Hackmatack Refuge Study Approved

The McHenry County Board's debate early this month about how much they wanted to get behind a proposal for the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge turned out to be moot.  As first reported in McHenry County Blog the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had approved examining the proposed refuge the day before.

USFWS spokesman Chuck Traxler said the agency finished its Preliminary Project Proposal review in late March and the Service's Acting Director approved a study of Hackmatack April 5.

The proposed refuge would cover parts of five Illinois and Wisconsin counties but mostly the northern half of McHenry County and a lot of Walworth County across the state line.

Traxler said what's been approved isn't exactly a feasibility study.
"There's a multi-step process," involving lots of inventory work, sampling and public hearings, he said, that could produce a range of recommendations.  "The decision could be for nothing at all or it could be for a refuge," said Traxler.

"There are four or five options," he said.

In debate, County Board members, particularly from District 6, the part of the county that's still rural, were concerned the proposed refuge might restrict residents' property rights or encourage more development in the part of the county that's still rural.

Plenty of time to figure it out, said Traxler.  The study his agency approved usually takes two to three years to reach a conclusion, he said.

Hackmatack: What's In A Name?

Hackmatack.  Sounds like a casino off I-94 in Wisconsin.  What kind of name is that?

A quick check of websites about the proposed Hackmatack Refuge reveals Hackmatack is the Algonquin Indian word for the balsam poplar tree.  That might sort of make sense except that a little further checking reveals there weren't any Algonquin Indians around here, nor much in the way of balsam poplars, either, when it comes to that.

"You'll find them mostly in Volo Bog," said Hackmatack support Ed Collins, who said that's sort of the point of it all.  When the glaciers retreated the balsam poplars were all over the taiga but as the land dried up they were replaced with oaks.  Now they often stand as markers for the soggy spots where as many as six dozen endangered and threatened plant species grow, according to Collins. Stuff like the nearly vanished purple milkweed.

Collins said the Hackmatack Refuge would help preserve them.

He didn't have an explanation for the Hackmatack name itself, though, and FEN couldn't find anyone who did.

The Algonquins lived up around Detroit.  It was the Pottawatamie who lived in this area.  Language specialists think if an itinerant Algonquin had asked a Pottawatmie "What do you guys call this rare balsam poplar tree?" the answer would have been the Pottawatamie equivalent of "Que?  No Hablo Algonquinian."

If anyone wants to know the Pottawatamie name, though, he'd better act fast.  There are only about 50 native speakers left at last report.  And they're all elderly.

In the pic:  Balsam Poplars at Volo Bog.  Deciduous evergreens.  Who knew?

What's The Matter With Kids? Check "Birdie"

Huntley High School Musical Theatre opened its production of the Broadway hit "Bye Bye Birdie" Friday at Huntley High.

Loosely inspired by the hooraw surrounding Elvis Presley's draft into the Army "Birdie", included the now-standby songs, "Put On A Happy Face" and "A Lot of Livin' To Do".

FEN's Mister Firstnighter has trouble reviewing "Bye Bye Birdie" since he enjoyed it so much when he was Master Firstnighter. The once-contemporary satire is now a beloved period piece. Probably best for audience members to make up their own minds.

Huntley High's "Bye Bye Birdie" runs again this evening at 7 pm and tomorrow at 3 pm, next Friday and Saturday at 7pm and next Sunday at 3 pm.  Tickets are $8, $6 for students and seniors.

In the pic:  "The telephone hour" scene from "Bye Bye Birdie" whose cast includes: Brandon Albright, Christian Aldridge, Madie Bartot, Jazmine Chartrand, Brittni Chung, Melissa Dahl, Tyler Darnell, D.J. Davis, Sierra Davis, Katherine Enciso, Adrian Fait, Joseph George, Abby Gleason, Brian Goldfarb, Sarah Greene, Lauren Jones, Sammy Kaster, Ashley Knipp, Dylan Ladd, Andrea Leiras, Sara Ann Lewis, Taylor Little, Zoar López, Randy Magdangal, Marta Makowski, Joshua McKenney, Alex Morton, Meghan Murray, Chelsea Niles, Jessi Owensby, Gianna Pavone, Allie Plansky, Zach Polentini, Shaunna Proper, Sean Ramsaier, Andrew Rewerts, Patricia Riccardi, Kelsey Rosenorn, Jennifer Samson, Maria Sciortino, Cody Schwartz, Lindsay Spence, Olivia Stepp, Hunter Stewart, Jade Strong, Tiffany Tanski, Spencer Trippi, Bobby Volpendesta, Maddie Warner, Melissa Williams, Austin Wise, Amanda Wolch, Nick Ybarra, Amber Yedinak

Algonquin Art/Bike Racks In Place

Parks and Forestry crewmen spent the week bolting down Algonquin's experiment in marrying art with public utility:  the winners of the village's custom bicycle rack competition.

The Algonquin Board decided that since the village was already noted for its annual public art displays and wanted to promote bicycling around town it would be a good idea to see if there was a way to put the two together.  Now there are about a dozen scattered around town, including a really neat one with fish which FEN will show as soon as it figures out where it is.

In the pic:  Mike Stott and Alex Voigts put in the custom bicycle racks for Algonquin Commons Friday.  If you squint hard enough you can see the stylized "A" in the racks that made them site-specific.

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
April 16
0055 HRS 4500 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR DR. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 55 years of age, lost consciousness. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
0502 HRS 10 BLOCK OF E. ACORN LN. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Male, 31 years of age, pain in his knee. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
0607 HRS 200 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 67 years of age, incontinent. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
0954 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1309 HRS 10 BLOCK OF LINDEN ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Daughter vs. Father. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1351HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. One vehicle. Property damage only.
1515 HRS WILLOW ST. & BURR ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1542 HRS FRANK RD. & BOULDER DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1839 HRS 500 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
1901 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICK’S). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti on the retaining wall east of Dominick’s. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1936 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. BURGLARY. Entry gained to home; computer, cash box and other items taken. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1949 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Delayed report for a slashed tire.

Tea Parties Rally On Tax Day

Only about 50 people turned out for an Algonquin Tea Party rally against taxes at the village's Cornish Park Thursday.  That was a considerable drop from 400 to 500 who appeared at a somewhat similar protest in Algonquin and Lake in the Hills last summer.

Other rallies throughout northern Illinois may have siphoned off some supporters from Algonquin. One in Crystal Lake drew a much larger crowd but that might have been thanks to the appearance of GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady as a speaker.  Another Tea Party rally in Palatine was briefly marred by a squabble with a small group of counter-protesters but police shooed them away from the Tea Party people before there was real trouble.

At the Algonquin rally Tori Romain, Huntley, said, "We want to be heard.  Stop wasting our money.  The Chicago Mob is in Washington now."

Algonquin's Bob Parquette said "You've got two parties now but they say the same things.  We've got to have a third voice."

Scott Gaspari from Woodstock said he just stopped by to see what all the fuss was about.  "It's a fun group," he said.  "I'm glad so many people want to change things."

Political analysts wonder whether the Tea Party groups will turn into a political force. Algonquin organizer Julie Sanford said in northern Illinois the various groups are united in a desire for lower taxes.  After that, though, "Each organization may have different things they believe," she said.

