Surveying Starts For Algonquin Western Bypass

Surveyors were figuring out boundaries and limits Friday for the Illinois Department of Transportation getting set for work on Algonquin's Route 31 Western Bypass.  The trouble is the land hasn't all been acquired yet.

IDOT owns some of the necessary right of way and sent offers out last month on the rest but those haven't all been accepted yet/

Notably missing is Algonquin's derelict Toastmaster factory.  Owner John Zajicek of Freeport confirmed Friday that he'd received IDOT's offer but declined any further comment except to add, "This is the first time I've ever thought IDOT was serious."

Another possible snag in the way to the bypass surfaced this week in a news report about lawmakers casting around for revenue to fill the state's foundering budget.  At least one downstate legislator wondered if maybe $25 billion would be enough for Illinois capital spending instead of the $30 billion approved last year.

Algonquin President John Schmitt and Village Manager Bill Ganek made the rounds in Springfield this week gathering gossip and reminding legislators of the project's importance to the village.

Hollywood Closing Consumer, Not Economy, Driven

The small forest of "store closing" and "liquidation" signs on Randall Road in front of the Lake in the Hills Hollywood Video store look like another indicator of economic stress.  They just may not have much to do with local economics.

Hollywood's parent company Movie Gallery, Inc., went into workout bankruptcy Feb. 2 and the LITH store is only one of several hundred stores it's closing around the country trying to keep its head above water.

Local observers report the LITH Hollywood was, by gross sales anyway, probably one of the company's better performers and there's no obvious pattern to closings in northern Illinois.  LITH, Woodstock and Streamwood, among others, bite the dust.  Belvidere and Oak Lawn continue.  Go figure.

In any event, the Hollywood chain's problems relate more to a change in customer preferences than the current state of the economy.  Speculation is rife that industry leader Blockbuster Video is close to bankruptcy, too.  Neither Hollywood nor Blockbuster has figured out a way to compete with lower-cost competitors like rent-by-mail Netflix and kiosk-based Redbox.

LITH's Hollywood Video manager declined to comment due to comppany policy. However, she did say the store has lots of bargains on CD's, DVD's and BluRays, not to mention store fixtures and almost anything else that isn't actually nailed to the floor.

Huntley Speech Students Honored For Wins

The D158 board honored a raft of speech students at its regular meeting this week.  Huntley High competitors won more competitions this year than in the previous six years combined.

In the Pic: Coach Tom George with (no order) State Level Thespians Brandon Albright, Adrian Fait, Joseph George, Samantha Kaster, Zoar Lopez, Joshua McKennery, Chris Nguyen, Kelsey Rosenorn, Jennifer Samson, Cody Schwartz and Melissa Williams. Fait, Mckennery, Rosenorn and Williams were also IHSA State Speech Contest Qualifiers along with Brandon Bencko, Marta Makowski and Olivia Stepp.  Drew Meyer was on the All State Tech Crew.

Lawmakers Split On Charity Care Rules

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois lawmakers say it looks like they're going to have decide just how much charity is required from a hospital's charity-care program.

The Illinois Supreme Court Thursday ruled that a Champaign hospital, Provena Convenant Medical Center, did not provide enough charity care back in 2002.  The justices said that because the hospital did not offer enough care to the poor, the state was right to strip Provena of its tax-exempt status for that year.  Provena now has to pay millions of dollars in property taxes for 2002.

But the high court did not explain how much charity is required for a hospital to remain tax exempt. Lawmakers in Springfield say they apparently have to come up with that explanation.

State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, said without clear guidance about how much charity is required, one can see cash-strapped cities and other local governments turning  to hospitals as they search for revenue. "I think we need to act quickly because I think you're going to see a lot of taxing bodies looking to pounce on hospitals in their areas.  And I think, ultimately, that is not the answer for good, quality medical care in our communities."

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in 2006 backed legislation requiring nonprofit hospitals to dedicate 8 percent of their annual income to charity care. The legislation failed after Illinois Hospital Association fought the one-size-fits-all stance.

State Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, said he's still concerned about that. "You get a guy come through the door and say 'Well that's it.  We're out of charity case money for this year.  Come back next year.' I don't know how you do that," Jefferson said.

But Justice Anne Burke in her dissenting opinion in the Provena case said the question of how much charity is enough for charity care is exactly the question that the General Assembly needs to answer. Burke wrote that the high court's decision is "injecting" the court into "matters best left to the legislature."

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2402/lawmakers-split-on-charity-care-rules/

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 19
0042 HRS RANDALL RD. & STONEGATE RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. XAYGNARAJ, JOSEPH P., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 1148 HECKER DR., ELGIN. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with Breath Alcohol Content Greater than .08, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1931 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICKS). RETAIL THEFT. JUVENILE, F/W 16 YEARS OF AGE. CHARGES: Retail Theft. RELEASED TO PARENT.
2350 HRS SPRUCE ST. & OAK ST. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. QUIGLEY, PATRICK J., M/W 52 YEARS OF AGE, 1108 BURR ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Greater Than .16, Improper Lane Usage, No Insurance, No Driver License on Person. RELEASED ON BOND.
2356 HRS PYOTT RD. & RAKOW RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. LISIEWSKI, DANIEL R., M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 955 BOXWOOD DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under The Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Greater Than .08, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1104 HRS 00 BLOCK OF CROSSVIEW CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 2 years of age, possibly swallowed furniture polish. No transport.
1107 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF PYOTT ROAD. FOUND ARTICLE. License Plate. Returned to owner.
1308 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF FAIRFAX LANE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Rear window broken and GPS Unit taken.
1342 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 36 years of age, having a severe migraine. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1510 HRS 4511 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (CVS). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Subject attempted to fill a fraudulent prescription.
1816 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1843 HRS 00 BLOCK OF STANTON CIRCLE. SUICIDAL SUBJECT. Male, 35 years of age, made suicidal statements. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1907 HRS 4900 BLOCK OF THISTLE LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Juvenile was asked to enter an unknown vehicle.
1908 HRS 300 BLOCK OF CLEAR SKY TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 13 years of age, having a hard time breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1929 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LINCOLN ST. DOG BITE. Female, 12 years of age, with a dog bite to the face.
2138 HRS 200 BLOCK OF COOLSTONE BEND. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 88 years of age, with a high fever. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Dem Sheriff's Candidate Says Nygren Berated Volunteer

Democratic Sheriff's candidate Mike Mahon said today he'd filed a complaint with the State Attorney General's Office after Sheriff Keith Nygren personally berated one of Mahon's volunteers and threatened to file abusive file requests every time Mahon seeks information from his office.

