County Government in the United States Packet 46

47 states have counties (about 3000 in the United States) Counties are created by state governments Counties are created by state governments and are under the state’s control

Some people who work for every county: Clerk Clerk Sheriff Sheriff Assessor Assessor School Superintendent School Superintendent Treasurer Treasurer Coroner Coroner Surveyor Surveyor Auditor Auditor Prosecuting Attorney Prosecuting Attorney Judges Judges

County Clerk Message from the Clerk The Cook County Clerk serves as the chief election authority for the entire county, Along with administering elections in suburban Cook County, the Clerk's office maintains birth, marriage and death records, assists property owners in redeeming delinquent taxes, and records the activity of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Message from the Clerk The Cook County Clerk serves as the chief election authority for the entire county, Along with administering elections in suburban Cook County, the Clerk's office maintains birth, marriage and death records, assists property owners in redeeming delinquent taxes, and records the activity of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Sheriff Sheriff's Office The Lake County Sheriff's Office exists to serve the community by protecting life and property, by preventing crime, by enforcing the laws and incarcerating offenders of the laws, and by maintaining order for all citizens. The Lake County Sheriff's Office exists to serve the community by protecting life and property, by preventing crime, by enforcing the laws and incarcerating offenders of the laws, and by maintaining order for all citizens.

Assessor Mission Statement: The Office of Assessments strives to administer an accurate, fair, uniform, and timely assessment of all real property in McHenry County in accordance with and as mandated by the Illinois Property Tax Code. Mission Statement: The Office of Assessments strives to administer an accurate, fair, uniform, and timely assessment of all real property in McHenry County in accordance with and as mandated by the Illinois Property Tax Code. Function: It is the function of the county Office of Assessments to monitor and direct the countywide valuation of real property for the purpose of real estate taxation. Function: It is the function of the county Office of Assessments to monitor and direct the countywide valuation of real property for the purpose of real estate taxation.

School Superintendent School Superintendent Barrington Community Unit School District 220 was formed in 1973 as a consolidated unit, combining two elementary districts and a high school district into one unit that educates students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Located about 35 miles northwest of Chicago, District 220 encompasses 72 square miles. It covers 12 villages: all of Barrington, Lake Barrington, Tower Lakes; and portions of Barrington Hills, Carpentersville, Deer Park, Fox River Grove, Port Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, North Barrington, and South Barrington. In addition, District 220 is geographically located in 4 counties: Cook, Lake, McHenry, and Kane. District 220 has one high school, two middle school campuses for grades 6- 8, eight elementary schools, and one early childhood center.

Treasurer Duties of Kane County Treasurer The County Treasurer has the duty and power to receive and safely keep the revenue and public monies of the County. He must keep an account of all monies received by him. He also keeps accounts of all monies paid out by him, stating the time, to whom payment is made, and on what account payment has been made. The County Treasurer has the duty and power to receive and safely keep the revenue and public monies of the County. He must keep an account of all monies received by him. He also keeps accounts of all monies paid out by him, stating the time, to whom payment is made, and on what account payment has been made.

Coroner The Coroner Division's critical function and responsibilities are to determine the medical cause and mode of death, identification of the deceased through thorough examination, and the receipt, examination, documentation and storage of personal effects. All cases that require a medical examination are brought to the morgue where a Pathologist examines them. Deputy Coroners investigate the scene of death, remove the deceased and provide transportation to the morgue. The Division records and documents their findings in the Death Certificate. The Coroner Division's critical function and responsibilities are to determine the medical cause and mode of death, identification of the deceased through thorough examination, and the receipt, examination, documentation and storage of personal effects. All cases that require a medical examination are brought to the morgue where a Pathologist examines them. Deputy Coroners investigate the scene of death, remove the deceased and provide transportation to the morgue. The Division records and documents their findings in the Death Certificate.

Surveyor Responsible for maintaining survey records. Further duties include: Responsible for maintaining survey records. Further duties include: Restoration, preservation, and documentation of land corners established by the federal government beginning in the 1850's. Filing and checking subdivisions, land partitions, boundary surveys, and assistance with research are also part of the county surveyor's duties. Restoration, preservation, and documentation of land corners established by the federal government beginning in the 1850's. Filing and checking subdivisions, land partitions, boundary surveys, and assistance with research are also part of the county surveyor's duties.

Auditor Charged with reviewing the obligation, expenditure, receipt and use of public funds. Charged with reviewing the obligation, expenditure, receipt and use of public funds.

Prosecuting Attorney State's Attorneys Office The State's Attorney has the exclusive and statutory responsibility for prosecuting violations of the criminal laws of the State of Illinois, as well as many other regulatory laws of the state and county including traffic regulations. The State's Attorney has the exclusive and statutory responsibility for prosecuting violations of the criminal laws of the State of Illinois, as well as many other regulatory laws of the state and county including traffic regulations. He is also the lawyer for Lake County providing legal advice, defense of court actions, and filing and presentation of cases brought by, or against, Lake County. The State's Attorneys Office is divided into four main parts, the Executive Staff, the Criminal Division, the Civil Division and the Administrative Services Division. He is also the lawyer for Lake County providing legal advice, defense of court actions, and filing and presentation of cases brought by, or against, Lake County. The State's Attorneys Office is divided into four main parts, the Executive Staff, the Criminal Division, the Civil Division and the Administrative Services Division. Executive StaffCriminal DivisionCivil DivisionAdministrative Services Division Executive StaffCriminal DivisionCivil DivisionAdministrative Services Division

Judges Message from the Chief Judge Message from the Chief Judge The judges and support staff of the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois are committed to serving the public by providing a fair and efficient system of justice that fosters the public trust and confidence. We work toward accomplishing this mission by continually improving the facilities, programs, and services provided to the people of Lake and McHenry Counties. The judges and support staff of the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois are committed to serving the public by providing a fair and efficient system of justice that fosters the public trust and confidence. We work toward accomplishing this mission by continually improving the facilities, programs, and services provided to the people of Lake and McHenry Counties.