That being the case, it raises an important question: if everyone's marching in different directions, can they hope to get anywhere?

Fed Taxes Done--Local Taxes Due Soon

While taxpayers were desperately trying to finish their federal tax returns Thursday (well, FEN's editor, anyway) McHenry County Treasurer Bill LeFew announced this year's due dates for County real estate taxes will be June 7 and Sept. 7.

LeFew said the new tax bills will go in the mail the first week of May.  "We're right on schedule," LeFew said.

That's not the sort of news to make taxpayers crack a magnum of Moet but it's good news for county municipalities and school districts scraping the bottom of the financial barrel thanks to laggard payments from the state.

LeFew said "It depends on when the people pay," but he figured he'd be able to start doling out property tax receipts about two weeks after they're due.  "We'll make an early distribution toward the third week of May," he said, adding that he planned to send taxing bodies a schedule of 10 or 11 additional distribution dates.

Drug Tests To Begin At Huntley High

Centegra Health System will do the testing when Huntley School begins conducting drug screens for some of its students later this month. District 158 is the first in McHenry County to conduct random drug testing.

The policy for students in extracurricular activities at Huntley High was approved by the school board last February. The tests will screen for recreational drugs like methamphetamines, prescription narcotics, as well as performance-enhancing drugs and masking agents.

The drug tests aren't limited to kids in sports programs. Students  in any activities that are competitive, performance or service in nature will be subject to a random testing.  That includes not only programs like baseball but things like Drama and Choir, too.  Terry Awrey, Associate Superintendent, said the policy will affect about 1,000 students in 30 activities during the school year.

If a test comes back positive the student isn't allowed in the activity anymore.  Awrey said, “In the case of positive results, while a student will be temporarily suspended from his or her activity, positive results will not become part of the student’s permanent record.”

"Nelly Bly" To Visit Huntley AAUW

Tomorrow AAUW’s Huntley Area Branch will host a Nellie Bly impersonator at their monthly breakfast meeting at Pinecrest Golf Club in Huntley.

In the late 19th century Bly became one of the first of the now-common breed of celebrity reporters.  Investigations like getting herself committed to an insane asylum brought her to prominence and stunts like dancing as a chorus girl, roding an elephant, and racing around the world to beat the fictional 80-day record set by Jules Verne brought her fame.

Lynn Rymarz, A celebrated presenter and children’s writer who lives in Schaumburg, will channel Nellie Bly after AAUW's 9:30 am breakfast.The event is free to AAUW members, and open to the public with a $5 program fee for non-members.

AAUW (formerly the American Association of University Women) is a nationwide organization of college-educated women that works to advance equity, education, and opportunities for women and girls.  For local information, phone Diane Ayers at (847) 669-0848 or huntleyaauw@gmail.com.

In the pic:  The original Nellie Bly.

Quinn Announces 6-Year Road Plan

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Those who are planning out summer roadtrips on the interstate and state routes in Illinois may have to figure in some construction-related traffic and delays. Gov. Pat Quinn Thursday announced a six-year road plan for an estimated $12 billion of contracted work. “Beginning now and in the summer and in the fall, this will be the biggest construction season of all time in Illinois. Never before will we see as much activity as we will this very year,” he said.

Some of the road plan projects were part of the $31 billion public works plan passed by lawmakers and approved by Quinn last year, including Rakow Road's widening at Lake in the Hills, Huntley's Route 47 revamp and Algonquin's Route 47 bypass.  (A list of McHenry County Projects is here: http://www.dot.state.il.us/hip1116/district/mchenry.pdf)

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said the state construction is expected to create 167,000 jobs over the six-year road plan. “During our construction season this year, during this calendar year, we’ll have $5 billion under contract. We won’t complete it all, but next year we’ll add to it,” he said.

Video poker machines were the biggest anticipated state revenue source for these projects but about fifty localities have opted out and the city of Chicago has yet to allow the machines. Quinn said he was not concerned because funding for the road plan comes from a number of sources. “Video game is part of the financing,” he said. “We have ample money in the first several years of our plan here to pay for everything. We, I think, can carry forward, whatever the case might be.”

A description of the road plan and a list of the projects can be found at http://www.dot.state.il.us/hip1116/maintoc.htm.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2696/quinn-announces-6-year-road-plan/

In the pic:  Quinn's Road Plan includes a lot of McHenry County projects.

GOP Gov. Candidate Brady Says No To New Taxes

By Jennifer Wessner, Illinois Statehouse News
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady used the nation's tax day to speak out against the income tax increase being pushed by his Democratic opponent Gov. Pat Quinn.

Quinn has called for a 1 percentage point increase in the state's income tax — from 3 percent to 4 percent — to eliminate the need for $1.3 billion in cuts to education. The governor refers to the tax increase as an education "surcharge," but Republicans have refused to accept the name and claim it would stifle economic growth. "His 33 percent increase would come at the cost of private sector business investment in Illinois," Brady said.

"Ultimately we're going to have to deal with a 1 percent surcharge for education," Quinn said. "I anticipate that will happen, and we want to make sure that we do not turn our backs on the students of Illinois or their parents."

Brady instead points to his plan to cut state agency spending by 10 percent across the board. "If you want to do what Governor Quinn does, and that's just kicking the can down the road without examining the entire state spending, without looking at it, you run into a problem. But if you're willing to focus and you're willing to start from ground zero and you're willing to examine every dollar you spend, I firmly believe we can save 10 percent."

You can read Jennifer's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2697/gop-candidate-bill-brady-says-no-to-new-taxes/

