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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.

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About Cal Skinner

About Cal Skinner
Email Cal Skinner

Recent Posts

  • Senator Darby Hills Offers $20 per Hour for Spring Interns February 2, 2026
  • Ice Fishing in Wonder Lake February 2, 2026
  • Illinois Commission Created by Governor Pritzker Looks at Immigration Enforcement February 2, 2026
  • Looking at What’s Happening to Illinois Ex-Pat Candidates for Congress in Florida February 2, 2026
  • McHenry County Anti-Ice Demonstration Sparsely Attended February 2, 2026
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Woman- and Minority-Owned Business Promotion Goes from One Woman to …

Cal SkinnerJanuary 29, 2026January 28, 2026

From The Center Square Commissioners make $150k but aren’t required to work full time and some have outside jobs When I worked for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services as a management consultant, the woman in charge of promoting Women- and […]

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Antioch Man Found Guilty of Drug Charges and Armed Violence

Cal SkinnerJanuary 28, 2026January 29, 2026

From the State’s Attorney: JURY FINDS PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED FELON GUILTY OF ARMED VIOLENCE, MULTIPLE DRUG CHARGES AFTER THREE-DAY TRIAL McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on January 14, 2026, John T. Boland, 39, of Antioch, Illinois, was found guilty […]

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Don Tracy Calls for Ending State Tax on Tips and Overtime

Cal SkinnerJanuary 28, 2026January 29, 2026

From the Don Tracy for Senator campaign: Don Tracy: Working Families Are Getting Relief Thanks to Common-Sense Tax Cuts Democrats Opposed SPRINGFIELD — According to new data from the Tax Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service, millions of working Americans are receiving larger tax refunds this year […]

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Bailey Brags He Is On Top According to Internal Poll

Cal SkinnerJanuary 28, 2026January 28, 2026

From the Darren Bailey campaign: New Poll Shows Darren Bailey/Aaron Del Mar ticket with commanding lead in GOP Primary Louisville, IL – New internal polling of likely Republican primary voters confirms that Darren Bailey is the clear frontrunner in the Illinois Republican primary for Governor. […]

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GOP Gubernatorial Finance Numbers

Cal SkinnerJanuary 28, 2026January 28, 2026

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: Here are the latest numbers for campaign funds for the four gubernatorial candidates: In the lead: Ted Dabrowski – $1,245,627.27 Rick Heidner: $1,160,026.06 Odd about Heidner: $1,050,000 self funded between him and his wife.  His […]

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Democratic Party Congressman Brad Schneider Backs Out of McHenry County Invisible Event Because Opponent Morgan Coghill Signed Up to Attend

Cal SkinnerJanuary 28, 2026January 28, 2026

The Lake County News-Sun reports that McHenry County Invisible set up an event at an unnamed McHenry Church with incumbent 10th District Congressman Brad Schneider. a Democrat. Schneider asked for the list of those who had signed up. (Sounds like what University […]

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Sosnowski Discussed Affordability

Cal SkinnerJanuary 28, 2026January 27, 2026

From State Rep. Joe Sosnowski: Affordability Needs Accountability One of my main priorities this session is Affordability. Myself, along with House Minority Leader Tony McCombie stood beside Assistant Leader Amy Elik a to talk about delivering affordability to Illinois families.  “House Republicans […]

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Senators Darby Hills & Craig Wilcox on Adoption/Foster Parenting Panel Scheduled for January 31st in Libertyville

Cal SkinnerJanuary 28, 2026January 29, 2026

From State Senator Darby Hill: Upcoming Foster Care and Adoption 101 Seminar I’m proud to partner with Let It Be Us and fellow legislators for a Foster Care and Adoption 101 Seminar on January 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Libertyville […]

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White Babies Bad?

Cal SkinnerJanuary 28, 2026January 27, 2026

From Richard Rostron, The Response Reporter seems to think it’s racist for people to have white babies According to Amanda Marcotte, a senior politics writer for Salon magazine, three pregnant women in the White House is nothing more than “a hateful project […]

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Illinois Predicted to Lose Two Congressional Seats after 2030 Census

Cal SkinnerJanuary 27, 2026January 29, 2026

From Unleash Prosperity Hotline Issue #1437: Blue States Keep Shrinking Red states are likely to gain NINE more electoral votes and House seats after the 2030 Census if present population trends continue. This analysis from the demographic group ESRI shows Minnesota losing only […]

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Crypto Dark Web Operator Pleads Guilty

Cal SkinnerJanuary 27, 2026January 27, 2026

From the U.S. Attorney: CO-CREATOR OF DARK WEB MARKETPLACE PLEADS GUILTY IN CHICAGO TO FEDERAL DRUG CONSPIRACY CHARGE CHICAGO — A Virginia man who co-created and operated “Empire Market”—a dark web marketplace that enabled users to anonymously buy and sell illegal goods […]

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48 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Cal SkinnerJanuary 27, 2026January 27, 2026

From the U.S. Attorney: SUBURBAN CHICAGO MAN SENTENCED TO 48 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITING A MINOR CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 48 years in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexually […]

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Alcohol and Pot

Cal SkinnerJanuary 27, 2026January 26, 2026

From the Cary Police:

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Poll Shows Raja Still Leading in Race for Democratic Party U.S. Senate Nomination

Cal SkinnerJanuary 27, 2026January 27, 2026

From Rod McCulloch: RAJA MAINTAINS LEAD IN SENATE RACE Krishnamoorthi’s total ticks up, Stratton leapfrogs into second place, Kelly numbers crater As the leading Democratic candidates for US Senate participated in the first official debate of the primary, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi leads […]

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Police Chiefs Give Recognition

Cal SkinnerJanuary 27, 2026January 26, 2026

FJohn L. Lieb, Past President, McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association: “2025 McHenry County Officer of the Year” &“2025 McHenry County Unit Citation” Award On Friday, January 23rd, 2026, the McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association (MCCPA) hosted its annual McHenry County […]

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Storage Building Burns in McHenry

Cal SkinnerJanuary 26, 2026January 26, 2026

From the McHenry Township Fire Protection District: Woodlawn Park Fire At approximately 10:12 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026, the McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded to a reported structure fire in the 1600 block of N. Woodlawn Park Avenue in unincorporated […]

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What Caused Steve Reick To Have No Fall Opponent

Cal SkinnerJanuary 26, 2026January 26, 2026

The following memo from State Board of Elections campaign disclosure leader Tom Newman explains why Meyers was thrown off the ballot: State Rep. Steve Reick’s Democratic Party Opponent Thrown Off the Ballot

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Running Stop Sign in Lake in the Hills Gets Two Kane County Residents in Pot Trouble

Cal SkinnerJanuary 26, 2026January 26, 2026

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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State Rep. Steve Reick’s Democratic Party Opponent Thrown Off the Ballot

Cal SkinnerJanuary 26, 2026January 26, 2026

With Democrat Briand Meyers toss off the November ballot State Rep. Steve Reick is assured of re-election. The Democrats really don’t like Reick, partially because of his attacking them at the swearing-in ceremony and, I would image his cogent evisceration of extreme […]

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The McHenry GOP Governor’s Forum That Darren Bailey Skipped

Cal SkinnerJanuary 26, 2026January 26, 2026

The GOP Information Project did what other counties Republican Party did. The organization sponsored forum to which all gubernatorial candidates were invited. Three came: One did not: A Friend of McHenry County Blog brought to my attention that Bailey had nothing else […]

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Illinois Near the Top in Population Loss Over Last Five Years

Cal SkinnerJanuary 26, 2026January 28, 2026

Here’s what Unleash Prosperity Hotline Issue #1439 reported: Nothin’ Could Be Finer The new 2025 state population data has just been released by the Census Bureau and our world-class demographer Wendell Cox has analyzed the numbers.   Two of the surprise winners […]

