From the McHenrty Policd: MCHENRY POLICE ARREST SUBJECT INVOLVEDIN DOMESTIC DISPUTE / SHOOTING INCIDENT John R. Birk, Chief of Police of the McHenry Police Department, announced today, a subject has been criminally charged in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in […]
Having read this book, I highly recommend it. One does not have to be young to enjoy it, however. Local author’s novel for young adults shares why we honor the fallen on Memorial Day The climax of The Burning Sea of Iron Bottom […]
In his 2004 campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Jim Oberweis ran TV ads for Oberweis Dairy which the Federal Election Commission found objectionable The FEC ruled the commercials were a business contribution to his campaign. Businesses are not allowed […]
Take a look at what the Springfield reporter for the Chicago Tribune says today about the motive for putting control of all of Chicagoland’s mass transit under one board: He is flat out wrong that “customer dissatisfaction” is the reason for the […]
From the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department: Structure Fire – 1370 North Avenue Crystal Lake Crystal Lake, IL – The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department at 12:50pm, responded to 1370 North Avenue, Crystal Lake IL for a report of smoke coming from […]
From Congressman Darin LaHood: LaHood Hosts Reception for 16th District Service Academy Appointees Peoria, IL – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) hosted a reception in his Peoria office to recognize students from Illinois’ 16th Congressional District who were selected to attend one of our […]
From Erik Allie, cartoonist for the Illinois Policy Institute:
Gnormous is the biggest descriptor I can find to describe the number of local governments in Illinois. The map comes with this article from the Illinois Policy Institute: Illinois’ No. 2 in the nation property taxes are partly because it is No. […]
From Inside Climate News: “The legislation outlines fees of $250 a year for EVs and $100 a year for hybrid vehicles, to be imposed by the Federal Highway Administration. If passed by the Senate, the law would also require the fees to […]
From the Village of Algonquin: Algonquin Unveils Final Master Plan for Willoughby Farms Park Vibrant new vision transforms park space into a hub for play, nature, and community ALGONQUIN, IL – The Village of Algonquin is excited to announce the adoption of […]
From the Village of Johnsburg: Open Burning of Landscape Waste Landscape waste may be burned on Saturdays and Sundays from dawn through dusk during Spring months of April and May. The burning of landscape waste is permitted only when winds are less than […]
The Crystal Lake Park District website shows that Crystal Lake Main Beach will be closed for Memorial Day. Go figure.
From the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County: McHenry Mass Transportation Alert Transit in Northeastern Illinois is facing a funding crisis starting next year due to Federal COVID relief funding running out in 2026, as well as the general underinvestment on the State […]
From The Center Square: Bill to address human trafficking in Illinois ready for governor’s desk By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois ranks among the highest in the number of human trafficking cases in the entire country and now […]
From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Illinois spring turkey hunters harvest record number of wild turkeys SPRINGFIELD – Illinois turkey hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 18,189 wild turkeys during the 2025 spring turkey season. This year’s total compares with the […]
From the Northwest Herald comes the following news: In other part of the country, Lee County, Florida, for example, the Health Department makes headlines reporting restaurants which don’t meet sanitary codes:
Keicher-Initiated Idea to End Discrimination against Seniors Concerning Drivers License Tests Passes
From State Rep. JeffKeicher: Rep. Keicher Backed Bill Reducing Barriers for Senior Drivers Ready for Gov’s Signature SPRINGFIELD – Yesterday, the Illinois Senate unanimously passed legislation backed by State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) to curb an ageist state policy against senior citizen drivers. House Bill […]
From the Lake in the Hills Police: Another semi was stolen on Good Friday from bluff City Materials at 8807 S. Route 31: And November 11, 2024, still another semi was stolen just of Route 31 at 1440 Imhof Drive:
From a Friend of McHenry County Blog comes the information showing McHenry County employment from 2019 through 2024. The private sector lost 7,639 jobs, while government gained 519. Note: Estimates are not official US Bureau of Labor Statistics DataSource: Economic Information and […]
The McHenry County Conservation District counts visitors to its various sites. In the most recent year (April 2024-March, 2025), they totaled 1,218,892. I find fascinating that the Hollows, the first MCCD site, donated by Material Service with their local attorney Jim Bishop […]
From State Rep. Jeff Keicher: We need TIF Reform. I’ve been vocal about TIF abuse long before the recent local TIF action that mischaracterized vibrant farmland as “blighted” to proceed with a TIF action. The heart of my objections has always been […]
If McHenry County Board members needed convincing that they will be facing a hot local issue when they vote on whether or not to approve zoning for a slaughterhouse next to the Greenwood Cemetery, attendance at yesterday’s hearing might convince them. The […]
From the Village of Algonquin: Algonquin to Celebrate Grand Re-Opening of Presidential Park A vibrant new vision transforms the park into a hub for play and community ALGONQUIN, IL – The Village of Algonquin will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, […]
From the Huntley Police: UPDATE: Missing Juveniles Located UPDATE 5/22/25 4:15 pm Both missing juveniles have been located and are safe. With the help of the FBI and the Chicago Police Department, they were taken into protective custody by the Huntley Police […]
From the State’s Attorney: PATRICK O’FARRELL IS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR GROOMING The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announces that on May 20, 2025, Patrick S. O’Farrell, 58, of Woodstock, was sentenced to two years […]
As I have mentioned before, I’m signed up for Homeland Security Department press releases. This one drives a stake through its heart by prohibiting enrollment of foreign students. The release is below: Harvard University Loses Student and Exchange Visitor Program Certification for […]
From State Rep. Steve Reick: Mental Health Screening in Schools, How Far Will We Go? It’s been a while since my last Reick Report, and I apologize. I suppose I could’ve handed the job of writing my Reick Reports to a Chatbot […]
Stupid Requirement for Municipalities to Say, “Mother, May I?” to IDOT before Spending Gas Tax Money
Every once in a while I am reminded of the stupidity of state law requiring cities and villages to received approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation prior to spending their share of Motor Fuel Tax money. This from the Marengo City […]
From political columnist Russ Stewart comes this commentary: 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT UPDATE As expected, 14-term congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D) announced her retirement on May 5. Since 1948 the 9th has been considered Illinois’ “Jewish seat” in Congress. The iconic Sidney Yates (D) […]
The Illinois Environmental Council uses that terminology in its pitch to bail out the Regional Transportation. At least the image the IEC uses accurately describes what every round of bailouts has been targeted to save: the Chicago Transit Authority.