Original Developer of Vulcan Lakes TIF District Sentenced to Year in Prison in Unrelated Case

A 2007 Cub Scout meeting caused me to miss Springfield politician-developer Bill Cellini’s appearance before the Crystal Lake City Council the day it awarded the contract for the development of the Vulcan Lakes TIF District. It wasn’t until a Northwest … Continue reading

Memories of Springfield’s Red Light District

When I was staying at the Hotel Governor (now a parking lot where the the Old Capitol Art Fair Wine Tasting is held), the cheapest place in the Illinois State Capitol to rent a room, there was a row of … Continue reading

Government Summarizes the Rod Blagojevich Indictment Update

Here is a summary of the changes in the government’s indictment changes in its case against impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich. They were presented to Judge James Zagel today. Discussion. At the status hearing held on December 16, 2009, the Court … Continue reading

Daily Herald Endorses McHenry County Incumbents

Looking for something else, I found a summary of the Daily Herald’s endorsements in McHenry County’s Republican primary. All the incumbents were endorsed. When the paper couldn’t find enough incumbents running, it endorsed incumbent Republicans who were defeated by Democrats … Continue reading

U.S. Attorney’s Press Release on Former Gov. Rod and Brother Rob Blagojevich’s, John Harris’, Alonzo Monk’s, Chris Kelly’s and Bill Cellini’s Indictme

Here’s what folks have been waiting for all day. The “Year of a Million Dreams” is over for the governor and his family. Former Governor Rod Blagojevich and his family have reported checked out of their hotel at Disney World. … 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

Those Vulcan Lake TIF Guys Keep Popping Up

Too often have I lamented that I was at a Cub Scout meeting on October 10th, instead of the Crystal Lake City Council meeting, when Mayor Aaron Shepley led the way for the selection of Bill Cellini‘s development group. Three … Continue reading

Those Vulcan Lake TIF Guys Keep Popping Up

Too often have I lamented that I was at a Cub Scout meeting on October 10th, instead of the Crystal Lake City Council meeting, when Mayor Aaron Shepley led the way for the selection of Bill Cellini‘s development group. Three … Continue reading

Springfield Trivia

At one point I read a story in Springfield’s State-Journal Register the Bill Cellini had invented and patented a shower curtain that bowed outward. He installed them in the Hotel Renaissance, which was financed by never-recovered state money approved by … Continue reading