About
Cal Skinner
- Industry: Government
- Occupation: Tax Fighter
- Location: Crystal Lake : Illinois : United States
About Me
Retired Republican state representative (73-81, 93-01). Began government career in the U.S. Budget Bureau (before it was called the Office of Management and Budget). Served as McHenry County Treasurer (66-70). Ran for GOP nomination for Congress in 1980. Ran for State Comptroller in 1983. Ran as Libertarian Party candidate for Governor in 2002. Web site archived by Library of Congress here. Won/loss record for public office is 19 and 4. Bachelor’s degree in economics from Oberlin College. Master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan. Graduate of Crystal Lake Community High School.
http://www.mckennagov.com/site/c.swL1KeNZLvH/b.5550749/k.BF5A/Home.htm
you got to see this. too bad I could not sucker some idiot to hire me as a political
1consultant.
Hello Mr. Skinner!
I have sent you a couple of photos of the signs on “hamburger hill” on Johnsburg Road.
We fought our taxes this year as we have the last two years. This year one of the comps we brought in had a house in Johnsburg with more square feet and lower taxes. The lady in McHenry Township office said that they give people with more square footage a break, so that comp wouldn’t work.
They picked apart our comps and finally agreed to lower our house to 317,000. We paid 325,000 in 2006 and they had it assessed in the 350′s.
Last year a girl in their office asked, “What are you going to do, fight your taxes every year?”
After I have dealt with the McHenry Township Tax Assessors office for the last few years, I encourage everyone to contact a Realtor near you and ask them to pull some comps and fight your tax bill!
2Hi Cal,
Really have enjoyed your recent postings on the Grafton Township mess. That recording of Lonely Girl was priceless as was the clever write-up. I may be inspired to go to the Wed. meeting for the entertainment and the “Encore.”
BTW, Is that the first “movie” that has been posted on your website? I do not recall any that was here before this one. Will there be more of them? Someone told me that you had a “movie” or video recording of one of the last Grafton Township meetings. Will that one be posted for our information, edification, and entertainment?
Again, I want to thank you for taking the time for this website. I have gone through all of the prior 4.000 postings even tho I did not read all of them in toto. I never missed any of the School District 158 episodes nor any of the Grafton fiascos. I must say the pix add a lot of spice to the presentations. I particularly reveled in the antics of Trustee Jerry McMahon gesticulating wildly at a recent meeting. He must have been protesting the fact that he was censured by the group.
Since he seems to be one of the main actors in the “Comedy of Errors,” it would be a shame to lose him if they follow up the censure with a recall from his position of
Township Trustee. Well, maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
One more question… In the new format, I seem to have lost the listing of the recent postings each week. And the archives. Are they still available? When I needed to recall some past incident, it was a great service to type in D.158 or Grafton Township and be rewarded with an hour of happy reading.
Maybe I willl see you at the Wed. meetings.
Be well!!! Don Bond (Again, remember, no S in my name Bond)
3Cal, I hope all is well. In your article about video gambling you stated, “All Republicans representing McHenry County in the Illinois General Assembly–State Representatives Mike Tryon and Mark Beaubien, plus State Senator Pam Althoff–voted supported video slot machines.” Just would like to note that I also represent McHenry County and I voted AGAINST video slot machines and against the budget. Thanks and take care, Dan
4Mr. Skinner; I sent the following letter to the NW Herald RE the proposed McHenry County Sports Complex.
The president and CEO of the proposed MC Sports Complex has been taking lessons in double speak from the best when he says taxpayers have no liability. Really? And where is the money coming from?
• A FEDERAL program called EB-5
o So it’s OK to take money out of everyone’s pocket as long as it’s not only the citizens of Lakewood
BTW, the last time I checked Lakewood citizens are taxed at the federal level
• $18M in ‘stimulus’ bonds from McHenry County
o Government has NO BUSINESS being involved with BUSINESS
Do politicians not see the near revolt that is sweeping the country
We need ‘limited government’ that protects citizens
And what happens if the MC Sports Complex fails (Have you noticed the empty buildings in the county?)
Have you seen the $400M Motorola factory in Harvard, Illinois that was never inhabited and now has weeds growing in the parking lot?
McHenry County taxpayers will have to eat $18m plus interest and then maintain a huge facility which will be a millstone around the neck
• Lakewood Village BOARD give away $5M of taxpayer money
o $3M ‘grant assistance’ money? What is the source of that money?
o $1M waiving of development fees? Who’s going to make up that $1M? Guess.
o $1M cash contribution – the source for which HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED yet.
Government doesn’t create wealth so where is this $1M coming from?
Then there is the other issue that makes me want to scream. What about property rights? Some landowners may wish to sell; others not. Is the Village of Lakewood going to join the ranks of those cities that have resorted to plundering the property of citizens under the unConstitutional crime of Eminent Domain? If those living in the target zone don’t wish to sell will the McHenry County officials resort to the POWER of government to SEIZE property because that is the only reason some will move? Everyone knows Eminent Domain is criminal but as long as someone is mouthing words about ‘the greater good’ then any violation of anyone’s INDIVIDUAL rights is justified including property rights.
