Skip to content
McHenry County Blog

McHenry County Blog

  • About
  • Home

mchenrycountyblog_t7666y

The author has 2964 posts

About

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.

We Hate Spam!

We have recently instituted a system of spam control that helps keep the McHenry County Blog a lean, mean information machine. A side product of this process is that in certain cases you might be blocked or challenged to prove that you aren’t a robot in order to comment on articles.

If for some reason the automated processes that are in place to prove that you are a human do not work, or if you have any other technical problems with the blog, please email techguy at any time for speedy resolution.

About Cal Skinner

About Cal Skinner
Email Cal Skinner

Recent Posts

  • SNAP (Food Stamps) Used by Six Percent in McHenry County–Lowest in the State November 3, 2025
  • Lakewood Audit Reveals RedTail Golf Course Not Paying Its Own Way November 3, 2025
  • Harvard Head-On Crash Closes Route 14 for an Hour and a Half, Child Flown to Hospital November 3, 2025
  • Possible Reasons the State’s Attorney Dropped the Lakemoor Hemp Case November 3, 2025
  • Opportunity for Public To Comment on Natural Disaster Plan November 3, 2025
uncategorized

Charlie Kim Holds Event in Woodstock Wednesday

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 18, 2025

And here are some photos from the event in which Charlie Kim advanced his hopes to be selected to run against Democratic Party Congressman Bill Foster. Kim woman signing petition Over fifty were in attendance. Photos by Cynthia Schenk.

uncategorized

Petition Party

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 18, 2025

A partition party was held last night in Fox River Grove. I asked John Pletz if he attended and if he could send me some pictures. He brought notarized petitions for the candidates that he had collected signatures for. Joe Tirio’s petition. […]

uncategorized

Critiquing Crystal Lake Grade School Board Member Lea Grover’s Electronic Comments about Charlie Kirk- Part 1

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 18, 2025

After Lea Grover told of her background and a bit about her previous interaction with Charlie Kirk, eleven people spoke during the Public Comment period. (I gave a hand-written FOIA request for Grover’s statement the night of the meeting, but District 47 […]

uncategorized

$50,000 Statue Planned for Congress Parkway Roundabout in Crystal Lake

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 18, 2025

From Jake Justen: The Crystal Lake city council approved $50,000 to install a sculpture at one of the roundabouts on Congress Parkway. It passed on a 5-1 vote, only Denise Smith voted against. I don’t know which intersection it will be installed at. The […]

uncategorized

Far Southern Illinois Republican State Rep. Candidate’s Life Threatened

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

I wouldn’t normally be publishing anything about a race for State Representative in the southernmost district in Illinois. But those press release–with accompanying death threat–deserves wide distribution. From GOP State Rep. candidate Joe DeBose: Joe DeBose: Death threats won’t keep him from […]

uncategorized

ATM Skimming Fraud Earns over Six Years in Federal Prison

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

from the U.S. Attorney: MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN SIX AND A HALF YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ATM CARD-SKIMMING FRAUD CHICAGO — A man has been sentenced to more than six and a half years in federal prison for installing card-skimming […]

uncategorized

Motorcyclist Killed in Spring Grove Crash from Waukegan

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

Friom the Coroner: McHenry County Coroner, Dr. Michael Rein, announced that his office was contacted on September 10, 2025, around 5:45 pm by the Spring Grove Police Department to investigate the death of Lance Shupe, age 31, of Waukegan. Mr. Shupe was […]

uncategorized

Man Taken to Jail to Await Extradition

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

From the Huntley Police:

uncategorized

We’re Number One in Something That Is Not Negative

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 14, 2025

Take a look at the map to find out what Illinois excels in:

uncategorized

County Official Salaries Increased a Lot, Comparisons with Other Large Counties

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

On the agenda of last night’s McHenry County Board meeting was a resolution hiking salaries for elected officials. The next Sheriff will receive the same salary as the State’s Attorney, plus $10,000 in additional stipends. The Count Clerk and Recorder will receive […]

uncategorized

Foster Holding Town Hall Meeting for Which One Must Register

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 16, 2025

From Invisible McHenry County: Saturday, October 4th Indivisible McHenry County is hosting a town hall featuring Congressman Bill Foster, Democrat, District 11, beginning at 1 p.m. in McHenry. Space is limited and registration will be required for the event. We will send the registration […]

uncategorized

ICE in Crystal Lake Tuesday?

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025

An employee of Jewel saw a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flying over Crystal Lake about 2;30-2:40 this afternoon. No markings could be seen from the ground at that location. At the same time many police sirens.

uncategorized

UPDATE: Scott Hartman NAMED to Replace Peter Austin as County Administrator

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Stepping up the plate of running McHenry County from the administrative side will be Scott Hartman after Peter Austin retires. That’s one of items early on in tonight’s meeting. He will be paid $230,000, plus fringe benefits. = = = = = […]

uncategorized

Grayslake Man Indicted for Kids’ Healthcare Fraud

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: Suburban Chicago Man Indicted on Federal Healthcare Fraud Charges CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been indicted on federal healthcare fraud charges for allegedly submitting more than $17.3 million in fraudulent claims to a private insurer. SHAWN […]

uncategorized

Nunda Township Flag Still at Half-Mast

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 15, 2025

Seen on Monday outside the Nunda Township Assessor’s Office:

uncategorized

Marengo Fire Protection District Asks for 15% Real Estate Tax Increase

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 13, 2025

The limit is 2.9%, plus new growth, but, as with the Marengo Rescue District, the Marengo Fire Protection District seeks to increase its property tax take by 15%. I do not understand the logic.

