The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's the last week of November, and everyone knows that means one thing: Tis the Season

The 2023 Election Season is nigh upon the land, this being the first week to file your nominating petitions. The Season runs through December, when you can file your objections to the candidates; and all the way to the end of the year, til when the ballot is certified.

This is a tradition with roots that reach back to the Pilgrims. Your municipal elections are a unique expression of local democracy in its purest form.

Note to Ops: Most of these contests are non-partisan, so please try to be civil. This ain't Thanksgiving dinner!

Thanksgiving in November

It has come to your LakeCountyEye's attention that there will be a Thanksgiving holiday on November 24, from Nov 24 to Nov 25, and all day.

See for yourself.  An actual unretouched screencap from Lake County's #1 fakenews source, the Lake County Gazette:

This breaking news came from a press release. Does that mean it is true? One media watchdog observed: "If the Lake County Gazette says your mother loves you, check it out."

Note to Ops: Consider going to school or work next Thursday. Better to be safe than sorry.

Loss Leader

Entrenched incumbent Dan McConchie's tenure may be coming to an end:

Sen. John Curran has rounded up more than enough votes to depose current Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie.
Veterans Day updates: McCombie, Curran likely in; Butler out; SAFE-T Act talks continue

It goes without saying that the job of the Senate Minority Leader is to funnel Springfield dollars back into his home district. For roads and bridges, for instance.  And if Dan McConchie is bounced from the Senate leadership how is Long Grove going to pay for all the repairs to the covered bridge?

On the other hand, as things stand, Lake County only gets back 53 cents for every dollar sent to Springfield:

One Lake County GOP spokesman said: "Vote for us. We are the Party of limited government."

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Get off the dime.

The Rig is Up

If God weren't irony deficient, then lame duck Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor would have lost the election because the Clerk's office miscounted her votes. But no, the sad truth is that most Lake County GOP candidates lost because ... wait for it ... the election was rigged.

HaHa, Dan McConchie says the election system is rigged:

the Democrats' rigged system, which created some of the most gerrymandered districts we've ever seen
Senate GOP Leader McConchie decries "rigged system"

One of those "gerrymandered" districts is Dan McConchie's own Senate District 26. It goes without saying that a district packed full of Republicans, as District 26 supposedly is, is designed to be an easy win for any Republican candidate. And it would be an easy win especially for an entrenched incumbent like Dan McConchie, wouldn't it?

But no, out of some 85,000 votes cast, McConchie currently has a slim 2% lead. His opponent, a stay-at-home mom, is not conceding until all of the mail-in ballots are counted.

A Lake County GOP spokesman said: "Fraud at the post office!"

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Totaled

An actual unretouched headline from an actual Lake County news outlet:

Lake County's new $1.65 million vote-counting system to debut Tuesday night

A new voting system and equipment will go on-line in Lake County on November 8, just in time for the big election.

What could possibly go wrong?

HaHa, trick question.

A Lake County GOP spokesman said: "There is nothing to worry about. We are confident Robin O'Connor will give 110% toward counting the votes."

Note to Ops: The election is next Tuesday and you are encouraged to vote. You'll never know for certain when the next opportunity will occur.

Home Bodies

Ladies, are you a stay-at-home mom? If so, the Lake County GOP wants you -- to stay at home.

That would seem to be the attitude expressed by Michael Danforth, a GOP member of the Lake County Board. Speaking of his election opponent, Danforth says she ...

"admitted she's basically a stay-at-home mom, and she doesn't have anything better to do than go knock on doors, I guess."
Danforth faces challenge from Timm for District 17 Lake County Board seat

Danforth, if anyone, should know. Michael Danforth has a license to import firearms, and with all those foreign weapons in circulation, all you moms would be well-advised to stay at home.

But don't take just Michael Danforth's word on it. Lake County GOP entrenched incumbent Dan McConchie is a former Washington DC anti-abortion lobbyist. And if the anti-abortion lobby had it's way, all women would be staying at home. Where they wouldn't be able to get abortions.

One Lake County GOP spokesman said: "Of course you gals are allowed out of the house on election day. Vote for the GOP, we're the Party of family values!"

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Tragic Bullet

This week's McHenry County man to shoot himself in the foot failed to shoot himself in the foot. In fact he was a Pakistani man. And he shot someone else in the foot:

A gunman opened fire Thursday at a campaign truck carrying Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, wounding him slightly in the leg
Officials: Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan wounded in gun attack

Coincidentally if you need ammunition from India or Pakistan or wherever, then contact Michael Danforth. Danforth has an ATF license to import firearms and told the News-Sun that ...

I work for clients that say, I need to get ammunition from India, or Pakistan, or wherever it may be coming from, legally and lawfully through the ATF.
Danforth faces challenge from Timm for District 17 Lake County Board seat

It is unknown how many, if any, of Michael Danforth's clients have shot themselves in the foot.

