The unveiling Wednesday of Governor Pat Quinn's delayed budget proposal cleared away some of the fog in which school district planners have been working. But only a little.
In a bow to reality Quinn's budget doesn't count on a continuation of the $1 billion in Federal stimulus funds used to shore up Illinois education spending this year. “It was crystal clear that the votes are not there in the Congress to extend the federal stimulus for education. It’s not going to happen," said Quinn.
His proposal calls for $1.3 billion in cuts to state education funding--unless the state increases its income tax from 3 to 4 percent. In that case the state will pay off the $850 million it already owes districts for the current year and will restore support to this year's nominal figures.
D158 CFO Mark Altmayer said the Governor's budget proposal remains a pretty broad brush affair, though. "They didn't break down the $1.3 billion cuts," said. The state provides several different kinds of education funding but Quinn's proposal doesn't say how much will be cut from specific areas like general support, special education and transportation.
Overall, though, "The cuts amount to a 17 percent level," said Altmayer. "We're planning for those cuts," he said, since extra money from an income tax increase is no more than conjectural now. "Is it going to get done?" he said.
D300 CFO Cheryl Crates said she hoped for more detail from an Illinois State Board of Education budget analysis but she isn't counting on an income tax increase, either. "At this point, there's no new money," she said. Crates said Quinn's budget works out to roughly the worst-case scenario she presented to the D300 board Monday. "If I'd had Quinn's numbers to work with I'd have still done it the way I did it," she said.
Crates' projections work out to an $11 million state shortfall for the coming year and her district has already agreed to lay off as many as 150 teachers next year. Altmayer is working on cuts to place before the D158 board next week.
Largely unremarked in Quinn's income tax proposal this week is an extra $650 million left over if the state paid schools at this year's level. So far Quinn hasn't said what he'd to do with that money.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Hooker Bust In Lake in the Hills
Lake in the Hills Police Department arrested a 32 year old LITH woman for prostitution Friday. Shannon D. Harnish, 32, of 179 Northlight Pass was charged with one count of prostitution, and one count of offense against public morals and decency, a local ordinance charge.
Police said they received an anonymous complaint about activities at Harnish's home and sent in an undercover officer who was offered "an act of sexual penetration" in exchange for money.
Harnish posted $100.00 cash bond and was released.
Police said they received an anonymous complaint about activities at Harnish's home and sent in an undercover officer who was offered "an act of sexual penetration" in exchange for money.
Harnish posted $100.00 cash bond and was released.
Algonquin Store Flunks Liquor Check
A month-long liquor enforcement operation by the McHenry County Sheriff's office and Illinois State Police found an Algonquin business one of three alleged to have sold alcohol to a minor.
Sheriff Keith Nygren said Town Liquors, 1127 W. Algonquin Road sold alcoholic beverage to an underage volunteer police sent in for a compliance check. Nygren said two stores in McHenry and Cary similarly failed the check.
Nygren said 29 other stores around the county did pass the test, though.
Sheriff Keith Nygren said Town Liquors, 1127 W. Algonquin Road sold alcoholic beverage to an underage volunteer police sent in for a compliance check. Nygren said two stores in McHenry and Cary similarly failed the check.
Nygren said 29 other stores around the county did pass the test, though.
March Primary Bill Heads To Quinn
By Ashley Badgley, Illinois Statehouse News
The push to move Illinois’ primary election back to March has cleared both legislative chambers and is waiting Gov. Pat Quinn’s signature.
State primary elections in Illinois used to take place on the third Tuesday in March. Legislators changed the date to early February just before President Barack Obama was in the running for the Democratic presidential nomination. Many lawmakers hoped an early primary would help Illinois push Obama ahead in the election. However, now lawmakers think a primary in the first week of February is too early and resulted last month in one of the lowest voter turnouts in Illinois history.
Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline cast the only dissenting vote. He said a March primary is just “one iota” better than a February primary. He said he would like to see the primary pushed to April or later.
Quinn said he is in support of moving the primary back to the original date in March because Illinois has “harsh winters,” and turnout will be much better in March. “I thought the primary was way too early this year,” Quinn said. “We live in a pretty tough climate in the winter in Illinois. Feb. 2 is way too early and I was happy to see the legislature address this issue.”
Quinn said he will sign the bill as soon as he sees it. “I haven’t gotten the bill yet, but I’m definitely for moving the primary back in the future,” Quinn said. “It will be a better turnout and I think it will be a better campaign for the people.”
You can read Ashley's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/12/bill-moving-primary-back-to-march-heads-to-quinn/
The push to move Illinois’ primary election back to March has cleared both legislative chambers and is waiting Gov. Pat Quinn’s signature.
State primary elections in Illinois used to take place on the third Tuesday in March. Legislators changed the date to early February just before President Barack Obama was in the running for the Democratic presidential nomination. Many lawmakers hoped an early primary would help Illinois push Obama ahead in the election. However, now lawmakers think a primary in the first week of February is too early and resulted last month in one of the lowest voter turnouts in Illinois history.
Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline cast the only dissenting vote. He said a March primary is just “one iota” better than a February primary. He said he would like to see the primary pushed to April or later.
Quinn said he is in support of moving the primary back to the original date in March because Illinois has “harsh winters,” and turnout will be much better in March. “I thought the primary was way too early this year,” Quinn said. “We live in a pretty tough climate in the winter in Illinois. Feb. 2 is way too early and I was happy to see the legislature address this issue.”
Quinn said he will sign the bill as soon as he sees it. “I haven’t gotten the bill yet, but I’m definitely for moving the primary back in the future,” Quinn said. “It will be a better turnout and I think it will be a better campaign for the people.”
You can read Ashley's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/12/bill-moving-primary-back-to-march-heads-to-quinn/
Local Sports
Boys' Basketball
Friday
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL FINALS
Vernon Hills Sectional
St. Viator 66, Johnsburg 54
Tuesday
CLASS 3A
Hampshire Sectional
Oswego 66, Marian Central 46
Friday
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL FINALS
Vernon Hills Sectional
St. Viator 66, Johnsburg 54
Tuesday
CLASS 3A
Hampshire Sectional
Oswego 66, Marian Central 46
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
March 12
0056 HRS MILLER RD. & PATTON AVE. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SLEBODA, PAUL J., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 8 ASH DRIVE, OAKWOOD HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Disobey a Traffic Control Signal. RELEASED ON BOND.
FOLLOW-UP ARREST: 1158 HRS 100 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. PROSTITUTION. HARNISH, SHANNON D., F/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 179 NORTHLIGHT PASS, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: One Count of Prostitution a Class A Misdemeanor, and A Local Ordinance Charge of Offense against Public Morals and Decency. RELEASED ON BOND.
0233 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. THEFT A cell phone was taken and returned. FAIL TO FILE.
0759 HRS 0 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. ORDER OF PROTECTION VIOLATION. Possible violation on order of protection. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0926 HRS 00 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR CT. IDENTITY THEFT. Identity Theft.
1300 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF CADBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 48 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1857 HRS 0 BLOCK OF CLARK AVE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only. Delayed from March.10th.
Lake in the Hills
March 12
0056 HRS MILLER RD. & PATTON AVE. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SLEBODA, PAUL J., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 8 ASH DRIVE, OAKWOOD HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Disobey a Traffic Control Signal. RELEASED ON BOND.
FOLLOW-UP ARREST: 1158 HRS 100 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. PROSTITUTION. HARNISH, SHANNON D., F/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 179 NORTHLIGHT PASS, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: One Count of Prostitution a Class A Misdemeanor, and A Local Ordinance Charge of Offense against Public Morals and Decency. RELEASED ON BOND.
0233 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. THEFT A cell phone was taken and returned. FAIL TO FILE.
0759 HRS 0 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. ORDER OF PROTECTION VIOLATION. Possible violation on order of protection. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0926 HRS 00 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR CT. IDENTITY THEFT. Identity Theft.
1300 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF CADBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 48 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1857 HRS 0 BLOCK OF CLARK AVE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only. Delayed from March.10th.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Raised Voices, Frayed Tempers At Regular Grafton Twp. Meeting
A court reporter-style stenotypist recorded the regular three and a half-hour Grafton Township Board meeting Thursday. Trustee Betty Zirk said the steno was recording the session on the advice of Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer. There were also no fewer than four people making continuous video recordings of the meeting.Kraftefer wasn't at the meeting, called to an emergency by another client according to her law firm partner Robert Bush.
