Computer Taken for Evidence in Round Lake Area

A rumor is circulating the Round Lake area. The spouse of a village trustee (and who is also a village appointee) is under investigation by law enforcement. A computer was seized for possible evidence of a sex offense. More details should be forthcoming within the next few days.

Endorsed by the Daily Herald

The Daily Herald is not amused. The municipal elections are just two weeks away and candidates are fudging their Daily Herald endorsements. The Daily Herald says so:

While the Daily Herald editorial board strives to weigh all issues in an election before making its endorsement, it usually weighs in afterward only if its members believe their endorsement is being distorted in the campaign. Such was the case after a recent mailer in the Long Grove trustee race appeared to imply the Daily Herald had endorsed an entire slate when in fact the newspaper had endorsed only one of its members.
Daily Herald disputes Long Grove candidates' mailer

Word on the street says the Daily Herald editorial board is so tightfisted when it comes to doling out endorsements that a cutthroat after-market exists for the highly prized seal-of-approval. Candidates are warned that the County has been flooded with stolen endorsements, not to mention cheap Chinese knockoffs.

Your LakeCountyEye joins the Daily Herald and roundly condemns the misuse of their endorsements. There are no shortcuts to a Daily Herald endorsement short of hard work, talent, perseverance and incumbency.

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Move along, there is nothing endorsed here.

Forty-Five to Seventy or Fight!

Jim Oberweis, honorary Lake County Republican State Senator, is steamed. And that steam isn't coming out of the 2-stroke, 15hp espresso maker at any Oberweis ice cream parlor:

New speed limits of 60 to 65 mph on toll roads proposed by agency officials have steamed state Sen. Jim Oberweis, sponsor of a 2014 law setting a 70 mph limit, and point to a showdown in Springfield.
Oberweis, tollway showdown emerging over 70 mph

Illinois Tollway Agency officials reserve the privilege to name a speed limit on any of their tollroads. Oberweis, according to the Daily Herald, begs to differ:

Oberweis thinks his law trumps the agency's claims that it has the legal right to set speeds, and he wants to call them on the carpet. Ignoring the 70 mph policy is a "blatant disregard of the will of the people and a misapplication of an overwhelmingly supported law that is passed," said Oberweis, a Sugar Grove Republican.
Oberweis, tollway showdown emerging over 70 mph

Whenever the question is My Way or the Highway? your LakeCountyEye burns rubber in order to run across Dr. I.M. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, the resident Roads Scholar at the College of Lake County.

"Ya." chortled Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "If Jim Oberweis thinks Illinois Law always trumps the old-boy-network he should try running for election here in Lake County. And file his paperwork over at the Lake County Election Commission."

Your LakeCountyEye was all like oh pooh. That was totally different.

"Absolutely different in one respect," continued Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The Illinois Tollway Authority controls the Route 53 Extension, and they promised to cap the speed limit at 45mph. But the Lake County crony-combine -- those insiders who don't think anything about the Route 53 Extension goes fast enough -- will be in court, one day, waving the 70mph Law."

Was 70mph significant of anything -- why not 65 or 75?

"70 is a dog-whistle to the conservative religious voter base." explained Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The days of our years are threescore years and ten. It's in the Bible. Look it up."

Right on the money, according to the LakeCountyEye Bible Widget:

But regarding the Route 53 Extension, wouldn't it benefit everyone to find common ground?

"A compromise is being considered." smiled Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "The Route 53 Extension may become a double-deck highway. At ground level the speed will still be 45mph. But on the upper level, where Jim Oberweis and other big-wheels will be licensed to drive, it's 70mph all the way to the border. They're going to call it the OberPass."

Too much information. Was there any parting advice for the Operatives?

Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi was preoccupied, studying the Oberweis Dairy menu above the ice cream counter: "These all look good ... I'll take the Rocky Road."

