Dem Candidate Charges Sheriff's Investigation Incomplete

The race for McHenry County Sheriff heated up Friday as Democratic candidate Mike Mahon charged opponent Sheriff Keith Nygren with failing to conduct a complete investigation of a Sheriff's Department shooting range injury two months ago "for fear of political damage."

Deputy Eric Woods twice required hospital treatment for an injury Nygren described as no worse than "road rash" when a bullet ricocheted into him during SWAT training March 15.  Green Party Sheriff's candidate and Woodstock Advocate blogger Gus Philpot said the reports were "a whitewash" charging two deputies' reports included "one string of wording that has 71 consecutive words that are identical, including non-standard punctuation."

Philpot has outed the rumor that the accident occurred during a hazing of Woods who had just joined the Sheriff's SWAT team.

Mahon, a Cook County Sheriff's supervisor, said Friday the case requires more investigation because "The frangible (training) ammo that the MCSO claims was deployed that day could not possibly have caused these wounds."

However, according to records obtained by McHenry County Blog publisher Cal Skinner, the training ammunition which is supposed to turn to dust on impact was manufactured by a small company called International Cartridge Corporation.  A non-exhaustive FEN search of gun aficionado websites found  one reported incident in which the company's ammo may have "chunked" instead of disintegrating.

In the pic:  Investigators at the Sheriff's Hartland shooting range in March.

State's Attorney Argues Against Sheriff Special Prosecutor

The McHenry County State's Attorney's Office asked to intervene this week in ex-McHenry County Deputy Zane Seipler's petition for a Special Prosecutor to investigate his charges that Sheriff Keith Nygren improperly used  County property and personnel to seek reelection.

Seipler, fired by Nygren who is now appealing a mediator's order for his reinstatement, is asking Circuit Judge Thomas Meyer to appoint someone to look into his claims since the State's Attorney, the Illinois Attorney General and the State Board of Elections won't.  Seipler traveled in a circle through the latter two after the State's Attorney's Office said it couldn't look into his allegations, because, since it's the official lawyer for the Sheriff, there'd be a conflict of interest.

In a filing this week, the State's Attorney's Office asked that Seipler's request for a Special Prosecutor be dismissed.  Assistant State's Attorney Tom Carrol told FEN the only time a Special Prosecutor is justified is if a case involves the SA himself or someone close.  "That's not the case here," said Carrol, who claimed  Seipler had failed to demonstrate there was anything to investigate anyway.

McHenry County is currently paying for one Special Prosecutor, Henry "Skip" Tonigan, who's looking into allegations similar to Seipler's that State's Attorney Lou Bianchi used County property and personnel to win the Primary Election three years ago.  No one knows how much the County's paying, though, since as of Tuesday, Tonigan still hadn't submitted a bill for his last five months' work. Tonigan submitted a bill for $34,000 for three months' work at the end of last year.  The Special Prosecutor empaneled a Grand Jury in the case a month ago but, so far, no one claims to know what he's doing with it or even if he's doing anything with it.

Final Paving Set For LITH's Oak Street

Workers spent Friday preparing Oak Steet in Lake in the Hills for paving Monday.

The LITH Public Works Department repored laying a final wear coat of asphalt is scheduled Monday, weather permitting, on the last stetch of Oak between Burr and Crystal Lake Road. Redoing Oak from Pyott west began last year.

Green Governor Candidate Bicycles McHenry County

Green Party Gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney had a stopover in McHenry County  during a campaign tour from Chicago to Rockford Friday.  The press outnumbered supporters waiting at the train station in Woodstock before Whitney rode a bicycle out to the big windmill on the village's southern edge.

In the pic:  Green Party Candidate for Governor Rich Whitney does a radio interview as Harvard resident and Green State Treasurer candidate Scott Summers looks on. Eighth Congressional District Green candidate Bill Scheurer is to the left.

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
May 21
2325 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SCHMIDT, JEFFREY M., M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 1182 HEARTLAND GATE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Speeding, No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0528 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE DEPT). DISORDERLY CONDUCT. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1102 HRS 280 N. RANDALL RD., (DUNKIN DONUTS).DISTURBANCE. Juvenile problem.
1236 HRS 280 N. RANDALL RD., (DUNKIN DONUTS). REPORT FOR INSURANCE. One car door accidentally hit another car door.
1239 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 87 years of age, incoherent. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1412 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC. Son vs Father. Verbal only. Five priors.
1548 HRS 0 BLOCK OF ANNANDALE CT. MISSING JUVENILE. Juvenile left the residence. Entered into LEADS. Juvenile returned home.

Giant RV Superstore Plans Huntley Location

A Michigan company that claims to be the fourth-largest RV dealer in the country announced plans Thursday to locate a superstore dealership in Huntley's Auto Mall.

General RV of Wixom, Michigan, operates nine RV superstores in four states.  The Huntley operation would be its first in Illinois, employing about 40 people when completed.  Spokesmen said if all goes well the company hopes to have construction closed in by late this year.

The Huntley Board meeting as a Committee of the Whole welcomed the plan, especially the tax revenue the proposed 32,000 square-foot facility would generate.

In the pic:  An aerial shot of General RV's Grand Rapids, MI, superstore location.

D158 Accelerates Purchases For Budget Balance

The D158 Board of Education amended the current year's budget so that next year's will come out looking better on paper.  In a bit of accounting legerdemain the Board agreed to speed up about $1 million worth of district spending so it won't fall on next year's books.

This year revenues have come in about $1 million over budgeted expenditure.  Next year the forecast is for the reverse so the Board increased this year's purchase budget by $1 million.  Voila: two budgets that balance instead of one with an excess and one with a deficit.

"The Board has made it clear that they prefer a balanced budget," said District CFO Mark Altmayer.  "A lot of people at the State like a balanced budget," he said.

Separately the Board handed out a lot of awards to educators and staff who've stood the gaff for 20 or 30 years or more and recognized some high-achieving students.

