The McHenry County Epilog

Like a game of virtual whack-a-mole, the McHenryCountyBlog was down. But not for long. As readers of this blog are aware ...

McHenry County Blockage

the McHenryCountyBlog had gone dark for most of the weekend, by all indications rendered inoperable by a Russian cyber-attack.

It is unknown if the tiredout theocrats at the McHenryCountyBlog paid any of the ransom demanded by the Russian criminals. Because, even with the $4 RetailMeNot coupon, a $45.95 ransom payment is still equivalent to a month's wage in right-to-work McHenry County.

Your LakeCountyEye does know that calls were made, and by Sunday night the Russian cyber-crooks had their business license terminated.  With extreme prejudice.

What your LakeCountyEye does not know is who made the calls and who they were made to.

Note to Ops: Ask your LakeCountyEye no secrets, you'll be told no lies.

McHenry County Blockage

An actual unretouched screencap of the homepage of the McHenryCountyBlog all weekend:

The tiredout theocrats at the McHenryCountyBlog are nodoubt the victims of a Russian ransomeware attack. And are in a dither.

Note to Ops: Just pay the ransom. How much could they be demanding -- 30 bucks?

Meet the New Walsh

It's no secret that Joe Walsh tends to get a little trigger happy. But this is ridiculous:

"Screw the NRA."

Parkland Father Launches New 'Dad's For Gun Safety' Campaign | MSNBC

Conservative Ex Lake County Congressman Joe Walsh was seen on MSNBC last week, favoring gun control legislation.

Has Walsh gone off the reservation? Does he want your guns?

More likely, firebrand Joe Walsh is rebranding.  While rightwing-MAGA-Trump schtick may play well south of I-80, Illinois is still a blue state.  Particularly when your base of operations is the Chicago area. If Walsh, who used to be a radio deejay, is looking to run for higher office, or is simply looking for a job, dialing down the krayzee may be a necessary step.

You heard it here first!

Gentlemen, You Can’t Fight in Here, This is an Amusement Park

Your LakeCountyEye went to a fight the other night, and an amusement park broke out:

Lake County authorities say they responded to a large fight that broke out Sunday night at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. Gurnee police said they were alerted around 7 p.m. that multiple disturbances and fights had been reported throughout the park.
Authorities call large group of people fighting Sunday at Six Flags Great America an isolated incident

People may say Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, but it goes without saying that one Lake County theme park is the scrappiest place on earth.

Your LakeCountyEye was assured that every theme park has a bouncer and this one is no exception:

The authorities responsible for cleaning up these incidents issued a sternly worded statement: "If you kids don't stop fighting back there we'll turn around and go back into lockdown."

Where's the Fire?

On Monday, the Lake County ethylene oxide plant failed to explode in Lake County:

A chemical plant north of Rockford has been referred to the Illinois attorney general's office for environmental violations one day after a fire broke out at the facility, forcing an evacuation order for nearby homes and businesses and closing roads.
Rockton chemical fire could take 7 days to burn out, fire chief says, as state officials refer company for environmental violations

Some Lake County residents are concerned about the chemical fallout and the quality of their air:

Smoke from the massive fire that engulfed the Chemtool plant in Rockton, Illinois, on Monday was so extensive it was picked up on radar systems operated from satellites in space
Thick Smoke From Rockton Chemical Plant Fire Spotted on Weather Radars

One industry hotshot, however, told your LakeCountyEye: "Oh give me a break. You can still see McHenry County, can't you?"

Taxation Without Riparianation

Q: How many Lake County residents do not live in the Village of Third Lake?
A: Lots!

This US Census fact is not lost on the Village of Third Lake which wants to levy a $30 fee on all of these non-residents:

Village of Third Lake Lakes Commission
April 26, 2021 Minutes

5E. an addition to fee schedule for nonresidents which would charge them a $30 fee annually for access to adjacent lake and $60 for both lakes

Note to Ops: Those hoping to avoid fees are advised to move into the Village of Third Lake.

Go South

Experts now warn the Lake County exploding oil train could explode downstate:

A proposed merger between Canadian National and Kansas City Southern has one Southland mayor concerned about increased train traffic, delays, noise and environmental concerns
More rail traffic in Chicago's south suburbs? Views differ on impact of Canadian National-Kansas City Southern merger

One big wheel at one railroad told your LakeCountyEye: "Oh gimme a break. Anyone who moved from Lake County down to the southside to get out of the blast zone gets what they deserve."

June Rhymes with Inopportune

If elections are a football game then the 2022 Illinois Primary just had the goalposts moved:

Illinois lawmakers sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker legislation to move next year's March 15 primary to June 28
Illinois legislators send to Gov. J.B. Pritzker a bill to move 2022 primary to June 28 and make curbside voting a permanent fixture of elections

The 2022 Primary petition period was also reduced from 12 weeks to 7 weeks:

Candidates would begin circulating petitions on Jan. 13 and would file them with the State Board of Elections between March 7 and 14.
Illinois legislators send to Gov. J.B. Pritzker a bill to move 2022 primary to June 28 and make curbside voting a permanent fixture of elections

Shortening the petition period runs out the clock on challengers, who lack the built-in campaign infrastructure that incumbents enjoy.  Like, for instance, entrenched incumbent 26th District State Senator Dan McConchie.

However, one local advance-man told your LakeCountyEye: "Casey Urlacher isn't worried. He plans to run as a write-in candidate."

Note to Ops: Make up your own NFL betting joke here.