From State Rep. Jeff Keicher: We need TIF Reform. I’ve been vocal about TIF abuse long before the recent local TIF action that mischaracterized vibrant farmland as “blighted” to proceed with a TIF action. The heart of my objections has always been […]
If McHenry County Board members needed convincing that they will be facing a hot local issue when they vote on whether or not to approve zoning for a slaughterhouse next to the Greenwood Cemetery, attendance at yesterday’s hearing might convince them. The […]
From the Village of Algonquin: Algonquin to Celebrate Grand Re-Opening of Presidential Park A vibrant new vision transforms the park into a hub for play and community ALGONQUIN, IL – The Village of Algonquin will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, […]
From the Huntley Police: UPDATE: Missing Juveniles Located UPDATE 5/22/25 4:15 pm Both missing juveniles have been located and are safe. With the help of the FBI and the Chicago Police Department, they were taken into protective custody by the Huntley Police […]
From the State’s Attorney: PATRICK O’FARRELL IS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR GROOMING The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announces that on May 20, 2025, Patrick S. O’Farrell, 58, of Woodstock, was sentenced to two years […]
As I have mentioned before, I’m signed up for Homeland Security Department press releases. This one drives a stake through its heart by prohibiting enrollment of foreign students. The release is below: Harvard University Loses Student and Exchange Visitor Program Certification for […]
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 […]
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) […]
Stupid Requirement for Municipalities to Say, “Mother, May I?” to IDOT before Spending Gas Tax Money
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
From a Friend of McHenry County Blog:
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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, […]
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 […]
“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 […]