Judge Orders Grafton Twp. Phones Restored

A McHenry County Circuit Judge ordered AT&T to restore original telephone and Internet service to the Grafton Township Office Friday. Judge Thomas Meyer ordered Supervisor Linda Moore not to change township phones after service to the offices vanished Thursday in what trustees called a "hijacking".

Rockford attorney John Nelson in a written response to Grafton trustees' motion argued that since they'd voted to move Moore to a different office in the township hall, she'd decided to work from her home and, since part of her work was answering the phone, she had the lines switched there, too. That included the phone for the Grafton Senior Bus, a program Nelson branded in passing as "without any statutory authority".

The judge didn't buy that argument, though, issuing a temporary order at least until the phones dispute and a farrago of often mutual complaints from and about the Township, the Supervisor and the Trustees goes before Judge Michael Caldwell Tuesday.

Township Administrator Pam Fender said Township Office phones were back  Friday afternoon although they don't all ring in the right places.

Moore couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

Trustee Rob LaPorta charged Friday that switching the lines was more than a prank.  "There were some seniors who missed doctor appointments and had to pay 'no show' fees because they couldn't get the bus," he said.

In the pic:  Moore at this week's Grafton Special Meeting.

Earth Hour Starts Early In LITH

Youngsters at Goddard School, Lake in the Hills,switched off the school's lights Friday morning getting a jump on Chatham Island New Zealanders who began worldwide "Earth Hour" today.

"Earth Hour" at 8:30 pm local time all over the world today is supposed to be marked by turning off lights for an hour to symbolize "by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future". If that focus was a little broad, the kids at Goddard demonstrated a good grasp of the part that involves "not littering". Indeed, on the evidence, they had it down better than a lot of grownups.

In the pic:  Lake in the Hills Public Works Director Fred Mullard threw a big switch to "pretend" turn out the lights at Goddard School Friday while owner Michelle Clark told kids about conservation and preservation.

Quinn: Simon’s My Running Mate

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday sidestepped state Democratic party leaders, telling the world he wants downstate law professor Sheila Simon as his running mate.  The announcement came just one day before a statewide Democratic committee will select a lieutenant governor candidate from 16 finalists for the job, Simon among them.

"It's important to have a person of honesty and character and commitment and a person who is able to relate to everyday people, a people person," said Quinn. "So my choice for lieutenant governor is Sheila Simon, who I have known for many years."

Simon teaches law at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and is the daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon who also served as the state's lieutenant governor. But Quinn's endorsement of Simon is no guarantee of acceptance from the party committee charged with selecting a candidate. Rep. Art Turner, D-Chicago, finished second behind former nominee Scott Lee Cohen, who stepped down amid past allegations of domestic abuse.

Quinn's first choice for the office was Tammy Duckworth, former head of the state Department of Veterans Affairs. Duckworth declined, choosing instead to stay in her job with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

The 38-member party committee will vote on a lieutenant governor candidate today.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2506/quinn-simons-my-running-mate/

Sheriff Arrests "Witness" To Bicycle Fatal

McHenry County Sheriff's deputies Friday arrested a man who claimed he'd witnessed the hit and run death of a 25 year-old bicyclist earlier this month after investigators said the witness was really the driver of the fatal truck.

Christopher M. Schaaf, Harvard, was dead on the scene at the Graf and Maxxon road intersection in Harvard March 18. Steven R. Price, 20, and Alex G. Walker, 17, both of Harvard said they'd seen him hit by a black Chevy pickup truck which sped away so fast they couldn't keep up chasing it.

Deputies put out a bulletin on the black truck but the more they talked to other witnesses the more things didn't add up. Thursday investigators figured out the truck Price and Walker said they'd used to give chase wasn't the one everybody else saw them driving after the accident.

Deputies said the pair admitted they'd made up the black truck and the chase and that their truck driven by Price was the one that killed Schaaf. Deputies said Price doesn't have a driver's license.

Price was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Accident and held pending $15,000 bond. Deputies said there were no charges against Walker but they weren't finished with the investigation yet.

In the pic: The truck that never was from a Sheriff's flier last week.

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 26
0212 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. JEPSEN, KATIE REBECCA, F/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 4N696 BROWN ROAD, SAINT CHARLES. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Disobeying a Stop Sign, No Rear Registration Light, No Driver’s License on Person. RELEASED ON BOND.
1033 HRS 3100 BLOCK OF HENRY LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 64 years of age, having a possible allergic reaction. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1222 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY. Officer assisted the Huntley Police Department with apprehendinga suspect.
1329 HRS 900 BLOCK OF BRANDT DR. ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1434 HRS 400 BLOCK OF E. OAK ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 60 years of age, fell and possibly dislocated her elbow. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1532 HRS 10 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 58 years of age, having an anxiety attack. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1833 HRS RANDALL RD. & POLARIS DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2205 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MCKINLEY ST. MISSING JUVENILE. Male, 17 years of age, left and did not return.  Entered into LEADS. Returned home.

Grafton Township Phone And Internet Cut Thursday

Efforts to learn who wiped out Grafton Township's financial records and Senior Bus Schedule were hampered Thursday when phone and Internet service at the Township Office were cut early in the afternoon.  Township Administrator Pam Fender said it looked like another case of sabotage.

"I have three new telephone numbers until I get a court order (to find out who turned things off)," she said.  "This is ridiculous.  Grafton Township's had the same number for how many years now?"

Fender said AT&T, the Township's phone and Internet provider, wouldn't tell her who shut the services down because their records didn't show she was authorized to know that.

Thursday's investigation of the records loss was much-delayed and only got the go-ahead after FEN began making inquiries about why. 

Grafton Trustees authorized hiring a computer investigator after the records and their backups were found missing March 4, two days after they'd ordered Township books audited.  However, Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer said Huntley Police told her not to allow the township's investigator to access the computers until their investigation was concluded. Fender sequestered the PC that had held the missing records but the township continued operating its main server.

George Pflugel, Administrator, of the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners, told FEN that wasn't a very good idea. "When you delete something the computer just deletes the file header, not the file," he said.  "Over the course of time if (the computer continues to be used) the files can be overwritten."  Pflugel said, "You'd definitely want them to cease working on the computer."

