars.

 

Jail Brakers and Prairie State Legal Services Offer Cannabis Expungement Event in Crystal Lake

 

Jail Brakers, the program that offers support and services to the families of incarcerated individuals, and the experts at Prairie State Legal Services are offering a special sealing and expungement of cannabis records and convictions presentation at the McHenry County Board of Health office, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake on Saturday, September 3 from 2 to 5 pm.  Use the main entrance at the rear of the building.

After the State of Illinois legalized recreational use of cannabis—marijuana—the Legislature passed an automatic expungement of the records of those convicted of simple possession of small amounts of the drug.  Many others, however, convicted of possession of larger quantities and/or sale and distribution are required to actively petition to have their records removed.  The standing convictions can have drastic consequences for seeking employment and housing, passing background checks, obtaining certain licenses and business permits, obtaining insurance, and even child custody.

Prairie State Legal Services, 400 Russel Court in Woodstock, has developed a special program to guide and instruct individuals on how to make their appeals.  The program is free to the public.  To register for the event visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/39408756517 .

James Carpenter, Director of the Jail Brakers ministry at Tree of Life UU Congregation.

James Carpenter, a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), expedited the program for Jail Brakers and in his broader role coordinating criminal justice system initiatives for Tree of Life. 

The program is produced in cooperation with New Leaf Illinois, a statewide, state-funded initiative made up of 20 non-profit organizations throughout Illinois who provide free legal representation or legal information to people who want their cannabis convictions off their record.

Jail Brakers is an independent ministry of Tree of Life serving the entire McHenry County community.  Contributions to support its work can be made by sending a check made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050 with Jail Brakers on the memo line or donate on-line at https://treeoflifeuu.breezechms.com/give/online and select Jail Brakers from the drop-down menu under “Give to Unpledged Donations.” The donations are placed in a dedicated fund and not used for any other purpose.   Tree of Life also donates all the administrative expenses of the program so 100% of all donations go directly to client assistance.

For assistance and information contact James Carpenter at 815 322-3223, e-mail him at jailbrakersjames@gmail.com, visit https://treeoflifeuu.org/justice/social-justice/jail-brakers/, or the Facebook event.

 

Protest and Pride—A Busy Weekend in McHenry County

The streets call activists and lovers of justice and inclusion this weekend in McHenry County.  On Saturday there will be a local opportunity to participate in nation-wide March for Our Lives demonstrations.  All weekend Woodstock Pride has a full schedule of events culminating with the Pride Fest and the Pride Parade in Woodstock.

Hundreds crowded Woodstock Square for the first local March for Our Lives event following the mass school shooting in Parkland Florida.  It was a raw March day in 2018.  Seen above is part of the the Tree of Life U.U. Congregation contingent. 

March for Our Lives, the student-led gun control advocacy group founded by Parkland school shooting survivors, is planning nationwide protests on Saturday June 11 including a mass march in Washington, D.C. which will begin at noon Eastern Daylight Time.  In Chicago the event will be held beginning at 12 pm at the Federal Plaza.  Locally there will be an event in Crystal Lake on June from 1 am to 3 pm at Exchange Drive and Route 14.  It will be a sidewalk vigil lining Rt. 14 outside Binney’s Beverage Depot.  Parking available in shop lots.  The event is co-sponsored by Standing up Against Racism Woodstock, McHenry County NOW, and Together We Stand McHenry County.  Members of the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry will be glad to lend their voices.   You are invited to personalize your gun violence message on your own signs and placards.

The Woodstock Pride Fest  schedule. 

After the Coronavirus pandemic subdued celebrations for the last two years Woodstock Pride Fest has come roaring back with a full schedule of events all weekend including the Rainbow Color Run beginning Saturday, June 11 at 10 a.m. starting at Emricson Park and a new Pride Fest Pub Crawl to many of Woodstock fine watering holes on and around the Square beginning at 6 p.m.  On both Saturday and Sunday walkers, cyclists, and drivers can follow a map to view and visit homes, businesses, churches, and agencies that are creatively decorated.

The Pride Parade route map for 2022.

The crowning events of course are the gala Pride Parade will start at 11 a.m. come down Dean Street to loop the Square to kick-of the Fest at noon.  The program from the Gazebo will include the opening featuring Grand Marshals Theo Dice, Michael Meredith of Iron and Ivory, and Shannon Mingalone, Congressman Bill Foster, other guests, and Theatre 121 ensemble; 1 p.m. Donna & Alma Brooks; 2 pm Woodstock PrideFest superstar Jayleigh; 3 p.m. Rain Bow Sinthesky. There will be an extended set every hour by a featured performer with Queens throughout and local favorite, DJ Tim Hicks of Music in Motion. 

Pride Fest on the square will feature not only the stage program but also food trucks and concessions; venders; information booths for supportive non-profit organizations, social service agencies, activist groups, and religious supporters. 

