Franks Loses Second Freedom of Information Request Denial Appeal

For the second time since he has taken office as McHenry County Board Chairman, a Jack Franks’ denial of a Freedom of Information request from McHenry County Blog has been overturned. The first sentence of the latest missive from the … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Loses Precedent-Setting FOIA Ruling on Hiding High Salaried Employees’ Names

This past spring I asked various municipalities to provide emailed lists of their employees who made over $75,000 in salary and fringe benefits. Many complied with the names and compensation information. The City of Crystal Lake sent the information, but … Continue reading

Spring Grove Refuses to Turn Over Andy Zinke’s Emailed Campaign Pitch

On night last week, I shot off 20-30 Freedom of Information requests for emails from announced McHenry County Sheriff candidate Andy Zinke. I’ve gotten a lot of replies. Today I received my first rejection. It was from the Village of … Continue reading

McHenry County Board Refuses to Reveal Applicants for Regional Superintendent of Education Post

The first time I asked, I had no problem getting applications from those applying for the vacant McHenry County Superintendent of Schools post. This is the elected official, you will recall, whose shoes have been filled by the Lake County … Continue reading

Attorney General to McHenry County: Show Us the Special Prosecutor’s Bills

On September 23, I filed an appeal to McHenry County’s denial of my Freedom of Information request for “copes of the bills that were submitted by Special Prosecutor Tonigan,” plus for “any for consultants, investigators, or anything else submitted.” “No, … Continue reading

McHenry County Refuses to Even Supply the Name of the Judge who Ordered Payment of Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan’s Bills

This is getting amusing. You will remember that I think the public has a right to see the billings of Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan. I have been denied those billings by both the County Board and County Auditor Pam Palmer. … Continue reading

Sheriff Tom Dart Targets “Johns”

Going after the family vote, I suppose, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is conducting a highly publicized campaign against “Johns,” the customers of prostitutes. It must be a bigger problem than in McHenry County. And, anyway the Illinois State Police … Continue reading