McHenry County NOW

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McHenry County NOW

NOW stands against all oppression, recognizing that racism, sexism, and classism are interrelated

09/05/2026

McHenry County NOW
Women Speaker's Series

We're excited to continue introducing some of the incredible women running for office this election season! Join us for an opportunitity to learn more about the women seeking to serve our community.

Thursday September 10th
Social starts at 6:30pm
Meeting starts at 7:00pm promptly

This month's featured candidates:
• Maria Peterson – Candidate for Illinois House, District 52
• Sarah Mertens – Candidate for Illinois Senate, District 35
• Carolyn Campbell – Current McHenry County Board Member, District 3, seeking reelection

Bring a friend, Bring a neighbor, Bring a snack to share!

Register to attend at: [email protected]
* Address provided upon registration.

09/03/2026

Today our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to Gloria Steinem (1934-2026).

So many of us grew up hearing her name, reading her words, and finding strength and courage in her example. For more than sixty years, Gloria showed us what it means to organize, to speak up, and to keep showing up for equality, even when it was extremely unpopular & uncomfortable to do so.

Her work pried open doors that had been shut for generations: doors to reproductive freedom, economic equity, and a seat at the political table. So many of us here in McHenry County have walked through those very doors because she pushed them open first. Gloria reminded us that feminism was never meant for just one kind of woman, it was always about dignity and equal opportunity for everyone.

At McHenry County NOW, we carry her legacy forward every time we organize, educate, and advocate in our own community.
Rest in power, Gloria. ✊🏼✊🏾
Thank you for lighting the way, we promise to keep your work going! ❤️

08/31/2026

🚨 ONLY 20 SPOTS LEFT! 🚨

Registration is filling up for the 2026 McHenry County Women Veterans Symposium, and we are officially down to our LAST 20 OPEN SPOTS!

🇺🇸 Women Veterans & Allies — we want you there!

Join the Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County for a day dedicated to empowering, connecting, and celebrating women Veterans throughout our community.

📅 Friday, October 2, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL 60098

The day will include:

⭐ Inspiring presentations by women
🤝 Networking and meaningful connections
🍽️ Lunch
💚 Resources, fellowship, and community

Space is limited, and once these final 20 spots are filled, registration will close.

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot today!

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with a woman Veteran or ally who should be there.

🇺🇸 Empowered Women. Stronger Community. 🇺🇸

08/27/2026

Our sincere thanks to MCC Wellness for the invite to their campus for Women's Equality Day. It was a wonderful day and a very interesting opportunity to speak directly with students! Special thanks to Brandy, Julie, and Elizabeth for helping with the table!

08/14/2026

💜 A huge thank you to tonight's Women Speaker's Series guests, Dr. Bridget Belcastro and Karen Battaglia, for sharing their stories with us!

Dr. Belcastro brings 32 years in education to the table, including being named the 2024 Illinois Elementary Principal of the Year. She's now running for McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools. Karen has spent over three decades as a nurse, caring for people in their most vulnerable moments, and is now running for Illinois Senate in the 32nd District. Hearing what led each of them to public service, and the personal stories behind that path, was exactly why we started this series.

To find out more about each candidate:
Dr. Bridget Belcastro - https://www.bridgetbelcastro.com

Karen Battaglia:
https://karenforil32.com

Conversations like these matter. They help our community stay informed, engaged, and connected ahead of November.

Thank you both for your time, your openness, and your commitment to McHenry County. ❤️

If you weren't able to join us tonight, stay tuned. We have more incredible speakers lined up through October!

08/10/2026

As part of our commitment to informed and engaged voters, McHenry County NOW is launching the 2026 Women Speaker's Series, a new addition to our monthly membership meetings we're opening up leading up to the November election.

Through October, members and our guests will have the chance to hear directly from local women candidates, learn more about what led them to public service and hear their personal stories.

Whether you're a longtime member, former member, or new to McHenry County NOW, this series is a chance to connect with the candidates and help make informed decisions at the ballot box.

This month's meeting is Thursday August 13th
6:30pm socialization time, 7:00pm meeting start time

Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, and join us at our next monthly member meeting. After you register, we will send you back a confirmation that will contain the details of the meeting.

*Registration is required.
📩Register by emailing: [email protected]

08/01/2026

Illinois State Board of Elections
J͏a͏n͏u͏a͏r͏y͏ ͏2͏2͏
·
Important information for vote-by-mail voters 🚨
Mail postmark rules have changed. Ballots are now postmarked when processed, not when you drop them in the mailbox—this can cause 1–2 day delays.
If you’re returning your ballot close to Election Day:
• Request a manual postmark at the post office
• Use a secure drop box
• Deliver directly to your election office
Don’t risk a late postmark. Make sure your vote counts. 🗳️

07/30/2026

📢 McHenry County NOW Announces Candidate Recommendations

After a thorough review of submitted candidate questionnaires, the McHenry County NOW Elections Committee is proud to announce our recommended candidates for the 2026 election.

This committee was comprised solely of 5 dedicated chapter members who saw this process through from start to finish. We thank them for their hard work, diligence, and integrity throughout.

The committee determined that these candidates most closely align with McHenry County NOW's core values:
🗳️ Deanna "Dee" Darling — McHenry County Board, District 1
🗳️ Carolyn "Lyn" Campbell — McHenry County Board, District 3
🗳️ Austin May — McHenry County Board, District 5
🗳️ Christine Hamm — McHenry County Board, District 9
🗳️ Amin Karim — McHenry County Treasurer

We want thank every candidate who took the time to complete our committee's questionnaire.

Best of luck to our recommended candidates!

🗓️ Early voting begins September 24th

07/02/2026

This weekend we salute Lady Liberty! 🗽
Independence means something different for everyone. As we celebrate our nation's independence, McHenry County NOW is thinking about what freedom and equality truly mean, and the work still ahead. We know true freedom isn't finished until it includes equality and justice for all.

Whether you're catching fireworks with family, grilling with neighbors, or just relaxing on the porch, we hope you take a moment to appreciate the freedoms we celebrate this weekend, and the responsibility we all share in protecting them for one another.
Celebrate safely, and enjoy the holiday McHenry County!

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dads and father figures out there! For all the school pickups, the diaper changes, the bedtime stories, the endless homework help you show up for.❤️
Today we're also thinking about the men in our lives, dads or not, who stand beside us as allies who believe in equal partnership and back it up. If that's you, showing up for the people and causes you care about, this one's for you too. 🎉

Address

P. O. BOX 583
Huntley, IL
60142

Website

https://mchenryconow.org/, https://linktr.ee/mchenrycountynow

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