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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
Email Cal Skinner

Recent Posts

  • 3,800 Credit Card Charges for More Than $1 Million Embezzler Convicted April 20, 2026
  • Crystal Lake Has $4.2 Million Purchase of Health Bridge and Adjoining Property on Its Agenda Tuesday Night April 20, 2026
  • County Transportation Department Monitoring Flooded Roads April 20, 2026
  • Woodstock Homeless Man Found Dead Identified April 20, 2026
  • 35 House Democrats, Including Sue, Push Bill to Allow Homeless Camps in Parks April 20, 2026
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Sunday Funnies

Cal SkinnerApril 12, 2026April 12, 2026

From Eric Allie, cartoonist for Illinois Policy:

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Bill To Create a Children’s Conveyer Belt to Mental Health Industry Analyzed from Motivation To Result

Cal SkinnerApril 12, 2026April 11, 2026

The analysis of Senate Bill SB 3138 by Thomas Hampson is simply the best evolution of a piece of legislation I have ever read. It was published in Illinois Family Institute and is reprinted with permission. SB 3138: The Mental Health Industry’s […]

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Free Stormwater Workshop

Cal SkinnerApril 11, 2026April 9, 2026

From McHenry County: McHenry and Lake Counties Holding Workshop for MS4 Permit Holders WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry and Lake counties are coming together to offer a free workshop for municipalities and townships with MS4 permits to learn about green infrastructure while meeting […]

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Illinois Number 5 in Cyber Crimes

Cal SkinnerApril 11, 2026April 13, 2026

Found in State Senator Craig Wilcox’ email: Illinois Ranks High for Cyber Crime Complaints, Financial Losses Illinois recorded one of the highest totals in the country for cyber-crime complaints last year, according to the FBI’s latest Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report. […]

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Some (Relatively) Good News about Illinois

Cal SkinnerApril 11, 2026April 10, 2026

From Illinois Policy by Ravi Mishra Illinois economy shows middling Q4 growth amid U.S. economic uncertainty The state outpaced national growth for just the fifth time in the past 20 quarters. Long-term growth still shows worrying signs. Illinois’ economy grew at a […]

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Richmond Man Arrested with Stolen and Defaced Serial Number Guns

Cal SkinnerApril 10, 2026April 10, 2026

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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Carjacker Gets 14 Years

Cal SkinnerApril 10, 2026April 10, 2026

From the U.S. Attorney: MAN SENTENCED TO 14 AND A HALF YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR CARJACKING VEHICLE AT GUNPOINT IN BACKYARD OF CHICAGO RESIDENCE CHICAGO — A man who carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint in the backyard of a Chicago residence […]

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Two Cars Crash in Prairie Grove at Barreville Road Intersection

Cal SkinnerApril 10, 2026April 10, 2026

Fro the Nunda Rural Fire Protection District: Vehicle Crash with Fire in Prairie Grove On Friday, April 10, 2026, at 1:27 p.m., the Nunda Rural Fire Protection District responded to the intersection of Nish Road and Barreville Road in Prairie Grove for […]

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Have You Read About Truck Drivers with Dubious Licenses?

Cal SkinnerApril 10, 2026April 10, 2026

Cary Police have gone one better. No CDL licenmse at all.

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Subsidies for the Arts Announced: None for McHenry County

Cal SkinnerApril 10, 2026April 10, 2026

From the Pritzker Administration: Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Arts Council Announce Public Art Projects Twenty-two projects for Illinois’ America 250 celebration will reflect diverse narratives and cultural heritage across the state CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) in partnership with […]

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Downside to Passing a Universal Subsidy Bill for $100 Million Projects

Cal SkinnerApril 10, 2026April 10, 2026

In Chicago Magazine appears an article by Edward Robert McClelland, is focused on whether it makes any significant difference if the Bears move the Indiana. Embedded in it is this comments from the Americans for Prosperity Deputy Director Biran Co;slin: Brian Costin, […]

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An Article About a School Bus and a Train That Is Not for the Squeamish

Cal SkinnerApril 10, 2026April 9, 2026

I don’t recommend watching this (or clicking on the Wikipedia link) if you have a connection with the 1995 Fox River Grove school bus-train crash unless you are willing to go through a recollection or reignition of your emotional reaction back then. […]

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Man Arrested for Robbing Undercover Drug Agent

Cal SkinnerApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

From the U.S. TTORNEY: SUBURBAN CHICAGO MAN CHARGED WITH ROBBING UNDERCOVER FEDERAL TASK FORCE OFFICER CHICAGO — The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a suburban Chicago man with robbing a federal task force officer during an undercover drug transaction last week. The […]

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A Deeper Look into Prairie Grove School District Finances

Cal SkinnerApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

From Terri Rybicki: D46 Tax Hike Narrowly Avoided — But the Real Story May Be Just Beginning The immediate crisis at Prairie Grove CSD 46 appears to be over. A filing issue that could have significantly increased property taxes was corrected before […]

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Madigan’s Attorneys Repeat Argument That Rewarding Politicians Is Not Bribery

Cal SkinnerApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

From the Chicago Tribune article on Mike Madigan’s appeal of his guilty findings: “To be sure, the evidence showed that ComEd and the alderman sought to curry favor with Madigan,” the appeals brief stated. “Constituents do this every day, whether through hiring […]

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Republicans Recognize Max Solomon’s Write-In Victory for State Treasurer Candidacy

Cal SkinnerApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

From the Republlican State Central Committee: Solomon spoke to local Republicans while seeking signatures to run for Governor on the Republican ticket, a quest in which he did not succeed.