In a release to media Mahon recounted the incident this way when an unnamed volunteer delivered a Freedom of Information Act request to the Sheriff's Office Thursday morning:

"After about five minutes, Sheriff Nygren in person came out and asked to speak with the volunteer alone in his office. After reaching his office, he "ordered" the volunteer to sit down and, visibly angry, proceeded to berate the volunteer about the campaign, about the volunteer’s professional background, and stated several times that his office was "too busy" to handle FOIA requests. He also stated multiple times that for every FOIA request he received from the Mahon campaign, he would file a retaliatory FOIA request with my employer."

Mahon, a Lake in the Hills resident, is a Deputy Director in the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

An FEN request for comment from Nygren at 2:30 pm this afternoon was met with the information that he was in a meeting. At 5:30 pm Nygren had not replied.

“Nygren's boorish and unprofessional behavior aside," said Mahon in the release, "his statements indicate at the very least an attitude toward the Freedom of Information Act that could not possibly be more diametrically opposed to the spirit of Illinois' new statute."

Mahon said he'd filed his complaint with the AG's Public Access Counselor, the officer now responsible for Freedom Of Information Act Reviews.

In the pic: Nygren

D158 Rejects Teacher Layoffs For Balanced Budget

The District 158 Board of Education dodged a round of teacher layoffs Thursday to balance the 2010-11 school budget opting instead for a hiring freeze and spending speedup to shift some of next year's expenses onto this year's books.

Alarmed earlier this month even before the Governor's budget came out proposing $1.3 billion in cuts to state education support,  the Board had called for $2 million more in cuts to next year's budget.
The plan CFO Mark Altmayer presented Thursday did that but involved cutting 27 teachers for most of the savings.

Altmayer said 70 percent of the district's expenses are personnel costs which haven't been touched yet. "We've cut $6.6 million out of (the other) 30 percent of the pie," said Altmayer.

In fact the district had made such aggressive spending cuts in anticipation of a miserable 2009-10 schoolyear that it ended up with a projected $1.8 million surplus.  That extra money this year was the key to an alternative scheme Superintendant John Burkey floated to avoid teacher layoffs.

To Board Member Don Drzal's question of how many teacher slots were unfilled right now, Burkey answered ten with a total salary of about $500,000.  Although some teachers might have to be moved around said Burkey, "With a modified hiring freeze we could get to that," he said. Burkey suggested pulling another $1 Million out of an Altmayer fallback plan to accellerate spending planned for next year back into what's left of this year to sop up the current budget's surplus. The other $500,000, said Burkey, could come from a patchwork of savings in Altmayer's original plan like not replacing the recently-departed Chief Operating Officer Dave Jenkins, and cutting back on playground and lunch supervision.

In practical terms it doesn't matter when this year's extra money gets spent, according to Altmayer. But if the district carried the money over to cover spending next year that budget would be in nominal deficit, he said.  However, holding teacher cutbacks to only the present empty spots will limit what the district can do if it has to cut even more, said Burkey.  The district's right to teacher layoffs runs out next month, he said.

In other action the Board scheduled a special public session before its next meeting to interview applicants for the empty spot created when President Shawn Green resigned.  Four people have put their names up for that.  They're ex-Board Member Anthony Quagliano, Paul LeFleur, Keith Williams and William Geheren.

In the pic: So many teachers and parents flocked to Thursday's D158 Board meeting extra seats had to be brought in.  Twice.

Huntley Mulls Grafton Senior Bus Payment

The Huntley Village Board debated a plan Thursday to pay Grafton Township $10,000 for the next year to cover the cost of village residents in Rutland Township ridng Grafton's Senior Bus.

Sun City residents have been in a sort of limbo the past year after a previous agreement with the village expired and renewal got caught up in Grafton Township's battle over who runs it.

According to rider activity reports, Huntley's Rutland Township residents took 860 trips on the Grafton bus last year but Grafton Township figured each one cost about $20 a pop. Riding the bus costs from $1 to $3 per trip.

Trustee Pam Fender basically recused herself from discussion on the intergovernmental agreement since she's now Grafton Township's administrator.

Senior bus scheduling was scrambled two weeks ago when Grafton Township's computerized financial records disappeared from the Township offices and so did all of the computer transportation records.  Fender said she's managed to get the bus records reconstructed now but called trying to do that and handle calls from unhappy riders at the same time "a nightmare."

Cuts Could Hurt Race To Top Application

By Rachel Wells
A day after state officials presented their case in Washington, D.C., the state superintendent of schools said Thursday cuts to education could harm Illinois’ chances to obtain the $510 million it seeks from the federal Race to the Top grant program.

Race to the Top is a $4.35 billion education reform initiative with four key components: improving standards and assessments, developing student growth data systems, rewarding quality teachers and improving underachieving schools. Wednesday, federal officials questioned Illinois’ capacity to provide services and its ability to sustain those services when Race to the Top funding ends, state Superintendent Chris Koch said.

“My understanding … is that all the states are being hit hard on [capacity and sustainability],” Koch said. “Keep in mind, some of the states that are hemorrhaging the worst – California, Michigan – aren’t even in the running for these funds. So I do think there could be an implication with reductions to our budget.”

Although the Illinois State Board of Education had sought nearly $1 billion of additional funding for Fiscal Year 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn last week proposed about $1.3 billion in education cuts. The state cannot use Race to the Top funds to stabilize the budget, which is expected to show a deficit of more than $13 billion by the end of Fiscal Year 2010.

Before applying, Illinois passed legislation raising the cap on the number of charter schools in the state, tying student growth to teacher evaluations and expanding alternative teacher certification programs.

The federal government will announce phase one grant recipients in two weeks.

You can read Rachel's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/cuts-could-hurt-race-to-top-application.html

Centegra Huntley Weight Surgery Program Set Wednesday

A free information session about the Centegra Health System's weight-loss surgery program is scheduled Wednesday, at its Huntley Health Center.

The presentation will involve success stories and expert advice from Centegra’s clinical team and general surgeon Amir Heydari, MD, are presented during this free session. Also provided will be information about the benefits, multi-disciplinary approach and surgery options and support available at Centegra for those fighting obesity.

Wednesday's meeting will be from 6 to 8 pm at Centegra, Huntley. Registration can be made at (847) 802-7230.