During the meeting:
The Board retired to executive session for about 20 minutes to review resumes from applicants for the position of Township clerk. They'd intended to conduct interviews, too, but forgot to tell the applicants.
Trustees told Assessor Bill Ottley to advertise for bids in "the newspaper" for a new assessment program even though he said the current program, not updated since 1995, is starting to show signs of failure. "Is this the first crack in the ice?" asked Ottley. "I don't know," but he couldn't convince trustees the danger of records loss was great enough to simply buy the specialized software from one of the three national companies he'd contacted.
Trustees voted, however, to hire without bid a computer forensics investigator to find out what or who wiped out all the township financial and senior bus records earlier this week and removed all the computer backups, too. "This was criminal activity," said Trustee Rob LaPorta. "This is not any political game," he said.
Township Administrator Pam Fender made it clear she thought Supervisor Linda Moore was the culprit. "I'm sure you've been at home laughing," she told Moore.
Moore said she'd been instructed to say nothing about the matter on the advice of legal counsel who filed suit on Moore's behalf Wednesday against trustees and Krafthefer for interfering with the way she runs things. "She's taking the Fifth," shouted Trustee Gerry McMahon.
Trustees also voted to hire a part-time helper for Fender to cover for her when she has to be out of the office. That was even though spectator Loretta Wuich volunteered to do it for nothing. No hours, salary or means of recruitment were set but trustees agreed the position would carry no fringe benefits.
Spectator Dan Ziller, Jr., interjected Moore ought to do the job but Fender said Moore is no longer coming to the Township Offices.
Trustees had planned to examine how Moore's been doing administering General Assistance for township residents down on their luck but Moore said because of the loss of computer records she couldn't make a report.
Trustees passed a resolution re-affirming Moore can't fire Fender.
There was some planning for the Annual Township Meeting next month. McMahon said he didn't want to pay for any police protection then. "We can call 911. They'll be there in five minutes," he said.
In the pics: (above) A stenotypist recorded Thursday's Grafton Township meeting. (below) The crowd at Township meetings keeps getting bigger and bigger.
County Assessments Likely To Stand Unchanged
Remember that 2009 property assessment that came in the mail last September? The good news is (unless you appealed and won a reduction) that's probably what your assessment is going to turn out to be. McHenry County Assessor Donna Mayberry reported Thursday all the appeals are done and there wasn't enough cumulative change to trigger a multiplier. Probably.
Algonquin Township Assessor Bob Kunz warned in January the County's independent Board of Review was being so lenient on appeals that Mayberry might have to raise all his township's assessments to even things out again. Mayberry said that didn't happen, though.
"In the last couple of days we had some big housing and commercial appeals (in Algonquin Township) and we were were getting worried but it didn't change things significantly," she said.
County Clerk Kathie Schultz said she certified the County's assessment report Monday and sent it off to Springfield for review there. Mayberry said she was confident the county would end up with a multiplier of 1, that is, no change to local assessments. Schultz said it might take a month to six weeks for an official OK, though.
Algonquin Township Assessor Bob Kunz warned in January the County's independent Board of Review was being so lenient on appeals that Mayberry might have to raise all his township's assessments to even things out again. Mayberry said that didn't happen, though.
"In the last couple of days we had some big housing and commercial appeals (in Algonquin Township) and we were were getting worried but it didn't change things significantly," she said.
County Clerk Kathie Schultz said she certified the County's assessment report Monday and sent it off to Springfield for review there. Mayberry said she was confident the county would end up with a multiplier of 1, that is, no change to local assessments. Schultz said it might take a month to six weeks for an official OK, though.
Algonquin Police Chief Calls For National Crime Commission
Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine is back from Capitol Hill where he joined 200 other top cops Monday to stump for a bill to create a National Criminal Justice Crime Commission.
Laine, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police last year, said one was long overdue since the last time anyone took a broadview look at crime was back in 1965. “This legislation will task a commission with conducting a comprehensive examination of all aspects of the criminal justice system including the prevention of crime, law enforcement, corrections and offender re-entry,” Laine said.
The proposed Commission would look at a broad range of new and emerging challenges confronting law enforcement including cybercrime, non-Mafia organized crime, violent street gangs and homeland security, said Laine. The commission would also take a look at the way technological innovations might affect the criminal justice community, he said.
Earlier this month Laine was in Springfield pushing the Governor to restore cuts to early childhood programs to prevent crime. Illinois law enforcement leaders urged that the state’s preschool and home-visiting programs be protected. Last year they were cut 10 percent cut leaving programs across the state struggling to maintain their services. “It’s penny-wise and pound foolish to scale back the very programs that we know work," said Laine.
Laine, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police last year, said one was long overdue since the last time anyone took a broadview look at crime was back in 1965. “This legislation will task a commission with conducting a comprehensive examination of all aspects of the criminal justice system including the prevention of crime, law enforcement, corrections and offender re-entry,” Laine said.
The proposed Commission would look at a broad range of new and emerging challenges confronting law enforcement including cybercrime, non-Mafia organized crime, violent street gangs and homeland security, said Laine. The commission would also take a look at the way technological innovations might affect the criminal justice community, he said.
Earlier this month Laine was in Springfield pushing the Governor to restore cuts to early childhood programs to prevent crime. Illinois law enforcement leaders urged that the state’s preschool and home-visiting programs be protected. Last year they were cut 10 percent cut leaving programs across the state struggling to maintain their services. “It’s penny-wise and pound foolish to scale back the very programs that we know work," said Laine.
Quinn: Tax Or Education Cuts Not A Scare Tactic
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has been appearing this week at local schools tring to drum up support for a 33 percent income tax increase to ward off $1.3 billion in cuts to schools and universities. Thursday he visited schools in Springfield and Chicago. Monday he appeared at another in Sprinfield.
"We have to understand reality. We are now without a billion (stimulus) dollars that we counted on this year, so we have to make it up. And I think it's very very important to make this decision that we aren't going to cut education funding. Instead we'll have a 1 percent surcharge for schools."
Time is of the essence, Quinn said, since the state will receive its last federal stimulus payment in July. The $1 billion in federal money was used to plug this year's education budget. "There's no scaring involved, the bottom line is the federal money is not coming."
The governor said dire consequences loom ahead if his tax increase is not approved to replace those federal dollars. "You're going to see a lot of young teachers, who just got out of school…they'd be the first ones laid off. And we're talking about 17,000 teachers in Illinois losing their jobs."
Quinn maintains that teachers and parents will understand and support his tax increase — it's just lawmakers who need to get the message.
You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/11/quinn-tax-or-education-cuts-not-a-scare-tactic/
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
March 11
0436 HRS 200 BLOCK OF THUNDER RIDGE. BURGLARY TO A MOTOR VEHICLE. Global Positioning System was taken from an unsecured vehicle.
1203 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. AMBULANCE ASSIST. 68 year old female having a problem with her medication. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1855 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles property damage only.
2202 HRS 50 W. ACORN. (HOME STATE BANK). FOUND PROPERTY. Black bag with work out clothes in it, at the intersection of Randall Rd and Acorn Ln.
2305 HRS 900 BLOCK OF BRANDT DR. BURGLARY TO A MOTOR VEHICLE. Cellphone was taken from an unsecured vehicle.
Algonquin
March 8
15:40pm A thirteen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Battery. He was taken into custody in the 700 block of Majestic Drive. He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his parents.
21:19pm Hermann, Daniel T., DOB: 06/10/57, of 18N304 Sawyer Road, West Dundee, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Contempt of Court. He was taken into custody at Jewel, 1501 E. Algonquin Road. He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 03/24/10, in McHenry County.
March 9
11:21am Dorantes-Martinez, Edgar E., DOB: 11/19/88, of 1685 Mulberry, Apt #3, Elgin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License. He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Algonquin Road. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
14:34pm Dennison, Keith M., DOB: 12/12/90, of 460 Buckingham, Apt #17, Crystal Lake, was charge with DWLS. He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Algonquin Road. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
19:04pm Muskala, Mateusz K., DOB: 05/19/91, of 8 W. Oak Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at TJ Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road. He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 04/28/10, in Algonquin. Also taken into custody during the same incident was a seventeen-year-old male from West Dundee, who was also charged with Retail Theft. He was also released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 04/28/10, in Algonquin.
