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McHenry County Blog

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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

  • Moving to Florida November 5, 2025
  • UPDATE: Don Tracy Warns of Socialist Experiment, BEST VICTORY HEADLINE November 5, 2025
  • Dambrowski Hits Pritzker for Swearing November 5, 2025
  • Daily Herald Notices the Collar Counties Got Screwed November 5, 2025
  • UPDATE: Couple Found Dead in Car on Crystal Lake’s Coventry Lane IDENTIFIED November 4, 2025
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Biss and Kat Compete for Headlines in Democratic Primary for Congressional District, Which Includes All of Algonquin Township

Cal SkinnerSeptember 20, 2025September 20, 2025

Who is the strongest opponent to ICE? That seems to be the issue that two leftwing candidates for the 9th congressional district Democratic Party nomination to replace Jan Schakowsky will win the day next March. Or, maybe, it’s just them trying to […]

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We’re Number One Again — In Requiring Schools to Screen Kids for Mental Health, Opt-Out Form Link Included

Cal SkinnerSeptember 20, 2025September 18, 2025

From the Illinois Family Institute comes an article written by.Fran Eaton. Illinois Adopts the Nation’s First Mandatory Mental Health Screening for Students This summer, Illinois became the first state in the nation to require public school students, grades three through twelve, to […]

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Not Quite Older Than Dirt, But Older Than I

Cal SkinnerSeptember 20, 2025August 30, 2025

At the Lake in the Hills Labor Day Parade, one try was a 1941 car. It was on the bed of a truck. It’s a 1941 Chevrolet, I believe. And it’s from the year before I was born. And, in much better […]

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Bob Anderson Taking Up Where Pat Quinn Left Off on Double Dipping

Cal SkinnerSeptember 20, 2025September 18, 2025

From Wonder Lake resident and former McHenry Towship Trustee: Open Letter To McHenry County Board Members: Even though Illinois law allows Township Supervisors to serve on County Boards, the eyes of every county board member should be focused on Board Member Mike […]

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Twenty Years for Parking Lot Shootout

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 19, 2025

Frpm the U.S. Attorney: EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE IN SUBURBAN CHICAGO PARKING LOT LEADS TO 20-YEAR FEDERAL PRISON SENTENCE  CHICAGO — A man involved in an exchange of gunfire in a suburban Chicago parking lot has been sentenced to more than 20 years in […]

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Ness Giving Boost to Biss’ Congressional Campaign

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 19, 2025

From State Rep. Sue Ness: Meet an IL-09 Congressional Candidate! Every year at my Lead Like Lincoln Breakfast Fundraiser, I invite an honorary Guest Speaker that has exemplified excellent leadership in their community. Past speakers have included Speaker of the House Emmanuel […]

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Western/Northern McHenry County State Rep. Announces Photographic Contest

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 16, 2025

From State Representative Joe Sosnowski: Local photographers encouraged to enter 69th District Photo Challenge; submissions due Nov. 14 ROCKFORD, Ill. – Are you a nature lover, architecture fanatic, or simply enjoy taking pictures everywhere you go around the community? If so, this challenge […]

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McHenry County Land Conservancy Wins $65,000 Grant

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 19, 2025

From the Pritzker Administration: IDNR awards nearly $1 million in Natural Area Stewardship grants SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to support 15 stewardship programs managed by land trusts on land protected […]

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McHenry County Has Lowest Percentage of People on SNAP (Food Stamps)

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 15, 2025

From the Illinois Policy Institute: Food aid feeds almost 2M statewide in May, 1-in-3 in southern counties Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dropped by 3.2% in May. Still, nearly 2 million Illinoisans relied on federal food aid, with participation rates […]

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Memorial for Charlie Kirk Sunday at Niko’s Red Mill Inn in Woodstock

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 18, 2025

From McHenry County GOPAC: McHenry County GOPAC Partners with Niko’s Red Mill Tavern to Host Celebration of Life Honoring Charlie Kirk WOODSTOCK, IL – McGOPAC (McHenry County GOP Political Action Committee) is proud to announce a heartfelt Celebration of Life in honor of Charlie […]

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Newly-Appointed State Senator Darby Hills’ Summer Interns Knock on 20,000 Doors

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 15, 2025

When Srtate senator Dan McConchie retired, Darby Hills was appointed to replace him. Here is part of her most recent newsletter: 21 Interns, 20,000 Doors, Countless Conversations Over the summer, my district office hosted 21 high school and college-aged interns who assisted […]

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Supporting Crystal Lake Grade School Board Member Lea Grover’s Electronic Comments – Part 1

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 17, 2025

One woman brought a visual aide to the Public Comment section of the Crystal lake Grade School Board meeting concerning the possible censure of Lea Grover. Bonnie Johnson held an Invisible Chicago poster while speaking. “This is what democracy looks like” says […]