McHenry County Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned indictments against the following individuals this week:
An indictment is not proof of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

LISA E. PESTKA, DOB:  02/16/61,    1646 CARLEMONT DR. UNIT C, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(5CTS).--Lake in the Hills PD

ROBERT S. MCPEAK, DOB:  11/27/81, 1510 GLACIER TRAIL, CARPENTERSVILLE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, THEFT.--Huntley PD

ELDEN L. GOLDSBERRY, DOB:  03/09/83, 4216 W. PRAIRIE AVE., MCHENRY. AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY, DOMESTIC BATTERY(2CTS), THEFT (UNDER $300.), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--McHenry PD.
  
MICHAEL T. SPENCER, DOB:  02/27/90, 307 GARFIELD ST.,HARVARD. ROBBERY, BURGLARY, AGGRAVATED FALSE PERSONATION OF A PEACE OFFICER, AGGRAVATED BATTERY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Police
  
CARLOS V. CARRASCO, DOB:  03/27/62, 7114 COTTAGE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Police
  
FRANCO CICHOCKI, DOB:  12/11/79, 3001 WALNUT DR., WONDER LAKE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--McHenry County Sheriff's Police
  
DAVID F. MACINTYRE, DOB:  12/18/61, 5320 BURMA RD., MARENGO. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.--Marengo PD
  
LUCAS R. HERMONSON, DOB:  09/12/82, 605 BOURN ST., HARVARD. FORGERY (4CTS).--Harvard PD
  
KEITH E. BRADLEY JR., DOB:  01/26/91, 2016 INDIAN RIDGE, JOHNSBURG. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA(2CTS).--Island Lake PD
  
ANDREW R. SILVA, DOB:  12/03/82, 6119 PINGREE RD., CRYSTAL LAKE, IL. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE.--Crystal Lake PD

TYLER J. KNICKERBOCKER, DOB:  10/12/91,    627 VIRGINIA RD.  #111, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.--Crystal Lake PD
  
ISAAC C. JONES, DOB:  09/29/81,    20 BUOUY BAY, LAKEMOOR. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--McHenry PD
  
ERIK C. STRICKLAND, DOB:  03/16/80, 5320 WOODLAND, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry PD

BONNIE L. HAHN. DOB:  03/25/80,    LKA:  602 N. MADISON ST., WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--Woodstock PD.

TODD W. BRITTON, DOB:  02/19/82, 4904 BONNER DR., MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--Woodstock PD

JEFFREY M. HENRIKSON, DOB:  04/23/89, 114 BEACHWAY DR. #1B, FOX RIVER GROVE. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESSION OF FIREARM WITHOUT REQUISITE FOID CARD, POSSESSION OF FIREARM AMMUNITION WITHOUT REQUISITE FOID CARD.--Fox River Grove PD

BENJAMIN J. DYNEK, DOB:  03/13/89,114 BEACHWAY DR. #1B, FOX RIVER GROVE. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--Fox River Grove PD
  
JEREMY R. REID, DOB:  11/26/90,    145 ILLINOIS ST., CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS).--North Central Narcotics Task Force

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 18
1322 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CLAYTON MARSH DR. WANTED ON WARRANT. FURRER, TIMOTHY M., M/W 39 YEARS OF AGE, 28803 SAWMILL LN., LAKEMOOR. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Lake County for Violation Of an Order of Protection, Bond amount $75,000 / 10% applies.
TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1646 HRS 61 OAKLEAF RD. (JAYCEE PARK). WANTED ON WARRANT. SANTINI, WESLEY A., M/B 21 YEARS OF AGE, 1604 GLEN EAGLE DR., CARPENTERSVILLE.  CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Domestic Battery, Bond amount is $1000.00 / 10% applies. RELEASED ON BOND.
1131 HRS 4511 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (CVS). DUMPING COMPLAINT. Offender illegally dumped garbage along side CVS Store. Citation issued.
1424 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. DOG BITE. Subject was bitten by a dog. Dog turned over to animal control.
1816 HRS 800 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. daughter. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1820 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF MONROE ST. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. son. Verbal only. 1 prior.
1850 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF WEXFORD LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only.  No priors.
2012 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS PD). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 39 years of age, lost consciousness. Transported to Saint Joseph Hospital.
2043 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF SAVOY DR. ASSIST TO MCHENRY COUNTY SHERIFFS. Assisted McHenry County Sheriff Police in serving an Order of Protection.
Algonquin
March 15
09:03am A fifteen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Theft.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his father.
12:25pm A seventeen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Criminal Trespass and Resisting a Peace Officer.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his parents.
21:47pm Luis, Saul, DOB: 07/24/87, of 128 Canterfield Parkway, West Dundee, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Commons Drive.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/21/10, in McHenry County.
March 17
00:01am Jordan, Douglas W., DOB: 01/26/79, of 3306 Elaine Drive, Woodstock, was charged with DUI, DUI Over, Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was taken into custody at Jewel, 103 S. Randall Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
March 18
14:38pm Valadez, Alicia G., DOB: 10/27/85, of 801 Monroe Avenue, Carpentersville, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance and Child Safety Seat Violation.  She was taken into custody at S. Harrison Street and Route 62.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/28/10, in McHenry County.
23:36pm Doljanin, James Robert, DOB: 03/13/92, of 1110 Concord Lane, Hoffman Estates, was charged with 2 Counts of Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Jewel, 1501 E. Algonquin Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/21/10, in McHenry County.
Huntley
March 8
A mailbox was reported stolen from the 11800 block of Blue Bayou.  The mailbox was valued at approximately $50.00.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 10700 block of Wing Pointe.  A mailbox was damaged.
Julie R. Kiel, age 51, of 11513 Douglas St. #104, Huntley, was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident and cited for improper merging into traffic.  Ms. Kiel posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 9, 2010.
March 10
A 14 year old male from Lake in the Hills and a 15 year old male from Huntley were charged with battery.  The charges stem from an incident at the High School on
March 6, 2010.  Both juveniles were released to the custody of their parents with a McHenry County court date of April 12, 2010.
A theft report was taken at the High School.  Two students reported that cash and an iPod were stolen out of the locker that they share.
An iPod, arm band, and headphones were reported stolen from Centegra Health Bridge.  The victim states she left her gym bag unattended, when she returned the items were missing.
A residential burglary report was taken in the 10500 block of Somerset Lane.  Several electronic items were stolen.
Marisa Lozano, age 36, of 382 Lynn, Crystal Lake, was arrested for driving while license suspended, and cited for possession of a suspended license and no rear registration light.  Ms. Lozano posted bond and was released with a McHenry County Court date of  April 16, 2010.
March 11
Gilberto Padilla, age 19, of 426 Thunder Ridge, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for disobeying a stop sign and no rear registration light.  Mr. Padilla posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 26, 2010.
A cell phone was reported stolen at the Prime Outlet Mall.  The victim states he left his cell phone in the bathroom, when he returned the cell phone was missing.
March 12
Andrew A. Fico, age 43, of 11703 Mill St, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license revoked and cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and disregarding a stop sign.  Mr. Fico was unable to post bond and was transported to McHenry County Jail.
A criminal defacement report was taken at the high school.  The victim’s hub cap was painted yellow.
Irma Gonzalez-Aguiano, age 46, of 556 Bird, Elgin, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Ms. Gonzalez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 9, 2010.
A 13 year old male from Huntley was charged with battery. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on a school bus in the area of Mahattan Dr. and Lone Star Way.  The juvenile was released to his parents with a McHenry County court date of April 22, 2010.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 10600 block of Golden Gate.  The victim states that sometime since last spring someone shot out her window with a pellet gun.
David W. Patterson, age 41, 4510 Rolling Hills Dr., Lake in the Hills, was arrested on an outstanding DuPage county warrant for failure to appear in court.  Mr. Patterson posted bond and was released with a DuPage county court date of April 20, 2010.
March 13
Justin W. Boley, age 31, of 11010 Bonnie Brae, Huntley, was arrested for violation of an order of protection.  Mr. Boley was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond call.
Valeria A. Wojtecki, age 23, of 621 Lynn Ave., Romeoville, was arrested for driving with a drivers license that is expired for more than one year, and cited for driving with one headlight.  Ms. Wojtecki posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 16, 2010.
March 14
Edward L. Curran, age 39, of 305 Pocahontas, Lake in the Hills, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant and was cited for failure to wear a seat belt.  Mr. Curran posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 1, 2010.
Calvin William Meziere, age 38, of 10744 Wheatlands Way, Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant.  Mr. Meziere posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 23, 2010.

