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McHenry County Blog

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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

  • Sprinklers Hold Fire Damage in Apartment Complex Near Post Office to $5,000 February 5, 2026
  • Ponzi Scheme Indictment for James Brothers, Whose Firm Owned Brake Parts February 5, 2026
  • Opponents of Battery Farm Post Billboards February 5, 2026
  • Politico Illinois Reports on 9th District Debate Among Democrats February 5, 2026
  • Speeding Ticket Leads to Pot Charge February 5, 2026
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Sprinklers Hold Fire Damage in Apartment Complex Near Post Office to $5,000

Cal SkinnerFebruary 5, 2026February 5, 2026

From the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department: Structure Fire 383-426 Ambassador Circle Crystal Lake, IL – Crystal Lake Fire Rescue (CLFR) was dispatched to a six-unit residential complex for an activated fire alarm. Upon arrival, fire crews rapidly identified the activated fire […]

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Ponzi Scheme Indictment for James Brothers, Whose Firm Owned Brake Parts

Cal SkinnerFebruary 5, 2026February 5, 2026

From the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of NewYork: Former CEO of First Brands Group, LLC, Patrick James, and Former Senior Executive, Edward James, Deceived Multiple Banks and Direct Lenders Through Fake Collateral, Double- and Triple-Pledged Assets, and Misleading Financial Statements […]

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Opponents of Battery Farm Post Billboards

Cal SkinnerFebruary 5, 2026February 4, 2026

Here is the message of those not wanting a battery farm:

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Politico Illinois Reports on 9th District Debate Among Democrats

Cal SkinnerFebruary 5, 2026February 5, 2026

From Politico Illinois: Phil Andrews, Jeff Cohen, Kat Abughazaleh, Daniel Biss, Bushra Amiwala and Laura Fine participated in a campaign forum on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Evanston.., Shia Kapos/POLITICO EVANSTON, Ill. — A political forum that began politely turned raucous Wednesday evening […]

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Speeding Ticket Leads to Pot Charge

Cal SkinnerFebruary 5, 2026January 30, 2026

From the Woodstock Police:

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McHenry County Indicts Shoplifter

Cal SkinnerFebruary 5, 2026February 4, 2026

From the State’s Attorney: (MCHENRY COUNTY ILLINOIS 2/4/2026) – McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announces that on (2/4/2026) a McHenry County Grand Jury returned the following indictments: 2025CF001008 ANTHONY P MAGRO Lake In the Hills Police Department 2/24/2026 9:00 AM ChargesRETAIL […]

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Lakewood President, Under Oath, Says Village “Will Have $1.4 Million Deficit withing Four Years”

Cal SkinnerFebruary 5, 2026February 4, 2026

From the Turnberry Country Club disconnection ruling by Judge Costello: “[Village President Dave] Stavropoulos contended that if current trends continue Lakewood will have a 1.4 million deficit within four years.” See page 5 for the quote.

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Lauzen Lays Out Tax Hiking Politicians Promoting “Affordability”

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 3, 2026

From Kane County Treasurer Chris Lauzen: Three Government-Controlled Causes of “Un-Affordability” As far back as Apostle Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, it’s been said that “It rains on the just and the unjust”.   I’m probably the last person who ought to […]

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SuperPAC Runs Ad for Laura Fine in the 9th Congressional District

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 4, 2026

I can only find the latest television on X. You can view this “dark money” ad with the sponsorship of “Elect Democratic Women” here. And below are the highlights:

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Hills Introduces Bill To Encourage Hiring Developmentally Disabled

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 3, 2026

Lawmakers discuss budget, spending, tax credits as Illinois Senate returns (The Center Square) – State Sen. Darby Hills, R-Barrington Hills, said her priorities are centered around protecting kids and families, keeping communities safe and making life easier and more affordable for families. […]

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Lakewood Loses Fight to Keep Part of Turnberry Country Club from Village

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 4, 2026

A letter from Lakewood Village President Dave Stavropoulos to residents: COMMUNITY NOTICETURNBERRY / FIRST LEAP HOLDINGS DISCONNECTION,OWNERSHIP CONDUCT,AND NEXT STEPS The Village of Lakewood is issuing this community notice regarding the Turnberry Golf Clubproperty and a recent court decision allowing disconnection (or […]

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New Lake in the Hills Police Station Next to Village Hall

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 2, 2026

From Lake in the Hills: Lake in the Hills Police Department Relocating toNew Headquarters on February 5, 2026 Lake in the Hills, IL – The Lake in the Hills Police Department is preparing to relocate from its current building at 1115 Crystal […]

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State’s Attorney Releases Indictments

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 4, 2026

(MCHENRY COUNTY ILLINOIS – McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announces that on (1/29/2026) a McHenry County Grand Jury returned the following indictments: CASE NUMBER DEFENDANT/CHARGE INVESTIGATING AGENCY NEXT EVENT2026CF000017 KATHIE L ZAREMBA Marengo Police Department 2/3/2026 9:00 AM ChargesAGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER […]

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Illinois Death Tax Collection from Estates over $4 Million Soaring with Stock Market

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 4, 2026

From the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability February report: “Illinois estate tax receipts have risen sharply in recent years and are showing especially strong growth in the current fiscal year, with year-to-date collections up more than 60% compared with the same […]

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Don Tracy Hits Billion Dollar Federal Medical Fraud

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 3, 2026

From U.S. Senate hopeful Don Tracy: Don Tracy: Another $1 Billion in Medicare Fraud Shows That Oversight and Accountability Matter CHICAGO — Federal prosecutors in Chicago have filed charges accusing multiple foreign nationals of orchestrating elaborate Medicare and health insurance fraud schemes that siphoned more […]

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Keeping County Books Still at an Exemplary Level

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 4, 2026

From McHenry County: For the 27th straight year, McHenry County has received a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for its annual comprehensive financial report. The award is the highest recognition the GFOA offers for government accounting and financial reporting. […]

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LaHood’s Pork Excludes McHenry County

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 3, 2026

From Republican Congressman Darin LaHood: LaHood Secures Nearly $19 Million for Critical Projects in the 16th District Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) announced that he secured nearly $19 million for community and infrastructure projects in the 16th District during the House of […]

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Illinois Anemic Job Growth

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 3, 2026

This chart was found on Unleash Prosperity Hotline Issue #1443: It shows the ten worst states on job growth from Februrary 2020 through December 2025.