When no police investigators had appeared in more than a week FEN checked with Huntley Police who said the investigation was being conducted by District Two State Police.  However District Two State Police told FEN the investigation was being conducted by Huntley Police. After FEN contacted State Police Headquarters in Springfield Monday Krafthefer said Huntley PD gave the OK Tuesday  to bring in the Township's own computer investigator.

Lee M. Neubecker, President of Chicago computer investigation company Forensicon, said he was optimistic he could still recover useful information.  He said Grafton Township's server had 1.5 terabytes capacity so there was a good chance information hadn't been overwritten.  He said it was likely he could recover the username and password of whoever deleted the township's records but added that wouldn't end the investigation.  "I don't know who's (actually) sitting behind the keyboard," he said.  That will require some traditional detective work, according to Neubecker.

In the Pic: Computer Investigator Lee M. Neubecker began "imaging" Grafton Township computers Thursday to find out who wiped out the Township's financial and bus records.

D300 Balks At Admin Cuts As Teacher Talks Loom

District 300's plans to cope with state cuts to education slammed into a wall Thursday when Board Members deadlocked over eliminating four teaching administrator positions.  President Joe Stevens said the cuts were critical in upcoming talks on teachers' contracts but members wouldn't budge.

The Board laid off or fired 150 teachers earlier this month and Thursday's Special Meeting was supposed to spread the pain by whacking some administrative posts.  "The teachers brought us 10 percent savings," said Superintendent Ken Arndt. "And these cuts for administrators will be 10 percent, too."  He said that was important because, "were are just beginning (teacher) contract negotiations."  Scratching all six were supposed to save the district about $500,000.

The Board eliminated two administrators but balked at nixing four others.  Members Stanton, Roeckner and Alessio said the board had worked hard to create the system of divisional administrators and didn't want to junk it.  With member Miller barred from voting by phone from Quantico where her son is receiving a Marine commission the vote was tied.  Stevens recalled the motion arguing if the cuts were made now they could be restored later but if they weren't made now they couldn't be eliminated later.  The second vote remained the same and the session ended abruptly.

Earlier D300 Financial Officer Cheryl Crates told the board there's a point of diminishing returns in teacher cuts. Teachers get extra pay for "overload" as class sizes rise with layoffs.  The overload cost would run about $2.2 million with the cuts now contemplated which would see average class sizes in the 29 to 31 range for elementary schools, 33 for middle schools and somewhere in the mid to high 30's in the high schools, depending on subject and school.  Jacobs shows the worst crowding.

Crates prepared a list with commentary of 51 different changes to chop about $15 million from the d300 budget for the next school year but it hasn't been posted on the District's website yet.  The Board will wrestle with more of them April 5.

In the pic: D300 Superintendent Ken Arndt and Board President Joe Stevens weren't happy with the way Thursday's Board Meeting turned out.

Oh, Boy. Free Mulch At Algonquin Twp. Recycling Center

Weather forecasters claim it'll be sunny and mild Saturday morning an auspicious start to Algonquin Township's 2010 paint and computer recycling programs, not to mention a dandy day for gardeners to cart away some free mulch.

The paint recycling was in jeopardy when the Illinois EPA cut funding late last year but, as FEN reported earlier, the Township decided to carry the cost itself this year.  Dropoffs for old paint will be from 8 am to noon the last Saturday of each month March through October.  It's free to Algonquin Township residents but there's a small fee for capetbaggers.

The schedule's the same for dropping off computer junk, used motor oil and tree branches and yard waste.  That's free too, but in re: the computers, CRT monitors are verbotten.

The township chips the branches into mulch so Spring gardeners can stop by any time to pick up a load of that stuff with a choice of flake or fine grind.  There's also a small mountain of ex-Christmas tree mulch.  It used to be bigger but, according to the Road District's Anna May Miller, "There have been so many people getting it, it's down by half."

Dropoffs for paper, cardboard, glass and metal at the Algonquin Township Recycling Center is fine any time.  Here's the link to the website again: http://www.algtwsp.com/recyclingcenter.html

Growhouse Busted In Huntley

Police said a Huntley couple was in McHenry County Jail Thursday after police raided another marijuana growhouse in the village Wednesday.

Armed with a search warrant, Sheriff's deputies and Huntley police said they found 300 grams of processed cannabis along with eight, four to five foot-tall marijuana plants and nutrients, lights, ballasts, and exhaust tubing. They arrested Larry Durham, 38, and Terri Southard-Durham, 39, 10418 Oxford Drive, both charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver and production of marijuana plants. Durham was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bond was set at $12,000 for Durham and $5,000 for Southard-Durham. Both are scheduled for court appearances today.

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 DRIVE  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 AVENUE, 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 STREET, 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 DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Police
  
FRANCO CICHOCKI, DOB:  12/11/79, 3001 WALNUT DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--McHenry County Sheriff's Police
  
DAVID F. MACINTYRE, DOB:  12/18/61, 5320 BURMA ROAD, MARENGO. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.--Marengo PD
  
LUCAS R. HERMONSON, DOB:  09/12/82, 605 BOURN STREET, 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 ROAD,CRYSTAL LAKE. 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 ROAD  #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 STREET, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
TODD W. BRITTON, DOB:  02/19/82, 4904 BONNER DRIVE, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--Woodstock PD
  
