Too Many Chuffs and Not Enough Indians

The Lake County Republican Party held a straw poll last week. And of course there was voter fraud.

The fraudsters "bussed in a bunch of Indian voters":

Another picture. @chicagotribune @ThinkerChicago @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/cFD2xGKTN3

— Gabe F. Guidarini (@GabeGuidarini) April 23, 2022

One GOP spokesman said: "You're damn sure this would never happen if John Wayne was alive now."

100% Mark Off

The Mark Curran spoof website has been removed from the ballot:

Mark Curran For Judge?

This follows in a the wake of a State Board of Elections ruling, where it was determined that Lake County favorite son Mark Curran is not eligible to be a candidate for Supreme Court Justice:

Candidate List - GENERAL PRIMARY - 6/28/2022

One veteran poll watcher told your LakeCountyEye: "I expect an appeal will be filed. Don't count the Mark Curran spoof website out just yet."

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

We Didn't Start the Fire

Note to Ops in McHenry County: When you hear someone shout FIRE! do not automatically assume it is a signal to discharge your weapons.

No, the building might be on fire:

Fire spread quickly through D'Andrea Banquets and Conference Center in Crystal Lake, leaving parts of the roof collapsed and the building a total loss, fire officials said.
D'Andrea Banquets in Crystal Lake 'total loss' following fire

The hall was a favorite haunt of McHenry County Republicans.  It was where they held their annual Lincoln dinner:

One veteran fire investigator told your LakeCountyEye: "This was clearly an Act of God. Anyone who dances with the devil that many times is going to get burned."

Take the Trains ... Please

The Easter Bunny hopped by and he left you this pop quiz:

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road in Lake County?

A: The chicken was a freight train in a chicken costume.

HaHa. When the Kansas City Southern gets bought by the Canadian Pacific Railway, Lake County will be on track to see even more commercial rail traffic:

Should the merger be approved, freight traffic will increase 380% on just the tracks owned Metra, according to an objection the commuter railway filed with the Transportation Safety Board in March. It will also further block traffic at grade crossings in Grayslake, Barrington and locations not part of Metra's network.
Lake County Board opposes proposed train merger; ‘Ambulances and police will not be able to get where they need to go’

A spokesman for the competing Canadian National Railway said: "We vehemently oppose the merger between Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern. How are we supposed to move our exploding bomb trains through Lake County, if the tracks are all clogged up with Canadian Pacific freight?"

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Burn Baby Burn

Did you know that there is a carcinogenic pollutant that may be in the air you are breathing right now? The County, to its credit, is taking steps to mitigate the spread of this airborne toxin. At the same time, some elected officials continue to oppose these safety measures.

Is your LakeCountyEye is referring to ethylene oxide gas emissions?  No.  The carcinogen is smoke from burning leaves.

Indiscriminate leaf burning has been proscribed in unincorporated Lake County:

The measure, described as a step toward protecting public health, replaced a temporary ban enacted more than two years ago due to potential respiratory impacts from the coronavirus. Woody materials can be burned in small fires all year and in larger ones from Nov. 1 to March 31 under the new rules. But leaf burning will be prohibited.
Leaf disposal, cost an issue for some as burning ban nears in Lake County

County Board members Linda Pedersen and J Kevin Hunter, for instance, remain critical of efforts to reduce the amount of smoke particles in Lake County air.

What up with that? One Republican Party spokesman said: "Nothing to see here. Cough. Cough Cough."

Risk to Limb and Limb

The first McHenry County gun owner to shoot himself in the foot this week, failed to also shoot someone else in the foot. He was only able to shoot the other guy in the arm:

A McHenry man in his 50s who works for a Waukegan gun range injured himself and another man when he accidentally fired a weapon Friday afternoon, authorities said.
McHenry man accidentally fires pistol, injuring himself and another man at Waukegan gun range

One McHenry County expert trigger man told your LakeCountyEye: "When going for a two-pointer, always shoot the other dude's foot first. That way you get the element of surprise."

Buffalo Clips

Do you desire a home where the buffalo roam? Well, look no farther than Hawthorn Woods:

It looks like a famous bison on the run is making a new appearance in Lake County, Illinois. A woman took video of the large trespasser in the northern suburb of Hawthorn Woods Friday. Runaway buffalo 'Tyson the Bison' makes new appearance, caught on video in Hawthorn Woods

A spokesman welcomed the Village's newest celebrity ungulate: "Please enjoy Hawthorn Woods's 18 park sites that provide a variety of amenities including walking trails. In deference to Mr Bison's stay, shoes are mandated."

The Village of Buffalo Grove sent a cease and desist letter. "Any partnership between the Village of Hawthorn Woods and Mr Bison will be viewed as an infringement upon the Village of Buffalo Grove's trademark claims upon the word Buffalo."

Uncowed, a Village of Hawthorn Woods spokesman said: "And don't forget to visit the Village's Aquatic Park. Be sure to sample the Buffalo Water Wings at the concession stand."