As I drive around the county, I look at political signs.
Sorry, but it’s pretty much hardwired in my brain.
Last Friday, I drove my son to Marlin Swim Team practice at McHenry West High School.
Afterwards, we drove to Prairie Grove, where former State Senator Jack Schaffer has his Liberty Outdoor Sign and Storage headquarters.
We went to pick up campaign literature.
You see, I have decided I am fed up with having an absentee precinct committeeman whom I never see. I doubt if I shall be as dedicated this time around as I was from 1988 until I lost to a Personal PAC candidate the same year I lost my seat in the Illinois House in 2000, but I’ll provide better service than I’ve seen since.
That will not be much of a challenge, I admit.
A lot of municipalities have sign ordinances.
One dassant put up signs in Crystal Lake, for instance, more than a little bit more than two weeks before the election.
And, be sure to put them on your side of the sidewalk and not in the right of way or city employees may come and remove them.
I wonder if the city mows the lawn between the sidewalk and the street.
Usually after receiving a complaint from the opposing candidate.
In the county’s unincorporated area and in some towns like Woodstock, it is Katie, bar the door.
In any event, we’re driving north on the McHenry Blacktop and I sight my first sign.
It’s a big one for McHenry County State’s Attorney at the northeast side of the intersection at Hillside.
Great location!
Nothing on the whole road until we’re almost to Cunat’s new senior citizen development next to the Catholic Church.
It was for Bianchi, too.
As we drove into the subdivision area, I saw one yard sign for Kathleen Keefe, the only candidate for Circuit Clerk. She has no opponent.
Its white background tended to fade into the snow.
After swimming it was too dark to see any signs on Bull Valley Road or Route 31 until I got to the intersection of 176.
There at the tip of the bowling lane property, facing both directions, were signs for Dan Regna for State’s Attorney, flanked by ones for County Auditor Pam Palmer and District 3 County Board candidate Mary Donner.
After picking up literature I drove back to get a picture of it.
Not being brave enough to stop in traffic to take it, I parked in the bowling alley parking lot, walked through the sign, snow getting into my shoes.
What dedication.
With the temperature being so high this weekend, I am sure that a lot more signs have now gone up, but that’s what I saw Friday.
All in all, not much sign of the election coming up a month.