JEFFREY M. HENRIKSON, DOB:  04/23/89, 114 BEACHWAY DRIVE  #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.
BENJAMIN J. DYNEK, DOB:  03/13/89, 114 BEACHWAY DRIVE  #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 STREET, 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 25
0704 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Son vs Father. No priors. UNFOUNDED.
1207 HRS 9625 HAILGUS RD., (MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 13 years of age, has severe neck pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1335 HRS 50 W. ACORN, (HOME STATE BANK). FORGERY. PENDING INVESTIGATION
1822 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF CHANTILLY CIRCLE. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Complainant needs to gain access to his residence that was recently sold.
1824 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 5 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1855 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF BRITTANY BEND. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. Four priors.
FOLLOW UP REPORT: 1528 HRS ROUTE 31 & VIRGINIA RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
Algonquin
March 22
08:08am Komistra, Stephanie A., DOB: 01/09/79. of 1295 Acorn Court, Sleepy Hollow, was charged with Felony Criminal Damage to Property and Reckless Conduct.  She was taken into custody at Sherman Hospital.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
10:34am Benetiz, Moises, DOB: 05/25/75, of 145 Arquilla Drive, Algonquin, was charged with DWLR, Speeding and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at Edgewood Road and Harper Drive.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/21/10, in McHenry County.
11:31am Amacher, Jeffrey D., DOB: 02/01/49, of 1916 Saginaw Court, Naperville, was charged with DUI, No Seat Belt and Destruction of Evidence.  He was taken into custody at Route 31 and Huntington Drive.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 04/28/10, in McHenry County.
16:40pm A seventeen-year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Suspended Registration. He was taken into custody at Brunswick Zone, 2075 E. Algonquin Road.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 04/28/10, in McHenry County.
17:42pm A fifteen-year-old female and a fourteen-year-old female both from Gilberts were charged with Retail Theft.  They were taken into custody at Kohl’s. 734 S. Randall Road.  They were both released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 04/28/10, in Algonquin.
21:51pm Ziemann, Jeff M., DOB: 08/05/59, of 170 N. Ela Road, Palatine, was charged with Violation of an Order of Protection.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
March 23
16:31pm Collier, Andrea S., DOB: 06/17/81, of 1426 Cary Road, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Battery.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released after posting $150, with a court date of 04/07/10, in McHenry County.
18:19pm Schroeder, David E., DOB: 02/28/63, of 2115 Peach Tree lane, Algonquin, was charged with DUI, DUI Over and Improper Lane Usage.  He was taken into custody at Stonegate Road and Tunbridge Trail.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, after posting his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 05/05/10, in McHenry County.
March 24
12:04pm Robinson, Levon M., DOB: 08/08/88, of 564 Deerpark Circle, #210, Bartlett,  and Parker, Allante T.. DOB: 08/13/90. of 32 Sparrow Street, Carpentersville, were both charged with Retail Theft.  Both subjects were taken into custody at Butera, 1400 E. Algonquin Road.  Both subjects were released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 04/28/10, in Algonquin.
23:33pm Dugo, Patrick J., DOB: 10/18/90, of 2226 Barrett Drive, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Sleepy Hollow Road and County Line Road.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 04/28/10, in McHenry County.
March 25
00:42am Hansen, Bryan L., DOB: 05/14/74, of 308 Pheasant Trail, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Hit & Run, DUI, Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Battery.  He was taken into custody at Lifetime Fitness, 451 Rolls Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
10:46am Nash, Demetrius, DOB: 01/03/67, of 385 Triggs Avenue, Elgin, was charged with 2 counts of Felony Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
18:28pm Lemke, Joseph A., DOB: 09/17/70, of 5900 Pine Hollow, Carpentersville, was charged with Battery.  He was taken into custody at BP Amoco, 1469 S. Randall Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/28/10, in McHenry County.
19:51pm Cullnan, Michelle L., DOB: 12/29/82, of 10917 Bonnie Brae Road, Huntley, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear on an Expired Driver’s License charge.  She was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road.  She was released after posting $500, with a court date of 05/04/10, in McHenry County.
19:55pm Spena, Vincent, DOB: 01/28/65, of 611 Lake Cornish Way, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 611 Lake Cornish Way.  He was transported to Kane County Jail, to await a bond hearing.

Huntley Route 47 Widening To Begin Soon

Village, IDOT and construction company officials told Huntley residents Wednesday everything's lined up to start expansion on Route 47 through Huntley--just as soon as the "dry utilities" (AT&T, ComEd and Nicor) move their lines out of the way.

"Demolition will commence in April or early May," said Village Manager Dave Johnson, at the informational meeting.

"It's exciting to finally, after 15 years, see this project moving to fruition," said Mayor Chuck Sass. "I'm tired of going down to Springfield begging for money."

No one raised much fuss about the widening itself except a couple of businessmen worried about customer access. IDOT officials said they'd preserve that.  It was fear of commuters detouring through residential neighborhoods that brought out the amateur traffic engineers.  Residents on Church and Woodstock streets complained traffic trying to bypass the Route 47 and Main intersection is bad now and they figured it will be worse when construction starts.

Huntley Police Chief John Perkins said there won't be any official detours around the construction and he plans stepped up enforcement against unofficial ones.  That will include more cops in the neighborhoods more often and equipping residents with radar guns to turn in speeders.

Johnson said regular commuters with any sense would figure out how to bypass the work further out from the intersection, anyway, so the problem may not be as big as people fear.

The 2.5 mile project over the next two construction seasons will widen Route 47 from two to five lanes at a cost of $23 million, $5.8 million chipped in by the village. Separately the village will move and upgrade about $1.25 million worth of water mains and sewer lines.

If you missed the detailed maps in FEN before, here they are again: http://www.huntley.il.us/news/Recent%20news/2010/Rt%2047%20Striping%20Plan,%20Sidewalk%20and%20Lighting.pdf

In the pic: These are just the brasshats it's going to take to widen Route 47 through Huntley, and not all of them at that.  There'll be a raft of subcontractors in on it, too.

Algonquin Officially Asks To Tear Down Riverside Square

The Village of Algonquin filed suit against Rockford-based AMCORE Bank late Wednesday, according to Village Attorney, Kelly Cahill of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle, seeking to demolish the village's failed Riverside Square condo project.

The filing in McHenry County Circuit Court was planned for Tuesday but had to be delayed a day, according to Community Developement Director Russ Farnum, while Cahill put out another legal brushfire.

The complaint boiled down says the derelict project at Route 31 and Algonquin Road is unfinished, unsafe and uninsured and AMCORE, now its titleholder, hasn't done anything about any of it. Relief sought includes the right to finish the building but the Algonquin Board has made it pretty clear what they really want to do is knock the poor thing down.

Cahill said the village charges of code violations against AMCORE  will be abandoned when they come up for hearing in administrative court next week.  Meanwhile, she said, more than a dozen lienholders on Riverside Square have to be served notice of the village's suit so it will probably be 30 statutory days before anything new happens.

In the pic:  AMCORE Bank headquarters in Rockford.