In the pic:  The D158 Board congratulated Huntley High's Journalism Team for placing third in state competition this year.  Michelle Lisack, Dani Moritz, Amanda Svoboda, Rodrigo DeLosada, Meagan Flynn and Jordan Geigle were all among the top six in their categories.  Amelia DeJong, Alex Long, Victoria Luisi, Seth Boster, Ana Botezatu, Aaron Bengtson and Tyler Davis helped get through the sectional.  The careworn in the pic are the Board and Advisor Dennis Brown, far left.

Algonquin Farmers' Market Opens Fourth Year

The Downtown Algonquin Partnership's revamped Farmer's Market opened it's fourth season Thursday with new hours in hopes of a seamless flow into the Village's Riverfront Summer Concert series coming in July.

The market will offer fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, organic items and seasonal plants and flowers from returning and new area vendors every Thursday in the Village parking lot on South Harrison.

In the pic:  Gabriele Rigo, one of the Algonquin Farmer's Market sparkplugs, scored some fresh asparagus from Jeffrey Farms vendor Augustine Alvarez Thursday. 

Lawmakers Back Next Week To Talk Budget

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
The Illinois House will head back to Springfield Monday to try to pass a budget. McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon at mid-day Thursday said he wasn't sure what party leaders had in mind but doubted the session would last into the Memorial Day weekend.

According to an e-mail from House Speaker Mike Madigan’s spokesman, Steve Brown, lawmakers will be back in the chamber Monday afternoon. In the e-mail, Brown told legislators to come prepared to work Tuesday and Wednesday as well. Senate President John Cullerton sent out a memo to his members telling them they might be in until Friday. He said in the memo that although he did not expect the session to stretch into Memorial Day weekend, “it may be necessary, depending on the action taken in the House of Representatives.”

Lawmakers must approve a budget by midnight May 31, when the new fiscal year begins. Anything passed after that date will need a three-fifths majority to take effect.

The Senate passed a budget plan earlier this month, and Cullerton has reiterated that it is now the House’s move. Representatives have not yet been able to reach agreement on a plan. A bill to borrow almost $4 billion to make the annual pension payment failed, as well as a proposal that would cut roughly the same amount next fiscal year. The reductions mainly target primary and secondary education, an area that is politically difficult for both parties to cut.

Madigan, the sponsor of the cuts measure, invited members from both sides of the aisle to file amendments to the bill proposing alternative cuts. So far only one. McHenry County Rep. Jack Franks, has presented any.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/lawmakers-back-next-week-to-talk-budget.html

Bike Rodeos At Huntley Lib, LITH Park

A pair of bicycle rodeos to keep kids safe are set Saturday in Huntley and Lake in the Hills.

From 11 am to 1 pm the Huntley PD and Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association will host a bike rodeo at the Huntley Area Public Library. Bikes will be registered and inspected while kids' riding skills are tested.

From Noon to 2 pm LITH PD will have a rodeo to inspect bicycles for unsafe conditions and register them to deter theft. Children will ride their bicycles through seven different maneuvers to test their riding skills. It's free at LeRoy Guy Park.

The Huntley rodeo will feature a drawing for bike helmets courtesy of CyclePaths, Sun City’s bike club. Register in person at the library or by calling 847-669-5386 ext. 21. The LITH rodeo will probably include hot dogs.  Just show up.

LITH Summer Camps Still Enrolling

Saints preserve us, school's almost out and the kids need something to do or there won't be any furniture left without toothmarks by the end of summer. Fortunately the Village of Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department still has space available in their daycamp programs.

There are four camps this year including full day (K-8), half day (K-5), preschool (3-5yr), and a new multi-sport (8-12yr) camps. All of the camps are staffed with experienced counselors.

FuntasiCAMP begins the week of June 7. SUNsational Preschool Camp begins the week of June 14. Multi-Sport Camp begins the week of June 21. Registration is available online at www.lith.org and at the Parks & Recreation Department, at Village Hall.

A Parent’s Night is set next Wednesday at 7 pm at Village Hall for a briefing about camp policies and Q&A about how it all works.

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
May 20
1322 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH POLICE DEPT).FOLLOW-UP ARRESTS: DOMESTIC BATTERY. JUVENILE, F/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery. RELEASED TO FATHER.
0458 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC. Father vs Son. Verbal only. Four priors.
0612 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 83 year old female with chest pain and difficulty breathing.  Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
0734 HRS 00 BLOCK OF BANBURY CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 76 year old male with chest pains. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1300 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 54 year old female fell off a horse. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1701 HRS 00 BLOCK OF CEDAR RIDGE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 58 years of age, with high blood pressure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1943 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC. Father vs Son. Verbal only. Five priors.
1943 HRS PYOTT RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. One vehicle in the ditch. Property damage only.
2205 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 64 years of age, possibly having heart attack. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
Algonquin
May 16
21:56pm Podlucky, Michael III, DOB: 02/22/49, of 24 Kelsey Court, Algonquin, was charged with DUI, No Proof of Insurance and Failure to Signal.  He was taken into custody at Bunker Hill Drive and Golden Eagle Drive.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond after posting his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 06/23/10, in McHenry County.
May 17
08:30am A fourteen-year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with 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.
10:25am Zepeda, Daniel G., DOB: 07/04/60, of 715 E. Main Street, Cary, was Wanted on a Bond Forfeiture Warrant out of Cook County for DWLS.  He was taken into custody at 1000 N. Main Street.  He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 06/02/10, in Cook County.
18:01pm Viramotes, Melissa Ann, DOB: 10/14/88, of 276 W. Johnson, Palatine, was charged with DWLS and Speeding.  She was taken into custody at W. Algonquin Road and Meyer Drive.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 06/23/10, in McHenry County.
May 18
07:36am A seventeen-year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Speeding and DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Longmeadow Parkway and Sleepy Hollow Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 06/24/10, in McHenry County.
11:21am A sixteen-year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with Possession of Cannabis, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Damage to Property and Theft of Lost/Mislaid Property.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his parents.
13:00pm Rivas, Christine M., DOB: 05/07/81, of 1616 Sacramento Drive, Carpentersville, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Target, 750 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 06/30/10, in Algonquin.
18:10pm A sixteen-year-old female from Algonquin was charged with Domestic Battery.  She was taken into custody in the 900 block of Old Oak.  She was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of a family member.
May 19
01:05am Stedman, Joshua E., DOB: 10/28/84, Homeless, was Wanted on 2 Warrants out of Kane County for DUI and another Traffic Related Incident.  He was taken into custody in the 1400 block of E. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
07:50am Allen, Brandy S., DOB: 07/10/81, of 650 Chestnut Court, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS, No Proof of Insurance, Child Safety Seat/Belt Violation and No Seat Belt.  She was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and N. Huntington Drive.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 06/23/10, in McHenry County.
12:26pm Kruger, Brandon T., DOB: 08/12/81, of 2643 Christie Drive, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS and No Seat Belt.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 06/23/10, in McHenry County.
14:15pm Guarino, Michael V., DOB: 10/05/60, of 55 Birch Street, Carpentersville, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and No Seat Belt.  He was taken into custody at Wildwood Road and Sunrise Lane.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 06/23/10, in McHenry County.
May 20
00:41am Santini, Wesley A., DOB: 11/25/88, of 1604 Glen Eagle Drive, Carpentersville, was charged with Battery.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear, on a Domestic Battery charge.  He was taken into custody at Life Time Fitness, 451 Rolls Drive.  He was released after posting $100, on the Algonquin charge and after posting $500, on the McHenry County Warrant, he was given a court date of 06/23/10, in McHenry County for both incidents.

