Road Warriors Pitch Randall Road To U.S. Transportation Secy

McHenry County's transportation lobby group, the Road Warriors, hosted U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at Moretti's, Lake in the Hills, Friday, for a briefing on the area's highway problems.

Congressman Don Manzullo (R)16 steered his former Peoria Congressional colleague to a luncheon of Italian sausage with county politicos who've been pushing for help, any sort of help, with area transportation needs.

The Road Warriors' main goal was to get LaHood behind Manzullo's
funding request in the next federal transportation bill for the Randall Road widening project from County Line Road north to Ackman Road.

The news from the luncheon was the public announcement that the McHenry Division of Transportation after a two-year study has settled on a new style of intersection to solve the traffic knot at Randall and Algonquin roads.

"Now we just need the money," said County Board Chairman Ken Koehler.

In the pic:  "I know Don (Manzullo, left) will keep reminding me about Randall Road every time I see him," said U.S. Transporation Secretary Ray Lahood (center).  County Board Chairman Ken Koehler is at right.

"Continuous Flow Intersection" To Solve Randall Traffic Snarl

For more than two years the Randall Road Improvements Study Group has been meeting every couple of months to try to figure out how to fix the corridor's problems.  The worst one is the intersection where Randall's north/south traffic crosses Algonquin Road's east/west flow.  The solution the group settled on is something new called a Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI).

There are only a handful of CFI's in the U.S. and not many more in the whole world. The idea is to allow motorists to turn left without stopping right-turn and through traffic at the intersection. The change is supposed to provide more green-light time than a traditional intersection.

CFI's don't require overpasses.  That makes them cheaper and faster to build than an intersection with grade separations.

Words literally fail to describe how a CFI works.  Click the pic for an animation of how a CFI built last year near Salt Lake City works.  (When the narrator says "Bangerter" think "Randall"; for "35 South" substitute "Algonquin Road".)

H1N1 Flu Hospitalizations, Deaths Increase But Slowly

 The Illinois Department of Health Friday reported 368 new hospitalizations and 12 new deaths in the state from the H1N1 flu virus.


The McHenry County Health Department reports the county's healthcare system has administered approximately 11,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine so far. That's about 5.7% of the people MCDH would like to see immunized.


For a list of the latest immunization sites scroll down.

Welcome Home Monday For Huntley Airman

The Village of Huntley will stage a Police and Fire procession about 1 pm Monday to escort one of its sons back from Iraq in May for a Thanksgiving visit to his mother's home.

The time is approximate since Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason Stohlquist, son of Patsy Stohlquist and grandson of Bessie Piske, is driving down from North Dakota. The procession will start from Huntley Village Square.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
November 13
1015 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH PD). ASSIST AMBULANCE. 20 year old male difficulty breathing. No transport.
1248 HRS 300 WINSLOW WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. son. No priors.
FAIL TO FILE.
1628 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD. (COSTCO). ASSIST AMBULANCE. 67 year old female possible having a heart attack. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1815 HRS 3800 BLOCK OF PEARTREE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE 50 year old male subject fainted. No transport.
2145 HRS 700 BLOCK OF PEACHTREE CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY Husband vs. wife. Wife bit husband. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.

Algonquin Groundwater Contamination Outlined At Thursday Meet

About 60 residents, commercial property owners, village officials and area environmental activists gathered Thursday at Algonquin's St. John's Lutheran Church gym for a briefing by state officials on chemical contamination near the village's defunct Toastmaster factory.

Gary King, acting bureau of land chief, said the latest Illinois EPA samples indicated trichloroethylene contamination of groundwater near the plant in a loop centered roughly on the church and extending south and east to about Main St. How bad is the contamination?  "If you had a well and were drinking this water, you wouldn't want to be doing that," Kind said.

However, according to IEPA investigations, no one is drinking the water since the area is served by the village water system.  King said his agency was still worried about old wells, however, and asked anyone who had one to contact him.

King said the main concern now is not the contaminated water itself but the gasses the chemical releases as it breaks down.  King said IEPA took 21 soil samples in the suspect area this summer and found three with levels that exceeded a "screening standard".  He said the question now is whether that translates to excess exposure in residents' homes.  King said sampling on that would begin soon and asked residents to volunteer permission to conduct tests.

The contamination was discovered as Illinois Department of Transportation engineers began laying out Algonquin's planned Route 31 Bypass.  IDOT Geologic and Waste Assesment Specialist Steve Gobelman said his department would dig up and fill in contaminated soil in the proposed right of way but anythnig beyond that was beyond the agency's power. "IDOT is statutorily limited to what is in our corridor," he said.  "EPA is going to deal with whatever is offsite issues."

