"Roast" Honors Dundee-Crown Environmental Teacher

Dundee Township Supervisor said, "Most places give you a gold watch when you retire.  Gary Swick they give a suit made out of newspapers.  And it's probably the only suit he owns."  The suit and more were part of a Friday "roast" for the retiring environmental sciences teacher and activist.

Students and friends called it "Swickism" but it was something of a latter-day "Goodbye Mr. (sustainably harvested, biodegradable) Chips."

"We're graduating together," said Senior Jenna Groenhof.  "He's intense. He never stops doing things," she said. "I've never seen him still still once." More to the point, said Groenhof, "I know how to monitor a stream professionally.  Well, pretty well."

Parent Rick Tanner said, "I have two boys that both had Gary as a teacher. They're still doing things for him."

"They never get far away from Gary Swick," Tanner said.

Biology and environmental sciences teacher Katie Merva said, "He couldn't have been a more supportive mentor. I've seen this beginning he's built and hope that it will continue."

Swick, a sparkplug in the Friends of the Fox environmental group, will retire this year after 32 years of teaching marked by a lot of environmental accolades.  Swick was one of the first group of educators honored by the President's Council on Environmental Quality in 2000 and just weeks ago was among 22 individuals and groups chosen for the state's 2009 Environmental Hero Awards.

In the pic:  Swick was dragooned into on-stage skits joshing himself during Friday's "Swickism" roast.

Green Sets Time Definite For D158 Resignation

The day after announcing his resignation as D158 Board President "in a couple of months" Shawn Green said Friday he'd changed his mind and would make it March 4.

Green said, "I am concerned that some confusion could arise from the board going through the process of selecting a new member without there being an actual vacancy."  Green said resigning at the next Committee of the Whole meeting  would give the Board 45 days to choose a replacement.

"I am hopeful that by providing this notice more than a month in advance, a large pool of interested and qualified candidates will come forward to serve the community," said Green.

People In Need Forum To Provide Social Services Networking

This week's stock market drop of 5.2 percent might be another clue that the nation's economic recovery has been more Wall Street than Main Street. In the Midwest December unemployment rates released Friday show only auto-oriented Michigan in worse shape than Illinois.  So next Saturday's 2010 People in Need Forum at McHenry County College will probably be important.

There's actually a lot of help out there for people caught in the economic slump but it's scattered around.  The trick is to find  it and the Forum aims to connect volunteers and staff from human service organizations to community resources of which they may be unaware.

Jan. 18, 2009.Crystal Lake, IL] The  will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

The forum will include more than 12 different workshop sessions that address area townships and emergency assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, housing programs, access to health care services, senior services, elder abuse, cultural differences, and domestic violence.

“The People in Need Forum is unlike any other event held in McHenry County,” said Bev Thomas, 22nd  Judicial Circuit, Family Violence Coordinating Council and the Center for Non-Profit Leadership. “No other event will bring such a wide variety of social service providers together in one place at one time," she said.

Topics on tap include: Food Stamps, Medicaid and Other Federal Government Programs;  Health Care Services for the Underinsured; Behavioral Health Services in McHenry County; Housing and Energy Assistance; Credit Counseling in McHenry County; Elder Abuse and Neglect; Tenants’ Rights, Public Benefit Appeals and Mortgage Foreclosure;  Transitional Services for Youth in McHenry County; Issues of Homelessness; Townships and General Emergency Assistance and Emergency Assistance with the Salvation Army.

The forum for professionals will be 8 am to 12:30 pm Saturday, Jan. 30 at MCC. Registration is available at www.peopleinneedforum.org, or by calling the United Way of Greater McHenry County Volunteer Center at (815) 344-4483, or Thomas at MCC at (815) 479-7792.

State U's Consider Tuition Increases

By Jamey Dunn
U of I announced Friday it's considering a tuition increase and smaller state universities said they're running out of cost covering measures as the state lags behind in eduation payments.

University of Illinois Interim President Stanley Ikenberry created a stir when he said at a board of trustees meeting in Chicago yesterday that a 9 percent tuition increase may be a best-case-scenario for the university system.  The state owes the U of I more than $400 million. “Furloughs are the very painful and highly visible last resort,” university spokesman Thomas Hardy said.

SIU, owed $125 million, is considering asking the legislature for borrowing power in case it gets in a tight spot and cannot meet payroll. Universities do not currently have the power to borrow money for their operating budgets. The U of I is not seeking the ability to borrow.

Illinois State University, located in Normal, has not had to face furloughs or layoffs yet. University spokesperson Jay Groves said that ISU would likely not make any decisions about a tuition increase until May. The state owes that university more than $60 million.

