FirstElectricNewspaper: 2010-02-07

Saturday, February 13, 2010

McHenry County Nets $60 Million In Stimulus--More Or Less

One year ago today, with the economy tanking and the stock market in shambles, the House and Senate took three whole days to come up with the standard answer to bad times: Stimulus! Newly-inaugurated Barack Obama signed the $787 billion measure six days later. For the past year now it's supposed to have been raining soup, everybody grab a bucket. So how much did we get?

According to the Act's transparency site (and using the most optimistic assumptions) the Fed shoveled $63,065,109 worth of stimulus into McHenry County in 2009.

That number's a little shaky, though. For one thing, the transparency portal's kind of bleary. It doesn't really focus down to the county level. It skips from the state straight to the municipal level without any stops at the counties and townships in between.

More troubling, the numbers aren't internally consistent. For example, at one location on the site $7,767,908,600 worth of payments are listed as "awarded" in Illinois. But at another the "paid out" number is $20 million less. Meanwhile, at still another location only $3,095,362,170 is listed as "received" in Illinois.

At least that last one fits with a national pie chart showing about 25 percent of ARRA projects haven't even started and more than half of those that have are less than half-done.

Oh, and the part about the bill's being worth $787 billion? About three quarters of that is what IRS theorists like to call a "tax gift". It isn't money the Feds handed out. Instead it's money they were going to take away from folks but changed their minds. Net that out and there's "only" about $200 billion of Keynsian stimulus left.

With all those caveats, here's where the Feds say the stimulus money went in McHenry County in 2009:

SCHOOLS
Nippersink School Dist.2,Richmond. $356,688
Richmond Burton Community High School Dist. $270,047
Alden-Hebron School District 19. $118,643
Harvard CUSD 50. $1,745,606
Johnsburg CUSD 12. $1,497,899
Harrison School District 36, Wonder Lake. $169,464
Mchenry School Dist. 15. $906,456
McHenry Community High School District 156. $734,831
Woodstock CUSD 200. $2,655,777
Special Education District of McHenry County. $11,729,289
Prairie Grove Consolidated SD 46. $137,735
Cary Elementary School Dist. 26. $1,527,945
Crystal Lake Community Consolidated SD 47. $2,947,142
CUSD 155, Crystal Lake. $3,382,102
Marengo Community High School Dist. 54. $318,127
Marengo Union Elementary Dist. 165. $243,162
Fox River Grove Consolidated SD 3. $127,540
Riley Community Consolidated School Dist.18. $47,378
Consolidated SD 158 (McHenry and Kane counties), Algonquin. $3,871,282
Community School District 300 (McHenry and Kane counties). $11,724,253
total-$44,522,366

ROADS
Main St., Richmond. $523,886
Kenosha St., Richmond. $1,953,958
Garfield Drive, Harvard. $262,105
E. Wonder Lake Rd., Wonder Lake $262,105
Ridge Rd., McHenry, $22,939
Ridge Road, McHenry. $239,166
Barreville Rd., McHenry. $262,105
Ringwood Road, McHenry. $239,206
Ringwood Road, McHenry. $262,105
Ringwood Road, Johnsburg. $22,899
Wondermere Rd. Woodstock. $262,105
U.S. 14, Woodstock $684,447
Raffel Rd., Woodstock. $262,105
Bull Valley Road, Woodstock. $262,105
Valley View Rd., Crystal Lake. $238,130
Crystal Lake Rd., Crystal Lake. $1,313,266
U.S.14, Crystal Lake. $262,105
Valley View Rd., Village of Oakwood Hills. $23,975
Algonquin Rd., Fox River Grove. $233,787
Algonquin Rd., Village of Fox River Grove. $28,318
Huntington Drive North, Algonquin. $262,105
Kreutzer Rd., Huntley. $262,105
"Various", McHenry County. $693,261
total-$9,182,183

WATER
Thompson Rd. Water Main. Wonder Lake. $363,648
Clean Water, Port Barrington. $596,257
Water and Wastewater, Crystal Lake. $183,500
Clean Water, Village of Lakewood. $75,853
total-$1,219,258

SOCIAL SERVICE
Americorps. McHenry County. $49,240
Homelessness and Rehousing, McHenry County. $27,036
Pioneer Center For Human Serices, McHenry $50,000
WIA Dislocated Workers, McHenry County. $2,049,211
McHenry County Housing Authority, McHenry County $192,043
Prairie State Legal Services, Woodstock. $50,000
McHenry County Housing Authority, McHenry County $363,696
McHenry County Housing Authority, McHenry County $734,958
McHenry County Housing Authority, McHenry County $363,708
McHenry County Housing Authority, McHenry County $734,251
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of McHenry County $50,000
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of McHenry County $45,000
Community Action Agency for McHenry County $152,484
Community Action Agency for McHenry County $122,930
Community Action Agency for McHenry County $122,930
Community Action Agency for McHenry County $152,484
total-$5,259,971

ENERGY CONSERVATION
Energy Education, McHenry County.$67,554
Energy Conservation, McHenry County. $2,475,900 (not started)
Clean Diesel, GFS Huntley. $58,646
Energy Conservation, Morgan Construction, Cary. $72,839
total-$2,874,939

HEAVEN KNOWS
Veterans' Affairs tool shed (no kidding, this is really listed all by itself), Crystal Lake. $5,392

Feel free to check things personally at: http://www.recovery.gov/Transparency/RecipientReportedData/Pages/RecipientReportedDataMap.aspx

The State of Illinois has a different ARRA transparency site, one that believes in counties which makes things a lot easier. It matches the federal one pretty well on "awards". Except, it says considerably less money has been disbursed than the Fed site says has been awarded. The state site, for example, indicates most of the stimulus roadwork in the county so far has only been done on paper.

You can check it at: http://recovery.illinois.gov/ByCounty.aspx?County=056

In the pic: The dots are the (approximate) locations of ARRA stimulus projects in McHenry County. You can click through to the map but it's not very user friendly.

Illinois Infrastructure Rated Poor

By Ashley Badgley
Engineers are recommending Illinois invest at least $27 billion to fix its deteriorating infrastructure — about double the state’s $13 billion budget deficit.

The American Society of Civil Engineers performed a study on Illinois’ infrastructure and gave the state a D+ overall.

The study looked at Illinois’ aviation services, bridges, dams, drinking water, water ways, rail services, roads, transit and wastewater infrastructure. Each category was rated and the average grade was found.