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History Repeating Itself in Springfield

Cal SkinnerApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

This headline appeared on Springfield’s National Public Radio stations’s email: Back in 2000, after I had lost the Republican Primary Election to Rosemary Kurtz, a push was on the lowered gasoline taxes because the price of fuel was so high. I even […]

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After School Not-for-Profit Fraudster Sentenced

Cal SkinnerApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

From the U.S. Attorney: FORMER EXECUTIVE OF CHICAGO-AREA NON-PROFIT SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR $1.9 MILLION FRAUD SCHEMES CHICAGO — A former executive of Chicago-area non-profit organizations has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for misappropriating nearly $1.9 million through […]

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Board of Health Members Seek Payment

Cal SkinnerApril 8, 2026April 7, 2026

McHenry County Board member Larry Smith, who lost his Republican re-nomination effort, forced discussion of Board of Health members wanting to be paid for what is now a voluntary job. Or, as he put it, “such roles are often considered acts of […]

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Final Results for County Board in Brian Sager v. Jeff Schwartz, Democratic Party Candidate Got More Than to Two Republicans

Cal SkinnerApril 8, 2026April 7, 2026

The victory of Jeff Schwartz was obvious on Election Night. Here are the final results: The margin was 243 vote. Schwartz is blue; Sager red. The map below shows which precincts each carried: Those voting in the Democratic Primary for Patrick Shea […]

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Five Years for Rockford Church Arsonist

Cal SkinnerApril 7, 2026April 7, 2026

From the U.S. Attorney: MAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR SETTING FIRE TO TWO ROCKFORD CHURCHES ROCKFORD — A man was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for setting fireto two Rockford churches. MARZAVIOUS THOMAS set fire […]

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CORRECTION: Max Solomon Gets Almost ONE-FIFTH OF THE Write-In Votes as Needed in McHenry County to Gain Ballot Access for the Republican Nomination for State Treasurer

Cal SkinnerApril 7, 2026April 7, 2026

To get on the ballot as a Republican for State Treasurer, Max Solomon needed to obtain 5,000 write-in votes. He got 2,248 of those votes in McHenry County. CORRECTION I have no clue why the 868 number is not on the final […]

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McLaughlin Says “the Fix” Is In In Springfield

Cal SkinnerApril 7, 2026April 7, 2026

From State Rep. Marty McLaughllin: State Rep. Martin McLaughlin: Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant for Illinois Lake Barrington, IL – State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) released the following statement in regards to the State of Illinois’ current financial struggles, while raising concerns […]

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911 Update Completion Means Call Locations Are Pinpointed

Cal SkinnerApril 7, 2026April 6, 2026

From State Senator Don DeWitte: Illinois Completes Statewide Upgrade to Next Generation 911 System The Illinois State Police has announced that all 169 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) across Illinois have successfully transitioned to Next Generation 911 (NG911), marking a significant modernization […]

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Where McHenry County Allows Those with Asthma To Suffer

Cal SkinnerApril 6, 2026April 6, 2026

From the McHenry County Health Department: Spring reminder about open burning restrictions in McHenry County MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – As spring arrives and residents begin seasonal yard cleanup, the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds the public that restrictions on the open […]

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Map Showing Route 47 Widening & Roundabout Plans in Woodstock

Cal SkinnerApril 6, 2026April 6, 2026

From State Senator Craig Wilcox’ newsletter: After years of delays, the long-anticipated Route 47 widening project in Woodstock is finally moving forward, with construction getting underway and continue through 2028. The project will expand roughly 2.25 miles of roadway through the heart […]

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Illinois Abortion Tourism

Cal SkinnerApril 6, 2026April 6, 2026

From the Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois, by far, remained the most popular destination nationally among patients who had to cross state lines to obtain abortion services in 2025 – Chicago Sun-Times Illinois-based providers performed nearly one out of every four abortions for patients […]

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Tribune Puts Marengo Coon Creek Horse Rescue on Third Page

Cal SkinnerApril 6, 2026April 6, 2026

From the Chicago Tribune comes an article based on the press release and photo from the Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts: The press release by Alex Vucha can be found at the link below:

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Prairie Grove School Taxpayers May Be In for an Unpleasant Surprise

Cal SkinnerApril 6, 2026April 3, 2026

From former Cary Grade School Board President Scott Coffey: Prairie Grove D46 Tax Levy Failure On March 27, the County Clerk generated the Final Tax Computation Report for all taxing bodies within the County. Given the ongoing discussion regarding the proposed lithium […]

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State’s General Funds Up 4.2%–Almost $1.6 Billion over Last Year

Cal SkinnerApril 6, 2026April 3, 2026

From the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability: As can be seen below, personal income tax receipts are up, while corporate taxes are down.

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Recent Comments

  • $150,000 Do-Little Patronage Jobs Called Out - McHenry County Blog on Woman- and Minority-Owned Business Promotion Goes from One Woman to …
  • Eric Hendricks Elected McHenry County Republican Party Chairman - McHenry County Blog on Johnsburg’s Kirk Donald Running for Re-Election as Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Party
  • Bill to Send Kids to Mental Health Providers without Parental Permission - McHenry County Blog on Bill To Create a Children’s Conveyer Belt to Mental Health Industry Analyzed from Motivation To Result
  • All But One Volunteer Board of Health Member Wants Pay - McHenry County Blog on Budget Talk from a County Board Budget Hawk
  • Budget Talk from a County Board Budget Hawk - McHenry County Blog on Should Politicians Be Punished for Breaking Tax Promises? Democrat County Board Candidate John Collins Poster Boy This Year
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