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
April 15
1211 HRS 310 RANDALL RD., (CHASE BANK). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. GRUMAD, DEBORAH, F/W 56 YEARS OF AGE, 1344 SNOWBERRY LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0814 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. Nine priors.
0921 HRS 500 HARVEST GATE., (LINCOLN PRAIRIE). ASSIST AMBULANCE. 5 year old male injured his arm falling from the playground.
Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0942 HRS 500 BLOCK OF DELAWARE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 15 month old male drank a small amount of air freshener. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1038 HRS 800 BLOCK OF CREEKVIEW LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No priors.
1358 HRS 4500 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 67 year old male feeling lethargic. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1617 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PINE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 29 years of age, having a seizure.  Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1653 HRS 300 BLOCK OF CLEAR SKY TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 15 years of age, passed out and hit his head on a window sill. No transport.
1942 HRS 2200 BLOCK OF CLAREMONT LN. DOG BITE. Two dogs were fighting and a person was bitten.  Animal control was notified.
2115 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
2204 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. DOMESTIC. Father vs Son. Verbal only. No priors.
2313 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HIAWATHA DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 59 years of age, unconscious not breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
April 9
09:28am A fourteen-year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with Aggravated Battery.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his mother.
14:10pm A fifteen-year-old female was charged with Retail Theft. She was taken into custody at Claire’s Boutique, 1728 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 05/26/10, in Algonquin.
16:40pm A fifteen-year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with Aggravated Battery.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his mother.
23:28pm Dzhyndzhyrystyy, Zinoviy, DOB: 02/23/67, of 8555 E. Evans Avenue, Apt #5-208, Denver, Colorado, was charged with DUI.  He was taken into custody at Route 31 and Edgewood Drive.  He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 05/19/10, in McHenry County.
April 10
00:56am McCarthy, Patrick C., DOB: 05/12/90, of 321 S. Hubbard Street, Algonquin, was charged with Unsafe Equipment, Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor and Zero Tolerance.  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 05/19/10, in McHenry County.  Also taken into custody during the same incident was Bloom, Marvin R., DOB: 07/21/91, of 425 Amberwood Court, Algonquin, who was charged with No Seat Belt and Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 05/26/10, in Algonquin.
01:04am Lefeber, Pamela R., DOB: 01/08/76, of 383 N. Peters, Apt #E4, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, was charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer.  She was taken into custody at Route 62 and Lake Cook Road.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 05/20/10, in Kane County.
23:44pm Martin-Perez, Octavio, DOB: 11/25/88, of 244 Clifton Lane, Elgin, was charged with Speeding and No Valid Driver’s License.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Huntley Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 05/19/10, in McHenry County.
April 11
03:00am Rosas, Frank P., DOB: 03/01/91, of 38W440 Bonnie Court, St. Charles, was charged with Aggravated Battery, Resisting a Peace Officer, Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor, Speeding, No Headlights, No Signal When Required and Improper Lane Usage.  He was taken into custody at Miller Road and Dunroven Road.  He was transported to Kane County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
23:29pm Aguilar, Robert A., DOB: 03/04/84, of 481 Buckingham Drive, Apt #11, Crystal Lake, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Hypodermic Syringe.  He was taken into custody in the 2400 block of Huntington Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.  Also taken into custody during the same incident was Tobin, Timothy A., DOB: 06/07/86, of 445 Brandy Drive, Apt #A, Crystal Lake, who was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe.  He was also transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
April 13
13:21pm Becker, Eric L., DOB: 10/01/91, of 1391 Nottinghill, Algonquin, was charged with Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 05/26/10, in Algonquin.
18:50pm Lang, Charles E., DOB: 04/20/73, of 1551 Seminole Road, Algonquin, was charged with DWLR.  He was taken into custody at Fountain Square and Route 62.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 05/19/10, in McHenry County.
April 14
08:24am Allen, Brandy S., DOB: 07/10/81, of 650 Chestnut, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS, Parking Where Prohibited and No Proof of Insurance.  She was taken into custody at N. Huntington Drive and Huntington Drive.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 05/19/10, in McHenry County.
16:43pm Panknin, Terry L., DOB: 10/11/76, of 141 Village Creek Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Target, 750 S. Randall Road.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant, out of Rockford, for Failure to Appear, on a Retail Theft Charge.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.

Grafton Complaint Seeks Moore's Removal

As the smoke cleared from Tuesday's Annual Meeting approval to unwind new office real esate deals, the battle over who runs Grafton Township climbed another notch.  Grafton Trustees mail-filed an amended complaint Wednesday in their suit against Supervisor Linda Moore.  It publicly details for the first time a series of her alleged transgressions and seeks  her removal from office.

Moore and the trustees have mutual suits against each other in McHenry County Circuit Court.  A hearing had been schduled to begin Tuesday but was postponed until next month when Township Attorney firm Ancel Glink asked for more time to prepare for the Annual Meeting.

Ancel Glink attorney Keri-Lynn Krafthefer said she mailed the 44-page amended complaint to the court Wednesday.

There's a big section about the intramural competition over whose office is whose at the Grafton Hall involving overnight lock installations, disputes over keys, room reassignments and the shoving match between Moore and Township Administrator Pam Fender over a locked door.

There's another about Moore's allegedly tearing down various official meeting notices she didn't like.

More serious is an allegation that doesn't quite say Moore took the Township's financial records but complains she won't give them back.  The complaint says the records were missing the morning after Moore and her IT guy spent "a significant amount of time" doing something to the computers May 3.

Another section charges Moore with a crusade against the Grafton Food Pantry. It claims she forced the non-profit group out of the Township Offices, then wouldn't tell needy residents where they'd gone.  It also charges she terminated an order to forward the pantry's mail and told the Northern Illinois Food Bank, a Pantry supplier, it was closed.

Still another section claims Moore fiddled with Township employee bank accounts via a direct-payroll deposit plan she'd set up, intercepted mail to trustees and the Township Clerk and canceled the Assessor's Office credit card without bothering to tell anyone.

The Trustees' revamped complaint asks Judge Michael Caldwell to make Moore give back the financial records and stop doing all the things they claim she's been doing or anything like them. Their ultimate solution is buried in legalese down at the bottom.

It asks Caldwell to find "that Moore has engaged in a palpable omission of duty, malcontent and misfeasance in discharging the office of Township Supervisor under Section 55-37 of the Illinois Township Code."  You have to cross-reference to the statue to find that section reads "The court in which the conviction occurs shall enter an order removing the convicted officer from office."

Algonquin East PO To Remain--So Far, Huntley, Too

Algonquin officials breathed a sigh of relief this week as the U.S. Postal Service announced it won't close the village's Eastside Post Office. Huntley officials, meanwhile are trying to figure out how to convince the Service to move theirs. Both cases involve too many cars.

In Algonquin's case the problem is too many cars through the village's often-jammed Route 31/Algonquin Road intersection.  If postal officials had decided to close the Eastside facility it would have sent something like another 500 cars a day through it for patrons to use the West Side Post office.

"It's good for providing services to Algonquin residents," said Village Manager Bill Ganek adding, "Transportation issues are always critical."

Meanwhile in Huntley officials haven't had any word yet on a 1000 plus-signature petition to move their Post Office out of the Downtown.  The village sent copies of the petition to area Washington legislators two weeks ago complaining increased traffic to the Post Office has created a safety problem. Huntley wants to keep its post office, just not where it is.

The Postal Service is in the midst of a nationwide examination of local post offices in the face of declining mail volume thanks to email and ebills.  "We're trying to right-size," said spokesman Sean Hargadon.
 
In the pic:  Algonquin's Eastside Post Office will stay where it is. Huntley wishes its post office would move to a safer location.

Huntley First Congregational Rummage Sale Starts

The First Congregational Church of Huntley's Rummage Sale kicks off from Noon to 7 pm today. It's the 30th year for the annual event according to Rev. Michelle McNamara.

Friday's hours are 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday will run from 9 a.m. to Noon.  "Saturday's the Crash Day," said McNamara, "because that's when it's $3 a bag, all day."

In the pic:  Sun City's Marilyn Eckman and Paige Wolfanger were among the volunteers setting out stock for the First Congregational Church's Annual Rummage Sale in Huntley.

Quinn Signs Pension Reform Into Law

By Ashley Badgley, Illinois Statehouse News
After months of debate and discussion, Gov. Pat Quinn signed the new pension reform legislation into law Wednesday.

Effective, Jan. 1, new state employees — including teachers and other school employees, university teachers and staff, lawmakers and judges —  will receive a different pension from current or retired state employees. State employees will have to work until they are 67 to receive full benefits under the new plan and their overall pension compensation will be less.