Huntley Offers To Build Amtrak Station

The Huntley Board has offered to pay for an Amtrak station if transportation planners will pick their village as the McHenry County stop on a new route from Chicago to Dubuque.

The Board decided to make the offer in closed session last Thursday but it wasn't revealed until Wednesday when State Rep. Mike Tryon issued a report on a meeting with Amtrak officials Tuesday.  Tryon said George Weber, Bureau Chief of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Public & Intermodal Transportation, was "impressed" with Huntley’s offer to fund  a train station there.

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-14) has been pushing Amtrak for a McHenry County stop on its Blackhawk Route through northern Illinois to eastern Iowa.  Without it the train would highball straight from Bensenville to Belvidere.  So far the choice is between Huntley and Marengo and the Huntley Board hopes offering to pay for a station will put them on top.

"We don't need to spend a whole lot of money," said Trustee Harry Leopold Wednesday who reported the village has its eye on at least two unoccupied buildings that could be remodeled.

The prize in the competition isn't really an Amtrak station, however.  What the Board really wants is a stop on a Metra commuter route to Chicago which would use the same rails as Amtrak.  "It'd be nice to piggyback," said Trustee John Piwko.  "Would Metra be more likely to run a route if we had Amtrak?" asked Piwko.  "Probably."

There'd be cascade benefits, too, according to Mayor Chuck Sass.  “With a station located in the downtown, this could be the catalyst needed to start our downtown revitalization efforts," he said.

Huntley officials trooped to Chicago Tuesday along with Tryon and Manzullo's people to make the village's pitch for the McHenry County stop but their station offer isn't graven in stone yet.  "Everything is dependent on there being the choice, 'It's going to be Huntley'," said Piwko.

In the pic: Amtrak's new Blackhawk Route through Huntley and Marengo.

Grafton Township Skips Budget Planning Session

Grafton Township slid further toward stasis Wednesday as Trustees canceled a scheduled special budget workshop meeting because they didn't have enough financial information to come up with one that was sensible.  "We don't have the ending figures (for the fiscal year ending) really completely accurate so that I can figure it out," said Trustee Betty Zirk.

The Township's financial records disappeared from its computer in March after Trustees called for an audit of the books due to what they thought were discrepancies.  Last week Supervisor Linda Moore revealed she has them at home.

"They have made repeated requests and she won't let them see the computer records," said Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer.

"If they want any reports I'll provide them," said Moore.  "If they want to go over the Quickbook records on the computer with me, I'll do that," said Moore.

Moore said last week she's prepared a draft Township Budget that shows a $200,000 shortfall for the 2010-11 fiscal year.  Trustees claim they won't accept that until they're sure the underlying numbers are right.

Circuit Judge Michael Caldwell could conceivably order Moore to turn over the records but another day of hearing on Moore's and trustees' suits against each other tentatively set for today had to be postponed until June 1.

Meanwhile the statutory budget clock is ticking.  The budget's due July 1 but first there has to be a public hearing and that can't come before the budget's been posted for inspection for 30 days.  "We're going to have to ask the County Clerk for an extension," said Zirk.

If that happens the Township will be flying blind financially, although Zirk said it was unlikely to crash.  "We'll have new real estate taxes June 15," she said.  "Then we'll just try to operate close to the belt."

Expert Advises "Short Sales" To Avoid Foreclosure

In the welter of tips on foreclosure rights and new federal mortgage programs with names like HAMP and HAFA the clear message of Wednesday's Lake in the Hills’ Business Relations Committee ‘Avoiding Foreclosure’ seminar was this: If homeowners get behind on their payments but don't seek expert advice they'd better put their heads between their knees and kiss their homes goodbye.

"I have people calling me in the last month week before a Sheriff's Sale," said Crystal Lake real estate attorney J. D. Hulls.  "They waited too long.  That's too late."

Hulls' recommendation when homeowners fall behind is to go for what's called a short sale.  That's when a home sells for less than the mortgage balance.  Hulls said short sales will only lock people out of the credit market for two years while a foreclosure block lasts for five and bankruptcy for seven.  Hulls said a lot of times banks will agree to short sales because they're not as much trouble for them as foreclosures.

Homeowners probably need an attorney for to pull off a short sale, though, said Hulls, but the good news is their services don't cost anything. "The bank pays my (or other attorneys') fees.  When a short offer comes in we would handle the file for the seller and the bank will pay for it."

In the pic:  Ticor Title exec Dennis O'Neal told homeowners the current wave of foreclosures "is unprecedented in the last 30 years"  at LITH's Business Relations Committee seminar Wednesday.

Start of Temp Paving Slows Huntley Commute

Traffic slowed this week as construction crews began laying down temporary pavement between Kreutzer Road and Main St. in the first stage of widening Route 47 in Huntley.  When the concrete cures traffic will be rerouted so work on the permanent route can begin, according to Tom Costello IDOT resident Engineer.

