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McHenry County Blog

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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

  • Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce Helps Restaurant Pay for Door Criminals Broke September 1, 2025
  • GOP in the Lake in the Hills Labor Day Parade September 1, 2025
  • Fox River Grove Plans Subsidies to Two Downtown Businesses September 1, 2025
  • County’s Use of AI to Write Committee Minutes Puts Filming of “Groundhog Day” in Crystal Lake August 31, 2025
  • Sunday Funnies August 31, 2025
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Price of Algonquin’s Presidential Park Rises

Cal SkinnerAugust 15, 2025August 14, 2025

The total cost now is $5,311,784.96.

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Anderson Goes after Double-Dippers

Cal SkinnerAugust 15, 2025August 14, 2025

From Wonder Lake’s Bob Anderson: Double-Dipping Dear every unrespected and over taxed every day Illinois citizen, take notice, you are being hosed, or have been, by many elected officials that you have voted into office.  All eyes should be focused on the […]

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The Venezuelan Solution to Illegals in the United States

Cal SkinnerAugust 15, 2025August 15, 2025

Last December I shared the advice of a friend from Venezuela on an inexpensive way to induce people form his country to return home. Now Politico has run an article advancing his solution, but missing the ancillary benefit of inducing Venezuelans in […]

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Not Just People Leaving Illinois, Businesses, Too

Cal SkinnerAugust 15, 2025August 13, 2025

From Illinois Policy: Illinois lost 218 businesses to other states in 2023, part of an acceleration to triple the rate of what losses were before the pandemic. When adjusted for population, Illinois ranked No. 2 for the most business losses. by Bryce […]

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Crystal Lake Park District’s Nondisclosure Agreement Concerning Due Diligence with Northwestern Medical Concerning HealthBridge

Cal SkinnerAugust 15, 2025August 14, 2025

A Freedom of Information request prompted by contents in an email in the article below reveals the agreement between owner of HealthBridge Northwestern Medicine and the Crystal Lake Park District with regard to sharing information concerning due diligence, which, of course, includes […]

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Mercyhealth Fined for Covid Vaccine Policy, To Rehire and Compensate Fired Employees

Cal SkinnerAugust 14, 2025August 14, 2025

Having hospitals in Harvard and Crystal Lake, Mercy Health System just was fined big buck by the Unite States Equal Opportunity Commission. Mercyhealth to Pay Over $1 Million to Settle EEOC COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate-Related Religious Discrimination Charges CHICAGO – Mercyhealth, a health […]

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Tribune’s Scariest Headline

Cal SkinnerAugust 14, 2025August 14, 2025
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Last in the Country on Transparency

Cal SkinnerAugust 14, 2025August 13, 2025

From Illinois Policy: Illinois was just ranked last in the nation for financial transparency. The state’s chronic delays, audit failures and last-minute budgeting have put taxpayers in the dark and long-term stability at risk. Illinois ranked dead last in financial transparency, according […]

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Letter of Intent to Crystal Lake Park District Says City May Share Cost of HealthBridge

Cal SkinnerAugust 14, 2025August 12, 2025

Another Freedom of Information request yielded a Letter of Intent which had something I found of interest. I guess I should not be surprised, but it says that the Park District would use HealthBridge as “a community center.” “Intended Use: Community/Recreational Center” […]

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Diving into Crystal Lake Park Board Texts about HealthBridge: “The HealthBridge Opportunity is Dead – the Real Estate Guy Has Given Up His Option”

Cal SkinnerAugust 14, 2025August 12, 2025

My Freedom of Information request to the Crystal Lake Park Board requested emails and texts. The article with a chronological listing of the emails may be found in the article below: Texts follow:

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Chances of Dems’ Eking Out Another Congressional Seat in Illinois Slim

Cal SkinnerAugust 14, 2025August 13, 2025

Long-time legislative reporter Dave McKenney, now with WBEZ after leaving the Sun-Times, reports on Governor JB Pritzker’s threat to further gerrymander Illinois congressional districts. There are only three Republican districts in shrinking Illinois. Mike Bost and Mary Miller are far Downstate that […]

