Grafton Township Calls Another Special Meeting

Grafton Township's new Administrator was busy Friday arranging for office supplies, trying to get the ball rolling on a much-delayed transportation agreement with the Village of Huntley and making sure the agenda was right for the next Township Board Special Meeting to define what she's actually supposed to do.

Pam Fender scurried continually from her nominal desk in the Township Board Room to one in the Assessor's office since the computer in the board room has no internet connection and there's no phone there.

"At least it's handy to the restroom," she said. "That's important to a woman my age."

Deputy Clerk Mary Hardy posted notice Friday afternoon for the meeting called by Trustees Rob LaPorta and Betty Zirk at 7:30 pm Monday at the Huntley Park District.  Topping the agenda is a hearing to amend the Township budget. Then there's a discussion scheduled for all the things that will probably require an amendment.  Like how much to pay Fender for her as-yet undefined duties and whether to buy a lot of upgrades to stop supposed internal security breaches in the township offices.

In the pic: Township Administrator Pam Fender camps at a desk in the Assessor's office to review a proposed transportation plan.

"Walk Like A Man" (But Sing In Falsetto)

The sounds of golden oldies rang the rafters at Huntley High School Thursday as four local students performed some of the hits their parents bopped and grooved to back in the day.

The Broadway musical "Jersey Boys" five years ago revived interest in "Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons", one of the only two American rock groups that wasn't blasted off the charts by the 60's British Invasion.  ("The Beachboys" was the other.) The musical inspired Huntley students Dylan Ladd, D.J. Davis, Tyler Darnell and Spencer Trippi to create "The Jersey Kids" channeling Four Seasons' hits.

That's a challenge in more ways that one.  Valli's vocal range spread over more than three octaves (not counting nuclear falsetto) and the Jersey Kids are all 15, an age not especially noted for laryngeal precision.

Then there's the problem of royalties. "For all the legal stuff it doesn't work," said Ladd.  "We perform for free wherever anyone wants us to perform."

Huntley Junior Hailey Fletcher said her parents play the Four Seasons hits sometimes.  "They listen to old stuff like the Beatles and Queen," she said. "I like this a lot."

In the silver threads cohort Rich Kyle said he used to listen to the Four Seasons on WLS.  "It's nice to hear the old songs," he said.  "At least you can hear the words to them."

Organizations Petition For Better Redistricting

By Ashley Badgley
Illinois legislators have designated their own legislative districts for the past three decades. Now, reform groups are trying to put a stop to this tradition. Advocacy groups and Republican state lawmakers are pushing the Illinois Fair Map Amendment and an independent commission.  They gathered Thursday to publicize efforts to get the proposal on the November ballot.

Legislative district boundaries now are drawn in a manner that favors the political party that controls the legislature at the time the map is drawn. Todd Maisch, a lobbyist for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce said the current redistricting usually favors incumbents.

Since the last legislative remapping 10 years ago,less than 3 percent of elections were won by the challenger, Maisch said.
“When you look at the fact that tested incumbents have won 536 elections and 11 losses…,” he said. “That is really compelling data.”

Under the current state constitution, if the legislature fails to decide on a legislative district map, legislative leaders pick four Republicans and four Democrats to serve on a remapping committee. If that committee fails to reach consensus a ninth tie-breaking member is selected by lot.

The proposed reform would change this process only slightly. Legislative leaders would still pick eight members of the commission but the ninth member would be selected not by chance but by the commission members themselves, who are evenly divided among Republicans and Democrats. Reformers believe that a ninth member acceptable to both political parties  would ensure that the map is drawn in a bipartisan manner.

The amendment can make the ballot two ways: by three fifths vote of the Legislature or direct petition.  Jan Czarnik, executive director of the Illinois League of Women Voters said her organization is leading the petition drive to collect at least 500,000 signatures before May 2.

The point of the amendment is to make it harder for legislators to be re-elected. “If we were sure that the legislature would do this, we wouldn’t be out collecting the signatures that we are collecting,” Czarnik said.

You can read Ashley's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/18/organizations-petition-for-illinois-fair-map-amendment/

Illinois High Court: No Pension For Ryan

By Benjamin Yount
Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan will not collect any of his retirement benefits from any of his time in state government.  The Illinois Supreme Court Friday ruled against Ryan, saying that because of his multiple federal felony convictions, Ryan has “forfeited all of the pension benefits he earned.”

Ryan is serving a six-and-a-half year sentence in a federal prison for the racketeering and corruption conviction from his time as secretary of state and governor. Supreme Court justices said Ryan’s behavior in office clearly cost him his annual $197,000 pension.

Former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson said he is dissapointed with ruling. “I was really a dissapointing conclusion, and I thought inequitable because it strips him of his pension for those years where he performed faithfully and well going back to his Kankakee County Board days.”

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/19/illinois-high-court-no-pension-for-ryan/

Local Sports

Boys' Basketball
Friday
Cary-Grove 47, Huntley 31
Crystal Lake South 60, McHenry 50
Grayslake Central 84, Woodstock North 28
Jacobs 44, Dundee-Crown 41
Johnsburg 50, Crystal Lake Central 41
Prairie Ridge 57, Woodstock 34
Wednesday
Grayslake Central 77, Woodstock 34
Tuesday
Crystal Lake Central 57, Woodstock 33
Grayslake Central 56, Vernon Hills 54
Grayslake North 54, Prairie Ridge 44
Huntley 46, McHenry 38
Jacobs 66, Cary-Grove 50
Johnsburg 60, Woodstock North 34

