Biography of Cal Skinner, Sr. – Part 4 – Sewer Grates, Miles River Yacht Club, Slot Machines, Chesapeake Bay Bridge

This is the fourth in a serialization of my father’s biography. Previous parts can be found below on McHenry County Blog. One of Dad’s inspirations for running for office involved an unresponsive city government. Plunk, plunk, plunk. I can hear … Continue reading

More Evidence That Real Reason for Home Rule Is More Tax Revenue

Home Rule is mainly about getting more money into municipal coffers. Another example of this is found in a Rockford Register-Star column by writer Chuck Sweeney: “There’s a related hope that the state’s lawmakers will allow Rockford, a nonhome-rule city, … Continue reading

Illinois Senate Doubles Bets on Slots

Long-time readers will remember my surprise at seeing casinos at virtually every gas station and even in the next room to an in-door McDonald’s in South Dakota. When Illinois legalized slot machines, it did not require that all establishments hosting … Continue reading

Biography of Cal Skinner, Sr. – Part 4 – Sewer Grates, Miles River Yacht Club, Slot Machines, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Copy

This is the fourth in a serialization of my father’s biography. Previous parts can be found below on McHenry County Blog. One of Dad’s inspirations for running for office involved an unresponsive city government. Plunk, plunk, plunk. I can hear … Continue reading

Animal Farm at the Sheriff’s Department

Former McHenry County Deputy Sheriff Zane Seipler continues to deliver interesting nuggets at his web site called McHenry County Sheriff’s Race 2014. The most recent post has an Animal Farm echo. Although not naming the Corrections Office in question, Seipler … Continue reading

Slots That Aren’t Defined as Slots Might Be Coming Our Way

The new slot machine legislation going into effect on New Year’s Day goes under the label of “sweepstakes.” The Tribune’s Joseph Ryan has written a major story on what most legislators probably thought was a  minor bill. Let’s test that … 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

Newspaper Columnist Points Out Video Gambling Equals Nine New Casinos

Southtown columnist Phil Kadner took a look at the slot machines, euphemistically called video gambling, and found that they are the equivalent of nine new casinos. Lots of money that won’t be spent on goods and services will be spent … Continue reading

Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Talking about Legal and Illegal Video Games

A press release from McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi: MCHENRY COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HOSTS THE ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD Louis A. Bianchi is pleased to announce that the State’s Attorney’s Office is sponsoring a free seminar on Legal and … Continue reading

Bill to Loosen Slot Machine Regulation Passes Senate

Pretend you are a legislator. It is very highly unlikely you will read each bill. Actually, that is impossible as the deadline for passage out of each house approaches. In the House, you don’t even know the order in which … Continue reading

Slot Machine Win for Rural Bar Owners, Electronic Billboards Delayed Again

Two issues were considered for the second time at Tuesday night’s: slot machines at bars and restaurants in unincorporated McHenry County electronic billboards outside of municipalities Also called video poker machines, the electronic devices will be allowed after a 15-9 … Continue reading

The Other Tuesday Night Meetings – Township Annual Meetings & McHenry County Board’s with Vote on Slot Machines in Rural Bars

Besides the 6 PM meeting at McHenry County College at which the lame duck Board seems destined to renew President Vicky Smith’s contract, there are other meetings people might find of interest. Each of McHenry County’s 17 Townships will hold … Continue reading

Is Another Push for Slot Machines in Unincorporated Taverns Coming?

OK. You can say another effort to legalize slot machines and video poker is not likely. But, before you or I come to that conclusion, let’s look at what happened to the Liquor & License Committee make-up for the next … Continue reading

Fox River Grove Approves Slot Machines

With slot machine salesmen and liquor licensees urging the Fox River Grove Village Board to legalize what proponents like to call “video poker,” the Board complied on a 6-0 vote. Frank Gumma, owner, Ideal Gaming, Inc., East Dundee, made the … 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

Spring Grove Village Board Approves Video Slot Machines 4-3

Some notes from a friend of McHenry County Blog about the Spring Grove’s Village Board’s approval of what supporters call “Video Poker,” but what will really put slot machines at any restaurant or tavern with a liquor license: Tonight, Spring … Continue reading

Legislative Update from St. Rep. Mike Tryon

An email from Mike Tryon about the next-to-the-last week in Springfield: Key legislation was debated and voted on last week in the General Assembly. Here is an update of some of the more noteworthy items: Bill to Curb use of … 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