An Electoral Shock

There's an old saying in politics: "Be nice to everyone when you're getting up because you never know when you'll be going down." Haha, honorary Republican Lake County Congressman, Aaron Schock, flamed out spectacularly this week. Schock resigned from Congress and is under Federal investigation for pursuing an overblown lifestyle -- one guaranteed to make the Queen of England blush.

The news came without much warning -- Schock no doubt was feeling mixed emotions when he saw that all the long knives were out for him.

One of the longest knives to come out of the cracks belonged to vestigial Lake County Congressman, Peter Roskam.  As readers of this blog most certainly recall ...

The Schock of the New

Schock backed out of commitments to support Roskam on his bush-league effort to become the US House Majority Whip. For the record, Roskam's coveted job went to some goober from North Carolina.

They say that elephants never forget. They also say that revenge is a dish best served cold. Combine the two and now Peter Roskam currently sits on the House Benghazi Committee -- while Aaron Schock better get himself all lawyered-up, and tout suite, because his ass is in a jam.

So now that his seat is effectively up for grabs, what lies ahead for boy-wonder ex-Congressman Aaron Schock? Will he be bunking with Jesse Jackson Jr -- at the Butner Low Security Federal Prison? Or is he facing a bum rap? Time will only tell.

In the meantime, your LakeCountyEye invites Schock to come on over to Lake County. Where likeminded young-gun Republican officeholders would be tickled pink to see Schock lay bare some of his tricks of the trade.

Association for the Advancement of Tire Persons?

As far as journalistic principles go, the Chicago Tribune sets a pretty high bar. A significantly higher bar, to say the least, when compared to anything you would read in the LakeCountyEye:

Our work as journalists must always center on meeting the needs and interests of readers, viewers and listeners, and we must provide them with journalism that is trustworthy, relevant and valuable. If they have reason to doubt the credibility of our work, quality won't matter -— they will go elsewhere. That is especially important in the increasingly competitive multimedia world. Those who turn to us must be confident that the news we deliver -— as text or photo, audio or video -— is accurate and free of the influence of special interests, whether public or private, commercial or political, our own or that of our friends.
Tribune Code of Editorial Principles
Preamble

Your LakeCountyEye observed that the Tribune bought some suburban dailies from the Sun-Times a few months ago. One of the newspapers -- the News-Sun -- has benefited from an overdue face-lift. But your LakeCountyEye just assumed the News-Sun would also be expected to live up to the the Tribune's exacting editorial standards:

Heroin overdose antidote saves 2 lives in same day; 6 since Christmas in Lake County

Sharpeyed Operatives will instantly recognize Lake County State's Attorney, Michael Nerheim, circled above. While circled below is an ad for Waukegan Tire -- a Nerheim family owned business operated by Jerry Nerheim, Julie Scroggins and Steve Nerheim.

Note to Ops: Maybe no one at the News-Sun ever reads anything in the Tribune?

Recovering Resources, Transforming Water: The Old Sanitary District Embarks on a Bold New Chapter

Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy

At a time when the threats of too much and too little water cover the globe, Debra Shore will speak on innovations for water control, conservation and cleanliness. Elected to the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago in 2006 and 2012, Debra Shore is a strong advocate for cleaning up the Chicago waterways and for resource recovery. Debra received the Public Officials Award from the Water Environment Federation in 2013.

• Sunday
  March 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

World's Oldest Confession

News-Sun readers last week were asked to share this tag-line with friends:

Another Lake County conviction is set to be thrown out.
DNA clears Lake County man serving 20 years for abduction, rape

One minute you're free -- the next you're doing 20-to-life for something you didn't do. Is it safe to leave your home in Lake County? Your LakeCountyEye asked the expert, Dr. I.M. Bhatschidtkhrazzi, Professor of Free Legal Advice the College of Lake County.

"We're giving these away." said Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. He handed your LakeCountyEye a bumper-sticker:

HONK IF YOU'VE BEEN
WRONGFULLY CONVICTED
IN LAKE COUNTY

False convictions are the new-normal, observed your LakeCountyEye.