Pension Reform Passes Both State Chambers

By Jamey Dunn
A pension reform bill creating a two-tiered benefits system for state retirees passed both legislative chambers Wednesday with bipartisan support, thanks partly to a potential threat to Illinois' bond rating.

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the state’s bond rating in December to the second lowest in the nation, just above California. David Vaught, Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget director, feared a $1 billion borrowing next month would have triggered another downgrade without Wednesday's bill.

The changes to the pension system would only apply to newly hired employees and would not affect the benefits of anyone currently working for the state.

One part of the bill does apply to current and past employees, though. If they leave one state job and go to another, they would not be allowed to collect pension benefits while getting a paycheck from Illinois. They would be able to collect both pensions once they retire.

The bill doesn't solve the state's pension problem, it just helps keep it from getting worse. Henry Bayer, executive director of Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said, “The problem of our pensions is not a problem of rich benefits. The problem of our pensions is that we have not funded them year in and year out.” he said.

The state’s total pension liability is $126.5, billion, $77.8 billion of which is unfunded.

The changes in the proposal would not apply to local firefighters and police officers. Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat, and McHenry County's Republican Sen. Pam Althoff, are in negotiations with both groups. “Hopefully, we will see step one of that when we return from break,” Althoff said.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/pension-reform-passes-both-chambers.html

LITH PD Issues Another Child Caution

Lake in the Hills police warned parents Wednesday to be aware of  "suspicious incidents...regarding strangers approaching children" after a second one occurred in the village Tuesday.

Police said at 4:10 pm a white male approached a 12 year old boy in the area of Hiawatha and Cheyenne drives asking if the child  needed a ride. They said the boy declined and the vehicle left the area southbound on Hiawatha Drive. Police described the man as mid-40’s, brown hair, driving a grey older model 4-door.

Tuesday police described a similar encounter last Friday between a 6 year old boy and a man in a "rounded" vehicle.

Police emphasized that in neither incident did the adult get out of his car or engage in any other conversation with the children.

Three similar incidents occurred in Crystal Lake in recent weeks.

LITH PD is requesting anyone with information about the two incidents here to call them at 847-658-5676. Officials said it would also be a good idea for parents to caution children about being approached by strangers.

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 24
1118 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (POLICE DEPT). CHILD ABUSE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1441 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF HILLSBORO LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Complainant receiving threats.
1548 HRS 100 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. Reporting officer determined that the Order of Protection was vacated.
1819 HRS 00 BLOCK OF ECHO HILL. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Reporting officer assisted the Philadelphia Police Department with a possible stolen vehicle. UNFOUNDED.
1907 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BLACKHAWK DR. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Reporting officer assisted the FBI on a search warrant.

Grafton Twp. Picks New Clerk, Postpones Annual Agenda

The Grafton Township Board Tuesday chose a replacement Township Clerk and approved purchase of an expensive new computer program for the Township Assessor.  They called another special meeting, though, to set the agenda for next month's Annual Township Meeting.

Freelance Publicist and Lakewood resident Harriet Ford will become the Township's part-time clerk filling out the term of Dina Frigo who announced her resignation in January.  Ford's resume listed eight years as Bloomingdale Township Clerk.

The Board approved purchase of a new computer program for assessments after Assessor Bill Ottley reported only one company  responded to the bid announcement the Board insisted he place in a north McHenry County newspaper.  Ottley said several out-of-state companies he contacted didn't respond and the Elgin fir that did was the one he'd planned to use in the first place.

The new assessor's program will cost $58,800 over a two-year period with a 15 percent annual maintenance fee.  Supervisor Linda Moore said the continuing maintenance fee sounded more like a lease to her.  That might have postponed purchase until it could be approved at the Annual Town Meeting but Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer said the fee for upgrades and support didn't turn the purchase into a lease.

Moore also tried to cross-examine Krafthefer over her failure to present a draft agenda for the Township's important Annual Meeting April 13.  Krafthefer replied that the Board's recently-adopted rules didn't say she was supposed to and that, if she was, she'd need more time.  Krafthefer said it's going to be hard to unravel the legal mess left behind by a court decision rejecting a series of real estate purchases for new Township Offices. Residents will have to vote at the Annual Meeting on a series of questions, she said, some contingent on the outcome of earlier votes that evening. She said the agenda will be hard to craft and harder to understand.

The Board told Krafthefer to draft an agenda but to also prepare a briefing document for publication so residents can understand what they're supposed to vote on and why they're supposed to vote on it. Approval on those will require another Special Meeting next Tuesday, though.

In the pic:  Supervisor Linda Moore swore in Grafton Township's new Township Clerk, Harriet Ford, after Tuesday's Special Board Meeting.

County Sets Two Week Deadline For Area Sportsplex

McHenry County's Finance and Audit Committee gave a development group planning a giant amateur sports facility between Huntley and Woodstock two more weeks to prove they have a workable plan. Otherwise another group planning an amateur baseball stadium in Woodstock will move to the head of the line waiting for stimulus bond financing.

The committee's been waiting for more almost two months for the McHenry County Sportsplex group to provide assurance they have a purchaser for the bonds and a place to build the project.  The group produced a somewhat committal letter from an underwriter but the location on Route 47 between Huntley and Woodstock now appears to be problematic.

Lakewood President Erin Smith in whose village planning area the site would fall told FEN Sunday the Sportsplex group previously had a purchase option on one or more parts of what's called "The Swanson Farm" near 47 and Route 176 but they don't anymore.  She said the option had expired and the Sportsplex organizers are trying to negotiate a new one.

Meanwhile EquityOne Sports appeared at Tuesday's meeting with support for the latest incarnation of the minor league baseball stadium McHenry County College rejected two years ago.

Former minor league baseball owner Pete Heitman and developer Mark Houser said they have financing lined up and a place to build since the Village of Woodstock is willing to give them an ex-gravel pit near Centegra Hospital on Route 14.  Houser said the facility to serve the as-yet unformed McHenry County K-Nines would seat as many as 6,500 people and could also host the McHenry County Fair every year.  Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager said he was all for the idea.

Houser's moneyman, Oppenheimer & Co. Associate Tyler Hoch, however, said his firm wouldn't provide a firm letter of commitment to purchase the County's bonds, just one expressing lots of confidence in the stadium project.