Quinn said that without this reform, Illinois’ pension system would not be sustainable moving into the future. “It protects taxpayers and it protects the retirement of thousands of public employees and teachers,”
Quinn said. He said the new plan will save Illinois $220 billion over the coming decades and $400 million in fiscal year 2011, set to begin July 1.

David Vaught, director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, noted a key element of the law prohibits “double dipping” for individuals receiving pensions. Currently, those receiving a public pension in Illinois can work a second state job and still receive their pension along with a salary. Vaught said that practice will stop under the new law.

You can read Ashley's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2682/quinn-signs-pension-reform-into-law/

Senate Dems: Redistricting Ends Names From Hats

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Democrats in the Illinois Senate Wednesday approved their plan, without a single Republican vote, to overhaul how Illinois' legislative and congressional maps are drawn.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, created the plan, which he insists is more open and more equitable than the current system. "I choose who the people select to draw the map instead of who the legislative leaders choose to draw the map," he said.

But Republicans, like State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld,  R-Okawville, said it will be the lawmakers who have to campaign inside those political boundaries who will actually draw the map. "In the end, party leaders, majority party leaders, will draw the map," he said.  "And that is exactly what we should not be doing.  Most everyone agrees with that, Republican or Democrat."

Raoul's plan would leave the design of a new political map to the General Assembly – then the governor would have a say. If there's no agreement the legislature would then try again.  Democrats control both chambers in Springfield, and Republicans fear that control would lead to Democratic control over the map.

But State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said while voters may understand the importance of Illinois' political map, they likely don't care. "Some point to my congressional district, Phil Hare's district, as being awful gerrymandered…and it looks like it is to me," he said.  "But I don't know what the alternative is.  Politics always plays a role in redistricting."

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2683/senate-dems-redistricting-ends-names-from-hats/

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
April 14
0853 HRS 2250 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (MEDCARE). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. LIZAMA, DRINA B., F/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 2081 NARCISSUS HANOVER PARK. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1506 HRS 1216 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (RYDER PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 57 years of age, feeling like she is going to pass out. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1555 HRS 310 N. RANDALL RD., (CHASE BANK). ASSIST TO SECRET SERVICE. Counterfeit $100.00 dollar bill was passed. Entered into evidence. TURNED OVER TO SECRET SERVICE.

Grafton Township Returns Office Deals To Square One

More than 700 Grafton Township resident voters appeared at Huntley High School Tuesday night to turn back the clock on all the real estate transfers in a court-forbidden plan to build new township offices.

The start of the Township's Annual Meeting was delayed over half an hour as people continued to file in.  There were so many that seating in the high school's Central Gym ran out and people began dragging in chairs from the cafeteria.

The turnout was heavily weighted toward the silver-haired set which later became an issue as continual "stand to be counted" votes began to tire some of them. Printed ballot forms were never used.

Resident voters chose pet food salesman Jim Kearns, Huntley, as meeting moderator over LITH Trustee Steve Harlfinger.  Then they voted to run the meeting according to Roberts Rules of Order.  That proved a challenge for Kearns who needed prompting several times during the meeting.

Even so Kearns kept the meeting from falling into chaos.  He shut down a motion to censure the Township Board from new-Offices opponent Tom Halat ruling it was out of order since it wasn't on the agenda.  He likewise threatened to throw Trustee Gerry McMahon out of the meeting when he began a verbal attack on Halat.

Resident Electors chucked Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer's meeting agenda out the window at the start moving discussion of buying or renting new office space from the bottom of the list to the top. The discussion never happened, though, and action wasn't on the agenda, anyway, so the Township and Road District headquarters will stay where they are for another year unless a way can be found to bypass a court ruling that only "electors" can authorize land purchase or rental.

Residents did manage to unwind the complicated real estate moves made in the unauthorized Township Offices plan of two years ago even though briefing sheets trying to explain the mess and how to fix it ran out when only about half the voters had checked in.

The voters approved returning Township and Road District deals for new offices back to square one.  They also voted to try to sell the Haligus Road land for the new offices but only with a spur of the moment proviso the price be no less than the Township originally paid for it.

By that time people had been leaving for over an hour and only about half the voters were left. Those remaining voted to adjourn.

In the pic:  Prepared ballots ended up being used as flags at Grafton Township's Annual Township Meeting.

Needed Saturday: 76 Trombones (Etc., Etc.)

The District 300 Foundation and Houlihan’s Algonquin restaurant in Algoquin Commons are collecting instruments for area students.
Saturday anyone who delivers a new or gently-used instrument to the Algonquin Commons mall office will receive a free appetizer at Houlihan’s and be entered for a chance to win a $100 Houlihan’s gift card.

 "In partnering locally with District 300 Foundation, we hope to help put instruments in the hands of children and alert the community to the fact that many children are growing up without access to instruments or music programs,” said Houlihan's General Manager Nick Izzo.

 All of the instruments dropped off at the Algonquin Commons mall office will be used to develop a lending library for D300 middle school children interested in music education.

“With widespread budget cuts and lack of public funds, our schools depend on fundraising and the goodwill of partners like Houlihan’s to provide their students with instruments,” said Diane Magerko, the District 300 Foundation's Performing and Fine Arts Chair.

In the pic:  Thanks, anyway, Pete, but D300 Foundation asks for "gently used" instruments.

Sportsplex Plan Passed To County Board

The McHenry County Board Finance and Audit Committee finally gave the greenlight Tuesday for the full County Board to consider authorizing $18 million in stimulus bonds for a big amateur sports complex between Huntley and Woodstock on Route 47.

The application by McHenry County Sportsplex, headed by LITH businessman Lou Tenore, had been hung up for over a month on questions of whether a bond underwriter was really lined up and whether there was actually a place to build the facility.

Deputy County Administrator John Labaj said the Sportsplex had provided a new letter from a bond house and copies of late March purchase agreements covering land at the intersection of routes 47 and 176, principally belonging to Dorr Township trustee Alan Swanson.

The Sportsplex go-ahead left a competing application for a minor league baseball stadium in Woodstock standing on the sidelines since it needs $15 million and the county only has about $3.5 million in stimulus bonding authority left.

Chairman Marc Munaretto said there might be a chance later this year to get some more authority but that would depend on a lot of machinations in Springfield.  Munaretto also revealed a manufacturing company was interested in building a $9.5 million factory in McHenry County if it could get some of the cut-rate stimulus financing.

The full Board will look at the Sportsplex bonds in a week.

Pension Plan: Political Football?

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn has not yet acted on a sweeping pension plan sent to his office more than two weeks ago. That brings up questions heading into budget negotiations in coming weeks.

In a whirlwind series of events in late March, Democratic legislative leaders pushed through a plan to reduce retirement benefits for new state and other public employees, such as teachers and other school employees, university teachers and staff, lawmakers and judges. Quinn released a statement praising lawmakers soon after the plan passed both legislative chambers.

Tuesday, however, the governor said his office was going over a final review of the plan and he did not indicate how or when he would act on it. “We’re reviewing everything, we want to make sure that it’s acceptable. That’s what you have to do when you’re deciding whether to sign or not sign a bill,” he said.

