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McHenry County Blog

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Cal Skinner

This is a journal of news and opinion designed to bring to light matters of public interest and to encourage public participation in the governmental process. Emphasis will be on McHenry County, but Illinois state news will be covered. Articles and photos are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without explicit written permission.

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About Cal Skinner

About Cal Skinner
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Recent Posts

  • Teen Huntley & Crystal Lake Girls Disappear after Taking Train to Chicago May 22, 2025
  • Reick Punches Holes in School Mental Health Screening Bill May 22, 2025
  • Stupid Requirement for Municipalities to Say, “Mother, May I?” to IDOT before Spending Gas Tax Money May 22, 2025
  • Russ Stewart Looks at Schakowsky’s District May 22, 2025
  • When Is a $1.5 Billion Tax Hike Called an “Investment”? May 22, 2025
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Teen Huntley & Crystal Lake Girls Disappear after Taking Train to Chicago

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 22, 2025

From the Huntley Police: Missing Juveniles The Huntley Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating two missing juvenile females: – During the late afternoon hours of Tuesday, May 20, members of Rechsteiner’s family contacted the Huntley Police Department to […]

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Reick Punches Holes in School Mental Health Screening Bill

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 21, 2025

From State Rep. Steve Reick: Mental Health Screening in Schools, How Far Will We Go? It’s been a while since my last Reick Report, and I apologize. I suppose I could’ve handed the job of writing my Reick Reports to a Chatbot […]

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Stupid Requirement for Municipalities to Say, “Mother, May I?” to IDOT before Spending Gas Tax Money

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 21, 2025

Every once in a while I am reminded of the stupidity of state law requiring cities and villages to received approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation prior to spending their share of Motor Fuel Tax money. This from the Marengo City […]

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Russ Stewart Looks at Schakowsky’s District

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 21, 2025

From political columnist Russ Stewart comes this commentary: 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT UPDATE As expected, 14-term congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D) announced her retirement on May 5. Since 1948 the 9th has been considered Illinois’ “Jewish seat” in Congress. The iconic Sidney Yates (D) […]

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When Is a $1.5 Billion Tax Hike Called an “Investment”?

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 21, 2025

The Illinois Environmental Council uses that terminology in its pitch to bail out the Regional Transportation. At least the image the IEC uses accurately describes what every round of bailouts has been targeted to save: the Chicago Transit Authority.

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National Internet Grant Withdrawals Not Affecting McHenry County

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 20, 2025

From a source I cannot recall (but this one gives a complete story) comes this information concerning Federal grants for Digital Equity Capacity which the Trump Administration considers “totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL” because it “is a RACIST and ILLEGAL $2.5 BILLION DOLLAR giveaway”: “In […]

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U.S. House Republicans Copy Springfield Democrats’ Night Time Passage Stragegy

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 22, 2025

Ignoring allowing members time to cogitate on the budget bill in Washington, House Republicans passed the message during a marathon session. This observation by a Democratic member sums it up: And, consider this: Sounds like what Springfield Democrats did when they passed […]

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LaHood Votes for, Explains Federal Budget Bill

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 22, 2025

From Congressman Ray LaHood: LaHood Votes to Deliver on Republicans’ Promises to the American People     Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) voted in support of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that will deliver on the promises House […]

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Suburban Man Indicted for $3.6 Million Scam

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 21, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: Suburban Chicago Businessman Charged With Swindling Investors out of $3.6 Million CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago businessman has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly swindling investors in his purported refining business out of at least $3.6 […]

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Kishwaukee Valley Road Accident Death Identified

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 21, 2025

From the Coroner’s Office: McHenry County Coroner, Dr. Michael Rein, announced that his office was contacted on May 20, 2025 by Woodstock Police Dept to investigate the death of Peter Roberts, age 35 of McHenry. The decedent was involved in a single […]

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Keicher School Safety Bill Passes Both Houses

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 21, 2025

From State Rep. Jeff Keicher: Rep. Keicher Bill Improving School Safety Passes House Unanimously SPRINGFIELD – Yesterday, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation carried by State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) to improve school safety.  Senate Bill 71 is in response to a hazardous […]

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UPDATE: Enhanced Enforcement of Seat Belt Law Ongoing

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 21, 2025

The Police Departments which have received money to put officers on the road for Memorial Day enforcement incllude Lake in the Hills sent its press release first: ‘Click It or Ticket’: Buckle up Memorial Day and every day Lake in the Hills, […]

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Tennessee Man Arrested in Huntley on Gun Charge

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 21, 2025

From the Huntley Police Department: May 17, 2025 IL Rt. 47 Hwy. / Oak Creek Pkwy. Quincy E. Brown, age 21, of the 4200 block of Coffroth Ct., Clarksville, TN, was arrested for unlawful use of a firearm. Mr. Brown was processed, […]

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Could Republicans Be Taking U.S. Senate Race Seriously?

