Southbound Randall To Go One Lane Monday

Southbound Randall Road Commuters, spread the word this weekend:  Starting Monday morning the electric sign about a right lane closure north of Harnish is going to finally be correct and Randall will be down to one lane probably for at least three days.

Contractors finished laying in curbing for a right turn lane into Oakridge Court Thursday and, although there was no media release from McHenry County Division of Transportation, Algonquin Community Development Director Russ Farnum was able to confirm the planned closure Friday afternoon.

According to information available to Farnum, crews will work overtime on the project to shorten the period of lane closure but it's still likely to last at least through Wednesday evening.  Temporary off-rush hour closures in the past six weeks have already produced quarter-mile backups and the advice is to "expect long delays".

The project, part of traffic management for the Oakridge Court shopping center, has been plagued with delays since it began in Spring 2009.  The delay this year reportedly came when phone lines were finally relocated, only, as it turned out, to the wrong new location.

In the pic:  Ninety degrees in the shade and still two lanes southbound at Randall and Harnish Friday afternoon.

Algonquin St. John's To Collect Haiti Aid

More than five months after the January earthquake Haiti remains a wreck.  That's why St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Algonquin will be collecting supplies to aid quake victims all next week starting tomorrow.

Here are the most important things St. John's would like to collect:

Clean Summer Clothing: Tee shirts, lightweight pants and shorts.
Shoes - All sizes. Children's shoes and sandals even plastic or rubber ones.
Socks
Underwear (new)
Five-gallon pails and gas cans
Tools: Shovels, picks, hammers, screwdrivers, nails, screws, drills, cement trowels, etc.
Basic medical supplies
Dishwashing liquid
Anti-bacterial ointment
Power tools: electric or cordless drills, saws, screwdrivers, saws that can cut cement block or stone tile, table saws
Washcloths
Soap
Deodorant
Individual packets of disinfectant wipes
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Band-aids
First aid ointment
Work gloves
Adult rubber boots that can be worn to mix cement
Nails and screws that can be used in cement block

Donations can be dropped off at St. John's collection center from 8:00 am to noon Sunday and Tuesday; from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday and Friday; from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Wednesday and Thursday and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm next Saturday, June 26.

You can find more about Haiti Earthquake Relief at  www.stjohnsalgonquin.org or Phone: 847-658-9300.

In the pic: Kathleen Terzinski copyreads the banner at the printers Friday for St. John's Haitian Relief collection through next Saturday.

Huntley Hosts Community Garage Sale

Day Two of Huntley Jaycees' and the Huntley Park District's second annual Community Garage sale runs from  8 am to 4 pm today in the REC Center parking lot, Huntley.

In the pic:  The inaugural sale last year was pretty busy.

Algonquin Info Stations Promote Conservation Community Day

Algonquin residents ambled along the Woods Creek Bikepath Friday visiting about 20 information stations strung along it between Bunker Hill Drive and Woods Creek Lane to learn about water "From the Faucet To The Watershed."  It was Algonquin's latest Conservation Community Day, an event that began in 2003.

No school groups were herded through the tour this year so attendance was lower than two years ago, this years' number estimated at less than 100 by village officials.

In the pic:  The rustic Woodscreek Bikepath through the middle of the village was the venue for Algonquin's Conservation Community Day Friday.

Quinn Rebuts Slow Construction Criticism

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn says Illinois is having its most productive public works season in its history, despite the lack of visible projects.

Last year, Quinn and lawmakers passed a six-year construction plan that would potentially bring in $31 billion in contracted work and more than 439,000 jobs. According to state records, Illinois had set aside more than $3.3 billion in money for public works projects this year. From that $3.3 billion, almost $464 million already has been spent on projects, while another $585 million is reserved under contract. That leaves $2.3 billion still on the table for dozens of projects around the state.

Quinn said state agencies and public bodies have to go through detailed procedures before releasing the money and starting work. “You’ve got to have bidding and you’ve got to have competitive bidding and you’ve got to do all the policies right,” he said. “The bottom line is we have more construction going right now in Illinois that any other time in our state history.”

Dave Blanchette, spokesman for the Capital Development Board, said all of the projects under the board’s oversight are on schedule to begin construction before fall. “All of the projects that were to be funded under Year One of the plan are being funded and if they’re not underway already, they will be underway in some form by Sept. 1,” he said..