Last year, lawmakers sent an expansive $26 billion public works plan to Quinn’s desk, anticipating an influx of projects for the state and individual districts. Quinn delayed signing that plan in order to motivate lawmakers to pass his proposed 50 percent income tax increase. The delay ended up backfiring – House lawmakers rejected Quinn’s proposed tax increase.

This year, Quinn is proposing a 33 percent income tax increase to put back $1.3 billion in proposed education cuts. The state Constitution permits Quinn 60 days to act once a legislative proposal is sent to him. That means Quinn could wait until near the end of May before deciding whether or not to approve the pension changes.

When asked if he would delay signing the pension plan to muster support for his education income tax surcharge, Quinn said that was not what the delay was about. “You cannot have a huge deficit, as I inherited, without cutting costs and making sure you have adequate revenue,” he said. “That will be our mission for the remaining weeks of this legislative session.”

GOP nominee for governor State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, criticized Quinn for not doing enough to fix the state’s fiscal problems.

"Governor Quinn has decided to follow the Blagojevich playbook, constantly threatening budget cuts designed to scare and intimidate people into following his tired approach.” he said in a statement.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2652/pension-plan-political-football/

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
1531 HRS 101 N.RANDALL RD., (DOMINICK’S). NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. RODRIGUEZ, JONATHAN M., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 151 VILLAGE CREEK DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: No valid driver’s license and failure to yield at an intersection. RELEASED ON BOND.
0727 HRS 00 BLOCK OF SPYGLASS CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 67 year old female experiencing abdominal pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1024 HRS 460 JENNINGS DR., (RIGGSBY CONSTRUCTION). THEFT OVER $300. A jack-hammer, a valve backflow test kit, and a business check in the amount of $927 were taken. ENTERED INTO LEADS
1816 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE 32 year old male not feeling well. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2057 HRS 600 BLOCK OF GRACE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 65 year old female with something lodged in throat. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2232 HRS 211 N. RANDALL RD., (STEAK & SHAKE). ASSIST AMBULANCE. 21 year old male having back pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Correction: 040310.  Please retract the information for the Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol arrest.  False information was given using the name of Curtis W. Mottl. This matter is pending investigation.
Huntley
April 5
A 17 year old male from Lake in the Hills was arrested at the High School for criminal damage to property and theft of lost or mislaid property.  The juvenile was petitioned into juvenile court and released to the custody of his parents.
Jennifer M. Cantu, age 35 of 10475 Casselberry S., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for failure to notify the Secretary of State of an address change.  Ms. Cantu posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of May 21, 2010.
April 6
A residential burglary report was taken in the 10500 block of Somerset.  The victim states that a Trek, 26” green mountain bike was taken from his open garage between the hours of 5:00 and 6:00 PM.
A criminal damage to vehicle report was taken at a business in the 10300 block of Haligus Rd.  The passenger side window was shattered between 8:50 AM and 12:00.
April 7
A 15 year old female from Huntley was arrested at the High School for possession of Alcohol by a minor and consumption of alcohol by a minor. In the same incident a 15 year old female from Lake in the Hills was arrested for consumption of alcohol by a minor. Both juveniles were assigned a May 10, 2010 court date and released to their parents.
Paul W. Bachmann, age 37, of 12729 Holbrook, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for operation of an uninsured vehicle and driving while registration suspended for non-insurance.  Mr. Bachmann was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond.
April 8
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11000 block of Preston Parkway.  A birdhouse valued at $20.00 was damaged.
April 9
Damian Olguin, age 26, of 1443 N. Hamlin, Chicago, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for improper display of registration.  Mr. Olguin posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of May 21, 2010.
A 16 year old female, from Lake in the Hills, was arrested at the High School for possession of cannabis, possession of tobacco by a minor and possession of drug paraphernalia.  The juvenile was petitioned to juvenile court and released to her parents.
A business in the 10400 block of Rt. 47 filed a credit card fraud report.  The victim states that a fraudulent credit card was used to charge merchandise valued at approximately $2000.00.
Elsie Q. Sulana, age 19, of 3030 Geneva Ln., Lake in the Hills, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for expired registration. Ms. Sulana posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of May 7, 2010.
A criminal defacement report was taken at Cottontail Park, 9902 Bedford Dr.  A gazebo was spray painted with pink spray paint.
Aaron T. Pogwizd, age 32, 2221 Claremont, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for no front registration plate, registration suspended for non-insurance and driving with no proof of insurance. Mr. Pogwizd posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of May 14, 2010.
April 10
Joel A. Mindham, age 23, of 11614 Prairie Ave, Hebron, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for possession of a suspended license and expired registration.  Mr. Mindham posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of May 21, 2010.
Justin W. Boley, age 31, of 10615 Brittany, Huntley, was arrested for violation of an order of protection.  Mr. Boley was transported to Kane County Jail to await bond call.
Aaron L. Nichols, age 28, of 758 Navajo Dr., Carpentersville, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Mr. Nichols posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of May 21, 2010.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11900 block of Blue Bayou.  A fence was damaged.  The victim estimated the damage at $100.00.

Parochial Schools Oppose D300 Bus Reductions

The District 300 Board of Education drive to cut $13.5 million from next year's school budget crashed into opposition over  transportation costs Monday. About 50 parents and educators from parochial schools serving D300 charged plans to cut bus transportation for parochial schoolers will lessen their safety and probably increase the district's education costs.

The District said it plans to save more than $400,000 by dropping students off at the nearest public school instead of taking them on the last leg of the trip to their religious-affiliated schools.

"The students will be stranded at the (public school) campuses," charged St. Margaret Mary School Board President Dennis Wiener of Algonquin. "This plan is full of safety concerns," he said if parochial students have to make their own way from there to parochial school.

St. Margaret Mary Board Member Amy Schneider argued D300's savings estimates were simple-minded, anyway.  "It will force parents to pull their students from parochial schools," said Schneider, a mother of five. "It would only take 30 students to offset the savings," she charged.  St. Margaret Mary has more than 400 students from the D300 school District.

Parents from West Dundee's St. Catherine of Sienna School with about 85 D300 students agreed but opposition wasn't only from Catholic schools.  Mark Petersdorff, Chairman of the Board at Algonquin's St. John's Lutheran School, said busing was vital to Protestant education, too, just "We're not as big as St. Margaret Mary."  St. John's has 56 students from District 300.

Wiener said according to his reading the D300 plan wouldn't meet state law, anyway.  He stopped short of threatening to take the Board to court if they cut parochial busing but he made the possibility clear.

Another change would shrink busing for the District's Dual Language Program.  A smaller group of parents charged the District's cost accounting on that was faulty and it wouldn't save anywhere near a projected $110,000 while damaging student enrollment in the program.

District 300's Board of Education is scheduled to vote on a $1.8 million package of transportation cuts April 26.

In the pic:  St. Margaret Mary School Board President Dennis Wiener warned the D300 Board he was prepared to "look at all options" to halt plans cutting back busing for parochial school students.