Aviation services and bridges got the best grades at C+, and water ways got the worst grade at a D-. In fact, all water services received a D or worse.

Drinking water received a D+, and the engineers group recommended a $13.5 billion investment in the next two decades is to get the state’s drinking water up to par. As for wastewater, the group recommended $13.4 billion go into new infrastructure over the next 20 years in Illinois.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a capital bill last year calling for $31 billion to rebuild the state’s infrastructure over the next 10 years.

Chris King, president of the Illinois affiliate of the ASCE, said that funding falls short.

“Much more is needed than what that capital bill is funding,” King said. “Our capital bill in Illinois is going to hit some of our infrastructure, but a substantially larger investment ultimately is going to be necessary.”

“The patch and pray method just doesn’t work,” King said. “It’s not very cost effective.”

ASCE graded the entire country in terms of infrastructure and the nation received a D-.

You can read Ashley's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/12/illinois-infrastructure-rated-as-poor/

Final Public Meetings Set For County 2030 Plan

The McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee will hold its final five public review meetings on the County 2030 Comprehensive Plan the first week in March. Then the plan goes to the County Board.

The open house style meetings are scheduled:

Monday, March 1, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., McHenry Township at the Town Hall, 3703 Richmond Rd., Johnsburg

Tuesday, March 2, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Harvard Junior High School,1301 Garfield St., Harvard

Wednesday, March 3, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., MCC – Lobby Conference Center, 8900 US Hwy. 14,
Crystal Lake

Thursday, March 4 ,5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Marengo High School, 110 Franks Rd. Marengo

Saturday, March 6 ,9:00 a.m. to noon, McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Rd., Woodstock

A short overview presentation will be provided every 30 minutes. Participants will also have an opportunity to review the Plan and engage in one-on-one discussion with members of the P&D Committee. Participants will be able to submit verbal and written comments during the meetings.

The P&D Draft 2030 Plan February 2010 document is available to review at: www.mchenrycounty2030plan.com. It will also be available for review at local libraries and at the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development.

An analysis of potential areas to change on the Future Land Use map and comments from the County Board members representing District 6 will also available on the 2030 Plan website.

The 2030 Comprehensive Plan will set the direction for future development of the County and the preservation of it its natural resources. The McHenry County Regional Planning Commission spent three years developing the 2030 Plan.

Local Sports

Boys' Basketball
Friday
Dundee-Crown 36, Huntley 34
Cary-Grove 61, McHenry 47
Grayslake Central 55, Johnsburg 44
Grayslake North 71, Crystal Lake Central 60
Jacobs 61, Crystal Lake South 48
Woodstock North 55, Woodstock 54
Marmion 73, Marian Central 70
Wednesday
Grayslake North 67, Woodstock 44
Tuesday
Cary-Grove 51, Crystal Lake South 48
Crystal Lake Central 48, Prairie Ridge 47 (OT)
Huntley 59, Jacobs 50
Johnsburg 54, Richmond-Burton 27

Police Blotters

Friday, February 12, 2010

Grafton Trustees Hire Surprise Township Administrator

The war at the Grafton Township board reached new heights Thursday as trustees flanked Supervisor Linda Moore by hiring a township administrator to do most of her work. The administrator they hired was Huntley Trustee Pam Fender.

The move was unexpected, at least by the public. One spectator cried, "Oh, my God" amidst a general outburst. Long-time Board critics Dan Ziller, Senior and Junior, stormed out of the meeting when the plan was revealed. The trustees' latest move effectively strips Moore of most of her duties running Grafton Township.

LaPorta said an administrator was needed, "Because of the things that have not been done on a timely basis" and nominated Fender to the post because, "She has a proven record of getting things done for the community." He proposed the post be full-time with a salary of $35,000 per year plus unspecified benefits.

Moore responded simply saying there was no budget for the position and no office space for an administrator. "We're already way over budget," she said.

"The money will be there," replied LaPorta.

There was little discussion and on a four to one vote, Moore dissenting, the Board hired Fender to start Tuesday.

"You understand what you're going to get yourself into?" Trustee Gerry McMahon asked Fender. "You're working for the Board!"

"Yessir, yessir," she replied.

Trustees also censured Moore again, this time for a list of charges largely centered on alleged manipulation of the Township's website. LaPorta claimed Moore had stolen pages copyrighted by the Township Officials of Illinois organization. Moore said if she did she didn't mean to.

The board ended a more than three-hour session trying to figure out a way to recover an estimated $22,000 spent transporting Rutland Township residents on the Grafton Township Seniors' Bus. Fender volunteered to contact Rutland Township's officials. "I'll be looking for something to do," she said.

In the pics: (One) Grafton Trustees Barb Murphy, Rob LaPorta, Betty Zirk and Gerry McMahon. (Two) Dan Ziller, per et fils. (Three) Grafton Supervisor Linda Moore.

IDOT Sends Offers For Algonquin Bypass Properties

Illinois Department of Transportation's Region One acquisition's chief confirmed Thursday that IDOT has sent out ten offers for properties in the path of Algonquin's Route 31 Western Bypass. Engineer John Fortmann said they didn't include an offer yet for the derelict Toastmaster factory, however.

IDOT Engineer John Fortmann said appraising the Toastmaster site took longer than the others he said, because of chemical contamination revealed late last year in the vicinity of the factory.

"We wanted guidance from our chief (legal) counsel's office," said Fortmann. "That was one of the reasons we had to find an expert in valuing contaminated property."

The Toastmaster factory and an adjacent site and key to beginning work on the Bypass since IDOT has promised to clean up the chemicals before beginning construction.

Apart from Bypass concerns Algonquin officials would like to see the place go away fast since it's turned into a classic "attractive nuisance". In the past couple of years kids have set it afire and played demo derby inside with a small earthmover. Just this week police reportedly searched the factory for a missing Lake in the Hills teenager.

Fortmann said, "They should be making an offer (for Toastmaster) shortly." He said he thought it might come as early as next week.

In the pic: The Toastmaster Factory and adjacent property in the patch of the Route 31 Western Bypass.

Keep An Eagle Eye Out

This guy (or gal. With eagles, who knows? Except other eagles.) was below Carpentersville's Main St. Bridge Thursday but he (or she) got sick of watching the herd of Canada Geese below and flew off upstream toward Algonquin.

Today marks the first day of the Great Backyard Bird Count, a four day avian spotcheck. If you're casting about for something to do with a spare 15 minutes minimum this weekend, you can help with the birdcount.