March 11
12:54pm Slowik, Jakub J., DOB: 01/24/85, of 1325 Parkview Terrace North, Algonquin, was charged with 2 counts of Domestic Battery. He was taken into custody at 1325 Parkview Terrace North. He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
March 12
00:38am Beldinger, Christian, DOB: 02/20/68, of 2201 Tahoe Parkway, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery, Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was taken into custody at 2201 Tahoe Parkway. He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
Lake in the Hills
March 11
0436 HRS 200 BLOCK OF THUNDER RIDGE. BURGLARY TO A MOTOR VEHICLE. Global Positioning System was taken from an unsecured vehicle.
1203 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. AMBULANCE ASSIST. 68 year old female having a problem with her medication. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1855 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles property damage only.
2202 HRS 50 W. ACORN. (HOME STATE BANK). FOUND PROPERTY. Black bag with work out clothes in it, at the intersection of Randall Rd and Acorn Ln.
2305 HRS 900 BLOCK OF BRANDT DR. BURGLARY TO A MOTOR VEHICLE. Cellphone was taken from an unsecured vehicle.
Algonquin
March 8
15:40pm A thirteen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Battery. He was taken into custody in the 700 block of Majestic Drive. He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his parents.
21:19pm Hermann, Daniel T., DOB: 06/10/57, of 18N304 Sawyer Road, West Dundee, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Contempt of Court. He was taken into custody at Jewel, 1501 E. Algonquin Road. He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 03/24/10, in McHenry County.
March 9
11:21am Dorantes-Martinez, Edgar E., DOB: 11/19/88, of 1685 Mulberry, Apt #3, Elgin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License. He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Algonquin Road. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
14:34pm Dennison, Keith M., DOB: 12/12/90, of 460 Buckingham, Apt #17, Crystal Lake, was charge with DWLS. He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Algonquin Road. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
19:04pm Muskala, Mateusz K., DOB: 05/19/91, of 8 W. Oak Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at TJ Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road. He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 04/28/10, in Algonquin. Also taken into custody during the same incident was a seventeen-year-old male from West Dundee, who was also charged with Retail Theft. He was also released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 04/28/10, in Algonquin.
March 11
12:54pm Slowik, Jakub J., DOB: 01/24/85, of 1325 Parkview Terrace North, Algonquin, was charged with 2 counts of Domestic Battery. He was taken into custody at 1325 Parkview Terrace North. He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
March 12
00:38am Beldinger, Christian, DOB: 02/20/68, of 2201 Tahoe Parkway, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery, Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was taken into custody at 2201 Tahoe Parkway. He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Grafton Supervisor Sues Trustees, Township Attorney
Moore's suit charges trustees threw her out of what was the Supervisor's office and changed the lock, blocked her from the Township phone system, locked her out of the Township computer network and intercepted her mail. It also charges Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer refuses to accept being fired by Moore in December. The suit claims Moore fired Administrator Pam Fender at an unspecified date, too.
Moore has complained Trustees are trying to "micromanage" her but in the suit charges they aren't allowed to manage her at all.
"This is a separation of powers case," said Rockford Attorney John Nelson whom Moore hired for the Township in her capacity as Supervisor. "It involves the fundamental right of voters to select their representatives."
Nelson asked for an emergency preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order but Judge Maureen McIntyre denied those saying there wasn't an emergency. A date for arguments on a regular injunction and restraining order is expected to be set Monday. The main case it set for scheduling July 14.
In a posting to Internet bulletin board Huntley Neighbors Wednesday afternoon Fender charged Moore had "her IT guy" remove the Township's computerized financial records which trustees last week ordered audited because of "discrepancies." She also claimed Moore rigged the township phones to forward calls to a cellphone set on "a quiet tone" abandoned on a backroom desk.
Krafthefer had already confirmed that the Township financial records are missing on the Township computers.
Krafthefer likewise confirmed FEN's report last week that the McHenry County State's Attorney is investigating the Grafton Township conflict. She said she has spoken repeatedly with an investigator looking into charges Moore made unauthorized withdrawals from and deposits to personal checking accounts of township employees.
Grafton Township's regular monthly meeting is set for this evening at the Park District, 7:30 pm.
In the pic: Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore and Grafton Township's latest attorney, John Nelson, leaving the McHenry County Courthouse Wednesday.
GOP Pols Reject Quinn Budget
By Mary Massingale, Illinois Statehouse News
"We were sent to Springfield to make difficult decisions, not push our problems off to future General Assemblies and future generations,” said McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-64) after Governor Pat Quinn's state budget speech Wednesday.
“After years of overspending by Governor Blagojevich and the Democrats, Governor Quinn could have put us on the right path by embracing reforms and rejecting business as usual,” said Tryon. “Instead, Governor Quinn seems content with maintaining the status quo by proposing a tax increase, borrowing more money, delaying payments to state vendors and refusing to entertain any spending and budget reform proposals."
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady called Quinn’s fiscal year 2011 budget a “catastrophe,” insisting his own plan for a 10 percent across-the-board cut would balance the budget and dig the state out of its $13 billion hole.
According to Quinn, the solution to the state’s financial woes lies in $4 billion in short-term borrowing and $2 billion in spending cuts, with $1.3 targeted for education. To soften the blow to education, the Democratic governor is calling for a 1 percent point increase – or 33 percent – in the state’s 3 percent income tax rate.
Brady said the income tax increase didn’t “make sense” to him, criticizing Quinn for singling out only one of the state’s major expenses.
“There’s $40 to $45 billion that you can cut and re-construct,” Brady said.” Brady declined, however, to elaborate on the details of the cuts that he believes could be made.
“It seems to me that what he’s simply doing here is ignoring the problem, kicking the can down the road, trying to make it past the election,” Brady said. “I frankly wonder if he’s planning on being here in January because he’s leaving a pretty big problem.”
You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/10/gop-candidate-for-governor-calls-quinns-budget-catastrophe/
"We were sent to Springfield to make difficult decisions, not push our problems off to future General Assemblies and future generations,” said McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-64) after Governor Pat Quinn's state budget speech Wednesday.
“After years of overspending by Governor Blagojevich and the Democrats, Governor Quinn could have put us on the right path by embracing reforms and rejecting business as usual,” said Tryon. “Instead, Governor Quinn seems content with maintaining the status quo by proposing a tax increase, borrowing more money, delaying payments to state vendors and refusing to entertain any spending and budget reform proposals."
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady called Quinn’s fiscal year 2011 budget a “catastrophe,” insisting his own plan for a 10 percent across-the-board cut would balance the budget and dig the state out of its $13 billion hole.
According to Quinn, the solution to the state’s financial woes lies in $4 billion in short-term borrowing and $2 billion in spending cuts, with $1.3 targeted for education. To soften the blow to education, the Democratic governor is calling for a 1 percent point increase – or 33 percent – in the state’s 3 percent income tax rate.
Brady said the income tax increase didn’t “make sense” to him, criticizing Quinn for singling out only one of the state’s major expenses.
“There’s $40 to $45 billion that you can cut and re-construct,” Brady said.” Brady declined, however, to elaborate on the details of the cuts that he believes could be made.
“It seems to me that what he’s simply doing here is ignoring the problem, kicking the can down the road, trying to make it past the election,” Brady said. “I frankly wonder if he’s planning on being here in January because he’s leaving a pretty big problem.”
You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/10/gop-candidate-for-governor-calls-quinns-budget-catastrophe/
Algonquin Township To Continue Paint Recycling
Miller said Algonquin Township and one in Cook County will be the only organizations to continue municipal paint recycling after the Illinois EPA discontinued support for the program last November as the State fell further and further behind paying its bills.
Since 1997 "We've kept 200,000 gallons of paint out of the waste stream for a little over $300,000," Miller said but warned the program would have to be modified a little to hold costs down.
Paint dropoff has always been in theory only for Algonquin Township residents but Miller said workers haven't been to zealous about enforcing that. ("Some of the people pull up with Wisconsin plates, that's a dead giveaway.") This year Miller said workers will card paint recyclers and if they don't live in the township charge a $5 per car non-resident fee.
He also said workers may not be quite so picky in deciding which paint is good enough to save for reuse and which is dreck requiring incineration.
Algonquin Township's Recycling Center will open this season at the Township headquarters on Route 14, Crystal Lake March 27. Besides paint the center accepts aluminum, glass, plastic, paper, motor oil, tree branches and, on the fourth Saturday of each month, computer junk.