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 19
0728 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. BENITEZ, MOISES, M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 145 ARQUILLA DR., ALGONQUIN. Charge: Driving while License Revoked. RELEASED ON BOND
1639 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH POLICE). WANTED ON WARRANT. FLOOD, TIMOTHY L., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 117 OAKLEAF RD., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond Amount: $1,000 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
2235 HRS 10 BLOCK OF E. ACORN LN. WANTED ON RUSH, MELISSA L., F/W 30 YEARS OF AGE, WARRANT/DOMESTIC 14 E. ACORN LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS.  CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Probation Violation, Traffic Offense. Bond Amount: $3,000 at 10%.
RELEASED ON BOND.
0726 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Eight tires were found slashed on two vehicles.
0808 HRS 00 BLOCK OF MICHAEL CT. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. No priors.
1118 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GAIL CT. SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A CHILD. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1139 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1349 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK). FOUND PROPERTY. A Huffy bicycle was found. Bike placed into evidence.
1539 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 77 year old male possibly having a stroke. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1828 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PINE ST. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs Girlfriend. No priors.
1828 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PINE ST. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Reporting officer had contact with a registered sex offender.
1950 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Garage door was damaged by an unknown subject.
TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
2023 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR LN. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs Girlfriend. Ten priors.
2112 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WARWICK LN. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Complainant’s vehicle was entered. I-pod and floor mats were removed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2118 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD. (THEATERS) BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Complainant’s vehicle was entered and items removed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2128 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. BATTERY. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.

Sportsplex Consultant Falsified Financial Report

An FEN investigation has revealed a consultant for a company seeking $18 million worth of McHenry County stimulus bonds pleaded guilty to cooking a financial report at a Milwaukee museum several years ago.  This follows a recent disclosure that without Governor Quinn's cooperation the company will face higher hurdles getting the money to pay off the bonds than it thought.

McHenry County Sportsplex LLC seeks to build a huge sports and retail facility on Route 47 between Huntley and Woodstock in an area controled but not yet part of the Village of Lakewood.  At the late-December meeting of the County's Finance and Audit committee when the group presented its application for the stimulus funds the group's president introduced Terry Gaouette, Vice President of Administration and Business Consulting Services for H&K Sports Fields, Egg Harbor, WI, as a consultant.

Gaouette, FEN has learned, was once the Chief Financial Officer of the Milwaukee Public Museum and indicted on four felony counts in 2007 for draining money from the museum's endowment funds to cover its declining operations and hiding it.  Gaouette claimed he was just trying to keep the troubled museum afloat.  Prosecutors said he was protecting his prestigious $150,000 per year job.

The museum basically went bust and Milwaukee County had to step in with a rescue plan estimated to cost $39 million over a 15-year period. Gaouette pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of falsifying a report, gave the museum about $50,000 and surrendered his Wisconsin CPA license.

Reached on his cellphone Wednesday Gaouette said, "I don't want to talk about it," and hung up.

Sportsplex CEO Lou Tenore was willing to talk about it Wednesday.  "Everybody knows about this," said Tenore.  Besides, he said, his group developed the Sportsplex's financial plans, not Gaouette who, Tenore said was just their consultant on artificial turf.  "That's what H&K sells," he said.

At the December application meeting Gaouette never mentioned plastic grass, however.  While he only spoke for a few minutes  what he talked about was the sportsplex's financing and its business prospects.

Lakewood Village Manager Manager Katherine Peterson said while "We have heard rumblings", she didn't know the details of Gaouette's history.  "Our understanding is that he is a consultant and sort of the financial analyst" for the Sportsplex she said Thursday. "They haven't actually submitted a formal application yet," she said.

Finance and Audit Committee Chairman Marc Munaretto was likewise unaware of Gaouette's record.  "I understood him to represent himself as the consultant for (McHenry County Sportsplex's) business plan," said Munaretto.  "I thought he was a paid consultant that helped develop the application."  Munaretto said it wasn't his committee's job to "drill down that far".

H&K Sports Field's Vice President for Marketing and Business Development Eric Kordon said Wednesday he didn't know what Gaouette's precise role was for McHenry County Sportsplex. "I don't know much about what's going on down there," he said.

Meanwhile in other developments, earlier this month the Finance and Audit Committee learned McHenry County hasn't been designated a Targeted Employment Area for the federal EB-5 resident visa program.  That means foreign investors in the sportsplex's complicated plan to pay back the county's stimulus bonds would have to pony up $1 million apiece instead of $500,000. 

Naperville EB-5 broker Lu Sun said Thursday that would set a very high hurdle for the plan at least for investors in China. "They don't want to take a $1 million risk," he said.  "Ninety nine percent of our investors are at the $500,000 level."

Certifying McHenry County as a TEA should be a simple administrative matter but it depends on a declaration by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, according to officials.  No one knows how long it might actually take.

Tenore last week said that McHenry County Sportsplex Management Group, minority owner and manager of McHenry County Sportsplex, was recognized by the Secretary of State in late January. A records check shows the Secretary of State registered the organization Jan. 26.  FEN had earlier reported the management group had  failed to organize to do business in Illinois. 

In the pics: (above) Milwaukee Public Museum. (below) Gaouette and Tenore at the County Finance and Audit Committee in December.

D300 Announces Final Budget Cuts

In a news release late Thursday Distict 300 Superintendant Ken Arndt announced the final version of proposed cuts for the District's 2010-11 schoolyear budget.  The School Board will vote on the modified proposal Monday.