Start here: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/howto.html

Madigan Defends Quinn And Delayed Budget Address

By Kevin Lee
House Speaker Michael Madigan and Gov. Pat Quinn, the state’s two top politicians, may not see eye-to-eye during budget negotiations this spring. But with the state mired in the deepest fiscal crisis in its history, the Speaker said it was “reasonable” for Quinn to push back his budget address to March.

With budget negotiations for this year approaching quickly, Quinn signed a bill Thursday to push back his address on the state’s fiscal condition to March 10. The House and the Senate approved both delaying the speech and posting budget information online with party-line votes.

State Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, said delaying the budget address would further hurt cash-strapped vendors

“He could have put up a website a month ago…and he failed to do that. I think that the people of the state of the Illinois shouldn’t have to wait, school districts shouldn’t have to wait, and other providers because the governor didn’t think of this earlier,” he said.

But Madigan denounced criticism from Republican lawmakers and called for cooperation.

“I would hope that what we’re hearing from some in this body does not indicate what we can expect as we go forward,” he said. “Everybody needs to be involved in the worst budget crisis in the state of Illinois.”

You can read Kevin's full report at http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/12/madigan-defends-quinn-and-later-budget-address/

Obituary

Charles “Chuck” A. Floden, 79 of Huntley died peacefully Feb. 9, 2010. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am Saturday at St. Mary’s Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. Visitation will be on from 4:00 to 8:00 pm today with a vigil service at 7:30 pm at the Church. Burial will be private at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Floden was born October 28, 1930 in Chicago, the son of Charles E. and Mary Martha (Welle) Floden. He served in the United States Navy from 1951-1954. On June 21, 1997 he married Sue Ann Stark. Floden was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Sun City Lions, the Knights of Columbus , Huntley American Legion and the Sun City Woodchucks.

He is survived by his wife, Sue A. Floden of Huntley; one stepson, Louis Yanke of Lombard; brother, Louis “Skip” (Noreen) Floden, and step- grandchildren, Kenneth and Carrie Yanke, Mark Yanke, Phillip Yanke, and Candice Yanke.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Sun City Lions Club or Mercy Home For Boys and Girls. DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to www.defiorejorgensen.com or by calling 847-515-8772.

McHenry County Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned indictments against 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.

STEVEN CRUZ, DOB: 12/25/91, 145 ARQUILLA, ALGONQUIN. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, AGGRAVATED RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER, UNLAWFUL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR.--ALGONQUIN PD.

JINFU F. JIN, DOB: 08/18/65, 4093 W. ALGONQUIN ROAD, ALGONQUIN. PROSTITUTION.--NORTH CENTRAL NARCOTICS TASK FORCE, ILLINOIS STATE POLICE.
DANIELLE B. FISHER, DOB: 05/21/89, 28510 WILMOT ROAD TREVOR, WI. THEFT, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--MCHENRY PD.

JESSE J. OCAMPO, DOB: 10/28/90, 521 HIGHLAND AVENUE, WOODSTOCK. BURGLARY(5CTS), THEFT(5CTS).--WOODSTOCK PD.

RICHARD L. BRACKEN, DOB: 05/24/79, 510 LINN STREET, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTRABAND IN A PENAL INSTITUTION, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE.--MCHENRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S POLICE.

NICOLE M. CURIE, DOB: 10/16/87, 25310 ELM GROVE DRIVE, BARRINGTON. RICHARD L. BRACKEN, DOB: 05/24/79,510 LINN STREET, CRYSTAL LAKE.--UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--CRYSTAL LAKE PD.

BRADLEY T. KRAEMER, DOB: 06/09/81, 4714 TIMBERLAND ROAD, CRYSTAL LAKE. ANDREW C. KRAEMER, DOB: 10/01/83, 4714 TIMBERLAND ROAD, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE.--MCHENRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S POLICE.

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
February 11
0102 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 36 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0723 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1658 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Female, 56 years of age, having neck pain.Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1704 HRS 3200 BLOCK OF RONAN DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 45 years of old, feeling dehydrated. Transported to Woodstock Memorial.
1731 HRS 100 N RANDALL RD. (WALGREENS). ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assist to Secret Service for counterfeit $20 dollar bill. TURNED OVER TO SECRET SERVICE.
1820 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 34 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
2220 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF VIEWPOINT DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2316 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINDERMERE WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Brother vs Sister. Two priors. FAIL TO FILE.
Algonquin
February 8
16:00pm A seventeen-year-old male from Schaumburg was charged with Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at Meijer’s, 400 S. Randall Road. He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 03/31/10, in Algonquin.
18:55pm A sixteen-year-old male from Hoffman Estates was charged with Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department. He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 03/31/10, in Algonquin.
20:13pm A sixteen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Homicide. He was taken into custody in the 1400 block of Stonegate Road. He was transported to Kane County Juvenile Detention Center to await a bond hearing.
23:40pm Reyes, Ramiro, DOB: 06/21/84, of 400 Kensington Drive, McHenry, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance and a Taillight Violation. He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Sandbloom Road. He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 03/17/10, in McHenry County.
February 10
15:11pm A sixteen-year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct. He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive. He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his mother.
February 11
20:24pm Badmus, Lola G., DOB: 08/11/88, of 1960 Cosman Way, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft. She was taken into custody at TJ Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road. She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/17/10, in McHenry County.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Local Home Sales Slow, Prices Drop

McHenry County home sales slumped in January, but it's usually the slowest month of the year, anyway, according to the latest report from the County's Association of Realtors. Only 152 homes closed in the first month of the year but that was 36 more than December 2009 and almost the same as 2008.

The average county home price was only, $193,500, However. That was off another $5,000 from January 2009 and almost $60,000 below the average from 2008.

"The pricing is still going down," said Algonquin realtor Gloria Jensen. "I don't think we've seen the bottom yet."

Jensen said one big problem in housing is all the Mcmansions left behind when the housing bubble burst. When big houses were selling their prices drove average home values up. Now that big houses are stalled, the reverse is true. "People are downsizing. A lot of people don't have the money they used to and a big house is more costly to run," she said.

Jensen said it was a question of sellers catching up with the new reality. "When the price gets right somebody'll buy them," she said.

"If people have a job and are semi-secure in that job they can still get a mortgage today," Jensen said.

Algonquin Township Assessment Appeals Lag

Algonquin Township Assessor Bob Kunz told trustees Wednesday the County's Board of Review has only ground through about 60 percent of the 1,600 valuation appeals filed by township property owners last year.