Costello said commuting will also be cramped by "intermittent" and not very predictable flagging operations like the one earlier this week north of the railroad tracks and Main St.

Costello said bulletins would be posted on IDOT's electric construction signs on Route 47 and the Village of Huntley has a construction news page with the latest updates here: http://www.huntley.il.us/Route47.htm

Dem Lawmakers: Budget Done By June

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Democratic lawmakers say the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be finalized in a matter of days, even though consensus on key matters is still lacking. Lawmakers are planning to return to Springfield next week and Democrats want to finalize a budget to pass to Gov. Pat Quinn before May 31.

State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, a leading House budget negotiator, said there are two roadblocks with budget negotiations — whether or not the state makes its annual pension contribution and whether or not lawmakers should grant Quinn emergency budget powers.

Lawmakers are trying to decide between a borrowing plan to make a $3.7 billion contribution to the state’s public employee pension systems, or skipping this year’s contribution and losing out on millions of dollars in interest that would have been gained by pension system investments.

“Many of the members that I talk to on the Republican side know that it is a disastrous move to skip the payment and not allow the borrowing, but are not willing to make that vote (for pension borrowing). And that’s probably the most political part of the budget,” Mautino said.

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said Republicans are posturing for November’s general election. “By the time this increase comes, people are going to really see that it’s necessary,” he said. “Because then all of these cuts are going to be Draconian, they will be just devastating to social services and education to Illinois.”

As for granting Quinn emergency powers, Mautino said Democratic lawmakers are concerned Quinn could make widespread cuts to important education and human service programs. “We have some members that are currently off the reservation on a buffalo hunt someplace,” Mautino said. “But they’ll come back in and realize that beyond May 31, it takes 71 votes to do anything, and therefore a lot of things will shut down.”

Lawmakers are planning to return next week but could not provide a specific timeline.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2997/dem-lawmakers-budget-done-by-june/

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
May 19
0016 HRS 100 BLOCK OF OAKLEAF RD. DOMESTIC Roommate vs. roommate. Verbal only. No priors.
0148 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0220 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 47 years of age, labored breathing and vomiting. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
0714 HRS 200 BLOCK OF WARWICK LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 10 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1413 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 30 years of age, hurt ankle. Transported to Woodstock Memorial.
1647 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. BATTERY. Female vs Female. FAIL TO FILE.
1700 HRS PYOTT RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1757 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF MOONSTONE RUN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 14 years of age, lost consciousness. No transport.
1813 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF PINE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 61 years of age, feeling very weak. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
2042 HRS 221 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.

Grafton Administrator Applied To Be Clerk

Day three of the "Who's Going To Run Grafton Township?" court hearing Tuesday again produced no Perry Mason moments but it did clarify a few rumors floating around the Blogosphere.

How, for instance, did Pam Fender end up as the choice for Township Administrator? Fender said she applied to fill the spot vacated when Township Clerk Dina Frigo resigned and Trustee Rob LaPorta called her to ask if she wouldn't rather apply for the new Administrator's position no one knew about.  LaPorta told a similar story in his testimony except he added there were other (unnamed) candidates for Administrator, too. No one mentioned where the idea for for an Administrator came from, though, and no one ever asked.

Fender admitted she'd opened mail addressed to "Grafton Township Supervisor".  The three exhibits were window-pane utility bills and LaPorta said one of the things Trustees wanted Fender to do was make sure they saw all the Township bills because they thought Supervisor Linda Moore was hiding some of them.

Fender also admitted she'd written down the phone number of a General Assistance welfare client but only so Moore could call back and that was while Moore had disappeared from the Grafton Township offices for several days on what at some point came to be called a "vacation".  Fender had a tougher time explaining a posting on Huntley Neighbors website about a GA client Moore cut from the rolls.  She admitted she'd made the posting but claimed she didn't reveal enough information to identify the client.

Judge Michael Caldwell chastised Fender at one point for editorial comment when Fender added "This is so childish" to an account of a wrestling match she had with Moore over who got to say "hello" to a Township telephone call.  "Stick to the facts," said the judge.

LaPorta and Trustee Betty Zirk, earlier, are the only defendants who've appeared at the trial so far, not counting Township Attorney Keri-Lynn Krafthefer who admitted her role in the hearing is "grey" since she's listed as a defendant, too.  The whole affair is such a legal hairball that defendant trustees Gerry McMahon and Barbara Murphy haven't appeared because if either did, a quorum of the Township Board would be present, a possible violation of the state's Open Meetings Act.  "I don't think it's ever been litigated," said defense attorney Thomas DiCianni who clearly wasn't interested in being the first to do so.

Testimony ran 'till 6 pm Tuesday since LaPorta wasn't sure he could get any more days off from work and the case was continued to tomorrow at 10 am.

There's reportedly another Grafton Board Special meeting tonight but it's not listed on the Township website and FEN, covering the trial, couldn't stop by the Township Offices to check for the required notice.

In the pic: Grafton Township Administrator Pam Fender and resident Don Kruto leave the McHenry County Government Center Tuesday.  Kruto testified he doesn't ride the Senior Bus because "It just doesn't work," anymore.

Mental Health Board Defends Lack Of Building Plans

The McHenry County Board spent most of Tuesday evening in a Donnybrook over a zoning change that might draw thousands of drunken rock and rollers to an "agritourism" operation near Spring Grove but not before the County Mental Health Board came back to explain they hadn't deceived the Board about expansion plans.

District 5 Member, Paula Yensen, Lake in the Hills, two week's ago complained the Mental Health Board's plans for a $4 million headquarters expansion in Crystal Lake didn't appear to be as advanced as she'd thought in February when the County Board approved using stimulus bonds to build it. 

Tuesday Mental Health Director Sandy Lewis said her Board had plans for the expansion, just not architect drawings.  Those won't be ready until early August but groundbreaking's planned for about Labor Day, six months after the bonds closed.

Yensen said, "I was with the understanding that your project was more shovel ready," but didn't press the issue saying that might have been a misconception.  Yensen continued, however, to push to keep the construction money in the county.  "Here we are, we have an opportunity to put people to work in McHenry County and the construction firm is in Kane County."

