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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

  • Republican Gubernatorial Forum for the Privileged Few September 6, 2025
  • Leftover Fireworks Results in Citation on Labor Day Weekend September 6, 2025
  • Bernie and Betty Bailey Names Grand Marshals at Lake in the Hills Labor Day Parade September 6, 2025
  • Tourism Up in McHenry County September 6, 2025
  • Shooting at a Car and Drug Convictions Earn Man on Probation 13.5 Years in Prison September 5, 2025
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What’s a Shell Bill?

Cal SkinnerMarch 14, 2025March 12, 2025

It’s a bill without content other than a title. Those in power (read Democrats in Springfield) introduce bills to be used usually at the end of the session in which content that could be wholly unrelated to the the title. Or it […]

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Another 10-Acre Brushfire, This time in Woodstock

Cal SkinnerMarch 13, 2025March 13, 2025

From the Woodstock Fire/Rescue Protection District: Firefighters Contain 10-Acre Prairie Fire Near Homes The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded at 3:10 p.m. to a reported controlled prairie burn that had spread out of control in the 1300 block of E. Longwood Drive in […]

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Feds Arrest Teacher for Child Porn

Cal SkinnerMarch 13, 2025March 13, 2025

From the U.S. Attorney: STEPHENSON COUNTY TEACHER INDICTED FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN ROCKFORD — A Stephenson County teacher was indicted on Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Rockford for sexual exploitation of children. COLLIN T. ZIER, 39, of Lena, Ill., […]

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Huntley Police Arrest Possessor of Child Pornography

Cal SkinnerMarch 13, 2025March 13, 2025

From the Huntley Police: Child Pornography Arrest In February 2025, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force provided the Huntley Police Department with information that was obtained from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children data system indicating the possible possession […]

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Funk Finks Out, Shows Vindictiveness

Cal SkinnerMarch 13, 2025March 13, 2025

Last night was the first Algonquin Township Board meeting since the February 25th Republican Primary Election in which Supervisor Randy “My Way of the Highway” Funk’s slate was defeated by the “Integrity Team.” Supervisor Funk did not show for last night’s meeting. […]

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McHenry County Assistant Transportation Director Scott Hennings Testifies Against Giving Chicago Total Control of RTA

Cal SkinnerMarch 13, 2025March 13, 2025

Found on StreetsBlogChicago: Another person who spoke against the legislation was McHenry County’s Assistant Director of Transportation Scott Hennings. He said his county believes transit reform has three bench principles. Those included the principal that increased State transit funding should be the […]

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DeVore Says He’s Going RINO Hunting, May Be Seeking to Take Out the Only Local Republican State Representative Who Can Pass a Bill

Cal SkinnerMarch 13, 2025March 12, 2025

Found by a Friend of McHenry County Blog on former Illinois GOP Attorney General candidate Tom DeVore’s Facebook page. As I had mentioned previously, our RINO Removal PAC will have the sole purpose of helping support grassroots primary opponents against the ever […]

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Reick Promotes Witness Slip Filing on Home Schooling Regulation Bill

Cal SkinnerMarch 13, 2025March 13, 2025

From State Rep. Steve Reick: I am writing this Reick Report during another beautiful day in Springfield. This week there will be many committee hearings as we get closer to the deadline to pass bills out of committee. That means Democrats will […]

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If Pritzker Were a Federal Employee

Cal SkinnerMarch 12, 2025March 12, 2025

To JB Pritzker:  Please reply to this email with approx. 5 bullets of what you accomplished last week and cc your manager, the people of Illinois.  Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.  Sincerely,  The Illinois Republican Party  P.S. We’re […]

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Joke of the Day

Cal SkinnerMarch 12, 2025March 12, 2025

Found on Drudge, pulled from Politico:

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Illinois’ Coerced Utilities’ DEI Report

Cal SkinnerMarch 12, 2025March 12, 2025

From the JB Pritzker Administration: ICC 2024 Supplier Diversity Report shows steady investment growth from “Big 6” utilities Springfield, IL – The Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) Office of Diversity and Community Affairs’ (ODCA) 2024 Annual Report shows that diverse spending by the state’s […]

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McHenry County Seeking Input to Secure Share of Federal Internet Improvement

Cal SkinnerMarch 12, 2025March 12, 2025

From McHenry County: Take an Online Survey to Help Secure County Broadband Funding WOODSTOCK, Ill. – Taking a quick online survey can help ensure that McHenry County receives its fair share of more than $1 billion in funds to improve broadband access […]

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No Bobcat Hunting in McHenry County

Cal SkinnerMarch 12, 2025March 12, 2025

A recent press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reported that 649 bobcats were “harvested” during the most recent season. 2,000 permits had been issued. Here are the details of the taking of Bobcats: Method: Hunting and trapping Can use: […]

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Public Indecency Conviction for 23-Year Old Who Exposed Himself at Woodstock’s Planet Fitness

Cal SkinnerMarch 11, 2025March 11, 2025

From the State’s Attorney: 8 of 202,453 Print all In new window EDEL CASTANEDA-CARRENO GUILTY OF PUBLIC INDECENCY The McHenry County State’s Attorney Office announces that Edel Castaneda-Carreno, 23, of Woodstock, was convicted of public indecency on March 10, 2025, at the conclusion of […]