Both the Sportsplex and EquityOne are trying to win the bulk of about $22 million in federally subsidized McHenry County development bonds.  County officials have repeatedly emphasized the County would be under no obligation to pay them off if either of the projects failed but Committee Chairman Marc Munaretto said for the first time Tuesday that there might be some "headline exposure" tainting the County's financial reputation if a project funded by them ended up in the dumpster.

In the pic: Developer Mark Hauser and former minor league baseball magnate Pete Heitman pitched another baseball stadium to the County Finance and Audit Committee Tuesday.

Illinois Begins To Sort Out Healthcare Reform

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
President Barak Obama Tuesday signed the epic House-passed healthcare bill Tuesday while Illinois officials tried to figure out what it will mean for the state.

Gov. Pat Quinn welcomed it with open arms. Quinn praised the law Monday for preventing insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, or canceling coverage for people who become sick. The Illinois Department of Insurance also issued a release lauding state-based exchanges, which gives customers uniformity in choosing a policy from different insurance companies.

But Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president with the Illinois Policy Institute, said the law would take Illinois' budgetary crisis from bad to worse by expanding Medicaid coverage to people living above the poverty line. The Institute estimates Medicaid coverage would expand to 25 percent of residents under the new law.

"Medicaid is one of the biggest spending drivers in our budget; it's been increasing on average 7 percent every year," Rasmussen said. "Even with the larger federal pick-up of the cost, between 2017 and 2019 we're looking at an increase to our budget of $1.4 billion," she said. "We can't afford the spending burdens that we already have."

Congressman Don Manzullo, R-14, joined five other Republican Illinois Representatives Tuesday calling for Attorney General Lisa Madigan to challenge the new law. Led by Florida, attorneys general in 13 states have filed suit against the law's individual mandate, which requires all people to purchase health insurance or face a fine. The suit claims  the law oversteps the 10th Amendment's protections of state sovereignty, as well as exceed Congress's powers to regulate commerce.

Some governors, including Minnesota Republican Tim Pawlenty, are pushing their top legal officials to follow suit. Quinn, a Democrat, is not among them and Madigan's a Democrat,too.

"I don't think it will get anywhere in court," said Quinn. "There's always going to be naysayers, but I don't think they'll succeed. I think it will be upheld."

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2440/quinn-welcomes-healthcare-reform/

Martin Elementary Sends Off "One Of Our Own"

Fifth grade twin girls, Taylor and Lauren Velez, at Hannah Martin Elementary School, LITH, faced a challenging time as their father, Sergeant Otilio Velez, prepared for deployment to Afghanistan earlier this month. The school and classmates turned out to offer support, though.

One class honored Velez with a special ‘Red, White, and Blue Send-Off’. Two others joined forces to sing “America” and perform a chorale reading of the poem “Pride of Our Country”. Students also created posters with signatures and well-wishes that accompanied the Velez family to his Deployment Ceremony in Arlington Heights.

Taylor Velez told her classmates that a yellow ribbon is a symbol of hope while families wait for their loved ones to return from service so they tied yellow ribbons around the classroom flag to remain there until Velez’s safe return.  The students plan write letters to Velez while he's in Afghanistan.

Besides helping classmates cope the activities fit the fifth grade curriculum which includes learning about the various wars in which the United States has been involved said school officials.

In the pic:  Taylor and Lauren Velez and their dad, Otilio, due for a one-year tour in Afghanistan.

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 23
1313 HRS 100 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. DOMESTIC BATTERY. STORCK, YOLANDA R., F/W 37 YEARS OF AGE, 103 INDIAN TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. Charge: Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery of Provoking Nature. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1801 HRS 61 OAKLEAF RD., (JAYCEE PARK). CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO STATE SUPPORTED PROPERTY. JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE,LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Trespass to State Supported Property. RELEASED TO PARENT.
2047 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. COOPER-URBACK, MATTHEW D., M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 173 SURREY LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1206 HRS HEAVENS GATE & PRIDES RUN. CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti was found on a stop sign.
1706 HRS HIAWATHA DR. & CHEYENNE DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Juvenile was asked to enter an unknown vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1713 HRS 4155 SPRING LAKE DR., (LYNN DILLOW PARK). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. ComEd box has paint on it.
1720 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Female, 61 years of age, lost control of a Scooter and injured her leg. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1818 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). THEFT UNDER. On 03-20-10 a yellow soccer net was taken from field number 1 Valued at $150.00. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1824 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). THEFT UNDER. On 03-22-10 an orange soccer net was taken from field number 5. Valued at $225.00. One field marker with the number 5 on it was taken. Valued at $10.00. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
Huntley
March 15
Evan Michael Buchanan, age 26, of 375 Ridge Ave, Crystal Lake,was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Buchanan posted bond and was released with a McHenry County Court date of April 16, 2010.
Amaun J. Nolen, age 27, of 1321 Independence #1E, Chicago, was arrested for driving while license suspended, and cited for unlawful use of registration and no valid registration.  Mr. Nolen posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 16, 2010.
A 15 year-old female was charged with possession of tobacco by a minor.  The juvenile was released to the custody of her parents with a McHenry County court date of April 12, 2010.
March 16
Rosalinda Anacleto-Hernandez, age 35, of 5910 Briarwood Dr., Crystal Lake, was arrested on two outstanding McHenry County Warrants.  Ms. Hernandez posted bond and was released with McHenry County court dates of April 5, and April 28, 2010.
Carlos Alvarez-Alquicura, age 45, 400 Leah Ln. #2A, Woodstock, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and cited for disobeying a stop sign.  Mr. Alquicura posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 23, 2010.
March 18
Robert Corole, age 67, of 13740 White Oak, Huntley, was arrested for DUI and cited for unlawful parking and illegal transportation of alcohol.  Mr. Corole posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 16 2010.
Eric C. Reder, age 32, of 11006 Cape Cod Ln., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license revoked, and operation of uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Reder posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 16, 2010.
March 19
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 10800 block of Timer Dr.  The victim stated that her unlocked vehicle was broken into between February 20 and 21.  A diaper bag and camera were reported stolen.
A student reported that an iPod was stolen out of her unlocked locker, at Huntley High School.
March 20
Lourdes Oria, age 45, of 343 Cornell Ln, Elgin, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper turn, and improper left turn.  Ms. Oria posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 9, 2010.
Officers recovered a stolen vehicle in the vicinity of Riverside and Scott drives.  The vehicle was stolen from the 11100 block of Church St., Huntley.  The vehicle suffered interior fire damage.  The owner stated he parked the car in his driveway the previous evening unlocked with the keys in the car.
Zachery A. Campbell, age 19 of 411 Olive, Prospect Heights, was arrested for DUI and cited for illegal transportation of alcohol, and consumption of alcohol by a minor.  Mr. Campbell posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of
April 23, 2010. Julio M. Valentino, age 20, 575 Shelly Ct. #C, Wheeling, IL was charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor.  Mr. Valentino was released with a notice to appear in McHenry County court on April 26, 2010.  Martin J. McDonagh, age 19, of 504 S. Dale Ave, Arlington Heights, was arrested for possession of a fraudulent ID and cited for possession of alcoholic beverage by a minor.  Mr. McDonagh was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
Bradley I. Sepper, age 44, 3131 W. Logan Ave., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Mr. Sepper posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 9, 2010.
March 21
Evan M. Buchanan, age 26, of 375 Ridge Ave , Crystal Lake, was arrested for driving while license suspended, and cited for possession of cannabis and a head light violation.  Mr. Buchanan posted bond and was released with McHenry County court dates of April 23 and April 26, 2010.

