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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

  • Pritzker Replaces Lost Subsidies for Planned Parenthood with State Money December 24, 2025
  • State’s Attorney Again Succeeds in Keeping Arrested Man in Jail December 23, 2025
  • More Federal Gun Charges December 23, 2025
  • Downstater Reacts to Chicago Transit Bailout from Road Fund December 23, 2025
  • What Caused This Cary Pot Citation? December 23, 2025
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Feds Press Release on Kat’s et al Indictment for Conspiracy against ICE and More

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: FEDERAL GRAND JURY IN CHICAGO INDICTS SIX INDIVIDUALS ON CHARGES OF IMPEDING FEDERAL AGENT ENGAGED IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS CHICAGO – A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted six individuals for allegedly forcibly impeding and interfering with […]

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UPDATE: Kat Gets More Free Publicity by Getting Arrested for Pounding on ICE Vehicle, Tribune and NORTHWEST HERALD, PART OF INDICTMENT

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

In the Chicago Tribune’s email feed comes a headline and photo which will raise the name identification of one of the almost twenty Democratic Party candidates hoping to replace Jan Schakowsky in Congress. The district covers all of Algonquin Township. Katherine ‘Kat’ […]

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Jan Schakowsky Replacement Hopeful Comments on Opponent Kat’s Arrest

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

From 9th District Democratic Party hopeful Bruce Leon: Abughazaleh Indictment a Travesty, but Also a Reminder that Immigrants Remain Unsafe in Chicagoland Leon Renews Call For Chicago to Follow Diplomatic Lead Set by San Francisco Mayor CHICAGO, IL — Democratic Party Ninth District […]

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What Springfield Democrats May Be Looking at To Get Rid of One of Illinois’ Republican Members of Congress

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

No attribution on these two maps, but they would make it difficult to elect three Republicans to Congres.

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Crystal Lake Park District Advised Public of Tax Hike Far Higher Than Increase in the Cost of Living

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

From the Crystal Lake Park District comes this Black Box ad telling taxpayers the damage to their checking accounts next year: Previously, McHenry County Blog published this article about the levy meeting:

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UPDATE: 42-Year Old Woodstock Man Electrocuted When Grain Shoot Brings Down Power Line, CORONER IDENTIFIES MAN

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

From the Coroner: McHenry County Coroner, Dr. Michael Rein, announced that his office was contacted on October 27, 2025, at around 9 pm by McHenry County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death of Dante Rico Cruz, age 42 currently living in Hebron. […]

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Expired Plates Gateway to Pot Charge

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

From the Cary Police:

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23-Year Old Woman Killed Crossing Route 31 in Johnsburg

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

From the Coroner: McHenry County Coroner, Dr. Michael Rein, announced that his office was contacted on October 27, 2025, around 9 pm by Northwestern McHenry Hospital to investigate the death of Abigale Fugett, age 23, of Johnsburg. The decedent was apparently struck […]

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Warning to Drunks on Halloween

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 22, 2025

From the Crystal Lake Police Department: The Crystal Lake Police Department is on the lookout for drunk and drugged driving this Halloween The Crystal Lake Police Department urges motorists to commit to sober driving this Halloween, when children and their families will […]

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John Hammerand, R.I.P.

Cal SkinnerOctober 29, 2025October 29, 2025

Long-time McHenry County Board member John Hammerand has passed away. What impressed me most was his service on the Finance Committee. He is the one who blew the whistle on the County’s continuing to impose the maximum amount of taxes allowed under […]

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Coles County Board Member and Wife Killed in Crash by Illegal Alien, Rep. Adam Niemerg Reacts

Cal SkinnerOctober 28, 2025October 28, 2025

From the Department of Homeland Security: ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Who Killed Illinois, Cole County Board Member and His Wife An extended magazine, ammunition, drugs, and an open container of alcohol were found inside the illegal alien’s vehicle […]

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Defibrillator Being Installed at Lake in the Hills Sunset Park by Huntley Fire Protection District

Cal SkinnerOctober 28, 2025October 28, 2025

From the Huntley Fire Protection District: Lake in the Hills Sunset Park AED Ribbon Cutting The Huntley Fire Protection District will join the Village of Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the installation of […]

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County Board Proposing Referendum to Put Pressure on Pritzker to Opt Into Federal School Choice Plan

Cal SkinnerOctober 28, 2025October 29, 2025

Before the McHenry County Board’s Law and Government Committee next Friday is a proposal to place an advisory referendum on the spring 2025 (March 17th) Primary Election ballot. The question follows: Should Illinois participate in a federal program that would provide public […]

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Precinct Committeepersons Filing on First Day in McHenry County

Cal SkinnerOctober 28, 2025October 27, 2025

From the McHenry County Clerk’s website: Nine Democrats Sixteen Republicans

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County Board Candidates Begin Filing

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

Here are the people who have filed to run for the McHenry County Board during the first day of filing petitions:

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Only One Challenge So Far to Five Incumbent Republican County Office Holders

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 28, 2025

The offices of are on the ballot next year. All the Republican incumbents are running for re-election. Of the five incumbents, only Kurtz has opposition so far. It is the same man who ran last time, Amin Karim.

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Chris Lauzen Files for Re-Election as Kane County Treasurer

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

From the campaign of Kane County Treasurer Chris Lauzen: One Hundred and Seven (107) Volunteers Help Kane County Treasurer Chris Lauzen Submit 1530 Signatres for County Treasurer Aurora, IL  (October 27, 2025)   Because of the volunteer efforts of one hundred and seven (107) people, […]

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Vehicles Cull Deer Herd in Lake in the Hills

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police: No report on the condition of the deer. No report on the condition of the deer.