Grafton Annual Meeting Agenda In "Simple" Language

Attorneys worked into the evening Monday to translate tonight's Grafton Township Annual Meeting agenda items from legalese into something ordinary Joes can understand.  Altogether they add up to unwinding a court-forbidden plan to build a new Township headquarters on Haligus road, then trying to figure out what, if anything, to do next. The Devil is in the details, though, so even the simple version isn't very.

Absent further revision, here's the agenda explanation that will be provided township registered voters tonight:                     

                                GRAFTON TOWNSHIP
                              ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
                                APRIL 13, 2010

Overview of Land Transfer Resolution Options

History: At the 2007 annual town meeting, the electors took certain actions in
an attempt to purchase property and approve the construction of a new township 
hall. Predicated upon those actions, the Township sold the current Township 
Hall property to the Road District, (and the Road District therefore purchased 
the property from the Township), and the Township purchased property from Lake 
in the Hills on Haligus Road for a site for the new town hall. Certain 
residents filed a lawsuit challenging the new town hall, because the electors 
never had properly authorized the construction or financing of a new town hall. 
The trial and appellate courts agreed. While the lawsuit has been proceeding, 
the Township has been operating, without a lease, from the Road District 
property.

As a result of this court order, tonight the electors have to make a decision 
about the real estate transfers that were made as a result of the improper 
2007 annual town meeting.

First, the electors need to decide whether the Township’s transfer of property 
to the Road District should be ratified (confirmed) or whether the property 
should be transferred back from the Road District to the Township, as well as 
what to do with the lease of the property in the future. You also must 
determine what to do with the Haligus Road property.

Second, in the event that the electors opt to ratify the previous transfer, 
the electors will also need to approve a lease for the Township to continue 
operating out of the Road District’s property, at least until another location 
for the Township Hall is approved.

1. The Current Township Hall Building

TO UNDO:

If you believe the property should go back the way it was before the transfers, 
you must authorize the Road District should sell the property back to the 
Township and the Township to purchase the property back from the Road District.

To accomplish this and undo the past transfer, you should vote “aye” on 
Resolutions 1 and 4, and “nay” on Resolutions 2 and 3. If you select this 
option, the property will be owned by the Township, so you should vote “nay” 
for Resolutions 5 and 6 because there is no need for the Township to lease 
property from the Road District. Resolution 1 already provides for the
payment of back rent for the six months that the Township has used the Road 
District’s property.

TO RATIFY:

If you believe the property should stay the way it is, with the Road District 
keeping the former Township Hall property, you must ratify the Township’s sale 
of the property and also the Road District’s purchase of the property.

To accomplish this and ratify the past transfer, you should vote “aye” on 
Resolutions 2 and 3, and “nay” on Resolutions 1 and 4. If you select this 
option, the property will be owned by the Road District, and the Township will 
need to lease the space from the Road District to continue operating where it 
is, so you should vote “aye” for Resolutions 5 and Resolution 6.

2. The Haligus Road Property

While the Court’s decision in Ziller v. Grafton Township, 395 Ill.App.,3d 130, 
did not specifically invalidate the Township’s purchase of the Haligus Road 
property from Lake in the Hills, it appears the transaction could be voided 
based upon the same flaws from the 2007 annual town meeting which voided the 
other actions taken by the Township. Therefore, we recommend that the electors 
take action related to that property. The options are:

a. Vote to ratify the purchase. This would mean the Township could keep the
property or offer it for sale. To vote to ratify the purchase, vote “aye” for 
Resolution 7.

b. Vote to sell the property back to Lake in the Hills. The Township does not
believe that Lake in the Hills would like to purchase this property back at 
this time. Perhaps any Village officials who are present at the annual town 
meeting can express the Village’s position related to this. To vote to sell 
the property back to Lake in the Hills, vote “aye” for Resolution 8.

c. Offer the property for sale. Under the previous purchase contract with Lake 
in the Hills, the Township has the ability to sell the property, with the 
Village of Lake in the Hills having the right of first refusal. If the Township 
ratifies the previous purchase by passing Resolution 7, you may vote to offer 
the property for sale by voting “aye” to approve Resolution
9. The property could then be purchased by either Lake in the Hills or another 
purchaser.

3. Agenda items 10 and 11

Because we are unable to anticipate what the electors would like to 
accomplish, if anything, about the location of the township hall, these items 
permit the electors to discuss options related to the location of the township 
hall.

This document was prepared by Grafton Township Attorneys, Ancel, Glink, Diamond, 
Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer, P.C. 

The meeting will be at 7 pm in Huntley High School's Central Gym (enter thru “Door 19”) 13719 Harmony Road.

Algonquin Tea Party To Rally Thursday

Pundits can't figure out if the Tea Party Movement is right-wing, populist or something they've never seen before but whatever it is Thursday will see a series of Movement rallies around Northern Illinois including one in Algonquin.

Thursday is April 15, the deadline for filing last year's income taxes, and a day of protest for so-called Teabaggers.  The Algonquin Tea Party has a rally set for Noon to 1 pm at Cornish Park.

Some of the organizers plan to motor over to Palatine where a larger protest is scheduled later Thursday afternoon. There's a big protest set in Rockford, too, and one scheduled in Crystal Lake as well.

Algonquin organizers said they'd be circulating petitions to put Constitution Party candidate Randy Stufflebeam on the November ballot against Mark Kirk and Alexi Giannoulias for Roland Burris' Senate seat and others for an amendment to the state constitution setting term limits and fixing redistricting.

In the pic:  Early Tea Party folk protesting (mostly) healthcare reform along Randall Road last summer.

Algonquin's Hanson Road Closed Again

Algonquin commuters returning home Monday found the length of Hanson Road closed for construction again.  It'll stay that way for the next six weeks to two months.

Right now crews are working on a slew of side projects to rebuilding the road itself.  Algonquin Public Works Director Bob Mitchard said those included curb, sewer, berm and bike path work but mainly relocation of a utility company fiber optic line along the road. "That's something I can't control," he said.

Hanson was closed last summer but reopened for the winter because work had gone faster than expected. Project Superintendent Shawn Hurtig said, "We looked (over the winter) at keeping Hanson open (this Spring) but decided it was a safety issue."

Although Hanson itself is closed to through traffic from Huntington Drive to Edgewood the Huntington and Harnish intersections are open to cross traffic until work resumes on the road itself again. 

No Cause Yet For LITH Sunday Fire

Investigators Monday were still unsure what caused a fire that left five Lake in the Hills families homeless Sunday evening.

Fire broke out at 118 Polaris Drive and spread to the townhome next door at 120 Polaris  before Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District firefighters could bring things under control.  A third adjacent townhome suffered smoke and water damage.

Residents said they heard and "explosion" before the fire was discovered. Neighbors and a passing off-duty Crystal Lake fireman evacuated the buildings so no one was injured.

Crews from seven other departments helped battle the blaze and the American Red Cross was there to help the displaced families.  Fire officials said victims planned to stay with family and friends.

Giannoulias Comes Out Swinging

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias has been backpedaling from scandal at his family's bank in recent weeks, but  went on the offensive against his Republican opponent Monday.

During a speech at the City Club of Chicago, the Illinois treasurer took on criticism from GOP Congressman Mark Kirk, R-Ill., about a $20 million loan issued by Broadway Bank to two convicted felons during his tenure as senior loan officer.  He slammed Kirk for shifting focus of the campaign away from the economy and other key issues.