Arndt and the Board proposed drastic cuts six weeks ago mostly because of dwindling state support and have been gathering feedback since then.  The final revision includes:

Technology Upgrades--No changes.
Substitute Teachers--Cut long-term sub pay 25 percent instead of 50 percent.
Social Workers and Psychologists--Effectively lose one, not six.
Janitors--Cut 5, not 11.
Counseling for Staff--no change
Administrators--Three to five percent pay cuts and nine to twelve furlough days, the higher the pay the more days without it.
Everybody else (except teachers)--Five to seven furlough days.
High school electives--The least popular get cut and about four teachers are let go.

The rest of Arndt’s original recommendations stay in place. The District's website has a detailed page about budget cuts here:
http://www.d300.org/about-us/financial-information/budget-cuts-2010-11

The latest version of the cuts totals about $5.3 million. Still to come will be an additional $1.2 million in transportation-related cuts scheduled for a vote in April.

Monday's Board Meeting remains scheduled at 7:30 pm at District Headquarters in Carpentersville according to the agenda.

High Court Could Rule On Ryan Pension

By Kevin Lee
The Illinois Supreme Court could determine today whether disgraced former Gov. George Ryan will be able to keep a portion of his state pension.

Until 2006, Ryan had an annual pension of more than $197,000 for serving in a number of positions in county and state government. Ryan was convicted, however, for racketeering, conspiracy, and tax fraud, among other charges, as governor and secretary of state. He is now serving time in a federal prison in Indiana.

The state General Assembly Retirement System, which oversees pensions for state elected officials, revoked Ryan’s pension, and a Cook County Circuit Court upheld that action in 2007. Last year,though,  a state appeals court said Ryan was entitled to part of his pension, about $60,000 annually, because the corruption charges did not apply to Ryan’s tenures as a county official, state lawmaker and lieutenant governor.

Cyndi Canary with the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform said stripping Ryan of his entire pension would be the right thing to do.

“It is important for us to send a signal that public corruption will not be awarded. I’m hoping that he does not get his pension,” she said.

David Yepsen with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale said the court would not worry about the future repercussions of its ruling.

“I just think the court generally sticks with trying to interpret the law, rather than just carve up some new state pension policy toward corrupt public officials. I don’t think that will be their goal here,” Yepsen said.

You can read Kevin's full report here: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/18/high-court-could-rule-on-ryan-pension/

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 18
0016 HRS SPENCER PL. & LAKEWOOD RD. WANTED ON WARRANT.  HAJROJA, KURTISH, M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 701 WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant McHenry County Sherriff, Failure to Appear, Crimes against a Person, $1,000 @ 10%.
RELEASED ON BOND.
2045 HRS 100 BLOCK OF DEERPATH LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. JUVENILE, F/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO GRAND PARENT.
2213 HRS FOLLOW-UP ARREST: ROUTE 31. & VIRGINIA RD. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. SILVER, DENNIS A., M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 611 KATHY LN., BARTLETT. CHARGES: Disorderly Conduct. RELEASED ON BOND.
1029 HRS 300 BLOCK OF N. RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1301 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HAWTHORNE RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 82 years of age, vomiting blood. Transported to Sherman  Hospital.
1439 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 59 years age, feeling ill. Transported to St. Joseph’s  Hospital.
1511 HRS 9341 PYOTT RD. (BARBARA KEY PARK). FOUND PROPERTY. Key ring with a black Honda key and several miscellaneous keys.
2350 HRS 5700 BLOCK OF FOXFIELD LN. HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE Female being harassed by ex-boyfriend.
2353 HRS 9210 TRINITY DR. (PLAYERS CHOICE). BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. A coat was taken from an unsecured vehicle.
Algonquin
February 15
13:16pm Radamacher, Mason J., DOB: 11/03/91, of 10760 Lonestar Way, Huntley, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  Also taken into custody during the same incident was Jahn, Sean P. DOB: 11/14/91 of 10760 Lonestar Way, Huntley.  Both were released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 03/31/10, in Algonquin.
22:37pm Kaczmarek, Joanna A., DOB: 12/25/86, of 41W189 Cheryl Court, Huntley, was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Too Fast for Conditions.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released after posting her Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 03/23/10, in McHenry County.
February 16
23:42pm Pisciotta, Danielle L., DOB: 05/07/79, of 1607 Silverstone Drive, Carpentersville, was charged with DUI, Improper Left Turn, Failure to Yield and Resisting Arrest.  She was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Highland Avenue.  Also taken into custody during the same incident was Eckhardt, Charles W. DOB: 07/29/64 of 1607 Silverstone Drive, Carpentersville, who was charged with Aggravated Assault and Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer.  Both subjects were transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
February 17
18:48pm Pinsel, Jack H., DOB: 05/07/68, of 1448 Richmond Lane, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Contempt of Court.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 03/02/10, in McHenry County.
23:04pm Toledo, Eliana, DOB: 03/25/81, of 1225 Spruce lane, Apt. #J, Elgin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Failure to Appear, on a DWLS charge.  She was taken into custody at Life Time Fitness, 451 Rolls Drive.  She was released after posting $300, with a court date of 03/10/10, in Kane County.
February 18
06:53am Schmit, Nicholaus P., DOB: 08/31/81, of 6211 Maple Street, Apt #C103, Marengo, was charged with Battery.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/24/10, in McHenry County.
11:53am Nevarez, Fernando, DOB: 02/02/82, of 4312 Shamrock lane, Apt #3D, McHenry, was charged with DWLR and No Seat Belt.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant from Elgin PD for Failure to Appear, on a DWLS charge.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Eastgate.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
13:40pm Vinci, Marty J., Jr., DOB: 02/13/54, of 254 Torino Drive, Cary, was charged with Felony DUI, Felony DUI Over, Felony DWLR and No Seat Belt.  He was taken into custody at Front Street and Route 31.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.

