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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

  • Johnsburg House Fire Contained in Ten Minutes June 25, 2025
  • Coroner Reveals Names of Those Killed in Recent Crashes, Shooting & Drowning June 25, 2025
  • Pastor Corey Brooks Declines $200,000 in Legislative Pork for Project H.O.O.D. June 25, 2025
  • Social Security Fraudster Indicted June 25, 2025
  • Fire Chiefs Address Public on Recent Accidents June 25, 2025
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Legislators Becoming Concerned about Data Center Electricity Use Pushing Up Residential Prices

Cal SkinnerMay 27, 2025May 27, 2025

The Chicago Tribune today has an article which gives me hope that homeowners may not be screwed by Governor JB Priztker’s push to bring data centers to Illinois. Below are excerpts from the piece: Our nuclear power plants produce more than enough […]

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Americans for Prosperity Continue Attempt to Influence Sue Ness to Vote against Tax Hikes

Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2025May 26, 2025

With the last scheduled week of the Illinois General Assembly coming up, Americans for Prosperity continues its attempt to convince constituents of Democratic Party State Rep. Sue Ness to vote against tax increases. This time, instead of a postcard, the organization has […]

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75-Year Old McHenry Man Arrested in Domestic Violence/Shooting Event

Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2025May 26, 2025

From the McHenrty Policd: MCHENRY POLICE ARREST SUBJECT INVOLVEDIN DOMESTIC DISPUTE / SHOOTING INCIDENT John R. Birk, Chief of Police of the McHenry Police Department, announced today, a subject has been criminally charged in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in […]

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Book by Local Author Worth Ordering on Memorial Day

Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2025May 24, 2025

Having read this book, I highly recommend it. One does not have to be young to enjoy it, however. Local author’s novel for young adults shares why we honor the fallen on Memorial Day The climax of The Burning Sea of Iron Bottom […]

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Oberweis’ New Owners Expanding in Congressional District in Which Jim Oberweis Is Running for Congress

Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2025May 23, 2025

In his 2004 campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Jim Oberweis ran TV ads for Oberweis Dairy which the Federal Election Commission found objectionable The FEC ruled the commercials were a business contribution to his campaign. Businesses are not allowed […]

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Tribune Reporter Misinformed about Motive for Consolidating RTA Governing

Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2025May 26, 2025

Take a look at what the Springfield reporter for the Chicago Tribune says today about the motive for putting control of all of Chicagoland’s mass transit under one board: He is flat out wrong that “customer dissatisfaction” is the reason for the […]

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Fire on Crystal Lake’s West End

Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2025May 25, 2025

From the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department: Structure Fire – 1370 North Avenue Crystal Lake Crystal Lake, IL – The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department at 12:50pm, responded to 1370 North Avenue, Crystal Lake IL for a report of smoke coming from […]

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Woodstock Teen Athlete Kaden Combs Off to West Point

Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2025May 24, 2025

From Congressman Darin LaHood: LaHood Hosts Reception for 16th District Service Academy Appointees Peoria, IL – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) hosted a reception in his Peoria office to recognize students from Illinois’ 16th Congressional District who were selected to attend one of our […]

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Sunday Funnies

Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2025May 25, 2025

From Erik Allie, cartoonist for the Illinois Policy Institute:

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Illinois Has the Mostest Local Governments

Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2025May 24, 2025

Gnormous is the biggest descriptor I can find to describe the number of local governments in Illinois. The map comes with this article from the Illinois Policy Institute: Illinois’ No. 2 in the nation property taxes are partly because it is No. […]

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Congressional Republicans Pass Gas Tax Replacement Fee for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2025May 24, 2025

From Inside Climate News: “The legislation outlines fees of $250 a year for EVs and $100 a year for hybrid vehicles, to be imposed by the Federal Highway Administration. If passed by the Senate, the law would also require the fees to […]

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Algonquin Releases Plans for $4.8 Million Willoughby Farms Park Revamp

Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2025May 23, 2025

From the Village of Algonquin: Algonquin Unveils Final Master Plan for Willoughby Farms Park Vibrant new vision transforms park space into a hub for play, nature, and community ALGONQUIN, IL – The Village of Algonquin is excited to announce the adoption of […]

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Johnsburg: Burn, Baby, Burn

Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2025May 23, 2025

From the Village of Johnsburg: Open Burning of Landscape Waste Landscape waste may be burned on Saturdays and Sundays from dawn through dusk during Spring months of April and May. The burning of landscape waste is permitted only when winds are less than […]

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Too Cold for the Beach?

Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2025May 24, 2025

The Crystal Lake Park District website shows that Crystal Lake Main Beach will be closed for Memorial Day. Go figure.