Western Illinois University, with campuses in Macomb and the Quad Cities, is taking a hard look at everyday efficiencies. The state owes Western $5 million. Spokeswoman Darcie Shinberger said a tuition increase could be in the works, but that decision will not be made until June. “It is likely we will be looking at a modest all-costs increase.”

Eastern Illinois University also has not instituted layoffs. It is implementing a hiring freeze, putting off maintenance projects and reducing spending to try to keep it that way. The state owes the university $39 million.

Judy Erwin, executive director of the State Board of Higher Education, said she doesn’t understand why legislators have not done more to get institutions of higher education the money they are owed. “What is it going to take to convince legislators that there is a very serious crisis that cannot be ignored…Do we wait until some colleges have to be shut down?”

Representatives of Northeastern Illinois University, Governor’s State University and Northern Illinois University could not be reached.

You can read Jamey's full report in Illinois Issues Blog at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/public-universities-struggle-to-make.html

Local Sports

Boys' Basketball

Wednesday
Cary-Grove 58, McHenry 51
Crystal Lake South 43, Jacobs 39
Grayslake Central 65, Johnsburg 59
Grayslake North 67, Crystal Lake Central 46
Huntley 45, Dundee-Crown 43
Marian Central 77, Aurora Christian 52
Woostock 42, Woodstock North 35

Monday
Rich East 55, Dundee-Crown 31
Robeson 70, Marian Central 66
St. Charles East 57, Jacobs 50

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
January 22
1432 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS). RETAIL THEFT. COLEMAN, CHRISTINE, F/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 7 OXFORD APT 18, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Retail Theft. RELEASED ON BOND.
2244 HRS 4511 W. ALGONQUIN. (CVS PHARMACY). DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. COOPER, ALEXIS D., F/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 214 TOLLVIEW TERRACE, GILBERTS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. RELEASED ON BOND.
0736 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTONS). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 44 years of age, semi-conscious. No Transport.
0810 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only.  Two priors.
0935 HRS 00 BLOCK OF COG HILL CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 46 years of age, feeling dizzy. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1346 HRS 9625 HALIGUS RD. (MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL) BATTERY. Juvenile male possibly involved in a battery. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1529 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT 3 car accident. Property damage only. 1755 HRS 700 BLOCK OF MASON LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 2 years of age, injury to her head. No transport.
1913 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.

D158 Board Chief To Step Down

District 158 Board of Education President Shawn Green announced Thursday he would resign from the spot in "probably a couple of months."  Green said he'd only run for the board because no one else would but increased job and family demands won't allow him to continue.

Green said he felt the move, furthermore, would free him to "become more active within the Conservative movement" in McHenry County politics, something  he'd like to do.

Green said he'd stay at the helm until the Board selects a replacement.  There's no set procedure for that Green said but supposed they'd likely make a choice after soliciting resumes. That assumes anyone wants the spot.  No one did two years ago, according to Green.  "I had no intent of running again but the (candidate) pool was very shallow," he said.

Green is a detective at Schaumburg PD but said recent duty changes have made it difficult for him to serve on the D158 Board. "I'm on call now which I wasn't before.  I've had to take comp time to make Board meetings," he said.  Not to mention the Green family just added a baby.

Green's intent letter was equal opportunity politically.  It blasted "radical thinkers" leading Democrats but likewise flayed the Republican Party which had, according to Green, "strayed from its conservative roots."

D158 Board Renews Superintendent's Three-Year Contract

The District 158 Board renewed its contract with Superintendent John Burkey for another three years. The contract gives Burkey no salary increase next year as the district struggles to come up with about $6 million in budget cuts for the 2010-11 school year.

Soon-to-resign President Shawn Green said the salary freeze came at Burkey's own request.  Green said the board had planned increases "strictly on the CPI" but Burkey subsequently told them "'I don't want a raise for the first year of my (new) contract.'"

Member Aileen Seedorf was the only No vote on the contract.

The CPI is an important factor in Board plans for the coming school year. (See FEN's story last week.)  District Controller Mark Altmayer forecast the correct number which was baked into the district's draft budget revealed last week.  It calls for some $6 million in cuts still leaving the district about $700,000 in the red, roughly the same number expected this year.

"My adjective of 'bleak' remains the same," said Altmayer.  Even so, he said, the CPI increase "give is some much-needed flexibility."

Altmayer said the district was pleasantly surprised this week to receive first-quarter payments from the state.  He said it was still late but he hadn't really expected to see it before June.