County OK's Mental Health Board Headquarters Bonds

In a few days McHenry County will sell $4 million of stimulus Recovery Zone Bonds to build an addition for the McHenry County Mental Health Board.  The county board gave 13 to 6 final approval for helping finance the controversial plan Tuesday.

The Mental Health Board claimed it's outgrown its current Crystal Lake headquarters.  Some client service agencies, however, opposed  the expansion charging it was just empire-building. That long-running argument was never settled since the Mental Health Board said it had already decided to build the addition and the question was simply whether the county would let it do it with low-interest stimulus bonds.

The County Board decided, in effect, to give county taxpayers a break.  The Recovery Zone bonds carry a 45 percent federal tax subsidy for buyers projected to save the county about $730,000 in interest over a 15 year-period.

In the pic:  The black line represents regular muni bond rates.  Blue the rates for RZB's like those authorized for the Mental Health Board expansion. Red is the rates for BAB's, another type of stimulus bond the County will use to build a new computer and storage facility.

County To Take Back Nursing Home Administration

The McHenry County Board will take back management of the county's Valley Hi nursing home in a month.  The Board Tuesday voted to appoint an Itasca nursing home administrator to run the facility and end its contract with Cary company Revere Healthcare.

The Board hired Revere two and a half years ago to slow down operating losses at the home. After a rocky first six months it did that bringing them to about $1.4 million last year, a number members can tolerate.

The board appointed Thomas Annarella, currently administrator of a for-profit nursing home in Itasca, to take over Valley Hi administration March 15.

County Administrator Peter Austin said the home Annarella runs now has a 78 percent Medicaid patient load so "Tom is used to working with tight budgets."

Lawmakers React To IL Senate’s Secret Session

By Benjamin Yount 
The Illinois Senate closed its doors to visitors and the media for a “joint caucus” meeting of both Democrats and Republicans Wednesday to review state finances. It may be the first time senators have officially met together in secret and a lot of statehouse media outlets and government watchdogs said it should be the last.

Most legislators said it’s a case of ruffled feathers and miscommunication.

Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, told reporters he wanted to try something new, and didn’t see the problem with closing the meeting to the media. His spokesman said because the senators met as a “joint caucus” — a meeting of both political parties — the session fell outside of Illinois’ open meeting act and freedom of information laws.

But Don Craven, an attorney for the Illinois Press Association, said "the joint caucus involved the entire Senate.  And the Illinois Constitution requires that session of the Senate be open to the public,” Craven said.“If everything was released at a press conference two hours later, then why all the secrecy in the first place?” Craven asked.

State Sen. Pam Althoff, R-McHenry, said it sometimes helps to take distractions away from the legislative process. Althoff said senators made some progress, but are still a long way from a solution to Illinois’ budget woes.

Craven said, “It’s worrisome that it happened.  And just as worrisome that we don’t know when it might happen again.” said.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/17/lawmakers-react-to-il-senate%E2%80%99s-secret-session/

New Report, Same Old State Finance Problems

By Benjamin Yount
The only good news about Illinois’ budget crisis is that the state is not suffering alone. The latest report from the National Conference of State Legislatures states that most states across the nation are in just as bad a financial shape as Illinois.

Only California has a bigger budget deficit. Illinois’ $13 billion hole is the second-largest in the country. But the NCSL report indicates that the same problems plaguing Illinois are troubling nearly 40 other states.

Arturo Perez with the National Conference of State Legislatures said there is simply not enough revenue from taxes coming into state coffers. The report blames poor budgeting and the poor economy.

“In many ways it goes back to the fact that two-thirds of the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending,” Perez said. ”And the consumer at this point has pulled back significantly, to the point that it’s not just affecting state revenues but business as well.”

State Sen. Pam Althoff, R-McHenry, said difficult times should be expected even if the national economy starts to turn around.

“Even though we see that the recession is over, or it’s better, you’re not going to see that reflected at state government levels for two to three years,” Althoff said.

She didn’t say what she thought would fix the state’s budget.
Springfield lawmakers are split over whether a tax increase or steep budget cuts, or a combination of both, is the answer.

Gov. Pat Quinn will debut some of his budget proposals online next week. Lawmakers last week gave him an extension until March to deliver his actual spending plan for the next fiscal year.

You can read Ben's full report here: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/17/new-report-same-old-problems-with-state-finances/

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 17
1439 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. HIT & RUN. VONGKHAMCHANH, AMPHONE, M/W 52 YEARS OF AGE, 1713 MAPLE LANE APT 6, ELGIN. CHARGES: Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Failure to give Aid or Information, Following too closely. RELEASED ON BOND.
1700 HRS PYOTT RD. & SHAWNEE DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. SAENZ, GERALD V., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE. LICENSE SUSPENDED. 520 WEBSTER ST., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0604 HRS 8800 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Truck vs. deer. Property damage only.
1227 HRS 2200 BLOCK OF PEMBRIDGE DR. DEATH INVESTIGATION. A male, 49 years of age, was found unresponsive. Turned Over To the McHenry County Coroner.
1928 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRIARCLIFF LN. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Forced entry used to enter residence, but unknown if anything was taken. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2215 HRS 2000 BLOCK OF BRITTANY BEND ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.

Uncertain First Day For Grafton Twp. Administrator

Newly-hired Grafton Township Administrator Pam Fender showed up for work Tuesday morning with no clear idea of what she was supposed to do nor where she was supposed to do it.

In an end-run around Township Supervisor Linda Moore, Grafton Trustees last week voted to hire an administrator to carry out most of the Township's business and then picked Fender to fill the spot. Other than salary and start day, though, the plan was short on detail and remained so Tuesday.