Grafton Township Assessor Bill Ottley reported last month that appeals there are done but Kunz said it's taking longer in Algonquin Township since there are more parcels (38,000) and more appeals.

"(The Board of Review) is doing 70 cases a day," he said. "It's a heck of a way to appraise property, 15 minutes at a time."

Centegra To Host Health Strong Woman Event

Centegra Health System's fourth Annual Health Strong Woman Event is set next Thursday, Feb. 18 to encourage women to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The event takes place from 9 am to 2 pm at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn.

At the event women can take advantage of free health screenings including HeartAware, a cardiovascular screening that is also available online free to men and women by visiting centegra.org; Body Mass Index testing; diabetes screenings; blood pressure testing; advice on how to be a friend to someone with cancer and bone density screenings. Women also will have the opportunity to participate in a bra fitting by a certified bra fitter. In addition, vascular screenings for $129 will be available by appointment by calling 877-CENTEGRA.

Algonquin Commons will provide free gift bags for all those in attendance and the first 300 women to register receive a free American Heart Association Cookbook.

Registration for the Heart Strong Woman Event can do so at www.centegra.org/healthstrong or by calling 877-CENTEGRA.

In the pic: At this earlier Health Strong Woman Event, red apparel predominated as a sign of support for women's cardiovascular health.

Friends Tell Friends About The First Electric Newspaper

Dems Ask To Put Off Governor's Budget Proposal

By Jamey Dunn
A proposal to give Gov. Pat Quinn some extra time to work on his budget proposal has become the first partisan showdown of the session.

The Senate approved the measure Wednesday and if the House passes it, too, it would move the Quinn's budget address from Feb. 17, to March 10. The bill, however, would require Quinn to make some budget information available to the legislature and the public via a website by Feb. 24.

Senate Democrats touted the bill as an unprecedented cooperative approach to budgeting.

“We’re going to have the information about how much money we’ve brought into this state so far this year and where we spent it. That’s never been officially reported,” said Senate President John Cullerton, the sponsor of the bill. “Secondly, we are going to have the official starting point for next year. We’re going to know how much money the governor says we have available to us and how much our obligations are for next year before he comes up with his budget.”

However, Republicans said the Internet measures were only included in the bill as an excuse to buy Quinn more time. “This really is nothing more than window dressing to justify putting off the budget address," Minority Leader Christine Radogno said.

Republicans said that because the state is in a fiscal crisis, Quinn should be prepared to give his address on time. "This is fiscal anarchy,” said Aurora Republican Sen. Chris Lauzen. “If the governor does not know what he is going to say, on schedule, then we are truly lost.”
You can read Jamey's full report here: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/senate-moves-to-postpone-budget-address.html

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
February 10
1743 HRS 500 BLOCK OF DELAWARE DR. TRESPASSING. JACKSON, WILLIAM M., M/W 46 YEARS OF AGE, LKA: 535 DELAWARE DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Trespassing. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY CO JAIL.
0204 HRS 00 BLOCK OF POINT O WOODS CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0918 HRS 200 BLOCK OF COURSE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 78 years of age, fell and possibly broke her leg. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1950 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 66 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1743 HRS 500 BLOCK OF DELAWARE DR. BURGLARY. Computer and Wii taken. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2225 HRS 3300 OF MONTGOMERY DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 17 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Small Earthquake Jolts Region

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a small earthquake, 3.8 on the Richter scale, struck the region early this morning at 3:59 am. USGS instruments reported the quake centered on a spot near Pingree Grove and three miles down.

The earthquake was no more than a whale of a bump at the FEN office about seven miles from the epicenter. Most people probably slept through it since police dispatchers reported receiving only a few inquiries.

USGS geophysicist Randy Baldwin said this morning the quake hadn't been ascribed to any particular fault system. He said small earthquakes in Northern Illinois aren't unusual. "They're just not as frequent as in the (New Madrid area) down south. Baldwin said similar sized quakes had struck within 30 miles in 2004 and 1985.

At magnitude 3.8 the quake was small as earthquakes go. Each full number up the scale involves about 30 times more engergy than the previous one.

In the pic: This USGS map of reports from the public shows the quake was felt more strongly toward the west.

$2.5 Million Bail For Algonquin Boy Charged With Murder

It will be "three or four days" before an attorney in the Kane County Public Defender's office is appointed for an Algonquin 16 year-old charged with murder, according to an Office spokesman, Tuesday.

David W. Szalonek, is being held pending $2.5 million bond after a shooting death at his home at 1461 Westbourne Parkway Monday evening. Algonquin Police, the Kane County Coroner and Kane County State's Attorney all refused to provide the victim's name Tuesday but published reports indicate it was the boy's father, 51 year-old Brian D. Szalonek.

Police reported they were called to the Szalonek home about 7:45 pm Monday night with a report of a "suspicious incident" and found the victim dead of a gunshot wound.

Szalonek, a student at Jacobs High School, is being charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder. A Kane County State's Attorney's spokesman said the charges carry an automatic upgrade to adult trial status even though the boy is being held in the Kane County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Authorities withheld details of the incident Tuesday but McHenry County Court records show Brian Szalonek's wife sought orders of protection against him in 1997 and 2004 when the family lived in Huntley and Lake in the Hills locations.

LITH Considers Ban On Possibly Dangerous Sealcoat

Lake in the Hills Trustees agreed Tuesday to examine whether to ban coal tar-based asphalt pavement sealcoating by the village and discourage its use by residents.

Village Administrator Jerry Sagona said village staff became concerned about the product when the McHenry County Groundwater Protection Task Force proposed a model ordinance dealing with the stuff. Sagona said it turned out the US Geological Survey had, unbeknown to the village, run tests in Lake in the Hills between 2004 and 2007 indicating sealcoat particles might run off into the watershed.

That could be bad since coal tar contains chemicals suspected of being carcinogens. Then again, some over the counter medications, including head lice shampoo for children contain high solutions of coal tar. It's definitely bad for fish, though.

A study last month in a scientific publication found the level of coal tar sealcoat particles was higher in and around areas where coal tar sealcoat had been used and said a site in Lake in the Hills had the highest particle level of any location in the seven cities examined.

Sagona said one of the study's authors, a hydrologist, claimed levels "translate minimally to an increased cancer risk."

Village staff recommended no longer using coal tar sealcoat, developing a brochure warning about it and asking county and state officials to review scientific literature.

A complete LITH ban may be hard to implement, though. An FAA engineering standard reportedly requires its use on runways like the one at the village's airport.