This is government out of control. I don’t even live in Lakewood but I’m ready to join any protest to prevent this violation of our rights.
The developer and supporting politicians are liars at best when they try and assuage the opponents by making the utterly absurd statement that taxpayers won’t be liable. Is black the new white?
This is Atlas Shrugged becoming real.
Please post this.
CC: Congressman Manzullo, Congressman Tryon, Senator Althoff
Cloud Downey
5Crystal Lake, IL
Regarding public comment at public meetings. See HB5483 pending signing by the Governor.
6The Illinois taxpayers should be informed of past policies of Illinois TRS, which allowed teachers and administrators to not fund TRS from TRS wages but trade TRS credit for FICA, thus establishing teachers as eligible for Medicare.
Once eligible for Medicare, retired teachers are required to use Medicare as primary provider, therefore pawning off TRS obligations on the SSA.
TRS will deny that teachers traded TRS credit for FICA, but TRS literature disputes their claim.
Call TRS and ask if teachers ever used an SS option. TRS will deny and coverup.
7Cal,
My ex wife (also a recently convicted felon) is married to Steven R Green ( ponzi scheme). I have been battling the two of them for over a year. There is a lot more to this story
8Mr. Skinner,
I’m trying to reach you regarding a story I’m working on about the state Freedom of Information Act. Please call me ASAP at (217) 788-1542. Thanks.
Bruce Rushton
9Reporter
The State Journal-Register
Springfield, IL
What is the Status of you FOIA on the independent Prosicutor?
10Would like to get a discussion going on guardianship abuse. Please read the following websites:
http://www.probatesharks.com
http://www.estateofdenial.com
http://www.stopguardianabuse.org
Am wondering if there are any fellow victims of probate court guardianship proceedings wherein your elderly loved one was financially exploited during a guardianship proceeding.
11Keep up the good work Cal.
I have not paid attention to state and local politics my entire life.
Now I am paying attention to how my taxes are being spent (Federal Income, State Income, Social Security, Property, Sales) and I am shocked.
I want a good return for my taxpaying dollar.
I attended my first local board meeting in my life this month!
As you know, there was hardly anyone there!
And the board didn’t say a word to me, they didn’t seem very friendly, they just like to go along spending my taxpayer money without my input! I see the light!
Amen.
12I want to use a cartoon picture i found that is connected to your blog it is the Chicken and he says “i’m guilty” i am using this in my presentation for Deaf Ministry– i am planning to make DVD’s and mailing them out and in most part all will be free– possible to sell DVD at cost to some who can afford only to pay for expenses. I am doing this because i believe in helping to present the Gospel. Please reply back. If possible give me some advice.
13Thank You
you did an analysis of the sports complex. could u please re publish that analysis so i can take it to the next Lakewood board meeting please?
14Cal-
You’ll remember me from forty years ago when I was on the McHenry High School Board, eventually for eighteen years.
You’ve given a lot of coverage lately to the “three in a row” candidates and their opposition to the eight million dollar tax increase being voted on Tuesday, April 5.
You’re right and they are right.
As much of the current Board as possible should be replaced and the tax increase should not be approved. The problem is; there’s a much bigger story in McHenry right now.
McHenry’s equivalent of Algonquin’s Tyvek Tower continues to be a joke. It’s primarily a residential condominium complex that has grossly inadequate parking.
Not even one spot for each condo, no spots for the twelve stores or restaurant, no spots for a store owner or their employees, none for a guest or customer.
Problem is: the building is mostly done and some occupancy in place.
It, the building, will survive.
The question is: survive as what?
People with a hundred, or several hundred thousand dollars to spend aren’t going to buy in a building without adequate parking.
Nobody has bought in four and a half years of effort.
The few who had contracts walked away when the parking got diminished by the City Council to help the developer survive.
Since then the bank took it back, entered into a contract for its sale to a group that is requesting the City to change the developer agreement to allow them to convert it into a rental complex.
The City gave two million dollars of incentive for the developer to build a ten million dollar owner occupied residential complex and some commercial space.
Seventy five percent of it residential units.
A four story low income or Section 8 rental complex will have nowhere near the value to justify two million dollars of incentives.
We have many low income rental properties, one or more in each of our other downtowns.
We may need more.
Certainly not as the crown jewel of our RiverWalk in the absolute center of our town.
Algonquin is lucky.
Their Tyvek Tower will either be finished according to its original plan or torn down.
McHenry’s will either be finished according to its original plan or diminished into a low income rental complex, the tenants of which somehow function without cars.
There’s talk of a special City Council meeting on April 11 with the only topic on the agenda being RiverWalk Center.
The contract purchaser group speaks freely of their request for conversion to a rental complex.
The City Council has previously caved in and gave in to whatever absurd request the out-of-towner high rollers requested.
I wonder what they’ll do this time.
I hope you pay attention. Keep up the good work. Regards!!
15Love your blog. Are you familiar w/scandal surrounding Iowa Assoc of School Boards? Issue concerning diversion of taxpayer dollars to Illinois ASBs is arising. Because Iowa ASB is supported entirely by taqx payer dollars, republicans there are trying to include organization under OPA & FOIA laws. Some of us in Crook County will be attempting same. Do you want to be kept in the loop?
