From the Sheriff: Now Accepting Applications for Citizens Police Academy The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its 10-week Citizens Police Academy (CPA), an interactive program designed to give community members a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement. When & Where: […]
From State Rep. Joe Sosnowski: Sosnowski, Syverson bill protecting utility customers from unfair back-billing signed into law SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation extending protections to residential and commercial utility customers from unfair back-billing practices was signed into law by Governor Pritzker on Friday. House […]
From the Cary Police:
The total cost now is $5,311,784.96.
From Wonder Lake’s Bob Anderson: Double-Dipping Dear every unrespected and over taxed every day Illinois citizen, take notice, you are being hosed, or have been, by many elected officials that you have voted into office. All eyes should be focused on the […]
Last December I shared the advice of a friend from Venezuela on an inexpensive way to induce people form his country to return home. Now Politico has run an article advancing his solution, but missing the ancillary benefit of inducing Venezuelans in […]
From Illinois Policy: Illinois lost 218 businesses to other states in 2023, part of an acceleration to triple the rate of what losses were before the pandemic. When adjusted for population, Illinois ranked No. 2 for the most business losses. by Bryce […]
A Freedom of Information request prompted by contents in an email in the article below reveals the agreement between owner of HealthBridge Northwestern Medicine and the Crystal Lake Park District with regard to sharing information concerning due diligence, which, of course, includes […]
Having hospitals in Harvard and Crystal Lake, Mercy Health System just was fined big buck by the Unite States Equal Opportunity Commission. Mercyhealth to Pay Over $1 Million to Settle EEOC COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate-Related Religious Discrimination Charges CHICAGO – Mercyhealth, a health […]
From Illinois Policy: Illinois was just ranked last in the nation for financial transparency. The state’s chronic delays, audit failures and last-minute budgeting have put taxpayers in the dark and long-term stability at risk. Illinois ranked dead last in financial transparency, according […]
Another Freedom of Information request yielded a Letter of Intent which had something I found of interest. I guess I should not be surprised, but it says that the Park District would use HealthBridge as “a community center.” “Intended Use: Community/Recreational Center” […]
My Freedom of Information request to the Crystal Lake Park Board requested emails and texts. The article with a chronological listing of the emails may be found in the article below: Texts follow:
Long-time legislative reporter Dave McKenney, now with WBEZ after leaving the Sun-Times, reports on Governor JB Pritzker’s threat to further gerrymander Illinois congressional districts. There are only three Republican districts in shrinking Illinois. Mike Bost and Mary Miller are far Downstate that […]
From the campaign of Don Tracy: Don Tracy, Community Leader from Central Illinois, to Run for US Senate to Defend the American Dream “The sky-high cost-of-living in Illinois has made the American Dream seem out of reach for many everyday Illinoisans. I […]
Signs supporting the reinstatement of DEI, the other home of Park Board President Fred Tiesenga, lake access, plus the cost-benefit aspect of the new President’s fall publication letter were on display. Tiesenga’s proposed letter got three paragraphs in the Northwest Herald story, […]
A minority of the Crystal Lake Park Board seem to want to buy the old Centegra, now Northwestern Medical fitness center and pools. They, being urged on by Crystal Lake Mayor Haig Haleblian, envision is as a community center and new District […]
Sunday’s “Meet the Press”: KRISTEN WELKER: Well, look. Sticking on your state’s map, every major group that grades the fairness of congressional maps gives your state an “F.” Common Cause, a nonpartisan government watchdog, even says your map, and I’m going to […]
From the Lake in the Hills Police: The Lake in the Hills Police Department joins statewide Labor Day traffic safety effort Enforcement focused on impaired, distracted and unsafe driving Lake in the Hills, IL – The Lake in the Hills Police Department […]
From the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County: August 15 Talk and Tour: Successful Natural Areas Management for Homeowners Associations Woodstock, IL – August 11, 2025 – The afternoon of Friday, August 15 is an opportunity for homeowners to learn how a Homeowners Association […]
Labor Day isn’t even on my agenda, but the Crystal Lake Police Department is today the first of a number of local agencies to announce its participation in a Federally-funded highway safety prorgam”: The Crystal Lake Police Department joins statewide Labor Day […]
From the State’s Attorney: RAYNARDO O. GONZALEZ SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR TWO COUNTS OF DRUG INDUCED HOMICIDE McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announces that on August 11, 2025, Raynardo O. Gonzalez, 54, of Chicago, […]
From the article: It’s not as if I have not been harping on this subject for a long time. You can read the Associated Press story here.
Looking at articles about McHenry County this morning, I noticed a Northern Public Radio story about a candidacy announcement of a Democrat running against Republican Jeff Keicher: So, I clicked on the article and found this headline: With the repeated claims of […]
From the Marengo Fire/Rescue Districts: Crews Respond to Rollover and Second Crash Minutes Apart .On August 11, 2025, at 4:11 p.m., the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts and Union Fire Protection District responded to the intersection of Route 176 and North Union […]
In my really long article yesterday, a newly-elected member of the Crystal Lake City Council reveals that she wants public ownership of HealthBridge. Maybe I infer too much from this email from Councilwoman Natasha Teetsov. But, if I don’t that would make […]
As I was listening to President Donald Trump’s press conference yesterday on how he was taking control of the police department in Washington, D.C., my thoughts went to James Paterson now former D.C. policeman Alex Cross. How will he work this hero […]
Here’s an enjoyable peice by a Friend of McHenry County Blog: Reward for whistleblowers who find crayons You hear a few pundits and politicians pointing out that when Governor JB Pritzker referred to “kindergarteners with crayons” he was talking about the state […]
Late last week, I filed a Freedom of Information request with the Crystal Lake Park District asking for emails and texts concerning the purchase of Healthbridge. This was shortly after the City of Crystal Lake failed to provide similarly requested information. Mighty […]
Found in the Chicago Tribune: Here’s how the Chicago Tribune summarizes the Federal charges: “For years, federal prosecutors say, he used his positions to create a fiefdom of graft, shaking down business owners who needed liquor licenses, forcing a developer to install […]