There are two types of asphalt sealcoat, coaltar and asphaltic. The coaltar type has a sharp odor and the asphaltic hardly smells at all.

You can read the study about coaltar sealcoat particles here:
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/es902533r

In the pic: Coaltar sealcoat particles were collected with a water wash and by simply sweeping them up.

Huntley Prepares For Relay For Life

Northern Fox Valley Relay For Life organizers prepared for their second annual event June 4 at a kickoff celebration Tuesday at the Huntley Park District. About 300 runners turned out for the local relay's innaugural event last year and organizers expect many more to join this year's fundraiser against cancer.

Signups for this year's event are online here:
http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=22211&pg=entry

In the pic: Huntley's Katz Family, Bonnie, Lorne and daughter Danielle reupped for this year's Relay For Life run and picked up a race packet from organizer Beverly Smith.

Ag Industry Targeted For $1.9 Mil In New State Fees

By Benjamin Yount
Illinois’ need for cash has lawmakers looking at a host of new fees for Illinois Agri-businesses.

The 21 new fees would target mainly Illinois’ agricultural chemical industry. The state’s Department of Agriculture hopes to raise $1.9 million dollars each year through the new charges on chemical manufacturers, distributors, and applicators.

State Rep. Dan Reitz, D-116, said the new fees are designed to pay for regulation and inspection for agri-business.

“We’re actually going allow the Department [of Agriculture] to charge what they can to cover what they are mandated to do.”

A Department of Agriculture spokesman said the average cost to a farmer would likely be under $10 a year.

Jean Payne with the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association said she is very concerned that the Quinn administration will see the $1.9 million will view the fees as a pot of free money.

“I hope that the new money will prevent further fund sweeps,” she said.

Illinois has turned to fund sweeps, or clearing cash from special bank accounts, to make ends meet as the economy has soured.

And Payne has reason to worry. Money from the current chemical and fertilizer fees has been swept in the last three state budgets.

Payne said the industry lost its “rainy day” fund under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich two years ago.

You can read Ben's full report at:
http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/10/ag-industry-targeted-for-1-9-mil-in-new-state-fees/

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
February 9
1613 HRS PATTON AVE. & MILLER RD. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. GOMEZ-AVILEZ, JUAN, M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 118 WELLINGTON DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No Valid Driver’s License, Operation of an Uninsured Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
0647 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
0735 HRS 00 BLOCK OF COG HILL COURT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, five years of age, has a severe nosebleed. No transport.
1609 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. No transport.
1611 HRS PYOTT RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1612 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. Pole. Property damage only.
1617 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD. (RAKOW CURVE). INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female, 55 years of age, with neck pain. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1640 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs Girlfriend. Verbal only. Nine priors.
1630 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. INJURY ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. No transport.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

No Snow Day Tuesday

At post time, 6:30 am today, neither District 300 nor District 158 had called a school snow day. Sorry, Kids. Whew, parents.

The National Weather service expects three or four inches of snow by mid-afternoon added to the inch already fallen this morning.

The snow's supposed to continue through tonight into Wednesday but the wind's expected to pick up tonight creating hazardous driving conditions and lots of drifts.

Total accumulation of 8 to 12 inches is expected for the whole storm.

Busing Programs May Be Next On D300 Chopping Block

With a vote on more than $6 million in prospective 2010-11 budget cuts looming in two weeks the District 300 Board of Education Monday looked at cutting another $1.8 million in busing costs.

The proposed cuts were only presented as "informational" items but Board President Joe Stevens said, "There has to be things like this that we have to look at to preserve the core curriculum."

D300 administrators now forecast the chance of as much as an $18 million delay in payments from the State Board of Education next year and are casting around for ways to deal with it. On the theoretical block would be cutting back or eliminating busing for the preschool program, the dual-language program, parochial students and high school students who take classes at Elgin Community College. An allied measure would turn over supervision of schoolbus boarding to teachers' aides or foodworkers instead of teachers.

"I will tell you it's draconian," said Superintendent Ken Arndt. "It will absolutely decimate some of our programs," he said.

Meanwhile the Board heard from employees who argued against the cuts the board officially has on the table Feb. 22. A media instructor urged keeping kindergarten music education. A janitor argued against laying off janitors. A substitute teacher complained about cutting subs' pay. Only one parent spoke. She said the District had way too many expensive administrators.

The latest version of $6.4 million in budget cuts, with exegesis, are here:
http://www.d300.org/files/Board%20of%20Education%20Meeting%20Packet%2002.08.10.pdf
on pages 5,6,7

The information on transportation cuts are in this committee meeting briefing paper here:
http://www.d300.org/files/30%20Transportation%20EPRT%202009-10.pdf
on pages 4,5

In the pic: A crowd that would have rattled around the auditorium in next-door Carpentersville Middle School filled the D300 Board Room (and kitchen and hallways) to overflowing Monday.

State Lawmakers' Expectations Low

By Benjamin Yount
The Illinois House and Senate return to Springfield this week but lawmakers have low expectations. Many legislators say they doubt much of anything will happen during this legislative session.

State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-50, said the state is still facing a $13 billion budget deficit. And he said there’s little support for a tax increase or the massive budget cuts it would take to erase the debt.

“There’s not going to be additional revenue. So we’re either going to pass last year’s budget or reduce last year’s budget.”

Bomke said Republicans are already lining-up to oppose Gov. Pat Quinn’s tax increase proposal. And he said any tax increase vote will likely have to come from the Illinois House.

State Rep Rich Myers, R-94, said Gov. Quinn wants to delay his budget address until March and that will delay the rest of the work in Springfield as well.

“To be honest, I think what we’re hearing it’s going to be the same as in the past.”

Myers said he doesn’t believe the governor will find support for his 50 percent tax increase unless there is a serious effort to trim the state budget first.

“I’m not saying a tax increase couldn’t pass. But there are a lot of people out there on both sides of the aisle who’d like to see some spending reforms before a tax increase is passed.”

You can read Ben's full report here: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/08/expectations-low-for-lawmakers/

State Pols Know The System's Broken--Or Just Broke

Monday's revelation that State Sen. Dan Duffy, R-26, may face eviction from his Barrington office because the state hasn't paid his rent is just an extreme case of a growing problem.

State Rep. Mike Tryon R-64 said Monday the rent's seven months overdue on the offices he and State Sen. Pamela Althoff R-32 share in Crystal Lake. Tryon said the state's so broke it's stiffing everybody.

