A Late 1970’s Alternative Vision of Recreational Gravel Pits in Algonquin Township – Part 2

Because horse riding had just been banned at the old Lake Defiance, now Moraine Hills, it occurred to me that it could go in a Gravel Gertie State Park. Snow mobilers weren’t having trouble finding places to ride, but they … Continue reading

Tax Increment Financing Districts Force Taxes Up for Those Outside those TIFs

Included on the Tax Rate Calculation page of the McHenry County Clerk’s Office are totals for taxes levied on property within TIF Districts. Tax Increment Financing Districts are mechanisms that allow municipalities to pry money out everyone in McHenry County … Continue reading

Fund Raiser for Scott Milliman Sunday: “No Hurdle Too High”

One of the several deputies fired by McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren has brain cancer. Unfortunately, his firing, coming after he was deposed in Zane Seipler’s Federal wrongful termination suit, came when he apparently needed health coverage. His daughter tells … Continue reading

Bill Cellini’s Laugh

In Friday’s Chicago Tribune column, John Kass wrote about Bill Cellini’s laugh. I sensed Kass believed that when Cellini laughed incriminated him. Read the piece and draw your own conclusion. And, if you want to hear Cellini’s laugh listen to … 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

One Millionth Hit for McHenry County Blog Today

It was October, 2005, when the Vulcan Lakes TIF proposal by the city council spurred me to start McHenry County Blog. I knew–and knew that most others didn’t–that every dollar that gets poured into a Tax Increment Financing District’s project … Continue reading

Jeff Thorsen Comments on Pending City Budget, Reasons for Voting Against 75% City Sales Tax Hike

McHenry County Blog received the following from Crystal Lake City Councilman Jeff Thorsen, who is running for reelection. He, like others, have had trouble posting comments for well over a year…ever since Google “improved” the Blogger host that I use. … Continue reading

Rumor Mill Active on Park District Purchase of Viking Dodge

Since publishing the response to my Freedom of Information request about whether Viking Dodge was in play with the Crystal Lake Park District, the grapevine has been active. One person said the park district had agreed to purchase the property … Continue reading

Rumor Mill Active on Park District Purchase of Viking Dodge

Since publishing the response to my Freedom of Information request about whether Viking Dodge was in play with the Crystal Lake Park District, the grapevine has been active. One person said the park district had agreed to purchase the property … Continue reading

Nice to Know Chris Krug Cares

When I reference the Northwest Herald, I call it the Northwest Herald. No reciprocity with the NW Herald’s Group Editor (oops, I see the title is now “General Manager and Executive Editor”) Chris Krug. He was pleasant enough in person … Continue reading

Nice to Know Chris Krug Cares

When I reference the Northwest Herald, I call it the Northwest Herald. No reciprocity with the NW Herald’s Group Editor (oops, I see the title is now “General Manager and Executive Editor”) Chris Krug. He was pleasant enough in person … Continue reading

Bill Cellini Reasons for Rejecting Waukegan Casino Bid Outlined by Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe

Ever since Springfield developer Bill Cellini sought and got permission to develop the Vulcan Lakes TIF property owned by the City of Crystal Lake, I have wondered why he came on October 10, 2006, and why the group he led … Continue reading

Bill Cellini Reasons for Rejecting Waukegan Casino Bid Outlined by Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe

Ever since Springfield developer Bill Cellini sought and got permission to develop the Vulcan Lakes TIF property owned by the City of Crystal Lake, I have wondered why he came on October 10, 2006, and why the group he led … Continue reading