The Township's Recycling Center page is here, although it hasn't been updated with the latest changes yet:
http://www.algtwsp.com/recyclingcenter.html
In the pic: Algonquin Township paint recyclers combine partial cans of paint into five-gallon buckets for use by environmentally aware or simply cash-strapped residents.
No Date Yet For Randall CFI Meeting, Take Two
McHenry County Transportation Committee Chairman Anna May Miller said Wendesday there's still no date set for the McHenry County Division of Transportation to return to either Algonquin or Lake in the Hills with more information to support plans for a novel intersection to fix traffic tieups at Randall and Algonquin Roads. "They're still gathering information," she said.
Algonquin trustees expressed reservations right off the bat after an MCDOT presentation in January. Lake in the Hills Trustees had to think about it a little before they decided last month they had problems with the idea, too, but backed off on a resolution to immediately reject a so-called Continuous Flow Intersection.
LITH Village President Ed Plaza said Tuesday he and village officials had met with MCDOT engineers but said, "The meeting was not to resolve anything but so they'd have a better understanding of our concerns."
"We asked them to come up with an apples to apples comparison," said Plaza. "We'd like to see what a standard widening would do to the commercial entrances." Impact on retailers was the kind of thing Algonquin trustees were worried about, too.
Algonquin trustees expressed reservations right off the bat after an MCDOT presentation in January. Lake in the Hills Trustees had to think about it a little before they decided last month they had problems with the idea, too, but backed off on a resolution to immediately reject a so-called Continuous Flow Intersection.
LITH Village President Ed Plaza said Tuesday he and village officials had met with MCDOT engineers but said, "The meeting was not to resolve anything but so they'd have a better understanding of our concerns."
"We asked them to come up with an apples to apples comparison," said Plaza. "We'd like to see what a standard widening would do to the commercial entrances." Impact on retailers was the kind of thing Algonquin trustees were worried about, too.
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
2156 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. PAZOSFERRER, WILLIAM I., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 112 N. HAGER AVE., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving while license suspended no tail light. RELEASED ON BOND.
0822 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. Text messages, emails and voice mails.
1826 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF HILLSBORO LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 50 year old male fell and injured his chin. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1955 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. MISSING JUVENILE. Male, 16 years of age, did not return home. Entered into L.E.A.D.S.
2219 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DOGWOOD CT. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only. No priors.
Lake in the Hills
2156 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. PAZOSFERRER, WILLIAM I., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 112 N. HAGER AVE., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving while license suspended no tail light. RELEASED ON BOND.
0822 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. Text messages, emails and voice mails.
1826 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF HILLSBORO LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 50 year old male fell and injured his chin. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1955 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. MISSING JUVENILE. Male, 16 years of age, did not return home. Entered into L.E.A.D.S.
2219 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DOGWOOD CT. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only. No priors.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Area Officials Score Plan To Cut Income Tax Sharing
Governor Quinn won't officially release details of his proposed budget until later today but bits have been leaking out for days and his chief of staff held a briefing on it Tuesday night. The latest wrinkle revealed is a plan to cut income tax revenue sharing with cities and villages.
Jerry Stermer outlined Quinn’s proposal to plug the nearly $13 billion deficit with $2 billion in cuts and $11 million in short-term borrowing. No income tax increase is included in the spending plan but governor will ask municipalities across the state to give up $300 million in income tax revenue to help balance the budget.
"Because of the fiscal crisis, we're calling for a suspension of the current rate of 10 percent of income tax going to local governments to change to 7 percent," Stermer said.
That proposal met a cold shoulder at Algonquin where the village board was just winding up plans Tuesday for its new fiscal year. Village president John Schmidt said, "So now the state is saying, 'Help us out of this problem,' that we didn't create."
"In effect what they're doing to the muncipalities," said Schmitt, "is making them kill services or raise taxes."
Village Manager Bill Ganek had a more Machiavellian analysis. Alhough Quinn's budget doesn't call for an income tax increase now, Ganek said cutting municipalities' share of the pie might be a way to get municipal officials on the bandwagon for one later. "If you cut sharing but then increase the income tax 50 percent you end up (from a municipal viewpoint) about the same place as you were," he said.
McHenry County State Rep. Jack Franks scored Quinn's proposed cut in a release Tuesday. "Instead of demonstrating the fiscal discipline that is needed to solve our fiscal crisis, (Quinn's) answer is to steal money from local governments. That’s not leadership. It’s a complete lack of leadership.”
Sharing 10 percent of revenues with municipalities has been a feature in Illinois since the state first enacted an income tax in 1969.
Jerry Stermer outlined Quinn’s proposal to plug the nearly $13 billion deficit with $2 billion in cuts and $11 million in short-term borrowing. No income tax increase is included in the spending plan but governor will ask municipalities across the state to give up $300 million in income tax revenue to help balance the budget.
"Because of the fiscal crisis, we're calling for a suspension of the current rate of 10 percent of income tax going to local governments to change to 7 percent," Stermer said.
That proposal met a cold shoulder at Algonquin where the village board was just winding up plans Tuesday for its new fiscal year. Village president John Schmidt said, "So now the state is saying, 'Help us out of this problem,' that we didn't create."
"In effect what they're doing to the muncipalities," said Schmitt, "is making them kill services or raise taxes."
Village Manager Bill Ganek had a more Machiavellian analysis. Alhough Quinn's budget doesn't call for an income tax increase now, Ganek said cutting municipalities' share of the pie might be a way to get municipal officials on the bandwagon for one later. "If you cut sharing but then increase the income tax 50 percent you end up (from a municipal viewpoint) about the same place as you were," he said.
McHenry County State Rep. Jack Franks scored Quinn's proposed cut in a release Tuesday. "Instead of demonstrating the fiscal discipline that is needed to solve our fiscal crisis, (Quinn's) answer is to steal money from local governments. That’s not leadership. It’s a complete lack of leadership.”
Sharing 10 percent of revenues with municipalities has been a feature in Illinois since the state first enacted an income tax in 1969.
LITH Seeks Best Way To Bail Out Of Water Problem
Lake in the Hills provides water for homes and businesses in the area even though they aren't officially part of the village. Public Works Director Fed Mullard has been warning that the 70 year-old pipes and valves have been deteriorating but said Tuesday they've now reached the point of no return with an estimated replacement cost of $1.7 million.
Trustees have made it clear that kind of money just isn't there so Mullard said the Village has called a meeting of residents to ask which of three non-village replacement options they prefer.
Option one calls for calls for residents to somehow assume control of and funding for their section of the water system. The proposal is short on detail but therefore long on flexibility
Option two would be to sell that part of the water system to a private utility and let them fix it. Mullard said two companies have "expressed interest" in the idea.
Option three boils down to spiking the feed line and everybody drilling private wells.
Mullard said notices have already been mailed for a meeting on the water problem March 24, 6:30 pm at Village Hall.
In the pic: Folks in unincorporated LITH get village water through lines originally owned by the defunct Lake in the Hills Water Company.
D300 To Send Three Students To National Conference
"This is the first time we've sent three students (to such a conference) since the district was formed in 1949," said Superintendent Ken Arndt.
Jim Pratt, Chairman of the Foundation Student Leadership Committee said it was an uphill fight. Even after raising enough money for the conference itself, airfare only came through thanks to the area Rhodes Foundation, he said, and lunch money came out of members own wallets when they realized they'd forgotten about it.
In the pic: D300 Foundation's Jim Pratt congratulates Jacobs' Stephen Lenzini and Dundee-Crown's Kwamayne King on being chosen for a national leadership conference while Superintedant Ken Arndt adds his kudos. Hampshire's Christopher Egger is going, too, but was ill Tuesday.
Pro-Choice, Women’s Groups Blast Brady
By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
A coalition of pro-choice and women's groups on Tuesday took aim at Republican Bill Brady's bid for the governor's mansion, blasting the Bloomington senator for his social conservatism.
Beth Kanter with Illinois Planned Parenthood's politcal action committee and several other activist groups gathered in Chicago to declare Brady “anti-woman," vowing to support Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. "Over 17 years in Springfield, Bill Brady has amassed quite a scary record," Kanter said. "And in his run for governor, Bill Brady is not backing down in his extreme positions against women."