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Domestic Battery Call Leads to FOID Card Charge

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026January 30, 2026

From the Woodstock Police:

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Daily Herald Asks 9th District Democrats about Gaza

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 4, 2026

Here’s what Capitol Fax posted: Daily Herald | Democratic hopefuls in 9th Congressional District divided on Gaza:  Chicagoans Justin Ford, Mike Simmons and Kat Abughazaleh, and Skokie resident Bushra Amiwala insisted [genocide is] happening in Gaza. […] Three other candidates — Daniel […]

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Bailey Comes Out for Ending Tax on Tips

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 3, 2026

From the Darren Bailey campaign: Darren Bailey calls on lawmakers to pass ‘No Tax on Tips’ legislation Louisville, IL — Darren Bailey, former State Senator and candidate for Governor, is urging lawmakers to enact recently introduced legislation to opt the state into the […]

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The Probable Motivation for Governor George Ryan’s Stopping of Executions

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026January 30, 2026

The night before Governor George Ryan announced that there would be no more executions in Illinois, I was standing near his lawyer’s office. WBBM was on the radio. A reporter said Ryan was being investigated by a Grand Jury. The next day […]

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Two 9th District Democratic Party Hopefuls Leave the Race

Cal SkinnerFebruary 4, 2026February 3, 2026

According to the Daily Herald, they are Fourteen remain.

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Chimney Fire in Marengo

Cal SkinnerFebruary 3, 2026February 3, 2026

From the Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts: Chimney Fire on West Coral Road On Monday, February 2, 2026, at 5:38 p.m., the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts responded to the area of S. Route 23 and W. Coral Road in unincorporated Marengo […]

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Laura Fine Poll Shows She Is Tied with Daniel Biss in 9th District

Cal SkinnerFebruary 3, 2026February 3, 2026

Here is the memo from Laura Fine’s pollster: Laura Fine Surging In IL-9 Democratic Primary With six weeks to go until Election Day and just days before early voting begins in Illinois, a new survey of likely Democratic primary voters shows State […]

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Chuck Ruth Selected to Fill Vacancy on the Huntley School Board

Cal SkinnerFebruary 3, 2026February 3, 2026

Moving from behind the scenes back into a more public presence is Chuck Ruth. The former Grafton Township Supervisor and Huntley School Board President has been in the fundraising part of political campaigns, including Finance Chairman for Lou Bianchi. Here is the […]

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Tribune Endorses John Elleson for GOP 9rh District Congressional Race

Cal SkinnerFebruary 3, 2026February 3, 2026

Here’s what the Chicago Tribune said about Republicans running for Congress; “On the Republican ballot, four are running: John Elleson, 63, pastor of Lakewood Chapel in Arlington Heights; Mark Su, a Rogers Park software engineer; Chicagoan Paul Friedman (who pleaded no contest […]

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Tribune Endorses Laura Fine in 9th District Democratic Party Congressional Race

Cal SkinnerFebruary 3, 2026February 3, 2026

There are fifteen candidates in the Democratic Party contest for who will Run for Congress in the 9th Congressional District. The Chicago Tribune picked a twelve-year Springfield legislator, State Senator Laura Fine. Here’s why: “Fine led the charge in Springfield to give […]

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Craig Wilcox Follows Darby Hills’ Example Offering $20 per Hour Internships

Cal SkinnerFebruary 3, 2026February 2, 2026

State Senator Darby Hills is in her second year of soliciting paid interns to go door-ro-door. She wrote that they knocked on 20,000 doors last year telling people about what a State Senator can do for people. Now State Senator Craig Wilcox […]

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New Illinois Tax Proposed on Fuel and Natural Gas

Cal SkinnerFebruary 3, 2026February 2, 2026

From Unleash Prosperity Hotline #1442:  Welcome to the Latest Green New Deal Gambit The climate change fanatics never give up.   Here’s their latest scheme as reported by Inside Climate News: The proposed Illinois law would tax fossil fuel companies for causing floods […]

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Recent Comments

  • Craig Wilcox Follows Darby Hills’ Example Offering $20 per Hour Internships - McHenry County Blog on Senator Darby Hills Offers $20 per Hour for Spring Interns
  • Steve Reick Adds More Information about Battery Farm Approval Sought in His District – Part 3 - McHenry County Blog on Reick Starts 3-Part Commentary on Proposed Battery Farm on Behan Road – Part 1
  • Senator Darby Hills Offers $20 per Hour for Spring Interns - McHenry County Blog on Newly-Appointed State Senator Darby Hills’ Summer Interns Knock on 20,000 Doors
  • Two Big Banks Announce They Will Match the $1,000 the Federal Government Will Put in Trump Accounts - McHenry County Blog on Dells Making Capitalists Out of McHenry County Kids Who Don’t Live in Cary, Ringwood or Barrington Hills
  • What Caused Steve Reick To Have No Fall Opponent - McHenry County Blog on State Rep. Steve Reick’s Democratic Party Opponent Thrown Off the Ballot
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