Capitol Fax is reported this week that State Senator Daniel Biss, running for Governor as a Democrat, has adopted the proposal that I set forth on the day I announced my 2002 candidacy for Governor on the Libertarian Party ticket: … Continue reading
Way back when there was a Playboy Club in Lake Geneva and I was McHenry County Treasurer, the Illinois County Treasurers’ Association held its annual conference there. That was in the late 1960’s. Better than driving to Springfield, Chicago or … Continue reading
Woodstock resident Elliot Cassidy, who wrote the following letter to the Northwest Herald. In an email he gave me permission to re-publish his letter. Cassidy says I am the reason that State Rep. Mike Tryon stepped down and State Rep. … Continue reading
Reprinted with permission from Illinois Leaks, a publication of the Edgar County Watchdogs: McHenry County – Lord Franks – Republic or Kingdom? BY KIRK ALLEN ON AUGUST 25, 2017 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) McHenry Co. (ECWd) –We got tipped off during a meeting in … Continue reading
The elephant in the Lake in the Hills Village Board room, so to speak, was the law that determines who appoints members of the LITH Sanitary District. I sponsored it in the early 1970’s. When the new 1970 State Constitution … Continue reading
Someone calling himself “Robert Williams” wrote the following in a comment, which I think deserves a reply: When someone like Cal Skinner starts rambling about property taxes and assessments, I like to check his “facts” with my Township Assessor. My … Continue reading
When an idea gains strength journalists say it has “legs.” The idea for a constitutional amendment to limit the number of terms a person could be House Speaker or Minority Leader and Senate President or Minority Leader was a major … Continue reading
The Public Access Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office has ruled that McHenry County Blog is to be considered “media” under the Freedom of Information Act. McHenry County Blog is now the only blog in Illinois certified as a … Continue reading
Back in 2007, less than two years after McHenry County Blog was founded, State Sunshine and Open Records interviewed me on my experiences with the Freedom of Information Act. With Jack Franks’ Freedom of Information Office trying to delay and … Continue reading
From the Chicago Tribune Thursday morning summary: Emanuel administration clears bribe-paying red-light camera vendor to bid on city contracts once again. Chicago is open for business for businesses who have bribed city officials. That is so different from what Illinois … Continue reading
It took fifteen years for my third party suggestion that the problem with Illinois politics was the lack of new legislative leaders to bear fruit. When Jim Tobin and I announced our candidacies for Lt. Governor and Governor on the … Continue reading
Almost fifty years ago, when I was McHenry County Treasurer, 20% of the tax bills and 20% of the property taxes were paid under protest. At that time the taxes were withheld from schools and other tax districts until the … Continue reading
Republican candidate for State Representative Steve Reick sent out his first mailing about two weeks ago. Image the encouragement that the person who returned his post card with the message you can read below: This reminds me of what a Wonder … Continue reading
In two years, when Jack Franks turns 55, he can start receiving his pension from the State of Illinois. He stands to collect $2.3 million. As of June 30, 2016, he contributed about $139,000. The taxpayers will foot the bill … Continue reading
So far, McHenry County Blog has looked at five portions of the Independence Day Parade: Jesse White Jack Franks Patrick Kenneally Democrats Republicans Let’s look at other things with a political tinge. The first I noticed was the squad car … Continue reading
My first car was a hand-me-down from my father. It was a Mercedes diesel, bought in 1964. When he showed up at my Oberlin College in it in my senior year, I wondered how he had been able to afford … Continue reading
This is the stairway to the garage under the Old State Capitol building. It is the one that Rod Blagojevich took to avoid walking past me and Jim-Rod, the Two-Headed Chicken. There are two entrances to the Old State Capitol. … Continue reading
Found this paving block on the Town Square in Huntley: My father met Henry Marlow while on jury duty. Every summer Marlow brought eggs to hatch at the McHenry County Fair. Perhaps you can imagine how excited the kids were … Continue reading
In honor of the anniversary of my father’s 100 birth year, I continue this series about his life: In 1963, my mother and I attended the Illinois Crime Commission’s summer hearings held in the old county board room at what … Continue reading
This is the fourth in a serialization of my father’s biography. Previous parts can be found below on McHenry County Blog. One of Dad’s inspirations for running for office involved an unresponsive city government. Plunk, plunk, plunk. I can hear … Continue reading
