have found this huge insect in my basement the last two days - looks like a very large carpenter any with wings, but seems not to be able to fly - assuming from the weight. Had carpenter ants briefly in the upstairs kitchen, they seem to come and go. Is this an ant?

It certainly sounds like it could be - to be sure, you can bring it in to either the Kane (Rt 47 in St. Charles) or Kendall office (Rt 47 in Yorkville) for a positive identification!