"They've shut off our phones three times now," he said.

"We bought a copy machine and they came to repossess it," said Tryon. "But we talked them out of it."

Tryon tried to look on the bright side of the state's financial mess. Over in Mundelein, he said, "They shut Ed Sullivan's (R-51) garbage (service) off. He had to take it home with him."

The problem isn't restricted to Republicans, either. State Rep. Jack Franks D-63 couldn't be reached Monday but downstate Rep. Pat Verschoore D-72 was quoted in a news report complaining, “As far (back) as six months they have not paid my medical bills. I’m starting to get threatening bill collector notices. So something has to be done there.”

Tryon said Monday he'll introduce a bill this week to fix the state's finances. He said he thought he could round up 50 votes for it. But he said he'd need 60 to pass it.

Quinn Yields To Party Leaders For Running Mate

By Bill McMorris
Gov. Pat Quinn said Monday anyone interested in the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor can “submit a resume,” but the final decision is out of his hands.

Quinn, instead, will rely on Democratic leaders to decide who will replace Scott Lee Cohen on the ticket. “The official body that makes the final decision is the state central committee,” he told reporters at a Chicago press conference.

Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes will not be on the list of potential lieutenant governors. Quinn said he met with Hynes Monday and talked with him about joining the ticket. The governor said Hynes did not want to be his running mate.

The Democratic Central Committee is a 38-member panel led by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Democratic leaders are conducting a statewide search for a candidate to replace Scott Lee Cohen who withdrew Sunday, moving the hunt beyond the five other Democrats in the primary.

Some Democrats have wondered aloud about finding a downstate running mate, in an effort to counterbalance Republican frontrunner Bill Brady. The Bloomington senator garnered more than 90 percent of his support from southern and central Illinois, which does not bode well for a Democratic ticket largely centered in Chicago.

Quinn said he would prefer filling the ticket “sooner rather than later,” but the committee has until early March to choose Cohen’s successor.

You can read Bill's full report here: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/08/quinn-yields-to-party-leaders-for-running-mate/

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
February 8
0034 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & RAKOW RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SCHUNICK, ZOE B., F/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 5004 VALERIE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Blood
Alcohol Content over .08, Driving While License Suspended, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1035 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. DOMESTIC BATTERY. LAWLOR, ASHLEY M., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 1183 STARWOOD PASS. LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1615 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. MC KEE, LORI LYNNE, F/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 1114 SPRUCE ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Expired Illinois Driver’s License more then a Year and No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0934 HRS PYOTT RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only. 1600 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 50 year old male subject having chest pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1846 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & REED RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
Huntley
February 1
Burglary to motor vehicle occurred near 10600 Kathleen. A resident reported that $30-$40 worth of coins was stolen from an unlocked work van that was parked in the driveway.
Ryan M. McCaughn, age 20, of 2 Banford Court, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for driving while license suspended. He was also issued a local ordinance complaint for possession of alcohol by a minor. Mr. McCaughn posted bond and was released with McHenry County court date of March 19, 2010.
Criminal damage to vehicle occurred at Jewel Osco located at 13200 Village Green Drive. While in the parking lot, a vehicle’s tires were slashed, the rear window broken out, and both taillights were busted.
February 2
A female student at the high school reported theft of a cell phone stolen out of an unattended book bag while it was sitting on a lunchroom table.
Jose Martinez, age 37, of 35W360 Blackhawk Circle, South Elgin, was arrested for no valid driver’s license. Mr. Martinez posted bond and was given a court date.
February 4
Theodore J. Siebeck, age 32, of 4407 Prairie Avenue was arrested for driving while license suspended. Mr. Siebeck posted bond and was given a McHenry County court date of March 19, 2010.
Gabriel M. Kopfer, age 18, of 11003 N. Church Avenue was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
February 5
A male student at the high school reported theft of $100 cash from a wallet.
A male student at the high school reported theft of an iPod Shuffle stolen out of a locked office on January 28, 2010.
A male student at the high school reported theft of a winter jacket stolen out of a locked locker.
Diego Roman, age 23, of 3140 Brisbane Drive, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for driving while license suspended and on an outstanding warrant out of McHenry County. Mr. Roman also received citations for speeding and no insurance.
Robert Corole, age 67, of 13740 White Oak was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for leaving the scene of an accident.
Annamarie Gurney, age 31, of 175 State Street, Burlington, was arrested on an outstanding warrant in Kane County. Ms. Gurney posted bond and was given a Kane County court date of March 17, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
February 6
Brian T. Cannon, age 23, of 301 Waterford Court, McHenry, was arrested for driving while license suspended. Mr. Cannon posted bond and was given a McHenry County court date of March 19, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.
Jorge Mercado, age 44, of 1435 Fox Sedge, Woodstock, was arrested for no valid driver’s license and cited for no insurance and loud muffler.
Allante T. Parker, age 19, of 59 Golfview, Carpentersville, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for speeding. Mr. Parker posted bond and was released.
Jordan D. Walczyk, age 18, of 1173 Azalea Lane, Palatine, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear out of DeKalb County.
Serdar Guldur, age 42 of, 10346 S. Austin, Park Ridge, was arrested for driving while license suspended, suspended registration, and cited for failure to notify Secretary of State of address change.
February 7
The rear door to a nail salon located at the Prime Outlet Factory Shops was forced open and the store was burglarized. Cash was reported stolen.
Burglary from motor vehicle occurred near 11800 Cape Cod. Someone entered an unlocked vehicle and took an army assault back pack which had a laptop, an iPod and miscellaneous Army paperwork inside.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Calls For Help Increase At Area Food Pantries

A report last week from the Chicago-based Feeding America organization claimed one out of every eight people now seek help from a food bank. The number was shocking but local food pantry volunteers say it's a plausible one.

"We had a record number of people come through the door in one day in January," said Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry Director Richard Hoeferle. "Forty six families came in that day," he said.

The Grafton Township Food Pantry likewise has seen rising demand lately. President John Rossi said, "We've seen a steady increase in the past several months. There was one day last month when we ran completely out of meat. Sometimes we just can't get enough food."

Huntley's Faith Community Church Food Pantry reports similarly heavy requests for help.

"In the past we've been a temporary bridge," said Hoeferle. "But now that's changed. They're depending on us long-term."

Grafton Township Food Pantry's burden might be even heavier than anyone knows since it's somehow caught up in whatever the Grafton Township Board is fighting about. The pantry moved out of the township headquarters last summer and it's hard to find now.