Hundreds Look For Work At Workforce Center/MCC Job Fair

With almost 21,000 people in McHenry County out of work it was no wonder that hundreds descended on the Staffing/Recruiting Agency Job Fair put on Monday by the McHenry County Workforce Center and McHenry County College.  Wearing sweats and suits and hailing from all across the county, hopefuls lined up to put their names in the hat for a handful of mostly manufacturing jobs on offer from recruiters Manpower, Aerotek and The Agency Staffing.

With online benefit signups and direct deposit checks there's no face to unemployment these days, no pictures of long queues of dispirited ex-workers trailing out of the unemployment office.  More than one worker in ten unemployed in McHenry County in a so-far jobless recovery only shows up as an abstraction in the unemployment numbers. But each data point is a person with a story.

Algonquin's Ken Drinka was laid off only last week from his management position. Drinka said he wasn't letting any grass grow trying to find another one. "I'm looking for something as an Operations Manager or a Supply Manager or a Logistics Manager," said Drinka and at least those were some of the areas for which recruiters said they were searching.

Kyle Casper from Huntley had been out work work a lot longer.  "It's been like six or seven months," he said.  "I was a painter and a laborer but they let me go," he said.  Casper reported he was looking for any sort of job that would pay the bills and "anything that will get my hands dirty."

A Lake in the Hills woman who preferred not to give her name showed being unemployed isn't always the result of losing a job. "I'm returning back to the workforce after a divorce," she said.  "I'm looking for a job in assembly or maybe packing," she reported but that's what she's been doing she reported "since last year."

Jeff Kock from Algonquin was proof the even the unemployment numbers don't show what's really happening. Kock has a full-time job as a baker at Panera Bread.  Only he's an electrician and that's what he'd like to be again.  "I made $25 an hour but I just couldn't find enough jobs to string together," he said.  "I like my job (at Panera) and I like the people I work with," said Kock.  "But it doesn't pay the bills.  Well, just barely."

In the pic: MCC's lobby was crowded as job-seekers lined up Monday hoping to fill a spot offered by recruiters at Monday's Job Fair.  This was at the start before it turned into wall-to-wall people.

Huntley Funeral Home Proves Persistence Pays

Of the three business under construction in Huntley right now, which one stands out?  The regional bank branch, the national chain drugstore or the local funeral home?  More to the point, at a time when the received wisdom is that small businesses can't get a loan, how did DeFiore Jorgensen do it?  The answer seems to be a good plan and LOTS of persistence.

It almost didn't happen, said Funeral Director Carol DeFiore who spotted a business opportunity when her parents moved to Sun City about three years ago. "We looked for land and decided we wanted to bank locally," she said.  "Very few at the time were interested in what was considered a small project."

"It wasn't even 'We'll look at it and get back to you.' Just no interest at all."

Nonetheless she and partner William Jorgensen managed to line up a loan for the new home but then the bottom fell out of the economy, especially property values.  Her bank began to have second thoughts.  "In one year we had two appraisals. We had to renegotiate (the land sale)," she said and reassure her loan officer.  "It was supposed to take six months and it's turned into two years.  Most people would have said 'The Hell with it'."

That refusal to give up was what kept Citizen's Bank Senior Vice President Craig Baptist on board.  That and the fact that demand for funeral services is inelastic, not the sort of thing you can easily put off.  "It's a needed service," said Baptist.  "There's room for two funeral homes in a town that's grown from 5,000 to almost 25,000."

With a solid loan in pocket, a crane and squadrons of workers DeFiore's funeral home went from bare dirt to closed in in less than three months and she said she's looking forward to opening soon.  "Just because it's your dream doesn't make it easy," she said.

In the pic: Funeral Director Carol DeFiore conferred with Ron Hedman a few days ago as he mudded the drywall. At the speed construction's been going at DeFiore Jorgenson Funeral Home she may be hanging pictures today.

Elgin Dope Dog Helps In Algonquin Search

Algonquin officer Steve Stachura had an idea there was something funny about a seatbelt traffic stop Monday. The driver allegedly tried to jump out the passenger window.

Deputy Chief Steve Kuzynowksi said Stachura suspected it might have to do with what he thought was odor of marijuana so he called for the help of Elgin's dope-sniffing dog, Keiser.  Keiser came up empty on the vehicle search, said Kuzynowski, not entirely surprising since Stachura reported the driver was stuffing something into his mouth while trying to jump out the window.

Kuzynowski said the driver was cited for no seat belt, driving under the influence and obstruction.

In the pic: Elgin canine Keiser and his handler John Slocum helped Algonquin PD search for drugs during a traffic stop in Algonquin Monday.