uncategorized

Petition Party Sponsored by Sheriff Robb Tadelman on Sept. 17th in Fox River Grove

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 15, 2025

From the campaign of Sheriff Robb Tadelman:

uncategorized

Crystal Lake Grade School Board Decides Not To Censure Lea Grover over Charlie Kirk Comment

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025September 16, 2025

The rhetoric was muted about the possible censure of District 47 Board member Lea Grover at Monday night’s meeting. Quite civil, in my opinion. Not at all like the raucous recent Crystal Lake Park Board meetings, which sound more like a sporting […]

uncategorized

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025August 31, 2025

From the Robb Tadelman campaign for Sheriff:

uncategorized

Governor Includes McHenry County in Disaster Proclamation

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025September 15, 2025

From Governor JB Pritzker: Gov. Pritzker Issues Disaster Proclamation Following Severe Storms and Flooding in Multiple Illinois Counties Proclamation directs state resources to Boone, Cook, Kane, McHenry, and Will Counties to support recovery efforts following the August storms SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker […]

uncategorized

UPDATE: Crystal Lake Grade School Board Considering Censuring Colleague LEA GROVER TONIGHT

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025September 15, 2025

A Friend of McHenry County Blog identifies the Board member in trouble as Lea Grover. The following Facebook post is said to have been the trigger: The identity of the District 47 Elementary School Board member is not revealed, but two agenda […]

uncategorized

After Threatening Another with a Gun Man Flees through Corn Field, Leaving Motorcycle and Gun Behind

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025September 15, 2025

From the Harvard Police: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm On Saturday, September 13, 2025, at approximately 9:05 p.m., Harvard Police Officers were dispatched to a parking lot in the 400 block of North Division Street regarding a report of a verbal altercation […]

uncategorized

Charlie Kirk Supporters Demonstrate Outside District 300 Headquarters Calling Out Bosrd President Nancy Zettler

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025September 15, 2025

Yesterday I wrote about Nancy Zettler’s reaction to the Assassination of Charlie Kirk. Today critics gathered on Harnish Drive to express their displeasure. “Nancy must resign” is on more than one sign. One man held a sign with photos of his least […]

uncategorized

Pharmacy Techs Steal and Sell 56,000 Opioid Pills, Techs to Jail, Pharmacy Pays Fed $250,000

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025September 15, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT WITH CHICAGO PHARMACY FOR ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT CHICAGO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office today announced a civil settlement with a Chicago pharmacy to resolve alleged violations of the Controlled Substances […]

uncategorized

Lake in the Hills Pot Tax Up 50%

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025September 15, 2025

Other communities and McHenry County have a tax on legal marijuana at 3%. Lake in the Hills lagged behind at 2%. This past week the Village board equalized it tax with the rest of McHenry County’s.

uncategorized

Circuit Clerk Offers Opportunity to Pay Up without Interest and Fees

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025October 15, 2025

From McHenry County Circuit Clerk Kathy Keefe: McHenry County Circuit Clerk Announces Collection Interest and Fee Amnesty Week from September 22-26, 2025 The McHenry County Circuit Clerk’s Office will be hosting their 4th annual Amnesty Week fromSeptember 22, 2025, through September 26, […]

uncategorized

Marengo Rescue Squad Seeks 15% Property Tax Hike

Cal SkinnerSeptember 15, 2025September 13, 2025

The limit is 2.9%, plus new growth, but the Marengo Rescue Squad seeks 15%. I can only wonder why the district’s attorney didn’t tell its Board.

uncategorized

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point Gets 18,000 Requests for New Chapters

Cal SkinnerSeptember 14, 2025September 14, 2025

From Turning Point USA:

uncategorized

Former Governor Jim Edgar Dies of Pancreatic Cancer, Looking at Legislation, Especially Income Taxes & Pensions

Cal SkinnerSeptember 14, 2025September 14, 2025

I know only one person who survived for years after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was David Bachman. It s a deadly disease. Pretty much everywhere else one can read of Jim Edgar’s being a gentleman. Certainly he was. But, let’s […]

uncategorized

D300 School Board President Nancy Zettler Writes Charlie Kirk Assassination Was “Karma”

Cal SkinnerSeptember 14, 2025September 14, 2025

Found on X by a Friend of McHenry County Blog; Following is a much more moderate comment by Rashid. Fellow Board member Steve Forentino replied on Facebook: “Most relevant is selected, so some comments may have been filtered out,” Facebook says. To […]

Posts pagination

1 … 11 12 13 14 15 … 99

Recent Comments

  • Possible Reasons the State’s Attorney Dropped the Lakemoor Hemp Case - McHenry County Blog on Hemp Criminal Case Goes Up in Smoke
  • Precinct Committeeperson Filings Show Democrats Vastly Outnumbering Republicans - McHenry County Blog on Does the McHenry County Republican Party Have a Death Wish?
  • Crystal Lake Park District Advised Public of Tax Hike Far Higher That Increase in the Cost of Living - McHenry County Blog on Crystal Lake Park Board Votes to Tax to the Max
  • Randi Freese Holds Fundraiser - McHenry County Blog on McHenry County GOPAC’s Kirk Remembrance and Petition Party Where Two Gubernatorial Candidates Spoke
  • Bruce Johnson Comes Presents Plan to Avoid McHenry County’s Having a 13% Budget Hike - McHenry County Blog on Bruce Johnson Proposes County Efficiency Task Force Committee for McHenry County To Avoid 13% Tax Levy Hike
  • About
  • Home
Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
rswpthemes.com