A Google search for "Grafton Township Food Pantry" turns up (in order) a Grafton Township webpage (inaccessible from the Township's site itself) that says it's still at the township, a couple of McHenry County Blog entries that don't say where it is, and a Daily Herald story with a non-existent address.

Indeed, there appear to be three different websites with Grafton Township webpages, none of which provide very much information about the Grafton Food Pantry. Supervisor Linda Moore said today this one without a Supervisor's tab is controlled by the Township Assessor:
http://www.graftontownship.us/

This one, which lists the Grafton Pantry without an address or phone is under her control:
http://grafton-il.us/toi/GRAFTONTOWNSHIP/

"At least I have the pantry listed on my wepage," Moore said. "(The Assessor) has nothing listed."

She said she's not sure who controls this page which lists pretty much nothing, anyway:
http://toi.org/GRAFTONTOWNSHIP/
"If someone will help us build a website that would help," said Rossi.

In the meantime, here's the location and phone of the Grafton (Township) Food Pantry for everyone to write down:
12191B Smith Drive (just off Kreutzer), Huntley. Phone: 847-495-0922. Hours of operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday--1 to 4 pm.

Hoeferle said supplies at his pantry are beginning to dwindle. "They're getting down and the demand is still big," he said.

In the pic: Volunteer Amy Williams helps a client select food at the Grafton Food Pantry Friday. "I only come here when I don't have any other choice," he confided.

Lt. Gov. Nominee Withdraws

By Rachel Wells
Democratic Lieutenant Governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen announced during SuperBowl half-time yesterday at a Chicago bar that he was withdrawing from the race. The millionaire pawnbroker had been under pressure to do so after revelations following his election that he'd been accused of attacking an ex-prostitute ex-girlfriend and beating his ex-wife. Cohen had said none of it happened and he'd been taking drugs, anyway.

Cohen came out of nowhere in a field of six unkowns seeking the office a heartbeat away from being governor. The unknown part turned out to be the problem.

“It could have been avoided,” said Mike Lawrence, retired director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. “When the current Constitution was enacted in 1970, it allowed the General Assembly to determine that the governor and lieutenant governor could be nominated jointly. The legislature has never followed up on that.”

Soon after the Constitution was ratified, alarm bells should have sounded in 1973 with the election of Neil Hartigan and Dan Walker, Lawrence said. As an anti-organization candidate, Gov. Walker clashed with Lt. Gov. Hartigan, a Chicago Machine ward committeeman.

Another warning that has since become infamous came in 1986. Although a slew of candidates organized by extremist Lyndon LaRouche Jr. failed to file complete petitions, the Democratic party, whose banner they were running under, put up no protest. The candidates, included eventual lieutenant governor nominee Mark Fairchild. To political onlookers’ surprise, Fairchild won the primary and was automatically paired with powerful former U.S. Sen. Adlai Stevenson III. Rather than partner with Fairchild, Stevenson ran under a specially minted party banner but lost to Republican Jim Thompson.

“It was a nightmare for the Democratic Party,” said Ron Michaelson, the former director of the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Rep. Bill Mitchell R-87 is the sponsor of a constitutional amendment to eliminate the lieutenant governor's office. He said the fact that the office has been empty since Quinn became governor shows that it is unnecessary.

In the meantime picking a replacement for Cohen goes into the hands of the state Democratic Central Committee where there aren't any rules for selecting a new nominee.

In the pic: A weepy Scott Lee Cohen bows out of the Lieutenant Governor's race Sunday.

You can read Rachel's full report at:
http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/look-back-at-recount-and-lt-govs-office.html

Algonquin Church Begins 160th Year Of Worship

Algonquin's oldest continuous organization began the celebration of its 160th year Sunday. Technically it was a couple of days premature since the United Church of Christ, the Congregational Church in Algonquin, was first organized Feb. 9, 1850.

Sunday's service included songs and hymns accompanied by a Dixieland band. Anywhere else it might have been an oddity but it fit perfectly into Sunday's celebration since the band was led by Rev. Gary Miller, former pastor at the church for more than 13 years and a Dixieland aficianado.

Senior Pastor Brian Cope said a trumpet-playing preacher was by no means the most unusual leader in the church's history.

"We had the first female pastor in Algonquin," said Cope. "It was about 1880, I think, when women weren't allowed to be ordained." Cope said she was invited to the church to lead the congregation but something didn't work out because she left not long after to go to California. "I'm not sure what happened," Cope said. "I need to dig out the records."

Cope said the current church only dates from about 1890. "It took them 16 years just to build the first one," he said.

In the pics: Sunday's service at UCC with a Dixieland swing.

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
February 7
0028 HRS 2361 W ALGONQUIN RD. (JIFFY LUBE). WANTED ON WARRANT. JACKSON, WILLIAM M., M/W 46 YEARS OF AGE, LKA: 535 DELAWARE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant McHenry County Sheriff for Criminal Trespass to Land, Bond amount $ 1,000 @ 10% applies. RELEASED ON BOND.
0206 HRS RANDALL RD. & POLARIS DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SALDANA, CARLOS B., M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 1216 RIVERWOOD DR., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage, Improper Turn at Intersection and No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0515 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF WINDGATE WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 2 years of age, having hard time breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1104 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife, verbal only. Nine priors
1229 HRS 20 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 62 year old female with an injured leg. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1441 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 50 year old male with chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1928 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 6 year old male fell down some stairs. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
February 6
00:04am Prieto, Francisco J., DOB: 12/03/63, of 1032 N. Austin Boulevard, Oak Park, was charged with DUI, DUI Over and Improper Lane Usage. He was taken into custody at Route 62 and County Line Road. He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 03/10/10, in McHenry County.
07:46am Huber, Michael R., DOB: 04/25/66, of 27 Woodview Lane, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at Butera, 1400 E. Algonquin Road. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/24/10, in McHenry County.
February 7
02:45am Smith, Glenn A., DOB: 12/01/89, of 1460 Wynnfield Drive, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS, Suspended Registration and Expired Registration. He was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/03/10, in McHenry County.
03:03am Peterson, Phillip L., DOB: 09/09/89, of 511 Coventry Lane, Apt #9, Crystal Lake, was charged with DWLS and Speeding. He was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/10/10, in McHenry County.
03:21am A seventeen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer. He was taken into custody in the 1300 block of Glacier Parkway. He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 03/31/10, in Algonquin.
15:35pm Crockett, Dawn L., DOB: 02/11/70, of 1407 Essex Lane, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS and No Proof of Insurance. She was taken into custody at Wynnfield Drive and Kensington Drive. She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/17/10, in McHenry County.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Hip Hop Snowboard, Ski Event Wows Raging Buffalo Crowd

About 400 people converged on Raging Buffalo snowboard and ski park in Algonquin Saturday for 3rd Rail Jam festival's only Midwest appearance.