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Republican Jennifer Davis Files Petitions to Replace Raja Krishnamoorthi

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

From 8th GOP Congressional District hopeful Jennifer Davis, who lives in Huntley; Jennifer Davis Officially Qualifies for 8th Congressional District Republican Primary Ballot  Mother of ten, bestselling author, and trailblazing tech entrepreneur Jennifer Davis has officially qualified for the Republican Primary ballot in […]

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Sunday Morning Algonquin Apartment Fire Leaves Two-Flat Uninhabitable

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

From the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District: Algonquin Structure Fire  Algonquin, IL… Early Sunday morning, October 3, 2025, firefighters from the Algonquin–Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District responded to a blaze that heavily damaged a two-story home in the […]

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Jessica Breugelmans Files Petitions to Replace Retiring Don DeWitte

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

From Jessica Breugelmans Files Nominating Petitions in Run for Illinois 33rd District GENEVA, IL – Jessica Breugelmans (R-Geneva), a philanthropist, educator, and unapologetic voice for parents and taxpayers, officially filed her nominating petitions on Monday for Illinois’ 33rd Senate District. She submitted […]

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Candidates Line Up to File Petitions

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

A Friend of McHenry County Blog was at the County Clerk’s Office before 8 AM and saw these folks he recognized: Tonight, after the County Clerk posts all who have filed today, there will be an update.

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Last Week of the Veto Session Appropriately Just Before Halloween

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

From State Senator Craig Wilcox: Lawmakers Return to Springfield for Final Three Days of Veto Session As you may have heard, Chicago-area transit agencies have released updated 2026 budgets showing that while the region’s “fiscal cliff” has been delayed, the need for […]

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Refuge for Women Holds Successful Fundraiser, Hears “Victory” Testimony

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

Refuge for Woman has a facility in Crystal Lake. Thursday the organization held a fundraiser. “Thursday’s Victory Gala was a success filled with many blessings! We’re grateful for the 150+ people who joined us to raise critical funds for the survivors healing in our […]

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Darby Hills Warns of Democrats’ Attempt to Increase Taxes to Bail Out CTA

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

From State Senator Darby Hills: Working Families Could Face $1.5 Billion Tax Hike in Second Week of Veto As the General Assembly returns to Springfield for the second week of the fall veto session, Democrats in Springfield are pushing a plan that […]

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Advice for the Northwest Herald

Cal SkinnerOctober 27, 2025October 26, 2025

A letter to the Editor of the Northwest Herald, reprinted with permission of sender Steve Willson: Focus should be on taxes On Monday, the McHenry County Board posted its proposed tax levy with a 13.2% increase. The top story in the Northwest […]

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Sunday Funnies

Cal SkinnerOctober 26, 2025October 27, 2025

From Eric Allie, Illinois Policy Institute cartoonist;

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Taxpayers Urged to Contact County Board Members in Opposition to 13% Tax Levy Hike Placed on Review

Cal SkinnerOctober 26, 2025October 27, 2025

From We the People, McHenry County: ACT NOW! Contact McHenry County Board Reject FY26 Tax Levy and HONOR the Mental Health Property Tax Relief You Promised!  ACTIONS #1. Read more and Sign the Petition, https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-proposed-property-tax-hike-in-mchenry-county  #2. ACT NOW, Email (emails below) letter […]

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Lakewood About to Ban Parking of Boats in One’s Yard

Cal SkinnerOctober 26, 2025October 24, 2025

In the ordinance on next Tuesday’s agenda, the Lakewood Village Board proposes to ban the parking of trailers in one’s year for more than three 48-hour periods per year. That pretty much rules out storing one’s boat over the winter. Have to […]

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Meeting in Cary Monday Night to Discuss 13% McHenry County Board Levy Hike Proposal

Cal SkinnerOctober 26, 2025October 25, 2025

From the We the People Leadership Team: 10/27/25 McHenry County 2026 Proposed Budget Discussion Community Discussion: Shaping McHenry County’s 2026 Budget Learn, Engage, and Make a Difference!  Event Description Join fellow McHenry County residents for an open, interactive discussion on the newly […]

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Recent Comments

  • Examples of Homeowners Who Lost Equity Through the Property Tax Sale Process - McHenry County Blog on McHenry County Taxpayers May Be on the Hook for $13 Million to Repay Home Equity Lost in Tax Sales
  • U.S. Treasury Secretary Calls Out Illinois for Refusing to Stop Taxing Tips - McHenry County Blog on Senate Republicans Seek to Mirror Federal End to Tax on Tips
  • A Democratic Party Governor Favoring School Choice Financed by Private Donations - McHenry County Blog on County Board Proposing Referendum to Put Pressure on Pritzker to Opt Into Federal School Choice Plan
  • Correction: Riley Grade School District Announces 103% Tax Increase - McHenry County Blog on Riley Grade School District Cutting Taxes by 46%, a One-Year Cut to Spend Down Excessive Balance, Back Up the Next Year
  • Democrats Trying to Out-Left-Flank Each Other in 9th Congressional District Which Covers All of Algonquin Township - McHenry County Blog on Rocio Cleveland Gains More Free Publicity in Quest to Win GOP Nomination in Jan Schakowsky’s 9th Congressional District
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