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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

  • Daily Herald Notices the Collar Counties Got Screwed November 5, 2025
  • (no title) November 4, 2025
  • UPDATE: Couple Found Dead in Car on Crystal Lake’s Coventry Lane IDENTIFIED November 4, 2025
  • Richmond Seeking 8% More in Real Estate Taxes November 4, 2025
  • McHenry County Board Finance Chairman Mike Skala Not Running for Re-Election November 4, 2025
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Lake in the Hills Police Throw Book at 18-Year Old Crystal Lake Man

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

Frrom Lake in the Hills Police: 3/9/2025 5:50:49 PM DRIVING COMPLAINT Miller Rd / Spring Lake Dr Ofc. Stachnik Defily, Aiden J.; M/W; 18 years of age; Autumncrest Dr., Crystal Lake. Charges: TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL

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McHenry County Makes Jeopardy

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 9, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: On February 28th during the semi-finals of a tournament, there was a question that specifically mentioned McHenry County. The category was “county lines.” The question was Cross this county’s border & you’re in one of the […]

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John Goodman Officially Announces for U.S. Senate

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the campaign of John Goodman: JOHN GOODMAN ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY FOR US SENATE SERVING ILLINOIS JOHN MAKES IT CLEAR, DICK DURBIN HAS GOT TO GO. Des Plaines, IL – John Goodman, a father, a veteran, and a proud lifelong Illinoisan, announced his […]

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Regional Planning Commission Seeks Help in Hiking RTA Taxes

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the Metropolitan Planning Council: I’m writing to you with a request for action TODAY to improve our transit system. Your voice is critical in ensuring our region has the service it needs to maintain its vibrant economy, meet climate objectives, and advance equity.    As you may […]

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UPDATE: Republican Candidate for Governor, DuPage Sheriff James Mendrick, Hit with Negative Frontpage Tribune Story, WEBSITE FOUND

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

It was hard for me to take seriously the campaign for the Republican nomination for Governor announced by DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick two weeks ago. When his name popped up on the front page of the Chicago Tribune in a negative […]

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FOID Card Turn In

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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McHenry Garage Fire Not Bad Enough to Keep Residents Out of Townhome

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the McHenry Township Fire Protection District: On Sunday, March 9 th , at approximately 9:50 p.m., the McHenry Township Fire Protection District was dispatched to the 1000 block of Carrick Lane in the city of McHenry for a report of a […]

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McHenry County Residents Pay 2.5% of the Value of Their Homes in Property Taxes

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 18, 2025

The Tax Foundation has calculated the effective tax rates for every county in the United States. It is a wonderful study. Effective tax rates are the only way to compare real estate taxes from place to place. One can calculate one’s own […]

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Trump-Endorsed Candidate for Florida Governor Scheduled for State GOP Fundraiser

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the Illinois State Republican Party: We are thrilled to invite you to the Red Gala, featuring Congressman Byron Donalds—the premier Illinois Republican event of 2025! This is more than a celebration; it’s a movement. Building on the momentum of 2024, we’re […]

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Pritzker Administration Drags Heels on Sue Ness’ Lakewood $250,000 Pork

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

Found in the minutes of the Village of Lakewood’s last Board meeting: “Village Manager Heckman reported receiving a reply from State Representative Ness’ office regarding the grant awarded a year and a half ago is still in the approval process and may […]

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Cary School Board, Nunda & Algonquin Township Candidates’ Night Monday at Galati’s

Cal SkinnerMarch 9, 2025March 4, 2025

From We the People, McHenry County: Date: 3/10/25 Time: 6-9 pm Join us for a Meet & Greet with Algonquin & Nunda Township Candidates, and Cary D26 School Board candidates! This is a great opportunity to meet them in person, ask questions, and learn more about […]

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U.S. Marshal Reports on Recovery of Missing Children

Cal SkinnerMarch 9, 2025March 9, 2025

From the U.S. Marshal: U.S. Marshals working in collaboration with Chicago Police Department successfully recover several missing and endangered children since January 2025 CHICAGO — The U.S. Marshals Service in the Northern District of Illinois – Chicago Division Missing Child Unit, working […]

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Possibility of Permanent Daylight Savings Time in Illinois

Cal SkinnerMarch 9, 2025March 8, 2025

Fox2 in St. Louis ran a story about legislative attempts to move to permanent Daylight Savings time in Illinois. I sent my email of support to my State Rep. Ness. Back during the energy crisis, U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III managed to […]

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Former Algonquin Township Congressman Sean Casten Comments on Congress

Cal SkinnerMarch 9, 2025March 7, 2025

From Politico comes insight from Members of Congress. These are from Sean Casten, who answered more questions that pretty much anyone else: Capitol Hill, like high school or your office, has plenty of different personalities, and people don’t always mesh. We asked […]

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WGN Notices Oberweis Florida Congressional Candidacy

Cal SkinnerMarch 8, 2025March 8, 2025

Found on WGN-TV: Republican Jim Oberweis hopes to represent Florida’s 19th district, which runs from Ft. Myers to Marco Island. The district is currently represented by Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, who last month announced a run to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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Dog Bites Neighbor’s Child