"Absolutely." said Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "And there are a few commonsense measures that you the taxpayer can observe to protect yourself."

Your LakeCountyEye wanted to be told more.

"If they don't have any evidence, the easiest way for them to get a false conviction," explained Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "is with a false confession. So just don't confess to anything."

Easier said than done, your LakeCountyEye thought out loud.

"Ya, if you're down in the station house, and under interrogation," continued Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "they will wear you out until they got you confessing to the Lindbergh kidnapping, Jimmy Hoffa or Jack the Ripper."

What can someone like your LakeCountyEye do?

"That's easy." smiled Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "If they haven't charged you, don't go down to the station house."

Refuse?

"Well," chuckled Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "you can start by not returning their calls. And if they do reach you, just say you're not available for the next 3 or 4 months. Tell them you have Ebola or something."

Your LakeCountyEye was taken aback. Investigators typically solicit information to help them resolve a possible crime.

Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi frowned. "You haven't been paying attention, have you? They are throwing a dragnet. If it happens to be you that gets caught, everyone gets to go home early."

Not a pleasant thought.

"Sure, go talk with them, if you prefer." continued Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "But meet on neutral territory -- never go to the station house."

Meet, like, at your place of residence?

"Haha." laughed Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "Too funny."

What was your LakeCountyEye thinking?

"Go somewhere public." said Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi, "Meet at Chuck-E-Cheese -- any place with a bouncer in case things get out of hand."

Chuck-E-Cheese?

"That's perfect." grinned Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi. "Who's gonna hear what anyone says there anyways, over all the noise? And make sure they pay for the pepperoni rolls."

Your LakeCountyEye heard enough, and quite well. Did Dr Bhatschidtkhrazzi have any parting advice?

"Tell your Operatives that I'm a licensed bondsman. If they mention your name I'll give them a professional discount."

Q the Eye/03.15.15

Dear LakeCountyEye,

I read with interest your article on how to secure a commission appointment with the Rauner administration:

Clout of Commissions

You advised prospective appointees to make a significant monetary contribution to the Bruce Rauner Transition Committee. Surely you were joking.

All kidding aside, how do I go about obtaining a seat on a State Commission?

A New Bruce Sweeps Clean

Dear Lobby Broom,

Absolutely. Your LakeCountyEye was only kidding, haha. No doubt about it, whatsoever at all.

It is not only unseemly but illegal to make a donation to an elected official with the expectation of a political favor in return.

Instead, you should emulate the example of Jeffrey Brincat, a Highland Park resident and CEO of Consumer Financial Services Inc. Jeffrey Brincat, Kelly Brincat, and Cynthia Brincat made contributions totaling more than $13,500 to Citizens for Rauner, Inc:

Illinois State Board of Elections

Furthermore, various Consumer Financial Services franchises made contributions totaling $29,000 to Citizens for Rauner, Inc:

Illinois State Board of Elections

The contributions total-up to: $13,500 + $29,000 = $42,500

Now, anyone who made a significant contribution to Bruce Rauner's election committee, while hoping to see a State Commission appointment, would automatically have a strike against him. In some cases 42,500 strikes. Last week, nevertheless, Governor Rauner appointed Jeffrey Brincat to chair the Illinois State Racing Commission.

All of which goes to illustrate your LakeCountyEye's point: you may have 1, 2, 3 even 42,500 strikes against you, but can still obtain a high-profile Illinois Commission appointment. Just overcome your obstacles with hard work, perseverance and by being the best man for the job!

If you are an elected official, or a previously elected official, or just a private citizen under indictment, send your political questions to Q the Eye c/o ... LakeCountyEye@gMail.com

100% Cotton?

Did Mark Kirk violate the Logan Act? Members of the Lake County Federal Crimes Task Force think he did. Deputies from the County Special Unit vowed to haul the US Senator down to the station and keep him there until he "sings like a choirgirl on the Sunday after prom."