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In Retirement

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025August 30, 2025

One of my favorite restaurants is Colonial Cafe. Unfortunately, the have left Crystal Lake and John Green demolished its structure to allow the assessed valuation to decrease in his proposed Tax Increment Financing District to decrease for the second year (one of […]

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Sheriff’s Department Seeks Jailers, Starting Salary $67,000

Cal SkinnerSeptember 19, 2025September 15, 2025

From the Sheriff: Corrections Officers Testing Announced Looking for a career that makes a difference? The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for Corrections Officers. Corrections Officers maintain the safety and security of our jail while ensuring proper care for those […]

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Algonquin Cleaning of the Fox This Saturday Morning

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 16, 2025

From the Village of Algonquin: Algonquin to Host It’s Our Fox River Day at Cornish Park Residents invited to take part in Fox River cleanup and celebration. ALGONQUIN, IL – The Village of Algonquin will once again join the region-wide It’s Our […]

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Charlie Kim Holds Event in Woodstock Wednesday

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 18, 2025

And here are some photos from the event in which Charlie Kim advanced his hopes to be selected to run against Democratic Party Congressman Bill Foster. Kim woman signing petition Over fifty were in attendance. Photos by Cynthia Schenk.

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Petition Party

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 18, 2025

A partition party was held last night in Fox River Grove. I asked John Pletz if he attended and if he could send me some pictures. He brought notarized petitions for the candidates that he had collected signatures for. Joe Tirio’s petition. […]

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Critiquing Crystal Lake Grade School Board Member Lea Grover’s Electronic Comments about Charlie Kirk- Part 1

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 18, 2025

After Lea Grover told of her background and a bit about her previous interaction with Charlie Kirk, eleven people spoke during the Public Comment period. (I gave a hand-written FOIA request for Grover’s statement the night of the meeting, but District 47 […]

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$50,000 Statue Planned for Congress Parkway Roundabout in Crystal Lake

Cal SkinnerSeptember 18, 2025September 18, 2025

From Jake Justen: The Crystal Lake city council approved $50,000 to install a sculpture at one of the roundabouts on Congress Parkway. It passed on a 5-1 vote, only Denise Smith voted against. I don’t know which intersection it will be installed at. The […]

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Far Southern Illinois Republican State Rep. Candidate’s Life Threatened

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

I wouldn’t normally be publishing anything about a race for State Representative in the southernmost district in Illinois. But those press release–with accompanying death threat–deserves wide distribution. From GOP State Rep. candidate Joe DeBose: Joe DeBose: Death threats won’t keep him from […]

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ATM Skimming Fraud Earns over Six Years in Federal Prison

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

from the U.S. Attorney: MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN SIX AND A HALF YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ATM CARD-SKIMMING FRAUD CHICAGO — A man has been sentenced to more than six and a half years in federal prison for installing card-skimming […]

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Motorcyclist Killed in Spring Grove Crash from Waukegan

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

Friom the Coroner: McHenry County Coroner, Dr. Michael Rein, announced that his office was contacted on September 10, 2025, around 5:45 pm by the Spring Grove Police Department to investigate the death of Lance Shupe, age 31, of Waukegan. Mr. Shupe was […]

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Man Taken to Jail to Await Extradition

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

From the Huntley Police:

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We’re Number One in Something That Is Not Negative

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 14, 2025

Take a look at the map to find out what Illinois excels in:

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County Official Salaries Increased a Lot, Comparisons with Other Large Counties

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 17, 2025

On the agenda of last night’s McHenry County Board meeting was a resolution hiking salaries for elected officials. The next Sheriff will receive the same salary as the State’s Attorney, plus $10,000 in additional stipends. The Count Clerk and Recorder will receive […]

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Foster Holding Town Hall Meeting for Which One Must Register

Cal SkinnerSeptember 17, 2025September 16, 2025

From Invisible McHenry County: Saturday, October 4th Indivisible McHenry County is hosting a town hall featuring Congressman Bill Foster, Democrat, District 11, beginning at 1 p.m. in McHenry. Space is limited and registration will be required for the event. We will send the registration […]

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ICE in Crystal Lake Tuesday?

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025

An employee of Jewel saw a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flying over Crystal Lake about 2;30-2:40 this afternoon. No markings could be seen from the ground at that location. At the same time many police sirens.

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UPDATE: Scott Hartman NAMED to Replace Peter Austin as County Administrator

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Stepping up the plate of running McHenry County from the administrative side will be Scott Hartman after Peter Austin retires. That’s one of items early on in tonight’s meeting. He will be paid $230,000, plus fringe benefits. = = = = = […]

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Grayslake Man Indicted for Kids’ Healthcare Fraud

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: Suburban Chicago Man Indicted on Federal Healthcare Fraud Charges CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been indicted on federal healthcare fraud charges for allegedly submitting more than $17.3 million in fraudulent claims to a private insurer. SHAWN […]

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Nunda Township Flag Still at Half-Mast

Cal SkinnerSeptember 16, 2025September 15, 2025

Seen on Monday outside the Nunda Township Assessor’s Office:

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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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