Trustee Betty Zirk sat with Fender Tuesday morning in the Supervisor's officer waiting to find out her duties.  "The (Township) Attorney's working on that," said Zirk.

Moore, meanwhile sat across from them busily writing on a legal pad.  "I have my work to do," she said.

In the pic:  Zirk, Fender and Moore.

Hard-To-Find Books May Get Even Harder To Find

The North Suburban Library System truck made its daily call to the Algonquin's main library Tuesday  dropping off book loans from other libraries and picking up their reciprocals.  But NSLS officials said Tuesday the state owes them so much money there's only enough left to do that for about two more months.

Librarians from the System's 49 public and 535 school libraries flocked to its 20th annual legislative conference Monday to hear that during the first six months of its fiscal year the state-funded interlibrary loan group had received absolutely no payments at all.

Through computer wizardry and the System's daily truck, local  patrons can order whatever their local library doesn't have but some nearby one does.  Algonquin's two libraries, for instance brought in about 6,000 books and audio visual materials last month and sent out about 7,000 of their own according to librarian Kathy Lohmeyer.

Assistant Administrative Librarian Louise Nee was careful to point out that the problem lies with funding NSLS, not the Algonquin Area Public Libary. "We don't put any money into it," she said. "It's their system."  With that preface, however, Nee said,"Things are bad now and they aren't going to get good for a long time."

NSLS spokeswoman Judy Huffman said an email campaign to badger the Governor and Comptroller pressured one payment out of the state amounting to about one third of this year's budget. "We should have gotten closer to 60 percent," she said.

Huffman said the System has already used up all its reserves and only has enough money to keep going "through April."

In the pic: NSLS driver Alec McMullen loads his truck full of interlibrary loans at Algonquin's Main Library Tuesday.

Authentic Paczki Draw People To LITH Deli

Customers looking for a final pre-Lenten binge stocked up on paczki, the Polish edition of the Bismarck, at Lake in the Hills' Blue Cow Polish Deli Tuesday.

For paczki lovers authenticity is important. "Do you get these from Chicago?" asked customer Barbara Ramos.

"I'm not going to tell you," said Blue Cow's Joe Buch. "It's a secret.  OK, on the outskirts.  I tell you already too much."

Blue Cow opened in Lake in the Hills almost two years ago to sell traditional Polish specialties but Buch said its clientele is expanding beyon the Polish Community.  "We have a lot of Asian people coming over," she said. "They like our Kielbasa."

As Ash Wednesday marks the first of 40 days of abstention for the observant, however, Buch is already planning for the celebration of Easter.  "We will have the bread with the cross. And also we will have the lambs and bunnies and chicks made from sugar in Poland," he said.

"Also we'll have the fresh Polish Sausage, " said Buch.  "Not like kielbasa.  That's smoked.  This is a fresh sausage.  It's hard to find."

In the pic:  Jolanta Buch sells some Polish paczki to Baraba Ramos at the Blue Cow Polish Deli (Fat) Tuesday.  "Usually we go to Chicago for them," said Ramos.  "We're from the city."

Beer, Wine To Return To Local Drug Stores

The Algonquin Liquor Commission Tuesday OK'ed sales of beer and wine at the village's two Walgreens stores as the Deerfield-based retailer returns to liquor sales after largely dropping them throughout the chain for more than a decade.

The company began phasing out sales of acoholic beverages in the 1990's because they didn't generate enough profit.  Division Manager Pat Disarno said Tuesday they still probably wouldn't, one reason the new store section wouldn't be very big.

"It's not a huge profit in liquor," he said.  He said the return of to alcohol was more about munchies.  "It's a convenience item," said Disarno.  "We hope they'll also buy potato chips and dip and that sort of thing. Every sale helps."

Huntley approved liquor sales recently for the Walgreens at 47 and Kreutzer in that village.

GOP Governor Candidate Still Uncertain

Governors candidate Kirk Dillard refused to give up to GOP rival Bill Brady Tuesday as Chicago area absentee and provisional ballots moved him closer to Brady's total but not past it.

Unofficial tallies now put the difference between the two at only about 200 votes but some downstate counties still haven't completed their counts.

In a press release Dillard said, "The election authorities have until February 23rd to report their totals to the Illinois Board of Elections. As a result, we are still waiting to see what that final count is before determining our next course of action."

However, speaking to reporters Dillard said he won't call for a recount unless the difference is less than 100 votes.

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 16
1713 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & SQUARE BARN RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. MITCHELL, BYRON K., M/B 44 YEARS OF AGE, 440 LEAH #1C, WOODSTOCK.CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Elgin Police Department for Driving under the Influence of Alcohol. Bond Amount: $2,000 at 10%.
RELEASED ON BOND.
1820 HRS 4511 W ALGONQUIN RD. (CVS). TOBACCO VIOLATIONS. COLETTO, RYAN M., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 7515 INVERWAY DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Unlawful Tobacco Sale to a Minor. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0157 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 54 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0742 HRS ROUTE 47 & ACKMAN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1123 HRS 250 N RANDALL RD. (COSTCO). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1230 HRS 00 BLOCK OF MANCHESTER CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 39 years of age, feeling nauseated and weak. Transport to Sherman Hospital.
1348 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF CHANTILLY CIRCLE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1617 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH POLICE). MISCELLANEOUS INVESTIGATION. Annual tobacco compliance checks.
2104 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BLACKHAWK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 82 years of age, having head pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Results Due Today In GOP Governor's Race

The political grapevine thinks today's final count of absentee and unconfirmed provisional votes will find GOP Gubernatorial candidates Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard separated by as few as 200 votes. The difference election day was only a little over 400 in Brady's favor.