Miracle Needed By Monday To Save "Tyvek Towers"

AMCORE Bank essentially has five days to come up with a buyer for Algonquin's failed Riverside Square condo project or face a suit in McHenry County Circuit Court to pull it down.  Tuesday's Village Board Vote authorizing the filing was the last part of a plan in the making for the last several weeks.

The village sent a notice letter to AMCORE Chairman and CEO William R. McManaman on March 4 setting the Monday deadline.  "We gave them 15 days required by statute," said Village Attorney Kelly Cahill.  "I gave them a few extra days because that fell on a weekend," she said.

"How long can this go on?" asked Trustee Jerry Glogowski who seconded Debbie Sosine's "Tyvek Towers" motion.  "It's been over a year and all they did was have the windows shipped here and put in."

In fact AMCORE finally had some roofing installed, too, last summer but not all of it, according to the village's notice letter. And even at that someone forgot to complete the roof drains so the sheathing and support beams have been damaged again and there's more mold, according to the notice letter.

Likewise since the building facing wasn't finished the village is worried water and the freeze/thaw cycle have weakened it so badly someone's going to end up clobbered by a brickbat. No sidewalks, no safety barriers, is another village complaint. Indeed, AMCORE let a contract to finish the brickwork late last summer but then canceled it again before work even began.

Trustees pulled the trigger after Cahill's notice letter produced no response. "They need a building permit and that they have not done," said Cahill.  "They need to submit proof of insurance and they have not done so," she said.

"AMCORE's always been telling us they've been looking for a buyer," said Glogowski, "but they've never found anyone."  That's not really surprising. By the time the bank officially secured control of the half-finished structure commercial real estate had already begun to follow the residential sector into the tank.

An AMCORE spokesman never provided a promised comment Wednesday.

Fox Flood Advisory Technically Good 'Till Sunday

The National Weather Service said Wednesday that a flood advisory remains in effect for the Fox River at Algonquin but it seems to be a case of a computerized right hand confused about what the left is doing.

Water is high at Algonquin Dam and there's a lot moving fast in the tailwater but nowhere near the 2.9 feet the Weather Service estimated at 6:45 pm Wednesday.  In fact the latest observed reading was 1.9 feet at 1:45 am this morning, about 11 inches short of full bank or "action stage".

Today was supposed to see peak water but gauge readings indicate it probably happened late Tuesday. The weather service said the difference was likley due to "dam operations."

MCC Job Fair Monday For Industrial, Tech, Professionals

Area job seekers are invited to attend a Staffing/Recruiting Agency Job Fair from 1 to 5 pm Monday, at McHenry County College.  It's sponsored by MCC and McHenry County Workforce Network to give job seekers a chance to meet recruiters from three area agencies: Manpower, Aerotek and The Agency Staffing.

Most of the job openings are in the manufacturing sector, including quality control and material handlers, CNC, and maintenance mechanics. Other positions available involve office professionals, including mortgage/banking, secretarial, customer service, data entry, general office and accounting.

A full list of job titles is available at www.mchenrycountyworkforce.com .

LITH Skate Parks Open

Lake in the Hills Skate Parks now open for the season now. Park hours are 9 a.m. until dusk daily. Skate Parks are located at:

Richard Taylor Skate Park
1107 Crystal Lake Road

Sunset Skate Park
5200 Miller Road/9200 Haligus Road

Helmet, elbow, and knee pads strongly recommended according to LITH Parks and Recreation. See their nearby pic.  STRONGLY.

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 17
1742 HRS 61 OAKLEAF RD. (JAYCEE PARK). POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES:  Possession of drug paraphernalia. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
1106 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT 2 vehicles. Property damage only.
1242 HRS 00 BLOCK OF SUGAR CREEK CT. LOST ARTICLE. License Plate.
1500 HRS 2124 W ALGONQUIN RD. (KAMINARI). HIT & RUN. Vehicle struck sometime during the night.
2123 HRS RAKOW RD & VIRGINIA RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.

Algonquin Votes To Demolish Riverside Square

The Algonquin Board voted Tuesday to try to force AMCORE Bank to pull down the derelict Riverside Square luxury condominium development at Route 31 and Algonquin Road in the village Downtown.

"This structure has sat vacant and unfinished with no siding and no fire protection for over a year and a half," said Village President John Schmitt.  "This building is an eyesore, a fire hazard and an attractive nuisance but what it worse, it has deteriorated and continues to deteroriate.

In a news release today the village revealed for the first time that it was AMCORE who pulled the plug on the project in the first place.  "In October 2008, AMCORE Bank halted payouts on the constructioan loan and the developer filed for bankruptcy shortly thereafter," said the release.  According to unconfirmed reports, AMCORE was supposed to make a "progress payment" to developer Bruce Hawkins for work completed on the structure but failed to do so.  AMCORE ended up the the deed in the following bankruptcy proceedings.