But the campaign for Quinn’s GOP gubernatorial opponent Bill Brady believes projects should have been off and running already. Patti Schuh, a spokesman for Brady, said the public works plan supported by both parties has been grounded by the Quinn administration. “It’s a continuing disappointment that points again to a failure in leadership,” she said.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3315/quinn-refutes-slow-construction-criticism/

McHenry County Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned indictments against the following individuals this week:
An indictment is not proof of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
       
MICHAEL L. SCHULTZ, DOB:  05/02/88, 1103 CHERRY STREET, LAKE IN THE HILLS. AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE.--Fox River Grove PD

CLARISSA M. SCHAUER, DOB:  01/27/72, 61 WEST MARGARET TERRACE, CARY. THEFT(OVER $100,000.), FORGERY(3CTS), THEFT(OVER $300.)(3CTS)--Algonquin PD
   
KELLY L. ARTEL, DOB:  05/19/81, LKA:  330 GREENSVIEW DRIVE, ALGONQUIN. UNLAWFUL USE OF A CREDIT CARD.--Algonquin PD
   
RYAN P. SURATTE, DOB:  05/07/91, 2002 INDIAN RIDGE, MCHENRY. BURGLARY(2CTS), THEFT(UNDER $300.)(2CTS)--Johnsburg PD
   
TRAVIS M. BEHRENS, DOB:  01/01/81, 6402 ELM STREET, UNION, RECKLESS DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM
JOSHUA D. RYANS, DOB:  03/03/81, 3203 ROUTE 23, MARENGO, RECKLESS DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

DELORES SCOTT, DOB:  02/17/64, 1913 S. CICERO AVENUE, CICERO. RETAIL THEFT.--Crystal Lake PD
       
JEFFREY N. BULL, DOB:  10/21/65, 1306 N. FRONT STREET  APT. 2B, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE.--McHenry PD
   
JEFFREY J. LEWIS, DOB:  01/06/82, 8512 ELM STREET, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD

CARL G. JAHNKE, DOB:  12/02/54,    319 DIETZ STREET  #2, MARENGO. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Marengo PD

SUSAN M. NEWBERRY,DOB:  05/30/68, 540 LEAH LANE  APT 1A, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL ACQUISITION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Woodstock PD

ELLIE N. ALEXANDER, DOB:  04/27/76, 27 S. CAROLINE AVENUE, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A SCHOOL(3CTS),  UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(4CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE.--North Central Narcotics Task Force

WILLIAM M. PINEO, DOB:  01/04/67, 111 HILL STREET, CARY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA(3CTS).--Cary PD
   
ANTONIO H. SADIKOFF, DOB:  04/17/80, 26162 W. MARSHALL AVENUE, INGLESIDE. UNLAWFUL PRODUCTION OF CANNABIS SATIVA PLANTS.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

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
June 18
0132 HRS FAIRWAY VIEW DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. JUVENILE M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: No Valid Drivers License, Curfew Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. RELEASED TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Curfew Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. RELEASED TO PARENT.
1330 HRS VILLAGE RD. & CARLEMONT DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. REED, NICHOLAS T., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 1323 CUNAT CT 2D, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1423 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. COLOVOS, REBECCA R., F/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 222 CARVER LN., SCHAUMBURG. CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant, Cook County for Shoplifting. Bond Amount: $7,500 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
1031 HRS 800 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1200 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MASON LN. FRAUD. A credit card was produced and used using victim’s identity.
2121 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Report for insurance.
2128 HRS 311 N RANDALL RD., (LITH THEATRES). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
Huntley
June 7
A forgery report was taken at a business in the 11700 block of Rt. 47.  The victim reported receiving a counterfeit $100.00 bill.
June 8
Merri L. Larson, age 46, of 40W518 Freeman Rd, Huntley, was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  Ms. Larson posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 12, 2010.
June 9
A burglary report was taken at a business in the 10300 block of N. Vine St.  The front window of the business was broken out and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen from the business.
A forgery report was taken at a business in the 11700 block of Rt. 47.  The victim reported receiving a counterfeit $100.00 bill.
A criminal defacement report was taken at 9661 Abbey Rd, Borhart Park.  Graffiti was painted on a shelter with blue spray paint.
A criminal trespass report was taken at a business in the 12900 block of Del Webb Blvd.
Michael J. Turner, age 27, of 16 E. Lillian Ave. #2D, Arlington Heights, was arrested for DUI and DUI blood alcohol over .08. Mr. Turner was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and illegal transport of alcohol.  Mr. Turner posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 16, 2010.
June 10
McKenna L. Gerth, age 21, of 5365 Edgewater Beach Rd, Green Bay, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for improper left turn.  Ms. Gerth posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 9, 2010.
Kevin R. Brock, age 42, of 3562 Fawnridge, Rockford, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for speeding and possession of a suspended license.  Mr. Brock posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 9, 2010.
June 11
Erik J. Ronick, age 30, of 1017 Summerset, McHenry, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Mr. Ronick posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 16, 2010.
A theft report was taken at the intersection of Del Webb Blvd. and Cold Springs Dr.  A “Yield to Pedestrian” sign was stolen.
June 12
Ms. Katherine R. Fees, age 45, of 6105 Park St,. Union, was arrested for driving with no valid driver’s license and display of expired registration.  Ms. Fees posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 16, 2010.
Robert A. