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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

  • Lake in the Hills 41-Year Old Picked Up for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse July 30, 2025
  • Reick Running for Re-Election July 30, 2025
  • Illinois Policy Institute Comes to McHenry County Fair July 30, 2025
  • Two State Reps. Have Tents Near Main Parking Lot Entrance July 30, 2025
  • Huntley Fire Department Lt. Returns from Texas Flood Duty July 30, 2025
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Crystal Lake Doc Makes Tribune Front Page in Story about State’s Attorney Offices’ Reporting Duty

Cal SkinnerDecember 6, 2024December 6, 2024

Crystal Lake physician Hiralal Maheshwari was charged with the felony of criminal sexual abuse by the McHenry County State’s Attorney, notified the state regulatory agency, but the agency did nothing for five months, rather than the five days prescribed in state law. […]

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The Best Hunter Biden Cartoon I’ve Seen

Cal SkinnerDecember 6, 2024December 6, 2024

It’s the header for Matt Tabaii’s weekly discussion of events with Walter Kirn. The video is behind a pay wall, but the text before reads, America This Week, December 06, 2024: “The Immaculate Pardon” A trial balloon floats presidential pardons no one […]

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Overturning of Illinois Assault Gun Law Faces Further Delay

Cal SkinnerDecember 6, 2024December 6, 2024

The assault gun case Second Amendment folks won in Downstate Illinois’ Federal Court has been stayed by the local Appellate Court, pending appeal. See Sun-Times article for further details.

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New State’s Attorney Randi Freese Follows in Modest and Self-Confident Footsteps of Circuit Clerk Kathy Keefe and Robb Tadelman

Cal SkinnerDecember 5, 2024December 6, 2024

When Kathy Keefe took office I was impressed that she didn’t put her name on the office window. That said to me that she was self-confident and modest. As i looked at the first press release from newly-sworn in McHenry County State’s […]

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Shooter Get Eight Years

Cal SkinnerDecember 5, 2024December 5, 2024

From the States Attorney: JACOB A. MAINS SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR AGGRAVATED DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announces that on November 19, 2024, Jacob A. Mains, 25, of Belvidere, was […]

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Kane County GOP Accuses Shaw of Playing Politics Be Delaying Article Until after the Election

Cal SkinnerDecember 5, 2024

From the Kane County Republican Party: Kane County GOP Demands Accountability, Highlights Election Integrity Concerns Over Suppressed Media Reporting St. Charles, IL – The Kane County Republican Central Committee today raised serious concerns about the media’s handling of information related to the […]

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Eight Years for Sexual Assault of Minor

Cal SkinnerDecember 5, 2024December 5, 2024

From the State’s Attorney: MATTHEW K. VODNANSKY SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT On November 25, 2024, Matthew K. Vodnansky, a 41-year-old male from Fox Lake, was sentenced to 8 years in the […]

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Crystal Lake High School District after Almost 5% More

Cal SkinnerDecember 5, 2024December 5, 2024

Black Box ad from Crystal Lake High School District155:

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Prairie Grove Grade School District 46: Shoots for Nearly 16% Tax Hike

Cal SkinnerDecember 5, 2024December 5, 2024

Black Box ad for Prairie Grove Grade School District 46

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Proposed County Board Committee Chairmen

Cal SkinnerDecember 5, 2024December 5, 2024

From The Committee on Committees recommendation comes the following:

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Illinois Job Growth Since Beginning of Covid Way Behind Nation

Cal SkinnerDecember 5, 2024December 5, 2024

From the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, a legislative agency: Employment Compared to October 2019 [In] A comparison of employment growth since before the COVID-19 pandemic…Illinois has grown more slowly than the nation as a whole,… Since October 2019, U.S. employment […]

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Snow Plowing Kickback Indictment at McCormick Place

Cal SkinnerDecember 4, 2024December 4, 2024

From the U.S. Attorney: Operations Manager at McCormick Place in Chicago Charged With Pocketing Kickbacks From Snowplow Vendor CHICAGO — An operations manager at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly pocketing kickbacks from […]

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Marengo seeks 7% Tax Hike

Cal SkinnerDecember 4, 2024

Black Box ad from Marengo:

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Ness Gets Awards

Cal SkinnerDecember 4, 2024December 4, 2024

From State Rep. Suzanne Ness: Representative Suzanne Ness’ Dedication Recognized Crystal Lake, Ill. – State Representative Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, is set to begin her third term among community accolades. Rep. Ness was named the 2024 Metro West Legislature of the Year; […]

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Fifteen Years for Sex Abuse

Cal SkinnerDecember 4, 2024December 4, 2024

From the State’s Attorney: DAVID W. FLYNN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR 3 COUNTS OF SEXUAL RELATIONS WITHIN FAMILIES The McHenry County States Attorney’s office announces that on November 15, 2024, David W. Flynn, of Chicago, […]

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McHenry County Board Finance Committee To Be Dominated by Those Who Have Voted for Higher Taxes

Cal SkinnerDecember 4, 2024December 4, 2024

If past is prologue, the McHenry County Board will again decide not to minimize its property tax take in 2026. I base that statement on the recommendations for those serving on the Finance Committee this term. Those recommended to serve on the […]

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Conservation District Upping Tax Levy by 19%, 44.5% Hike in Operating Fund Sought

Cal SkinnerDecember 4, 2024December 3, 2024

Published on September 11th, this Black Box ad for the McHenry County Conservation District cost $587. The operating fund will be hiked 44.5%.