D158's draft budget and cuts are posted on its website here:
http://www.district158.org/boe/BOE%20COTW%20Packet%2009-10/BOE%20COTW%20MTG%201-7-10%20Part%202%20Finance.pdf

There's no direct page link so you have to plug 221 into the page box (upper left) for an overview of reductions.  Plug in 234 for details on each cut.  234 starts the broad draft budget for 2010-11 and 244 starts a line-by-line version.

In the pic: The Board and Huntley High faculty posed for this pic to celebrate the school's selection for ACT's Red Quill award.  (See story last week.)

LITH Couple Arrested In Juvenile Prostitution Case

Armed with a search warrant for their home, Lake in the Hills police arrested a couple in a case of alleged juvenile prostitution Thursday.

Police charged Donald R. Jones, 52, and Antwanette R. Atkins, 42, both of 3593 Sonoma Circle, Lake in the Hills with Involuntary Servitude of a Minor and Juvenile Pimping.

Police said they began an investigation on a tip from the Wichita Kansas Police Department two weeks ago that a 14 year-old girl from Wichita was allegedly sold for sex in Lake in the Hills in December.  The tip came only three days after a McHenry County Jury convicted a McHenry man for prositituting a 13 year-old girl.

Jones and Atkins were transported to the McHenry County Jail Thursday.

Church Prepares Breakfasts For Area Homeless

Volunteer chefs filled the kitchen at Huntley's Faith Community Church Thursday evening preparing breakfasts for the homeless at Elgin's Vineyard Ministries.  It's a "third Thursday of the month" thing for her group said Christen Przybyl.

"Another church provides something like French Toast or potato casserole and we provide the protein," she said, the protein being a scrambled egg casserole with ham, green pepper and onions and sausages.  The group prepares and freezes 16 12-serving pans of breakfast casserole each month for Elgin-area homeless.

In the pic: Don Kownacki browns some sausage while Christen Przybyl rummages for utensils at Faith Community Church's Thursday evening's prep of breakfast for area homeless.

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
January 21
0010 HRS 801 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (ALGONQUIN POST OFFICE). WANTED ON WARRANT. CALDERON, VICTOR, M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 33 N. GENEVA , APT 3, ELGIN.  CHARGES: Wanted on a Warrant, Kane County, for Reckless Driving, Full Cash Bond $1000.00, Driving While  License Suspended, No Insurance. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY CO JAIL.
FOLLOW-UP ARRESTS: 1026 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE OF A MINOR. JONES, DONALD R., M/B 52 YEARS OF AGE, 3593 SONOMA CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Involuntary servitude of a minor & juvenile pimping. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY CO JAIL. ATKINS, ANTWANETTE R., F/B 42 YEARS OF AGE, 3593 SONOMA CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Involuntary servitude of a minor & juvenile pimping. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY CO JAIL.
0133 HRS 8300 BLOCK OF PINGREE RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 25 years of age, complications from surgery. No transport.
0702 HRS 800 BLOCK OF MENOMINEE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 55 years of age, vomiting. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0803 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICK’S). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 50 years of age, intoxicated. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0822 HRS RANDALL ROAD & MILLER ROAD, ACCIDENT. 2 vehicles. Property damage only
1744 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & INDIAN TRAIL. INJURY ACCIDENT. WITH Two Vehicles. One person transported to Sherman Hospital.
1848 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF GENEVA LN. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only, no priors.
1927 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC. Girlfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only, 8 priors.
2145 HRS 3300 BLOCK OF WORTHINGTON LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE Male, 33 years of age, with a racing heart. No transport.
Algonquin
moretocome

Huntley Route 47 Bids Far Under Estimate

Illinois Department of Transportation has all the bids now on widening Route 47 in Huntley.  In a bad economy the good news is they're all a whole lot less than the project's original $40 million projection.

Seventeen companies took a look at widening 2.5 miles of 47 from Kreutzer north to Reed Road but only eight bid. All but one high bid clustered in the $25 million area.  Hoffman Estates' Plote Construction had the low bid at $23.7 million.  Plote was the contractor who did the west half of widening Algonquin Road.

"I'm pleased with the dollar amount for this," said Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass this week.  "(The Village of Huntley) has about $6 million budgeted for it so I hope that gets reduced."

IDOT won't award the Route 47 contract for another 5 to 7 weeks. Then it'll be about three weeks before the Division and Plote sit down to work out the practical details, so early April looks like the earliest time for bulldozers to start their work.

"I'm pretty confident it's going to happen," said Sass. "But I'll believe it when I see the first shovel."

In the pic:  ComEd crews have been busy the last couple of weeks relocating power lines from the west side of 47 to the east preparing for this summer's construction in Huntley. At last report what to do about the underground lines to the north was still up in the air.