Lewis said it was only the Mental Health Board's Owner's Representative firm that was in Kane County and it had done lots of other McHenry County projects before, anyway.  The bid for construction hasn't even gone out for bid yet, said Lewis, and the law mostly says the contract has to go to the low bidder, anyway.

"I hope they will consider people who work in and live in our county," Yensen said.

The agritourism deal  near Spring Grove passed, by the way, although loaded with more than a dozen restrictions.

LITH Rotary Supports Domestic Violence Group

Lake in the Hills Rotary Club recently presented a $1000 donation to support Turning point, McHenry County’s domestic violence service agency and shelter.

The Rotary is a service organization made up of business and professional leaders that donate money and time to local community organizations through its fund-raising efforts. The LITH Rotary sponsors the Rockin Rotary Ribfest each summer in Sunset Park. This year's is in about six weeks.

In the pic:  President of the Lake in the Hills Rotary President, Steve Swanson, gives a check to Turning Point Executive Director Jane Farmer.

Blagojevich Trial Could Affect Election Season

By Ashley Badgley,  Illinois Statehouse News
There are a few weeks left until the federal corruption trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is set to begin June 3. In a time when Illinois is facing a major budget deficit, the trial might have an effect on how voters view state politics, experts said.

Patrick Collins, the lead prosecutor in the federal racketeering trial of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, said the state is going through “unprecedented times” with the Blagojevich trial coming up. He said there has been a major change in Illinois politics since the Ryan trial and conviction.

“The combination of the Ryan administration’s problems and the Blagojevich administration’s problems, that sort of one-two punch, I think has changed Illinois politics,” Collins said.

Collins said the trial and the state of affairs in Illinois will leave voters with a chip on their shoulder when elections roll around in November. He said the alleged corruption of Blagojevich will also be a target for political campaign slams.

Roosevelt University political science professor Paul Green agrees with Collins and said the trial falls at a perfect time for politicians who want to use it in their campaign.

“Politically speaking, this trial could not come at a better time,” Green said. “This will be during a whole summer, which is going to [have] pretty dull politics and it will probably end right as the campaign season beings after Labor Day…Every one will be able to follow (the trial) and use it for their campaigns.”

Overall, the alleged corruption charges and trial against Blagojevich are not going to change how the state feels about its politics, Green said. He said the state’s image is already low. “Right now, we’re below sea level. It’s going to be very tough to hurt the image of Illinois politics,” Green said.

You can read Ashley's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2993/blagojevich-trial-could-affect-election-season/

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
May 18
2310 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). WANTED ON WARRANT. STINGER, JOSHUA T., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 1650 YELLOWSTONE CIRCLE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession of a Controlled Substance Less than .25 grams; Wanted on Warrant, Elk Grove Village, Failure to Appear, Larceny Bond $5000 @ 10%; Wanted on Warrant, Rolling Meadows, Failure to Appear, Retail Theft, $3000.00 Full Amount. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0302 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. LEE, BRANDON R., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 1303 JEFFERSON ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS.  CHARGES: Domestic Battery-FAIL TO FILE, Hosting an Underage Drinking Party. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
HENRY, RACHEL A., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 1024 PLUM TREE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0801 HRS 400 BLOCK ANNANDALE. FOLLOW UP ARREST: DOMESTIC BATTERY. MURRAY, MARISSA D., F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 420 ANNANDALE, LAKE IN THE HILLS.  CHARGE: Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0243 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF SPRUCE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 84 years of age, having a hard time breathing. Transported to Sherman Memorial Hospital.
1728 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. LOST ARTICLE. Lost front license plate. LEADS entry made.
1825 HRS 343 RANDALL RD., (STARBUCKS). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.

LITH Airport Reliever Of The Year

The Lake in the Hills Airport has been awarded the Reliever Airport of the Year award from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics. The award's based on an airport's safety record, maintenance and its cooperation with the Division of Aeronautics and Federal Aviation Administration.

There's a lot of cooperation with the FAA right now with the airport in the middle of an FAA-mandated safety upgrade that required relocating Pyott Road and has embroiled the village in a three-year court battle over a chunk of the parking lot for next-door Sierra Petroleum.

Newly-hired Assistant Public Works Director T. J. Moore said he was a little worried about the accompanying title of Airport Manager.  "(Village Administrator Jerry Sagona) said 'You're dealing with asphalt, building maintenance, contractors and regulatory bureaucracy.'  That's what I'm used to."

The Lake in the Hills Airport is an FAA reliever airport for Chicago O'Hare, its job, essentially, to keep the little planes out of the way of the big ones. With one paved runway, 139 based-aircraft, and 40,000 annual operations, the Airport represents 2.63% of the total impact of Illinois's reliever airports.

The state has 10 relievers, 6 for the Chicago area, including DuPage Airport and Chicago Executive Airport (Palwaukee), relievers of the year in the past.

The airport's been estimated to generate a total economic impact of over $19 million annually in McHenry County.

In the pic:  Lake in the Hills Airport Manager T. J. Moore surveys his domain  Monday and considers some of its quirky aviation challenges.  For instance, "There are far too many deer here."

Huntley High School Hands Out Awards

If Huntley High isn't quite Lake Wobegon where "all the kids are above average", Monday's Awards Night at the high school proved an awful lot of them are.

For instance, the first students honored were those maintaining a 4 or higher grade point average on a four-point system. How to do better than 4 points on a 4-point system is complicated but some of the 30 students called onstage did it.

Forty four received the President's Award For Excellence.  Five Huntley High Schoolers were among the top scorers of the 1.5 million who took the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Algonquin Farmers' Market Opens Thursday

The Algonquin Farmers' Market will getting underway Thursday includes a few changes from last year.  For one, there's a new afternoon time for 2010. 

The weekly market this year will be every Thursday through September from 1pm to 7pm in the municipal parking lot on South Harrison Street, one block east of Route 31.  As last year, the Thursday timing avoids conflict with all the weekend farmers' markets around.  