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No Change in Election Night Winners for Grafton Township Trustees as All Absentee Votes Counted, Incumbents Re-Elected

Cal SkinnerMarch 11, 2025March 11, 2025

On the night of the February 25, 2025, Republican Primary Election, the endorsed candidates of the Grafton Township Republican Party were on top. Here are the Election Night results: Note in this article that endorsed candidate Sean Cratty was only one vote […]

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Four Acre Marengo Retention Pond Brush Fire

Cal SkinnerMarch 11, 2025March 11, 2025

From the Marengo Fire/Rescue Protection Districts: Firefighters Contain Brush Fire on Delks Drive  On Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 10:46 a.m., the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts responded to the 20400 block of Delks Drive in unincorporated Marengo for a reported brush […]

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Two House Fires in Harvard/Alden

Cal SkinnerMarch 11, 2025March 11, 2025

From the Harvard Fire Protection District: Harvard Fire Responds to Two Overnight House Fires The Harvard Fire Protection District responded to two separate overnight house fires, both of which were quickly brought under control, preventing injuries and limiting damage. The first fire […]

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UPDATE: Democrats Seek to Weaken Police, LOCAL DEMOCRAT DISAGREES

Cal SkinnerMarch 11, 2025March 11, 2025

Found on columnist Ray Hanania’ substack page: Last week in Illinois, Democrats introduced House Bill 3458 that punishes police officers who confront individuals who appear to be committing crimes, but who turn out to be mentally disabled people. The current law says it […]

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Texas Busing of Illegal Aliens Leads to Illinois Population Increase

Cal SkinnerMarch 11, 2025March 8, 2025

Found in an Illinois Policy Institute article entitled, Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident Domestic migration saw the state shed 56,235 residents as the state continues to push people to other states with high taxation, a poor job market […]

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Lake in the Hills Police Throw Book at 18-Year Old Crystal Lake Man

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

Frrom Lake in the Hills Police: 3/9/2025 5:50:49 PM DRIVING COMPLAINT Miller Rd / Spring Lake Dr Ofc. Stachnik Defily, Aiden J.; M/W; 18 years of age; Autumncrest Dr., Crystal Lake. Charges: TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL

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McHenry County Makes Jeopardy

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 9, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog: On February 28th during the semi-finals of a tournament, there was a question that specifically mentioned McHenry County. The category was “county lines.” The question was Cross this county’s border & you’re in one of the […]

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John Goodman Officially Announces for U.S. Senate

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the campaign of John Goodman: JOHN GOODMAN ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY FOR US SENATE SERVING ILLINOIS JOHN MAKES IT CLEAR, DICK DURBIN HAS GOT TO GO. Des Plaines, IL – John Goodman, a father, a veteran, and a proud lifelong Illinoisan, announced his […]

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Regional Planning Commission Seeks Help in Hiking RTA Taxes

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the Metropolitan Planning Council: I’m writing to you with a request for action TODAY to improve our transit system. Your voice is critical in ensuring our region has the service it needs to maintain its vibrant economy, meet climate objectives, and advance equity.    As you may […]

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UPDATE: Republican Candidate for Governor, DuPage Sheriff James Mendrick, Hit with Negative Frontpage Tribune Story, WEBSITE FOUND

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

It was hard for me to take seriously the campaign for the Republican nomination for Governor announced by DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick two weeks ago. When his name popped up on the front page of the Chicago Tribune in a negative […]

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FOID Card Turn In

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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McHenry Garage Fire Not Bad Enough to Keep Residents Out of Townhome

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the McHenry Township Fire Protection District: On Sunday, March 9 th , at approximately 9:50 p.m., the McHenry Township Fire Protection District was dispatched to the 1000 block of Carrick Lane in the city of McHenry for a report of a […]

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McHenry County Residents Pay 2.5% of the Value of Their Homes in Property Taxes

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 18, 2025

The Tax Foundation has calculated the effective tax rates for every county in the United States. It is a wonderful study. Effective tax rates are the only way to compare real estate taxes from place to place. One can calculate one’s own […]

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Trump-Endorsed Candidate for Florida Governor Scheduled for State GOP Fundraiser

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

From the Illinois State Republican Party: We are thrilled to invite you to the Red Gala, featuring Congressman Byron Donalds—the premier Illinois Republican event of 2025! This is more than a celebration; it’s a movement. Building on the momentum of 2024, we’re […]

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Pritzker Administration Drags Heels on Sue Ness’ Lakewood $250,000 Pork

Cal SkinnerMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025

Found in the minutes of the Village of Lakewood’s last Board meeting: “Village Manager Heckman reported receiving a reply from State Representative Ness’ office regarding the grant awarded a year and a half ago is still in the approval process and may […]

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Cary School Board, Nunda & Algonquin Township Candidates’ Night Monday at Galati’s

Cal SkinnerMarch 9, 2025March 4, 2025

From We the People, McHenry County: Date: 3/10/25 Time: 6-9 pm Join us for a Meet & Greet with Algonquin & Nunda Township Candidates, and Cary D26 School Board candidates! This is a great opportunity to meet them in person, ask questions, and learn more about […]

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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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