Scrutiny on the Bounty

Question of the Day: What do Dog the Bounty Hunter and Dan McConchie have in common?

Answer: If you said a mullet and some cool shades you would be incorrect. The correct answer is both men oppose the SAFE-T Act.

HaHa, the SAFE-T Act will eliminate cash bail in Illinois. And Lake County entrenched incumbent Dan McConchie is not amused:

McConchie, the Republican leader in the state senate, said the legislation makes Illinois less safe. "It ties the hands of judges who are working to try to keep us safe" and keep the most dangerous people in jail, the Hawthorn Woods resident said.
SAFE-T Act coverage roundup

It goes without saying that some of those most dangerous people are women who have abortions, along with their doctors -- they would be sent to jail if the anti-abortion lobby has its way.

A little known fact, Dan McConchie is a former anti-abortion lobbyist who drew a salary from the Washington DC anti-abortion lobby Americans United for Life.

One Lake County GOP spokesman said: "We need Dan McConchie to repeal the SAFE-T Act now. We can't have all these ladies being released from prison and free to have more abortions."

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

As it so happens, the two scariest days of 2022 are a week apart: Halloween and the Mid-Term General Election.

Also coincidentally, the prize for the scariest costume goes to Dan McConchie, a former anti-abortion lobbyist. He drew a salary from a national organization that wants to see abortion criminalized, and women who obtain abortions and their doctors go to jail.

Dan McConchie, this year, posed as a Moderate Republican:

Now that's scary!

Random Numbers

Actual unretouched screencaps from an actual unretouched GOP lit-drop in Lake County:

Your LakeCountyEye checked and 80, 83 and 93 are not the Powerball jackpot winning numbers.

No, it would seen that this Republican Precinct Committeeman and/or Committeeperson has got three precinct numbers: 80, 83 and 91! What up with that?

Perhaps Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor was overcome by another "technical glitch" when handing out precinct numbers? Or is this merely the sort of disinformation like what you see in the Lake County Gazette, and coming out of Russian troll farms?

One Lake County Republican spokesman had this to say about the matter: "Look at those inflation numbers.  Vote for us."

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Mail Fraud

Despite being the Lake County Clerk, Robin O'Connor is advised to not expect a vote-by-mail ballot from Liz Uihlein. And despite having joined the Republican Party, O'Connor is advised to not expect a campaign donation in the mail from Liz Uihlein, either.

Mrs Lake County moneybags, Liz Uihlein, does not like how Robin O'Connor is running the 2022 election:

per our local County Clerk's notice, the voter must request to be removed from the Vote by Mail program, unless the clerk receives confirmation the voter registered to vote in another county. There is no indication that if a voter moves out of state and fails to provide notice, the address on file will stop receiving a ballot. Lastly, missing from our local County Clerk's notice, there is no indication of automatic removal for deceased voters. How and when would a deceased voter be removed from receiving automatic ballots?
Liz Uihlein returns to writing letters to legislators

Strong words indeed.  Are they accusations of willful malfeasance or merely of systemic incompetence? One Lake County Republican spokesman said: "We are on record saying that the 2022 election will be remembered as one of the most rigged elections of all time."

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

The Shorts Circuit Court

The Illinois Constitution says anyone can run to be a Supreme Court Justice, no experience necessary. Which makes the job perfect for Mark Curran.

HaHa, Lake County favorite son Mark Curran wants to be your Supreme Court Justice -- in spite of his medieval views concerning women's rights:

Abortion rights at the forefront of Supreme Court race

Lake County Republicans say they would prefer to focus on issues other than a woman's reproductive health. They make a good point:

Mark Curran - Tea Party Rally Libertyville

Clearly, the real issue is, if elected to the Supreme Court, what would Mark Curran wear under the black robes?

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Ain't that a kick in the pants.

Because That's Where the Money Is

Note to Ops: Do you keep a specialized container for your pecans and cashews? If so you are in luck. That is because Lake County moneybags Dick Uihlein is giving away his money to the nut cases:

Lake Forest megadonors Dick Uihlein and his wife Liz have directly contributed more than $6.4 million this election cycle to help pack Congress with Republicans who either cast doubt on the legitimacy of the last presidential election or voted against certifying the results
Dollars to doubters? Megadonor Uihlein kicks in millions to help elect Republicans who question election results

Can that be why Robin O'Connor joined the Republican Party?

Two current Lake County elected officials are hopeful voters won't mind them switching parties next month. Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor -- elected in 2018 as a Democrat -- is seeking her next term as a Republican.
Lake County clerk, superintendent switch parties for election

The County Clerk is the person who counts the votes and a donation from Dick Uihlein ain't peanuts!

Note to Ops: Counting votes is like counting dollars. It's more fun if they're yours.

