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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
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Recent Posts

  • Gun Charges Lodged against Marengo 19-Year Old July 12, 2025
  • Seven More Years for Threatening Probation Officer July 12, 2025
  • Lakewood Announces Surplus Equipment July 12, 2025
  • “Criminal Defacement” Graffiti on Lake in the Hills Street July 12, 2025
  • Woodstock Continues Crackdown on Transients July 12, 2025
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1973 Martin Luther King Day Law Not Supposed to Close Schools, According to Sponsor Harold Washington

Cal SkinnerJanuary 20, 2025January 20, 2025

The vote in favor of future Chicago Mayor Harold Washington’s bills to designate a holiday to honor Martin Luther King was held on April 4, 1973, the anniversary of his assignation. Sponsored by State Rep. Washington, it passed by a vote of […]

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Buehler Beat Wegener by Ten Percentage Points To Head County Board While Spending Only 75% of Democrat’s Effort

Cal SkinnerJanuary 20, 2025January 18, 2025

Republican incumbent Mike Buehler spent $53,213 in the last month of his fall campaign. During the same period, Democratic Party opponent, County Board member Kelli Wegener laid out $71,226. Despite spending one-third more than Buehler, Wegener lost by almost 16,000 votes. The […]

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Projected 2025 McHenry County Employee Compensation: Ne-Pa

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2025January 2, 2025

McHenry County publishes salary and fringe benefit estimates for those over 1200 employees. Nesbit Burnett, Taylor Supervisor, State’s Attorney $147,484.40Nett OHalleran, Nanci Administrative Specialist I $20,615.40Neubauer, Justin Senior Asst State’s Attorney 2nd Chair $127,219.24Nevitt, Lynzi County Clerk Office Supervisor $65,299.83Newbold, Bryan Correctional […]

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On Consolidation of Power in the Illinois House When the Speaker’s Rules Eliminated the Predictability of When a Bill Would Be Called for a Vote

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2025January 17, 2025

Fifty-two years ago in 1973, W. Robert Blair was forced to make significant changes in the way things were done in the Illinois House of Representative in order to win re-election as House Speaker. He had been challenged by State Rep. Henry […]

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Sunday Funnies

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2025January 19, 2025

From the Illinois Policy Institutes Eric Allie and Chicago Tribune Editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis:

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Algonquin Improvements Win Plaudits

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2025January 17, 2025

From the Village of Algonquin: Algonquin Projects Receive Engineering Excellence Awards Old Town Revitalization and Souwanas Trail Improvements Recognized for Positive Impact ALGONQUIN, IL – The Village of Algonquin is proud to share that two projects have been honored with the American Council […]

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Tribune Story on Catholic Nuns Features Visits to McHenry County Jail ICE Detainees

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2025January 19, 2025

Found on the front page of Sunday’s Chicago Tribune is the story about two Catholic Sisters dedicated to helping immigrants. Included is what they did at the McHenry County Jail. From the article: They met with the Midwest director for the U.S. […]

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51 Years Ago Promise Made Again by RTA Seekers of Still Higher Taxes

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2025January 18, 2025

In the 1974 referendum that created the Regional Transportation Authority, the proponents promised “public transportation when and where yo need it. That promise was finally met in December , 2019 in McHenry County. Now comes RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard, in his most […]

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Family Take-Down of Older Relatives’ Right to Drive in New Senior Driver’s License Bill

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2025January 19, 2025

“Grandpop, there’s a car coming!” I shouted as we drove on the left side of the road which was paved. He swerved back to the dirt side of the road and we didn’t have a head-on crash. When we returned to my […]

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Projected 2025 McHenry County Employee Compensation: Mi-Ne

Cal SkinnerJanuary 18, 2025January 2, 2025

McHenry County publishes salary and fringe benefit estimates for those over 1200 employees. Miller, Garrett Assistant State’s Attorney $96,984.66Miller, Susan Board of Review Alt $6,500.00Miner, James Animal Control Officer I $56,799.08Minniti, Carlo Deputy – Union $113,902.04Mishler, Brian Correctional Officer – Union $103,203.88Mitchard, […]