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Former Republican Party Chairman Running for U.S. Senate

Cal SkinnerAugust 13, 2025August 13, 2025

From the campaign of Don Tracy: Don Tracy, Community Leader from Central Illinois, to Run for US Senate to Defend the American Dream “The sky-high cost-of-living in Illinois has made the American Dream seem out of reach for many everyday Illinoisans. I […]

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Northwest Herald Features Rally in Support of Crystal Lake Park District Which Had No Mention of the Push to Buy HealthBridge

Cal SkinnerAugust 13, 2025August 13, 2025

Signs supporting the reinstatement of DEI, the other home of Park Board President Fred Tiesenga, lake access, plus the cost-benefit aspect of the new President’s fall publication letter were on display. Tiesenga’s proposed letter got three paragraphs in the Northwest Herald story, […]

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Potential Crystal Lake Park District Financing of HealthBridge Purchase

Cal SkinnerAugust 13, 2025August 12, 2025

A minority of the Crystal Lake Park Board seem to want to buy the old Centegra, now Northwestern Medical fitness center and pools. They, being urged on by Crystal Lake Mayor Haig Haleblian, envision is as a community center and new District […]

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Pritzker Cornered on “Meet the Press”

Cal SkinnerAugust 13, 2025August 11, 2025

Sunday’s “Meet the Press”: KRISTEN WELKER: Well, look. Sticking on your state’s map, every major group that grades the fairness of congressional maps gives your state an “F.” Common Cause, a nonpartisan government watchdog, even says your map, and I’m going to […]

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Lake in the Hills Another Place Enhanced Enforcement Begins on Friday

Cal SkinnerAugust 13, 2025August 12, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police: The Lake in the Hills Police Department joins statewide Labor Day traffic safety effort Enforcement focused on impaired, distracted and unsafe driving Lake in the Hills, IL – The Lake in the Hills Police Department […]

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A Bull Valley Environmentally Sensitive Subdivision on Display Friday

Cal SkinnerAugust 13, 2025August 11, 2025

From the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County: August 15 Talk and Tour:  Successful Natural Areas Management for Homeowners Associations Woodstock, IL – August 11, 2025 – The afternoon of Friday, August 15 is an opportunity for homeowners to learn how a Homeowners Association […]

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More Enhanced Police Enforcement Around Labor Day Begins August 15th

Cal SkinnerAugust 12, 2025August 11, 2025

Labor Day isn’t even on my agenda, but the Crystal Lake Police Department is today the first of a number of local agencies to announce its participation in a Federally-funded highway safety prorgam”: The Crystal Lake Police Department joins statewide Labor Day […]

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16 Years for Drug Induced Homicide, Two Harvard Residents Heroin Overdosed

Cal SkinnerAugust 12, 2025August 12, 2025

From the State’s Attorney: RAYNARDO O. GONZALEZ SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR TWO COUNTS OF DRUG INDUCED HOMICIDE McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announces that on August 11, 2025, Raynardo O. Gonzalez, 54, of Chicago, […]

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Associated Press Runs Article Laying “Partial” Blame for Increased Electric Bills on Data Centers

Cal SkinnerAugust 12, 2025August 12, 2025

From the article: It’s not as if I have not been harping on this subject for a long time. You can read the Associated Press story here.

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DeKalb’s NPR Shows Bias That Led to Congressional Defunding

Cal SkinnerAugust 12, 2025August 12, 2025

Looking at articles about McHenry County this morning, I noticed a Northern Public Radio story about a candidacy announcement of a Democrat running against Republican Jeff Keicher: So, I clicked on the article and found this headline: With the repeated claims of […]

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Two Crashes Challenge Capacity of Marengo Rescue Personnel

Cal SkinnerAugust 12, 2025August 12, 2025

From the Marengo Fire/Rescue Districts: Crews Respond to Rollover and Second Crash Minutes Apart .On August 11, 2025, at 4:11 p.m., the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts and Union Fire Protection District responded to the intersection of Route 176 and North Union […]

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Now Up to Two Members of the Crystal Lake City Council Who Seem To Want Abandoned HealthBridge To Be Owned by the Pubic

Cal SkinnerAugust 12, 2025August 12, 2025

In my really long article yesterday, a newly-elected member of the Crystal Lake City Council reveals that she wants public ownership of HealthBridge. Maybe I infer too much from this email from Councilwoman Natasha Teetsov. But, if I don’t that would make […]

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How Will James Paterson Write about Trump’s Taking over the Washington, D.C., Police Department?