Algonquin Village President John Schmitt said, "We'll work with IEPA to get this done as quickly as it can be done. We'll be informing citizens of the situation.  As soon as we know something we'll let them know it."

In the pics: (above) Groundwater contamination extends from a spot south of the Toastmaster factory east toward but not to the Fox River.  The further east the contamination goes, the deeper you have to go to find it, according to IEPA sampling. (below)  State EPA and Department of Transportation officials briefing their audience on the contamination.

All Trustees No-Shows At Grafton Township Meeting (updated)

When Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore called Thursday's Board of Trustees meeting to order the bang of her gavel echoed more than usual. None of the four trustees was present at the Faith Community Church meeting site so Moore called the meeting closed.

The board had been scheduled to try to find a solution to the latest township offices crisis, the expiration this past Saturday of the township's temporary lease with the township road district, its current landlord.

What the trustees' absence meant wasn't evident.  At its past two meetings the board had seemed to be trying to cooperate with Moore who replaced former Supervisor John Rossi over the issue of building new township offices. Attempts to contact trustees Thursday evening were unsuccessful but this morning Rob LaPorta replied to a message left on his answering machine.

LaPorta said Moore refused to place trustee-requested items on the Thursday agenda.  He said a letter from newly-hired township attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer said trustees could boycott the meeting and call a special meeting of their own.

"We as a group of trustees decided to do that," LaPorta said.

Thursday evening some would-be spectators including Tammy Lueth, suspected there had been some sort of trustees' agreement.  "What a coincidence," she said. "Is it possible that it was a violation of the Open Meetings Act since all four trustees failed to appear?"  Lueth was part of a group that stopped construction of new township offices and placed the question on next November's ballot.

Township Road Commissioner Jack Freund was disappointed Thursday at the latest development. Freund said he'd like to just go back to the way things were 18 months ago.  "They're on the Road District's property.  We were hoping we could work together and, what is it, unwind the sale and loan," he said.

In the pic:  Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore (right) presided over a meeting that didn't happen while landlord Jack Freund (left) looked glum.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Not that it felt very wintery Wednesday which suited Algonquin Public Works Department Christmas decorator Alex Voigts just fine.  "I'd rather do it in this weather than 30-degree weather," he said.

Pavement Underway On Haligus In LITH

Contractors were laying asphalt base as fast as they could Thursday on Haligus Road in Lake in the Hills to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather.  The road's been closed for the past six weeks for rebuilding and widening and installation of a storm sewer.  Completion isn't expected until November.

H1N1 School Clinics Delayed

While the McHenry County Department of Health has scheduled new H1N1 Immunization clinics (scroll down for yesterday's story) those scheduled by Kane County at Dundee-Crown and Huntley high schools remain in limbo.

The clinics were canceled last month when vaccine supplies ran out and at last report Thursday Kane County has yet to receive a new shipment.

District 300 Communications Supervisor Allison Smith said in a release Thursday that clinics planned at Jacobs, Lincoln Prairie, Lake in the Hills, Neubert, Eastview and AMS schools probably wouldn't begin until January. 

Grand Jury Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned indictments against, among others, the following individuals this week:

An indictment is not proof of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