Kanter was joined onstage by representatives from the National Organization of Women, Personal PAC, Citizen Action, and a supporter of stem-cell research. She said she and other activists scrutinized Brady's Senate record and campaign questionnaires in formulating their opinion of him as a gubernatorial candidate.
Kanter cited Brady’s opposition to abortion rights, noting his response to an Illinois Federation for Right to Life questionnaire.
Brady could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but he has said in the past that he stands by his pro-life views, which he says are rooted in his Catholic faith. Last month, Brady proposed a ban on gay marriage, prompting some political observers to label him as too conservative. Quinn’s campaign issued a press release on Friday after Brady's primary victory became official, condemning his "extreme positions."
You can read the full report on this at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/09/pro-choice-womens-groups-blast-brady/
A coalition of pro-choice and women's groups on Tuesday took aim at Republican Bill Brady's bid for the governor's mansion, blasting the Bloomington senator for his social conservatism.
Beth Kanter with Illinois Planned Parenthood's politcal action committee and several other activist groups gathered in Chicago to declare Brady “anti-woman," vowing to support Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. "Over 17 years in Springfield, Bill Brady has amassed quite a scary record," Kanter said. "And in his run for governor, Bill Brady is not backing down in his extreme positions against women."
Kanter was joined onstage by representatives from the National Organization of Women, Personal PAC, Citizen Action, and a supporter of stem-cell research. She said she and other activists scrutinized Brady's Senate record and campaign questionnaires in formulating their opinion of him as a gubernatorial candidate.
Kanter cited Brady’s opposition to abortion rights, noting his response to an Illinois Federation for Right to Life questionnaire.
Brady could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but he has said in the past that he stands by his pro-life views, which he says are rooted in his Catholic faith. Last month, Brady proposed a ban on gay marriage, prompting some political observers to label him as too conservative. Quinn’s campaign issued a press release on Friday after Brady's primary victory became official, condemning his "extreme positions."
You can read the full report on this at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/09/pro-choice-womens-groups-blast-brady/
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
March 09
1033 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. CZASKA, ROBERT J., M/W 43 YEARS OF AGE, 3513 SONOMA CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS CHARGES: Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1816 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK CT. THEFT. JUVENILE, 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. Theft. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0749 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. 2 Vehicles. Property Damage Only.
0844 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD.(POLICE DEPT). FOUND ARTICLE. Driver’s License and credit cards.
0955 HRS HILLTOP DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 24 years of age, having contractions. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1326 HRS 400 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti.
1756 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2251 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. DOMESTIC. Verbal argument. Mother vs. son. No priors
Lake in the Hills
March 09
1033 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. CZASKA, ROBERT J., M/W 43 YEARS OF AGE, 3513 SONOMA CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS CHARGES: Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1816 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK CT. THEFT. JUVENILE, 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. Theft. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0749 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. 2 Vehicles. Property Damage Only.
0844 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD.(POLICE DEPT). FOUND ARTICLE. Driver’s License and credit cards.
0955 HRS HILLTOP DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 24 years of age, having contractions. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1326 HRS 400 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti.
1756 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2251 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. DOMESTIC. Verbal argument. Mother vs. son. No priors
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
D300 Lays Off Teachers In Battle To Balance Budget
Less important than how many were laid off was how many would be rehired next year. The answer there is a really big question mark since legislators in Springfield are debating cuts to state education funding in their own information vacuum. Governor Pat Quinn won't provide details of his proposed budget until Wednesday.
District Financial Officer Cheryl Crates laid out the numbers for three formal scenarios, bad, worse and worst. She warned, however, that even those may prove optimistic. "The word on the street is they won't tell us until November how much they'll reduce out revenues by," Crates said, noting the new school year will begin July 1.
The Board has already lopped (or promised to) $5.4 million from next year's budget with another $1.5 million still on the block but Crates said as much as $8.5 million more might need to be sacrificed if the state goes into meltdown.
Stevens probably summed up the Board's preference for a balanced budget when he said, "otherwise we're just going to play catchup digging ourselves out of a hole."
The $1.5 million in cuts due for vote April 26 involve transportation spending including bussing for the dual language program and for parochial school students.
St. Margaret Mary School Board President Dennis Wiener warned the D300 Board against static analysis. "If only 11 (parochial) students transfer to your district the cost of educating them will exceed the savings," he said.
In the pic: Two TV crews including one from the BBC (?) turned up to cover D300's overflow board meeting Monday.
Spring Break Camp – FuntastiCAMP Style
Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation is taking enrollment for Spring Break Camp, the entire week of March 29 through April 2 or just on a pick and choose as needed basis. Camp is held in the Village Hall lower-level multipurpose room from 7 am to 6 pm each day.
Resident fee is $33 for the first child; $30 per each additional sibling. Non-resident fee is $40 for the first child; $36 per each additional sibling. Fees include all planned activities and trips but participants should bring a daily sack lunch, beverage, and snack . Enrollment deadline is March 22, 2010; no refunds after deadline.
Day Date Tentatively Scheduled Trip Monday 3/29 Bowling Tuesday 3/30 Out to Lunch (local restaurant) Wednesday 3/31 Nature Day, McHenry Co. Conservation Dist. Thursday 4/1 Movie Theater Friday 4/2 Chuck E. Cheese (games only)Registration is available online at http://www.lith.org/Registration.html, by mail, walk-in, drop-box, or over the counter at the Parks & Recreation Department. More information is at 847-960-7460.
In the pic: An earlier Spring Break FuntastiCAMP.
Budget Negotiations Could Be Set On "Repeat"
By Kevin Lee
For House Republican Leader Tom Cross, this year’s budget session is causing déjà vu. Like last year, Illinois is facing a record budget shortfall. And like last year, Cross said state government’s first step should be to stop overspending.
“This is going to take two or three years to get out of this hole, but you’ve got to quit digging,” Cross said.
“We’ve talked about holding the line on spending, we’ve talked about cuts, we’ve talked about reform in a variety of areas – Medicaid and pensions. It’s fascinating that we’re having almost the same discussion today as we had a year ago.”
Back then, Democratic state senators passed their form of a tax increase, with no support from Republicans colleagues. But the Illinois House did not vote on the Senate Democrats’ proposal. Instead, they voted on and rejected a tax hike backed by Gov. Pat Quinn.
State Sen. James Meeks, D-Chicago, said for this budget, any new tax proposals would have to go through the other legislative chamber first. “I believe that any tax increase that’s passed under this dome is going to have to be passed in the House first. I don’t believe that senators are going to pass a tax increase, not knowing its fate in the House,” he said.
State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, does not think Quinn is trying to scare lawmakers or the public into supporting a tax increase. "Quinn has been very upfront about the need for a tax increase for Illinois. So if he’s playing a game, he’s not doing it very well,” he said.
You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/08/budget-negotiations-could-be-set-on-repeat/
For House Republican Leader Tom Cross, this year’s budget session is causing déjà vu. Like last year, Illinois is facing a record budget shortfall. And like last year, Cross said state government’s first step should be to stop overspending.
“This is going to take two or three years to get out of this hole, but you’ve got to quit digging,” Cross said.
“We’ve talked about holding the line on spending, we’ve talked about cuts, we’ve talked about reform in a variety of areas – Medicaid and pensions. It’s fascinating that we’re having almost the same discussion today as we had a year ago.”
Back then, Democratic state senators passed their form of a tax increase, with no support from Republicans colleagues. But the Illinois House did not vote on the Senate Democrats’ proposal. Instead, they voted on and rejected a tax hike backed by Gov. Pat Quinn.
State Sen. James Meeks, D-Chicago, said for this budget, any new tax proposals would have to go through the other legislative chamber first. “I believe that any tax increase that’s passed under this dome is going to have to be passed in the House first. I don’t believe that senators are going to pass a tax increase, not knowing its fate in the House,” he said.
State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, does not think Quinn is trying to scare lawmakers or the public into supporting a tax increase. "Quinn has been very upfront about the need for a tax increase for Illinois. So if he’s playing a game, he’s not doing it very well,” he said.
You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/08/budget-negotiations-could-be-set-on-repeat/
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
March 08
FOLLOW-UP ARREST: 1940 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK CT. THEFT. JUVENILE, 17 YEARS OF AGE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Theft. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0056 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 58 years of age, severe chest and stomach pain. Transported to St. Joseph Hospital.
