A Gun No-Show

Note to Ops: If you are organizing the Second Annual Lake County Republican 2nd Amendment Dinner & Gun Raffle you better hurry up. The Village of Deerfield wants to ban your assault weapons:

An assault weapon ban was previously discussed in Deerfield in 2013 when the Village Board of Trustees decided to regulate the storage and transportation of the firearms. Now, the village is preparing to make that category of weapons illegal.
Deerfield to consider village ban on assault weapons

The Lake County GOP was giving away those same assault weapons, last year, for a $2000 donation:

Lake County Republican 2nd Amendment Dinner & Gun Raffle

These assault weapons are already banned in Highland Park. If they are banned in Deerfield this raises a question: How many Lake County Republicans will be willing to spend $2000 for an assault weapon that they could not legally keep in their homes?

Fortunately there is a simple solution to every complex problem:

That's all your LakeCountyEye has. Hit the road.

Black Cats

News Alert! A black panther has been sighted in Wauconda:

Many Black Panther fans are just realizing that there is an actual village in Illinois called Wauconda -- and they're having a little fun. Wakanda is the fictional African nation from the Blockbuster movie, "Black Panther."
Wauconda, IL is not Wakanda, but ‘Black Panther’ fans are pretending it is

This comes on the heels of a cougar report earlier this year in DuPage County:

Reports of a cougar spotted in a DuPage County forest preserve has triggered an investigation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Reports of cougar sighting in DuPage forest preserve prompts investigation

DNR officials urge residents to keep calm, as sightings have not been confirmed. But to please report any suspicious activity immediately.

The last verified sighting was at the Republican National Convention in 2016.  According to FoxNews ...

Members of the controversial "black power" group the New Black Panther Party plan to pack legal heat when they hold rallies in Cleveland in conjunction with next week's Republican convention if the law allows, the group's chairman said.
New Black Panther Party plans to bring guns to GOP convention, if law allows

Your LakeCountyEye will keep you apprised when further developments warrant.

Q the Eye/02.21.18

Dear LakeCountyEye,

They give away the razors so they can sell you the blades.  Then why don't they give away guns to sell you the bullets?

Good Guy Seeks Good Gun

Dear Uh Huh,

How many times has this happened to you? You're at a gun show. A good looking AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle catches your eye. But when you pull out your wallet you come up short.

Too many? That's because those good looking AR-15-style semi-automatic rifles don't come cheap. They were moving at $2000 a pop at the Lake County Republican 2nd Amendment Dinner & Gun Raffle, last year:

Lake County Republican 2nd Amendment Dinner & Gun Raffle

To put that in perspective, $2000 is about the average donation the NRA gives the average Illinois Republican Congressman:

Gun-rights groups giving to Illinois Republicans in Congress

So take it from Lake County vestigial Congressman Peter Roskam: If you really want that assault weapon that you can't afford, just follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Become a Republican Congressman
2. Receive Big Donations from the NRA
3. Go Shopping

A no-brainer!

If you are an elected official, or a previously elected official, or just a private citizen under indictment, send your political questions to Q the Eye c/o ... LakeCountyEye@gMail.com

Lake County GOP Gun Raffle

Your LakeCountyEye is under the weather with the 1918 flu.

Please enjoy this encore presentation from last year!

Lake County GOP Gun Raffle

Save the date! The Lake County GOP invites you to their 2nd Amendment Dinner & Gun Raffle on Oct 13, 2107.

The story first broke in the News-Sun:

The "Lake County Republican 2nd Amendment Dinner & Gun Raffle" in northwest suburban Kildeer features an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle for those who pay $2,000 to sponsor the event, raffles for a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9 mm handgun, and other gun-related packages.
Suburban Chicago Republicans moving ahead with gun giveaway fundraiser 2 weeks after Las Vegas massacre

Operatives seeking the biggest bang for their buck are advised to take a look at this AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle:

Lake County Republican 2nd Amendment Dinner & Gun Raffle

This little beaut goes for only $2000 and the money goes to a worthy cause: the Lake County Republican Party. Who else will be working arm-in-arm with the NRA to protect your Second Amendment Rights? Who else will fight to make sure that anyone can purchase any firearm they want, any time, any place?

