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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
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Recent Posts

  • Shooting at a Car and Drug Convictions Earn Man on Probation 13.5 Years in Prison September 5, 2025
  • Gun Dropped by Father Found on Playground of Crystal Lake’s South Elementary School September 5, 2025
  • Lake in the Hills Reports Labor Day Enhanced Traffic Enforcement Results September 5, 2025
  • Notes on the Illinois Economy September 5, 2025
  • Donald Trump, Jr., Attends Fundraiser in Barrington Hills September 5, 2025
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Problems at Lake in the Hills Grade and Middle Schools

Cal SkinnerMarch 25, 2025March 24, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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Wilcox Opposes Shopping Bag Tax

Cal SkinnerMarch 25, 2025March 24, 2025

From State Senator Craig Wilcox: Wilcox Pushes Back Against Latest Cash Grab from Democrats Illinois families are already paying more for groceries, gas, and everyday essentials, and now Springfield Democrats want to add another cost every time you check out at the […]

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Pistakee Yacht Club Dispute with Village Continues

Cal SkinnerMarch 25, 2025March 24, 2025

An email from the Village of Johnsburg: Pistakee Yacht Club Litigation The Village was very disturbed to see a recent Facebook post by the Pistakee Yacht Club grossly overstating the amount of attorney’s fees the Village has spent defending itself against the […]

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Darby Hills Files Self-Funding Paperwork, Kicks In $100,001

Cal SkinnerMarch 25, 2025March 25, 2025

If there was any doubt as to how hard it is going to be to knock newly-appointed State Senator Darby Hills out of office, the following filing with the Illinois State Board of Elections should provide the answer: McHenry County Board member […]

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Circuit Clerk Kathy Keefe Offers Shortcut for Proving Orders of Protection Exist

Cal SkinnerMarch 25, 2025March 24, 2025

From McHenry County: Circuit Clerk Announces Launch of HOPE Card Program WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County residents with plenary orders of protection will be able starting March 31 to obtain HOPE cards, making it easier to report violation. A HOPE card is […]

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Woodstock Crackdown on Transients Continues

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 21, 2025

From the Woodstock Police;

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Frustrated Tom Weber Constituent Calls Him Out for Failure to Communicate

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 24, 2025

From Wonder Lake resident Bob Anderson: Open Letter, Representative Tom Weber, District 64: Subject HB 2515, filed by Representative Joe Sosnowski and SB 2504, filed by Susy Glowiak-Hilton; two bills that will reduce the size and cost of Illinois’ nation leading units […]

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Lesperance Announces Nunda Township Endorsements

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 24, 2025

From Nunda Township Road Commissioner Mike Lesperance: IRON MIKE Lesperance Announces Endorsements for Re-election Campaign Nunda Township, March 24, 2025 – IRON MIKE Lesperance, the incumbent Highway Commissioner, is proud to announce his endorsements for re-election, a team of experienced candidates committed […]

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Township Consolidation Bills Hit Roadblocks

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 23, 2025

From the Chicago Sun-Times: “Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton confirmed that she won’t be advancing her legislation supported by the governor that would dissolve townships with populations below 5,000 (SB2217), and eventually abolish townships with populations below 50,000 and lower the petition threshold […]

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UPDATE: Crystal Lake West End Home Burns, Person Found Dead

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 24, 2025

report makes WGN-TV: From the Crystal Lake Fire/Rescue Department: Structure Fire – 65 Della St. Crystal Lake Crystal Lake, IL – The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department at 3:22pm, responded to 65 Della St., Crystal Lake IL for a report of smoke […]

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Nunda Township Road Commissioner Mike Lesperance Issues Press Release on Charges from Opponent Ron Parish

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 23, 2025

Nunda Township, IL – The fraudulent and illegal attempts by Rob Parrish and his allies to weaponize local government offices against Nunda Township Highway Commissioner Mike Lesperance have ultimately failed. After more than a year of baseless accusations, taxpayer money spent, and countless […]

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A Republican Reflects on Democrats

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 24, 2025

From McHenry’s Tim Beck: The Democrat mindset Many of us recall the antics of the Democrat Senators and House members during President Trump’s March 4th speech to the joint session of Congress.   Refusing to stand and acknowledge the families of the victims of […]

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Data Center Problems for Current Water and Electric Users

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 23, 2025

I’ve been warning for some time about the data center threat to ordinary electricity users. Now I’m finding out data centers used oodles of water. Consider parts of this Chicago Tribune story about what a data center will do to Will County’s […]

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County Board Preparing to Appoint Fire Protection District Trustees

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 21, 2025

After the 1970 State Constitution was ratified, appointment power was taken away from local judges. I sponsored the law and remember I couldn’t come up with a good idea of what should replace the judges. It seems I concluded that county boards […]

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Former McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Brendan Pierard Has Law License Suspended

Cal SkinnerMarch 24, 2025March 22, 2025

From the Illinois State Bar Association comes news of this March 20, 2025,two-year license suspension from the Illinois Supreme Court: Brendan Michael Pierard, Crystal Lake Mr. Pierard, who was licensed in 2016, was suspended for two years and until further order of […]

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Nunda Township Supervisor-Elect Mike Shorten Announces Endorsements

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 23, 2025

Having won the Republican Primary Election for Township Supervisor in Nunda Township and having no Independent opponent on April 1st, McHenry County Board member Mike Shorten announces the following endorsements: Road Commissioner– Rob Parrish  𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿 – Mark Dzemske   𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗸 – Kyle Bussenger  […]

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Second Pot Shop Offers Gummies for Blood Donation

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 21, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog comes this promotion about a Danville blood bank: First Freeport, now Danville.