Haha, j/k. But as readers of this blog are aware ...

Q the Eye/03.10.15

Mark Kirk signed the so-called Cotton Letter -- a threatening letter sent to the leaders of Iran -- arguably breaking Federal Law.

Kirk has been prolific when it comes to issuing tough-talking press releases about Iran:

Latest News | Mark Kirk | Senator for Illinois

Judging from the rhetoric, Kirk is a war-hawk who thinks Iran is a clear and present danger to the United States.

These Iran press releases were all sent to your LakeCountyEye's inbox -- with the exception of one: Kirk Statement on Cotton Letter Regarding Congress and Iran

To find this press release, you need to dig through Kirk's Senate website. It's all like Mark Kirk needed to acknowledge that he signed the letter, but he didn't want anyone to know.

The actual press release breaks no news. Anyone expecting observations regarding the legality of the Cotton letter, or why Kirk agreed to be a signatory, will be disappointed. The "statement" doesn't do much more than restate the content of the letter sent to the Ayatollahs in Iran:

In exchange for allowing Iran to maintain the capabilities to build nuclear weapons, the Administration promises to "comprehensively lift" as many as 14 Iran sanctions laws, many of which passed with bipartisan veto-proof majorities. There is no Constitutional authority granting a president unilateral power to repeal American law. Sanctions should not be weakened until Iran stops its nuclear weapons program, stops supporting and exporting terrorism, stops aggression against its neighbors, stops egregious human rights abuses, and stops threatening to annihilate Israel. A better deal, with bipartisan congressional backing, is the best insurance policy against a nuclear Iran, a destructive arms race, and war in the Middle East.
Kirk Statement on Cotton Letter Regarding Congress and Iran

This press-release (cum statement) addresses neither the criticism that the Cotton Letter has provoked, nor the fact that it bears Kirk's signature. Which only underscores both.

Note to Mark Kirk Ops: if Senator's goal is to cover up the gaffe, your secret is good with your LakeCountyEye.

If Wishes Were Horses Beggars Would Ride

Spring has finally sprung in Lake County. And not a minute too soon, especially for those of you disposed to walking rather than driving. Note to Ops: never bet the cab-fare on a horse named Loan Shark.

But as readers of this blog are aware ...

Gov Rauner Names Payday Loan CEO to Chair Racing Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has named Jeffrey Brincat to Chair the Illinois Racing Board. Besides being a Highland Park resident, Brincat is also the CEO of Consumer Financial Services Inc.

Both Brincat as well as Consumer Financial Services are substantial donors to Bruce Rauner's election committee. A spokesman for the new Governor however told your LakeCountyEye that the principles of corporate synergy were solely behind the appointment.

"Why would the Governor name the CEO of a so-called payday loan organization to head the Racing Board?" said the spokesman. "Quite simply these two business sectors positively reinforce each other. Let's say the horses are running on Friday afternoon but you don't get your paycheck until Monday morning. Do you stay home all weekend and pine away? Of course not, you get an advance on your paycheck from a payday loan company, and then head to the track. If you're lucky you will turn that small investment into a sizable nest-egg, pay back that loan with interest, and have enough left over to play the ponies next week. It's a win-win for everyone!"

Note to Ops: this is one example why Governor Bruce Rauner is a billionaire and you aren't.

Q the Eye/03.10.15

An Open Letter to the Leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran:

It has come to our attention while observing your nuclear negotiations with our government that you may not fully understand our constitutional system. Thus, we are writing to bring to your attention two features of our Constitution—the power to make binding international agreements and the different character of federal offices—which you should seriously consider as negotiations progress.

First, under our Constitution, while the president negotiates international agreements, Congress plays the significant role of ratifying them. In the case of a treaty, the Senate must ratify it by a two-thirds vote. A so-called congressional-executive agreement requires a majority vote in both the House and the Senate (which, because of procedural rules, effectively means a three-fifths vote in the Senate). Anything not approved by Congress is a mere executive agreement.