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 21, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: Will big announcement in Senate race happen soon? A new PAC may give us a clue IL Senate Republican Nominee Fund 2026. I heard about this PAC because of a bot on X that finds […]

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Florida and Illinois Black Leaders Trade Places

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 20, 2025

A man of the people and a man of God switched states last month United States Congressman Byron Donalds was the headliner at the Illinois State Republican Party fundraiser. He is Donald Trump’s choice to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis in Tallahassee. On […]

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Opponents of Greenwood Township Slaughter House Urge Attendance at May 22nd Meeting

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 17, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog:

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McHenry Organization Gains Housing Subsidy

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 19, 2025

From the JB Pritzker Administration: Pritzker Administration Awards $50 Million in Permanent Supportive Housing Development Grants Seven new supportive housing developments will provide safe, permanent homes for people living with disabilities or at risk of homelessness CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority […]

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Oven Fire Makes McHenry Smoke-Filled Home Uninhabitable

Cal SkinnerMay 21, 2025May 21, 2025

From the McHenry Township Fire Protection District: Highland Dr. Fire On May 20th at approximately 1:50 pm, the McHenry Township Fire Protection District (MTFPD) was dispatched to a reported oven fire. Crews arrived in 7 minutes to find a 2 story single […]

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Bill Proposes $10,000 for Student Teachers

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 20, 2025

From The center Square: Lawmakers have concerns about union-backed bill to pay IL student teachers By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill in the Illinois General Assembly would spend tens of millions or possibly hundreds of millions of […]

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Driver of Pickup Dies Crashing into Tree on Kishwaukee Valley Road

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 20, 2025

From the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District: Fatal Crash on Kishwaukee Valley Road On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:51 a.m., the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded to the 13600 block of Kishwaukee Valley Road in Woodstock for a reported serious crash with entrapment. Crews […]

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Podcast Interview of State Rep. Jeff Keicher

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 19, 2025

From State Rep. Jeff Keicher: I recently joined DeKalb’s own TD Ryan “the Voice of DeKalb County” on his new podcast, TD Ryan Unleashed, to discuss legislation working its way through the General Assembly, the state budget and a whole lot more. Thank you to […]

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Daniel Biss Sends Announcement Video

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 20, 2025

Here is the announcement video from Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who served in the Illinois General Assembly, then ran unsuccessfully for Governor when JB Pritzker won.

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Speeding Drunk Driver Who Killed Motorclyst Gets Five Years

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 20, 2025

From the State’s Attorney: STEVEN FOULK SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announces that on May 19, 2025, Steven Foulk, of Island Lake, IL, […]

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Keicher Reflects on Last Two Weeks of the Session

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 19, 2025

From State Rep. Jeff Keicher, whose district was gerrymandered into southwest Crystal Lake to keep Carolyn Schofield from running against Democratic Party State Rep. Sue Ness: State Budget, Fighting New Taxes, Legislation Updates & More May 9 was the deadline for House members […]

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Catalina Lauf (Wheatley) Gearing Up To Run for Congress in Southwest Florida?

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 20, 2025

“The Lauf vs Oberweis sequel that nobody in Illinois asked for may soon be coming to a theater in Florida,” writes a Friend of McHenry County Blog who did the research below. First, digs at Jim Oberweis which have been documented on this blog […]

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Legislative Updates from Jeff Keicher

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 19, 2025

State Rep. Jeff Keicher (from Sycamore, but whose district was extended into Crystal Lake to keep Carolyn Schofield from running against Democrat Sue Ness): Below are some more updates on several pieces of legislation that I am proud to be sponsoring, and […]

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Handful of Local Officials Miss Deadline for Filing Income Disclosure Forms

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 19, 2025

It’s not that the form called “Statement of Economic Interest” provides much information. I call it the “None, none, none” form. But it is required to be filed by May 1st. Here are the officials in McHenry County who failed to file […]

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DeWitte Points to Pritzker’s Budget Having Increased 40% Since He Took Office

Cal SkinnerMay 20, 2025May 19, 2025

From State Senator Don DeWitte: Pritzker’s Proposed Tax Hikes Threaten Illinois’ Families & Their Futures  With just two weeks to go before the legislature is set to adjourn, Governor JB Pritzker’s own budget team still projects a massive deficit. While the Governor […]

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Chicago Republican Infighting

Cal SkinnerMay 19, 2025May 19, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: GOPers want to remove ward committeeman, but may lack authority There is talk about “removing” Paul McKinely, the 4th ward committeeperson from the Chicago Republican Party and/or the Cook County Republican Party following his May 12 […]

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Daniel Biss Raises Big Money in Day after Announcement

Cal SkinnerMay 19, 2025May 19, 2025

Although Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss hasn’t found McHenry County Blog in his campaign to succeed Jan Schakowsky as Algonquin Township’s Member in Congress, he has raised a bundle in his first day on the campaign trail. From Politico:  “SCOOP: Evanston Mayor Daniel […]

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Recent Comments

  • Kishwaukee Valley Road Accident Death Identified | Dailywise on Kishwaukee Valley Road Accident Death Identified
  • McHenry Organization Gains Housing Subsidy | Dailywise on McHenry Organization Gains Housing Subsidy
  • Driver of Pickup Dies Crashing into Tree on Kishwaukee Valley Road | Dailywise on Driver of Pickup Dies Crashing into Tree on Kishwaukee Valley Road
  • Catalina Lauf (Wheatley) Gearing Up To Run for Congress in Southeast Florida? - McHenry County Blog on Checking Up on the Oberweis Florida Campaign Finds $2 Million Loan
  • Nunda Township Officials Sworn into Office | Dailywise on Nunda Township Officials Sworn into Office
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