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Another Example of Order of Protection Not Protecting

Cal SkinnerJanuary 18, 2025January 18, 2025

Found in the Chicago Tribune is a woman being killed by the man against which she had obtained an Order of Protection:

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“ICE Man Cometh,” Chicago Targeted for Illegal Alien Removal Tuesday

Cal SkinnerJanuary 18, 2025January 18, 2025

That’s that the Wall Street Journal and the New Yok Post are reporting. That’s what Tom Homan promised in his December Chicago appearance “If your mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside. But if he impedes us, if he knowingly […]

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Remembering Visiting Washington Men’s Room 70-80 Years Ago

Cal SkinnerJanuary 18, 2025January 16, 2025

Block Club published a story on 1910 urinals at an old brewery at a Chicago bar. Our family visited Washington about 1950, which I can date to the time President Truman was living in Blair House while the White House was being […]

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Projected 2025 McHenry County Employee Compensation: Ma-Mi

Cal SkinnerJanuary 17, 2025January 2, 2025

McHenry County publishes salary and fringe benefit estimates for those over 1200 employees. Marchese, Anna Veterans Service Officer I $87,334.76Marek, Maria Senior Asst State’s Attorney 2nd Chair $112,908.66Marin, Anthony Assistant State’s Attorney $94,827.54Markison, Edward Maint Superintendent $150,414.68Markowski, Ryan Probation Supervisor $88,221.08Maron, Taylor […]

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Tribune Editorial Cartoonist Scott Stantis’ Idea of Balance

Cal SkinnerJanuary 17, 2025January 17, 2025

Earlier this week Scott Stantis, the Editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune drew images of Joe Biden as a doddering old man: Today, Stantis returned to his ridicule of Donald Trump, whom he cauterizes as a skunk:

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District 300 Implements Mistaken Lockdown at Jacobs High School

Cal SkinnerJanuary 17, 2025January 17, 2025

From District 300: False Lockdown Alarm at Jacobs High School – No Threat to Students Dear Jacobs Families, This morning, at approximately 7:21 a.m., a lockdown alarm was activated at Jacobs High School. We immediately implemented our lockdown procedures and worked closely […]

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Women’s March Follows Governor Dan Walker’s Rebranding Example

Cal SkinnerJanuary 17, 2025January 17, 2025

The Chicago Tribune has an article about how the “Women’s March” is going to change its name: After walking from the bottom to the top of the State of Illinois in his quest to beat the Lieutenant Governor Paul Simon, a reformer […]

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Attendance/Absence of Current and Former Democratic Party Members of Congress at Trump Inauguration

Cal SkinnerJanuary 17, 2025January 16, 2025

The two U.S. Members of Congress who currently and previously representing Algonquin Township are skipping the Inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump: Those who have represented other parts of McHenry County say they will attend the ceremony:

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McHenry County Democratic Women End Year with $12,400, No Money Identified Supporting Female Candidates

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 15, 2025

During the last three months of 2024, prime time to support candidates, the McHenry County Democratic Women spent less than $2,100 and none was identified as supporting women. $350 was transferred to the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee, but most was spent […]

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Communist Chinese Party’s Groton Under Attack by LaHood, Others in Congress

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025

From CongrrsmanDarin LaHood: LaHood, Moolenaar, Golden, and Senator Rick Scott Reintroduce the NO GOTION Act to Stop Federal Taxpayer Funding of CCP Companies January 16, 2025 Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) – a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and […]

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17 Years for $2.7 Million Reverse Mortgage Fraud to Finance Home Repairs

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 16, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: CHICAGO BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 17 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR BILKING ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS IN REVERSE MORTGAGE AND HOME REPAIR SCHEME CHICAGO — A Chicago businessman was sentenced today to more than 17 years in federal prison […]

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Woodstock Native Comments on Potential New State Flag, Voting Open