"At some point we'd like to elevate this debate," Giannoulias said. "We'd like to talk about issues, because when I travel the state of Illinois, they're not talking about Broadway Bank–they're talking about the challenges they are facing."

He also took aim at Kirk's reputation as a moderate Republican, pointing to Kirk's opposition to gay marriage and health care reform and his reversal on cap-and-trade legislation, which he previously voted to pass.

"This image out there that Congressman Kirk is a moderate is an absolute farce," he said. "It's just not true."

Nevertheless, Giannoulias enjoyed an early lead over Kirk  following the primary, but now trails by four points, according to a recent survey by Public Policy Polling. The poll showed a 10 percent drop in his approval ratings.

Giannoulias ran for treasurer in 2006 touting his experience at what was then one of the state's more successful community banks. Kirk, however, has turned that experience into a talking point of his campaign now that the bank is teetering towards FDIC takeover.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2632/giannoulias-comes-out-swinging/

In the pic: Giannoulias

Lawmakers Debate Ways To Rework Political Map

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
A state Senate committee Monday passed via partisan vote a proposal that would change how lawmakers redraw the state’s map of legislative districts next year.

Under state Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, proposal, if initial attempts by both the Illinois House and Senate to draw a legislative map failed, each legislative chamber could develop their own district map with a three-fifths supermajority vote without having to go through the governor.

Raoul said that giving each chamber the option of drawing their own districts gave the redistricting procedure a better chance of succeeding.
“It creates greater flexibility. So under that theory, when you advance (a proposal) to the individual chambers considering their different maps, it gives a greater opportunity for certainty,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, claimed that Raoul’s proposal would help lawmakers draw districts to protect incumbents and their political careers. Radogno is sponsoring a “Fair Map Amendment” that would put the primary responsibility of drawing a map on a redistricting commission.

Radogno said the commission would be independent and nonpartisan because it would not be made up of lawmakers. “It is clear that Democrats want incumbents to continue to draw the lines," said Radogno. "It is clear from the discussion here, Republicans want a commission form of government.”

Raoul disagreed that a commission formed by legislative leaders could be considered “independent.” “Is there anything that prohibits a leader from meeting in a smoke-filled room somewhere with the two people that (he or she has) personally chosen and telling them what they want?” Raoul asked.

The state Senate committee rejected Radogno’s proposal by a partisan vote on Monday evening. Raoul’s proposal now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2630/lawmakers-debate-ways-to-rework-political-map/

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
April 12
0924 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF SYCAMORE ST. LOST ARTICLE. Motorcycle license plate missing. LEADS ENTRY MADE.
1110 HRS GRAFTON FARM DR. & MILLER RD. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Damage to building.
1657 HRS 1200 DECATUR AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 65 years old, breathing not responding. No transport.
1814 HRS 0 BLOCK OF PRINCETON CT. HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE. Complainant being harassed by ex-boyfriend. PENDING INVESTIGATION  BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1908 HRS 617 ANDERSON DR., (STONEYBROOK PARK). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Damage to a swing, possibly done by a dog.  PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.

Local Home Sales Increase But Prices Not So Much

Home sales in McHenry County were brisk in March but prices remained in the doldrums according to the latest information released by the McHenry County Association of Realtors.

There were 258 closings in March, over 75 more than the previous month  and well above March '09 and '08. The number, though, may include a boost from homebuyers trying to beat the expiration of a Cash For Clunkers-style tax credit that requires a house at least under contract by the end of this month.

The average home price in McHenry County bounced back a little in March to $189,000, up about $12,000 from February.  That's still $50,000 less than even two years ago. "The short sales and foreclosures are still popping up," said Algonquin/LITH Realtor Gloria Jensen.

Even with prices and unit sales up the local housing market still isn't on fire.  Average time from listing to closing remained at about six months in March.

Where's local housing going?  "I don't know," said Jensen. "If you've got a job and you're in an apartment why wouldn't you want to buy?" she said. "Prices are down and interest rates are still pretty good."

In the pic:  Realtor Gloria Jensen hoped a few balloons would catch buyers' eyes during Sunday's county-wide Open House Day.

Area Polish Mourn Plane Crash Dead

Attendance was heavy at Algonquin's St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church Polish Mass Sunday in the wake of the Saturday plane crash that killed nearly 100 of Poland's top civilian and military officials.

It's been only 21 years since Poland threw off Soviet domination and many of those who died, including President Lech Kaczynski, were leaders in the Solidarity revolt. The tragedy coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre of thousands of Polish POW officers by the Soviet Army.

Run Thru The Hills Draws Thundering Herd

Hundreds of area runners ignored 50 degree chill to turn out for Sunday's Eleventh Annual Lake in the Hills Park Department's Run Thru the Hills.

The 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and Molehill (kids) Races through the Woods Creek Lake area was one of the earliest running events in the Chicago region.

Lake in the Hills' Mark Rotundo was the overall men's winner in the 10K race with a 35:57.5 run.  Crystal Lakes' Sannon Schroeder won overall on the ladies' side with a time of 44:30.5.

In the 5K, Algonquin's Kevin Piefer took top honors for men and Crystal Lakes' Avery Robertson won the women's race.

Full race results are located at: http://www.racetime.info/2010_results.htm

In the pics:  (left) Kevin Piefer winning the 5K. (right)  Lake in the Hills' Christelle Smith was second among 5K women.

Parties Gear Up For Redistricting Fight

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Lawmakers today are preparing for a contentious debate on a hot-button issue that could last the remainder of the legislative session. The state is scheduled for the decennial redraw of its legislative districts next year.

Previous redistrictings have seen drawn-out partisan battles, legal challenges and arbitrary draws from a hat. This session, Democratic and Republican lawmakers have introduced five proposed Constitutional Amendments that would change the redistricting process.

Proposals from both parties share a number of planned changes, such as the de-coupling of Senate and House districts and the establishment of public hearings on redistricting. But lawmakers are locked in a partisan conflict over who ultimately decides how the state's legislative map is drawn.

The lone Democrat-backed proposal sponsored by state Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, would allow lawmakers several attempts to redraw the map. If initial efforts to redraw a map fail, each legislative chamber could try to pass its own district map, without needing approval from the governor.

In the case of a drawn-out deadlock, a Special Master would be appointed by the state's Supreme Court to finalize a map. But if the Master cannot complete the task or if there are legal challenges involved, lawmakers would still have the final say on a legislative map.

Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, criticized the Raoul plan. "The new Senate Democrat proposal continues the current practice in Illinois that allows politicians to pick their voters instead of the other way around. It’s a practice that allows friends to be rewarded, enemies to be punished and voters to be short-changed," she said in a statement.

A proposal sponsored by Radogno would give a redistricting commission, appointed by legislative leaders from both parties and chambers first shot at drawing the districts. Lawmakers would get to vote on any plans approved by the commission.

Much like Raoul's plan, a Special Master appointed by the state Supreme Court would provide a finalized map if any deadlocks occurred. But unlike the Raoul plan, Radogno's proposal does not allow lawmakers to re-enter the redistricting process once a Special Master has been appointed.

