Stories | Rockford Sun

Boone County clerk indicted on 26 felony counts; Could face more than 100 years in prison

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Oct 14, 2023

Boone County Clerk and Recorder, Julie Bliss, now faces a 26-Count felony indictment handed down from a Boone County Grand Jury yesterday, October 12, 2023.

Owen Costanza; Lost Election and appeals loser lawsuit – Admits it’s all true

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Aug 24, 2023

We previously published numerous articles referencing Owen Costanza, the former President of the Village of Poplar Grove, Illinois. Since he lost the last election, he sued several people for defamation and other things.

Judge leaves Costanza, Goings on ballot

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Mar 29, 2023

A Boone County Judge upheld the Poplar Grove Electoral Board’s decisions to dismiss petition objections and leave candidates on the ballot for trustee of the Village of Poplar Grove.

Boone Co. judge quashed eight subpoenas issued by Poplar Grove electoral board

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Feb 14, 2023

Today, Boone County Circuit Court Judge Balogh Quashed all eight subpoenas issued by the Poplar Grove Electoral Board, stating the Poplar Grove Electoral Board went beyond its authority under Section 10-10 of the election code to issue these subpoenas.

Poplar Grove electoral board’s train wreck; Permitting fishing expedition 

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Feb 3, 2023

The Poplar Grove Electoral Board appears to be completely out of control and also appears to be assisting a candidate in extracting or discovering information having absolutely nothing to do with the powers and functions of an electoral board.

Village Attorney says Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not a holiday

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jan 31, 2023

After our email and article to the village explaining to them that the village of Poplar Grove Electoral Board’s special meetings scheduled to be held on Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday would violate the Open Meetings Act, the meetings were rescheduled.