Neither candidate has said he'll demand a recount but neither has said he won't, either.  Nor has either scheduled a news conference today.

Dillard hasn't said much at all in the last two weeks but last week Brady lashed out at his expected opponent.

Brady charged Governor Pat Quinn needs to explain his support for Rod Blagojevich in the last election when the former governor was already under investigation.

A spokeswoman said if Quinn had known about Blagojevich's alleged crimes he'd have spoken out.

A Poll released Friday claimed more voters favor Quinn over either Brady or Dillard but it also found one out of five respondents were undecided.


In the pics: (above) Brady.  (below) Dillard.

CPR, Defib Training Draws Many To HFPD

Huntley's Samantha Fenske was among more than a dozen residents who braved falling snow and slippery roads Monday for the Huntley Fire Protection District's monthly Resuscitation, Automatic External Defibrillator class.

The two-hour class includes CPR for adults, children and, as here, babies. The next classes are set for March 8 and April 12. You can contact HFPD at (847)669-5066 to sign up.

Thomson Prison Roadblock Moves Ahead

McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon's bill requiring legislative input and consent on state transactions such as, say, the proposed sale of the state correctional center in Thomson, is up for full House approval now.

“Properties worth more than $1 million, like the Thomson Correction Center, should not be sold in the dead of night by administrative procedure, but in the light of day with legislative approval,” said Tryon.

Tryon's bill would require the State to receive approval from the General Assembly before selling any piece of surplus property that is worth more than $1 million.

The state built the Thomson "Supermax" prison for $140 million in 2001 but never had the money to run it so the center only houses about 140 minimum security prisoners now.  The U.S. Justice and Defense departments want to buy the prison to house Guantanamo terror detainees but the plan faces a lot of opposition.

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 15
1423 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (POLICE DEPT). WANTED ON WARRANT. KACHEL, JAMES J., M/W 46 YEARS OF AGE, 1183 MOONSTONE RUN, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on warrant McHenry County for Contempt of court. Bond amount - $300.00 full cash. RELEASED ON BOND.
0410 HRS FOLLOW UP ARREST: 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. BATTERY. TOBIN, MICHAEL T., M/W 30 YEARS OF AGE, 1375 CUNAT CT. APT 3F, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
0126 HRS 300 BLOCK OF LOCUST DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. son. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
0357 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD. (RAKOW CURVE). ACCIDENT. Car vs. deer. Property damage only.
0454 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 46 years of age, needing medical attention. No transport.
0736 HRS 200 BLOCK OF TERRAMERE LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 79 years of age, fell. Transport to Sherman Hospital.
0852 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 66 years of age, severe back pain. Transport to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1009 HRS 500 BLOCK OF E. OAK ST. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Possible violation of bail bond.
1123 HRS OAK ST. & CREEK VIEW LN. ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES. Pick up truck versus tree. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1134 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 43 years of age, dizzy and nauseated. Transported to Centegra Hospital.
1322 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 20 years of age, severe abdominal pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1505 HRS 200 BLOCK OF ACORN RD. FOUND ARTICLE. Wallet with identification and money found. Returned to owner.
1827 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF CADBURY CIRCLE. DEATH INVESTIGATION. 62 year old female found unresponsive in her home. PENDING INVESTIGATION.

Red Light Cameras: "Streamline" or Roll Back?

Algonquin's Russ Laine was among a half dozen suburban police chiefs called to Springfield this week to support new legislation to "streamline" Illinois' red light cameras.

St. Charles Democratic State Sen. John Millner is sponsoring a bill to standardize the use of ticket-issuing cameras at red light intersections.  Among other measures the bill would require more warning signs about the cameras, yellow paint for the cameras themselves and standardized timing of yellow lights.

Millner said his bill would make traffic safer but other legislators said red light cameras are just a gimmick to generate ticket revenue.

Laine told FEN it's a funny way to raise money since red light violations have dropped between 27 and 33 percent in Algonquin since the village put in its cameras.

"People are changing the way they're approaching all red light intersections," said Laine.  "They're more cautious in their driving," he said, even when there isn't a camera around to spy on them.

Lake in the Hills Chief of Patrol Services Dave Brey said that's what he's found, too.  "What you're probably seeing is a 'halo effect'", said Brey.  New habits for approaching camera-monitored red light intersections carries over to the unmonitored ones.

"We've generally reduced the potential for a T-bone accident," said Brey.

LITH was the local pioneer for the monitors installing one at the busy Randall and Acorn intersection two years ago.  Two more were added last year at Randall and Miller and Algonquin and Hilltop .  Algonquin installed cameras a year ago at Randall and Algonquin, Randall and Bunker Hill/Huntington and Algonquin Road and Route 31.

Laine said those locations are more proof his department hasn't jiggered yellow light timing.  "Those (traffic lights) belong to IDOT or MCDOT," he said.  "We don't control them."

Meanwhile Lake Barrington Republican Dan Duffy claims the cameras are a scam. He has a bill in the hopper to junk them except in construction areas.

In the pic:  The red light camera at Algonquin Road and Rte. 31 stands sentinel at the intersection.

Free Rides For Seniors May Be Hitting Last Stop

By Ashley Badgley
Illinois’ dire financial straits are forcing lawmakers to throw the “free rides for all seniors program” under the bus.

Members of a House Committee last week approved legislation eliminating the free rides on CTA, Pace and Metra, as well as downstate public transit systems.

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich started the program two years ago to sugar coat a hike in sales tax to bail out the RTA. Last year the state lost $37 million in revenue from the free senior ride services.