The afternoon timing is so that beginning in July, music-lovers can stroll over to Riverfront Park after the Farmers Market closes for the day to enjoy free village-sponsored concerts starting at 7:30pm each Thursday evening from July 15—August 19.

The market will offer fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, various organic items, seasonal plants and flowers and is sponsored by the Downtown Algonquin Partnership (DAP) merchants’ association to promote Algonquin’s Old Town District and downtown businesses. 

For information about that group, contact Gabriele Reego or visit their website at
www.downtownalgonquin.org.

Fifty Flutists Practice For Choir

Heineman Middle School Band Director Pam Jorgensen conducted practice at the school Monday getting ready for "The World's Largest Flute Choir".

Flutists playing instruments from bass to piccolo will be featured at a joint concert of Heineman’s 8th Grade Band and Sun City’s Concert Band next Tuesday at 8:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center at Huntley High School.

If you've never heard "Ode To Joy" played on 50 flutes, here's a chance at something new.

Gov: State Will Have Budget By May Deadline

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois lawmakers are going to cut it close, but Governor Pat Quinn said he's confident that legislators will have a budget by the month's deadline. The Illinois General Assembly adjourned May 7, even though lawmakers have not come to terms on a state spending plan.

Quinn on Monday said he expects legislators to return next week and hammer out a budget by the May 31 deadline. "It's important that the legislature understands that it's time to step up to the plate and work together for something that's really important. Getting a good budget, the best we can get under the circumstances, for the people of Illinois."

That budget likely will not include Quinn's proposed 33 percent income tax increase, and will instead likely rely on borrowing billions of dollars and delaying payment on millions more.

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, said it's going to be a tough vote for many legislators. "People are going to have to decide how much government they want, and how much government they are willing to pay for."

Jacobs and the rest of the Democratic controlled Illinois Senate wrapped up its version of a state budget before leaving Springfield. The focus will now shift to the Illinois House, which has not yet been able to agree on its version of a budget.

Democrats in the House have proposed both a pension IOU and a pension borrowing scheme, but they are a handful of votes shy of the 71 needed to act on the plans.
Republicans have been reluctant to borrow more, and just as reluctant to help Democrats in what could be a tough election year.

If the budget doesn't "get done" by May 31, lawmakers could once again roll into overtime session. But it will take the same number of votes to pass a budget after June 1 as it will to pass a borrowing plan now. A number of lawmakers believe that could make for another long summer in Springfield.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2981/gov-lawmakers-will-have-budget-by-may-deadline/

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
May 17
0108 HRS 500 BLOCK OF ANDERSON. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 36 years of age, having chest pain. Transported to Good Shepherd.
0154 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 37 years of age, having chest pain. No transport.
0705 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Two tires punctured on a vehicle overnight. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0809 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1301 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Two tires punctured on a vehicle overnight. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1456 HRS 10 BLOCK OF PERSHING AVE. BURGLARY. Jewelry and electronics were taken from a residence. TURNED OVER TO  INVESTIGATIONS.
1639 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. HIT & RUN. Vehicle parked on street was damaged in the early morning. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1720 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CIRCLE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Items removed from vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1723 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. Complainant received a bad check. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.

Huntley Mourns Child's Death

Huntley residents lined up for hours at the DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home Sunday to mourn little Carter Kettner.  More than a thousand people offered condolences to the family of the six year-old Huntley boy who died Wednesday of an inoperable cancer.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated for the child today at 10:30 am at St. Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

Algonquin Bypass Creates Bicycle Business Opportunity

By Village Board proclamation it's Bike To Work Week in Algonquin this week so it's not without irony that this week Sam Zakson is packing up the village's Prairie Trail Bike Shop to move it to Fox River Grove.

"They're tearing the building down," growled a frustrated Zakson, to make way for Algonquin's Route 31 Western Bypass.  Village planners said they tried to help find a new Algonquin spot for the shop but Zakson didn't think any would work so after 20 years he's leaving the village.

In Fox River Grove the store will be called The Bicycle Stop.  "Its on Route 14 right across from the train station," said Zakson.  "It's not going to be as good as next to the Bike Path," he said, then stopped a moment and decided, "It might be better."

In any case, it's going to be elsewhere so there's a new business opportunity in Algonquin.  "We want to have a bicycle shop in Algonquin," said Village Manager Bill Ganek who's looking for a two-wheeled entrepreneur.

The business formerly known as The Prairie Trail Bike Shop will open in Fox River Grove June 1.  Its new website is at http://thebicyclestop.com .

In the pic:  A jammed derailleur will be bad news for bicyclists near Algonquin when the Prairie Trail Bike Shop closes its doors soon.

Here Are All The Art Bike Racks In Algonquin

Bike To Work Week in Algonquin offers another chance for the village to introduce pedalers to the village's new public art bike racks. Eight of the upscale racks are scattered through the village now but so far, form seems to be outweighing function.

Made from steel and powder coated, the things are designed to stand up to use, so it's OK to chain a bicycle to one of them.  In fact, it's not just OK, it's encouraged.  Get used to them and the village says it'll make some more.

Here's all about bicycling, including maps, in Algonquin:  www.algonquin.org/bike .

Quinn Vetoes Restrictions On Tuition Waivers

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Governor Pat Quinn doesn’t want lawmakers to reform the General Assembly Scholarship Program — he wants the program eliminated.

“At a time when students are being deprived basic assistance and we are asking our institutions of higher learning to operate with scarce resources, I cannot affix my signature to something that allows student assistance to be based on anything other than need and merit,” Quinn said in his veto message last week.

The controversial General Assembly Scholarship Program has long been a subject of scrutiny. Every year, each member of the General Assembly is authorized by state law to handpick eight students from his or her district to receive one-year scholarships to any Illinois public university.

A four-month investigation jointly conducted by Illinois Statehouse News and Columbia College in Chicago found some lawmakers named campaign contributors or contributors’ relatives as recipients of tuition waivers, while other lawmakers tied in voter registration with the scholarship application.

Another complaint about the program is that the so-called “scholarships” are actually unfunded tuition waivers, which means the universities must eat the cost of educating students chosen by lawmakers.

