Skip to content
McHenry County Blog

McHenry County Blog

  • About
  • Home

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.

We Hate Spam!

We have recently instituted a system of spam control that helps keep the McHenry County Blog a lean, mean information machine. A side product of this process is that in certain cases you might be blocked or challenged to prove that you aren’t a robot in order to comment on articles.

If for some reason the automated processes that are in place to prove that you are a human do not work, or if you have any other technical problems with the blog, please email techguy at any time for speedy resolution.

About Cal Skinner

About Cal Skinner
Email Cal Skinner

Recent Posts

  • Joe Cervantez Seeking To Be Republican Candidate for Illinois Attorney General August 29, 2025
  • Pickup Crash into Tree Sends Impaired Driver, Injured Critically, to Hospital via Helicopter, Passenger Also Airlifted, But Stable August 29, 2025
  • Commentary on Pitches Made to “Take Back the Republican Party” August 29, 2025
  • Huntley Police Stop Fraudster August 28, 2025
  • Fright Train Near Harvard Hits, Which Ignites August 28, 2025
Uncategorized

Rape of Minor Member of McHenry Household Earns Man Seven Years

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 21, 2025

From the State’s Attorney: ELIEZER MURRIETA-GONZALEZ SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on July 14, 2025, Eliezer Murrieta-Gonzalez, 25, of McHenry, Illinois, was sentenced to […]

Uncategorized

State Rep. Jeff Keicher Schedules Algonquin Library Office Hours

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025June 18, 2025

From State Rep. Jff Kicher: Rep. Keicher Announces Summer Traveling Office Hours SYCAMORE – To assist 70th District residents interested in asking questions or sharing concerns about state issues or legislation, State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) invites you to attend a Traveling Office Hours event […]

Uncategorized

Lots of Illinois Tax Money Going to Non-Government Organizations through Legislative Pork

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 18, 2025

From The Center Square: State rep points to lack of accountability as IL taxpayer money flows to NGOs (The Center Square) – Questions about transparency and accountability surround millions of Illinois taxpayer dollars appropriated for non-governmental organizations. The record-high $55.2 billion Illinois state […]

Uncategorized

Homeless and Indecent in Cary

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 19, 2025

From the Cary Police: the indecency? Urinating outside the train station.

Uncategorized

Fifty Acres North of Woodstock Restored to Prairie and Wetlands, High Schoolers from Five Districts Assist

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 30, 2025

From the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge: Fifty Acres Restored with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Funds Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge is pleased to announce the successful restoration of a 50-acre parcel made possible by a Five Star and […]

Uncategorized

Huntley Alden Estates Nursing Home Fined $50,000 for Choking Death of Patient

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 18, 2025

From the Illinois Department of Public Health: IDPH Posts Nursing Home Violations for First Quarter of 2025 [Of rhe four facilities listed below…cited with type “AA” violations of the Nursing Home Care Act during the first quarter of 2025, the most severe type of violation, [one was […]

Uncategorized

Lover of Life Irene Napier, R.I.P.

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 18, 2025

If a kinder person with opposing views ever entered my life, it was Irene Napier. Irene was the Godmother of the Pro-Life movement in McHenry County. I was one of her State Representatives and certainly not on her side of the issue […]

Uncategorized

Rape and Other Sexual Abuse Charged in Illinois’ Juvenile Facilities

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 17, 2025

With the knowledge I have of rape in Illinois prisons, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it occurs in juvenile detention centers as well. Even back in the mid-to-late 1990’s when I was exposing what scores of inmates wrote me. The […]

Uncategorized

Hundreds Line Crystal Lake’s Route 14 from Main Street past Jewel

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

Found on Route 14 right before six are local demonstrators making “Good Trouble” recommended by the last Democratic Party Civil Rights leader and Congressman Johnb Lewis:

Uncategorized

Bank Robber Gets over Seven Years

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: MAN SENTENCED TO SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROBBING FIVE SUBURBAN CHICAGO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CHICAGO — A man who robbed four banks and a credit union in the Chicago suburbs has been sentenced to […]

Uncategorized

Another Carjacker to Federal Pen

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: FOURTH MEMBER OF CHICAGO CARJACKING AND ROBBERY CREW SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON  CHICAGO — A man who committed multiple carjackings and robberies in Chicago, including carjacking a vehicle with an infant in the back seat, has been sentenced […]

Uncategorized

DeWitte Declines to Run for Re-Election

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From State Senator Don DeWitte: Senator Donald DeWitte Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election West Dundee, Illinois— Illinois State Senator Donald P. DeWitte (R-St. Charles), a respected voice in the Illinois Legislature and a dedicated public servant for over three decades, announced […]

Uncategorized

Man Who Defrauded Gas and Electric Companies on Behalf of Others at a Fee Pleads Guilty

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUDULENTLY ARRANGING UTILITY SERVICES FOR THOUSANDS OF CHICAGO-AREA PROPERTIES  CHICAGO — A man who fraudulently arranged for more than $5 million in utility services to be provided to 2,000 Chicago-area properties has pleaded guilty […]

Uncategorized

Nine-Minute Video of Crystal Lake Sheriff Deputy Fatal Shooting Released

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From the Sheriff: Deputies Involved in April 10 Incident Return to Full Duty Following the standard review process required under Illinois law, the four deputies involved in the April 10 critical incident in unincorporated Crystal Lake have been cleared to return to […]