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Defenders Urge Tax Hike to Bail Out RTA Again

Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2025May 23, 2025

From the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County: McHenry Mass Transportation Alert Transit in Northeastern Illinois is facing a funding crisis starting next year due to Federal COVID relief funding running out in 2026, as well as the general underinvestment on the State […]

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Legislature Attacks Human Trafficking

Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2025May 23, 2025

From The Center Square: Bill to address human trafficking in Illinois ready for governor’s desk By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois ranks among the highest in the number of human trafficking cases in the entire country and now […]

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State Reports Turkey Hunting Success

Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2025May 21, 2025

From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Illinois spring turkey hunters harvest record number of wild turkeys SPRINGFIELD – Illinois turkey hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 18,189 wild turkeys during the 2025 spring turkey season. This year’s total compares with the […]

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No Warning from Health Department about Unsanitary Conditions at Applebee’s

Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2025May 24, 2025

From the Northwest Herald comes the following news: In other part of the country, Lee County, Florida, for example, the Health Department makes headlines reporting restaurants which don’t meet sanitary codes:

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Keicher-Initiated Idea to End Discrimination against Seniors Concerning Drivers License Tests Passes

Cal SkinnerMay 23, 2025May 23, 2025

From State Rep. JeffKeicher: Rep. Keicher Backed Bill Reducing Barriers for Senior Drivers Ready for Gov’s Signature SPRINGFIELD – Yesterday, the Illinois Senate unanimously passed legislation backed by State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) to curb an ageist state policy against senior citizen drivers. House Bill […]

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Third Semi Stolen in Lake in the Hills Since November

Cal SkinnerMay 23, 2025May 23, 2025

From the Lake in the Hills Police: Another semi was stolen on Good Friday from bluff City Materials at 8807 S. Route 31: And November 11, 2024, still another semi was stolen just of Route 31 at 1440 Imhof Drive:

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Who’s Employed Where in McHenry County over Five Years as Private Sector Loses Jobs, While Government Jobs Increase

Cal SkinnerMay 23, 2025May 21, 2025

From a Friend of McHenry County Blog comes the information showing McHenry County employment from 2019 through 2024. The private sector lost 7,639 jobs, while government gained 519. Note: Estimates are not official US Bureau of Labor Statistics DataSource: Economic Information and […]

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1.2 Million Visit Conservation District Sites

Cal SkinnerMay 23, 2025May 19, 2025

The McHenry County Conservation District counts visitors to its various sites. In the most recent year (April 2024-March, 2025), they totaled 1,218,892. I find fascinating that the Hollows, the first MCCD site, donated by Material Service with their local attorney Jim Bishop […]

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Keicher Continues Criticism of Tax Increment Districts

Cal SkinnerMay 23, 2025May 19, 2025

From State Rep. Jeff Keicher: We need TIF Reform. I’ve been vocal about TIF abuse long before the recent local TIF action that mischaracterized vibrant farmland as “blighted” to proceed with a TIF action. The heart of my objections has always been […]

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Packed Room for Greenwood Township Slaughterhouse Zoning Hearing

Cal SkinnerMay 23, 2025May 22, 2025

If McHenry County Board members needed convincing that they will be facing a hot local issue when they vote on whether or not to approve zoning for a slaughterhouse next to the Greenwood Cemetery, attendance at yesterday’s hearing might convince them. The […]

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Revamped Park in Algonquin

Cal SkinnerMay 23, 2025May 23, 2025

From the Village of Algonquin:      Algonquin to Celebrate Grand Re-Opening of Presidential Park      A vibrant new vision transforms the park into a hub for play and community ALGONQUIN, IL – The Village of Algonquin will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, […]

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UPDATE: Teen Huntley & Crystal Lake Girls Who Disappeared after Taking Train to Chicago FOUND

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 22, 2025

From the Huntley Police: UPDATE: Missing Juveniles Located UPDATE 5/22/25 4:15 pm Both missing juveniles have been located and are safe. With the help of the FBI and the Chicago Police Department, they were taken into protective custody by the Huntley Police […]

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Admitted Grooming Earns Two Years in prison for Woodstock Church Volunteer

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 22, 2025

From the State’s Attorney: PATRICK O’FARRELL IS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR GROOMING The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announces that on May 20, 2025, Patrick S. O’Farrell, 58, of Woodstock, was sentenced to two years […]

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Federal Takedown of Harvard University Continues by Prohibiting Enrollment of Foreign Students

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 22, 2025

As I have mentioned before, I’m signed up for Homeland Security Department press releases. This one drives a stake through its heart by prohibiting enrollment of foreign students. The release is below: Harvard University Loses Student and Exchange Visitor Program Certification for […]

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Reick Punches Holes in School Mental Health Screening Bill

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 21, 2025

From State Rep. Steve Reick: Mental Health Screening in Schools, How Far Will We Go? It’s been a while since my last Reick Report, and I apologize. I suppose I could’ve handed the job of writing my Reick Reports to a Chatbot […]

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Stupid Requirement for Municipalities to Say, “Mother, May I?” to IDOT before Spending Gas Tax Money

Cal SkinnerMay 22, 2025May 21, 2025

Every once in a while I am reminded of the stupidity of state law requiring cities and villages to received approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation prior to spending their share of Motor Fuel Tax money. This from the Marengo City […]

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Recent Comments

  • 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
  • Walworth Woman Found Shot Northwest of Woodstock Identified - McHenry County Blog on Woman Found Shot Northwest of Woodstock Near Route 14 & Hughes Road
  • Lakewood Issues E-Bike Rules, E-Scooters Verboten - McHenry County Blog on Dirt Bike and Pickup Collide Next to Huntley Fire Station
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