The vote to junk Riverside Square was unanimous.

The village cited AMCORE for eight code violations in late December to try to force it to resume weatherproofing the structure.  That case is still pending but officials say it may be dropped to concentrate on a Circuit Court suit expected to be filed next Monday.

Community Development Manager Russ Farnum said this morning that trustees decided to push for demolition after recent published reports outlined AMCORE's deteriorating financial condition. (See earlier FEN story below.)  "We have not confirmed that," said Farnum, "but we believe it to be true."

A spokesman for the Rockford-based bank said this morning she was unprepared to comment on the village board's decision and could not confirm the bank was even aware of it.

In the pic: Algonquin began to get tough when FEN reported AMCORE had canceled a contract to finish sheathing Riverside Square.

McHenry County Unemployment 11.6 Percent For Jan.

McHenry County's uneployment rate jumped in January to 11.6 percent from a revised 10.3 percent rate in December according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security report released Tuesday.
More than half the increase came from people added to the labor force, however, and the figure wasn't seasonally adjusted.

Illinois' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2010 was 11.3 percent, up from the revised December 2009 rate of 11.0 percent, but the raw number was 12.2 percent. The unemployment rate is at its highest level since August 1983, according to IDES Communications Manager Greg Rivara.

"Preliminary Illinois data for January reflects job growth," said Rivara in a statement. "The three-month moving average of payroll employment in Illinois, a broader view of job creation, still shows job loss," he said.

The national unemployment rate in January was 9.7 percent.

While unemployment in January increased in all four McHenry County muncipalities  where IDES breaks out separate figures, their relative differences remained unchanged, McHenry hardest hit, Algonquin least.

“Although there are some signs the recession technically might have ended, there continues to be significant job pressures in Illinois and throughout the country,” IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell said when Illinois figures were released last week.

Broadly, economists think the economy's output is expanding but employers are adding hours for existing workers instead of hiring  new ones in case it's just a blip.

                               UNEMPLOYMENT             
               REVISED DEC. 2009        PRELIMINARY JAN. 2010               
               LABOR    UNEMPLOYED      LABOR   UNEMPLOYED     JAN. 
               FORCE    NUMBER  RATE    FORCE   NUMBER   RATE  2009   
U.S. (X1000)   152,693   14,740  9.7    152,957   16,147 10.6  8.5    
ILLINOIS     6,560,925 709,532  10.8  6,611,646  809,126 12.2  8.7    

MCHENRY COUNTY 177,819  18,365  10.3    179,419   20,753 11.6  8.5    
KANE COUNTY    266,658  29,578  11.1    268,944   33,036 12.3  9.0    
LAKE COUNTY    362,150  41,742  11.5    367,628   49,329 13.4  9.1    

ALGONQUIN       16,455   1,449   8.8     16,544    1,612  9.7  7.1    
LITH            16,843   1,612   9.6     16,913    1,758 10.4  5.7    
CRYSTAL LAKE    22,016   2,182   9.9     22,109    2,373 10.7  7.6    
MCHENRY         14,911   1,537  10.3     15,080    1,772 11.8  9.0    

Ban On "Pork" Slams Randall Improvement Plan

County Board Chairman Ken Koehler made the bad news on Randall Road improvement official Tuesday telling the rest of the board $1.5 million in federal "earmark" funds for the project likely won't be coming this year.

Earmarks are also known as "pork" and last Thursday the U.S. House Republican Conference, one-upping a limited Democrat measure, agreed to a ban any kind of earmarks. That means 14th District Rep. Don Manzullo can't ask for the money to begin hard engineering on Randall.

"Don voted against (the earmark ban)," said Koehler, "but he has to follow the will of the majority."

Assistant County Engineer Jeff Young said the probable loss of this year's engineering funds will slow the project but not kill it.  "What's really important is a new National Highway Bill this year," said Young.  That's where the big money would be to actually pay for construction.

"Phase I (broad) engineering is funded," said Young.  The earmark Manzullo was planning to ask for would have paid for Phase II, detailed designs.

In any case, lots of planning remains to be done on the Randall project.  Young said MCDOT still hasn't set dates to return to Algonquin and Lake in the Hills with more info on fixing the Randall/Algonquin intersection, the project's linchpin.

The GOP earmark ban nixes money requests some other county transportation projects, too, but not all of them.  The northeastern part of the traditionally Republican county is in the Eighth Congressional District.  That's represented by Barrington's Melissa Bean, a Democrat.

MCC Forensic Team Takes Third At State Tourney

MCC’s Forensics Team including several area students won a team award for the first time at a state tournament, placing third at the Illinois Inter-Collegiate Forensics Association State Tournament recently in East Peoria.

In the Community College Division, Alex Peters of Lake in the Hills took first place in Extemporaneous Speaking and first place in Impromptu Speaking; Lauryn Lugo of Lake in the Hills won first place in prose interpretation. Other winners were: Second place, Interpreters Theatre -- Beth Chapuis, John Cox, Joe Cusumano, Steve Guardi, Lauryn Lugo, Jake Pritts, Kat Stemple and Becky Weise.

MCC students won multiple awards across the board. In Group Communication: First place, Joe Cusumano of Lake in the Hills; second place, John Cox; fourth place, Jake Pritts of Crystal Lake; Readers Theatre: an eight-member ensemble took first place; Dramatic Interpretation: first Place Lauryn Lugo of Lake in the Hills; fourth place, Beth Chapius of Huntley; Prose Interpretation: first place, Jake Pritts, fourth place, Lauryn Lugo; Dramatic Duo Interpretation: third place, Cox/Cusumano; Extemporaneous Speaking: fourth place, Alex Peters of Lake in the Hills; Impromptu Speaking: fifth place, Brian Walsh of Cary; Poetry Interpretation: fifth place, John Cox.

MCC will host the regional tournament beginning Friday.

Friends Tell Friends About The First Electric Newspaper

Lawmakers, Gov. Squash Expensive State Lease

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
The boss at Illinois' Department on Aging said he still wants to move to a new office and still needs to move to a new office but he won't won't because the move has become a "distraction."

Legislators grilled Charles Johnson abut why he wanted to move Illinois' Aging headquarters from a rent-free office in Springfield to a new building that would cost the state $500,000 a year in rent. Johnson said the move was planned before Gov. Pat Quinn introduced his budget last week, even though Illinois has been fighting a multi-billion dollar deficit for years. "Currently the state does not own adequate space to accommodate all of Aging's Springfield operations," said Johnson.

