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County staff reports surge in permits after SmartGov rollout, outlines staffing changes
Summary
McHenry County planning staff told the committee that permit applications and reviews jumped in 2025 after a new permitting system, with total permit activity up roughly 30%; staff described staffing realignments, higher volumes of solar and conditional-use filings, and modest fee changes under consideration.
McHenry County planning staff told the Planning, Environment and Development Committee on Jan. 12 that permit activity rose sharply in 2025 after the county implemented a new permit portal.
Adam, a county planning official who presented the department’s annual report, said the county issued about 1,653 permits in 2025 and that combined permit/review activity was up “about almost 30% in overall permit numbers this year.” He said 230 stormwater permits were issued and that some older permit records appear as canceled applications in the portal, which staff now reconcile before counting issued permits.
Why it matters: County permitting workload affects review times, fees and staffing, and…
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