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.

Talk is Cheap

Lake County Ex-Congressman Joe Walsh can add another name to his list of EXes -- Ex-Shock Jock:

Joe Walsh says radio show canceled due to Trump criticism

What are Joe Walsh's employment prospects? Your LakeCountyEye hasn't spotted Walsh's resume posted on craigslist yet.

Of course, with the pandemic under control now, restaurants are looking to hire cooks and servers. But, for someone with political experience, there is money to be made down in Springfield, where the job of State Senator pays considerably better.

Note to Ops: Now that Casey Urlacher has been redistricted out of Senate District 26, entrenched incumbent Dan McConchie is running unopposed.  Where there is an urgent opening for a primary challenger.

Just Sayin!

Big Map Attack

How many times has this happened to you? You've filed paperwork to run against the Establishment in the next election. But the power elite takes notice and stops you dead in your tracks. They've changed all of the maps -- and now from where you live you're not eligible to run for dog-catcher.

Of course, your LakeCountyEye is referring to Casey Urlacher and Dan McConchie.

As readers of this blog are aware ...

Casey at the Bet

Lake County favorite son Casey Urlacher was running against entrenched incumbent Dan McConchie in the 26th Senate District.

HaHa, not anymore:

Relief for McConchie: The redraw of Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie puts primary competitor Casey Urlacher in a different district.
It's a Remap Bloodbath

Note to Ops: It's good to be Senate Minority Leader. You can throw your weight around.

Fresh Off the Boat

Note to Ops: Have you received your dunning letter from the Village of Third Lake yet? If not check your Spam folders:

Boating Season is Almost Here Again

The Village of Third Lake passed a Boating Ordinance (Ord 21-01-01) that obliges you to buy a boat registration sticker.

And this means you.  Get out your checkbook.  No exceptions!

Even if you paid for a sticker last year -- it doesn't matter. Or even if you don't live in the Village of Third Lake -- they don't care. Or even if you don't own a boat -- that's no excuse!

Boom Times

If the Lake County exploding oil train hasn't exploded near you yet, that protracted hiatus may be coming to an end. CN Railway wants to expand its rail traffic in the suburbs:

A replay of a 2008 battle to stop the Canadian National Railway from acquiring another railroad is emerging in the suburbs with similar concerns about spiraling freight train traffic.
Could railroad merger lead to more freight trains in the suburbs?

It goes without saying that the more trains running through your town means the more likely there will be a derailed train not running through your town:

There is potential that "CN's freight trains will further burden the Chicago area with increased road network congestion by adding a significant increase in freight rail volumes"
Could railroad merger lead to more freight trains in the suburbs?

One spokesman for one railroad said: "What's your beef? It's not like we're going to cram in more miles of train than there are miles of track to hold them."

The Party is Ober

On the heels of showing Liz Cheney the door, US House Republicans voted to fill her shoes with freshman GOP Congressman, Jim Oberweis.

HaHa, j/k.

Oberweis has been kicked to the curb faster than you can say the Big Lie:

The U.S. House on Wednesday rejected Republican Jim Oberweis' challenge to Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood's election last fall to a second term.
Rep. Lauren Underwood’s reelection stands as US House dismisses challenge by Jim Oberweis

What's next for perennial candidate and pardner Jim Oberweis? Look for Oberweis to challenge Lake County favorite son and pardoneer Casey Urlacher in the 26th Senate District.

You heard it here first!

Casey at the Bet

It is a documented fact that more people can tell you who their bookie is than can tell you who their State Senator is. Well, Casey Urlacher wants to even the spread:

Just months after being pardoned by then-President Donald Trump while facing illegal gambling charges, newly reelected Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher again is setting his sights on higher office, submitting paperwork to run for state Senate. Urlacher on Thursday filed a statement of organization that reactivates his Citizens for Urlacher political committee. It allows Urlacher, a Republican, to run in 2022 for the 26th state Senate District seat, a post now held by Senate GOP Leader Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods.
Months after Trump pardon, Casey Urlacher files to run for state Senate seat

Lake County favorite son Casey Urlacher is running for State Senator. Can he beat Lake County entrenched incumbent Dan McConchie? He can with an endorsement from Donald Trump.

6 to 5 for Uhrlacher, by your LakeCountyEye's reckoning!

Buy Land They Aren't Making It Anymore

With everyone pouring their retirement nesteggs into the stockmarket, why is the Village of Third Lake buying up real estate?

One resident asked that question at a Third Lake Village board meeting:

Village of Third Lake Regular Meeting of the Trustees

Your LakeCointyEye asked the property assessor, what gives?  He said: "As soon as they purchase four houses, the Village can build a hotel."

Who was that Unmasked Man?

Can you spot the difference between these College of Lake County Trustees?

College of Lake County Board of Trustees

The man without a mask is conspiracy theorist and the new elected CLC Trustee, Robert Tomei Jr:

Readers of this blog will recall Tomei's two-cents worth on the JFK assassination and the Trump pee-tape:

That's News Tomei

The Lone Nut Theory

Appearances to the contrary, science and medicine is still offered at CLC:

Degrees and Certificates | College of Lake County

Note to Ops: Get your Degree before it's too late!

Make America Donate Again

Did you click on State Senator Dan McConchie's illegal fundraising email?

A staff member for Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie has been reprimanded for using a state government email account to remind colleagues of a political fundraiser.
McConchie staffer reprimanded for sending political email

If so, the perpetrator of the illegal email deserves a bonus in her paycheck:

State records indicate her salary is $80,000.
McConchie staffer reprimanded for sending political email

Note to Ops: Illegal political fundraising pays for itself -- and is all perfectly legal!

Winner Winner ...

Check your spam folders. You may have an illegal email from State Senator Dan McConchie:

A staff member for Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie has been reprimanded for using a state government email account to remind colleagues of a political fundraiser. Leanne Bucci, personnel and fiscal manager for the Senate Republicans, sent the email Saturday morning about the annual Caucus Chicken Fry Monday at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield.
McConchie staffer reprimanded for sending political email

Cybersecurity experts warn against clicking the Dan McConchie email.  You risk being the victim of a Springfield chicken dinner.

That's all your LakeCountyEye has.  Now scramble.