State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, R-Des Plaines, said she wasn't sure if Johnson and his people need more room or just want it. "With your increases in raises and your cutting people from the program, I would think that your administrative costs have gone up significantly compared to actual services," she said.

Quinn said he doesn't consider the planned move an issue any more. The governor reported he ordered the move halted earlier this week. Johnson said he'd stay put for the time being, claiming the controversy over the proposed move has become a "distraction" from the ongoing budget negotiations at the statehouse.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/16/lawmakers-gov-squash-expensive-state-lease/

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 16
0830 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1029 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 18 years of age, had an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1029 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTE. Child custody dispute. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1143 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. FORGERY. An unauthorized person has forged a document. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1208 HRS 100 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 49 years of age, feeling ill after a surgery. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1213 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1224 HRS 10 BLOCK OF BONNIE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 80 years of age, is unresponsive. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1509 HRS 250 RANDALL RD. (COSTCO). DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.

Another Suit Filed At Grafton Township

Grafton Township trustees filed a countersuit late Monday afternoon against Supervisor Linda Moore. It was another escalation of the continuing conflict over who runs the embattled township.

The suit filed by law firm Ancel Glink, the township's legal counsel, merely formalizes the charges made in last week's Grafton Township meeting that Moore removed or destroyed computerized financial and senior bus records and their backups at the township offices after trustees ordered them audited.
 
Trustee Rob LaPorta said today he expects a forensic exam of the computers which the board authorized at the meeting to provide proof of the allegation.

Moore filed suit against trustees and an Ancel-Glink attorney last week charging they were interfering with her job as Supervisor.

LaPorta said Monday's suit against Moore was on behalf of the Township, not the individual trustees themselves.

Limited Huntley Water Shut Down, Boil Order in Effect

Huntley Public Works will be making an emergency water main repair at the corner of Main and Church Streets this morning so water in the area will be shut off for a while.

Water will be off on Church Street from Mill Street to Main Street; on Main Street Church Street to Woodstock Street, and on Woodstock north to Coral Street until things are fixed again, probably early to mid-morning.

The area affected includes around a dozen homes and several businesses including two restaurants. Even after the water goes back on, though, as a precaution village officials advise five minutes' boiling for drinking and cooking water in those areas until 9 pm Wednesday.

If anyone has questions Dan Ruggles in the Public Works Department is the man to ask at 847-515-5283.

April 1 Set For Huntley Rte. 47 Expansion Start

Nicor's gas main work on north Route 47 in Huntley has been another clue that the thoroughfare's expansion is getting close and Monday Mayor Chuck Sass announced April 1 will mark the official start of the long-awaited widening project.

In a posting on the Village website Sass was frank.  "We ask for your patience during this project," he said, observing the job will take two construction seasons in which "it will be difficult to travel Route 47."  He said it would be worth the trouble, though, since "traffic flow through the village will be improved."

Huntley's scheduled an informational meeting on the widening for 6:30 pm next Wednesday, March 24, at Village Hall.  In the meantime, there's a series of detailed maps posted here:
http://www.huntley.il.us/news/Recent%20news/2010/Rt%2047%20Striping%20Plan,%20Sidewalk%20and%20Lighting.pdf

The village has also set up a Route 47 Hotline for questions at 847-515-5266

Besides the gas main work underway ComEd still has to relocate buried power lines on the north section of Route 47.  Village Manager Dave Johnson said Monday he expected that to begin soon.

French Casual Dining (Crepes) Comes To Algonquin

How a one-time chef at the Elysee Palace (that's like the French White House only classier) came to open Algonquin's latest restaurant last week is a complicated tale.

Short version with lots of editng: Crystal Lake guy decides France needs an American bakery.  Young Parisian chef figures turnabout's fair play and French couisine would be just the ticket in the collar counties. Pause for five years cooking hospital food in Barrington but with periodic shopping trips to Algonquin. Finally, voila, Creperie Normande in Algonquin Commons.

A creperie is, um, well, it's a place that sells crepes. Crepes are sort of like a French tortilla except not very much since they're a lot more delicate but, anyway, you wrap stuff, savory or sweet, hot or cold, in them. And you eat them, of course.

"We are not fast food," said chef Lionel Pilate-Jean.  "We are quick food casual. French casual. Exactly as in Normandy."

Those of a certain age may remember crepes were a fad 30 or so years ago but proved to be only a flash in the pan. (Sorry.)  Pilate-Jean isn't worried about that.  "I was not here then," he laughed.

"It's very authentic," volunteered lunch patron Diane Black. "I was in France a few months ago."

The secret is in the flour, said Pilate-Jean, buckwheat flour.  "That's the how they are made in south France."

In the pic: Chef Lionel Pilate-Jean cooks up a couple of lunch crepes with a chicken filling at Algonquin's Creperie  Normande Monday.

ISP Doomsday Budget: 400 Troopers, 5 Districts Cut

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
The acting director of the Illinois State Police said he cannot guarantee that Illinois will be any safer next year. Jonathon Monken told a group of Illinois lawmakers Monday that he's planning for a "doomsday budget."

Monken said Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed budget would leave the Illinois State Police with the fewest number of troopers in at least 20 years. "Quite honestly to be able to continue to perform the functions that we are required to do for the agency and that we owe to the people of Illinois, we'll still be able to perform them in a certain capacity," said Monken. "But not at the level that's necessary to keep crime down, to keep traffic fatalities down, to keep all these things in check."

Monken said he's preparing to lose as much as 30 percent of his force. The acting director said by the time older troopers retire, and there are no replacements, Illinois could have more than 400 fewer state troopers on the road.

Monken had said he'd look to target districts in low crime areas, or areas of the state with plenty of local police backup. But he would not offer any specifics on which of the state's 22 Illinois State Police Districts may be closed or combined.

Lawmakers in Springfield say they now worry their State Police district back home may be on that list. Almost every lawmaker said the plan to balance Illinois' budget on the backs of the State Police is a bad idea. They'll begin work on their own spending plan when they return after a legislative spring break at the end of this month.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/03/15/isp-doomsday-budget-400troopers-5-districts-cut/

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 15
1248 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BARSON, SHANE A., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 1521  CUMBERLAND PKWY., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving while license suspended, no insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
2113 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & SQUARE BARN. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. RODRIGUEZ, DAVID A. M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 1534 N.  SEMINARY AVE. #A, WOODSTOCK. CHARGES: Driving while License Revoked, No Valid Insurance, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1134 HRS 200 BLOCK OF BOULDER DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband and wife. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1643 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD. (COSTCO). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 33 years of age, fell down. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1715 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF SAVOY DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. Two priors.
1851 HRS 5800 BLOCK OF LUCERNE LN. SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION VIOLATION. Investigating a possible sex offender registration  violation.
2305 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LA QUINTA CT. ASSIST OTHER POLICE AGENCY. Assisted McHenry County Sheriff with serving an Order of  Protection.

