Special Election

Joe Walsh, Lake County Congressman Emeritus, is back in the news. Walsh is thinking about challenging Mark Kirk in the Republican Primary for US Senate. Walsh told The Hill ...

that the senator's health is part of the reason he shouldn't win another term. "I think because of his overall physical condition I don't know anyone else would consider challenging him and that's just plain wrong," he said.
Joe Walsh eyes comeback bid

Of course, if Walsh does challenge Kirk, the Primary would have to be pretty evenly handicapped.

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Make like a tree and beat it.

Clout of Commissions

Good news everyone: Springfield has a new Governor and he has been giving appointments to high-rollers faster than a medical marijuana clinic. The latest beneficiary of Governor Bruce Rauner's largesse is a Lake County native.  The Capitol Fax says ...

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Joann Fratianni-Atsaves as the chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC).
Rauner's Friday afternoon appointments

If the name sounds familiar, Fratianni-Atsaves is the spouse of Louis Atsaves -- who besides being the Moraine Township GOP Chairman is also the author of Lake County's #1, bar-none, political blog:

Common Sense in Illinois' 10th

Your LakeCountyEye conducted an in-depth investigation and learned that the Chair of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission is not only a paid position, but a handsomely paid position. Handsome to the tune of $125,232 per year, plus expenses:

Workers' Compensation Commission

The good news is that this same Commission has 10 members who are all paid $119,840 per year. Plus expenses.

Now your LakeCountyEye maintains it would be unseemly to appoint anyone to a Commission chaired by his wife. However there are other equally qualified Lake County natives who would not be burdened with the taint of nepotism. Your LakeCountyEye, for instance. Just like Louis Atsaves, your LakeCountyEye produces Lake County's #1 political blog. And like Atsaves, your LakeCountyEye is the Moraine Township GOP Chairman.

Your LakeCountyEye has a proposal for Governor Bruce Rauner.  If your aim is to run Illinois like a business, then your first priority is certainly to keep labor costs down.  This is where your LakeCountyEye comes in.  The minute your LakeCountyEye is appointed to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, a handsome finder's fee will be donated (in your name) to the Governor's website ...

Bruce Rauner Transition Committee

no questions asked.

The key to success, everybody knows, is hiring people better than you. Just sayin!

lrg multi acre grassy bkyd

Good news everyone: your LakeCountyEye has a new job. Lake County's newest real estate agent has just listed a nice 13-acre undeveloped property, and invites Operatives over to Mundelein for a looksee.

This prime piece of acreage is conveniently located between Route 45 and Route 60, in the heart of the Mundelein/Vernon Hills shopping corridor. The Daily Herald called the property a ...

13-acre piece of vacant land that once held a self-storage facility. The land was to be used for rainwater detention.
Wal-Mart plan not derailed by foreclosure, Mundelein mayor says

Designated a multi-use property, the land is zoned both commercial and residential. Most importantly it is zoned agricultural. As readers of this blog are aware ...

The Ganja Line Starts in Mundelein

three marijuana dispensaries in Mundelein were granted licenses last week. The basic laws of economics -- it goes without saying -- dictate that when demand exceeds supply, suppliers reap big rewards.

This is a foreclosure and the land is priced to sell. A municipal government (which shall remain unnamed) has promised to return 50% of all sales taxes generated by the property.

A one-of-a-kind deal like this cannot last for long.

The Ganja Line Starts in Mundelein

While three on a match may be bad luck in a vape lounge -- it won't be in Mundelein. Per the Pioneer Press:

Mundelein attracted all three businesses that were given licenses to sell medical marijuana in Lake County.
Mundelein lands all 3 medical marijuana dispensaries in Lake County

For the inside dope, your LakeCountyEye contacted the one party who wouldn't be just blowing smoke on the subject: Dr. I.M. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, Professor of Potted Plants at the College of Lake County.

"I don't know how many dikes there are in Mundelein," chuckled Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "but with three marijuana dispensaries, the town will be the Amsterdam of Lake County."

Your LakeCountyEye was all like HaHa.

"Ya," added Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "with all those new clinics, the Village is going to have to beef up its EMS services. Do you know if anyone has a deal on a used ambulance?"

Your LakeCountyEye seemed to recollect a fire-sale up in Antioch.

"Last year, Mundelein shelled out $150,000 for a new town logo -- one with a prominent orange M at the top." Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi recalled. "Now we know what that M stands for: Medical Marijuana. Very farsighted of their village government."

Your LakeCountyEye was mucho misconvinced, to say the least.

"Branding is important, also, when it comes to marijuana sales." opined Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "One Mundelein dispensary has already trademarked a strain of cannabis they are calling Hawley Wowie."

Your LakeCountyEye could not imagine its street value.

"If you read the fine print, however" continued Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "the Village of Mundelein can host only one clinic. Those other dispensaries will need to set up shop elsewhere in Lake County. Some sites under consideration are Grass Lake, Highwood, Bhangs Lake, Volo Bong State Park, and Long Grove."

Long Grove?

"Convenient access to the Route 53 Extension." explained Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "Of course, the secret to any retail endeavor is franchising. And medical marijuana is a growth industry. I can get you in on the ground floor."

Your LakeCountyEye would need some seed money. Did Dr. Bhatschidtkhrazzi have any parting advice?"

"If your Operatives know anyone selling farmland in Lake County, call me immediately!"

The 2014 Scottish Referendum: Democracy and the Future of the United Kingdom

Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy

In September, 2014 nearly 85 percent of eligible voters in Scotland turned out for a referendum on their country's proposed independence from the United Kingdom. The measure failed with 55 percent of the people casting "NO" votes, but the process is expected to lead to more power for the Scottish Parliament and possible other reforms in the U.K. DePaul University Professor Euan Hague, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland will discuss the implications of that vote as the countries move forward.