The Dead Trees Gazette

Absolutely, the Lake County Gazette may be Lake County's #1 fakenews source. But did you know that the Lake County Gazette is now being home-delivered direct to you front-door? If you thought the Lake County Gazette was just some virtual misinformation outlet available only online, well think again. The Lake County Gazette also comes in a physical hardcopy edition, sent right to your home.

Don't believe it? Then take a look at this actual unretouched mobile photo of the Lake County Gazette print edition, exactly as it was delivered on your LakeCountyEye's driveway:

For the record, the Lake County Gazette claims to be Lake County's phony news source. But nobody's fooling your LakeCountyEye.

Party Guy

Question of the Day:
What is the difference between Joe Walsh, Kash Jackson and Mark Curran?

Answer:
Who are those guys?

HaHa. The name of another Lake County GOP candidate that you don't need to remember because you'll be forgetting it anyways, is Max Rice.

Max Rice is a GOP candidate for Congress and was invited to a League of Women Voters forum. Whereupon he did a bunch of juvenile stuff in front of other people. Read about it in the Daily Herald:

Congressional candidate says he'll leave GOP if elected, then pulls online prank

When asked for a comment, a Lake County GOP spokesman said: "We're the law'n'order party. Vote for us."

To his credit, Max Rice did not call the League of Women Voters hags.

Litter Bugs

Word on the street: Do not ask Catalina Lauf if you can call her "Kitty".

Catalina Lauf thinks the schools are letting the kids go in kitty litter boxes:

Even though the claim has been debunked as a hoax, Republican congressional candidate Catalina Lauf is standing by a recent tweet in which she said some schools provide litter boxes for students who like pretending they're anthropomorphic animals.
Republican congressional candidate Lauf stands by debunked claim about schools and litter boxes

Who is Catalina Lauf? Nobody knows. A Lake County GOP spokesman said: "Do you need a backstop for firearms practice? Try a couple sacks of kitty litter."

Note to Ops: Send those scoops to your LakeCountyEye.

A Passage of Arms Legislation

Question of the day: Who is the fastest gun in the western part of Lake County?

Answer: Not County Board member Michael Danforth.

Granted, Danforth has an ATF license to import firearms. And in June Danforth imported, from India, 12,288 ammunition boxes of shell casings. But when it comes to an assault weapons ban, Michael Danforth thinks Lake County should go slow.

In discussion about a resolution that would advocate an assault weapons ban in Lake County, Danforth said:

"There's no reason to rush this," he said.
Lake County Board votes to add advocacy for assault weapons ban to its legislative program

Michael Danforth ultimately voted against the resolution.

Would an assault weapons ban be bad for business in Lake County? A Lake County GOP spokesman said: "Absolutely. We would be forced to hold our gun raffles in Wisconsin."

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Shell Shocks

Once upon a time in Lake County, if you found a shell you could hold it up to your ear and listen for the ocean. Nowadays you would dust that shell for prints:

Buffalo Grove police responding to a report of shots fired late Friday near the Town Center shopping center found about three dozen spent shell casings in and around a parking lot and a car with bullet holes in it outside the Bowlero bowling alley.
Police recover 36 shell casings after shooting outside Buffalo Grove shopping center

Where did all of those shells come from? One Lake County Board member, Michael Danforth, might know. As readers of this blog are aware ...

Ammunition Dump

Michael Danforth has an ATF license to import firearms. He recently imported, from India, 12,288 ammunition boxes of shell casings. What are the chances of all that happening?

Note to Ops: If you had some shell casings stolen, the Buffalo Grove police might be able to help you.

Vote Early and Vote Never

There's an old saying in Lake County: If you can't stop them from voting for the other side then stop them from voting.

HaHa, County Clerk Robin O'Connor hasn't been a MAGA Republican for even 8 months and she is already suppressing the vote in Lake County:

Early voting started late in Lake County Thursday because technology issues got in the way of voting machines operating properly.
Lake County’s early voting gets off to late start; ‘Sorry, we’re not ready yet’

Voters were turned away from the early voting booths in Waukegan on Thursday because of a "software issue". Of course in situations such as these, computers are like dogs. They can't talk back when you say they ate the homework.

Is this the first phase of a Republican strategy to stop the vote in Lake County? A Lake County GOP spokesman dismissed the idea and was quick to defend Robin O'Connor: "We refuse to attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence."

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

War On Women

The Chicago Tribune Creepy Cartoonist™ may need to up his game. The Tribune has been publishing submissions from the Creepy Cartoonist's Evil Twin™:

Illustration by Michael Ramirez

Sharpeyed Operatives will observe that someone hacked into the Tribune computers and photoshopped a different caption:

Your LakeCountyEye restored the correct caption:

Change your passwords, it's better to be safe than sorry.