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 16, 2025

These are the top ten entries picked by the Illinois Flag Commission to replace the current one. A designer who is a Woodstock native was interviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times for its article: “Designers I talked to believe it’s important an Illinois […]

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Projected 2025 McHenry County Employee Compensation: Le-Mi

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 2, 2025

McHenry County publishes salary and fringe benefit estimates for those over 1200 employees. Leake, Katherine Clerk III $42,646.50Ledford, Michaela Laundry Worker $31,517.85Lee, Sarah Correctional Officer – Union $113,694.88Legare, Norrie Professional Nurse $95,323.54Lenzen, Derek Correctional Officer – Union $128,375.52Leonard, Djuana Procurement Specialist II […]

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Sheriff Tadelman Points to Illinois Trust Act’s Restrictions on His Office’s Ability to Assist ICE

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 16, 2025

From McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman: Sheriff’s Statement on Aiding Federal Agencies The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and the safety of all residents in our community. However, the Illinois Trust Act, which […]

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Kidnapper, Rapist of Suburban Uber Driver Convicted

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 16, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: CHICAGO MAN CONVICTED IN FEDERAL COURT OF KIDNAPPING, CARJACKING, AND FIREARM OFFENSES CHICAGO — A federal jury has convicted a Chicago man on multiple criminal charges for kidnapping two drivers and sexually assaulting one of them at gunpoint. […]

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Campaign for Nunda Township Supervisor Taking Place on Facebook

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 16, 2025

From the side of current Nunda Township Supervisor Leda Drain: From challenger Mike Shorten, a former Nunda Township Trustee: To both candidates and those running in other township, municipal or school board elections, any submissions will be publilshed.

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Tax Cap Limit for Real Estate Taxes Due in 2026 Set at 2.9%

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 16, 2025

With the Consumer Price Index having been announced by the Federal government, the Illinois Department of Revenue has announced that non-Home Rule local governments (including schools) are limited to a 2.9% increase in the tax levies they pass this year. The limit […]

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Keicher’s Photo Used by Daily Herald

Cal SkinnerJanuary 16, 2025January 15, 2025

State Rep. Jeff Keicher did the heavy lifting on the bill to conform the driver’s license requirements for those over 75 to those in other states. But the Senate President, a Democrat, decided for some reason he did not like the bill […]

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McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett Reports $53,500 to Start the Year, Most from Car Dealers

Cal SkinnerJanuary 15, 2025January 16, 2025

McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett has one of the largest Political Action Committee funds in McHenry County.l It totaled $53,500 on New Year’s Day. He owes himself and his firm $63,272. The latest infusion of money is $10,000, put in the last week […]

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Biden Saying Bye-Bye in Speech Tonight

Cal SkinnerJanuary 15, 2025January 15, 2025

& PM is the time to hear President Joe Biden give his foging away speech. Those of us in the audience can give him a TelleTubby Bye-Bye:

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Recent Comments

  • Race for Democratic Party Nomination to Replace Jan Schakowsky Expanding–Up to Twelve So Far - McHenry County Blog on Phil Andrew Still Another 9th District Democratic Party Hopeful
  • New Count on Real Estate Taxes Exceeding $10,000 - McHenry County Blog on Federal Tax Legislation Will Reward Thousands of High Property Taxpayers in McHenry County
  • Pritzker’s Presidential Poll Numbers Flatlining - McHenry County Blog on Pritzker, a Two-Percenter
  • Counterpoint to John Collins’ Argument That the Crystal Lake Park District Should Buy HealthBridge - McHenry County Blog on YMCA Would Be Hurt If Park District Buys HealthBridge
  • Northwest Herald Pours Gasoline on Crystal Lake Park District’s Newly-Elected Majority as New Board President Shares His Phone Number - McHenry County Blog on DEI Supporters Keep Up Pressure on Crystal Lake Park Board, Conflict of Interest Charged for New Attorney, Pitch Made for Purchasing HealthBridge, Lake Advisory Committee Discussed
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