County Pols Raise Funds, Watch Debate Wednesday

McHenry County's political class was out in force Wednesday as Young Republicans held a fundraiser in Crystal Lake and non-age-demoninated Democrats gathered to watch WTTW's Senate debate.

While the rest of the country, at least according to mainstream media, was all abuzz over Repubican Scott Brown's defeat of Martha Coakley for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, local discussion seemed to center more on getting out the local vote and whose signs were encroaching on public rights of way.

In the pics: (Above) At the GOP, District 6 Board candidate Diane Evertsen talked with District 2 hopeful Donna Kurtz while Board Chairman and District 2 incumbent Ken Koehler had a discussion with Young Republican Bryan Javor.
A lot of board incumbents and candidates were scheduled to be there but it was hard to tell who showed up and who was late because it was hard to find a parking place.  (Below)  Local Dems concentrated on the debate among David Hoffman, Alexi Giannoulias, and Cheryle Jackson for what's often described as Barack Obama's Senate Seat even though it's currently occupied by Roland Burris.  Candidate Dr. Bob Marshall appeared to personally complain about being excluded from the debate.

New Manager Sought For LITH Airport

Here's a quick employment test: Do you have a degree in Engineering or Public Administration?  Did you have a poster of Burt Lancaster in the move Airport over your bed when you were a kid? Do you enjoy solid waste disposal?  If you answered "yes" to two out of three of those questions then go to https://jobs.lith.org/jac3/JobCat.aspx and fill out an application for LITH Assistant Public Works Director and Airport Manager.

Former Public Works Deputy Dave Gregoria took retirement last month so LITH has a spot open.  Most of it involves the usual street work, water and sewer projects and snow removal you'll find in any town, according to Village Administrator Jerry Sagona  However, in Lake in the Hills it also includes managing the village's airport.

That's not as glamorous as it sounds, Sagona said.  "We don't have a control tower," he said.  "Mostly it's removing snow and changing lights and renting hangars."  Public Works Director Fred Mullard said recently sometimes the manager gets to shoo deer off the runway, too.  In short, LITH's Airport Manager needs a Class D truck license.

On the other hand, the pay (better than $90,000) and bennies are pretty good and as far as the airport goes "additional training is available".  Sagona said applicants don't have to worry too much about the safety upgrades going on at the airport right now.  He said he and Village President Ed Plaza are usually privileged to deal with the FAA on that.

Deadline to apply is Jan. 29.  Sagona said the resumes are piling up fast.

MCDH Offers Walk-In Swine Flu Vaccination

 There's plenty of swine flu vaccine so starting today the McHenry County Department of Health will offer daily walk-in clinics for H1N1 immunizations at its Crystal Lake and Woodstock offices.  No appointments are necessary from 8:30 am to noon and 12:30 to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.  There's no cost for the H1N1 vaccine and clinics are open to all county residents over 6 months of age.  Children under 10 years old should receive their 2nd dose of the H1N1 vaccine four weeks after receiving the first dose.

Spokesmen say the H1N1 virus continues is still around in McHenry County and has caused serious problems, especially to those with underlying medical conditions.  MCDH's offices are at 100 N. Virginia Street in Crystal Lake and 2200 N. Seminary Avenue in Woodstock.

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
January 20
0759 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF CLAYTON MARSH DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 35 years of age, having severe abdominal pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1027 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. A laptop computer was taken.
1057 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 50 years of age, needed an evaluation. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
1540 HRS 2200 BLOCK OF PEMBRIDGE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 41 years of age, with an injury to his head. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
HRS 1000 BLOCK OF VIEWPOINT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 2 years of age, with an injury to her head. Transported to Good Shepherd
2058 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2321 HRS 9000 BLOCK OF VIRGINIA RD. CHECK FOR WELL BEING. Checked the well being of a female, 46 years of age.

County Board Votes Approval of Mental Health Expansion

The County Board showed a significant split Tuesday in a vote on a housekeeping measure to allow federal stimulus bonds for a controversial addition to the McHenry County Health Board's Crystal Lake headquarters.  The vote was 13 to 8 with one recusal, the same as an earlier vote to dedicate the bond allocation. This time, however, members clearly understood the vote was one on the expansion itself.

Previously the question had been pitched as a neutral one. The Mental Health Board claims it's run out of space in its current facilities and plans to take out an expensive bank loan if the County Board won't give it $4 million in bonds. The votes were limited to whether or not to extend the County's access to cutrate financing.