CONNIE LILLIAN LESTER, DOB:  10/15/54, 1001 OAK LANE, ALGONQUIN, IL  60102. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--PRAIRIE GROVE PD.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
November 12
FOLLOW-UP ARRESTS: 1642 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). BATTERY PARZYGNAT, PHILIP E., M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 390 STEEPLECHASE WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND. PARZYGNAT, TAMARA L., F/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 390 STEEPLECHASE WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
1913 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS). RETAIL THEFT. LEACHMAN,KAREEM, M/B 17 YEARS OF AGE, 414 GREEN ST., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Retail Theft. RELEASED ON BOND.
0143 HRS 0 BLOCK OF BANBURY CT. ACCIDENT. Two vehicle. Property damage only.
0751 HRS MILLER RD. & SIENNA DR. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. curb. Property damage only.
0944 HRS 8801 PYOTT RD. (ALL SAFE STORAGE). INJURY ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. deer. Female driver with facial injuries.
1048 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicle. Property damage only.
1641 HRS 600 BLOCK OF SEMINOLE TRAIL. SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION. Investigation of sex offender residency violation. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1834 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 42 year old male with shortness of breath and chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2128 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. MISSING JUVENILE. 14 year old female has not returned home. Entered into L.E.A.D.S. Returned home.
2148 HRS 300 BLOCK OF EAST OAK ST. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife, verbal only. Three priors.
2205 HRS 00 BLOCK OF JOSEPH CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 16 year old female in need of an evaluation. Transported to St. Joseph hospital.
2223 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles, property damage only.
Algonquin
November 9
10:13am Flores, Miguel Angel, DOB: 10/18/90, of 11711 Kenneth Avenue, Huntley, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, Speeding and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at Square Barn Road and Reserve Drive.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 12/09/09, in McHenry County.
11:03am A fifteen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his father.
22:07pm Hawryla, Dariusz K., DOB: 09/30/89, of 1022 Larkspur Court, Pingree Grove, was charged with DWLS, No Taillights, Expired Registration and No Proof of Insurance.  He was also Wanted on 2 Warrants out of McHenry for Failure to Appear on a DWLS charge and for Failure to Appear on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Harnish Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
November 10
08:54am Gigele, Michael A., DOB: 12/09/91, of 1411 Westbourne Parkway, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for 2 counts of Aggravated Battery.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $2000, with a court date of 12/02/09, in McHenry County.
November 11
21:51pm Bendinelli, Michael A., DOB: 03/30/90, of 1525 Tartans Court, West Dundee, was charged with Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Target, 750 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 12/30/09, in Algonquin.
23:57pm Henrich, Jeffrey S., DOB: 10/21/84, of 634 W. Hinsdale Avenue, Hinsdale, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Harnish Drive and Randall Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 12/16/09, in McHenry County.

H1N1 Vaccine Received--New Appointments Available

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) recently received its first shipment of H1N1 injectable vaccine and has scheduled community clinics for 2500 appointments for priority groups beginning at noon today. 

Appointments can be made online at www.mcdh.info or at 815-334-2800.  The following priority groups include pregnant women, caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age, children and individuals aged 4-24, residents aged 25-64 with a chronic health condition, healthcare workers and first responders.  Pregnant women should call for an appointment.  It is important to note that this supply of H1N1 injectable vaccine, manufactured by Novartis, has been licensed for use by individuals over 4 years old.

CLINICS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Date/Time	Place	Location
Mon. 11/16 • 1pm-5pm	MCDH	2200 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock
Wed. 11/18 • 4pm-8pm	Heineman Middle School	725 Academic Dr, Algonquin
Sun. 11/22 • 1pm-5pm	McHenry County College	8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake
Mon. 11/23 • 9am-1pm	McHenry Township	3703 N Richmond Rd, Johnsburg

 “This recent shipment of the H1N1 injectable vaccine allows us to continue to vaccinate and protect those who are most at risk for flu complications,” states Patrick J. McNulty, Public Health Administrator.  As of November 7^th, McHenry County’s healthcare system has administered approximately 11,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine which is 5.7% of the County’s high risk individuals. 

Local Home Sales Increase In October

County home sales rose 14 percent in October from the previous month according to the latest figures from the McHenry County Association of Realtors.  The average price of a home rose slightly, too.

The number of homes sold in McHenry County reached 335, the largest number since June of last year.  The average sale price was $199,500 up from $198,300 the previous month.  Time on market fell about two weeks, too.

All the numbers were positive developments for homesellers but the timing suggested they may have been a temporary blip from buyers trying to beat the expiration of the first-time hombuyers federal tax credit.

"My activity did slow down as soon they announced they were extending that," said Algonquin realtor Mary Siewenie.

Congress last week not only extended the first-timers credit for another six months it expanded the program to cover more-or-less current homeowners. The expansion has some complicated provisions, though.

"I would say to anybody thinking of buying, things are so confused you should put your case in front of somebody (professional) to see if you qualify," Siewenie said.

Second Day Today For ALITH Food Pantry Drive

Algonquin Trustees Debby Sosine and Bob Smith beat State Rep. Mike Tryon and State Sen. Pam Althoff Wednesday to be the first donors at Dr. Bob Hollett's two-day food drive for the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry.

Donations were and will be rewarded with a raffle ticket, five cans or boxes of non-perishable foodstuffs per. The top prize is a 40-inch flatscreen TV and DVD player.  Hollet's County Line Chiropractic Center accepting the donations is at 1493 Merchant Drive.

Pantry Treasurer Stefanie Maier praised the drive noting that the holiday season is approaching when food donations tend to fall off. "This will help tide us get through that," she said.

