Lake County Gazette

Corruption charges catch up with Vernon Hills senator

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 2, 2020

It’s the world against state Sen. Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) and the world is winning.

Protest planned outside newly opened Planned Parenthood clinic in Waukegan

By W.J. Kennedy | May 20, 2020

The Pro-Life Action League out of Chicago is organizing a protest outside the newly opened Planned Parenthood (PP) abortion clinic in Waukegan beginning Friday at noon.

Air quality expert: Ethylene oxide report a disservice to EPA

By W.J. Kennedy | May 14, 2020

An air quality expert has questioned the legal foundation and scientific context of a report calling out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for not going far enough in warning residents living close to plants that emit ethylene oxide (EtO), an agent used to sterilize medical equipment.

Medline commits to reprocessing respirators as Waukegan plant reopens

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 31, 2020

Just days after announcing the reopening of its Waukegan plant, Medline announced that it made a commitment to the White House to reprocess 100,000 N95 respirators and other face masks, desperately needed in the fight against COVID-19.

From DuPage Policy Journal

'Biased' Tribune reporting cited in shortage of medical supplies needed in coronavirus fight

By W.J. Kennedy | 4 years ago

For over a year scientists have been refuting the Chicago Tribune’s reporting that emissions of ethylene oxide (EtO), from a medical equipment plant in Willowbrook, Sterigenics, presented a danger to the public.

Chemist: Coronavirus patients rely on one of media’s favorite enemies, ethylene oxide

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 23, 2020

It turns out that a chemical compound, ethylene oxide (EtO), that has been targeted by the media and some elected officials as a public health hazard, is vital in ensuring that patients suffering from coronavirus infections have safe, sterilized medical equipment to aid in their recoveries, says chemist and air quality expert Rich Trzupek.

From Prairie State Wire

Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady said to have voiced private support for abortion funding, gun control legislation

By W.J. Kennedy | 4 years ago

Former high-level aides to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has revealed that Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) told the then governor he was right for signing HB 40 in September 2017, the law requiring Medicaid funding of abortions. At a separate meeting, Brady also recommended that the governor sign gun control bills should they reach his desk.

Missed bond payment not related to former employee's charges, Lake County Treasurer says

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 10, 2020

Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim called a recently missed bond payment by the county an “honest mistake,” explaining that the mishap had no connection to a former county employee charged in November with identity theft and other crimes stemming from her work with a previous employer.

Air quality expert: Tribune serves up more needless panic over ethylene oxide

By W.J. Kennedy | Dec 20, 2019

The Chicago Tribune’s latest scare piece on ethylene oxide (EO), a chemical vital in the sterilization of medical equipment, is “particularly obscene,” says air quality expert and author Rich Trzupek.

Different takes on latest ethylene oxide readings in Lake County

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 29, 2019

Medline in Waukegan announced this week that ethylene oxide (EtO) readings taken between October 26 and November 2 by the Lake County Health Department show that the areas near the plant averaged “only .18 parts pers billion, lower than any other EPA-tested area, which in Illinois includes Chicago and Northbrook.”

On EtO emissions, Dem lawmakers caught between panicked voters and wealthy donors

By W.J. Kennedy | Nov 4, 2019

Democratic state lawmakers are squeezed between voters panicked over news reports of cancer risks from industrial emissions of ethylene oxide (EtO), and a wealthy family of Democratic donors whose business in Lake County could be shut down under legislation that all but bans the use of the chemical.

From Prairie State Wire

Pritzker’s claims of paying down pension debt “simply dishonest,” fiscal watchdog says

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 years ago

The recently approved state budget hardly makes Illinois the beacon of fiscal prudence that Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislative leaders claim it is, budgetary analysts at Wirepoints say.

From Prairie State Wire

Madigan 'bullying' income tax increase through legislative process

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 years ago

House Speaker Michael Madigan used his absolute power over the legislative process to move legislation to the floor on Friday that exchanges Illinois’ constitutionally mandated flat income tax with a progressive tax.

From Prairie State Wire

Communist Party USA “involved” in Sean Casten bid to unseat Peter Roskam in the 6th

By W.J. Kennedy | 5 years ago

An election guide posted on the Communist Party USA’s (CPUSA) website said that the party is “deploying its resources” to unseat U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), as part of a larger effort to flip 24 Republican seats the Democrats need to capture control of the House.

Political agenda taints Lincolnshire right-to-work case

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 2, 2018

Consideration of the Lincolnshire case by the U.S Supreme Court, which is likely given a recent appeals ruling, would be tainted by a political agenda, a union lawyer said.

Idstein condemns 'extreme political attacks' after campaign sign defaced with anti-gay slur

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 18, 2018

Republican candidate Ken Idstein is calling for Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) to join him in condemning “extreme political attacks” after an Idstein campaign sign was defaced with an anti-gay slur.

Former House candidate Solano stands behind website questioning Yingling’s real estate taxes

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 6, 2018

Former House Republican candidate Adam Solano told the Lake County Gazette he stands behind the website he created, scamyingling.com, that illustrates how low state Rep. Sam Yingling’s (D-Grayslake) property taxes are compared to his neighbors.

Records show removal of property does not fully account for low assessment of Yingling property

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 24, 2018

Lake County assessment records show that removing the lake bottom property from an assessment of Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) house has made little difference in the home’s value.

Dispute over Yingling’s property taxes showcases political fight over county assessor’s position

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 8, 2018

State Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) pays less in property taxes on his 3,460-square-foot Highland Lake home than he did six years ago, a review of records at the Lake County assessors office shows.

Sauer resigns House seat over posting of nude pics of ex-girlfriend

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 1, 2018

First-term state Rep. Nick Sauer (R-Lake Barrington) has resigned his House seat in light of a news report that he posted nude photos of an ex-girlfriend on a fake Instagram account as a ploy to lure men into online conversations.