FEN Asks Attorney General For D158 FOIA Review

Whatever's happening to District 158's Special Services Department will prove one of the earliest tests of Illinois' newly revised Freedom Of Information Act.  In the face of revelations last week that there may be two very different letters of resignation submitted last month by Special Services Director Cheryl Kalkirtz, the First Electric Newspaper today requested a FOIA Review of D158's response providing an uninformative version.

"The Freedom Of Information Act sets up a little game journalists and Government play," said FEN Publisher Pete Gonigam.  "The rules are if we keep playing 20 questions long enough before quitting for a decent-paying job, Government has to finally give us the information we ask for. Only I'm not sure D158 is playing by the rules."

Kalkirtz was the latest of five special education directors or top administrators who have departed D158 in the past year.  When the Daily Herald newspaper first reported Kalkirtz' departure Feb. 2 Superintendent John Burkey at first declined even to say whether she had resigned or been fired citing an exemption for "personnel" issues. Area media filed FOIA requests and all appear to have received a letter of resignation dated Feb. 1 reading in its entirety, "I, Cheryl Kalkirtz, resign from CSD158 effective immediately."

However, Thursday McHenry County Blog Publisher Cal Skinner revealed a two-page Kalkirtz letter of resignation dated Jan. 11, almost a month earlier, laying out a litany of complaints about heavy-handed D158 conduct of its Special Education program.  That same day the Daily Herald reported Kalkirtz had "authenticated" the earlier letter and said Kalkirtz' attorney had charged Burkey directed Assistant Superintendant Terry Awrey to destroy it.

FEN was unable Friday to contact Chicago resident Kalkirtz and her attorney didn't respond to inquiry.  Burkey didn't reply to a request for interview. All other apparent avenues exhausted, FEN instructed its attorney to prepare the request for FOIA Review over the weekend.

Under the previous version of Illinois' Freedom of Information Act, an appeal from response to a FOIA request would have been decided by the chief executive officer of a government entity, in D158's case, Burkey.  However since Jan. 1, appeals now go straight to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

FEN's FOIA request asked for "letters of resignation or dismissal" not just for Kalkirtz but for all five Special Ed admininstrators who've left D158 in the past year.  FOIA Officer, Lori Woods, Burkey's Administrative Assistant, said there was "no written document" for Assistant Director Renee Erickson who left last year.  Resignation letters from former Director Meg Schnoor and Early Learning Coordinator Susan Kondrat provided no clues about why they left at the end of the last school year.  Neither did a letter of resignation from Assistant Director Perry Yates just before Christmas and less than a month before Kalkirtz apparently resigned.  However, it did say his decision came "after a great deal of reflection and deliberation."  FEN has been unable to contact Yates, either.

Special Ed parents have periodically packed D158 Board and special meetings to complain that programs aren't as good as those in nearby districts.

In the pic: These two supposed Kalkirtz signatures don't look a lot alike. Top is from the letter of resignation D158 provided to media FOIA requests.  Bottom is from the earlier "complaint" letter of resignation allegedly destroyed.

Two Weeks Deadline For LITH Arbor Day Contest

Break out the crayons and markers. There are only a couple of weeks left for kids to enter the Village of Lake in the Hills' Arbor Day poster contest.  The contest is open to  Lake  in the Hills residents ages nine through eleven who can win up to $250 in Savings Bonds.

The theme for 2010 is: Trees are Terrific…and Energy Wise.

First, prize is a $250 bond; second $150 and third $100. All contestants will receive a prize. This year's conteast is sponsored by Alaniz Landscaping Group,Ryco Landscaping and Rough Cut Tree Service.

Rules and regs for the contest are at http://www.lith.org/arborday.html

The entry deadline is April 2.  Posters can be submitted to the Parks & Recreation Department at Village Hall.  The winner will be announced on April 16 and prizes will be awarded at the Village Board meeting on April 22.

In the pic: The 2009 LITH Arbor Day Poster Winner.

Search Ramps Up For New D300 Superintendent

District 300 will hold a special meeting Wednesday to gather public input on the search for the new District 300 superintendent.  After 10 years as D300 boss Ken Arndt will retire at the end of this school year.

Wednesday's parent/community forum will begin at 7 pm on Wednesday in the Board Room of the D300 Administration Center, Carpentersville, under the auspices of recruiting firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Assoc.(HYA) which the school board hired to shepherd the search process.

The firm wants input on three key questions:

(1)   What are the strengths of District 300 that are important to continue and support?
(2)   What are the challenges that will face District 300 in the next few years?
(3)   What characteristics, skills, and/or experience would you like the next D300 superintendent to possess?

D300 staff members will have a separate meeting with HYA at 4 pm March 17 in the Board Room.  Persons who are both parents and staff members are welcome to attend either of the forums or both.  HYA will be holding one-on-one focus groups this week with stakeholder groups including municipal leaders, PTO Council presidents and other parent groups, church leaders,  school administrators, the D300 Foundation Board and district labor.

Green Party Candidate Outlines Budget Plan

By Rachel Wells
Green Party candidate Rich Whitney last week that if elected governor, he would fix the state’s $13 billion budget problem by creating a new tax – a sort of sin tax on the profits of speculative trading – and by pushing a tax increase plan that stalled in the General Assembly last spring.

A financial transactions tax, which the state would levy on securities traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Options Exchange at what Whitney called a “minuscule” rate, “not pennies on the dollar but pennies on the $100,” could potentially bring in enough funds to wipe out Illinois' budget deficit, he said. He added that he would seek only a tax rate high enough to bring in $4.5 billion.

Whitney said he would also call on legislators to pass the same “comprehensive” plan outlined in Senate Bill 750, a tax and education funding reform bill previously sponsored by Sen. James Meeks, a Chicago Democrat. The measure called for an income tax increase of 2 percentage points, an expansion of the sales tax base to include some services but a cut in property taxes. Whitney said the income tax plan could generate more than $7.3 billion. A version of Meeks’ bill passed in the Senate last session but was never called in the House.

Whitney would also like to legalize and tax cannabis, as well as implement a greenhouse gas fee and dividend system under which fees imposed on high pollution energy producers would benefit consumers until more environmentally friendly energy sources become more common and less pricey.