This time, as District 4 Member Sandy Salgado pointed out, the measure included phrasing that said the County Board thought the expansion was a good idea in the first place. Finance Committee Chairman Marc Munaretto said the ordinance had been drafted by the Assistant State's Attorney bond specialist and recommended against altering the wording. That changed Tuesday's question into an up or down vote to approve the expansion and, more broadly, the Mental Health Board itself.

In public comment before the vote Pioneer Center's Richard Draper continued his vehement opposition to both charging the Mental Health Board is directly providing services that could and should be done by client agencies like his.  Mental Health Board President Don Larson responding in kind challenged Draper to "see the State's Attorney" if he thought his group was acting illegally.  Draper muttered a response under his breath to that but not loud enough to tell if he planned to pick up the gauntlet.

Despite two votes on the Mental Health Board bonds the County Board still hasn't actually approved issuing them.  That vote's expected in a month or so.

FEN Finds Possible Problems For Proposed Sportsplex

RZB's are backed with OPM.  RZB's are federal stimulus Recovery Zone Bonds, $18 million of which the McHenry County Board is contemplating awarding to a proposed sports complex between Huntley and Woodstock.  OPM is Other People's Money, not McHenry County's.

That's good because if the 180-acre complex can't pay off the bonds the RZB buyers can't come back on the County. RZB's aren't that sort of bond. Even so, $18 million is two thirds of all the stimulus authority the County has to work with and an FEN investigation has found a couple of possible snags in the sports complex plan.

McHenry County Sportsplex LLC is the company asking for the bonds.  In its Dec. 16 application the company is listed as owned by two other companies, 30 percent by McHenry County Sportsplex Management Group LLC and 70 percent by McHenry County Sportsplex EB-5 Fund LLC.  However in an accompanying business plan the split is listed as 51 for the former, 49 for the latter. Who actually owns the controlling interest?  In an interview Friday Sportsplex CEO Lou Tenore said that at the moment the EB-5 fund owns 65 percent of the company, the Management Group 35 percent.  Later on the Management group will end up with a 51 percent interest.

No matter what the split, though, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, there isn't any McHenry County Sportsplex Management Group LLC registered to do business in Illinois. That's the first snag.

Tenore said the company's organization was delayed because another company had a similar name. He said the application had been filed "last week".  LLC Records chief Deborah Russell said Tuesday, however, she still couldn't find a record of the company.  She admitted, though, that an application might still be somewhere in-process. "The statute says we have to finish it in ten (working) days," she said.

Be that as it may, Tenore and three other men are listed as the managers of McHenry County Sportsplex LLC, if not of McHenry County Sportsplex Managment LLC.  Tenore is the company President.  News stories have described him as a Lake in the Hills businessman and, indeed, he lives in Lake in the Hills and is a businessman.  However his business, although officially listed with an address at his home, is physically located in tiny Poplar Grove, Boone County. It's a maraschino cherry processor currently called EPI. One undated industrial profile places its annual sales at $1.6 million with an employee roster of 14 people.

Tenore said that was about right, although at one point he'd built the company up to $4.6 million in sales during a particular 12-month period.  He said he decided to scale the company back again, though.  "There was no margin in it," Tenore said.

Only one woman who declined to identify herself was at EPI the day FEN visited the factory.  There were no cherries being processed although she said that sometimes there were.  Tenore said the factory doesn't operate all the time.  When he needs stock he orders some bleached and brined cherries and calls in a crew to flavor and dye them, he said.

EPI was formerly Edens Processing, Inc.  Records of the Secretary of State show four separate IRS tax liens totaling about $80,000 against Edens Processing in 2006.  The liens were all lifted the same day in early 2007.  Tenore said they involved a dispute over the proper classification of some of his employees. "My lawyer said pay (the claims) and try to get the money back later." He said he did that but hasn't recovered any of the payments.  HE volunteered he also had a problem with the state Department of Revenue over some sales taxes.  "I won that one," Tenore said.

The majority owner of McHenry County Sportsplex LLC, however, is the Chicago-based McHenry County Sportsplex EB-5 Fund LLC, according to Tenore. Its business is part of an obscure federal program that, as one recently retired U.S. Security official put it, "sells (U.S.) resident visas."  That's not the other possible snag, though. You have to drill down to who owns the EB-5 Fund to find that.

NEXT:  How Do You Say "Sportsplex" in Farsi?

In the pics: (above)The only sign at EPI's plant in Poplar Grove was a handwritten one on the door saying to call the company number if no one was in.  (below) An artists's conception of what the $40 million McHenry County Sportsplex would look like. 

Ethics Group Issues County Board Endorsements

With 12 days to go until Illinois' Groundhog Day Primary Election the self-described grassroots Alliance For Agriculture, Land and Water issued its recommendations Tuesday in County Board contests.