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WBEZ Reports on “The Last Republican”

Cal SkinnerDecember 4, 2024December 3, 2024

In an article on documentary films made by Chicagoans, the Chicago Sun-Times includes “The Last Republican.” [This] documentary follows former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger as he battles to hold former President Donald Trump accountable for the Jan. 6, 2023, insurrection at the […]

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Woodstock Planning to Tax to the Max

Cal SkinnerDecember 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Under the Property Tax Cap law, local non-Home Rule units of government cannot increase their tax levies by more than the increase in the Cost of Living. Even though Woodstock is a Home Rule unit, it is adhering to this year’s limit […]

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Marlowe Middle School Child Researches “How to Shoot Up a School” on School Computer

Cal SkinnerDecember 3, 2024December 3, 2024

From a November 22nd Lake in the Hills Police report comes this information:

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Self-Storage Owners Address Crystal Lake City Council on Tonight’s Planned Tax Imposition

Cal SkinnerDecember 3, 2024

From the McHenry County Self-Storage Association: The Honorable Mayor HaleblianCrystal Lake City Council Members100 West WoodstockCrystal Lake, Il 60014 Subject: Request for Additional Time to Review the Proposed Self-Storage Tax Dear Mayor Haleblian and Esteemed Members of the City Council, We are […]

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Dems “Frustrated” at Biden Pardon

Cal SkinnerDecember 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Not infuriated…frustrated. And from the Editorial Page:

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Burton Township Road District Request 2% More

Cal SkinnerDecember 3, 2024December 3, 2024

As with the Burton Township Town Fund, no Black Box ad was required because the levy increase sought is less than what is allowed by law Citizens are being told the amount, however. It is 2%. .

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Wonder Lake Fire Protection District Announces Intention to Tax Almost 10% More

Cal SkinnerDecember 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Black Box ad from the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District:

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Burton Township Asks for Same Amount at Last Year

Cal SkinnerDecember 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Burton Township is requesting the same property tax levy as last yet. Because the amount is less than 5%, no Black Box ad is required by state law. Nevertheless, a notice was placed in the Northwest Herald.

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Marengo High School Looking for Over 5% Tax Hike

Cal SkinnerDecember 3, 2024December 3, 2024

Black Box ad for Marengo High School District 154:

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More Evidence That Data Centers Threaten Small Electric Users

Cal SkinnerDecember 2, 2024December 2, 2024

From the Chicago Tribune article on storage batteries: There isn’t enough supply to meet demand. An influx of power-hungry data centers and the steady flow of industry back to Illinois are colliding with delays in getting renewable energy projects on the grid. […]

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Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk Reports Phone Call During Board Meeting

Cal SkinnerDecember 2, 2024

Algonquin Township Supervisor did something observers have never seen before at an Algonquin Township Board meeting in November. He made a phone call in the middle of the meeting. Initially, the Freedom of Information Officer reported there were no such records, but, […]

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Dad Gives Elevent Year Get Out of Jail Free Card to Hunter Biden

Cal SkinnerDecember 2, 2024December 2, 2024

Noteworthy is the breadth of the pardon President Biden issued his son: Not only did the president pardon Hunter for the gun and tax charges for which he awaits sentencing, but for every other crime he “committed or may have committed or […]

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Drugs Still Getting into Illinois Prisons – What a Surprise

Cal SkinnerDecember 2, 2024November 27, 2024

When I served on the Illinois House Prison Reform Committee, I repeatedly chastized prison officials for allowing drugs to get behind the walls. The drugs either came in with the guards, visitors or vendors, I figured. I was also told at one […]

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Recent Comments

  • Abortion at the McHenry County Fair - McHenry County Blog on Thomas More Society Comments on Rockford Court Victory in Which McHenry County’s 1st Way Pregnancy Center Was a Plaintiff
  • Minor Anti-Trump Demonstration on Route 14 Saturday - McHenry County Blog on Hundreds Line Crystal Lake’s Route 14 from Main Street past Jewel
  • Critiquing John Collins’ Critique of Park Board President Fred Tiesenga’s Letter to Constituents about Property Taxes Shows Almost One-Third Increase in His Park District Tax Bill over the Last Ten Years - McHenry County Blog on County Board Member John Collins Critiques Park Board President’s Letter Emphasizing Taxes, Fees & Salaries at Crystal Lake Park Board Meeting, Letter Included Below
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  • Crystal Lake Mayor Says He Has Found $1 Million Donor to Help Buy HealthBridge - McHenry County Blog on Crystal Lake Mayor Urges Park District to Purchase Long-Closed Healthbridge
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