In its second year, the 3rd Rail festival is supposed to be a a fusion of snowboarding, hip-hop music and graffiti art. Some 150 boarders and skiers battled for cash and equipment prizes in four categories while music blared from downslope.

Only the music was supposed to be hip hop but it turns out when you run out of momentum with your feet stuck to a snowboard the choice of forward motion dwindles to, yep, hip hops. Or else a determined waddle. See if they show that on TSN Olympic coverage next week.

Today is Fun Day at Raging Buffalo with a half-price beginner package for $35. That includes a half-day lift ticket, equipment rental, and a group beginner lesson. You have to print out the Raging Buffalo Page here, though: http://www.ragingbuffalo.com/word/news-at-raging-buffalo/mid-season-specials

A Look Back And Ahead? At A Vote Recount

By Jamey Dunn
Illinois laws about recounts may soon be tried in a state race for the first time since they were passed.

While state Sen. Kirk Dillard from Hinsdale has not called for a recount yet, he is not giving up, either. Dillard is neck and neck with Sen Bill Brady from Bloomington for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. "All of the votes aren't in, and there could be between 5,000 and 10,000 votes still out there," Dillard said Friday.

The last time a candidate requested a recount was in the 1982 governor's race. Republican candidate Jim Thompson led Adlai Stevenson III by a little more than 5,000 votes. Ron Michaelson, executive director of the Illinois State Board of Elections from 1976 to 2003, said that gap worked out to less than half of a vote per precinct at the time. “It was an incredibly close election. Probably the closest general election in the history of Illinois,” he said.

Instead of making a decision on Stevenson’s request, the Illinois Supreme Court found the recount law unconstitutional, leaving Stevenson with no recourse. Thompson became governor. The legislature changed the law, and it became what we have today.
“The law was fixed, but for state races, it has really never been used since then,” Michaelson said

Winners in all the races will not be declared until the votes are certified on March 5. Candidates then have five days to request a discovery recount.

Candidates can choose up to 25 percent of precincts for consideration, and they must foot the bill for the discovery recount. The Illinois Supreme Court then decides if the results warrant a sate-wide recount. If the Supreme Court gives the go ahead, the burden of cost then falls on the state.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/look-back-at-recount-and-lt-govs-office.html

District 300 State Scholars Listed

Illinois Rep. Mike Tryon R-64 this past week honored area high school students named 2010 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
“I am so proud of these students from our community who earned this prestigious statewide award,” said Tryon. “It’s a tribute not only to these students who worked so hard, but also their families, teachers and high school administrators.”

“Competition for college admission and financial assistance is tough these days," said Tryon. "The Illinois State Scholar recognition gives these students an advantage in attending the college of their choice and being able to afford it as well.”

Here are this year's District 300's Illinois Scholars:

H.D. Jacobs High School

Joseph Barnec             Saiteja Mallipeddi 
Edwin Bautista            Monique Marchwiany 
Jazmin Bennett            Shay Martin  
Lindsay Bishop            Erik Melchers 
Ariana Boggs              Lauren Meyer  
Jeff Bongiovanni          Danielle Montgomery  
Lauren Booth              Hallie Morrison 
Samuel Bruzan             Nicole Navigato   
Cassandra Castillo        Jason Neumann 
Jae Cha                   Meghan Odendaal 
Grace Choi                Siobhan Odendaal 
Hailey Cnota              Kevin Olson  
Chelsea Conzelman         John Ott   
Katherine Cook            Daniel Paitl 
Brittany Cooke            Nathaniel Perrone  
Grant Dixon               Anthony Petrucci
Ashlen Dunn               Crystal Pulkowski
Shawn Fluckey             Kelsey Quitschau 
Sara Gerlach              Lavina Ranjan   
Deena Hasan               Brandon Richman
Emily Heinz               Shannon Riley  
Clara Johnson             Kathryn Robinette 
Kathryn Johnson           Michael Romor 
Gina Kim                  Timothy Roth
Joshua Kopka              Christina Ruiz  
Alexander Kosmas          Stephanie Sanders 
Kyle Kotleba              Leah Schillmoeller
Michael Krukowski         Evan Schramm
Elizabeth Lampp           Pamela Schuett   
Layna Lange               Keith Schumacher
Katie Lawson              Allyson Slovak 
Alexander Lischka         Artur Szmanda  
Dawid Lokiec              Daniel Thompson
Preksha Maiya             Callan Van Ingen
Emmanuella Makridakis     Daniel Wenzelman, 

Dundee-Crown High School

Lindsey Bakewell          Matthew Mercado
Yair Banuelos             Jenny Modlisz
Sean Bernhard             Lindsay Mosher
Anna Bianchi              Michelle Musielewicz  
Emily Caliendo            Erin O'Neill 
Lyndsey Caliendo          Gina Paxson   
Joseph Carrothers         Nathaniel Prom  
Lindsay Clark             Nicholas Reedy   
Joshua Cook               Stephen Roos  
Kathryn Cutinello         Stephen Roth  
Nicole Daniel             Jacob Ruschli   
Denisse Espino Barros     Nancy Sanchez  
Jennifer Geiman           Alyssa Sarrazine 
Jasmine Glade             Alexzandria Scanlan 
Sara Glade                Brooke Schleehauf  
Lanea Glauner             Amelia Schmid 
Matthew Hellyer           Casey Vickstrom  
Brittany Herzovi          Merry Wang 
Anastasia Jareckyj        Daniel Weber
Rikki Johnson             Rebecca Winters  
Zane Kelly                Kaitlin Wright  
Jonathon Magnant          Holly Zissman

(D158 students were listed in an earlier FEN story.)

Blood Drive Feb. 14 At St. Margaret Mary

St. Margaret Mary Knights of Columbus will sponsor blood drive next Sunday, Feb. 14 at McDonnell Hall in the lower level of the Parish Ministry Center. The drive will be from 8 am to 1 pm.

To give blood you must be 17 years old or older and in good health. (You can also give blood if you are age 16 with the written consent of a parent.) Refreshments will be served and you might just win a door prize.

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