Anyone other than the Lake County GOP?

Your LakeCountyEye doesn't think so!

The Role of Government in a Functioning Democracy

Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy

Cook County Clerk, David Orr will present, The Role of Government in a Functioning Democracy. Mr. Orr serves as the chief election authority in the third largest election jurisdiction in the country. He led the fight to implement the motor voter law in Illinois. Mr. Orr also introduced Early Voting legislation and Automatic Voter Registration.

• Sunday
  February 25, 2018
  2:00 pm
• The Stevenson Center on Democracy
  25200 N St Mary's Rd
  Mettawa (Libertyville), IL 60048
  773-281-0378
• $15
  (Students Free)

Ask Denise

This week's question for Denise comes from the Lake County Gazette, aka Lake County's #1 Fake News Source:

Blair Garber, whom Gov. Bruce Rauner appointed to the Illinois Lottery Control Board, resigned last month after disparaging remarks on social media about East St. Louis. Even more damaging, the words were apparently enshrined in a tweet. Reports allege that Garber was responding to a tweet by musician Charlie Daniels criticizing U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's (D-IL) reaction to President Donald Trump's comments on nations like Haiti. Garber reportedly piled onto the musician's tweet, calling East St. Louis "the s***-hole of the universe" and thereby disparaging Durbin's hometown.
Lottery chairman's resignation the appropriate response, Rotheimer says

What does Denise think? Denise says:

"The use of profanity in (Garber's) comment shows a lack of professionalism rather an inability to articulate his thoughts and opinions with dignity," Rotheimer said.
Lottery chairman's resignation the appropriate response, Rotheimer says

Care to know what is on Denise's mind? Send your questions to Denise c/o the LakeCountyEye.

You Get What You Pay For?

Your LakeCountyEye's shovel is broke. Which means your LakeCountyEye is not digging this Lake County slo-mo snow-mageddom, not one lick.

Note to Ops: You are a blogger and you are marooned. What do you do? Why, you do what the McHenryCountyBlog does. You look up the salaries of County employees:

Better Government Association Payroll Database

Of the eight highest paid employees on the Lake County payroll, seven are with Health Services. Four of these are psychiatrists.

The exception is the County Administrator:

There is an old joke among the psychiatric profession: "Talk is not cheap."

Just Sayin!

In Russia the Radio Listens to You

Question of the Day: If Peter Roskam expects a s***load of extra money will appear in his paycheck because of the GOP Tax Bill authored by him, then why is he meeting with the Russians?

Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, is visiting the US:

Kobakhidze is also meeting with Elisabeth Millard, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Member of Congress Paul Ryan, Congressman Ted Poe and Congressman Peter Roskam.
Georgian Parliament Chairperson on US Visit

Note to Ops: Law enforcement does not need a search warrant to spy on foreign nationals. So be sure to schedule that meeting with that Russian agent somewhere where the authorities cannot eavesdrop. Like a Manhattan laundromat, for instance.

One spokesman however is having none of it: "Vestigial Lake County Congressman Peter Roskam is a personal injury attorney. And every ambulance chaser knows, firsthand, the importance of having good collusion insurance."

A Wynn-Lose Proposition

So this Operative is walking down the Las Vegas strip. And he runs into Peter Roskam, Lake County's vestigial Congressman. Roskam recognizes the Operative and asks him for a campaign donation. The Operative says he'd like to make a donation but he asks: "How do I know you won't use my money to give back other campaign donations from former GOP finance chair and casino mogul Steve Wynn?" Roskam says: "Oh I already got gamblin' money."