President Patrcia Kennedy said the endorsement were based on the candidate's pledges "to work for preservation of our natural resources, our fresh water supply and our prime farmland."  ALAW asked candidates to complete a survey about their stands on land use, water resources and "transparency in government."  On the last the group has a proposal before the County Board mandating financial disclosure for all employees and officeholders.

ALAW's picks were: Donna Kurtz (R) District Two; Barb Wheeler (R) District 3; John Jung, Jr. (R) District 5; Frank Wedig, (Green Party) District 5; Diane Evertsen (R) District 6; and Mary McCann (R) District 6.  Sixteen Board candidates have submitted ALAW's disclosure form although few had anything to disclose.

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
January 19
1410 HRS 10920 REED RD. (HANNAH MARTIN SCHOOL). DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SCHAEFER, KAREN, F/W 37 YEARS OF AGE,
850 PROVENCE PLACE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. Charges: Driving under the influence of alcohol, blood alcohol  content over .08,  improper lane usage & child endangerment. RELEASED ON BOND.
1634 HRS 100 BLOCK OF DEERPATH LN. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. JUVENILE, F/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: No Valid Driver’s License. TURNED OVER TO PARENTS.
0933 HRS 511 WILLOW ST. (LITH ELEMENTARY). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 34 years of age, in extreme pain. Transported to Sherman  Hospital.
0941 HRS 3200 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 19 years of age, possibly having a seizure. Transported to  Woodstock Memorial.
1232 HRS 10920 REED RD. (HANNAH MARTIN SCHOOL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 10 years of age, fell and injured his head.  Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1427 HRS 4670 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (STATE FARM). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 51 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1612 HRS 500 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1622 HRS 6900 RAKOW ROAD. (RAKOW CURVES). INJURY ACCIDENT. Three car accident with injuries. Two subjects from one of the vehicles transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital. Two subjects from a second vehicle transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1620 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF WINDGATE WAY. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Speaker & amplifier taken from one vehicle, and a wallet from another during the night. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1648 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY. Assist to Department of Children and Family Services. PENDING  INVESTIGATION.
1729 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. FOUND ARTICLE. Car stereo found by the storm drain.
1805 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF CHANTILLY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 6 months of age, fell off the couch. No transport.
1817 HRS 800 BLOCK OF MENOMINEE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 55 years of age, fell. No transport.
2346 HRS VIRGINIA RD, & ROUTE 31. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs Deer. Property damage only.

County Home Sales, Prices Steady In December

In a hopeful sign for homeowners the McHenry County Association of Realtors reported Monday that December housing sales held steady and home prices actually rose slightly.  The group reported 258 home sales closed in December, only 6 fewer than November but the average price of the homes saw a more than $6,000 increase from the previous month at $198,000.  Time on market remained unchanged.

"I had three closings in December," said Lake in the Hills realtor Lena Maratea.  "When did that ever happen?"

Maratea said she's encouraged by one of her listings, a townhome she's had on the market for three months. In the midst of the housing bubble that would have been off buyers' radar screens.  "I've had two calls on it this week,"she said.

Some of the current real estate activity is probably due to federal efforts to keep the housing market afloat.  The latest program extends the tax credit for first-time home buyers expanding it to include some existing homeowners as well. The credit is now 10 percent of the home price, up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and up to $6,500 for repeat buyers. But buyers must have a binding contract in place by Apr. 30 and must close by June 30.

"I think you'll see lots of activity until April," Maratea said. "Then I think it'll take off by itself."

LITH Windmill Regulations Passed To Village Board

The Lake in the Hills Planning and Zoning Commission Monday smoothed some rough edges off the village's proposed ordinance changes to regulate windmills and sent them on for Village Board approval.

Prompted by rumors that a local business might be contemplating one, village planners decided they'd better make some rules before it went up.  No one spoke at Monday's hearing but at an earlier session some residents said they'd never thought about a windmill before but were considering them now.

The biggest rough edge was how big a windmill could be.  The Commission settled on a 7.5 foot rotor diameter for roof mount installations.  Another question unsettled was how often to inspect windmills.  Once by a professional inspector under contract, subsequently on his recommended schedule was the answer.

The ordinance revisions with a 100 kw limit would still ban big industrial windmills like the one erected at Woodstock late last year. But Commissioner Anna Siakel said after recently passing the giant windfarm near Paw Paw she was even beginning to get used to those.  "This giant field was like 'Star Wars' or something.  It's becoming less offensive to me now. I don't think they're that bad.  But I don't want one by my bedroom window."

