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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

  • Illnois Pork for Pickball and Tennis Courts February 3, 2026
  • Police Action at LITH’s Marlowe Middle School February 2, 2026
  • (no title) February 2, 2026
  • Woodstock Willie Predicts Early Spring February 2, 2026
  • Steve Reick Adds More Information about Battery Farm Approval Sought in His District – Part 3 February 2, 2026
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Fire at McHenry Township Home Results in “Complete Loss”

Cal SkinnerJanuary 24, 2026January 24, 2026

From the McHenry Township Fire Protection District: Bayview Lane On January 24, 2026, at approximately 2:11 a.m., the McHenry Township Fire Protection District (MTFPD) responded to a reported structure fire in the 3300 block of N. Bayview Lane in unincorporated McHenry County. […]

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Comparing Crime Statistics: 2024 v. 2025

Cal SkinnerJanuary 24, 2026January 23, 2026

From the Daily Caller quoting former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino:  “According to the CCJ report, 2025 saw decreases in compared to 2024. “Drug-related crimes increased by 7%, the only category that rose.”

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Identity of Wonder Lake Crash Victim Released

Cal SkinnerJanuary 23, 2026January 23, 2026

From the Coroner: McHenry County Coroner, Dr. Michael Rein, announced that his office was contacted on January 19, 2026 by McHenry County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death of Robert Morris, age 50, of Wonder Lake. Mr. Morris was discovered off the […]

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Income Tax Refunds Estimated to Be $1,000 Higher Than Last Year

Cal SkinnerJanuary 23, 2026January 22, 2026

From the Tax Foundation: Larger Tax Refunds Are Coming This Filing Season  Tax season begins next week: When taxpayers file their 2025 returns this year, many will see noticeably larger refunds than in recent years—up to $1,000 higher on average.  The One Big […]

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Pritzker Finally Reveals Targets to Cutting Budget

Cal SkinnerJanuary 23, 2026January 23, 2026

In September Governor JB Pritzker called for earmarking 4% in state spending that could be cut. Yesterday, Pritzker targeted just one percent savings in the budget. From The Center Square: Pritzker says $481.6 million put in reserves, GOP questions state spending By […]

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Opportunity To Hear Gubernatorial and Lt. Governor Candidates in McHenry Sunday

Cal SkinnerJanuary 23, 2026January 22, 2026

From a new Republican organization, GOP Voter Information Project: Republican Governor and Lieutenant Governor Candidates to Address Illinois Voters at Public Forum in McHenry Tickets are currently available for free at GOPVIP.com/forum McHenry, IL — As Illinois voters prepare for the March […]

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Huntley Police Arrest Man for Predatory Sexual Assault in Huntley, Similar Charges Could Be Brought in North Carolina

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

From Huntley Police: Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault Arrest The Huntley Police Department announces the arrest of Robert Scott Henze (58 years old) of the 10900 block of Janice Drive, Huntley, IL, on the charges of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault and Aggravated Criminal […]

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Cynthia Schenk Makes Pitch for Dabrowski Followed by Loud Speech by Rocio Cleveland

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

You have to see and hear this to believe it:

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9th District Democrat Bushra Amiwala Speaks to McHenry County Democratic Central Committee

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

Bushra Amiwala spoke at Wednesday’s Democratic Party of McHenry County monthly meeting at McHenry County College. “I was honored to join the Democratic Party of McHenry County this evening as we imagined a more prosperous future for our district.  “Organizations like these […]

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9th District Democrat Phil Andrew Hits the Airwaves

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

The first ad for Phillip Andrews:

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Richard Behof Selected McHenry County Public Defender

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

From the Circuit Court: 22nd Judicial Circuit Announces Appointment ofRichard A. Behof as McHenry County Public Defender WOODSTOCK, IL – The Circuit Judges of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois have appointed Richard A. Behof as the next Public Defender for […]

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Citizen Action Illinois Endorsed Daniel Biss for Congress

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

I heard of no presence in the 9th Congressional District on the part of Citizen Action Illinois, but maybe there is some in the Chicago and North Shore part of the district. In any event, Danial Biss has been endorsed by the […]

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Brad Schneider Opponent Releases Endorsements

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

While most of the action concerning Members of Congress who represent part of McHenry County is in the 9th district (consisting of only Algonquin Township), the 10th, which covers much of the northeast part of the county also has a contest. Incumbent […]

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Kat Tells of Having Chronic Disease Narcolepsy

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 22, 2026

Kat Abughazaleh, one of the leading 9th congressional district candidates for the Democratic Party nomination, missed an important meeting yesterday and issued statement explaining why. The guts of it is below: .The full statement is here. Here is Wikepedia’s explanation.

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Two Candidates for GOP Nomination for Governor in McHenry at Vixen Sunday Afternoon

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 20, 2026

From the McHenry County GOP the Voter Information Project:

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Sports’ Luminaries Endorse R. Cary Capparelli for GOP U.S. Senate Nomination

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 23, 2026

From the campaign of R. Cary Capparelli: ILLINOIS SENATE CANDIDATE CAPPARELLI ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR ENDORSEMENTS CHICAGO, IL — Professional athletes and entertainers travel the nation and world giving them a strong perspective of the political landscape domestically and globally. An all-star lineup of […]

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Four Vie for Republican Suicide Run in 9th Congressional District

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 26, 2026

From the Daily Northwestern: The GOP candidate who has gotten the most free press is Rocio Cleveland. She is on the ballot with Paul Friedman, Mark Su and John Elleson. Cleveland is a paraprofessional. She got her start in politics as Hispanic […]

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McHenry County GOPAC Biggest Kahuna in County

Cal SkinnerJanuary 22, 2026January 20, 2026

McHenry County GOPAC is the largest Political Action Committee in McHenry County. Just $250 short of $205,000. There was no fundraising this year, but $4,200 was spent. The expenditures contain Plus $203 in smaller amounts.