0150 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Ex-boyfriend vs. ex-girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0913 HRS 61 OAKLEAF RD. (JAYCEE PARK). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti.
1105 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF IMHOFF DR. THEFT. Theft of a trailer. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1152 HRS 101 PYOTT RD. (MOBIL). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Report for Insurance.
1607 HRS 800 BLOCK OF MASON LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 4 years of age, having a seizure. No transport.
1631 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Male, 43 years of age, in need of an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1857 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTON’S). ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Customer left pump with the hose still inserted in the gas tank.
2234 HRS 00 BLOCK OF FEATHERSTONE CT. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 3 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Memorial.
Huntley
February 22
A 16 year old male from Carpentersville was arrested for driving with no valid driver’s license and cited for defective windshield and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The juvenile posted bond and was released with March 5, 2010 McHenry County court date.
A vehicle in the 10500 block of Great Plaines Dr. was burglarized. A skateboard was reported stolen.
Robin A. Wilson, age 54, of 1268 52nd Ave., Kenosha, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for no rear registration light.
February 23
Two 16 year old female students were charged with battery at the High School.
Pei Ling Wen, age 49, of 19N055 W Woodview Parkway, Hampshire, was arrested for fleeing and eluding a police officer and was cited for speeding. Ms. Wen posted bond and was release with a McHenry County Court date of March 19, 2010.
February 24
Andrea L. Myers, age 55, of 10469 Dutch Bard, Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding DeKalb County warrant. Ms. Myers posted bond and was released with a DeKalb County court date.
Jami R. Meek, age 44, of 41W109 Current Ct., Elgin, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant. Ms. Meek posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 10, 2010.
A 15 year old male and a 16 year old male both from Lake in the Hills were charged with possession of cannabis. Both juveniles were released with a court date of April 12, 2010.
Jose M. Solva-Ramirez, age 19, of 330 Ball St. #A, Elgin, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and cited for improper use of a turn signal and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.
February 25
A student reported that his book bag was stolen in the High School gym.
A student reported her cell phone was stolen at the High School.
A student reported her iPod Touch was stolen at the High School.
Maciej A. Kuligowski, age 37, of 11805 Cap Code Ln., Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding Kane County Warrant. Mr. Kuligowski posted bond and was released with a Kane County court date of March 24, 2010.
Michael J. Everson, age 18, of 2284 Cairnwell Dr. , Belvidere, Brandon T, Marinelli, age 18, of 2310 Cairnwell Dr., Belvidere; Charles R. Laskonis, age 18, of 1814 Vernon St., Rockford,and a 17 year-old male juvenile from Belvidere, were all charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor. All were released to the custody of their parents with a McHenry County court date of April 12, 2010.
February 26
Todor K. Todorov, age 19, of 10496 Longfield, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for two parking violations. Mr. Todor was unable to post bond and was transported to McHenry County jail.
A criminal damage to vehicle report was taken at the High School. The victim stated his windshield was broken on February 25 between 5:00 and 8:00 PM.
Lake in the Hills
March 08
FOLLOW-UP ARREST: 1940 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK CT. THEFT. JUVENILE, 17 YEARS OF AGE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Theft. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0056 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 58 years of age, severe chest and stomach pain. Transported to St. Joseph Hospital.
0150 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Ex-boyfriend vs. ex-girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0913 HRS 61 OAKLEAF RD. (JAYCEE PARK). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti.
1105 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF IMHOFF DR. THEFT. Theft of a trailer. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1152 HRS 101 PYOTT RD. (MOBIL). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Report for Insurance.
1607 HRS 800 BLOCK OF MASON LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 4 years of age, having a seizure. No transport.
1631 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Male, 43 years of age, in need of an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1857 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTON’S). ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Customer left pump with the hose still inserted in the gas tank.
2234 HRS 00 BLOCK OF FEATHERSTONE CT. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 3 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Memorial.
Huntley
February 22
A 16 year old male from Carpentersville was arrested for driving with no valid driver’s license and cited for defective windshield and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The juvenile posted bond and was released with March 5, 2010 McHenry County court date.
A vehicle in the 10500 block of Great Plaines Dr. was burglarized. A skateboard was reported stolen.
Robin A. Wilson, age 54, of 1268 52nd Ave., Kenosha, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for no rear registration light.
February 23
Two 16 year old female students were charged with battery at the High School.
Pei Ling Wen, age 49, of 19N055 W Woodview Parkway, Hampshire, was arrested for fleeing and eluding a police officer and was cited for speeding. Ms. Wen posted bond and was release with a McHenry County Court date of March 19, 2010.
February 24
Andrea L. Myers, age 55, of 10469 Dutch Bard, Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding DeKalb County warrant. Ms. Myers posted bond and was released with a DeKalb County court date.
Jami R. Meek, age 44, of 41W109 Current Ct., Elgin, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant. Ms. Meek posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 10, 2010.
A 15 year old male and a 16 year old male both from Lake in the Hills were charged with possession of cannabis. Both juveniles were released with a court date of April 12, 2010.
Jose M. Solva-Ramirez, age 19, of 330 Ball St. #A, Elgin, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and cited for improper use of a turn signal and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.
February 25
A student reported that his book bag was stolen in the High School gym.
A student reported her cell phone was stolen at the High School.
A student reported her iPod Touch was stolen at the High School.
Maciej A. Kuligowski, age 37, of 11805 Cap Code Ln., Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding Kane County Warrant. Mr. Kuligowski posted bond and was released with a Kane County court date of March 24, 2010.
Michael J. Everson, age 18, of 2284 Cairnwell Dr. , Belvidere, Brandon T, Marinelli, age 18, of 2310 Cairnwell Dr., Belvidere; Charles R. Laskonis, age 18, of 1814 Vernon St., Rockford,and a 17 year-old male juvenile from Belvidere, were all charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor. All were released to the custody of their parents with a McHenry County court date of April 12, 2010.
February 26
Todor K. Todorov, age 19, of 10496 Longfield, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for two parking violations. Mr. Todor was unable to post bond and was transported to McHenry County jail.
A criminal damage to vehicle report was taken at the High School. The victim stated his windshield was broken on February 25 between 5:00 and 8:00 PM.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Health Alert (FEN's Anyway)
It's always dangerous to generalize from the specific to the general but there might be a "stomach flu" bug going around.
Starts with a headache the day before and then sort of travels downward. So to speak. Symptoms include the feeling you've been run over by a truck.
Starts with a headache the day before and then sort of travels downward. So to speak. Symptoms include the feeling you've been run over by a truck.
Leaders Question Student ISAT Test’s Worth
By Benjamin Yount
Close to one million school children across Illinois huddled over their desks last week taking the ISAT exam. But leaders in Springfield are now wondering if all of that time, and the millions of dollars the state spends on the test, is worth it.
The Illinois Standands Achievement Test, or ISAT, is the test by which third- through eighth-graders, and their schools, are measured. The test also accounts for most of the $44.8 million Illinois spends on standardized testing each year.
Illinois State Superintendent Christopher Koch acknowledges the test is not the best measuring stick. But Koch said it's the only method Illinois has that satisfies the numerous state and federal requirements.
State Rep. Will Davis, D-East Hazel Crest, said if that's the case, then why bother."Why is it that we are spending $45 million on assessments…I mean if it's a waste of $45 million, then why are we doing it?"
The short answer is that Illinois has to. State lawmakers and leaders in Congress have created a number of mandates that require schools to prove they are teaching and that students are learning. The current "No Child Left Behind" legislation has become the most notorious example of such a federal program.
Koch said the state could find other ways to measure learning in the classroom. But with a $12 billion deficit, massive proposed cuts to the education budget, and a laundry list of federal requirements, that is unlikely.
"There is very little assessment that we are doing beyond what the federal government requires because it is so expensive. [We have] one on the docket to reduce. But most of it [is being done] by a federal requirement."
Illinois will change the ISAT and the PSAE, but not soon. Koch said the legislature will likely adopt new learning standards in August. But those new standards won't be tested until 2013 at the earliest.
Lawmakers say they could change some of the mandates that require such rigorous testing. But they're quick to point out that Illinois could lose hundreds of millions of federal dollars if the state takes that approach.
You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/03/students-taking-isats-leaders-question-tests-worth/#more-1945
Close to one million school children across Illinois huddled over their desks last week taking the ISAT exam. But leaders in Springfield are now wondering if all of that time, and the millions of dollars the state spends on the test, is worth it.