State Rep. Suzie Bassi, Palatine, is sponsoring the proposal. “Income-eligible seniors will ride for free and the rest of seniors will ride at half fare,” said the Palatine Republican.

Thomas Holbrook, D-Belleville said there is no reason a wealthy senior citizen needs a free ride, especially when the state is practically broke. “I’m not here to stop free rides for seniors. I’m ready to stop free rides for millionaires.”

You can read Ashley's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/11/free-rides-for-seniors-may-be-hitting-last-stop/

Extended Hours For MCDH H1N1 Walk-in Clinics

McHenry County Department of Health will only offer free H1N1 vaccinations at its Crystal Lake location now but has added extra hours there.

H1N1 is still around. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported on 12 new cases this week but one additional death.

This week the clinic at MCDH's 100 N. Virginia Street office will be open 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday with extended hours Thursday until 7 pm. 

Next week the clinic will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only from 8:30 am to  4:00 pm, Thursday, Feb. 25 until 7 pm.

No appointment is necessary.  There is no cost for the H1N1 vaccine for all county residents over 6 months of age.

At its Woodstock headquarters site, however, MCDH, is offering shots for residents 65 and older who have never received pneumonia vaccine. The vaccine is free to those with Medicare Part B or Medicaid; otherwise the cost is $35.00. In fact, the vaccine's available to anyone over age 18 but it's thought especially important to the 65 and over cohort.  Call MCDH at 815-334-4931 to schedule an appointment.

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 14
0646 HRS 500 BLOCK OF E. OAK ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. NERGE, SCOTT D., M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 508 E OAK ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS.
CHARGES: Domestic Battery and Domestic Battery of Insulting Provoking Nature. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
GARDNER, DANIEL T., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 508 E OAK ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery and Domestic Battery of Insulting Provoking Nature. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1519 HRS ROUTE 47 & ACKMAN RD. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. SIKULA, HANNAH J., F/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 9309A UNION RD., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While License Suspended, No Insurance and Expired Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
2032 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. PESTKA, LISA E., F/W 48 YEARS OF AGE, 1646 CARLEMONT DR. UNIT C, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: 5 Felony counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Driving While License Suspended and  Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Compound. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0018 HRS 900 BLOCK OF BRANDT DR. BURGLARY. Computer, game console and jewelry taken. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0700 HRS 5900 BLOCK OF LUCERNE LN. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 69 years of age, lost consciousness. No transport.
0959 HRS 400 BLOCK OF BIG CLOUD PASS. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 36 years of age, lost feeling on right side of body. Transport to Sherman Hospital
1604 HRS 10 BLOCK OF W. OAK ST. DOMESTIC Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only. 3 priors.
Algonquin
February 12
17:51pm A seventeen-year-old female from Algonquin was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Jewel, 103 S Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 03/31/10, in Algonquin.
February 13
01:15am Alesia, Frank V., DOB: 05/10/79, of 5113 N. Ozark, Norridge, was charged with 2 counts of Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at Tavern at the Bridge, 101 E. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
14:56pm Nowaskey, Brian D., DOB: 07/04/89. of 210 Elmhurst Road, Apt #310, Crystal Lake, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 03/31/10, in Algonquin.
20:38pm Angielski, Artur W.. DOB: 01/16/74 of 214 S. Main Street, Apt #D, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Port Edward’s Parking Lot, 20 W. Algonquin Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/17/10, in McHenry County.
February 14
00:09am Romero, Alfonso, DOB: 01/23/87, of 563 Darlington Avenue, Apt #16, Crystal Lake, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Endangering the Life of a Child.  He was taken into custody at Jewel, 103 S Randall Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/17/10, in McHenry County.
13:51pm Arellano-Zuluaga, Jose Alberto, DOB: 07/17/80, of 644 Washington Street, Woodstock, was charged with Speeding, No Valid Driver’s License and No Proof Of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at W. Algonquin Road and Meyer Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 03/24/10, in McHenry County.

Valentines Day: Say It With Chocolate

Valentines Day creates the eternal quandary-- Flowers or candy?  The crowd Saturday at Morke's The Chocolate Shop in Algonquin was firmly in the candy camp.

"Oh, yeah," said Assistant Manager Ange Malmquist.  "The last three days.  We go crazy."

It's often like that at Morkes she said.  "Valentines Day, Christmas, Easter, Mothers' Day, pretty much every holiday we have specialties."

The rest of the time Malmquist said there's a steady traffic at the Algoquin branch of the 90 year-old chocolatier.  "It's kind of like working in a bar," Malmquist said with a steady stream of regulars.  "We have people coming in every week for their (chocolate) fix.  You get to know them by name and learn about their families."

Morkes is in its third year in Algonquin.  The Palatine-based hand-made candy company began in 1920 on Chicago's South Side and proudly claims on its website to have survived the Depression, World War II, 60's riots and disco music.

In the pic:  Morke's Ange Malmquist helps LITH's Doug Wechet choose a selection of chocolates (and small plush bear) for his daughter's upcoming sixth birthday.

New Report Outlines Increasing Illinois Child Poverty

By Kevin Lee
The economic crisis undermining this generation could threaten the welfare of Illinois’ next generation. A recent report by the nonprofit advocacy group Voices for Illinois Children says a growing percentage of the state’s youngsters will fall into poverty, even if the economy improves.

“It’s really a tough time to be a kid. It’s important that Illinois continues to invest in the well-being of children and families, especially those who are most vulnerable and especially during these toughest of times,” said Kathy Ryg, president of Voices for Illinois Children.

According to the report, Illinois had more than a half-million poor children in 2008, half in deep poverty. The US Census Bureau defined the 2008 poverty level as an annual income of $22,000 for a two-parent, two-kid family, and $17,000 for a one-parent, two-kid family.