Uncategorized

Richard Porter Visits McHenry County Executive Committee Meeting

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 16, 2025

Traveling from New Trier Township to the far reaches of his 9th Congressional District, former Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter previewed a potential candidacy for the United States Senate. With Democrat Dick Durbin, elected in 1996 over State Rep. Al Salvi, retiring, […]

Uncategorized

Forever Chemicals Found in Five Crystal Lake Wells

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 14, 2025

From the City of Crystal Lake in reply to a Freedom of Information Request: “The City has detected “forever chemicals” in four wells (wells 10, 11, 14, and 15). “Wells 10, 11 and 14 are located at Water Treatment Plant 4, 400 […]

Uncategorized

Huntley’s Kelly Eagan Off to the White House

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 16, 2025

Today is the day when Grafton Township Republican Party Vice Chairwoman Kelly Eagan will board a plane to Washington. She was invited by Shane Bouvet, a friend of President Donald Trump. What will happen when she arrives at the White House remains […]

Uncategorized

Still Another Candidate Seeking to Replace Jan Schakowsky–Nick Pyati

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 16, 2025

Here is his announcement video:

Uncategorized

Call for Pritzker to Allow School Choice Contained in Trump’s Tax Law

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 15, 2025

From the Illinois Freedom Caucus: IL Freedom Caucus files resolution urging Gov. Pritzker to opt Illinois into federal school choice program Springfield, IL – The Illinois Freedom Caucus has filed two identical resolutions, HR427 and SR383, urging Governor Pritzker to opt Illinois into the new federal […]

Uncategorized

Check Out Some of the Professions for Which Illinois Requires Licensing

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 15, 2025

At one point Illinois required more occupations to be licensed than any other.’ As I watched nail technicians, hair braiders, tree trimmers and other entry job possibilities, I concluded that most licensing was for the purpose of protecting those already doing those […]

Uncategorized

Arkansas Governor Attends Barrington Hills Fundraiser for McHenry County GOPAC

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 16, 2025

A Barrington Hills estate owner hosted a fundraiser for McHenry County GOPAC and Joe Tirio last Thursday. Keyu draw was Arkansas Govenor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Also at the event were Congressman Darin LaHood, Illinois National Committeeman for the RNC Dean White, and […]

Uncategorized

Diana Hartmann, McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools, Holding Fundraiser/Campaign Kickoff Next Tuesday

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 20, 2025

Diana Hartmann was appointed Regional Superintendent of Schools by Board Chairman Mike Buehler and approved by the County Board. She was elected without opposition in 2024 for the rest of the term. Now, she is up for re-election and offers the following […]

Uncategorized

Invisible McHenry County Plans Route 14 Demonstration Thursday 5-7

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 14, 2025

Information about the demonstration: Time: Thursday, July 17, 5 – 7pm Location: U.S. 14 & Teckler Boulevard About this event This is a peaceful roadside protest rally hosted by Indivisible McHenry County. We will be standing along the sidewalk on the north […]

Uncategorized

Woodstock Fire/Rescue Members Graduate from MCC Paramedic Program

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025July 15, 2025

From the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District: Woodstock Fire Recognizes Five Paramedic Program Graduates The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District proudly recognizes five of its members who recently graduated from McHenry County College’s Paramedic Program. each completed an intensive program that included classroom instruction, clinical rotations, […]

Uncategorized

Republicans in Jan Schakowsky’s District Raise Peanuts

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025July 15, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: Dongbo Mark Su raised $10,400 in the second quarter. He spent $3,030.29 leaving him with a balance of $7,360.71 Rocio Cleveland hasn’t filed paperwork yet, but I’d be surprised if she raised more than Mr. […]

Uncategorized

Illinois Environmental Council Puts Negative Spin on Increased Real Estate Bill Deduction

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025July 14, 2025

The Illinois Environmental Council has posted an analysis of the big bill just signed into law by President Trump. You can read it here. I can’t find anything positive. Since my tax bill is over the past $10,000 limit, I consider raising […]

Uncategorized

Wilcox in Cary Tonight

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025June 30, 2025

From State Senator Craig Wilcox:

Uncategorized

Time to Think about Getting Involved in Politics

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025July 13, 2025

Reprinted with permission from Illinois Family Action: What is a Precinct Committeeman? Written by Doug Ibendahl A Republican Precinct Committeeman represents the GOP voters of his or her precinct at the County Republican Party level. [Democrats changed the title to “Precinct Committeeperson.”] […]

Uncategorized

Opportunity to Get Up Close and Personal with State Senator Craig Wilcox

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025May 12, 2025

The place is in Cary and the time is tomorrow: July 15: Conversations Untapped, Spirit Water Brewery, Distillery, and Taproom, 3300 Three Oaks Road, Cary, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Uncategorized

Pritzker Sends Search and Rescue Team to Texas

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025July 14, 2025

From JB Pritzker: Illinois Sends Search and Rescue Team to Texas Springfield—An Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team from Illinois is headed to Texas overnight to assist with operations after deadly flooding this week. This group of 39 rescuers from fire departments, […]

Posts pagination

1 … 8 9 10 11 12 … 82

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
  • About
  • Home
Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
rswpthemes.com