Independent McHenry Township Road District Abolitionists Suit Up

Well, “tee-shirt up” might be a better description. These folks intend to march in the McHenry and Johnsburg parades and seek others to join them. They are supporting a referendum which will be on the ballot in November asking voters … Continue reading

Ron Salgado Retiring from State’s Attorney’s Office

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office: RONALD J. SALGADO, CHIEF INVESTIGATOR, RETIRES FROM MCHENRY COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that, effective August 26, 2016, Ronald J. Salgado retired as Chief Investigator for the … Continue reading

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

Demetri Makes Fourth Mailing

In the fourth mailing on behalf of his candidacy for Circuit Court Judge, Demetri Tsilimigras unrolls a list of endorsements. On the address side, he promises to “adhere to the highest ethical standards and enforce the law equally–without prejudice, bias … Continue reading

Mailed Sample Ballot Arrives

I haven’t noted this year that the post office continues to play the role of precinct worker. Think of how much dedicated manpower that candidates would have to have if all the post cards and other literature you receive in … Continue reading

Judge Gordon Graham Retiring

McHenry County Circuit Court Judge Gordon Graham has informed court officials that he is retiring on September 7th. In 2010, Graham ran for and won the office. He won the GOP primary election without opposition. Then, up popped Sally Wiggins, … Continue reading

Emails Belie Andy Zinke’s Claim to No Role in Prosecution of State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi

Is there a new and reformed Andy Zinke? The Northwest Herald does the public service of asking candidates for major office to reply to questionnaires. This question was interesting: “The sheriff’s office in recent years has been beset by acrimony … Continue reading

Judge Excoriates McHenry County Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen in Not Guilty Decision on Contempt of Court

Judge Joseph McGraw excoriated McHenry County Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen in an eight-page decision finding him not guilty of indirect contempt of court. In addition the Judge commented extemporaneously.  I have notes, but want to get the decision posted so … Continue reading

The People at Lou Bianchi’s Fund Raiser

The August fund raiser for McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi was the biggest I’ve seen in a long time. The Boulder Hill Country Club was packed. And, this for a man not up for re-election for three more years. … Continue reading

Lou Bianchi’s Case against Those Who Persecuted Him – Part 5

This is the fifth and final installment of Lou Bianchi’s attorney Terry Ekl’s 49-page First Amended Complaint in the Federal Court suit the McHenry County State’s Attorney and his employees who were indicted in case with insufficient evidence brought against … Continue reading

Lou Bianchi’s Case against Those Who Persecuted Him – Part 4

We are moving on to Part 4–roughly pages 30-40–of Lou Bianchi attorney Terry Ekl’s First Amended Complaint against Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan and Thomas McQueen, their investigative firm Quest Consultants International and others. From the title above paragraph 124, one … Continue reading

Lou Bianchi’s Case against Those Who Persecuted Him – Part 3

Here is the third installment of the posting of attorney Terry Ekl’s First Amended Complaint against Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan, his assistant Thomas McQueen, Quest Consultants International, et al.  Here are Part 1 and Part 2. Tonigan settled with Bianchi, … Continue reading

Lou Bianchi’s Case against Those Who Persecuted Him – Part 2

Please refer to Part 1 for the introduction to this series of posts that contain attorney Terry Ekl’s First Amended Complaint of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, et al, against Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan, Thomas McQueen, Quest International Consultants, … Continue reading

Lou Bianchi’s Case against Those Who Persecuted Him – Part 1

Yes, I used the word “persecuted” in the headline, rather than “prosecuted.” This case charges, accurately, I believe, that Bianchi and his staff members who were criminally charged were “victims of politically and financially motivated criminal investigations and prosecutions,” as … Continue reading

McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, et al, Sue Special Prosecutors Tonigan & McQueen, plus Quest Consultants, et al, Plus “Unknown Conspirators”

The suit that had been virtually promised by McHenry County State Lou Bianchi during the two trials brought by Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan and Thomas McQueen has been filed in Federal Court. It outlines fifteen counts, which I’ll wade through … Continue reading

McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi Acquitted on Charges of Official Misconduct

“Second verse, same as the first,” was the line running through my had as I drove home from the Courthouse. Judge Joseph McGraw had just acquitted McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi of the two remaining counts of official misconduct … Continue reading

Mike McCleary Criminal Charges Dismissed

Charges against the second McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Investigator have been dismissed by Rockford Judge Joseph McGraw. His name is Mike McCleary. Arguments were made for dismissal by his Rockford attorney Christopher DeRango. You can read the judge’s questions on … Continue reading

Special Prosecutor’s Case Staggers on Against McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Officials

First a short article about the Ron Salgado case, which washed out the last court date. Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan’s cases against McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, his Chief Investigator Rod Salgado and Investigator Mike McCleary staggered on today … Continue reading

Special Prosecutors Have Filed No New Bills

With the McHenry County on the offensive, Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan has filed no additional bills for his services, those of his assistant Thomas McQueen and investigative firm Quest International. We know the team is still doing stuff, because their … Continue reading