Cal SkinnerMarch 8, 2025March 7, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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20-Year Old Elgin Man Arrested for Pot Possession in Lake in the Hills

Cal SkinnerMarch 8, 2025March 7, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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When the White Sox Lost to the Dodgers

Cal SkinnerMarch 8, 2025March 7, 2025

A column by Pat Hickey in John Kass news about his meeting Castro on his seventh birthday brought back a memory from my senior year at Crystal Lake Community High School (now renamed “Central”). I was walking past the shop class and […]

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Ness and DeWitte Plan Joint Town Hall March 10th

Cal SkinnerMarch 8, 2025January 30, 2025

From the Offices of Sue Ness and Don DeWitte: The legislative update will be held at the Algonquin Village Hall from 8:30 to 9:30 on March 10th. They’ll provide updates on Springfield’s latest news and answer questions.

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A Number One Illinoisians Would Prefer Not To Have

Cal SkinnerMarch 8, 2025March 8, 2025

A splendid analysis from the Illinois Policy Institute‘s Patrick Anderson: Illinois families will pay the highest combined state and local tax burden in the nation this year on the median U.S. income. That’s $13,099, which will consume more than 16.5% of their […]

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Restaurant Cleanliness Stories You Don’t See in Illinois

Cal SkinnerMarch 8, 2025March 7, 2025

Driving from Illinois South, one can find restaurant grades posted in prominent places. In Kentucky, we found one near the door of a Waffle House in Paducah after visiting a winery, stating had achieved an “A.” In Florida the USA today local […]

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LaHood and Others Seek to Hospital-Based Training Programs

Cal SkinnerMarch 8, 2025March 3, 2025

From Congressman Darin LaHood: LaHood Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen and Protect Our Future Health Care Workforce Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) reintroduced the Rebuild America’s Health Care Schools Act alongside Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02) and Michelle Fischbach (MN-07). This legislation will […]

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Four Years for Subprime Lender Bank Fraud

Cal SkinnerMarch 7, 2025March 7, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: FORMER CEO OF SUBPRIME AUTO LENDER SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON IN CONNECTION WITH $67 MILLION FRAUD SCHEMES CHICAGO — The former Chief Executive Officer of a suburban Chicago subprime auto lending company has been sentenced […]

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UPDATE: Opioid Deaths Up in McHenry County, While State Sees Downturn, CORORNER OFFERS STATISTICS FOR FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 2024 and 2025

Cal SkinnerMarch 7, 2025March 7, 2025

From McHenry County Coroner Michael Rein: In the article it states that there was a spike in suspected overdose deaths in the past 4 weeks. That does not mean that overall opioid deaths are up. However, looking at the first 2 months […]

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Astounding Social Security Bonus!

Cal SkinnerMarch 7, 2025March 7, 2025

I worked most of my life in the public sector: As a result, I have an excellent state pension (about $110,000 a year) and Cadillac health benefits, but a piddling monthly Social Security payment: $317. (More is taken out for Medicare.) Preparing […]

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Congressman Darin LaHood Questions Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

Cal SkinnerMarch 7, 2025March 7, 2025

McHenry County’s only Republican Congressman Darrin LaHood asks Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in this YouTube:

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Oakwood Hills Dares Hold an “EASTER” Egg Hunt

Cal SkinnerMarch 7, 2025March 7, 2025

From the Village of Oakwood Hills Village President Chad Rider:

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New State Senator Darby Hills Sends First Newsletter

Cal SkinnerMarch 7, 2025March 6, 2025

From State Senator Darby Hills: I am honored to represent you as the new State Senator for Illinois’ 26th Senate District. After being sworn in last Friday, I have spent the week in Springfield, diving into legislative work and setting up my […]

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More Concern for Data Centers Electric Use

Cal SkinnerMarch 7, 2025March 5, 2025

Found on Capitol Fax: WAND | AI companies could have to be entirely powered by renewable energy under IL plan With lawmakers facing a new challenge in data centers and AI requiring record levels of power, the plan would force those companies […]

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Kane County Man Posing as “Investment Advisor” Indicted

Cal SkinnerMarch 6, 2025March 6, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: Suburban Chicago Investment Advisor Charged With Swindling Clients CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago investment advisor has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly swindling clients by soliciting them to invest in nonexistent business opportunities. RALPH ROGERS III, […]

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Recent Comments

  • McHenry County Board Finance Chairman Mike Skala Not Running for Re-Election - McHenry County Blog on County Board Proposes 13% Tax Levy Increase
  • McHenry County Board Finance Chairman Mike Skala Not Running for Re-Election - McHenry County Blog on We The People, McHenry County, Urges Contact with County Board Members to Remind Them of the Promise to Cut Property Tax Levy in Exchange for Voting for Mental Health Sales Tax
  • McHenry County Democratic Party Precinct Committee Candidates Vastly Outnumber Republican’s, 90-67 - McHenry County Blog on Does the McHenry County Republican Party Have a Death Wish?
  • 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?
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