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Corrupt Cop Convicted

Cal SkinnerJanuary 21, 2026January 21, 2026

From the U.S. Attorney: FORMER SUBURBAN CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED OF FEDERAL CORRUPTION CHARGES  CHICAGO — A former suburban Chicago police officer has been convicted of federal corruption charges for conspiring to steal cash and drugs from occupants of vehicles during traffic […]

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Rick Heidner Campaign for Republican Nomination for Governor Surfaces in the Mailbox

Cal SkinnerJanuary 21, 2026January 21, 2026

The invisible campaign on Rick Heidner made it to McHenry County Wednesday. Direct mail was delivered by the Post Office. Here is the first one, an introduction to the candidate with six panels:

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Head Injury of Man Who Fell Off Forklift Results in Medivac to Advocate Condell in Libertyville

Cal SkinnerJanuary 21, 2026January 21, 2026

From the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District: Forklift Incident on Washington Street On January 21, 2026, at 8:23 a.m., the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded to the 14400 block of Washington Street in unincorporated Woodstock for a reported motor vehicle accident with entrapment. While crews […]

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McHenry County Republican Party Has Less Than $17,000

Cal SkinnerJanuary 21, 2026January 20, 2026

Previously this week, McHenry County Blog published articles showing the financial status of the McHenry County Democratic Party and the McHenry County Democratic Women have a hefty bank account. Now, let’s look at the local GOP. Money in the bank at the […]

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Marengo Police Chief Nathan Hayes Selected to Head Cary Police Department

Cal SkinnerJanuary 20, 2026January 20, 2026

From Marengo Park Board President Marty Mohr: “It was bittersweet seeing Chief Nathan Hayes get sworn in as Cary’s new police chief.  Cary Mayor Mark Kownik swears in Nathan Hayes as Police Chief with the Chief’s wife Amy at his side. “In […]

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Senator Darby Hills on Human Trafficking Panel

Cal SkinnerJanuary 20, 2026January 19, 2026

From State Senator Darby Hills: Senator Hills Advocates for Survivors and Highlights Local Impact During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month nity leaders to discuss the realities of trafficking, strategies for prevention, and how we can strengthen laws to hold traffickers accountable. Human […]

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Wonder Lake Accident Results in Death

Cal SkinnerJanuary 20, 2026January 20, 2026

From the Sheriff: Sheriff’s Office Investigates Single-Vehicle Crash Near Wonder Lake A 50-year-old man from Wonder Lake was pronounced deceased following a single-vehicle rash in the 7700 block of Howe Road near Wonder Lake. On Monday, January 19 at approximately 8:29 a.m., […]

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Marengo Man with Bad Vehicle Lights Cited for Pot and Cocaine, Female Passenger Cited for Cocaine

Cal SkinnerJanuary 20, 2026January 20, 2026

From Marengo Police:

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Democratic Party $50,000 Not the Only Available Money

Cal SkinnerJanuary 20, 2026January 20, 2026

Yesterday we took a look at the financial situation of the McHenry County Democratic Party. There’s another money pot controlled by Democratic Party women. The Political Action Committee called “McHenry County Democratic Women had $29,642.97 as of the beginning of 2026. The […]

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McLaughlin Critiques Dems’ Energy Law

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2026January 19, 2026

From State Rep. Marty McLaughlin: Here’s what this new expensive law means for Illinois families and businesses: This is another top-down experiment from Springfield that ignores warnings of energy shortfalls while driving up bills for hardworking Illinoisans. It prioritizes green mandates over […]

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Democrat Rolls Out Tax Sale Solution

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2026January 19, 2026

From Senate Democrats: Preston outlines measure to overhaul state’s tax sale system, stop predatory speculation SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston held a press conference last Tuesday to outline his Property Justice and Community Recovery Act – long-term structural reform to stop wealth […]

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McHenry Riverside Businesses Burn

Cal SkinnerJanuary 19, 2026January 19, 2026

It appears urban renewal is possible due to a devastating fire of two buildings on Riverside Drive From the McHenry Fire Protection District: On January 18, 2026, at approximately 12:07 p.m., the McHenry Township Fire Protection District (MTFPD)was dispatched to a reported […]

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Recent Comments

  • Steve Reick Adds More Information about Battery Farm Approval Sought in His District – Part 3 - McHenry County Blog on Reick Starts 3-Part Commentary on Proposed Battery Farm on Behan Road – Part 1
  • Senator Darby Hills Offers $20 per Hour for Spring Interns - McHenry County Blog on Newly-Appointed State Senator Darby Hills’ Summer Interns Knock on 20,000 Doors
  • Two Big Banks Announce They Will Match the $1,000 the Federal Government Will Put in Trump Accounts - McHenry County Blog on Dells Making Capitalists Out of McHenry County Kids Who Don’t Live in Cary, Ringwood or Barrington Hills
  • What Caused Steve Reick To Have No Fall Opponent - McHenry County Blog on State Rep. Steve Reick’s Democratic Party Opponent Thrown Off the Ballot
  • McHenry County Republican Party Has Less Than $17,000 - McHenry County Blog on Dems Have $50,000 in the Bank
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