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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

  • Tennessee Church Youth Group Assist in Friday’s First Church Food Distribution at The Chapel in McHenry June 29, 2025
  • Huntley Police Arrest 75-Year Old Port Barrington Man for Child Porn and Trying to Entice Huntley Teen to Meeting June 28, 2025
  • Free Party at McHenry County College Starting Noon on Sunday June 28, 2025
  • Sosnowski Comments on U.S. Supreme Court Decision June 28, 2025
  • Only 14% of Bills Passed This Year Were Sponsored by Republicans June 28, 2025
Uncategorized

Illegals with Illinois Drivers’ Licenses

Cal SkinnerDecember 18, 2024December 17, 2024

From State Rep. Dan Ugaste: More Than 155,000 Standard IDs and Driver’s Licenses Issued to Illinois Noncitizens in 5 Months Since Law Went Into Effect.   More than 155,000 standardized IDs and driver’s licenses for non-U.S. citizens have been issued in the five […]

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Pace Budget Analysis Shows Uber or Cab Service Would Be Cheaper

Cal SkinnerDecember 18, 2024December 16, 2024

Former Lakewood village president Erin Smith recently gave a presentation to the County Board on how “2024 has been a transformative year for Pace. (Since she has been out of office going on eight years, one wonders why she is still in […]

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Rob Parrish Announces Candidacy for Nunda Township Road Commissioner, Outlines Shortcomings of Incumbent Opponent

Cal SkinnerDecember 18, 2024December 16, 2024

From Nunda Township Trustee Rob Parrish, who lost to Mike Lesperance eight years ago by three votes and has been bird-dogging him every since with the help of his brother, until-recently also a nuda Township Trustee.: I am pleased to announce my […]

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Extensive Analysis of Causalities in Hamas-Israeli War Confirms Media Bias

Cal SkinnerDecember 17, 2024December 17, 2024

I ventured into media coverage of deaths in the Hamas-Israeli war in an study by an organization called Fifty Global. MISLABELING ON THE BATTLEFIELD: How Mass Media Misrepresents Combatant Casualties as Civilian Deaths in Gaza Coverage The “findings suggest a significant imbalance […]

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Almost 13 Years for Developer Embezzling from Bank in Mayor Daley’s Neighborhood

Cal SkinnerDecember 17, 2024December 17, 2024

From the U.S. Attorney: Real Estate Developer Sentenced to Nearly 13 Years in Prison for Embezzling Millions From the Failed Washington Federal Bank in Chicago CHICAGO — A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced a real estate developer to nearly 13 years […]

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Looking at the Birthright Citizenship Debate

Cal SkinnerDecember 17, 2024December 17, 2024

A commentary by Amy Swearer published in The Daily Signal brought light on what I and many others considered settled law–that someone born in the United Stats is automatically a citizen of the United States. That is how such newborns are treated […]

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Fox River Grove and Woodstock Score Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in State Park Grants

Cal SkinnerDecember 16, 2024December 16, 2024

From the Illinois Department of Naltural Resouirces: Pritzker Administration awards $55.2 million in grants for local park projects Grant funding will help 100 parks statewide develop recreational opportunities SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced […]

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Chinaman Laundering Money for Mexican Drug Cartel Gets 10 Years

Cal SkinnerDecember 16, 2024December 16, 2024

From the U.S. Attorney:. Chinese National Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Laundering $62 Million in Drug Proceeds on Behalf of Mexican Traffickers CHICAGO — A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced a Chinese national to a decade in prison […]

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South Barrington Man Pleads Guilty to Not Paying Sales Tax on $104 Million

Cal SkinnerDecember 16, 2024December 17, 2024

From the Illinois Department of Revenue: Illinois Department of Revenue Announces Guilty Plea and Conviction of South Barrington Man in Long-Term Sales Tax Investigation Case of His Pizza Places Record-Breaking $104 Million in Gross Receipts Underreported Chicago – The Illinois Department of Revenue […]