Haha, true story. But that hasn't stopped the spoilsport Democrats from demanding that Roskam return all his Steve-Wynn dirty-money anyways:

Two candidates vying to go up against Congressman Peter Roskam in this fall's general election are calling for him to return any contributions he reportedly received from former RNC Finance Chair Steve Wynn. Wynn, the owner of a chain of hotels in Las Vegas, stepped down from the finance chair position after allegations of sexual misconduct were levied against him.
Candidates Call on Rep. Roskam to Return Reported Campaign Donations From Steve Wynn

Spoiler alert, Roskam unloaded those dollars like they were Russian Rubles parked in a Manhattan laundromat:

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Republican U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton said Tuesday he will be donating a $1,465 contribution Wynn made to his campaign in 2006.
Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts expected to take RNC finance job

At the same time, another spokesman said: "We're just hours away from our deadline! Will you help us meet our fundraising goal? If just one more person steps up, we’ll close the $1,465 gap in a matter of minutes!"

The Same Old Song and Dance

Were you one of the 20,000 home owners who waited in line (in sub-zero Waukegan) to pay your property taxes early -- so to avoid the penalty imposed by the new GOP Tax Bill? If you were, you probably didn't see Peter Roskam standing ahead of you. And he wrote the Bill!

Haha, your LakeCountyEye checked the vestigial Lake County Congressman's schedule to see where Peter Roskam was:

Team Roskam’s weekly rundown for Illinois’ 6th District

Roskam apparently was at a ribbon cutting / grand opening for Crea Ballroom Dance in Lake Zurich:

Team Roskam’s weekly rundown for Illinois’ 6th District

That was a neat trick, considering that the Grand Opening at the Crea Ballroom Dance Studio is scheduled for Feb 2, which is next Friday:

GRAND OPENING/RIBBON CUTTING - Crea Ballroom Dance

When asked if there are any other events that Peter Roskam would not be attending, a spokesman said: "The Congressman will not be attending any scheduled townhalls. Was that supposed to be a trick question?"

From Russia with Love?

If this was the Lake County Treasurer Telethon, the band would be playing What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love about now.

The News-Sun recently reported that Lake County counted some $73,000,000 in property tax pre-payments, last year:

Lake County puts early property tax payments at $73 million and climbing

But now Lake County Treasurer David Stolman (Republican) has posted revised numbers:

Record Number Prepay Property Taxes In Lake Co.
The Lake County Treasurer's Office is now finalizing all prepayments of 2017 real estate taxes and will be mailing receipts soon.

Going from an initial estimate of $73 million up to $250 million is quite a hike, even by County Government standards.

Your LakeCountyEye looked for some explanation of this dramatic actuarial discrepancy on (Republican) David Stolman's Facebook page:


David Stolman - Главная | Facebook

David Stolman - Главная | Facebook

In related news, US President Donald J Trump (Republican) says there has been no collusion with Russia:

Donald Trump can’t stop claiming there hasn’t been any collusion with Russia. On Thursday, during an impromptu interview with The New York Times at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, the president set social media on fire after he insisted 16 different times that there had been “no collusion” discovered between his administration and Russia.
Trump Insisted 16 Times That There's Been 'No Collusion' with Russia

Cue the balalaikas.

But Who's Counting?

Fabulous GOP candidate for Governor, Jeanne Ives stumped in McHenry County this week:

Jeanne Ives Event Draws Large Audience

Note to Ops: When planning that next event, you are going to need an accurate advance estimate of how many people will attend.  Then book a room with a max capacity of no more than 1/2 that number. You never want your candidate photographed in a half-empty room.

Note to Ops, Part II:  If that fails, publish your actual turnout size in binary numbers.

Republican Governor Candidate Jeanne Ives spoke to approximately 200 residents at the McHenry VFW.

Cue the crickets.

An Attack of the Vaporware

By latest estimates, Lake County has taken some $75,000,000 in early property tax prepayments. So is it too much to hope David Stolman would quickly recover $5,000,000 in spare change from the seat cushions in the Lake County Treasurer's office?

