Bianchi Suit Against Special Prosecutor McQueen Reinstated by Appellate Court

Your homework for today is to read the 2nd Appellate Court decision reinstating McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi’s suit against one of the Special Prosecutors who indicted him on criminal charges that were so weak that they were tossed … Continue reading

Prosecution of Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen Withstands Directed Verdict Motion for Dismissal

Arising out of the two criminal prosecutions of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi for official misconduct, among other charges, was a motion by Bianchi to hold Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen in indirect criminal contempt of court. Prosecuted by Bianchi … Continue reading

Lou Bianchi’s Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen’s Trial for Indirect Contempt of Court Wednesday

It’s been a long time coming, but McHenry County Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen goes to trial before Winnebago Chief Judge Joseph McGraw in his Winnebago County Courthouse Courtroom Wednesday at 9 AM. The saga began, some believe, when Dan Regna … Continue reading

Indirect Criminal Contempt Proceedings Against State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen & Quest Investigators Close to Trial

Winnebago County Chief Judge Joseph McGraw ruled against McHenry County Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen in his and Quest International’s requests to stop the criminal contempt proceedings brought as a result of McQueen’s and Henry Tonigan’s criminal prosecution of McHenry County … Continue reading

Bianchi’s Amended Chicago Federal Court Filing

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, EASTERN DIVISION LOUIS A. BIANCHI, JOYCE A. SYNEK, RONALD J. SALGADO, and MICHAEL J. McCLEARY Plaintiffs, v. No.: 12-cv-00364 THOMAS K. MCQUEEN, DANIEL JERGER, ROBERT SCIGALSKI, JAMES REILLY, … Continue reading

Bianchi on the Attack in Rockford

This morning in Rockford’s Winnebago County Courthouse, lawyers showed up for both Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen and the Quest investigators. They were there to fend off contempt of court charges bought by McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi. Judge Joseph … Continue reading

Tonigan Settles with Bianchi, et al

This non-lawyer thought the recent U.S. Supreme Court case about how prosecutors have immunity would result in the tossing of the case against Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan & Thomas McQueen (plus Quest, their investigatory firm). Brought by Terry Ekl on … Continue reading

Neither Bianchi Nor Nygren Use Campaign Funds for Legal Expenses

Two local official holders in opposite factions of the McHenry County Republican Party have had legal expenses in the last half year, McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi and McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren. We know where Bianchi’s legal fees … Continue reading

An Over Million Dollar Offer the County Board Can’t Refuse

The Northwest Herald’s Kevin Craver had an exclusive yesterday about a deal being considered by the McHenry County Board to dig itself out of the financial hole its unquestioning members have dug. Without demanding detailed bills from Judge Gordon Graham, … Continue reading

Anatomy of the Special Prosecutor’s Lou Bianchi Case for July, 2011

Over the last week or so, McHenry County Blog has laid out the bills submitted by Quest International, the investigative firm hired by Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan and Thomas McQueen in its failed mission to convict McHenry County State’s Attorney … Continue reading

Anatomy of the Special Prosecutor’s Lou Bianchi Case for June, 2011

There was more money billed the Special Prosecutors of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi in June than in May. Submitted to Henry Tonigan and Thomas McQueen was an invoice for $9,091.65. That includes hourly billing at $135 per hour, … Continue reading

Anatomy of the Special Prosecutor’s Lou Bianchi Case for April, 2011

McHenry County Blog moves on to the April bill submitted by Quest International in the criminal investigation started by Associate Judge Gordon Graham by his appointment of Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan. Investigators Robert Seigalski, Lee Flosi, Patrick Hanretty, Gerald Theis, … Continue reading

Anatomy of the Special Prosecutor’s Lou Bianchi Case for March, 2011

Today McHenry County blog looks at March, 2011, billings from Quest International. Quest is the company selected by McHenry County Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan in his unsuccessful quest to convict McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi of felony criminal offenses. … Continue reading

Koehler Not Pessimistic about Appellate Court Special Prosecutor Payment Ruling

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler was anything but downbeat about the 2nd Appellate Court’s decision upholding Judge Gordon Graham’s payment of $250 per hour to the Special Prosecutors who unsuccessfully prosecuted McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi. “Obviously, we … Continue reading

McHenry County Board’s Special Prosecutor Fee Payment Appeal Denied, Judge Gordon Graham’s Decision Upheld

Considering the Special Prosecutors appointed by Judge Gordon Graham have been spectacularly unsuccessful and expensive, I thought folks might like to read the whole 2nd Appellate Court decision on McHenry County’s effort to rein in costs.  It is below.  I … Continue reading

Anatomy of the Special Prosecutor’s Lou Bianchi Case for February, 2011

With today’s billings from Quest International, we move into the second month of 2011. Quest is the company selected by McHenry County Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan in his unsuccessful quest to convict McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi of felony … Continue reading

Anatomy of the Special Prosecutor’s Lou Bianchi Case for January, 2011

This is the third installment of McHenry County Blog’s look at what Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan’s investigating firm Quest International billed for in its criminal investigation of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi and his staff. Previously, we looked at … Continue reading

Anatomy of the Special Prosecutor’s Lou Bianchi Case for Dec., 2010

McHenry County Blog continues looking at what Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan’s investigating firm Quest International billed for in its criminal investigation of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi and his staff. Yesterday, we looked at September, October and November, 2010, … Continue reading

Anatomy of the Special Prosecutor’s Lou Bianchi Case from Sept. thru Nov., 2010

Remember when I typed out the details of the legal bills from Ancel Glink, Grafton Township’s attorney which Judge Michael Caldwell dismissed at Supervisor Linda Moore’s request? I thought it might be instructive to do the same for Quest International, … Continue reading

Bianchi Attorney Wins Ability to Question Quest Concerning Hidden Evidence

One of the refrains during the first criminal trial of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi was that Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan had not handed over evidence in a timely fashion. Or, maybe not at all. Today, Judge Joseph McGraw … Continue reading