McHenry County Sheriff Merit Commission
Purpose: To ensure the citizens of McHenry County that there is a fair and equal opportunity system for the employment, promotion, discipline and discharge of full-time Deputy Sheriffs.

Meetings: Open to the Public: Regular Meetings: held on the second Wednesday of each month, 10:30 a.m. in the County Administration Building located on 667 Ware Rd. next to the Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Ave. (Route 47), Woodstock, Illinois.

Special Meetings: May be called as necessary by the Chairperson.

Organization: Alexander MacArthur established the McHenry County Sheriff's Merit Commission in the late 60's and the McHenry County Board of Supervisors approved it on January 13, 1970, as amended in accordance with 55ILCS 5/2-8001.

The Commission grew from three to five commissioners who are volunteer citizens of McHenry County. Commissioners serve a minimum two-year term.

There are three officer positions for the Commission: Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary. These officers are elected by a simple majority vote of the Commissioners.

Ranks: Merited ranks in the Sheriff's Office are Major, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant and Deputy Sheriff. The ranks of Undersheriff, Chief Deputy and Administrative Assistant are exempt from jurisdiction of the Rules, Regulations and Procedures of this commission.

The Correction and Security officers voted for a separate hiring process. Therefore, as of February 16, 1988 they became ineligible for appointment as a deputy of the Merit Commission.

Commissioner - Chairperson / Janelle A Crowley (Republican)
Commissioned May 17, 1994 - Present
Elected Chairperson 2000
Woodstock, IL

Janelle Crowley, the Human Resources Director for the City of Woodstock (IL), President of the McHenry County (IL) Sheriff's Merit Commission, and past President of the Illinois Fire and Police Commissioner's Association, is a certified assessor and team leader for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). She was nominated and awarded the "Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award" by The National Center for Women and Policing in Los Angeles, California, was a recent recipient of the "People Who Make It Happen" award by Chicagoland's Business Connector Magazine and most recently nominated for the HR Professional of the Year award in Chicago. Janelle holds a bachelor's degree in public and business administration, two graduate degrees - human resources organizational development, and business administration and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. She has completed all four Labor Relations Academies with the National Public Employers Labor Relations Association and completed the Resolution and Conflict Certification with DePaul University.

Janelle is a professional in the doctrine of "peer interviewing" and has been recognized for her professionalism in the development of task-prioritization and self-assessment tools. She has served as a pre-hire and promotional assessor for members of the National Sheriff's Association (NSA), works with the International Association of Chief of Police and several consulting firms in the United States.

In addition to her dedication and involvement with public safety, she is actively involved with Rotary International, a member of the Greater Chicago Webster University Alumni Association, is a consultant and adjunct faculty member for Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, guest lecturer for Northern Illinois University, a board member for Stateline Society of Human Resource Management, a PEO member and serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of McHenry County.

Commissioner - Vice-Chairperson / Patrick J. McAndrews (Democrat)
Commissioned term August 3, 1999 - Present
Elected Vice-Chairperson 2001
McHenry, IL

Patrick McAndrews is a General Practice Attorney located in the city of McHenry Illinois.

His additional community responsibilities include serving as a Traffic Prosecutor for the City of McHenry and he is a member of the Executive Board for Marian Central Catholic High School.

Commissioner - Secretary / Gloria Urch (Democrat)
Commissioned April 1, 2001 - Present
Crystal Lake, IL

An entrepreneur, Gloria Urch owns the Manufacturer's Source, a sales agency based in Crystal Lake, IL. She teaches engineering quality, and leadership training for the Business and Professional Institute of the College of Dupage.

Gloria is also the founder and President of the Underground Railroad Museum and Ethnic Emporium. She writes and lectures extensively on the topic. In addition, she is the host of a weekly cable TV program called "People You Should Know". She is also a freelance writer for various newspapers.

Gloria is the mother of two daughters, Anginetti and Jennifarre. She earned her Masters of Art degree in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL. and a Bachelors degree in English and a minor in Psychology from Columbia College, Crystal Lake, IL.

William Mack (Republican) Commissioned August 20, 2002 - Present

Brian Goode (Republican) Commissioned August 20, 2002 - Present

Equal Opportunity Employer
The McHenry County Sheriff's Merit Commission State of Illinois, represents that it conforms to the following:

That it will not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, political affiliation, or beliefs, gender, marital status, disability, national origin, age or arrest record of any other prohibited ground.

That it will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated lawfully during their employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin or sex, political affiliation, beliefs or religion or any other lawfully protected ground. Such action may include but not be limited to the following: employment, assignment, promotion, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. The Commission shall post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applications for employment, notices setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause.

The Commission will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the applicant or the employing agencies, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, or gender, marital status, disability, political affiliation or beliefs.