In the pic:  Sellers claim this jim-dandy windmill can be assembled from components for $162.  But the plans cost $27.

Heart Program For Women Set To Begin Today

 McHenry County Department of Health will begin a heart health program for women this evening.  The program is designed to assess heart health risks, manage stress, and establish reachable goals to become and stay more active.

“Heart Smart for Women” runs every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 pm  through April 6 at MCDH’s Crystal Lake facility, 100 N. Virginia Street.  The program will be show practical ways to fit physical activity into everyday life, while making heart-healthy and tasty food choices to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.  Lila Keller, RN, Health Educator will also show how to break down barriers, find support and overcome lapsing and relapsing behaviors.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.  Studies show one in three adult women have some form of heart disease.  A healthful lifestyle can lower the risk, though, according to MCDH.  Physical activity has many benefits including weight loss, lowered blood pressure, diabetes control, improved mental health and strengthened bones.

The program receives funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Women’s Health and is is supported by Mercy Health System. Preregistration is required at 815-334-4580 or LAKeller@co.mchenry.il.us.  The fee is $25 but those who complete the course will receive a refund of $15.

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
January 18
0137 HRS HALIGUS RD. & HALIGUS RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. JASON, BRIAN J., M/W 35 YEARS OF AGE, 1133 WINDSLOW CIRCLE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Greater than .08, Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
0219 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. THEFT OF SERVICE. WENZEL, ROBERT R., M/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 310 VILLAGE CREEK DR., APT 2B, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Theft of Service. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY.
0959 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. LOPEZ, EDWARD L., M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 1572 SKYRIDGE DR., APT#2, CRYSTAL LAKE. Charges: Driving While License Suspended, No Proof of Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1958 HRS 200 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. WANTED ON WARRANT/DOMESTIC. LEWIS, JAMEL D., M/B 22 YEARS OF AGE, 790 CIRCLE DR., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Kane County for Obstruct Service of Process. Bond Amount: $1,500 Full Cash. TRANSPORT TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1127 HRS 300 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT. A 1998 Honda Civic was stolen. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1204 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MESA DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs Wife. Verbal only.
1257 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MILLER RD. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assisted the McHenry Police Department with locating a missing juvenile. TURNED OVER TO YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU
1341 HRS 311 N RANDALL RD. (LITH THEATER). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1435 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1600 HRS 300 BLOCK HARVEST GATE. FOUND PROPERTY. Two bullets were located on a driveway.
1625 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. DEATH. Male, 52 years of age, found unresponsive. INVESTIGATION.
2018 HRS 0 BLOCK OF WARWICK CT. BURGLARY FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE. A purse was removed from a vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2131 HRS 200 BLOCK OF ANNANDALE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 68 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
moretocome

Flu Flat Health Departments Report

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported only 37 new cases of H1N1 flu in the state during the latest week but three deaths from the disease.  According to the latest figures from the McHenry County Department of Health there were no confirmed flu cases of any sort in the county from Dec. 27 through Jan. 9. (see graph)

Three persons have died in McHenry County since last March while 89 have succumbed throughout the state and 2733 have been hospitalized.  As predicted the disease has particularly affected children 18 and young and adults under 50.

IDPH has another 700,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine on order for Illinois residents outside Chicago. They'll likely appear more quickly than before since several European health agencies canceled or cut back their orders to manufacturers this week.

Public health officials warned that the flu season isn't over yet and continue to recommend shots both for H1N1 and seasonal flu. (They're different diseases so two different shots.) MCDH plans an H1N1 shot clinic in Harvard Jan. 27.  Centegra Health System also continues H1N1 vaccinations at its four facilities including Huntley.  Flu treatment also remains available at the Huntley location.

Huntley High Wins ACT Award

Huntley High School  announced last week that it's one of only four Illinois high schools to win the ACT Red Quill award for this school year.

Each year, testing service ACT invites  high schools to apply for the award based on their students' performance on the Explore, PLAN and ACT examinations. Huntley High School’s application detailed school improvement efforts over the past several years.  District 158 Superintendent  John Burkey said, “This honor is a testament to the staff and students of our schools who have worked hard to realize such a dramatic rise in our ACT scores.”

Huntley High Principal David Johnson said the award came because the school has tried to find ways to use the college-oriented test scores to improve instruction for students who don't plan to to go to college.  "It's not just about college readiness," said Johnson, "but career readiness."

"Many of the types of skills (tested by the ACT) are important no matter what type of school or what type of jobs you go on to," he said.