16Thanks to all of the greedy business owner fatcats in America who have sold middle class America out in favor of cheap Chinese,Mexican, Japanese etc foreign labor instead of well trained American union labor like I used to be until 1 and 1/2 years ago when I lost my job as a local 281 fire sprinkler fitter, we might as well fly a Chinese flag over our heads and call this country Chinerica!
Nothing is built in America anymore and the closest thing is plants assembling products made up of foreign parts!
Soon we will lose our home in Crystal Lake and also will not be able to buy anything at Home Depot, Walmart, Kohls or any of the other traitor companies that sell only foreign made products! 1% of the people control 40% of the wealth in Chinerica, the middle class is being eliminated!
I have always only voted republicon in the past but they only care about the rich, so you have lost our vote!
17Thank you, Cal, for your always informative articles.
You can pass on to Linda and others still contending with Ancel Glink, that on the 27th of April, the Village of Lyons – aka Ancel Glink beta-test proving ground for tactics on how to negate elections and ignore the Illinois Statutes for fun and profit – beat ‘em to the punch by installing the newly elected Board members in a special meeting.
The Board then dismissed the Ancel Glink installed and approved Village Manager (formerly Finance Director, formerly Accountant, formerly payroll tax specialist at Paylocity), appointed the Police Chief as Interim Manager, and approved the Interim Manager’s appointment of Burt Odelson as Village Attorney. Ancel Glink, you gone!
(Yes, we know Burt and his pluses and minuses, but when going after grizzly bear, it’s best to leave the peashooter at home and go with the 50 caliber, depleted uranium hollowpoints…or the legal equivalent. After all, Lyons is in Crook County, and we don’t have the Honorable Michael Caldwell here.)
Anyway, Cal, keep up the great work and know that we here in Lyons look forward to reading the Blog every day.
18I am a videographer that does a lot of free work to help the environmental movement. I would be happy to help you cover any events or projects you want to showcase. I have a Youtube site with over 530,000 views on it!
John Sefick
19505 2633136
Dear Mr. Skinner,
As you suggested this past weekend during our brief communication, I’m smacking away at a keyboard in the local library for that golden Internet access…
I just finished printing up my own FOIA request for documentation in connection with my Village’s website and will be heading over to Village Hall shortly to submit said request. As I touched upon with you, it is likely my request will be denied, and although I will remain hopeful my instincts are incorrect, I am still prepared to submit a request for the documentation you suggested in our communication…and will do as such regardless of the outcome today.
In the meantime, I must confess that had I looked at your resume prior to my contacting you, I might have been even more nervous about chatting with you, but perhaps more importantly, thank you, thank you, thank you for demonstrating to me at least one former politician from Illinois knows how to treat a constituent with respect and dignity regardless of party affiliation and perhaps more importantly, providing constructive suggestions regardless of your own position and opinion pertaining to my personal matters…(although it seemed we were in agreement about Berman’s pension!)
Kudos to you and your past effects and who knows! I am aware our state has the worst credit rating in the nation, but you have left me hope that maybe you and/or one of your readers might become the people who ends up leading Illinois towards a steady and strong climb up the credit rating chart…rather than its continued trend downward.
In the meantime, I must go do my part rather than socializing on the net with you!
Thanks again for your time!
20Dear Mr. Skinner,
Darn its hot today!!!
Quick update…although the Village was prepared to give me one of their FOIA request forms, I almost broke into a dance when they instead accepted my request in letter format, stamped it and even offered to copy it for me!
Small as this might appear, the last time I was given one of their FOIA forms a while back, it was severely flawed, including a space demanding explanation as to why I was requesting the information.
Therefore, time to go formulate the next request while I await the results of this first one.
Again, thanks for all that you do in keeping hope alive and thriving!
21I was wondering if you had any insight into the recent ruling by Judge Weech on the Jamie Koy animal abuse case. To call bone marrow fat analysis the gold standard test in determining if an animal was starved suggests that the test has been widely run on a significant number of animals of different ages, breeds, sex and disease states.
After a literature search, I have not found that the bone marrow fat analysis test statistically meets the standards necessary to call the test reliable. Who funds the Hooved Animal Humane Association ? Thanks.
22No, I am not running again and will retire at the end of my term.
23Has something changed, Cal? Last few days nothing is clickable on your website. I can no longer read any comments. (Surprised I could get on here.)
24Cal,
I appreciate your blog site and your pledge to support taxpayers. I have written a blog about the candidates running for office in Kane and McHenry taking a no future double dipping pledge.
Hope you can help to ensure that their position on this is made public for your readers and voters.
Thanks,
25Candid Kane
Cal, thanks for the (older) post on Sue Facklam. It came in handy, as I was able to point folks to your post so that they could get a real sense of the communication that was going on.
thanks again.
steve
26Please let everyone know about this effort to oppose the war on women: http://www.wearewomenmarch.net/
There is a march planned 3/29 in Springfield, 4/28 a larger march in Chicago.
27