McHenry County’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) limits residential home businesses to one non-resident employee to protect the peace of our neighborhoods. Right now, a zoning variance (Case #C26-0015) is asking for a special exemption to allow up to four employees to work out of a private home.
⚠️ The "Secret Approval" Risk
This case goes before the full McHenry County Board on July 21st. There is a high risk it will be placed on the "Consent Agenda" — a way to quietly pass items via a single group voice vote with zero public discussion. It only takes one board member to request an open, roll-call vote.
Why We Need Your Help
1. Protecting the UDO Precedent
If the County Board grants this massive exception, they surrender their legal footing. They will have no grounds to deny any other resident or business looking to turn a private home cul-de-sac into a bustling multi-employee office.
2. Administrative Bloat vs. Hardship
By law, zoning variances are meant for true physical land hardships. An administrative desire to expand a staff roster is a management choice, not a land hardship that justifies breaking zoning rules.
3. The Neighbor Test
Nearby townships run similar assessment operations smoothly with zero or just one part-time assistant. There is absolutely no forced operational need for a 4-person workforce inside a residential home.
Demand an Open Vote
Use this quick tool to email the board. Ask them to protect the UDO and pull Case C26-0015 off the Consent Agenda.
Select Board Members
Enter Your Details
Your info formats into the email signature and customizes the message slightly to ensure it reaches their inboxes.
Review & Send
Clicking this opens your default email app (like Outlook or Apple Mail) with everything ready to send.