In the pics: (above) Tryon and Althoff, Smith observing, unload bags of foodstuffs Wednesday at "Ask Dr. Bob" Hollet's Food Pantry drive. (below) Jack and Chris Kamin take their tickets from Office Manager Sherri Harlin for a chance to win the quite large TV behind them. 

Veterans' Day

A few vets gathered at the LITH American Legion Wednesday afternoon to kick the gong around and watch (not very closely, of course) Kelly's Heroes on AMC.

Some of the boys couldn't make it.

LITH To Regulate Wind Generators

The Lake in the Hills Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on small wind generators at LITH Village Hall Monday at 7:30 pm.  The village doesn't really have any regulations about them and figures it better.

"Moretti's restaurant is considering one," said Community Development Director Dan Olson. "They have one at another restaurant.  And there's a resident that may do something next Spring."

Giant commercial wind generators like the one that spang up over a weekend in Woodstock last month are already covered in the regs, Olson said, but there's nothing that specifically covers small ones.

The proposed amendments would limit their installation to residential rooftops or poles no taller than 15 feet.

A copy of the change petition is on file for review at the Lake in the Hills Community Development Department, 600 Harvest Gate.

In the pic: Honeywell sells this jim dandy wind generator for about 5 grand at your local hardware store.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
November 11
2228 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. LOWRY, MARK D., M/W 42 YEARS OF AGE, 331 VILLAGE CREEK RD., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL
0726 HRS 00 BLOCK OF ECHO HILL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 66 year old male feeling weak and incoherent. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
1228 HRS 00 BLOCK OF PERSHING AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE 94 year old female feeling pains under her arm. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2004 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF ALEXANDRIA DR. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Back window broken, items taken from vehicle. PENDING INVESTIGATION
2333 HRS 220 N. RANDALL. (MORETTIS). HIT AND RUN. Vehicle struck in parking lot, offender fled. PENDING INVESTIGATION.

County Rejects Loan For Algonquin Restaurant In McHenry

A plan to clone a popular Algonquin restaurant to revive McHenry's downtown was set back Tuesday when the McHenry County Finance and Audit Committee denied the firm's request for a $150,000 revolving loan.

Buddyz Pizzeria co-owner Tim Scarnato said, "This thing has been in the works for three years.    We could help McHenry but maybe not now."

Buddyz' proposed McHenry expansion could be the first new business to locate in the village's Riverwalk plan to tie together two business areas along its Fox River frontage.  "We've been to all the banks and all we get is nothing," said Scarnato.

Presenting the loan request, Deputy County Administrator John Labaj told the committee Buddyz' main asset was its good track record in Algonquin.  "It has kind of a real-world experience for its projections," he said.

Chairman Marc Munaretto, District 1, wasn't so sure the record applied. Buddyz is on Algonquin Road just off Randall:  "You don't compare Randall Road to downtown McHenry," he said.

Even so, District 5 Member Tina Hill observed, McHenry's northside Olive Garden restaurant "is packed every night."

That reminded Munaretto that "Riverwalk isn't a primary retail destination. Parking is going to be a big issue."

District 4's John Hammerand was worried about security on the loan. "If you know anything about restaurant equipment, after a failure it's worth pennies on the dollar.  As much as I'd like to say 'Great' that creates a problem."

Dan Ryan, District 6, summed up the cons saying, "In this we have a risky business in a risky economy in a risky location."

At the vote only Hill supported the request.  Labaj said, "I don't think we've ever made a restaurant loan."

LITH To Explore Changes On Commercial Vehicle Parking

In one of those coincidences that can make village board meetings so entertaining, two residents complained to Lake in the Hills trustees about restrictions on commercial vehicle parking.  One claimed there weren't enough, the other charged there were too many.

Marje Powley asked why the village had regulations about parking Winnebagos but nothing to cover box vans, landscape trailers, snowplows and forklifts.  "I literally had a neighbor with part of a semi parked in his driveway," she said.

Trustee Steve Harlfinger, himself a contractor, defended commercial vehicle parking.  "You have home businesses and independent contractors.  That vehicle is their livelihood. Parking offsite increases their overhead,"

Even so, what's the difference between a banned RV and a big truck, Powley asked?

Harlfinger said maybe it was that the commercial vehicle "moved on a daily or weekly basis."
He said storage parking might be a different matter.  "when you have something decrepit, that may be a safety concern."