The Illinois Standands Achievement Test, or ISAT, is the test by which third- through eighth-graders, and their schools, are measured. The test also accounts for most of the $44.8 million Illinois spends on standardized testing each year.
Illinois State Superintendent Christopher Koch acknowledges the test is not the best measuring stick. But Koch said it's the only method Illinois has that satisfies the numerous state and federal requirements.
State Rep. Will Davis, D-East Hazel Crest, said if that's the case, then why bother."Why is it that we are spending $45 million on assessments…I mean if it's a waste of $45 million, then why are we doing it?"
The short answer is that Illinois has to. State lawmakers and leaders in Congress have created a number of mandates that require schools to prove they are teaching and that students are learning. The current "No Child Left Behind" legislation has become the most notorious example of such a federal program.
Koch said the state could find other ways to measure learning in the classroom. But with a $12 billion deficit, massive proposed cuts to the education budget, and a laundry list of federal requirements, that is unlikely.
"There is very little assessment that we are doing beyond what the federal government requires because it is so expensive. [We have] one on the docket to reduce. But most of it [is being done] by a federal requirement."
Illinois will change the ISAT and the PSAE, but not soon. Koch said the legislature will likely adopt new learning standards in August. But those new standards won't be tested until 2013 at the earliest.
Lawmakers say they could change some of the mandates that require such rigorous testing. But they're quick to point out that Illinois could lose hundreds of millions of federal dollars if the state takes that approach.
You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/03/students-taking-isats-leaders-question-tests-worth/#more-1945
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
March 07
0011 HRS ACORN LN. & LOCUST DR. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, CHICAGO. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, No Headlights. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
1010 HRS PYOTT RD. & INDUSTRIAL DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. PACK, RICHARD A., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 206 E. ALGONQUIN RD., ALGONQUIN. Charges: Driving While License Suspended, No proof of valid Insurance and littering. RELEASED ON BOND.
1651 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTONS). WANTED ON WARRANT. NADEAU, SIMONE A., F/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 30 E. SUNSET DR., CARY. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant McHenry County Sheriff,Improper Use of Registration/Title $3000.00 @ 10%, No Proof of Valid Insurance and Littering. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY.
0218 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 21 years age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0946 HRS 6000 BLOCK OF LUCERNE LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. son. No priors. UNFOUNDED.
1046 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1231 HRS 1300 BLOCK CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 50 years of age, having a severe migraine. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1236 HRS 4500 W ALGONQUIN RD. (7ELEVEN). INFO FOR POLICE. Officer had contact with a registered sex offender.
1346 HRS 700 BLOCK WILLOW ST. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Attempted entry, unsuccessful. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1346 HRS 200 BLOCK OF BOULDER DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1536 HRS 600 BLOCK OF DAVID ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 51 years of age, incoherent. Transport to Sherman Hospital.
1630 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD. (THEATERS). HIT AND RUN. Vehicle hit in parking lot on Friday night.
1649 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HERON CT. FOUND ARTICLE. Woman’s blue and white Schwinn bicycle.
1733 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD. (THEATERS). ATTEMPT WARRANT SERVICE. An attempt was made to serve a warrant on a male 46 years of age. Due to medical complications, he was not arrested, but was transported to Sherman Hospital.
1938 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LONG COVE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 85 years of age, fell and injured her hip. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2108 HRS 300 BLOCK OF SIOUX TRAIL. ASSIST OTHER POLICE AGENCY. Located missing juvenile. Returned to parent.
2221 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WOODLAND RD. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
Algonquin
March 5
08:30am Abrahamson, Steven L., DOB: 02/20/84, of 1612 Seminole Lane, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLR and No Proof of Insurance. He was taken into custody at Route 62 and High Point Ridge. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/07/10, in McHenry County.
March 6
04:25am Goorsky, Joshua R., DOB: 04/05/80, of 1514 Briarwood Circle, Crystal Lake, was charged with Felony Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department. He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
March 7
02:47am Flores, Nahum, DOB: 11/08/69, of 104 Cordova, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLS. He was taken into custody at Sandbloom Road and Route 62. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/07/10, in McHenry County.
18:46pm Domoleczny, Gregory A., DOB: 04/06/66, of 250 Lake Drive South, Algonquin, was charged with DWLR, No Proof of Insurance and Improper Lighting. He was taken into custody at Route 31 and Greenwood. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
22:12pm Chrysty, Karin C., DOB: 10/09/64, of 8125 W. Forest Preserve Avenue, Chicago, was charged with DUI, DUI Over and Improper Turn. She was taken into custody at Hanson Road and Algonquin Road. She was released after posting $100 and her Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
23:40pm Mason, Jeffrey E., DOB: 05/23/86, of 410 Towne Street, Gilberts, was charged with DUI and Speeding. He was taken into custody at Corporate Parkway and Randall Road. He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 04/07/10, in McHenry County.
March 8
01:25am Good, Timothy R., DOB: 11/16/61, of 12N196 Westview, Elgin, was charged with DWLR and No Insurance. He was taken into custody at County Line Road and Hanson Road. He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
Lake in the Hills
March 07
0011 HRS ACORN LN. & LOCUST DR. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, CHICAGO. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, No Headlights. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
1010 HRS PYOTT RD. & INDUSTRIAL DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. PACK, RICHARD A., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 206 E. ALGONQUIN RD., ALGONQUIN. Charges: Driving While License Suspended, No proof of valid Insurance and littering. RELEASED ON BOND.
1651 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTONS). WANTED ON WARRANT. NADEAU, SIMONE A., F/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 30 E. SUNSET DR., CARY. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant McHenry County Sheriff,Improper Use of Registration/Title $3000.00 @ 10%, No Proof of Valid Insurance and Littering. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY.
0218 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 21 years age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0946 HRS 6000 BLOCK OF LUCERNE LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. son. No priors. UNFOUNDED.
1046 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1231 HRS 1300 BLOCK CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 50 years of age, having a severe migraine. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1236 HRS 4500 W ALGONQUIN RD. (7ELEVEN). INFO FOR POLICE. Officer had contact with a registered sex offender.
1346 HRS 700 BLOCK WILLOW ST. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Attempted entry, unsuccessful. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1346 HRS 200 BLOCK OF BOULDER DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1536 HRS 600 BLOCK OF DAVID ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 51 years of age, incoherent. Transport to Sherman Hospital.
1630 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD. (THEATERS). HIT AND RUN. Vehicle hit in parking lot on Friday night.
1649 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HERON CT. FOUND ARTICLE. Woman’s blue and white Schwinn bicycle.
1733 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD. (THEATERS). ATTEMPT WARRANT SERVICE. An attempt was made to serve a warrant on a male 46 years of age. Due to medical complications, he was not arrested, but was transported to Sherman Hospital.
1938 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LONG COVE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 85 years of age, fell and injured her hip. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2108 HRS 300 BLOCK OF SIOUX TRAIL. ASSIST OTHER POLICE AGENCY. Located missing juvenile. Returned to parent.
2221 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WOODLAND RD. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
Algonquin
March 5
08:30am Abrahamson, Steven L., DOB: 02/20/84, of 1612 Seminole Lane, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLR and No Proof of Insurance. He was taken into custody at Route 62 and High Point Ridge. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/07/10, in McHenry County.
March 6
04:25am Goorsky, Joshua R., DOB: 04/05/80, of 1514 Briarwood Circle, Crystal Lake, was charged with Felony Retail Theft. He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department. He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
March 7
02:47am Flores, Nahum, DOB: 11/08/69, of 104 Cordova, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLS. He was taken into custody at Sandbloom Road and Route 62. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/07/10, in McHenry County.
18:46pm Domoleczny, Gregory A., DOB: 04/06/66, of 250 Lake Drive South, Algonquin, was charged with DWLR, No Proof of Insurance and Improper Lighting. He was taken into custody at Route 31 and Greenwood. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
22:12pm Chrysty, Karin C., DOB: 10/09/64, of 8125 W. Forest Preserve Avenue, Chicago, was charged with DUI, DUI Over and Improper Turn. She was taken into custody at Hanson Road and Algonquin Road. She was released after posting $100 and her Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
23:40pm Mason, Jeffrey E., DOB: 05/23/86, of 410 Towne Street, Gilberts, was charged with DUI and Speeding. He was taken into custody at Corporate Parkway and Randall Road. He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 04/07/10, in McHenry County.