• Sunday
  February 22, 2015
  2:00 pm
• The Stevenson Center on Democracy
  25200 N St Mary's Rd
  Mettawa (Libertyville), IL 60048
  773- 281-0378
• Admission: $15
  No Charge for Students

Lawlor? Lawlor? Lawlor?

Good news everyone: your LakeCountyEye is gainfully employed again. And toils away at Lake County's dirtiest job -- publicist for Aaron Lawlor.

Indefatigable up-and-comer -- and not to mention Lake County Board Chair -- Aaron Lawlor was last seen on this blog ...

Scoop the Poop

doing what public servants do best. Lawlor was observed shoveling excrement, all the while smiling for the cameras.

Haha, Lawlor is the star of the Internet's hottest viral video series, Lake County’s Dirty Jobs. Funded by the taxpayers of Lake County, the video series is supposed to shine a spotlight on some of the dirty jobs performed by County government. Well, whatever it is supposed to be, the first two episodes feature some professional-grade camerawork, editing, scripting, audio overlay -- not to mention bravura performances by Lake County Board Chair, Aaron Lawlor.

The News-Sun took notice and gave the shows the moral equivalent of two thumbs up:

The first jump-out-of-your-skin moment comes 30 seconds into Part I, when a protagonist reports that "one of our pumps is plugged – or partially plugged." The suspense about who gets to do the unplugging – and how it will be done – recalls Clarice Starling walking to her first meeting with Hannibal Lecter.
Moran: Lake County 'Dirty Jobs' films are Oscar contenders

Now your LakeCountyEye doesn't want to sound ungrateful, but that "protagonist" referred to by the News-Sun happens to be Lake County Board Chair, Aaron Lawlor. Who just happens to be speaking to the cameras in just about every scene of Lake County's Dirtiest Jobs.

So how often is Mr Lawlor mentioned in the News-Sun review? As often as zero -- nada -- by your LakeCountyEye's count. Aaron Lawlor's name is not mentioned once in the Sun-Times review. Skeptical Operatives can check for themselves:

Google

Despite the fact that Aaron Lawlor gets at least 10 minutes of camera time in Lake County's Dirtiest Jobs, the News-Sun totally neglects to print his name anywhere in their review. Your LakeCountyEye really, really wonders if anyone is even watching these must-see videos.

For the record, it is spelled: A-A-R-O-N  L-A-W-L-O-R

Do Vaccines Need a Shot in the Arm?

A public health emergency has been issued. A highly contagious and possibly fatal virus -- one that has been dominating the headlines -- has been confirmed and observed near Lake County. Residents are instructed to stay indoors until further notice.

Does your LakeCountyEye refer to the recent measles outbreak? Nope -- your LakeCountyEye refers to Ebola.

Haha, j/k -- it's really the measles.

Those Operatives (who have been living in a plastic bubble) should be aware that infectious diseases are like 45 rpm records. And that the measles just knocked Ebola off the top of the charts.

A vaccine has been available since 1963, and it was believed that the measles had been eradicated in the United States. Well, guess again. Anyone not immune is urged to be vaccinated. The only exception are infants less than a year old, and residents of Wauconda, where it is believed that ...

vaccines have chemicals "that are very harmful to your neurotoxins."
Wauconda trustee candidate calls vaccines dangerous

But if you are anything like your LakeCountyEye, then nothing says 100% total immunity better than a full hazardous material suit. Luckily, the leading manufacturer of hazmat outfits is located right in the middle of Lake County:

I Haz a Suit

And as a consequence, Lake County is measles-free:

Lake County measles test comes back negative

This same leading manufacturer had been threatening to move out of Lake County. If they did move to Wisconsin or Indiana, there is no telling which infectious diseases would be coursing through Lake County today. Fortunately, the Governor intervened:

Medline Industries, the giant medical supply distributor in the northern suburbs, has agreed to keep its headquarters in Illinois in exchange for nearly $18 million in tax credits from the Quinn administration. The Mundelein-based firm, one of the largest private companies in the state, also plans to add at least 200 jobs in Lake County and spend at least $60 million expanding operations statewide, according to a statement from Gov. Pat Quinn.
Medline gets tax break to keep its HQ in Illinois

Lake County is grateful to have a Governor who cares about the health of his State. And not some uber-billionaire with a record of outsourcing jobs, who cares only about being the next Vice President of the United States.

The Gold Seal

Groundhog Day was cancelled in Lake County. Pistakee Phil is still waiting for a road crew to plow the snow out of his groundhog hole.

Haha j/k.

Lake County's roads are making news, however. The Daily Herald says the Lake County Department of Transportation is ...

requesting $540,000 in motor fuel tax funds be spent in hopes of preserving two segments of road before more extensive repairs are needed. The technique is called "microsurfacing" and is being targeted for about three total miles in northern Lake County: Deep Lake Road from Route 173 to the Wisconsin state line and North Avenue from Deep Lake Road to the state line.
Lake County considers new technique to preserve pavement

The technique is similar to sealcoating your driveway. The difference being you don't end up tracking tar all over your house.

In related news, county planners made a surprise announcement: the Route 53 Extension will be paved with gold. One source told your LakeCountyEye that the price of gold is at a five-year low. "If we buy now," he said, "we just wait for the next gold-market bubble, and the Route 53 Extension pays for itself."

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. No phony goldbricking here. Dude.