The bill Quinn vetoed would have restricted scholarships for political contributors and sponsor Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said he wasn't sure if he'd try for an override. Even if he decides to go for it, a vote wouldn't be likely until late this year.

You can read Kevin's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2948/quinn-vetoes-proposed-restrictions-on-legislative-tuition-waivers/

LITH Committee 'Avoiding Foreclosure' Seminar Wednesday

Lake in the Hills residents can attend a free seminar on 'Avoiding Foreclosure' Wednesday at 6:30 pm at Village Hall. The seminar is designed to educate homeowners on the overall foreclosure process but especially their rights and options in avoiding foreclosure.

The seminar, sponsored by the LITH Business Relations Committee,  is supposed to help answer questions and provide tactics in making the most of a difficult financial situation. Speakers for the seminar include attorney, J.D. Hulls, Century 21 Roberts & Andrews, Dennis O'Neal from Ticor Title and CPA Peggy Zang. Each of the speakers will be available during the seminar to answer questions about the foreclosure process and literature will be available for those unable to stay for the full program. There is no cost or pre-registration required.

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
May 16
0013 HRS RANDALL RD. & MCHENRY AVE. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. STROBEL, SEAN W., M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 11 ACORN UNIT 1D, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0111 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF CADBURY CIRCLE. RECKLESS CONDUCT. GRAY, CAPRICE J., M/B 20 YEARS OF AGE, 1201 9TH ST., HARVARD. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct. RELEASED ON BOND.
0231 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. CRUZ, TAYLOR A., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 840 CYNTHIA LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
KNAUF, PATRICK R., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 4021 W. LILLIAN ST., MCHENRY. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
LEE, BRANDON R., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 1303 JEFFERSON, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Hosting Underage Drinking Party. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
1522 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. THEFT UNDER. HANSON, BRETT J., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 301 VILLAGE CREEK DR. APT 2A, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Theft Under, Two Counts. RELEASED ON BOND.
1639 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & SQUARE BARN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. PEREZ, ALEJANDRO W., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 2215 AURORA DR UNIT 26, PINGREE GROVE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
HRS 100 BLOCK OF HAWTHORNE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0502 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 64 years of age, heart problem. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
0516 HRS 900 BLOCK OF NOELLE BEND. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Grandmother and mother vs. son. No priors. FAIL TO FILE
1131 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF CHADWICK LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 53 years of age, experiencing numbness in hands. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1220 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 37 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1258 HRS 400 BLOCK OF S. ANNANDALE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Sister vs. sister. Five priors.
1357 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN.  INJURY ACCIDENT. Vehicle in ditch. Driver transported to Sherman Hospital.
1408 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF CLAREMONT LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 8 years of age, needs evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1605 HRS RANDALL RD & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. deer. Property damage only.
1803 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. DOG BITE. Subject bitten by a dog.
1811 HRS PINGREE RD. & RAKOW RD. ACCIDENT.  Four vehicle. Property damage only. No transport.
1941 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HALIGUS RD. SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION VIOLATION. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
2222 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF BURR ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 11 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
May 14
15:27pm Wajrowski, Margaret A., DOB: 09/14/84, of 317 Hiawatha Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DLWS.  She was taken into custody at Main Street and Washington Street.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 06/16/10, in McHenry County.
15:57pm Argullin, Iwona, DOB: 05/27/58, of 635 Sussex Lane, Crystal Lake, was charged with DWLS.  She was taken into custody at W. Algonquin Road and Randall Road.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 06/16/10, in McHenry County.
18:51pm Dixon, Anthony S., DOB: 04/18/88, of 2206 Teton Parkway, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant, out of Kane County for Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Countryside Drive and Wesley Lane.  He was released after posting $750, with a court date of 06/28/10, in Kane County.
21:56pm Cussen, Debra J., DOB: 11/22/55, of 1610 Hartley Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  She was taken into custody at 1610 Hartley Drive.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
22:24pm Zepeda, Maria Lynn, DOB: 12/17/78, of 12 Pine Street, Carpentersville, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and No Seat Belt.  She was taken into custody at Route 31 and Huntington Drive.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 06/16/10, in McHenry County.
May 15
01:44am Zetera-Hernandez, Luis Armando, DOB: 10/29/85, of 2419 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance and Failure to Secure Child in Safety Seat/Belt.  He was taken into custody at Route 31 and Huntington Drive.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 06/16/10, in McHenry County.
01:49am Pacheco, Miguel A., DOB: 04/16/82, of 1907 S. Euclid Avenue, Berwyn, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Failure to Secure Child in Safety Seat/Belt.  He was taken into custody at Route 31 and Huntington Drive.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 06/16/10, in McHenry County.
19:40pm Ortiz, Gloria, DOB: 07/10/65, of 1398 Grandview Court, Algonquin, was charged Wanted on a Warrant, out of McHenry County for Endangering the Health of a Child.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released after posting $500, with a court date of 06/07/10, in McHenry County.
May 16
00:57am Sashington, Partis W., DOB: 02/28/80, of 2600 Williamsburg, Algonquin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Longmeadow Parkway.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 06/23/10, in McHenry County.
13:10pm Motak, Katarzyna, DOB: 07/07/72, of 715 Chestnut Street, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.

MCC Honors Largest Crop Of Grads Yet

Lake in the Hills nursing graduate Sarah Caruso was the Student Speaker at McHenry County College's graduation ceremony Saturday.  Caruso was among 25 initial graduates of MCC's new nursing program.

About 200 students of the more than 500 who earned associate degrees in the 2010 Spring Semester attended the ceremony.  That was the largest graduating class in the college's history according to Kathleen Plinske, MCC’s interim president.

MCC announced Thursday it's narrowed its long search for a new president to three candidates, all of whom will appear at open forums for the public this coming week.

Caruso earned her GED at MCC and said it was hard holding a steady job and studying for her ADN degree, too, but she stuck with it because she wanted to do something to help people. Caruso plans to continue her education toward a master’s degree in nursing.

Also among MCC's first 25 nursing graduates were LITH residents Urszula Celer and Ashlee Bianchi.

