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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

  • Rep. Sue Ness Asks Constituents about Double-Dipping Elected Officials December 17, 2025
  • Feds Make Another Gun-Related Arrest December 17, 2025
  • Illinois Public Sector Unions Spends More on Politics Than Any Other State December 17, 2025
  • Household Income Limit for Senior Real Estate Tax Deferral Going Up to $75,000 December 17, 2025
  • NBC Minimizes Democrats’ 60% Toll Increase December 17, 2025
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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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Fire Destroys Crystal Lake Country Woods Home

Cal SkinnerDecember 2, 2024December 2, 2024

From the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department:Structure Fire – 5024 Meadowlark Ct, Crystal Lake IL 60012 Structure Fire – 5024 Meadowlark Ct, Crystal Lake IL 60012 Crystal Lake, IL – The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded to a reported structure fire […]

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Crystal Lake Set to Impose New Tax

Cal SkinnerDecember 2, 2024November 30, 2024

The Crystal Lake City Council has announced the imposition of a new tax–this time one on those who use storage units. The memo states, The Storage Facility Rental Tax is a tax imposed upon the privilege of renting or leasing any self-storage […]

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Federal Threats to Withhold Money to Sanctuary Cities & States – The Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet Precedent

Cal SkinnerDecember 2, 2024November 27, 2024

Fifty years ago, the Federal government was threatening Illinois with the loss of highway money if it did not enact a mandatory motor cycle helmet law. Fox River Grove’s Ed Armstrong, a member of A.B.A.T.E., lobbied me in opposition (Armstrong was later […]

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Eric Sivertsen Announces Candidacy for McHenry Township Supervisor at the Tuesday GOP Caucus

Cal SkinnerDecember 1, 2024December 1, 2024

From Eric Sivertsen: Supervisor on Tuesday! I would like to ask for your support this Tuesday at the McHenry Township GOP Caucus at the McHenry Township Hall at 3703 N Richmond Rd, Johnsburg. IL 60051 at 7pm. I have submitted my name […]

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Sunday Funnies

Cal SkinnerDecember 1, 2024

From the Illinois Policy Institute’s Eric Allie:

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Recent Comments

  • U.S. Treasury Secretary Calls Out Illinois for Refusing to Stop Taxing Tips - McHenry County Blog on Senate Republicans Seek to Mirror Federal End to Tax on Tips
  • A Democratic Party Governor Favoring School Choice Financed by Private Donations - McHenry County Blog on County Board Proposing Referendum to Put Pressure on Pritzker to Opt Into Federal School Choice Plan
  • Correction: Riley Grade School District Announces 103% Tax Increase - McHenry County Blog on Riley Grade School District Cutting Taxes by 46%, a One-Year Cut to Spend Down Excessive Balance, Back Up the Next Year
  • Democrats Trying to Out-Left-Flank Each Other in 9th Congressional District Which Covers All of Algonquin Township - McHenry County Blog on Rocio Cleveland Gains More Free Publicity in Quest to Win GOP Nomination in Jan Schakowsky’s 9th Congressional District
  • Schools and Socialism - McHenry County Blog on Woodstock School Report Card
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