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
Without admitting liability, the McHenry County Board voted 18-3 to pay Terry Ekl and Ernest DiBenedetto $275,000 to settle claims of over $600,000 in legal fees and expenses to defend State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi and his assistant Joyce Synek. That … Continue reading
The McHenry County Board won’t allow the public to take an advance look at the resolution it will consider at its Tuesday morning meeting, but last September, McHenry County Blog published an article about its starting point. Here’s what is … Continue reading
A press release from State Senator Pam Althoff: Senate OKs law seeking to avoid hefty county legal bills SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Senate today approved a measure aimed at preventing county boards from paying State’s attorneys’ exorbitant and unexpected … Continue reading
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
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
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
McHenry County Blog today presents the May, 2011, bills from Quest International. As the prosecution awaits the second trial of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, investigator Robert Scigalski isn’t given a lot of work to do. Just 9.5 hours … Continue reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
When McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi held his post-acquittal press conference in front of the Courthouse, he didn’t say whether he would run for re-election. When confronted with a question about filing a civil suit against Special Prosecutors Henry … Continue reading
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
“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
Six reporters were in the McHenry County Courtroom of Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw today for round two of “Those who don’t want Lou Bianchi to be State’s Attorney” v. Lou Bianchi. I’ll get to the guts of the testimony … Continue reading
“It would set the wrong precedent in every way.” Those were the final words of Winnebago County Judge Joesph McGraw to Special Prosecutors Henry Tonigan and Thomas McQueen in response to their both wanting to be released from their duty … Continue reading