Contractor Terry Karder followed Powley to complain that LITH police have been ticketing his work van because it has license plates that put it in a banned heavy truck category.  "If I lose the van, I lose my job," said Carter.  "The only difference (between the truck and a permitted one) is two extra leaf springs."

Village President Ed Plaza and trustee Paul Mulcahy argued trying to slice ever finer distinctions among permissible and forbidden vehicles held the promise of endless argument that would still satisfy no one.  "This is a can of worms," said Plaza.

"This may be a can of worms worth opening," countered Trustee Denise Barreto.  "I'll bet you this is a bigger problem than we know about."

Plaza said in that case the way to address things would be via zoning regulations and he planned to meet with the Planning and Zoning Commission, anyway.  "We'll put together a committee Thursday."

"We'll have a little think tank," Plaza said.

Jacobs Senior Chosen For Leaders Conference

A Jacobs High School senior is among more than 140 students from 37 high schools in northern Illinois Thursday in Rockford for Congressman (R)16 Don Manzullo’s 11th annual 21st Century Leaders Conference.

Senior Grant Dixon will be one of the students representing McHenry, Winnebago, Stephenson, JoDaviess, Whiteside, Ogle and DeKalb counties

Part of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, this is the first time its Model Congress program hs appeared outside of Washington, DC. Former U.S. House Speaker Denny Hastert will preside over the Model Congress as Speaker.

State Dem Candidates Appear In Rockford Sunday

Area Democratic voters will have a self-described "rare opportunity" Sunday to see the major candidates for Governor and U.S. Senator in the February primary.  The Democratic Northern Illinois Coordinated Campaign Committee (NICCC) will present forums with candidates in both races in Rockford.

Governor Pat Quinn and challenger Comptroller Dan Hynes will face off at 3:45 pm at the Radisson Hotel, Rockford. Senatorial candidates Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, David Hoffman, and Cheryle Jackson will take the stage after a 5 pm dinner.

Tickets for the debates and dinner are $25 or $200 for a table for eight. Individual tickets will be available at the door.

The NICCC is made up of the Democratic parties of McHenry, Boon, DeKalb, Ogle, and Winnebago counties. More information is at 815-756-9103.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
November 10
1238 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF CADBURY CIRCLE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. FUNAI, JOHN A., M/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 2631 CADBURY CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery, 2 counts. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1913 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS). RETAIL THEFT. EDWARDS, DANTEL L., M/B 17 YEARS OF AGE,  414 GREEN ST., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Retail Theft. RELEASED ON BOND.
1247 HRS 8713 PYOTT RD .(LITH CONSTRUCTION). BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Items taken from a vehicle over the weekend. Value of $5,400.TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
1641 HRS PYOTT RD. & EAST OAK ST. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. One subject transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
2347 HRS 3200 BLOCK OF RONAN RD. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 25 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.

District 300 Taxes Will NOT Go Up 42.7 Percent

"I don't want to see headlines tomorrow saying taxes will go up 42.7 percent next year" said District 300 Board President Joe Stevens Monday.  OK. See above.  Nevertheless, the distict will publish a legal notice Dec. 1 that says that.  It's another case, District officials said, of the law being out of step with reality.

The bottom line: Chief Finance Officer Cheryl Crates told her Board of Education  everybody's District 300 tax rate for 2009 (paid in 2010) will probably decrease about $.34 per $100 estimated assessed valuation.

The confusion  involves the state's 1991 tax cap law which limits 2009 total taxes collected from everybody to (oversimplifying here) last year's taxes plus inflation.  Divide that figure by everyone's collective estimated assessed valuation and you get the new tax rate. Only no one knows the total EAV yet.  Homeowners are challenging their assessments right now and new growth (there's been some) hasn't been tipped in yet, either. "We won't know the EAV until March or April," said Crates.

However, according to the law the district is supposed to say how much it will collect in 2010 right now.  To make sure the district doesn't shortchange itself later when the actual tax rate calculations are made Crates said it has to ask for way more now than it really expects to get.
After the Dec. 1 ad it has to hold a hearing about the essentially fictitious number.

Just to add a little interest, the tax year doesn't match the school year and the District is just starting to work on its 2010-2011 budget.  Crates indicated one question is where new labor contracts will end up. More uncertain, she said, is the state's parlous financial condition which might profoundly affect the district's state aid.  "They've got major issues.  Therefore we've got to be very conservative about what we do,"  said Crates.