Uncategorized

From Now through January 2nd Local Police Have Federally-Financed Cars on Duty

Cal SkinnerDecember 16, 2024December 16, 2024

It started two days ago and will continue until the day after New Year’s Day. Headlines used by various police departments include Drive High, Get a DUI and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and’ Drive merry, bright and sober this holiday […]

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71-Year Old Enbridge Pipeline That Appears to Run Through Western McHenry County Springs Leak in Wisconsin

Cal SkinnerDecember 16, 2024December 15, 2024

From Epoch News: Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the spill—estimated at around 1,650 barrels, or 70,000 gallons—was caused by a faulty connection on a pump transfer pipe within Enbridge Cambridge Station.

Uncategorized

Crystal Lake Grade School Agenda Item Opaque

Cal SkinnerDecember 16, 2024December 16, 2024

Looking at the Board meeting agenda for the Crystal Lake Grade School today I found an item whcih I can’t understnad: The following description of a Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47 agenda item is insufficient to determine what is being considered; […]

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Riley Township Candidates

Cal SkinnerDecember 16, 2024December 15, 2024

Below are the people running unopposed for Riley Township Office: All are elected incumbents except Yvonne Daniels, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in November.

Uncategorized

Feds Indict Four Ski Mask-Wearing Men on Gun and Robbery Charges

Cal SkinnerDecember 15, 2024

From the U.S. Attorney: Federal Indictment Charges Four Men With Robbery and Firearm Offenses in Connection with Heist of Electronics Equipment in Chicago CHICAGO — Four men have been indicted on federal robbery and firearm charges for allegedly participating in a heist […]

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Where’s Johnny Carson When We Need Him?

Cal SkinnerDecember 15, 2024December 15, 2024

From Richard Rostron: Late-Night hosts Stewart, Colbert and Kimmel, and a Trump victory, prove we need another Johnny Carson The Response A Website called Ranker allows people to vote on the best or greatest movies, actors, musical artists, songs and more. I […]

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Not So Sunday Funnies

Cal SkinnerDecember 15, 2024December 15, 2024

From the Illinois Institute’s Eric Allie:

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Ethics, Smethics

Cal SkinnerDecember 15, 2024December 15, 2024

The Chicago Tribune eviscerates the ethics entities set up by Chicago and Illinois politicians to make citizens think they are doing something to clean up the endemic corruption in Chicago and state politics. Here are some snippets from the Sunday article:

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Incumbents Running Unopposed in Hartland Township

Cal SkinnerDecember 15, 2024December 15, 2024

Hartland Township officials are all running for re-election in April. And, they have no opposition. They are There is no candidate for Assessor. That function is contracted out.

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Trump Puts Year-Round Daylight v. Standard Time Fight on Horizon

Cal SkinnerDecember 15, 2024December 15, 2024

As the sun sets at about 5:30, incoming President Donald Trump floats the idea that the Republican Party favors year-round standard time. I was bemoaning the impending lost of the all year daylight savings time when Florida Senator Marco Rubio becomes Secretary […]

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Hebron Township Has Trustee Write-in Possibility

Cal SkinnerDecember 15, 2024December 13, 2024

Those involved in the game of politics know how hard it is to find people to run for office. Consider that only one Democrat has filed for township office as a Democrat (Mary Mahady as a candidate for re-election McHenry Township Assessor). […]

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Lake in the Hills Grade Schooler Has Mental Health Crisis

Cal SkinnerDecember 14, 2024December 13, 2024

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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Notes on Government Consolidation from Zoom Meeting of We the People with Illinois House Majority Leader

Cal SkinnerDecember 14, 2024December 14, 2024

We the People met with House Leader Natalie Manley’ recently. Bob Anderson’s notes from the meetiig follow: Majority Leader Natalie Manley’s December 9th Zoom meeting with WE THE PEOPLE… Subject: Illinois has too many units of local governments The Comptroller count of […]

