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McHenry County Blog

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About

Cal Skinner

This is a journal of news and opinion designed to bring to light matters of public interest and to encourage public participation in the governmental process. Emphasis will be on McHenry County, but Illinois state news will be covered. Articles and photos are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without explicit written permission.

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About Cal Skinner

About Cal Skinner
Email Cal Skinner

Recent Posts

  • Sheriff Reveals Biggest Problem September 29, 2026
  • Don Tracy Labels Opponent “Extreme” September 29, 2026
  • Woodstock Continues to Pick Up Transients on Various Charges September 29, 2026
  • 13-Year Old Arrested for Battery September 29, 2026
  • Don Tracy, GOP Candidate for U.S. Senator, Attacks Democratic Party Nominee September 28, 2026
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Sheriff Reveals Biggest Problem

Cal SkinnerSeptember 29, 2026September 28, 2026

Cheryl Hammerand was kind enough to drive me to State Senator Craig Willcox’ annualfall fundraiser at Michael Rein’s estate perched on the highest hill in Algonquin Township. There werer plenty of politicians present. My kind of a gathering. Headlining the event was […]

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Don Tracy Labels Opponent “Extreme”

Cal SkinnerSeptember 29, 2026September 28, 2026
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Woodstock Continues to Pick Up Transients on Various Charges

Cal SkinnerSeptember 29, 2026September 28, 2026

From the Woodstock Police:

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13-Year Old Arrested for Battery

Cal SkinnerSeptember 29, 2026September 28, 2026

From the Woodstock Police: Located near Special Education District headquarters and Menta Academy.

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Don Tracy, GOP Candidate for U.S. Senator, Attacks Democratic Party Nominee

Cal SkinnerSeptember 28, 2026September 28, 2026
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Florida Chamber of Commerce Disses Pritzker with Billboards

Cal SkinnerSeptember 28, 2026September 28, 2026

As you can see below, The Florida Chamber of Commerce has a good sense of humor: JB Pritzker is runner up for the “Florida Economic Developer of the Year.” Number one was New York City’s Mayor.

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Illinois Republican Party Chairman Not Allowed to Vote

Cal SkinnerSeptember 28, 2026September 28, 2026

From the Illinois Republican Party: I walked into my local polling place on the very first morning of early voting, ready to cast my ballot. Instead, I was turned away. Election judges told me the system was down due to “technical difficulties.” […]

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Pritzker Administration Skips McHenry County in Touism Promotion Grants

Cal SkinnerSeptember 28, 2026September 28, 2026

From a press release issued by the Governor’s Office: Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program  Through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program, DCEO will provide matching grants to assist in the promotion of tourism attractions, destinations, and events in Illinois. Grant funding will […]

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Another View of the “Need” for a New Crystal Lake Library

Cal SkinnerSeptember 28, 2026September 28, 2026

From Steve Willson: Does Crystal Lake Need a Bigger Library The City’s presentation on the Healthbridge site argues that a bigger library should be built there.  The presentation has lots of pictures, but absolutely no explicit facts about need or cost versus […]

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What Happens to Boats Drived by Three 500 Horse Outboard Engines

Cal SkinnerSeptember 27, 2026September 24, 2026

Yes, the 31-foot pontoon boat that killed a 48-year old woman in the Fox River below the dam was oee usimg of three 500 horsepower outboard engines. But this power is more often seen on boats smuggling cocaine. But the U.S. Coast […]

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Invitation to Watch Bears in Antioch on Monday, September 28th – Not a Fundraiser

Cal SkinnerSeptember 27, 2026August 23, 2026

From the campaigns of State Senator Craig Wilcox ,State Rep. Tom Weber and Lake County Board candidate John Muellner:

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Prairie Grove Grade School Distict in Deep Doodoo

Cal SkinnerSeptember 25, 2026September 24, 2026

Today I found a long Fox News story featuring Prairie Grove’ proposed Battery Farm. Here is the summary: That prompted me to listen to the last Prairie Grove District 46 Grade School Board’s budget meeting. (It’s on YouTube.) Business Manager Joseph Bailey […]

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Drugs Alleged at Marlowe Middle School

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 23, 2026

From the Lake in the Hills Polilce:

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MCCD’s Kim Compton Inducted into Outdoor Hall of Fame

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 24, 2026

From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Illinois Conservation Foundation Inducts 2026 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Honorees SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Conservation Foundation has announced four new inductees into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, recognizing their contributions to conservation and […]

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Crystal Lake Police Arrest 27-Year Old Man for Child Porn

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 25, 2026

From the Crystal Lake Police: Crystal Lake Police Investigate Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material On September 24, 2026, the Crystal Lake Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1600 block of Carlemont Drive. The matter initially came […]

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Man Gets 25 Years for Pimping 16-Year Old

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 24, 2026

From the U.S. Attorney: Federal Judge Sentences Man to 25 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking and Abusing a Minor CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for sex trafficking and abusing a 16-year-old […]

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Is the Illinois Environmental Council Engaging in Pay to Play?