Second, the offices of our Constitution have different characteristics. For example, the president may serve only two 4-year terms, whereas senators may serve an unlimited number of 6-year terms. As applied today, for instance, President Obama will leave office in January 2017, while most of us will remain in office well beyond then—perhaps decades.

What these two constitutional provisions mean is that we will consider any agreement regarding your nuclear-weapons program that is not approved by the Congress as nothing more than an executive agreement between President Obama and Ayatollah Khamenei. The next president could revoke such an executive agreement with the stroke of a pen and future Congresses could modify the terms of the agreement at any time.

We hope this letter enriches your knowledge of our constitutional system and promotes mutual understanding and clarity as nuclear negotiations progress.

Sincerely,
Senator Mark Kirk, R-IL

Dear Senator Mark Kirk, R-IL,

Your LakeCountyEye is happy to post your open letter to the Mullahs of Iran.

This blog boasts a robust international readership from over 100 foreign countries -- which include spam-bots from Russia, China, North Korea as well as phishing scams from Nigeria. Rest assured your message will be received by the hard-line Iranian Ayatollahs, loud and clear.

It has come to your LakeCountyEye's attention, nonetheless, that the authors of this letter may have violated the Logan Act and could be prosecuted for treason. While such a turn of events may seem unlikely, it should be noted that the Senator as well as your LakeCountyEye are both residents of Lake County. Where the innocent are incarcerated as routinely as the guilty, irrespective of their culpability.

Just sayin!

If you are an elected official, or a previously elected official, or just a private citizen under indictment, send your political questions to Q the Eye c/o ... LakeCountyEye@gMail.com

Gov Rauner Names Payday Loan CEO to Chair Racing Board

Judging from the number of people Bruce Rauner tapped for his new administration, Lake County must be a cornucopia of able executive talent. Either that or all of the IL GOP's big donors live in Lake County. From the Chicago Tribune:

Newly elected Governor Bruace Rauner has named residents of Lake Forest and Highland Park to the Illinois Racing Board. In a statement released Feb. 27, Rauner announced the appointment of Lake Forest resident Jeffrey Brincat, 52, thne CEO of Consumer Financial Services Inc., as chairman of the Racing Board.
Lake Forest, Highland Park residents named to state racing board

In 2010, I reported in this blog that ...

Jumping the Shark

Jeffrey Brincat was a top executive at Mercury Finance Co., which collapsed in 1997 as a result of accounting fraud. John Brincat, Jeffrey Brincat's father and CEO of Mercury Finance, went to federal prison, as a result of the fraud, in 2007.

Jeffrey Brincat now runs Consumer Financial Services Inc., which is a high-rate, "payday" loan business not unlike Mercury Finance. Mercury set up shop mostly near military bases and lent money to GIs and other low-income borrowers at high interest rates. A Consumer Financial Services facility is near the Great Lakes Naval Base.

Last month Governor Rauner said he wanted to withhold $6 billion in income tax revenue from Illinois villages and cities. This would put an unprecedented burden on local government.  Could these municipalities cover the huge shortfall by borrowing? I know where these towns and villages could go for a quick, no-doc loan.

The Old Run-a-Rauner

Lake County got scrooged. Beta-Governor Bruce Rauner wants to keep your tax dollars way down yonder in Springfield Illinois.

The Daily Herald said ...

When Gov. Bruce Rauner suggested withholding half of the municipal share of income tax revenues to shore up state finances, he assumed towns could absorb the loss by dipping into their reserves. That's easier said than done in some places, according to a Daily Herald analysis of reserves in 90 suburbs. Island Lake is one example. Already in the red by nearly $200,000, the town would lose $400,000 more next year if Rauner's income tax cuts are implemented by the legislature.
Griffin: Rauner plan could cost suburbs 25% of reserves

The Chicago Tribune said ...

