McHenry Times

From Prairie State Wire

Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady said to have voiced private support for abortion funding, gun control legislation

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 years ago

Former high-level aides to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has revealed that Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) told the then governor he was right for signing HB 40 in September 2017, the law requiring Medicaid funding of abortions. At a separate meeting, Brady also recommended that the governor sign gun control bills should they reach his desk.

Carolyn Schofield supporter lobbied for one of the largest tax increases in Illinois history

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 5, 2019

When McHenry County Board member Carolyn Schofield challenged Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) in the Republican primary for the 66th District over three years ago, she received an endorsement from the Illinois Education Association (IEA). This spring, the powerful teachers’ union lobbied the General Assembly for approval of the progressive income tax, one of the largest tax increases in state history.

From Prairie State Wire

Pritzker’s claims of paying down pension debt “simply dishonest,” fiscal watchdog says

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

The recently approved state budget hardly makes Illinois the beacon of fiscal prudence that Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislative leaders claim it is, budgetary analysts at Wirepoints say.

From Prairie State Wire

Madigan 'bullying' income tax increase through legislative process

By W.J. Kennedy | 6 years ago

House Speaker Michael Madigan used his absolute power over the legislative process to move legislation to the floor on Friday that exchanges Illinois’ constitutionally mandated flat income tax with a progressive tax.

In possible ethics breach, McHenry County Dems conspired with teachers to recruit students for anti-gun rally

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 13, 2019

McHenry County Democratic officials, who organized last year’s March For Our Lives anti-gun rally in Woodstock, conspired with high school teachers to recruit students for the rally, emails obtained by the McHenry Times show.

Printer of anti-Tirio mailers implicates Franks in court testimony

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 26, 2018

There could be more people responsible for malicious campaign mailers targeting McHenry County Clerk Joe Tirio in the March primary than the two Democratic political consultants named in McHenry County Court on Friday.

Identity of those behind malicious McHenry clerk campaign still unknown

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 14, 2018

With a court-ordered deadline missed, the identities of those behind vicious campaign mailers targeting McHenry County Clerk Joe Tirio in last March’s primary elections remain a mystery.

From Prairie State Wire

Communist Party USA “involved” in Sean Casten bid to unseat Peter Roskam in the 6th

By W.J. Kennedy | 7 years ago

An election guide posted on the Communist Party USA’s (CPUSA) website said that the party is “deploying its resources” to unseat U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), as part of a larger effort to flip 24 Republican seats the Democrats need to capture control of the House.

From Kane County Reporter

GOP goes 'country club,' passes over Skillicorn

By W.J. Kennedy | 7 years ago

The state GOP continued its backlash against conservative members of the party when it passed over State Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) to fill the 33rd Senate district seat vacated by Karen McConnaughay.

McHenry County board chairman Franks receives 'Civility' award despite his dust-ups with watchdog groups

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 29, 2018

Despite a history of ugly clashes with government watchdog groups, Jack Franks, chairman of the McHenry County board, recently received an award from a local bar association for working with others to find common ground in a “respectful and civil manner.”

Tirio's lawyer files proposed defamation suit with discovery petition

By W.J. Kennedy | May 18, 2018

Joe Tirio’s lawyer attached a proposed defamation lawsuit to a court petition that seeks to reveal who was behind three political mailers attacking Tirio during his Republican primary campaign for McHenry County clerk.

Joe Tirio, other GOP targets of mysterious 'Illinois Integrity Fund' are getting their day in court

By W.J. Kennedy | May 7, 2018

The shadowy political players that financed some vicious, completely unsubstantiated mailers targeting a slate of county-level Republican candidates will be unmasked if Joe Tirio, McHenry County recorder, wins his day in court.

McSweeney calls out Algonquin trustees for protesting township consolidation bill on taxpayers' dime

By W.J. Kennedy | May 3, 2018

House-approved legislation that would allow both township boards and residents to dissolve townships in McHenry County and reduce local taxes is the first step in eliminating other redundant, costly local governments statewide, state Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills), the sponsor of the bill, believes.

Mystery surrounds Hoffman Estates group behind campaign mailers

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 28, 2018

A Chicago-based printer with ties to the Democratic Party printed campaign mailers that targeted county-level Republican primary candidates, according to a Northwest Herald story. But the group that funded the mailers, Illinois Integrity Fund, remains a mystery; even a Hoffman Estates address used as the return address on the mailers could be bogus.

Skillicorn: Rauner needs to heed his base

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 28, 2018

A post-primary poll shows that re-election prospects for incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner look bleak. An Odgen & Fry survey shows him down 22 points compared with Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker, and in an almost certain death knell for a politician, Rauner’s unfavorables are nearly double his favorables.