According to the News-Sun ...

Calling concerns over a $4.9 million electronic filing system that was never finished politically motivated, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor limited discussion Friday morning about a News-Sun article that reported on the failure of the system to be implemented.
Lake County Board chair claims 'political' motives behind e-filing contract complaints

Of course, $5,000,000 is a lot of money to spend on software. Even for software that works, and not just vaporware.

One spokesman however took your LakeCountyEye to task: "Is building an electronic filing system for a County the size of Lake County any less difficult than, say, rebuilding an electrical grid in Puerto Rico?"

In related news ...

President Trump on Sunday called people who are criticizing his administration's response to the damage caused by Hurricane Maria "politically motivated ingrates." "We have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico."
Trump: Critics of Puerto Rico response are 'politically motivated ingrates'

Note to Ops: Get out your brooms, this may turn into a witch hunt.

An Old Ives Tale

Recent polls indicate that few voters recognize the name Jeanne Ives. And even fewer recognize the Fremont Township Republican Organization. Which probably explains this story:

The Fremont Township Republican Organization has moved to endorse state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) in her bid to become governor.
Fremont Township GOP backing Ives' governor bid

For those who never heard of Jeanne Ives, your LakeCountyEye can help. Answer the question on this attack mailer targeting Jeanne Ives:

Q: What does Jeanne Ives have in common with the Leprechaun and the Easter Bunny?

If you said that any of these 3 are equally likely to beat Bruce Rauner in the Primary, give yourself a wrong wrong wrong.

The correct answer is Jeanne Ives, the Leprechaun and the Easter Bunny are all fabulous.

For more adjectives, visit the Lake County GOP:

Lake County Republican Federation Pleased with Success of
"A Celebration of Women Republican Leaders"

For those who never heard of the Fremont Township Republican Organization, you're on your own.

Q the Eye/01.12.18

Dear LakeCountyEye,

On the Internet, can you say shithole?

John Barron

Dear @realDonaldTrump,

No.

If you are an elected official, or a previously elected official, or just a private citizen under indictment, send your political questions to Q the Eye c/o ... LakeCountyEye@gMail.com

The European Union

The European Union is at crossroads. Will the EU survive the political, economic and social challenges posed by changing socio-political and economic landscape? Join writer/reporter Derek Monroe for an overview of this thought-provoking topic.

Lake Villa District Library
Meeting Room B
1001 E. Grand Ave
Lake Villa

Tuesday, January 16, 2018
7:00pm to 8:30pm

The European Union

Derek Monroe is a Lake County-based journalist that covered international politics and US Foreign Policy for variety of international and US media and his articles have been published in over 20 countries. He is also a recipient of 2018 Journalism Project Grant Award by Sverige Rikstag (Sweden Parliament) Foundation.

It's Not Rocket Science

An actual unretouched screencap from the science deniers at the McHenryCountyBlog:

Message of the Day – Global Warming

Government statistics indicate that everyone raised in McHenry County is homeschooled. Those souls are taught to believe that the Earth was created in 6 days, that Evolution is bunk, and that babies are delivered by the Stork. Is it any wonder that an insular population deficient in basic STEM education would find it difficult to grasp principal scientific concepts like climate change?

Well, sure.

Appearances to the contrary, science is not hard to understand. Science can be and is taught at every level, K thru 12. In fact Busy Brains will be hosting the acclaimed Science Road Show on Jan 28, in Lake Villa:

Busy Brains: Beat the Winter Blues

Note to McHenry County Ops: Don't miss this opportunity to see what the 21st Century is like!

No Interest?

Now that Lake County has money to burn, is it that perfect time to bet it all on bitcoin?

According to the Daily Herald ...

