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Archive for the ‘Shaw Local’ Category

Barrington Hills man accused of more threats to local officials, including judge, cops, probation officer

Posted in County, McHenry, Resident Spotlights, Shaw Local, VBHPD on June 6, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Joel A. Koskinen (Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff’s Office)

By Amanda Marrazzo | Shaw Local

A man awaiting trial on charges that he threatened to shoot Barrington Hills police officers is now accused of threatening to harm a McHenry County  judge and probation officer.

Joel A. Koskinen, 36, of Barrington Hills, is charged with threatening public officials, a Class 3 felony, and harassment through electronic communications involving threats to kill, Class 4 felony, according to the McHenry County jail and a judge who was brought in from outside the county, 23rd Judicial Circuit County Judge Philip Montgomery. The circuit hears cases in DeKalb and Kendall counties.

Montgomery, who appeared via Zoom, was assigned Friday to hear the case due to the apparent conflict of interest. The judge said Barrett Mays was appointed as special assistant public defender.

Because Montgomery and Mays learned just Friday that they are going to handle the case, Montgomery postponed Koskinen’s detention hearing, to determine if he will be held while awaiting trial, to Tuesday morning. The judge said Mays also needed time to meet with Koskinen, who is in the county jail.

On Tuesday, the state will argue Koskinen should remain in jail pretrial, and prosecutors are also seeking to have his pretrial release from the earlier case revoked.

Report continues here.

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Why McHenry County officials could ask voters for home rule powers

Posted in Cost of Living, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Fat Bastard, Girlie man, Immigration, Land Use, Plan Commission, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Privacy, Real Estate, Shaw Local, Springfield, Unions, Zoning Board on May 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Claire O’Brien | Shaw Media

As McHenry County officials express frustration at state legislation that they say erodes local control, they’re considering asking voters for permission to become home rule.

Home rule is a classification that allows a local government to enact laws as it sees fit, as long as they’re not in conflict with state laws. That includes more leeway to impose fees, restrictions and taxes.

Though some municipalities in McHenry County have home rule powers, Cook County is the only county in Illinois with such powers.

In recent years, solar farms have been a source of frustration for McHenry County officials because state law has limited the county’s ability to regulate such facilities.

Now, officials at the county and in several municipalities have expressed frustration over the proposed BUILD Act — Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan that would limit local authority on what types of housing structures can be built on land zoned for residential.

So McHenry County officials are considering asking voters to weigh in on a home-rule request during the November election.

Article continues here.

Related: “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie provides an update of Pritzker’s proposed BUILD Act,” “Village of Barrington President shares perspectives on Pritzker’s BUILD plans,” “(Ignoring public opinion) Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers,” “Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules,” “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control,” “McLaughlin’s press conference video recording regarding Pritzker’s proposed municipal zoning powers grab posted,” “‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential It’s just zoning”

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I-90 ramp connecting to Route 31 to be closed for months for construction upgrades

Posted in Aunt Blabby, IDOT, Illinois Tollway, Shaw Local, Taxes, Traffic on March 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Michelle Meyer | Shaw Local

A ramp connecting the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway to Route 31 in Elgin will be closed for toll plaza improvements starting Sunday and is expected to last through the summer.

Beginning at midnight Sunday, the ramp connecting westbound Interstate 90 to southbound Route 31 will be closed, according to an Illinois Tollway news release. A posted detour will direct traffic on the interstate to the Randall Road interchange, bringing cars back onto eastbound I-90 to access Route 31.

“Tolls will be waived at the Elgin Toll Plaza for traffic following the detour,” officials said in the release.

Crews will be removing the existing barrier walls and equipment and installing new infrastructure. Ramp pavement and shoulder work, along with improvements to electrical, lighting and signage, also are planned, according to the release. All work is weather-dependent.

The construction is part of Illinois Tollway’s 16-year, $15 billion capital program called Move Illinois and its seven-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future capital plan. Improvements are planned for all toll plazas systemwide.

Signs warning about the upcoming closure will be posted this weekend. Updated information will be posted on the Illinois Tollway website’s daily construction alerts.

Maps and construction information are available in the “projects” section on the tollway website.

Article continues here.

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Man accused of YouTube threats to Barrington Hills police, Allstate employees found fit for trial

Posted in Shaw Local, VBHPD on December 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Joel A. Koskinen

By Amanda Marrazzo | Shaw Local

A man who is accused of threatening on YouTube videos to shoot Barrington Hills police officers — and who had been deemed unfit to stand trial — has been restored to fitness, a judge ruled Thursday.

Joel A. Koskinen, 35, of Barrington Hills, was charged earlier this year with threatening a public official and electronic harassment involving an obscene message or threat to kill. But in September he was found unfit to stand trial, documents filed in McHenry County court show.

He received mental health treatment while in custody of the Illinois Department of Human Service Lake Behavioral Hospital, then returned to the county jail, records show.

In court Thursday, Judge Mark Gerhardt found Koskinen is now fit for trial, and Koskinen requested his attorney participate in negotiation conferences, records show.

“Now that Joel has been found fit to stand trial, we are beginning discussions with the State regarding a resolution to his case that would allow him to be reunited with his family and continue his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University,” his attorney Brian Stevens said.

Read more here.

Related: “Man arrested for posting YouTube videos saying he would kill police officers in Barrington Hills”

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McHenry County Board proposes tax levy increase while also looking for spending cuts

Posted in County, McHenry, Property Taxes, Shaw Local, Taxes on October 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The McHenry County Administration Building in Woodstock on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. The McHenry County Board is schedule to vote on the county budget this evening. | Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver

By Claire O’Brien | Shaw Local

McHenry County officials still are looking for ways to cut expenses and increase revenue as the County Board gets ready to vote on next year’s budget and a proposed property tax levy increase.

The McHenry County Board is considering whether to increase its levy to where it was before voters approved a sales tax increase to fund the county’s Mental Health Board, which came with a promise to lower the property tax levy by a commensurate amount.

The so-called “lookback” option comes as county leaders have worked to close a projected $3.7 million budget gap for next year.

On Tuesday, county board member Eric Hendricks proposed sending the budget and levy back to the county’s finance committee.

County board Chair Mike Buehler declined to take up Hendricks’ proposal, but Hendricks pressed the point. After some procedural back-and-forth, Hendricks’ effort failed.

Read more here.

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