Legislators Clue Huntley High Students On Current Events

Huntley High hosted State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Mike Tryon last week as the featured speakers in Current Events classes
during a one-day break from this year's Springfield Spring Legislative Session.

Althoff and Tryon spoke about their roles as legislators and the current battles in Springfield but most of each class session was devoted to Q and A.  "I was very impressed with the questions these students asked," said Tryon.  "It was evident they were in tune with the issues we're facing and their questions were very well thought-out."

In the pic:  Local legislators give the lowdown on current events in Springfield to Huntley High Current Events classes.

Child Encounter Leads To LITH PD Warning

Lake in the Hills Police issued a Citizen Alert Monday after a reported encounter in the village Friday.

Police said a six year-old boy reported that while he was at the corner of Highwood and Thistle Lanes, a man in a car asked the him if he needed a ride home. The child said he declined the ride and ran home.  The boy told police he was asked several times if he needed a ride.  The man the boy described was wearing a zippered up sweatshirt with a high collar covering his mouth and nose.  The car was described as a "rounded" type body style, possibly a Volkswagen Beetle or Chrysler PT Cruiser but the boy told police he couldn't remember what color.

Police said if anyone has any information about the reported encounter he should call contact Officer Pete at either palbanese@lith.org or 847-658-5676.

Conley School Raises $17,500 For Heart Association

Conley Elementary School students in Algonquin raised over $17,500 in donations recently in the annual ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ program sponsored by the American Heart Association.

Participation in the annual event helps students foster an understanding of the importance of developing daily exercise habits to achieve health and fitness and assists in developing respect, responsibility, and caring for the community and others.

In the pic:  Conley Elementary students Erik Cuatepitzi and Shreyas Rajagopalan were two among many who jumped their little hearts out for an American Heart Association fundraising effort at the school recently.

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 22
1823 HRS 9625 HALIGUS RD., (MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. SCHLAISS, MARC D., M/W 37 YEARS OF AGE, 10 HOLLYHOCK CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0144 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. SUSPICIOUS PERSON. Male subject looking into vehicles. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0231 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 36 years of age, having a panic attack. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1216 HRS 3900 BLOCK OF PEARTREE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 68 years of age, having chest pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1658 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF ROYAL OAK LN. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
1802 HRS 101 PYOTT RD., (MOBIL ON THE RUN). ACCIDENT. Report for insurance. Car wash damaged complainant’s vehicle.
2231 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 36 years of age, having severe headaches. Transported to Woodstock Hospital
2343 HRS 600 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 34 years of age, shoulder injury. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.

Obamacare Passage To Impact County Nursing Home

The U.S. House passed the Senate's version of healthcare reform late Sunday night after President Obama said he'd issue an executive order banning funding for abortions.  The vote was 219-212. Now a package of "fixes" to the bill goes to the Senate.

Congressman Don Manzullo R-14 before the historic vote called the bill "a hoax on the American people."

"“This bill is a disaster that will increase taxes, cut Medicare, raise health care premiums, and put millions more Americans on the unemployment lines," said Manzullo.

Assuming Senate passage of the House reconciliation measures, Obamacare at the very least will upset more than two and a half years work trying to stem operating losses at McHenry County's Valley Hi nursing home.  The County just last week resumed direct operation of the home after cutting losses in half to about $1.4 million per year by adding more higher-revenue Medicare patients.  The Obamacare bill cuts Medicare reimbursement, though.

Manzullo called the $1 trillion healthcare bill a "disaster" that would kill jobs, raise taxes and reduce benefits.

In the pic: Rep. Don Manzullo was one of a group of Republican leaders at the Capitol encouraging demonstrators against the Obamacare bill Sunday.

Algonquin Historic Commission Asks For Statue Photos

The Algonquin Historic Commission admitted to a quandary this weekend over repairs to the Village's iconic Shooting Star statue. The small concrete figure is so badly damaged Commission members can't figure out what it originally looked like.

"We've got a lot of destruction here," said Chairman Jeff Jolitz. For example, "She had two braids but one's completely gone. See, here's the tip but we don't know how it goes there."

Historic Commission members are casting about for ways to repair the statue but said the first thing they need is some pictures of it.  "We don't have any," said Jolitz. "People would take snapshots in front of the fountain and all you can see is (Shooting Star's) base."

Almost four years ago a downtown resident thought the 75 year-old figure would be just the thing to spiff up his decor so he knocked the 120-pound statue off its perch on the fountain at Centennial Plaza and dragged it a block down main street where alert police following the grooves found it the next day. Since then the folk-art historic figure has languished in an evidence locker and then a corner of the Public Works Department before finally being turned over to the Commission last month.

There's general agreement the statue, created to celebrate the village's 100th anniversary but damaged twice before, can never survive outside display again. The Commission hopes to do a good enough cosmetic restoration, though, that she can go on display inside Historic Village Hall.  Jolitz asked anyone with any sort of photo (front, back, side, full-figure or even partial if it includes the top) to contact the Commission at historiccommission@algonquin.org or at Village Hall 847-658-2700.

In the pic:  Historic Commission Members Jeff Jolitz and Phyllis Koeppel examine the wreckage of Algonquin's Shooting Star statue at a Commission workshop Saturday.

AAUW Presents Historic Book To Huntley Lib

The Huntley Area Branch of AAUW (formerly the Association of University Women) last week presented Huntley Area Library with a copy of the limited-edition book With Love, Aunt Eleanor to celebrate Women's History Month.

The book by Eleanor Roosevelt's namesake and niece Eleanor Wotkyns combines photographs and memorabilia from her own albums to tell stories of her experiences with her First Lady aunt.  The local AAUW received the book as part of a fundraising effort to support area programs and their Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation Fund.

In the pic: Huntley Library Director Patrick McDonald thanks AAUW Communications officer Diane Ayers for the group's donation of a memoir about the life of Eleanor Roosevelt.