Another Republican plan would follow the Iowa redistricting process, which relies on a computer system to formulate a legislative map. Lawmakers would then vote on the computer-created plan.

Today a state Senate redistricting committee, headed by Raoul, will consider his and Republicans' redistricting proposals. Mark Gordon, a spokesman for the Senate Republicans, feared that the Democratically-led committee would dismiss Radogno's proposal by a party vote. "That is a nonpartisan, fair map proposal. It's pretty clear I think what you're seeing here is that the Democrats intend to kill it," he said.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2618/parties-gear-up-for-redistricting-fight/

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
April 11
0429 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALEXANDRA BLVD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. ANDERSON, SAMANTHA J., F/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 1416 LUCERNE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
0431 HRS 100 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 63 years of age, disoriented. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0810 HRS 100 BLOCK OF DEERPATH. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. Six priors.
0846 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. FOUND PROPERTY. Bicycle found in field.
1052 HRS 100 BLOCK OF PATTON AVE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1141 HRS RANDALL RD. & POLARIS DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1630 HRS 250 RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2008 HRS 400 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. FOUND ARTICLE. Debit card and other items from a wallet found behind a residence. Items returned to owner.
2129 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. ASSIST TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. Assisted the fire department with a structure fire.
Algonquin
delayed

County Faces Tight And Uncertain Year On Finances

McHenry County Finance Administrator Ralph Sarbaugh led Board Members and staff in giving themselves a cheer Monday for ending 2009 in the black even though the county took in $5.8 million less than it figured it would.  Then he warned them 2010 may be worse.

Even though the County's operating budget for 2010 was hacked back to $20.5 million,  it was based on at least a tepid economic recovery.  Sarbaugh said, so far, that hasn't shown up with first quarter revenues, especially those dependent on new development, running behind.

Sarbaugh said the financial mess in Springfield is part of the problem.  "We haven't even received the November income tax distribution yet," said Sarbaugh adding that if the state's new budget keeps the County's share of income taxes as the Governor has proposed, all bets are off.

Another area of uncertainty is the new national healthcare reform bill.  Sarbaugh said, depending on final regulations, "we're going to have to look very carefully at our employee health benefits."

There'll be one last complication toward the end of year, according to County Administrator Pete Austin.  That's when the County's contract with Sheriff's deputies comes up for renewal.

Mahon Criticizes Sheriff's Officer Safety

Democractic McHenry County Sheriff's candidate Mike Mahon roasted incumbent Republican Keith Nygren this week for alleged "indifference" to the safety of his process servers and courthouse security officers because they're not issued bulletproof vests.

Mahon said deputies get the vests but "process servers, who mostly work alone, but in uniform and
driving marked squad cars, are not."  Mahon, a Cook County Sheriff's supervisor said most process and courthouse work is routine but once in awhile things go sour. "Court security deputies are reminded of their vulnerability every time they confiscate a weapon at the front door," Mahon said.

Mahon said he could outfit all the process servers and courthouse security guys for $23,850. "That's a drop in the bucket in terms of the Sheriff's Office budget," Mahon said.

Mahon claimed his charges had nothing to do with a recent shooting range incident in which one deputy managed to wound another with a ricochet but he worked it in, anyway. "Accidents like the recent wounding of a SWAT officer at the firearms range should not be surprising, given the overall lax attitude toward officer safety exemplified by the failure to provide defensive tools like bulletproof vests to officers doing street work and denying correctional officers the right to carry firearms," Mahon said.

Although FEN was the first news organization to provide Nygren a copy of Mahon's charges, the Sheriff never called back for comment.

In the pic: An investigator examines the site of a Sheriff's Office shooting accident several weeks ago.

D158 Middle Schools Rule In Math Competition

Marlowe Middle School eight grader Kolin Rott tied for first place as top math whiz in a four-county region including Rockford and eleventh place overall among northern Illinois eighth graders in a recent Math League competition.

Other District 158's middle school students also scored well and Marlowe earned a second-place ranking in the region for both the sixth and eight grade divisions. Marlowe's eighth graders ranked 19th out of 127 schools in northern Illinois.

Each year, over one million students around the country participate in Math League contests to encourage student interest and confidence in mathematics. The top score contributors at D158's schools included:

Heineman 6th Grade – Jonathan Alberts, John Cazel, Jordan Cuellar, Steven Lussnig, Zachary Schaefer, and Daniel Spoeth.

Marlowe 6th Grade – Kiera Daly, Alec McClintock, Polina Poznyak, Morgan Sutherland, Zach Swim, Alexandra Ziolkowski, and Jason Zobott.

Heineman 7th Grade – Jake Kohley, Delaney Lyman, Adam Michelini, John Patterson, Joshua Simons, Matt Skonieczny, Kyle Sweeting, and Brian Wiggins.

Marlowe 7th Grade – Kyle Bencko, Nisa Faheem, Eliian Green, Harry Hochwarter, Rachelle Jacobs, and Jordan Moore.

Heineman 8th Grade – Holly Baldacci, Michael Bartot, Kira Frendreis, Perrin Schupbach, Ashley Secreto, Emily Seymour, Adam Urbanski, and Riley Wicks.

Marlowe 8th Grade – Jessica Chalas, Kevin Doyle, Kollin Rott, Kevin Runge, and Trevor Symbal.

Professional Regulation

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation  Directors signed the following disciplinary orders in February:

Dan Blair, Crystal Lake – licensed clinical professional counselor license and marriage and family therapist license suspended for three months, followed by indefinite probation for a minimum of 18 months and fined $1,000 for violating professionalboundaries with a client.

Jona Enterprises, Inc., Crystal Lake – roofing contractor license placed in refuse to renew status due to unlicensed practice and unprofessional conduct.

Anthony Palumbo, Cary – private alarm contractor license indefinitely suspended for a minimum of 10 years due to a felony bank fraud conviction, failure to report the conviction and not fulfilling his duties as a licensee-in-charge.

Jonathan Knight, Barrington Hills – real estate broker license suspended for failure to file and/or pay Illinois state income taxes.

The following individuals’ permanent employee registration cards were issued and placed on probation for one year due to criminal conviction: Bradley Conant, Johnsburg

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
April 10
0142 HRS 100 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. BATTERY. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
0340 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs Daughter. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0953 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. FOUND ARTICLE. Drug paraphernalia discovered in residence.
1029 HRS 2265 ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTON’S). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1152 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1213 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD., (LITH THEATRES). LOST ARTICLE. Lost wallet.
1315 HRS 200 BLOCK OF THUNDER RIDGE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 44 years of age, injured her knee. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1311 HRS 200 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Radar detector taken from a vehicle overnight.
1329 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles with injuries.  22 year old female transported to Sherman Hospital.
1330 HRS 100 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. ASSIST OTHER POLICE AGENCY. Assist McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Order of protection served.
1452 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1728 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2015 HRS 2450 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (BANK OF AMERICA). FOUND ARTICLE. ATM card and cash found in the ATM machine. Returned to owner.
2122 HRS 0 BLOCK OF SIERRA CT. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.