The Tree of Life info booth at the inaugural 2019 Woodstock Pride Fest.

Tree of Life UU Congregation with our long, close association with the LGBTQ community will be sharing booth space with our old friends and allies from PFLAG McHenry County.  Look for us at booth #40.

Pride Fest is co-sponsored by Woodstock Pride and the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and several other businesses and organizations.

 

Gloria Van Hof Kicks off Democratic Candidacy for McHenry County Board District 2

Long-time McHenry County resident and community leader Gloria Van Hof of Crystal Lake has announced her candidacy for County Board District 2 in the April Democratic Primary election.  Her campaign kick-off event will be held this Sunday, from 1 to 3 pm at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, 8515 Redtail Drive, Lakewood.

The event will feature food and refreshments, a cash bar, and original original stories by Emmy Award-winning storyteller, Jim May. Campaign donations are welcome and signatures on Gloria’s and other Democrats’ nominating petitions will be collected.  Mask and proof of Covid-19 vaccination are required.

When she was known as Gloria Urch she was my co-host for several years for the Diversity Day Festival on Woodstock Square.

I have been proud to know and work with Gloria for almost 40 years including our years as co-hosts of the old Diversity Day Festival on Woodstock Square.  I have admired her wide range of interests and been impressed by her community and professional experience and commitments.  Endorsing her for the newly redistricted Board seat is one of the easiest things I have ever done.

Van Hof said in an announcement of her campaign:

I would like to note that while I’ve been involved as a community activist for many years, I do not consider myself a politician. I’m a mom, teacher, writer, previous business-owner, licensed Nursing Home Administrator who has worked in long-term care for the past 18 years, a McHenry County Merit Commissioner since 2001, a member of the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, a member of the Friends of MCC Foundation Board, an Underground Railroad researcher and lecturer, a volunteer for numerous groups, a Crystal Lake citizen and an Alabama native who has lived in McHenry County since 1976.

I chose to plant my roots here, raise my children here, write a column for the local paper, volunteer in the schools and the community, host a cable TV show called “People You Should Know in McHenry County,” conduct the county’s first Underground Railroad tour in 1993 in association with the McHenry County Community Arts Council and McHenry County College

I would like the opportunity to serve on the McHenry County Board because I believe I can help make positive contributions to the county where I have lived for the past 46 years. Like you, I want to see McHenry County grow and prosper. By serving on the County Board, I believe I can help to improve communication, transparency, diplomacy, economic vitality, community identity and effective management of our resources.

The county has demonstrated a great example of collaborative problem-solving by partnering with social agencies to address the mental health crisis that we face as a nation, and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has done an excellent job of enhancing their public persona to demonstrate their effectiveness as law enforcement professionals and also as caring and compassionate civil servants.

As a board member, I will bring fresh perspectives, positive approaches and creative ideas to the McHenry County Board using my experience of planning, leadership, fiscal and budgetary responsibility, working with regulatory agencies and collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds. My passion, which is demonstrated from my track record of the work I’ve done in the community and in my various careers, is to bring people together, work towards a common goal, focus on a positive vision and make decisions that demonstrate integrity, creativity, compassion, and care for the constituents we serve.

Compassion for Campers Has New Gear for the Unhoused in Crystal Lake

First Church Crystal Lake will host Compassion for Campers distribution on January 19.

With the support of The Faith Leaders of McHenry County, the host church, and Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church volunteers Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, will hold a cold weather indoor distribution at First Church, 236 West Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake on Tuesday, January 19 from 3:30 to 5 pm. 

“The distribution can be considered an extension of the National Day of Service associated with the Martin Luther King Day holiday on Monday,”  according to Compassion for Campers coordinator Patrick Murfin.  “The unhoused who must spend all or much of their time camping out or sleeping in vehicles can rely on our program for good tents, sleeping bags, pads, tarps, stoves and fuel, gloves, hats, scarfs, warm winter wear, personal hygiene products, and non-perishable food.”

Clients will be Covid-19 screened with a temperature check and standard screening questions.  No one failing the test will be turned away but we will ask what they need and  supplies will be brought out to them.  All clients are required to be masked before entering the building and a mask will be provided to anyone who does not have one.  Clients will be admitted one at a time and no more will be allowed inside at any time than the location can safely accommodate with correct social distancing.  At the conclusion of the distribution all remaining supplies will be packed for storage and the host area will be cleaned and disinfected. 

Volunteers are needed to help with the distribution, especially younger folks in good health.  Contact Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net  or phone 815 814-5645 if you are available on Tuesday afternoons.  Distributions are scheduled two weeks apart and will rotate between sites in Woodstock, Crystal Lake, and McHenry.  Donations to continue this work can be made by sending a check made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050 with Compassion for Campers on the memo line to the church.