Lake County homeowners have already paid at least $60 million of the property taxes due this year. But that money won't be distributed to the local taxing bodies for roughly five months. In the past, Lake County Treasurer David Stolman kept the interest accrued on prepaid taxes for the county. But the interest typically has been a few hundred dollars. This year, with the rush to take advantage of property tax deductions before new federal limits go into effect, the interest could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Who gets the interest from the property taxes you paid early?

Following the passage of the new GOP Tax Bill, a crush of taxpayers swamped the Lake County Treasurer's Office to pay their property tax bills before the start of 2018. And in the middle of what has to be the big financial story of the year, where is Lake County Treasurer David Stolman (Republican)? As far as your LakeCountyEye can tell, nowhere to be seen.

Along with the story above, two other print stories covered tax-cataclysm-2017 this week. Did David Stolman talk to any of these newspapers? Nope. In each instance a reporter had to make do with getting answers from some Treasurer's Office functionary.

Stolman, who is up for re-election in November, has been on the Lake County ballot in some capacity or other for 25 years. Now your LakeCountyEye has seen how elected officials sometimes can grow complacent. They come to believe they are entitled to their elected office, take their voters for granted, and just phone it in.  But, Note to Ops: Your LakeCountyEye is duly impressed.  David Stolman is not even phoning it in.

Treasurer Hunt

Will the Lake County Treasurer please report to the County Building in Waukegan? There is $73,000,000 waiting to be counted.

Haha, according to the News-Sun ...

The Lake County Treasurer's Office has tallied about $73 million in property tax prepayments so far, up from $4.2 million that was prepaid last year, and the counting continues, an official said. The unprecedented interest was the result of property owners rushing to prepay their property taxes before the end of the year so they could take advantage of a federal tax deduction set to be rolled back.
Lake County puts early property tax payments at $73 million and climbing

Conspicuously absent from this news story is Lake County Treasurer David Stolman (Republican).  It wasn't Stolman, instead it was a factotum from the Treasurer's office who answered the Tribune's questions.  One fixture at the Lake County Building said: "Nobody's heard boo from Stolman, not since before taxpayers began stampeding the Treasurer's Office the day after Christmas."

If David Stolman is the ghost of Christmas past, then some Bob Cratchit had to spend his holiday at the Treasurer's Office, keeping an eye on that $73,000,000.  To put that in perspective, $73,000,000 would pay for about 7,300 tropical vacation trips to Cancun, Mexico.  Where the weather is sunny and warm.  And nothing like the weather in Waukegan.

In Mexico What is the Word for AWOL?

Will Lake County Treasurer David Stolman (Republican) be saying Merry Christmas, now that Donald J Trump has declared that we can all say Merry Christmas again? One thing is certain, those who will not be saying Merry Christmas are the Treasurer's employees and staff. The Treasurer's Office ...

had been swamped with an unprecedented number of property owners seeking to prepay their property taxes so they can take advantage of a federal tax deduction set to be rolled back as part of the tax bill Congress approved earlier this month. Lines have been out the door with wait times of 45 to 60 minutes, and they've received more than 2,000 phone calls each day this week
Lake County continues accepting property tax prepayments in wake of tax code overhaul

The new GOP Tax Bill eliminates the property tax deduction on payments made after 2017; and all but guaranteed that the Lake County Treasurer's office would be working overtime and long holiday hours this week.

One person not inconvenienced by the new GOP Tax Bill was Lake County Treasurer David Stolman (Republican). Sources tell your LakeCountyEye that Stolman was nowhere to be seen this holiday week, despite his office being flooded by testy taxpayers.

Don't bother looking for Stolman's name in the story cited above. It was an executive assistant to the Lake County Treasurer who took the Tribune's call.

Where was the no-show Lake County Treasurer? If anybody knows, they're not telling your LakeCountyEye. It's as if the County Building in Waukegan was a David-Stolman-Free Zone.

Note to Ops: If you happen to see David Stolman, anywhere, be sure to wish him a Merry Christmas. Or a Feliz Navidad. Or a whatever.