Good morning, Waukegan Mayor Wayne Motley. Your city just lost more than $4 million. Wakey-wakey, Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik. Your village just lost $1.5 million. Ditto for Grayslake, North Chicago, Highland Park and Zion. Mundelein Village President Steve Lentz must operate with $1.5 million less and Libertyville's Terry Weppler lost $1 million. The four villages that bear variations of the Round Lake name lost $2.5 million. From the south (Buffalo Grove's $2 million) to the north (Antioch's $700,000) to the county government coffers ($4 million), Lake County budgeters have a steep hill if the deal stands.
Budget battle is heating up between Rauner, local government

Not to be outdone, Rauner (who was in Mundelein this week) said County taxes were too high ...

Rauner said only a few communities in New Jersey have higher property taxes than Lake County, but getting a handle on government spending can bring some relief.
Rauner decries high Lake County property taxes during Mundelein visit

Your LakeCountyEye attended the same Mundelein Rotary luncheon:

• Fried Chicken
• Mashed Potatoes
• Corn on the Cob
• Jello Salad

When your LakeCountyEye arrived, Rauner was talking. Rauner did not field any questions but the goshillionare businessman/Governor did have some pointed advice on how Lake County could stay competitive despite dwindling Springfield tax subsidies. Your LakeCountyEye wrote down 10 recommendations:

A Lake County Action Plan: Ten Directives from Bruce Rauner, CEO, State of Illinois

Raise the Speed Limit on the Route 53 Extension to 85 MPH More Revenue Generating Oil Trains Fewer Revenue Consuming Trade Unions Get a Good Election Commission Build Another Casino Incarcerate Fewer Innocent People and Expect Fewer Lawsuits And While You're At It, Eighty-Six that Rubber-Stamp State's Attorney's Case Review Commission Two Words: Forest-Preserve Wine-Club You Can Never Have Too Many TIF Districts The Food Banks are Empty? Let Them Eat Cake!

Look for a fly on the wall -- aka your LakeCountyEye -- at a Rotary lunch near you.

Mr Tease

There was a time, once, when the bad-boy Congressman from Illinois did not answer to the name Aaron Schock. Haha, Ex-Congressman Joe Walsh, as readers of this blog are aware, may be getting back in the game:

Special Election

Walsh told Politico that he would like to run for US Senate:

Could Rep. Joe Walsh's next act be a campaign for Senate?
Joe Walsh, tea party firebrand, weighs Senate campaign

Walsh said that back in 2012. Around the same time he told Roll Call he would run against Randy Hultgren:

Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) announced Wednesday he’ll seek re-election in the 14th district next year, setting up his state's first official face-off between two GOP Members.
Joe Walsh to Run Against Randy Hultgren in Illinois

Apparently not to be outdone, Huffington Post reported that Walsh could run for Governor:

Walsh said he has not ruled out challenging Gov. Pat Quinn in the 2014 gubernatorial race in Illinois.
Joe Walsh, Governor? Illinois Congressman Talks Political Future At Last Town Hall Meeting

But that was then. This is now.

Last week Walsh was telling The Hill that he might challenge Mark Kirk for his US Senate seat:

Controversial former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) is talking up a Tea Party challenge to Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.).
Joe Walsh eyes comeback bid

Insanity may be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. But in politics, doing the same thing over and over again is the cheap-and-easy way to earn some time beneath the media spotlight ...

Sun-Times:
Former Rep. Joe Walsh 'looking at' bid to oust Sen. Mark Kirk

Daily Herald:
Joe Walsh eyes challenge to U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk

Capitol Fax:
Mark Kirk should be so lucky

... and without really having to do anything.

Fixed Convictions

Probably half of the Lake County criminal justice system were seen Saturday night, on the CBS prime-time crime show 48 Hours. Another Lake County criminal conviction is under media investigation:

Blaming Melssa

In related news, the County is asking the Federal Government for transportation subsidies. This is to help subsidize the cost of all the people who've been railroaded in Lake County.

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Do not stop on the train tracks.