You can read Rachel's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/green-party-candidate-outlines-budget.html

In the pic: Whitney

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 14
2213 HRS JEFFERSON ST. & LINCOLN ST. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CRANE, KASANDRA L., F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 4312 W. SHAMROCK LN. APT 3G, MCHENRY. CHARGES: Driving while license Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0046 HRS 0 BLOCK OF POINT O WOODS CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. Two priors. FAIL TO FILE.
00526 HRS 300 BLOCK OF RAMBLE RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 64 years of age, possible diabetic reaction. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0731 HRS 20 BLOCK OF HILLY LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, one year of age, having a seizure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1013 HRS 300 BLOCK OF APACHE TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal altercation only. Two priors.
1327 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT COURT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 50 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1531 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 13 years of age, possibly broke her arm. Transported to Lutheran General Hospital.
1914 HRS 1440 IMHOFF DR. (PERIMETER TUCKPOINT). LOST ARTICLE. Lost trailer plate. Entered into the Law Enforcement Agency Database System.
Algonquin
March 12
12:43pm Cruz, Steven, DOB: 12/25/91, of 145 Arquilla Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
22:47pm Byrne, Garrett S., DOB: 10/14/87, of 625 Gaslight Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson Street.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/14/10, in McHenry County.
March 14
01:17am Petrash, Thaddeus A., DOB: 07/22/83, of 974 Osage Court, Carpentersville, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Disorderly Conduct.  He was taken into custody at Tavern at the Bridge, 101 E. Algonquin Road.  He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 04/01/10, in Kane County.
04:54am Karavitis, James C., DOB: 04/23/73, of 124 Mohawk Trail, Algonquin, was charged with DUI, DUI Over, Improper Lane Usage and Improper Turn.  He was taken into custody at N. Harrison Street and Edward Street.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 04/21/10, in McHenry County.
04:59am Ruck, Trevor J., DOB: 12/23/90, of 640 Ash Street, Algonquin, was charged with DUI and Failure to Notify SOS of Address Change.  He was taken into custody at 1Arrowhead Drive.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 04/21/10, in McHenry County.
19:01pm Nechvatal, Alex M., DOB: 08/19/90, of 1425 Meghan Avenue, Algonquin, 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.
19:17pm Byrne, Davis T., DOB: 12/31/91, of 850 Taralon Trail, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLS and Improper Lane Usage.  He was taken into custody at Bunker Hill Drive and Fairway View Drive. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/28/10, in McHenry County.

Flood Advisory All Week For Fox At Algonquin

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory Saturday for the Fox River at Algonquin affecting both McHenry and Kane Counties. The flood advisory extends through next Saturday, March 20.

The river was at 1.89 feet at the last report at 1:45 am this morning, up an inch from the 8:45 pm mark Saturday evening. Bankfull stage above the Algonquin Dam is 2.8 feet and flood stage is 3 feet. River forecasters expect the Fox to hit flood stage in Algonquin Thursday rising to a 3.1 feet Friday and Saturday.  At 3.2 some homes are threatened by flooding in Richardson subdivision.

You can track the Fox at Algonquin at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lot&gage=algi2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1&toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6&type=2

AMCORE Woes Add Uncertainty To Riverside Square

Thursday's report in Crain's Chicago Business adds another dimension to the expected showdown between AMCORE Bank and the Village of Algonquin over what to do about the failed Riverside Square condominium project in about two weeks.

Crain's and later the Chicago Tribune reported AMCORE is one of seven area banks on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's April 15 auction block. AMCORE faces a probable deadline two weeks before that, however, to come up with a plan to fix eight expensive Algonquin code violations or come up with a good legal excuse not to. The village cited AMCORE, deedholder to the project locally nicknamed "Tyvek Towers", after FEN reported the masonry contractor supposed to finish its brick facing was pulling off the site.  An Algonquin administrative judge allowed several continuances but the last time said he wouldn't do that again March 31.

AMCORE was reported to have $345.6 million in nonperforming loans at end of 2009 and more are piling up. At the beginning of this month AMCORE filed a $4.5 million foreclosure suit on a 90-room hotel project in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. AMCORE had $4.1 billion in assets at the end of 2009 but its stock has tanked so low for so long that the NASDAQ market served notice Friday it may be delisted. Crain's claimed last week that Chicago's Harris Bank was interested in acquiring AMCORE and some private-equity groups probably would be.

All of that puts AMCORE, still trying to raise capital to stay independent, in an unenviable position.  An adverse ruling on Riverside Square would draw more attention to the bank's woes at a critical moment.  Agreeing to shell out some money to dress up the derelict project would probably be less prominent but that would drain the very reserves the bank is trying to build up.

Algonquin's position is somewhat better. No matter what happens to AMCORE, someone will end up holding the Riverside Square deed so the village can take them to Circuit Court if its board wants to.

MCC Enrollment Growth Highest In Illinois

McHenry County College led the state in student enrollment growth from last spring to this spring, according to college officials Mondday. The current headcount stands at 7,381, an increase of 28.4 percent from last spring’s headcount of 5,749, according to figures reported to the state.

This growth continues an upward trend from last fall reflecting the continued economic downturn and a national trend of community college enrollment growth. “We have seen incredible growth in enrollment due, in part, to the economy, but even more so because of the high quality educational opportunities we offer here at MCC, said Tony Miksa, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs.

Summer registration begins today and the College has implemented a new priority registration process to ensure currently enrolled students who are nearest to degree completion can enroll in the courses they need to graduate. Details are at: http://www.mchenry.edu/currentstudents/index.asp

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 13
0339 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. CRUZ, TAYLOR A., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 940 CYNTHIA LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, Hosting an Underage Drinking Party. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. TAYLOR, PAIGE E., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 1202 CLOVER LN., MCHENRY CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. KNAUF, PATRICK R., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 4021 W. LILLIAN ST., MCHENRY. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. BLOCKER, KEVIN J., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 8181 STICKNEY RUN, WOODSTOCK. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
FOLLOW UP TO: 030910 @ 0955 HRS HILLTOP DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. MENENDEZ, ANA P., F/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 604 WESTWIND DR., CARPENTERSVILLE. Charge: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0059 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. BATTERY. Two male subjects got into a physical altercation. FAIL TO FILE.
0154 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. FOUND PROPERTY. Cellular phone located in front of the residence.
1257 HRS 9625 HALIGUS RD. (MARLOWE). THEFT. A laptop computer was taken.
1638 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.