Ever since it was revealed that GOP Senate Candidate Mark Kirk planned on deploying "voter integrity" squads to key "vulnerable" (read; minority) precincts across the state, allegations of racism have dogged the move. Kirk's opponent, Alexi Giannoulias, has fired off letters to State's Attorney's across the state urging them to keep an eye on voter intimidation. The Giannoulias campaign has upped the ante further, linking voter suppression expert Hans von Spavkosky to voter suppression efforts in Illinois; von Spavkosky called the allegations "complete bullshit." more ›

Illinois state politics took another turn for the worse when McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi, along with his executive assistant, Joyce Synek, were indicted on corruption charges. Bianchi, who was serving on his second term as the state's attorney, was served a 17-page felony indictment yesterday:

A special grand jury indicted State's Atty. Louis Bianchi on conspiracy and official misconduct charges that accuse him of using county employees and equipment for political purposes.

"I am stunned by this indictment because I have done nothing wrong," Bianchi said in the press statement. "In private practice before and in public life now, I have always acted lawfully and with integrity. This episode represents the first time in my 42-year career that my integrity has been questioned."

A McHenry County 11-year-old is in hot water after a kidnapping prank she pulled. The girl apparently left a note behind in a bank in Richmond claiming she had been kidnapped over a year ago and that authorities should be contacted. Which, uh, they were. Richmond Police Det. Pam Hewett said the girl was tracked down safe and sound at her father's home in Havard and added, "I asked her why she did it and she just kind of shrugged her shoulders." The child is currently on probationary status which means she could face stiffer punishment "if she doesn't comply with their conditions." more ›

Joshua Slaten, 33, of 15520 Kishwaukee Valley Rd. in Woodstock, was driving a white Chevrolet Impala and was stopped by police on Friday night for a traffic violation at 6:03 p.m. in the 300 block of South Madison Street in Woodstock, according to police. When the vehicle was stopped, Slaten--a passenger in the car--attempted to flee, but was chased and eventually captured by police. While investigating the vehicle, police found drug paraphernalia and "substances consistent with the manufacturing of narcotics within the vehicle," according to a release from the Woodstock police. more ›

A marijuana growing operation at two homes in McHenry County was raided this week by the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, the McHenry County Sheriff, and federal authorities. Together, they collected 2,200 plants from a home in the 7900 block of Maple Street in Marengo and 2,100 plants from a home in the 17600 block of Kishwaukee Valley Road near Woodstock, or about $6.6 million in marijuana plants altogether. According to the Sun-Times: more ›

We've all been extremely frustrated by authority figures in our lives. But as we get older and - hopefully - more mature, we realize there are ways to channel and cope with this anger and, occasionally, battle the source of the anger. But not Kane Kellett, who resorted to more adolescent ways of communicating his frustration with a judge and wound up with six months of jail for contempt of court. It seems, according to the Daily Herald, Kellett gave the judge the One Finger Salute when he was asked to raise his right hand when being sworn in and threw in some obscenities for good measure. This from a guy who had been arrested less than 12 hours before on warrants for home invasion, aggravated battery and other charges including attacking a pregnant woman. The list of crimes had landed Kellett on the McHenry County Sheriff's Top 10 Most Wanted List. more ›

The McHenry County sheriff's office made quite a find recently, bringing a new definition to the term "bumper crop." Sheriffs found over 500 marijuana plants growing amongst corn in several locations in fields near Richmond. The plants were "ready to harvest" and could have brought in almost $600,000 if they made it to the streets. Authorities are still trying to figure out who planted them. [Tribune] more ›

Health officials in McHenry County are urging caution among residents as 13 rabid bats have been identified so far this year. It's nothing new for McHenry residents as their county had the most rabid bats reported in 2008 with 23 and the current tally of 13 also leads the state so far this year. According to a WBBM report, "Statewide, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 37 as of August 3rd. August is typically a very active month for bats, the release said." The WBBM story has several precautions to help protect you and prevent rabies as well as what you can do if a bat makes its way into your house. We also recommend the "Business School" episode of The Office (available here, for now). more ›

On January 9, 2008, a tornado struck northern Illinois, leaving a trail of damage from Poplar Grove (Boone County) all the way to Harvard (McHenry County). The timing of the tornado was just right as to run across some tracks right when a train was passing by. Thanks to a camera mounted on the train, we see what happens when a train battles a tornado: Mother Nature wins. more ›

A Cary woman was maybe bitten by a rabid bat, so McHenry County officials are warning people stay the eff away from the flying mammals. Bat bites can be so tiny they're almost impossible to detect, so people who've been around bats are often given rabies vaccines as a precaution. This is the 15th report of a rabid bat in Illinois so far this year; 113 were reported last year, but there hasn't been a case of rabies in a person in Illinois since 1954. According to the CDC, tens of thousands of people are treated for possible rabies exposure every year, but a few still die. more ›

This week's warm temperatures aren't without a downside. A downside of tornado variety. More than 30 tornadoes hit the Midwest yesterday (map), killing at leas two people and destroying homes across Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Illinois. Winds were powerful enough to derail a freight train, which was conveniently carrying toxic materials through McHenry County, so about 500 people had to be evacuated. Yesterday's heavy rain flooded parts of the region, and we remain under a flood warning today. more ›

