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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

  • 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
  • Feds Prosecute “Hate” Motivation, Rather Than the Crime of Arson December 23, 2025
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Lover of Life Irene Napier, R.I.P.

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 18, 2025

If a kinder person with opposing views ever entered my life, it was Irene Napier. Irene was the Godmother of the Pro-Life movement in McHenry County. I was one of her State Representatives and certainly not on her side of the issue […]

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Rape and Other Sexual Abuse Charged in Illinois’ Juvenile Facilities

Cal SkinnerJuly 18, 2025July 17, 2025

With the knowledge I have of rape in Illinois prisons, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it occurs in juvenile detention centers as well. Even back in the mid-to-late 1990’s when I was exposing what scores of inmates wrote me. The […]

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Hundreds Line Crystal Lake’s Route 14 from Main Street past Jewel

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

Found on Route 14 right before six are local demonstrators making “Good Trouble” recommended by the last Democratic Party Civil Rights leader and Congressman Johnb Lewis:

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Bank Robber Gets over Seven Years

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: MAN SENTENCED TO SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROBBING FIVE SUBURBAN CHICAGO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CHICAGO — A man who robbed four banks and a credit union in the Chicago suburbs has been sentenced to […]

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Another Carjacker to Federal Pen

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: FOURTH MEMBER OF CHICAGO CARJACKING AND ROBBERY CREW SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON  CHICAGO — A man who committed multiple carjackings and robberies in Chicago, including carjacking a vehicle with an infant in the back seat, has been sentenced […]

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DeWitte Declines to Run for Re-Election

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From State Senator Don DeWitte: Senator Donald DeWitte Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election West Dundee, Illinois— Illinois State Senator Donald P. DeWitte (R-St. Charles), a respected voice in the Illinois Legislature and a dedicated public servant for over three decades, announced […]

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Man Who Defrauded Gas and Electric Companies on Behalf of Others at a Fee Pleads Guilty

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUDULENTLY ARRANGING UTILITY SERVICES FOR THOUSANDS OF CHICAGO-AREA PROPERTIES  CHICAGO — A man who fraudulently arranged for more than $5 million in utility services to be provided to 2,000 Chicago-area properties has pleaded guilty […]

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Nine-Minute Video of Crystal Lake Sheriff Deputy Fatal Shooting Released

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 17, 2025

From the Sheriff: Deputies Involved in April 10 Incident Return to Full Duty Following the standard review process required under Illinois law, the four deputies involved in the April 10 critical incident in unincorporated Crystal Lake have been cleared to return to […]

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Richard Porter Visits McHenry County Executive Committee Meeting

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 16, 2025

Traveling from New Trier Township to the far reaches of his 9th Congressional District, former Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter previewed a potential candidacy for the United States Senate. With Democrat Dick Durbin, elected in 1996 over State Rep. Al Salvi, retiring, […]

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Forever Chemicals Found in Five Crystal Lake Wells

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 14, 2025

From the City of Crystal Lake in reply to a Freedom of Information Request: “The City has detected “forever chemicals” in four wells (wells 10, 11, 14, and 15). “Wells 10, 11 and 14 are located at Water Treatment Plant 4, 400 […]

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Huntley’s Kelly Eagan Off to the White House

Cal SkinnerJuly 17, 2025July 16, 2025

Today is the day when Grafton Township Republican Party Vice Chairwoman Kelly Eagan will board a plane to Washington. She was invited by Shane Bouvet, a friend of President Donald Trump. What will happen when she arrives at the White House remains […]

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Still Another Candidate Seeking to Replace Jan Schakowsky–Nick Pyati

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 16, 2025

Here is his announcement video:

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Call for Pritzker to Allow School Choice Contained in Trump’s Tax Law

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 15, 2025

From the Illinois Freedom Caucus: IL Freedom Caucus files resolution urging Gov. Pritzker to opt Illinois into federal school choice program Springfield, IL – The Illinois Freedom Caucus has filed two identical resolutions, HR427 and SR383, urging Governor Pritzker to opt Illinois into the new federal […]

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Check Out Some of the Professions for Which Illinois Requires Licensing

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 15, 2025

At one point Illinois required more occupations to be licensed than any other.’ As I watched nail technicians, hair braiders, tree trimmers and other entry job possibilities, I concluded that most licensing was for the purpose of protecting those already doing those […]

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Arkansas Governor Attends Barrington Hills Fundraiser for McHenry County GOPAC

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 16, 2025

A Barrington Hills estate owner hosted a fundraiser for McHenry County GOPAC and Joe Tirio last Thursday. Keyu draw was Arkansas Govenor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Also at the event were Congressman Darin LaHood, Illinois National Committeeman for the RNC Dean White, and […]

