No Signature Required

Pop Quiz: Name one politician who said some things in the past that he shouldn't have, and surely regrets it now. The correct answer is Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim -- who in 2014, took credit for a major racketeering investigation against a street gang:

"This case signifies a commitment to our new approach at tackling gangs, guns and drugs," Nerheim said. "We will continue to aggressively seek out and prosecute those that bring drugs and violence into our community."
Cops: 21 alleged gang members, associates busted in 'Operation Shut Down the Hustle'

Well that was then but this is now. That year-long RICO case (where 21 people were charged) may be falling apart -- because Nerheim failed to properly issue search warrants:

Lake County Judge George Strickland ruled prosecutors cannot use the wiretap evidence in trials because paperwork seeking the wiretaps was not signed by Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim, as required by law. Nerheim said he didn't specifically sign each wiretap order, but he authorized the chief of his office's gang and narcotic unit in writing to obtain the wiretaps.
Wiretap ruling threatens case against reputed gang members

Whether this lack of due-diligence was the result of systemic incompetence or merely a random screwup, Michael Nerheim will be on the ballot in the November election. And voters can rest assured that there could very well be a simple explanation why Nerheim was unable to complete the necessary paperwork on a multi-agency investigation. Ten, by your LakeCountyEye's reckoning:

10 Plausible Excuses for Neglecting to Sign a Search Warrant

Unable to get out of jury duty. The robo-signature machine is on the fritz. These warrants are clearly stamped:   DO NOT SIGN DOCUMENT WITHOUT READING IN ENTIRETY An attack of the yips. Never signs anything unless a lawyer is present. Spent way too much time on his 2016 absentee ballot ... Got pranked with disappearing ink. Claims a long-term carpal-tunnel disability ... ... from signing a truckload of wrongful prosecution judgment checks. Brain fart.

Look for your LakeCountyEye crossing the T's and dotting the I's near you.