The Latest on Robert Miller’s Quest to Gain Crystal Lake City Council Ballot Access

From Crystal Lake City Council candidate Robert Miller’s wife Dianne: Here is the latest on Robert’s court case…. Robert had a status hearing yesterday in McHenry County. The attorney for the hearing board and a new attorney for Hopkins, Brady … Continue reading

CL Council Candidate Robert Miller’s Court Appeal of Petition Rejection Set for January 22nd

Robert Miller, after having been kicked off the ballot by Crystal Lake City officials acting in their capacity as the Crystal Lake Electoral Board, went to court. Wednesday, in Judge Thomas Meyer’s courtroom, all that happened was the setting of … Continue reading

McHenry County Courthouse Blizzard Closing Results in CL City Council Challenger Being Taken Off Ballot in Repeat of 2014 Petition Challenge

For a second election cycle, incumbent members of the Crystal Lake City Council eliminated ballot competition. The result is that Ellen Brady, Cathy Ferguson and Brett Hopkins will have no opposition on the ballot…unless challenger Robert S. Miller wins a … Continue reading

At Tonight’s Second Library Referendum Vote, Four CL Council Members on Ballot

At tonight’s Crystal Lake City Council meeting, there will be seven people allowed to vote on whether a second advisory rererendum to borrow $30.1 million shall be put on the April 4th ballot. Four of them will be on the … Continue reading

CL Library Bond Issue Proponents Seeking Second Referendum Approval Tuesday Night

Not much notice, but the people in favor of borrowing $30.1 million to build a new Crystal Lake Library at the corner of West Crystal Lake and McHenry Avenues are asking the City Council to put another referendum on the … Continue reading

CL’s Independence Day Parade – 1

Yesterday we looked behind the scenes at political parade participants lining up. Today we’ll look at what was seen. City officials were riding on a float near the beginning. Unfortunately, I was too close to get the whole float. A … Continue reading

CL Tax Levy Challenged – $1.6 Million at Stake

A number of local business have filed suit against the City of Crystal Lake claiming that its Council didn’t have enough people voting in favor of the ordinance it passed in December of 2013. The plaintiffs cite a state law … Continue reading

Slot Machine Supporters Roll Snake Eyes in Crystal Lake…Again

Crystal Lake last considered allowing slot machines (euphemistically called “video gaming” by supporters) in Crystal Lake in May, 2012. The vote was 6-1 in opposition with only Ellen Brady-Mueller supporting allowing them. Local bar and restaurant owners advanced the issue … Continue reading

Two Candidates for Governor Come to Nunda Township Republican Picnic

This story was written a couple of weeks ago, but McHenry County Blog’s internet host was being disagreeable and would not let me post it. We now have a new host and because other sources have pointed out that the … Continue reading

Five Running for Crystal Lake City Council

There are three vacancies and five candidates for the Crystal Lake City Council. Sworn in tonight was Cameron Hubbard. He has filed to be on the ballot. Hubbard was appointed to replace Carolyn Schofield, who was in the audience dressed … Continue reading

Crystal Lake City Council Poised to Lessen Pot Penalty

With its Home Rule powers, the Crystal Lake City Council signaled a majority is ready to change possession of up to thirty joints from a criminal to a civil offense. Mayor Aaron Shepley led the opposition with Councilwomen Cathy Ferguson, … Continue reading

Slot Machines in Crystal Lake: No, No, No, No, No, No, Who Am I To Judge?

An informal discussion was held Tuesday night by the Crystal Lake City Council about whether to allow slot machines (“video poker,” if you favor the idea) in town After presentations by two gambling machine purveyors, City Council members expressed a … Continue reading

Donna Kurtz Raises Campaign Funds for County Board Race

For the second Thursday night in a row, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria was the site of a Republican event.  More sales tax revenue for my revenue-starved Village of Lakewood was one of my thoughts. Last week, it was for State Senate … Continue reading

Sales Tax Hike Phase-out in Chicago, But Not in Crystal Lake

Front page news on both of Chicago’s papers today was the Cook County Board’s vote to phase out its hefty sales tax under the now out-of-office Todd Stroger. The Crystal Lake City Council’s March, 2008, 75% city sales tax increase went … Continue reading

TORA – Ticket to Re-Election

The petitions for re-election are being circulated for Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley and Council members Cathy Ferguson, Ellen Brady Mueller and Brett Hopkins. And, just in time for the campaign, there is an election kick-off party that required the … Continue reading