“We know child poverty is associated with lower levels of educational attainment, lower earnings in adulthood and lower quality of health,” Ryg said.

According to the report, one factor contributing to child poverty is the high unemployment that is affecting parents throughout the state.The national recession has caused Illinois to lose 400,000 jobs since 2007.

Carol Harms, Community Services Coordinator for Catholic Charities, says she is seeing many families seeking assistance for the first time.

“Many mothers and fathers have stated a sense of embarrassment because they used to be donors and now they are actually having to receive the community services,” she said.

Ryg said service providers like Catholic Charities are being forced to slash their budgets because of deep cuts and delayed payments made by the state.

Lawmakers will address the problem when Governor Quinn delivers his now-delayed budget proposal in March.

You can read Kevin's full report here: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/12/new-report-outlines-increasing-child-poverty/

Franks: Just Skip Lieutenant Governor

McHenry County State Rep. Jack Franks said this week Illinois Democrats ought to set an example and choose absolutely no one to run for Lieutenant Governor in November.

“The office of Lieutenant Governor is a complete waste. We haven’t had a Lieutenant Governor in over a year and it has not affected the State of Illinois in the least bit,” Franks said.

Franks called on the Illinois Democratic Party’s State Central Committee to leave the Lt. Governor’s slot on the ballot empty. The vacancy was created by Scott Lee Cohen’s withdrawal from the ballot. That created a feeding frenzy of politicians looking to be the Democratic nominee.

Franks said if the state wants to to cut spending, the Lieutenant Governor's office would be a good place to start. "The Lieutenant Governor has no constitutional responsibilities aside from being a placeholder. It isn't fair for the taxpayers to foot this bill,” he said.

Democrats have a plan to junk the office in 2015.  Republicans want to do it in 2011. Franks, a Democrat, said his party ought to beat even that.  “If the Speaker, who is the Chairmen of the Democratic Party and will lead the selection of Cohen’s replacement, believes the office should be eliminated in the next election, why wait?" he asked.

Under Illinois' strange election rules gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates run independently in the primary but yoked together in the general election.  By Franks' plan even if Quinn and "nobody" lost in November to (probably) Bill Brady and political unknown Jason Plummer, it would still make the GOP look like prodigals.

New Online Search For County Court Cases

The McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Office had good news this week for investigative reporters and other Nosey Parkers.  A free case search function went online this week at the Clerk's website.

Cases open to the public can be searched by case number, ticket number, or (heh, heh) party name. Searchable information includes: basic case details, including charges/sentences, next court date, parties to the case, summons information, and balance due on financial sentences.

Circuit Clerk Kathy Keefe said, “public access has long been a major goal for the Circuit Clerk’s Office and we are thrilled to now be able to provide this service."

Kane County has offered a similar service for quite a while but the program is an old one and in FEN's experience tends to lock up.  Keefe's runs like a breeze.

Besides the case information search, the Circuit Clerk’s Office can send court documents by email saving gas on those dreary trips to Woodstock.  After a request is received, the Circuit Clerk’s Office researches the number of pages in the request and sends back the fee. After payment (also possible online), the document copies are emailed in .pdf format.

You can find out who did what to whom here:  http://68.21.116.46/wow65/runApp?id=0

Local Sports

Boys' Basketball
Saturday
Grayslake North 100, Woodstock North 55
Jacobs 72, Libertyville 66 (OT)

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 13
0041 HRS RAKOW RD. & PINGREE RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.  BARIOS, JOSE F., M/W 48 YEARS OF AGE, 694  NOTTINGHAM LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0121 HRS PYOTT RD. & JENNINGS DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. HERRON, JAMES J., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 132 EAST END  AVE., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath
Alcohol Content over .08, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1803 HRS GRACE DR. & KAY CT. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. GILLESPIE, ASHLEE R., F/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 563 DARLINGTON LN.  #14, HUNTLEY. Driving while license suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
2022 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. BOSS, DANA M., F/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 8218 GAGE LN.,  CARY. CHARGES: Possession of drug paraphernalia, 1 headlight and no insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0204 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. BATTERY. Male, 28 years of age, with a hand injury. Transported to Sherman Hospital. PENDING  INVESTIGATION BY OFFICER.
0222 HRS 700 BLOCK OF PARC CT. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 13 years of age, with a dislocated knee. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
0545 HRS RAKOW RD. & PINGREE RD. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Contact with a possible registered sex offender out of Texas.
0817 HRS 400 BLOCK OF BIG CLOUD PASS. ACCIDENT 2 vehicles property damage only.
0836 HRS 500 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Satellite radio and sunglasses taken from vehicle.  TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
1022 HRS 100 BLOCK OF COURSE DR. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 64 years of age, with intestinal problems. Transport to St Joseph  Hospital.
1033 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 67 years of age, with intestinal problems. Transport to Good  Shepherd Hospital.
1105 HS 00 BLOCK OF W. PHEASANT TRAIL. DEFACEMENT. Symbols spray painted on fence. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1243 HS 10 BLOCK OF WALNUT DR. DOMESTIC. Family dispute, verbal only. One prior.
1459 HRS ROUTE 31 & VIRGINIA RD. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. Smoothie thrown at occupants of another vehicle during traffic altercation. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY OFFICER.
1559 HRS 100 BLOCK OF BRIDLEWOOD CIRCLE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. GPS taken and a DVD player attempted to be taken from  vehicle.TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2128 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD. (LITH THEATERS). AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 31 years of age, passed out. Transported to Sherman  Hospital.