Algonquin Chemical Contamination Open House Set Thursday

State officials announced Monday that a "Public Availability Session" on chemical contamination near the old Toastmaster factory in Algonquin  will be at St. John's Lutheran School from 6:30 to 9 pm Thursday.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Public Health and Department of Transportation revealed a study two weeks ago outlining lead and organic chemical poisons in soild and groundwater near the factory.  Officials promised at the time to talk with owners and residents about the problem on the 12th but hadn't then selected a location.

Experts from all three agencies will present a half-hour summary of findings about and plans for the site at 7 pm Thursday.  IEPA Community Relations Specialist Tammy Mitchell said an "information repository" about the contamination would be placed at the Algonquin Library Friday.

St. John's Lutheran School is at 300 S. Jefferson St.

Massacre Victim Comforted By Local Family Members

A Dundee-Crown interpreter and her Hampshire High School secretary sister are in Texas today anxiously waiting for improvement in the condition of their brother, one of 31 wounded in last week's Fort Hood massacre.

District 300 Superintendent Ken Arndt said Monday the army had flown the family of Staff Sergeant Miguel Angel Valdivia, including his sisters Alma and Araceli, to Fort Hood to be with him during recovery from three gunshot wounds he suffered in the attack.

Hospital officials in Killeen, TX, reported Monday that Valdivia was in fair condition there.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
November 09
0022 HRS ROUTE 47. & ACKMAN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Car vs. guard rail. Female, 21 years of age, transported to Woodstock Memorial, with an injury to her nose.
0538 HRS 300 BLOCK OF STEEPLECHASE WAY. AMBULANCE ASSIST.  Female, 18 months of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
0741 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MILLER RD. DEATH INVESTIGATION. Male, 48 years of age, found unresponsive.
0841 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. IDENTITY THEFT. Complainant advised someone else is using her social security number.
1245 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 19 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
1757 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles, property damage only.
2325 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK). FOUND PROPERTY. Bicycle in park area.
Huntley
November 2
Jennifer M. Hernandez, age 25, of 10358 Brighton was arrested for violation of order of protection.  Ms. Hernandez was transported to McHenry County jail.
Jeffrey D. Allen, age 19, of 5227 W. Roscoe, Chicago, IL was arrested on an outstanding warrant.  Mr. Allen posted bond and was released.
November 5
A wallet was stolen out of a shopper’s cart while shopping at Jewel located at 13200 Village Green.
A resident near 12700 Cold Springs Drive reported damage to property. Several branches on bushes were cut.
November 6
A resident near 10800 Henry Drive reported a lost or stolen vehicle registration sticker.
Sandra L. Schillace-Marotta, age 60, of 14025 Red Hills was arrested for battery.  Ms. Schillace-Marotta was given a Kane County court date of December 14, 2009 in St. Charles.
November 8
Gordon H. Rutherford, age 36 of 216 Indian Trail, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for driving off the roadway and no insurance.  Mr. Rutherford posted bond and was released with a McHenry County Court date of December 18, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.
Justin W. Boley, age 30 of 11010 Bonnie Brae, was arrested for domestic battery, unlawful interference with reporting a domestic battery, battery, and criminal damage to property.   Mr. Boley was transported to McHenry County jail and was given a McHenry County court date of December 11, 2009.
Justin W. Boley, age 30 of 11010 Bonnie Brae, was arrested for telephone harassment.
Michael Spires, age 45, of 11723 Daniel, was arrested for domestic battery and resisting a Peace Officer.  Mr. Spires was transported to McHenry County jail.
A male and female were at Weiss Park after hours and issued an ordinance violation.

County Foreclosures On The Rise Again

After a brief midyear dip the rate of foreclosure filings in McHenry jumped again in the third quarter according to a report released recently by the nonprofit Woodstock Institute community development organization.

The number of properties entering foreclosure from June through August increased more than 56 percent compared to the same period in 2008, according to the Institute's analysis.  The rate had been up only about 4 percent over the previous year during the second quarter.

While the rate of filings increased, however, the total number of this year is somewhat less than last year.  In the first nine months of 2009
foreclosure began on 1,793 homes in the county compared to 2091 during the same period of 2008, according to the report.  Woodstock Institute tallies showed new foreclosure filings against 743 McHenry County homes in the third quarter. There were only 475 in the same period last year.

Algonquin saw only an 8.5 percent increase in the third quarter while Lake in the Hills filings increased 19 percent. Crystal Lake filings were up 46.4 percent and Woodstock 83.3 percent.