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Lakewood Village Board Turns Thumbs Down on Police Request for Tesla

Cal SkinnerDecember 14, 2024

I didn’t listen to the Lakewood Village Board meeting last Tuesday, but apparently someone from the Northwest Herald did or talked to someone who attended the meeting. I asked in an article entitled, “Why Would Lakewood Be Considering Buying a Tesla?“ In […]

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LaHood Criticizes Biden for Voiding 19-Year Dixon Comptroller Prison Sentence

Cal SkinnerDecember 14, 2024December 14, 2024

Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., called President Biden’s action a display of the president’s “continued disregard for our justice system and rule of law.” “Illinois’ history of corruption has marred our state with controversy and public distrust,” he wrote. “Leniency towards public officials […]

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Continued Concern about Data Centers Sucking Up Residential Electricity

Cal SkinnerDecember 14, 2024December 13, 2024

I’ve been sharing my concerns about the availability of electricity for homes and businesses as Illinois seeks the location of data centers. From past experience, I know that large electric users can and do cut deals with ComEd. Homeowners and ordinary businesses […]

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Weather Grinch Cancels Johnsburg Saturday Parade and Festivities

Cal SkinnerDecember 13, 2024December 13, 2024

From the Village of Johnsburg: As of today, December 13th at approx. 10:00a.m. due to predicted/forecast weather anticipated for Village’s Annual Holiday Magic 2024, the Parade and Event has been CANCELED. There is ongoing discussion and planning efforts for an ALTERNATE event for families […]

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Box Truck Hits Tree near Hebron, Driver Critical

Cal SkinnerDecember 13, 2024December 13, 2024

From the Sheriff: Single vehicle crash near Hebron A 26-year-old Hanover Park male was injured following a single vehicle crash in the 11400 block of Price Road, in unincorporated Hebron.  On today’s date, at approximately 7:15 a.m., members of the McHenry County […]

Uncategorized

Drugs, Pot in Car, Speeding Merit Lake in the Hills Arrest

Cal SkinnerDecember 13, 2024December 11, 2024

From the Lake in the Hills Police:

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Democrats Decide to Skip Algonquin Township Elections Leaving Winners of February GOP Primary Victors

Cal SkinnerDecember 13, 2024December 13, 2024

Dropped off at the Algonquin Township Hall yesterday was the following document stating no Democrtic Party candidates will contest the winners of the February Republlican Primary Election: Hard to believe the reason is lack of money because the county party had almost […]

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$9.5 Million in Federal Funds for Fox River Valley Wastewater Treatment & Storage

Cal SkinnerDecember 13, 2024December 12, 2024

Announced by Congressman Darin LaHood is the following appropriation for local communities: FOX RIVER, ILLINOIS.—$9,500,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure, including water storage and treatment, in the villages of

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Recent Comments

  • Northwest Herald Pours Gasoline on Crystal Lake Park District’s Newly-Elected Majority as New Board President Shares His Phone Number - McHenry County Blog on DEI Supporters Keep Up Pressure on Crystal Lake Park Board, Conflict of Interest Charged for New Attorney, Pitch Made for Purchasing HealthBridge, Lake Advisory Committee Discussed
  • Pastor Corey Brooks Declines $200,000 in Legislative Pork for Project H.O.O.D. - McHenry County Blog on Florida and Illinois Black Leaders Trade Places
  • Liberals Demonstrate in Front of McHenry Library - McHenry County Blog on Dems Promote McHenry “Save Our Libraries” Demonstration
  • DEI Supporters Keep Up Pressure on Crystal Lake Park Board, Conflict of Interest Charged for New Attorney, Pitch Made for Purchasing HealthBridge - McHenry County Blog on Crystal Lake DEI Policy
  • John Collins Replies to Tim Beck’s Column - McHenry County Blog on Tim Beck’s Response to John Collins’ Rebuttal to Terri Greeno’s Opinion Piece
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