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 21
1009 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. HILMER, KEVIN L., M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 1009 GLAVIN CT. UNIT 1, PALATINE. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1146 HRS 4000 BLOCK OF PEARTREE DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. HASELHOFF, MATTHEW N., M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 4430 LARKSPUR LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Revoked. RELEASED ON BOND.
0937 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DRIVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 79 years of age, fell. No transport.
1233 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). FOUND PROPERTY. Bicycle entered into evidence.
1435 HRS 00 BLOCK OF PROSPER CT. THEFT OVER $300. Reefer unit on a semi trailer was taken.
1504 HRS RANDALL RD & POLARIS DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1642 HRS 2265 W ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTON’S GAS). ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2010 HRS 220 N RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). THEFT. Cell phone was taken and recovered. FAIL TO FILE.
Algonquin
March 19
16:52pm A seventeen-year-old male from Hoffman Estates was charged with Battery and 3 counts of Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his father.
18:33pm Romero, Jason T., DOB: 09/10/91, of 1165 W. Sturbridge Drive, Hoffman Estates, was charged with Battery and 3 counts of Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 04/21/10, in McHenry County.
March 20
07:34am Doran, Kevin T., DOB: 09/22/91, of 15806 Lerita Drive, Huntley, was charged with DUI and DUI Over.  He was taken into custody at 19N475 Boyer Road.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 04/29/10, in Kane County.

New Algonquin Budget Balances--Right Now

The Algonquin Board will approve a 2010-11 budget in a couple of weeks in the face of more known uncertainty than some other municipalities have faced.  Lake in the Hills and Huntley, for instance, passed their budgets late last year assuming just a continued bum economy. Algonquin sees not only that but also the distinct possibility that the state might usurp some of the money the new budget counts on.

Based on still-high unemployment and already fallen property values village budgeteers projected essentially no increase in revenue from sales taxes, real estate taxes and the municipal share of income taxes.  That was before, however, Governor Quinn revealed a state budget holding back one third of the municipal income tax money unless the Legislature ups the tax rate by one third.

Village officials were in Springfield this week trying to get a handle on how the state's budget crisis is going to break. The only thing clear there was , "It could run into June," according to Village Manager Bill Ganek. Algonquin's new fiscal year starts May 1, though. "We'll just have to deal with it," said Ganek.

Algonquin's proposed budget calls for spending $17,675,000 in the general fund, the day-to day-cost of operating the village. That's a 3 percent drop from last year's nominal budget. The accent is on "nominal" since expenditures had to be pared back when last year's apparently pessimistic revenue assumptions proved to have been, in reality, optimistic.

Highly condensed, Algonquin's proposed budget tightens the village belt by doing without an Assistant Village Manager and cutting four part-timers in administration; running short one cop; getting by without two extra summer workers in Public Works, four in Streets, four more in Parks and Forestry and pretty much buying nothing new. Against that, pension costs remain high since the stock market hasn't fully recovered and the village has to pay whatever the actuaries call for.

On the Capital Projects budget side, about $7.25 million of infrastructure work is planned for the coming fiscal year. That includes finishing the Hanson Road rebuild, reconstruction work for North Harrison in Algonquin Hills and streets in the Old Oak Section and major repair on Bunker Hill. Also on tap is finishing the Ratt Creek restoration and sinking a new deep water well.

Algonquin's budget should be up for the Board's vote April 6.

Saturday Muffin Day For Local PTA

The Chesak-Martin PTA took over the Huntley High cafeteria Saturday morning for "Muffins For Mom"  The idea was a simple one, said President Dana Wiley.  "To let the kids and Mom have a day out with no work for Mom and no cost to the kids."

In a similar vein the group has a family skate night set next month, a family swim night in May and an ice cream social in late May.

In the pic:  Sheila Santoro and sister Dana Roche get a little downtime at the Chesak-Martin PTA Muffins For Mom event. Although the kids, Briahna Santoro, Niceloette Rizzo, Samantha Santoro and Melody Collins made sure the time wasn't too down.

Lawmakers: Gov & Lt. Gov Should Be Paired

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor may soon share the same electoral fate on party ballots. Lawmakers are contemplating proposals that would link gubernatorial candidates and their hand-picked running mates in the primary election.

Right now, party voters elect candidates for both offices separately. The winners of each contest are paired together to complete their party's ticket for the general election. State Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, said the idea to run candidates as a team gained momentum after party voters selected candidates in last month's primary who were not vetted by either party's brass.

In the February primary, Democratic voters chose pawnbroker Scott Lee Cohen as Gov. Pat Quinn's running mate. Cohen stepped down from the nomination in part because of concerns over a previous domestic abuse allegation. During that same primary election, Republican voters elected 27-year-old businessman and political newcomer Jason Plummer as the party's nominee for lieutenant governor.

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said it made sense to pair candidates for governor and lieutenant governor in the primary. "Otherwise you end up with governors who don't get to pick their lieutenant governor, who may not get along at all with their lieutenant governor as was the case in the previous (general) election," Bradley said.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, is pushing a constitutional amendment that would abolish the post of lieutenant governor, effective with the 2014 general election. However, a constitutional amendment must be approved by three-fifths of the members of both chambers before it can be put on the ballot for voters.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2412/lawmakers-gov-lt-gov-should-be-paired/

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 20
0226 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF CADBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 3 years of age, having hard time breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0541 HRS 100 W. WOODSTOCK (CRYSTAL LAKE PD). ASSIST OUTSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT. Assisted Crystal Lake Police Department.
0656 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF BURR ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 33 years of age, needing evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0752 HRS VIRGINIA ROAD & PINGREE ROAD. ACCIDENT One vehicle. Property Damage Only.
1137 HRS 9225 TRINITY (JAPANESE CULTURE INS.). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 44 years of age, with a dislocated knee. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1224 HRS 500 BLOCK OF SEMINOLE TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 21 years of age, possible overdose. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1331 HRS 4511 W. ALGONQUIN ROAD (CVS). UNLAWFUL ACQUISITION OF PRESCRIPTION. Male subject obtained prescription medications unlawfully. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1417 HRS 00 BLOCK OF CRABAPPLE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 50 years of age, taken unknown amount of medication. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1850 HRS 0 BLOCK OF LAUREL VALLEY CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 11 years of age, lost consciousness. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1911 HRS 0 BLOCK OF LAUREL VALLEY CT. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. basketball hoop. Property damage only.
2203 HRS 10910 REED RD. (CHESAK SCHOOL). ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2307 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Contact was made with a Registered Sex Offender.