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Woodstock North Teen Arrested for Obscenity

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 21, 2025

From the Woodstock Police:

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Elgin State Senator Sends Endorsement Mailer for Elgin Community College, Carpentersville and Dundee Township Candidates

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 22, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: State Senator & 8th Congressional District Democratic State Central Committeewoman Cristina Castro of Elgin sent out mailer trying to draw Democrats to the polls on April 1 using Elon Musk & “elections have consequences” theme. […]

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Video of Sean Casten’s Dustup with Hamas AND Israeli Supporters

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 23, 2025

What luck that C-SPAN picked past Algonquin Township Congressman Sean Casten’s Town Hall Meeting last week. Consider this a supplement to this McHenry County Blog article:

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Rob Parris Buys Ad in Support of His Candidacy for Nunda Township Road Commissioner

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 23, 2025

And, here it is:

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Candidates Endorsed by the Crystal Lake Elementary School Teachers Association (CLEATA)

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 22, 2025

Found on its Facebook page: Questions of and answers from School Board candidates can be found here (link found on CLEATA Facebook page):. Those on the ballot follow: This District 47 School Board Candidate Questionnaire and Parent Guide were created by members […]

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Sunday Funnies

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 23, 2025

From Eric Allie of the Illinois Policy Institute:

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Pritzker Unable to Buy Presidential Love, One Percenter a Two Percenter

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 23, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: JB Pritzker polling at 2% among Democrats The Hill has an article about a new Morning Consult poll showing that among Democrats and Democrat leaning independents, Kamala Harris was the top choice for president in […]

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Northwest Herald Bias Showing

Cal SkinnerMarch 23, 2025March 21, 2025

International Women’s Day got big coverage in the Northwest Herald. I’m trying to remember the NWH’s ever doing a story on the annual Pro-Life Demonstrations in front of Hobby Lobby. Here are some photos from years past: I’d argue that babies in […]

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McHenry County Finance Folks Recognized for Excellence

Cal SkinnerMarch 22, 2025March 18, 2025

From McHenry County: McHenry County Wins Distinguished Budget Award WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County has again won top honors for budget reporting from a respected international organization of its finance professional peers. McHenry County received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government […]

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Pot in Car Arrest after Stop Sign & Weaving Arrest

Cal SkinnerMarch 22, 2025March 21, 2025

From the Woodstock Police: Date Occurred: 3/19/2025Arrest Date (if different from date of incident): Same. Sex: M Race: W Age: 30Location: W. JACKSON ST. & N. TRYON ST.Name: TRIPOLI, DOMINICK A.Address: CRABAPPLE DR., CRYSTAL LAKECharge: DUI / DUI+ – 2 CTS.Charge: UNLAWFUL […]

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14-Year Old Woodstock North Boy Arrested for Disorderly Conduct

Cal SkinnerMarch 22, 2025March 21, 2025

From the Woodstock Police:

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Marengo Council Candidate Endorsed by Democrats Didn’t Seek or Approve It

Cal SkinnerMarch 22, 2025March 22, 2025

From Amanda E. Damisch, candidate for the Marengo City Council in Ward 1: “I did not seek or approve this endorsement from the Marengo Democrats, although it is kind of them to back my candidacy. “This is a nonpartisan election, and I’m […]

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Veterans Assistance Commission to Get Better Entrances

Cal SkinnerMarch 22, 2025March 15, 2025

Found in the 506-page agenda packet of Tuesday’s McHenry County Board packet: The entry to Suite 100 (the VAC) consists of two doors with full glass panes. These have been in place since the construction of the building in 2003. The doors […]

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Recent Comments

  • Odds of Catalina Lauf Wheatley Winning Bryan Donalds’ Congressional Seat Get Lower - McHenry County Blog on Catalina Lauf (Wheatley) Gearing Up To Run for Congress in Southwest Florida?
  • Pritzker’s Juvenile Detention Centers Send Press Release to Deflect from Sex Abuse Suits - McHenry County Blog on Rape and Other Sexual Abuse Charged in Illinois’ Juvenile Facilities
  • The Venezuelan Solution to Illegals in the United States - McHenry County Blog on Cutting Off the Head of the Syrian Snake Is Bringing People Home; Could Trump Attack Venezuelan Illegal Alien Problem by Getting Rid of Nicolás Maduro?
  • Crystal Lake Park District’s Nondisclosure Agreement Concerning Due Diligence with Northwestern Medical Concerning HealthBridge - McHenry County Blog on Park District Emails Concerning Healthbridge
  • Northwest Herald Features Rally in Support of Crystal Lake Park District Which Had No Mention of the Push to Buy HealthBridge - McHenry County Blog on Counterpoint to John Collins’ Argument That the Crystal Lake Park District Should Buy HealthBridge
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