The earlier dip in new foreclosure filings may have been an anomaly caused by the Illinois Homeowner Protection Act.  Begun last April it gives homeowners get a 30-day extension to contact a HUD counselor before the lender is allowed to proceed with legal action.

According to another Woodstock Institute report Hud-certified counselors have been overwhelmed with requests for help under the new law.

Woods Creek Bank Restoration Halted

Work on restoring an eroded Woods Creek embankment is stalled this week while a contractor for environmental advocate Al Wilson seeks a permit from Lake in the Hills.

Workers had already installed about 30 yards of fill into a landslip
at Wilson's property on the creek when village inspectors called a halt last Thursday.  "(The contractor) asked the village if I needed a permit and they said no," Wilson complained.

"I don't know who they talked to," said LITH Public Works Director Fred Mullard. "It's in a stormwater discharge area.  They need a permit."

Wilson is less than happy at the delay since he claims the landslip was the village's fault in the first place.  He said a waterline relief pipe periodically blasted high-pressure water at the embankment eroding it until it fell.

Mullard admitted the village contributed to the slip but said it wasn't clear how much.  "It's on a bend in the creek," where erosion would normally happen anyway he said.  Lawyers for Wilson and the village's insurance company wrangled over the matter for months before a settlement was reached a few weeks ago and Wilson thought he could finally begin restoration.

"They still need to put in another 20 or 30 yards," said Wilson.

"If they have (Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois Department of Natural Resources) permits there shouldn't be any problem," said Mullard.

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Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
November 08
2226 HRS 400 BLOCK OF OAK ST. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL HUFFMAN, ALEX P., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 584 GASLIGHT DR. ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0242 HRS 149 HILLTOP DR. (HAINE HOUSE). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Graffiti on exterior walls.
1059 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & TALAGA DR. ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1108 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. daughter. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1216 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 21 years of age, experiencing chest pains. No transport.
1250 HRS 250 RANDALL RD. (COSTCO). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1257 HRS 250 RANDALL RD. (COSTCO). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1326 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF WILDSPRING DR. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1731 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF MCKENZIE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY Father vs. son. Three priors. FAILED TO FILE.
1908 HRS 00 BLOCK OF AMBERLEIGH CT. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. son. Verbal only. No priors.
1941 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 49 years of age, with leg and back pain. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
2159 HRS 4800 BLOCK OF HIGHWOOD LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 43 years of age, having abdominal pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
Algonquin
November 6
10:10am Johnson, Sam Clayton H., DOB: 10/09/91, of 1021 Par Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
17:11pm Mayancela, Jose F., DOB: 04/29/80, of 2824 N. Springfield Avenue, Chicago, was charged with DWLS and Disobeying Traffic Control Device.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of DuPage County for Failure to Appear, on a No Valid Driver’s License charge.  He was taken into custody at LaFox River Drive and Division Street.  He was released after posting $100, on the Algonquin charges, with a court date of 12/09/09, in McHenry County and after posting $200, on the DuPage County Warrant, with a court date of 12/07/09, in DuPage County.
19:48pm Two fifteen-year-old males from Lake in the Hills were charged with Retail Theft.  They were taken into custody at Meijer’s, 400 S. Randall Road.  They were both released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 12/30/09, in Algonquin.
23:04pm Nulle, Matthew R., DOB: 06/04/92, of 2030 Carlisle Street, Algonquin, was charged with No Seat Belt, Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor and Zero Tolerance.  He was taken into custody at Arquilla Drive and Barrington Court.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, after posting his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 12/09/09, in McHenry County.
November 7
Strauss, Adam D., DOB: 08/13/88, of 900 Plymouth Court, Algonquin, was charged with Burglary to Motor Vehicle.  He was taken into custody at Harrison Street and Madison Street.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
November 8
18:09pm Anderson, Michael C., DOB: 03/29/89, of 1640 Stone Ridge Lane, Algonquin, was charged with Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was taken into custody in the 1200 block of Gaslight Drive.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 12/03/09, in Kane County.
18:37pm Marasigan, Medel R., DOB: 09/05/77, of 1533 Millbrook Drive, Algonquin, was charged with 2 counts of Domestic Battery and 2 counts of Unlawful Restraint.  He was taken into custody at 1533 Millbrook Drive.  He was transported to Kane County to await a bond hearing.
Huntley
delayed

Mock Plague Exercise Irons Out Bugs at LITH

About thirty walk-in volunteers helped Lake in the Hills Police test their plans during a medical emergency exercise at Lincoln Prairie Elementary School Saturday.