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Sunday Funnies

Cal SkinnerJanuary 25, 2026January 25, 2026
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Marengo Fire Leaves Family Out in the Cold

Cal SkinnerJanuary 25, 2026January 25, 2026

From the Harvard Fire Protection District: Residential Structure Fire on Echo Trail On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 6:37 p.m., the Harvard Fire Protection District responded to the 900 block of Echo Trail in unincorporated Marengo for a reported residential structure fire. […]

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CORRECTION: Gloria Van Hoff Gets Free Ride to Re-Election to the McHenry County Board, GOP COULD SLATE SOMEONE

Cal SkinnerJanuary 25, 2026January 25, 2026

The McHenry County Republican Party could not find a candidate willing to run against incumbent Democrat Gloria Van Hof. The reason might be because she ran first when she last ran. Unlike previous years, a party is not allowed to caucus in […]

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Fire at McHenry Township Home Results in “Complete Loss”

Cal SkinnerJanuary 24, 2026January 24, 2026

From the McHenry Township Fire Protection District: Bayview Lane On January 24, 2026, at approximately 2:11 a.m., the McHenry Township Fire Protection District (MTFPD) responded to a reported structure fire in the 3300 block of N. Bayview Lane in unincorporated McHenry County. […]

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Comparing Crime Statistics: 2024 v. 2025

Cal SkinnerJanuary 24, 2026January 23, 2026

From the Daily Caller quoting former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino:  “According to the CCJ report, 2025 saw decreases in compared to 2024. “Drug-related crimes increased by 7%, the only category that rose.”

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Identity of Wonder Lake Crash Victim Released

Cal SkinnerJanuary 23, 2026January 23, 2026

From the Coroner: McHenry County Coroner, Dr. Michael Rein, announced that his office was contacted on January 19, 2026 by McHenry County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death of Robert Morris, age 50, of Wonder Lake. Mr. Morris was discovered off the […]

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Income Tax Refunds Estimated to Be $1,000 Higher Than Last Year

Cal SkinnerJanuary 23, 2026January 22, 2026

From the Tax Foundation: Larger Tax Refunds Are Coming This Filing Season  Tax season begins next week: When taxpayers file their 2025 returns this year, many will see noticeably larger refunds than in recent years—up to $1,000 higher on average.  The One Big […]

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Pritzker Finally Reveals Targets to Cutting Budget

Cal SkinnerJanuary 23, 2026January 23, 2026

In September Governor JB Pritzker called for earmarking 4% in state spending that could be cut. Yesterday, Pritzker targeted just one percent savings in the budget. From The Center Square: Pritzker says $481.6 million put in reserves, GOP questions state spending By […]

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Opportunity To Hear Gubernatorial and Lt. Governor Candidates in McHenry Sunday

Cal SkinnerJanuary 23, 2026January 22, 2026

From a new Republican organization, GOP Voter Information Project: Republican Governor and Lieutenant Governor Candidates to Address Illinois Voters at Public Forum in McHenry Tickets are currently available for free at GOPVIP.com/forum McHenry, IL — As Illinois voters prepare for the March […]

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Recent Comments

  • Two Big Banks Announce They Will Match the $1,000 the Federal Government Will Put in Trump Accounts - McHenry County Blog on Dells Making Capitalists Out of McHenry County Kids Who Don’t Live in Cary, Ringwood or Barrington Hills
  • What Caused Steve Reick To Have No Fall Opponent - McHenry County Blog on State Rep. Steve Reick’s Democratic Party Opponent Thrown Off the Ballot
  • McHenry County Republican Party Has Less Than $17,000 - McHenry County Blog on Dems Have $50,000 in the Bank
  • Democratic Party $50,000 Not the Only Available - McHenry County Blog on Dems Have $50,000 in the Bank
  • Lake County State’s Attorney Doesn’t Know It Is a State Office - McHenry County Blog on Possible Reasons the State’s Attorney Dropped the Lakemoor Hemp Case
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