You'll remember the story of Dave Warwak, the middle school art instructor in Fox River Grove who put down the paints, chalks and paste to passionately talk to his students about the virtues of the vegan lifestyle. If by "passionately" we meant "beat the kids over the head about how all hot dogs are sketchy-assed." When he was busted for doing that, he took the concept of "keeping it real" to Chappellian levels, demanding that... more ›

Between bullies, queen bees and questionable gymnastics moves, school playgrounds have always been dangerous places. This might take the cake, though. The Woodstock Early Learning Center recently had 12 truckloads of mulch delivered and spread over their playground to keep kids safe while playing and fighting and falling on the ground ... except the mulch contained 3,000 nails. Welcome to Tetanus Land, kids. There's been lots of back-and-forthing between the school, who wants a full... more ›

Dave Warwak was just another mild-mannered middle school art teacher in Anywhere, USA (actually Fox River Grove Middle School in McHenry County). Then, in January, he switched to a vegan diet, sold his boat and fishing tackle from his side job as a fishing guide, and became politicized on the issue of animal rights. Last week Warwak handed his students a book by John Robbins titled The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save... more ›

You've seen them before. You can't help but notice them as you crawl out to the suburbs for whatever reason, a constant reminder that you still haven't sucked it up and bought an I-Pass. And for those of you who did make the investment, those bright blue signs winking out "Open Road Tolling - Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor" seem to say, "This is for you, buddy. Wasn't it worth it to play into my hands... more ›

Everyone in Wheaton can rest easy now, Wheaton North High School Principal Jill Bullo told parents in a letter sent home last week. The spooge-spiked ranch dressing poses no health risk to students, so eat up kids! more ›

Forgive us, we just watched Snatch again the other night (the movie, you pervs). To tell the truth, we're not too crazy about the creatures. People have been killed in our bar brawls for taking their side and insinuating that cats are anything less than little gods that happen to chase snotrags. But, we have let our guard down sometimes concerning cats' mortal enemies. Now, just in time for that fuzzy-wuzzy überholiday known as Christmas,... more ›

Recycling rules, everyone knows that. We like to see people recycling all manner of things. But when we read that libraries are sending books to the recycling center in Woodstock, we couldn't help but wonder - isn't there a better way to recycle a book? more ›

For your perusal, please find enclosed this weekend's wrapup of murder, mayhem and all things in between: more ›

Remember Marcel Macovei, the Romanian guy who was living at O’Hare? After spending nearly three weeks at the McHenry County jail, he was on his way home Tuesday. more ›

The Chicago area Canada goose population is a little smaller this week, but this time it's not because coyotes are eating their eggs. On Saturday morning, residents of McHenry County discovered a gaggle of dead geese on the frozen surface of the Fox River. The body count varies from 19 to 28 depending who you ask, but either way that's a lot of dead birds. more ›

A vehicular theme this week, plus a pistol-packin' mama, really expensive lettuce, an unfortunate time for a heart attack, and stoned dogs? Two suspects were being held for questioning as of Tuesday after somebody rammed a rental van into the front of a fur store and tried to rob the place. Someone had already stolen over 60 furs from the store on Saturday, but this time the would-be robbers were foiled by an off-duty police... more ›

You can't turn a TV to any local station this week without seeing a story about pit bull attacks. On Sunday, three pit bulls escaped from their home in McHenry County and attacked six people, including two children who are still in the hospital in critical condition. Then on Wednesday, police had to shoot three dogs, one pit bull and two mixes, after someone released them while the officers were breaking up a gang fight. more ›

After a long-brewing federal investigation, three North Shore businessmen were convicted yesterday for forcing hospitals to provide them millions of dollars of kickbacks so they could build new facilities, and billing other medical facilities millions of dollars of fraudulent charges. Stuart Levine, a former member of the Illinois Hospital Facilities Planning Board (IHFPB) allegedly channelled business to contractor Jacob Kiferbaum and Bears Stearns investor Nicholas Hurtgen. After Kiferbaum and Hurtgen got the business, Levine would allegedly receive a kickback, and ensure the hospitals' plans would be approved on the IHFPB. (Indictment text here.) more ›

State Representative Jack Franks is a pro-life, pro-gun, anti-tax Democrat. He's also just about the friendliest guy you could ever meet and dominates politics in his home county, northwest exurban McHenry County. He also doesn't want to be a state rep for ever. He clearly wants more. And so he seems to be riding pretty hard a bill he's authored for honesty in advertised movie start times. The guy seems to be everywhere. Today he's... more ›

McWhat? Yes, McHenry County! It's that county just northwest of Cook County, home to film director John Hughes and Woodstock, Illinois, the film location of Groundhog Day. But really, what we'd like to point out is the inordinate amount of bad things that have been happening to the good people of McHenry County. more ›

"Three Ryans and you're out," was Saturday's most pithy comment, uttered by McHenry County Democratic Chair, John Bartman. Following the much anticipated resignation of GOP Senate candidate, Jack Ryan on Friday, the Illinois Republican Party is desperately searching for a replacement candidate. more ›