The premise of the medical runthrough was pneumonic plague picked up on a hunting trip and quickly spread, thanks to Murphy's law, at LITH's Summer Sunset Festival.  Lincoln Prairie was the site for distribution of medication to combat the hypothetical epidemic and Saturday's exercise was an attempt to work out some of the bugs in the plan.

The enactor's slip Courtney Feely was handed when she walked into triage said she had a high fever and was coughing blood.  LITH officer Jason Draftz was instructed to take Feely to isolation but balked at the route. "Wait a minute. Do we want to take her past (healthy people) and expose them?," Draftz asked. A different route and isolation location were selected.

LITH's plans for a medical emergency aren't limited to Saturday's police exercise.  For several months personnel in all departments have been cross-training to do jobs in other departments in case widespread disease strikes decimates their ranks.

"Say there's an epidemic," said Sgt. Terri Vollmer.  "With cross-training one of the guys in Public Works could do (police and fire) dispatch.  They already know the village."

In the pics:  (above) CERT's Paul Christmann at Triage alerts Officer Jason Draftz to a gravely ill and infectious patient, volunteer Courtney Feely at LITH's medical emergency exercise Saturday.  (below)
Packs like the one given to Cheri Feely and 18 month-old Skylar contained M&M's in Saturday's.  In a real epidemic they'd contain medicine flown in from CDC stockpiles.

LITH Legion Wing Dinner Raises $2,300 For Cancer Victim

A Lake in the Hills American Legion Chicken Wing dinner for 8 year-old cancer victim Rylie Mogan netted more than $2,300 Saturday to help pay medical expenses.

Grandfather and Legionnaire John White reported the child and her family are in Orlando this week courtesy of the Make a Wish Foundation before she begins a third round of chemotherapy.

In the pic:  Crystal Lake Hooter's waitress Jenn Specht serves up some wings at the Lake in the Hills American Legion fundraiser.  About to tuck in are Jeff, Michel and young Nicholas Forbush and Jerry Lonigro and Carmella Carsella.

County Board Approves Non-Union Merit Pay Plan

The McHenry County Board earlier this week approved a two percent pay increase for the county's 821 non-union workers, although the plan wasn't quite as simple as that.

What members approved was a merit plan increase that amounted to two percent of total non-union salaries.  Outstanding workers could see as much as a four percent salary increase next year under the plan. Some might see no increase at all.

County Administrator Peter Austin said it was important to provide pay incentives for county workers taking on more work as attrition bumps against county hiring freezes.

A vocal minority opposed granting any sort of pay increase.  District 4's John Hammerand said, "I know several places where people have been asked to take a ten percent pay cut."

Home Additions OK'd At Huntley Board

Huntley Trustees Thursday passed along a couple of Sun City home addition variations for formal approval next week.  Village staff said the requests probably were unrelated to last month's crackdown on a wildcat home add-on.

Village Manager Senior Assistant Lisa Armour said the village was still trying to figure out if there's a way to salvage a partially-built home addition that failed to meet code on several fronts.

The Sun City requests for a sunroom and a screened porch primarily involved only setback variances.  "The lots there are pretty small," said Armour.  "We had two (requests) last year.  There've been three this year."

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At Thursday's session Mayor Chuck Sass told the Huntley Board that, based on a meeting last week with Illinois Tollway Authority planners and the state Secretary of Transportation, construction on the I90/Route 47 full interchange probably wouldn't begin until 2012. 

Local Football

SECOND-ROUND STATE PLAYOFFS
SATURDAY'S RESULTS

CLASS 5A
Montini 42, Marian Central 21
Woodstock 42, Lakes 17

CLASS 6A
Cary-Grove 48, Highland Park 28
De La Salle 33, 10 Crystal Lake Central 20

CLASS 7A
Lake Zurich 30, Crystal Lake South 28

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
November 07
0029 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF BIRCH ST. DEATH INVESTIGATION. Male, 89 years of age, natural causes.
1321 HRS 500 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. FOUND PROPERTY. Delayed two weeks. Bicycle found in yard.
1512 HRS FRANK RD. & COYOTE LAKES CIRCLE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1523 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF HILLSBORO LN. BURGLARY to MOTOR VEHICLE. Items removed  overnight. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1546 HRS 600 BLOCK OF DAVID ST. REPORT FOR INSURANCE.  House spray-painted with silver paint.
1734 HRS ROUTE 31 & TRINITY DR. ACCIDENT. Truck vs. deer.
1909 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF SAVOY DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 41 years of age having chest pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.