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
January 17
0315 HRS ACKMAN RD. & RANDALL RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, PLATZNER, MICHAEL P., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 1302 SKYRIDGE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with
Breath Alcohol Content Greater than .08, Speeding, Underage Consumption of Alcohol. RELEASED ON BOND. SMITH, DAKOTA R., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 4335 N WHIPPLE ST., CHICAGO. CHARGES: Underage Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0105 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. DOMESTIC. Father vs. Son. Verbal only. One prior.
0350 HRS 200 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 64 years of age, slurred speech. No transport.
0412 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 20 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2154 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BRISBANE DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. No priors.
Algonquin
delayed

Quinn Signs Education, Corrections Bills

By Jamey Dunn
Gov. Pat Quinn signed three new bills into law this week that go into effect immediately.

Two bills Quinn signed Friday will assist Illinois in its pursuit of up to $500 million in competitive federal education grants. One bill will make student performance the primary factor for evaluating teachers. Some school districts, including Chicago Public Schools, will implement the new standards in 2010, and the rest of the state will follow suit by 2016. The other allows nonprofit organizations, such as Teach for America, to offer alternative teacher certification programs independently of universities.

A third law Quinn approved puts into place the reforms to the Meritorious Good Time program that he laid out earlier this month. Inmates now have to serve at least 60 days before they can receive any time off their sentences for good behavior.

The new law also requires the Department of Corrections to notify prosecutors 14 days before releasing an inmate early. These changes came in response to controversy over offenders, some of them violent, being released through the program after spending only weeks behind bars.

You can read the full version of this story at Illinois Issues Blog:
http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/quinn-signs-new-laws.html

Huntley AAUW Steeps In Tea Lore Saturday

Women of the Huntley Area AAUW, once the American Association of University Women, now just the letters, met at Algonquin's TeaGschwendner tea store Saturday to learn about the many varieties of the world's most popular beverage and maybe recruit a few more members.

In re tea they learned there can be more to brewing up a cuppa than tossing a bag into a mugful of water.  Tea can offer just as much complication as wine but without all that cork controversy.

With reference to AAUW prospective members, Administrative Officer Maylo Hranac said, "We're primarily interested in promoting equality for women."  The national organization's been around since 1881, the Huntley branch for five years now.  For more on the group email huntleyaauw@gmail.com

In the pic:  TeaGschwendner Shift Manager Kelsey Pierson hit the high points from tea bush to pot for the Huntley Area AAUW members Saturday. 

Algonquin Lions Support Vision And Hearing Programs

Algonquin Lions Club member Jerry Glogowski swapped out collection boxes at Midwest Bank, Algonquin, Saturday.  The old one was getting kind of raggedy from all the glasses, hearing aids, cellphones and ink cartridges donated for use by the poor in the U.S. and other countries or for recycling in support of that.

Besides Midwest Bank,  Algonquin Lions collection boxes are at Algonquin Village Hall; the Algonquin Library, Main and Eastgate branches;  Algonquin State Bank, Huntington Drive and Downtown branches; Atkinson Eye Center; Meijer, Eye Care Department; Northwest Eyecare and  Wal-Mart, Eye Care Department.

Local Sports

Boys Basketball
Saturday's Results
Johnsburg 50, Dundee-Crown 35

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
January 16
0141 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HIAWATHA DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 38 years of age, having severe stomach pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2125 HRS 0 BLOCK OF HADDON CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 45 years of age, injured from a fall. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2301 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CT. REPORT FOR INSURANCE. Damage to a Laptop computer.
2351 HRS 500 BLOCK OF SEMINOLE TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 21 years of age, lost consciousness. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
January 15
0051 HRS PYOTT RD. & RAKOW RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. CRAIG, DANIEL N., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 60 W. MARGARET TERRACE, CARY. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Blood Alcohol Content Over .08, No Insurance, Speeding. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0751 HRS FRANK RD. & PEARTREE DR. FOUND PROPERTY. A purse located at the intersection. The purse and its contents were returned to the owner.
1306 HRS 3900 BLOCK OF SPRING LAKE DR. DOMESTIC. Mother v. son. Verbal only.No priors.
1438 HRS 311 N RANDALL RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS THEATER). DOMESTIC Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only.
1454 HRS 2106 W ALGONQUIN RD. (LILY GARDEN). THEFT. Theft of spare tire. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
1859 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & MILLER RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. No transport.
1928 HRS 00 BLOCK OF KURT CT. DOMESTIC. Husband vs Wife. Verbal only. No priors.
1938 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTE. Dispute between parents over visitation.
2024 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS) BATTERY. Two male subjects fighting. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2131 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 42 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2307 HRS 300 BLOCK OF SIOUX TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Sister vs. sister. Verbal only. No priors.
2314 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. Seventeen priors.