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Diana Hartmann, McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools, Holding Fundraiser/Campaign Kickoff Next Tuesday

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 20, 2025

Diana Hartmann was appointed Regional Superintendent of Schools by Board Chairman Mike Buehler and approved by the County Board. She was elected without opposition in 2024 for the rest of the term. Now, she is up for re-election and offers the following […]

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Invisible McHenry County Plans Route 14 Demonstration Thursday 5-7

Cal SkinnerJuly 16, 2025July 14, 2025

Information about the demonstration: Time: Thursday, July 17, 5 – 7pm Location: U.S. 14 & Teckler Boulevard About this event This is a peaceful roadside protest rally hosted by Indivisible McHenry County. We will be standing along the sidewalk on the north […]

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Woodstock Fire/Rescue Members Graduate from MCC Paramedic Program

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025July 15, 2025

From the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District: Woodstock Fire Recognizes Five Paramedic Program Graduates The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District proudly recognizes five of its members who recently graduated from McHenry County College’s Paramedic Program. each completed an intensive program that included classroom instruction, clinical rotations, […]

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Republicans in Jan Schakowsky’s District Raise Peanuts

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025July 15, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: Dongbo Mark Su raised $10,400 in the second quarter. He spent $3,030.29 leaving him with a balance of $7,360.71 Rocio Cleveland hasn’t filed paperwork yet, but I’d be surprised if she raised more than Mr. […]

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Illinois Environmental Council Puts Negative Spin on Increased Real Estate Bill Deduction

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025July 14, 2025

The Illinois Environmental Council has posted an analysis of the big bill just signed into law by President Trump. You can read it here. I can’t find anything positive. Since my tax bill is over the past $10,000 limit, I consider raising […]

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Wilcox in Cary Tonight

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025June 30, 2025

From State Senator Craig Wilcox:

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Time to Think about Getting Involved in Politics

Cal SkinnerJuly 15, 2025July 13, 2025

Reprinted with permission from Illinois Family Action: What is a Precinct Committeeman? Written by Doug Ibendahl A Republican Precinct Committeeman represents the GOP voters of his or her precinct at the County Republican Party level. [Democrats changed the title to “Precinct Committeeperson.”] […]

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Opportunity to Get Up Close and Personal with State Senator Craig Wilcox

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025May 12, 2025

The place is in Cary and the time is tomorrow: July 15: Conversations Untapped, Spirit Water Brewery, Distillery, and Taproom, 3300 Three Oaks Road, Cary, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

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Pritzker Sends Search and Rescue Team to Texas

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025July 14, 2025

From JB Pritzker: Illinois Sends Search and Rescue Team to Texas Springfield—An Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team from Illinois is headed to Texas overnight to assist with operations after deadly flooding this week. This group of 39 rescuers from fire departments, […]

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Lakewood Considering Joining Class Action Suit against Forever Chemical Manufacturers

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025July 11, 2025

From the Lakewood Village Board agenda package for Jully 15th: Consideration for Approving an Agreement for Legal Services Related toAFFF PFAS Litigation GKW & W, along with Mike Stag of Stag Liuzza, has been engaged by municipalities in Illinois to represent them […]

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25 Years for 2021 Marengo Circle K Armed Robbery

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025July 14, 2025

From The State’s Attorney: ANTONIO PEDROTE SENTENCED TO TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR ARMED ROBBERY WITH A FIREARM McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on July 11, 2025, Antonio Pedrote, 30, of Berwyn, Illinois, was […]

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Pot + Alcohol Mixture for Arrest

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025July 14, 2025

From the Cary Police:

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Another First Ranking for Which Illinois Taxpayers Won’t Rejoice

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025July 12, 2025

From the Illinois Policy Institute: Illinoisans paid the highest state and local taxes for wireless cell phone services in the nation in 2024 – $136 per family more than the average. An increase in Illinois’ telecommunication tax July 1 just made them […]

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Rich Miller Challenges Pritzker to Improve Poor Administration of Food Stamp (SNAP) Benefits

Cal SkinnerJuly 14, 2025July 12, 2025

The reason? The lower the fraud rate, the lower the share a state government has to pick up. From Rich Miller’s Sunday Chicago Sun-Times column: Won’t be easy, but Illinois has a chance to mitigate SNAP cuts Gov. JB Pritzker frequently touts […]

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Lake in the Hills Reports July 4th Enhanced Enforcement Results

Cal SkinnerJuly 13, 2025July 13, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police: The Lake in the Hills Police Department releases Fourth of July enforcement statistics Lake in the Hills, IL – The Lake in the Hills Police Department issued a total of 75 citations, including .arrests, during […]

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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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