Cal SkinnerAugust 12, 2025August 11, 2025

As I was listening to President Donald Trump’s press conference yesterday on how he was taking control of the police department in Washington, D.C., my thoughts went to James Paterson now former D.C. policeman Alex Cross. How will he work this hero […]

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Who Drew Illinois’ Gerrymandered Map?

Cal SkinnerAugust 12, 2025August 11, 2025

Here’s an enjoyable peice by a Friend of McHenry County Blog: Reward for whistleblowers who find crayons You hear a few pundits and politicians pointing out that when Governor JB Pritzker referred to “kindergarteners with crayons” he was talking about the state […]

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Park District Emails Concerning Healthbridge

Cal SkinnerAugust 11, 2025August 11, 2025

Late last week, I filed a Freedom of Information request with the Crystal Lake Park District asking for emails and texts concerning the purchase of Healthbridge. This was shortly after the City of Crystal Lake failed to provide similarly requested information. Mighty […]

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Another Crooked Democrat Off to Jail

Cal SkinnerAugust 11, 2025August 11, 2025

Found in the Chicago Tribune: Here’s how the Chicago Tribune summarizes the Federal charges: “For years, federal prosecutors say, he used his positions to create a fiefdom of graft, shaking down business owners who needed liquor licenses, forcing a developer to install […]

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Wall Street Journal on Illinois’ Gerrymandering

Cal SkinnerAugust 11, 2025August 10, 2025

Found on Jeanne Ives Sunday email. The Wall Street Journal opined about Pritzker’s hypocrisy in numerous articles, below is a snapshot of their August 5th editorial on the topic.

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Another Pot Arrest

Cal SkinnerAugust 11, 2025August 8, 2025

From the Woodstock Police:

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Illinois Lt. Gov. Julia Stratton Falls for “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” Lies

Cal SkinnerAugust 10, 2025August 10, 2025

From Legal Insurrection: Illinois Lt. Governor Tweets That Michael Brown Was “Murdered” In fact, Brown was shot when he sucker punched a cop and tried to grab his service weapon. Yet 11 years after Brown’s shooting, the lie persists and is spread […]

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Recent Comments

  • Pritzker’s Juvenile Detention Centers Send Press Release to Deflect from Sex Abuse Suits - McHenry County Blog on Rape and Other Sexual Abuse Charged in Illinois’ Juvenile Facilities
  • The Venezuelan Solution to Illegals in the United States - McHenry County Blog on Cutting Off the Head of the Syrian Snake Is Bringing People Home; Could Trump Attack Venezuelan Illegal Alien Problem by Getting Rid of Nicolás Maduro?
  • Crystal Lake Park District’s Nondisclosure Agreement Concerning Due Diligence with Northwestern Medical Concerning HealthBridge - McHenry County Blog on Park District Emails Concerning Healthbridge
  • Northwest Herald Features Rally in Support of Crystal Lake Park District Which Had No Mention of the Push to Buy HealthBridge - McHenry County Blog on Counterpoint to John Collins’ Argument That the Crystal Lake Park District Should Buy HealthBridge
  • Northwest Herald Features Rally in Support of Crystal Lake Park District Which Had No Mention of the Push to Buy HealthBridge - McHenry County Blog on Critiquing John Collins’ Critique of Park Board President Fred Tiesenga’s Letter to Constituents about Property Taxes Shows Almost One-Third Increase in His Park District Tax Bill over the Last Ten Years
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