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 24, 2026

One year the Illinois Environmental Council reported that I had a 100% voting record on issues that meant the most to the organization. Now, I find myself wondering if the IEC has sold its soul. Last week, I published a critique by […]

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Lauzen Calls for Debates with Opponent in Quest for a Second Term as Kane County Treasurer

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 24, 2026

From the campaign of Chris Lauzen: Lauzen Calls for In-depth Public Debate for Kane County Treasurer  One-minute response limits are not sufficient for candidates seeking responsibility for investing $350 million in County funds and collecting $1.7 billion in property taxes from 200,000 taxpayers, […]

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Electric and Gas Assistance for Lower Income Families, Can Apply Starting October 1st

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 24, 2026

From the Pritzker Administrstion: Governor Pritzker Announces LIHEAP Application for Utility Bill Assistance Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) available for income qualified households beginning October 1, 2026  CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity […]

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Another Trucker without a CDL

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 23, 2026

From the Cary Police:

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Why People Should Vote “No” on Home Rule/County Exective Referendum, Plus Early Voting Locations

Cal SkinnerSeptember 24, 2026September 23, 2026

With early voting starting on Thursday, I’d like to share why I oppose the Home Rule referendum. While the referendum is only advisory, on the McHenry County Board agenda the night it was passed was a mandatory Home Rule referendum. My concern […]

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Hypocrisy in Politics? Oh, My

Cal SkinnerSeptember 23, 2026September 24, 2026

From the campaign of Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Don Tracy: News-Gazette Columnist Highlights Juliana Stratton’s Inconsistency on Debates SPRINGFIELD — News-Gazette columnist Jim Dey just spelled it out: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton only wants to use debates to pander to her […]

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Older Guy with Pot & Alcohol in Car

Cal SkinnerSeptember 23, 2026September 22, 2026

From the Cary Police:

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State Rep. Jeff Keicher on Artificial Intelligence

Cal SkinnerSeptember 23, 2026September 23, 2026

From State Rep. Jeff Keicher: Rep. Keicher Responds to Creation of Illinois Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cabinet SYCAMORE – Following the announcement by Governor JB Pritzker of an executive order establishing an Illinois Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cabinet to advise the state on policy […]

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McHenry Mobile Home Burns

Cal SkinnerSeptember 23, 2026September 23, 2026

From the McHenry Township Fire Protection District: MTFPD Crews Extinguish Fully Involved Mobile HomeFire on Broadway McHenry Township, IL – At approximately 8:48 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the McHenry Township Fire Protection District (MTFPD) was dispatched to the 1000 block […]

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Independent Candidate for Governor Releases Real Estate Tax Relief Plan (with Critique)

Cal SkinnerSeptember 23, 2026September 23, 2026

From the campaign of Collin Corbett: Collin Corbett Releases a Real Plan for Property Tax Relief in Illinois Collin Is the Only Gubernatorial Candidate to Tackle the Property Tax Crisis Head On with Real, Structural Solutions That Will Deliver Relief for Working […]

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Johnsburg Celebrating Dolly Parton Day September 25th

Cal SkinnerSeptember 23, 2026September 4, 2026

Here’s the resolution:

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Seeking Permits from McHenry County? Beware of Scam

Cal SkinnerSeptember 23, 2026September 22, 2026

From McHenry County: Submitting Zoning and Permit Requests WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County is warning residents of a scam involving fraudulent emails pretending to originate from the Planning and Development Department. A scammer is sending fake emails targeting people who have submitted […]

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An Election Cartoon

Cal SkinnerSeptember 22, 2026September 22, 2026

From the Chicago Tribune:

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Billionaire Pritzker Lets Taxpayers Finance His Health Insurance

Cal SkinnerSeptember 22, 2026September 22, 2026

That’s what Patrick Pfingsten, of “The Illinoize” discovered when he asked the question. Pritizker told the Chicago Tribune after being elected in 2018 that he would not take a salary. But Pritzker had a record of being a cheapskate. When he bought […]

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Recent Comments

  • Sheriff Reveals Biggest Problem - McHenry County Blog on Senator Craig Wilcox Holding Pig Roast at Highest Elevation in Algonquin Township
  • Who Is John Anderlik? Illinois Teacher And Girls Basketball Coach Arrest Explained | Oliver Willis on Crystal Lake Police Arrest 27-Year Old Man for Child Porn
  • Why People Should Vote “No” on Home Rule/County Exective Referendum, Plus Early Voting Locations - McHenry County Blog on Passage of a Home Rule Referendum Will Severely Limit County Board Members’ Power
  • Lakewood to Assume Public Works Projects in Union Through an Intergovernmental Agreement - McHenry County Blog on Lesperance Summarizes Twelve Years as Nunda Township Road Commissioner
  • Illinois Having Some Success in Meeting Federal Qualifications for Lower SNAP Penalty - McHenry County Blog on Rich Miller Challenges Pritzker to Improve Poor Administration of Food Stamp (SNAP) Benefits
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