Management Changes at State’s Attorney’s Office

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney: ASSISTANT STATE’S ATTORNEYS RITA GARA, RANDI FREESE AND DANIEL WILBRANDT PROMOTED TO KEY MANAGEMENT POSITIONS WITHIN OFFICE Patrick D. Kenneally, McHenry County State’s Attorney, is pleased to announce that Rita Gara … Continue reading

McSweeney Introduces Bill to Give Jack Franks Tremendously More Power, Abolish Independently-Elected Auditor’s Office, Power of County Board Pretty Much Disappears

This article was published late Friday. I am putting it back on top because it represents the most audacious grab for virtually absolute power in county government that I can imagine. He could only make himself more powerful by having … Continue reading

Could Leverage Over Other Countywide Elected Officials Be the Reason Jack Franks Wants County Board Governor Power?

Since State Rep. David McSweeney shared with the Northwest Herald part of the contents of his bill to reshape McHenry County government by providing Chairman Jack Franks with line item veto power, albeit with a Board veto override power to … Continue reading

Algonquin Township Road Salt Subpoena Reported by Northwest Herald

You can read the article here. On October 17, 2018, Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Andrew Gasser issued the following press release: Each year the Algonquin Township Road District has been purchasing salt to ensure the roads of the District are … Continue reading

Politician Other Than Jack Franks Called a Weasel

The December 19, 2018, Tribune column by John Kass calls Rod Blagojevich a “weasel.” One definition I found says a weasel is “a deceitful or treacherous person.” The Kass column would be of passing interest to McHenry County residents except … Continue reading

The Tight Noose of Leaders

The following article about how House Speaker Mike Madigan controls what happens in the House of Representatives spurs me to make some comparisons of how McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks is emulating his techniques: Rules Committee: Where thousands of … Continue reading

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally Opposes Legalization of Recreational Pot

The following letter was sent by McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally to legislators who will represent McHenry County next year: I am writing to offer my basis for opposing the expected legislation legalizing cannabis for recreational use in Illinois. … Continue reading

The Document with Which County Clerk Joe Tirio Renounced His Salary for Being Recorder of Deeds

Here is how McHenry County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds Joe Tirio is avoiding being a double-dipper: JOE TIRIO’S RENUNCIATION OF COMPENSATION AND ALL BENEFITS FOR MCHENRY COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS WHEREAS: A core value of fundamental importance to Joseph … Continue reading

Joe Tirio Says He Will Serve as Both Recorder and Clerk, If Elected; State’s Attorney Says It’s OK

A press release from Joe Tirio: If elected, Tirio agrees to serve as Recorder without pay until offices are consolidated WOODSTOCK, IL – As election day looms near, some are asking what will happen to the Recorder’s office if Tirio … Continue reading

Algonquin Township Board Approvals Missing from Most Bob Miller Questionable Expenditures

From Illinois Leaks, reprinted with permission: Algonquin Road District – Gooch & Miller taken to task in Plaintiffs Response to Motion to Dismiss. BY KIRK ALLEN ON OCTOBER 2, 2018 • ( 1 COMMENT ) McHenry Co. (ECWd) – Robert Hanlon, attorney for the Algonquin Township Road … Continue reading

Anthony Ficarelli New Assistant State’s Attorney, Experienced Union Contract Negotiator

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney: ANTHONY FICARELLI JOINS McHENRY COUNTY AS ASSISTANT STATE’S ATTORNEY Patrick D. Kenneally, McHenry County State’s Attorney, is pleased to announce that Anthony Ficarelli has joined the Office as an Assistant State’s … Continue reading

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Praise Patrick Kenneally

A press release from McHenry County Staate’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally: PATRICK KENNEALLY RECEIVES MADD HEROES AWARD The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office is honored to announce that Patrick Kenneally has received the 2018 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Heroes Award … Continue reading

Patrick Kenneally Lays Down Challenge for Local Republicans

At his fundraiser on Thursday night, McHenry County State’s Attorney laid down his hope for Republicans in McHenry County. He cites a sense of revolt over the last three years locally. Here are two highlights: “An inflamed sense that something … Continue reading

Ananymous Citizen Critiques State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally’s Exoneration of Former Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller

Here’s what an anonymous citizen wrote about the 52-page report exonerating former Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller of criminal behavior (the report has 66 comments): … Continue reading

Kenneally’s Recommendations to Algonquin Township Officials

In case you didn’t get to the bottom of McHenry County State’s Attorney’s report on his investigation of the Algonquin Township Road District under Road Commissioner Bob Miller, here they are: Recommendations to Algonquin Township 1. Establish a detailed policy … Continue reading

Illinois Leaks Criticizes Former Algonquin Township Supervisor, Plus Current Supervisor and One Trustee

Reprinted from Illinois Leaks with permission.  (The entire report of McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally can be found here.) McHenry County State’s Attorney’s report on Miller nails one issue for sure. BY KIRK ALLEN ON JUNE 2, 2018 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) McHenry … Continue reading

Bob Miller Took Fifth Amendment

The following was gleaned from McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally’s report on his investigation of former Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller by Illinois Leaks and is reprinted with permission: Algonquin Township Road District – Former Road Commissioner Bob … Continue reading