March 8
01:25am Good, Timothy R., DOB: 11/16/61, of 12N196 Westview, Elgin, was charged with DWLR and No Insurance. He was taken into custody at County Line Road and Hanson Road. He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
County Winds Up Public Reviews Of Development Plan
Saturday's meeting ended a week-long series in McHenry, Marengo, Harvard and Crystal Lake looking for feedback on the plan to guide the next two decades of McHenry County expansion. All together the meetings drew several hundred attendees, most of them just ordinary residents.
"We haven't seen very many municipal officials," said District One Board Member, Marc Munaretto, Algonquin. "My sense is that they were involved at the beginning of the plan and they got what they wanted."
If what they wanted was development confined to areas around where development has already been, that might mean the 2030 Plan will have clear sailing when it goes before the County Board late next month.
Algonquin Trustee Jerry Glogowski said he wanted to look at plans for develpment in the western half of the county. "(Algonquin is) pretty much landlocked," he said. "But what they do with transportation will affect us, what they do with water will affect us. I want to find out about those."
The latest draft of the 2030 Plan is at: http://www.mchenrycounty2030plan.com/
Final critiques and comments can be emailed to 2030plan@co.mchenry.il.us no later than 4:30 pm Monday.
In the pic: If the map shows a color other than white or green it's some kind of present or future development.
LITH Youngster Stars At Autism Fundraiser
The event was Evan's Art For Autism, a fundraiser sponsored by Huntley Jaycees to benefit Autism Speaks, a national organization for awareness of autism disorders, research and treatments. The turnout was standing room only and in two shifts at that.
The light of high intelligence gleams in Evan's eyes and his graphic skills are years beyond his age. But the process, the meaning, of a simple handshake currently eludes him. Dad Bob McClintock said Evan thinks differently from most people. "He'll get so frustrated and go off on a tangent," he said. "Then he'll come back with a picture of what he's trying to say."
Evan may be like Temple Grandin, the noted autistic Colorado Ph.D., who says she thinks in pictures, not words. Nobody knows for sure. "A lot of five or six year-olds are very visual," said his former kindergarten teacher, Lisa Hladek. "Routine was very important with Evan and we did a lot with using pictures to show him what would happen."
Verbal communication remains difficult for Evan according to his present teacher Sheila Vranek. "You can't just tell him a concept," she said. That makes it a challenge to frame things in a different way he can understand. "I have to meet students (like Evan) where they're at, not where I want them to be," she said.
Mom Karen McClintock hoped Saturday's event would raise $5,000 to support Team All for Evan in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks event this summer.
In the pic: Nine year-old autistic Evan McClintock was busy at the Village Vintner drawing a picture (with title in a custom font) of Jessie the Cowgirl from "Toy Story 2" .
Illinois Leaders Say “Race” Money Not A Solution
By Benjamin Yount
Illinois will likely need every penny of the $500 million the state could receive from Race to the Top. Illinois was chosen this week as one of 15 states that might receive the federal education incentive money.
The state is facing a billion dollar hole in the education budget from the loss of last year's federal stimulus money. And Gov. Pat Quinn is talking about $1.5 billion in further cuts for schools and universities.
State Sen. Brad Burzynski, was worried schools will see Race to the Top aid as "free money." "I am very concerned that people might take a look, and legislators in particular, and say 'Hey we got all this money so what's everybody griping about?' [And] Not looking at the long-term impact this has on our school districts to the fact that we're still not making the payments we're supposed to be making to our schools."
Illinois State Schools Superintendent Christopher Koch was quick to try to dismiss any notion that Race to the Top is the answer for Illinois education funding woes. "It's all for reforms, we cannot use any of [the money] for the budget."
State Sen. James Meeks, D-Chicago, said he worries lawmakers have the wrong idea about the race to the top dollars. "The problem is with one-time revenues. We got one time revenues through the stimulus. Illinois is becoming used to one-time revenues. Even when Race to the Top comes [ to an end] we'll have to put some revenue in place to continue those programs."
Meeks said the state must take the lead and find its own new money for schools. He's been a longtime supporter of a plan that would push schools off of their reliance on property taxes. But that plan has failed to go anywhere at the Capitol and appears headed for the same fate this year as well.
You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/04/money-is-nice-but-illinois-leaders-say-race-money-not-a-solution/
Illinois will likely need every penny of the $500 million the state could receive from Race to the Top. Illinois was chosen this week as one of 15 states that might receive the federal education incentive money.
The state is facing a billion dollar hole in the education budget from the loss of last year's federal stimulus money. And Gov. Pat Quinn is talking about $1.5 billion in further cuts for schools and universities.
State Sen. Brad Burzynski, was worried schools will see Race to the Top aid as "free money." "I am very concerned that people might take a look, and legislators in particular, and say 'Hey we got all this money so what's everybody griping about?' [And] Not looking at the long-term impact this has on our school districts to the fact that we're still not making the payments we're supposed to be making to our schools."
Illinois State Schools Superintendent Christopher Koch was quick to try to dismiss any notion that Race to the Top is the answer for Illinois education funding woes. "It's all for reforms, we cannot use any of [the money] for the budget."
State Sen. James Meeks, D-Chicago, said he worries lawmakers have the wrong idea about the race to the top dollars. "The problem is with one-time revenues. We got one time revenues through the stimulus. Illinois is becoming used to one-time revenues. Even when Race to the Top comes [ to an end] we'll have to put some revenue in place to continue those programs."
Meeks said the state must take the lead and find its own new money for schools. He's been a longtime supporter of a plan that would push schools off of their reliance on property taxes. But that plan has failed to go anywhere at the Capitol and appears headed for the same fate this year as well.
You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/04/money-is-nice-but-illinois-leaders-say-race-money-not-a-solution/
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
March 06
0105 HRS 241 N. RANDALL RD. (WHITE CASTLE). ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. STRUM, MELLISSA C., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 2131 LITCHFIELD, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. MACZKOWSKI, ROBERT S., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 251 ELLIS DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. MORGAN, SAMANTHA L., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE. 207 RED HAWK RD., HAMPSHIRE. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0154HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL). BATTERY. INGMAN, STEVE P., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 834 SHAWNEE TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
0240 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ORDINANCE VIOLATION. WENZEL, ROBERT R., M/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 310 VILLAGE CREEK DR., APT 2B, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Local Ordinance: Excessive Noise Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
1658 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ORDINANCE VIOLATION WENZEL, ROBERT R. M/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 310 VILLAGE CREEK DR. APT 2B, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Local Ordinance: Excessive Noise Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0231 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD. (WALGREENS). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 28 years of age, intoxicated. No transport.
0942 HRS 900 BLOCK OF TARALON TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, two years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock memorial Hospital.
1109 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. IDENTITY THEFT. A subject’s identity was used illegally.
1303 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MASON LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1535 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK CT. THEFT. 3 cases of Corona taken out of open garage.
1748 HRS 200 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 35 years of age, lost consciousness. No transport.
Lake in the Hills
March 06
0105 HRS 241 N. RANDALL RD. (WHITE CASTLE). ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. STRUM, MELLISSA C., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 2131 LITCHFIELD, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. MACZKOWSKI, ROBERT S., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 251 ELLIS DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. MORGAN, SAMANTHA L., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE. 207 RED HAWK RD., HAMPSHIRE. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0154HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL). BATTERY. INGMAN, STEVE P., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 834 SHAWNEE TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
0240 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ORDINANCE VIOLATION. WENZEL, ROBERT R., M/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 310 VILLAGE CREEK DR., APT 2B, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Local Ordinance: Excessive Noise Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
1658 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ORDINANCE VIOLATION WENZEL, ROBERT R. M/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 310 VILLAGE CREEK DR. APT 2B, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Local Ordinance: Excessive Noise Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0231 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD. (WALGREENS). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 28 years of age, intoxicated. No transport.
0942 HRS 900 BLOCK OF TARALON TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, two years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock memorial Hospital.
1109 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. IDENTITY THEFT. A subject’s identity was used illegally.
1303 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MASON LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1535 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK CT. THEFT. 3 cases of Corona taken out of open garage.
1748 HRS 200 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 35 years of age, lost consciousness. No transport.
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