MCC Presidential-aspirant pony shows next week include Vicky R. Smith, President of Neosho County (KS) Community College Tuesday;  Thomas G. Coley, President of Scott ( County, IA) Community College Wednesday and Marge M. Skold, Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Chief Academic Officer of Harper College Thursday.  Each will be from 5:45 to 6:45 pm at the college.

McHenry Rescue Practices At Algonquin Dam

With the Fox River near flood stage Saturday McHenry Township Fire Protection District's Water Search and Rescue team thought it was in ideal time for a little practice and just to make it interesting they tooled down to Algonquin dam for some training variety.  The rushing 5-knot current proved plenty challenging and one crewman was washed a quarter mile downstream before he could be fished out.

Emergency Vehicles Highlited At Touch A Truck Event

The Flight For Life chopper out of Northern Illinois Medical Center was probably the top attraction at the Touch A Truck event at Algonquin Commons Saturday.  The most recondite was the Department of Homeland Security MABAS Air Truck kept at Huntley Fire Protection District.  Basically a giant air compressor on wheels, the thing can recharge multiple air supply bottles in a trice. Very handy if there's ever a really big long fire in the area.

LITH Public Works Open House A Hit

Five year-old Bella Novak tried her hand with a ratchet wrench Saturday to stanch a "leak" in a water main at Lake in the Hills Public Works Department Open House.  That's Matt Baillargeon whose usual venue is at the bottom of a wet hole helping Bella clamp a sleeve on the main.  The nuclear air horn on the Allied Waste garbage truck was probably the Open House's most popular feature, though.

Illinois Gets a “D” on Business

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Budget instability, taxes and regulations combine to make Illinois a hostile place to do business.  At least that's what the nation's business leaders are saying, according to a poll out last week from the Connecticut-based Chief Executive magazine. Illinois ranked 46th out the 50 states and Washington D.C. for the second year in a row, a far cry from the 17th ranking it held in 2005.

Illinois regulations on environment, health care and workers' compensation laws, as well as the state tax and fee rates, have all contributed to unease among the business community. But the state's 7.3 percent corporate income tax rate is middle of the pack. In fact, Illinois' corporate tax rates are lower than in Indiana, which finished 16th in the poll–the highest ranking in the Midwest.

So why are businesses wary of coming to Illinois? "There's no doubt that uncertainty is not good for business and making investments," said Marshall Cooper, the magazine's publisher.  "CEO's need to know there's continuity and stability with the regulation laws, fees, taxes," he said. "So when things are in flux, it makes it hard for businesses to invest heavily in an area."

The poll ranked states based on three criteria: taxes and regulation, living environment, and workforce quality. Illinois' tax policy received a D+ from executives operating in the state, which squeaked by other bottom of the barrel states like Michigan, Massachusetts and the F-rated California. Texas received an A- grade for taxes and regulation, the highest in the nation.

But some think the grades should not be taken too seriously. John Jackson, visiting professor of political science at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, said Illinois' reputation as a high-taxation, regulated state is overblown by business interest groups.

"What I do think is a fair criticism is not the regulatory and tax environment, it's the chaos in the budget that has been created by the state government," he said. "That would give me real pause if I were a CEO thinking about where to locate a business or industry."



You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/2978/illinois-gets-a-d-on-business/

Science Fair Qualifiers Announced

District 300 announced qualifiers this week for the 2010 State Science Fair.  Among them were:
Deniyel Carpenter, Algonquin Middle School
Jake Modlisz, AMS
Sarah Basheer, Westfield Community School
Taylor Brest, Westfield
Miranda Corbett, Westfield
Jamie DeVita, Westfield
Rebecca Haughey, Westfield
Matthew Q. Johnson, Westfield
Alyssa Lach, Westfield
Suzie McDaniel, Westfield
Sejal Patel, Westfield
Ariana Pignatari, Westfield
Keely Quinlan, Westfield
Joseph Slovak, Westfield
McKenzie Stern, Westfield
Lyida Auch, Dundee-Crown HS
Kyle Efken, Crown
Eleanor Oskorep, Crown
Elinor Davies, Crown
Prachi Aggarwal, Harry D. Jacobs HS
Abdul Basheer, Jacobs
Jexenia Bennet, Jacobs
Cameron Bodie, Jacobs
Jessica Bonilla, Jacobs
Sara Ciavarella, Jacobs
Mary Do, Jacobs
Megan Elliot, Jacobs
Tiffany Fang, Jacobs
Katie Rim, Jacobs
Victoria Tamburrino, Jacobs
Katie Walker, Jacobs
Connor Yau, Jacobs

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
May 15
1010 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BERRIOS, MIGUEL, M/W 48 YEARS OF AGE, 2305 ARROW ST., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1739 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD., (RAKOW CURVE). DISORDERLY CONDUCT. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Disorderly Conduct. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0423 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 47 years of age, having chest pains and a hard time breathing.
0431 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. BATTERY. Female vs.male. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0716 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 70 years of age, having a seizure.  No transport.
0849 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 72 years of age, not feeling well. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0929 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ORDINANCE VIOLATION. Sign on easement. Written warning issued.
0958 HRS 3800 BLOCK OF PEARTREE DR. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. An iPod, a driver’s license, a debit card, and currency were taken from a vehicle overnight.
1113 HRS ANDERSON DR. & GRACE DR. HIT AND RUN. Unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle.
1158 HRS 1216 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (RYDER PARK). FOUND ARTICLE. Cell phone found at the park. Returned to owner.
1301 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
1455 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF ROYALOAK LN. IDENTITY THEFT. Complaint’s identity was used to obtain a credit card in Las Vegas.
TURNED OVER TO LAS VEGAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
1745 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). ASSIST TO THE SECRET SERVICE. Assisted the Secret Service with counterfeit US currency.
1824 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOG BITE. Complainant was bitten by a dog. Animal Control was notified.
1739 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD., (RAKOW CURVE). CONTACT WITH REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER. Had contact with a Registered Sex Offender on a traffic stop.
1910 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF BRAIRFIELD LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Fifty-one priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2110 HRS 3700 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 11 years of age, rapid heart rate. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2231 HRS 3400 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. DOMESTIC Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No priors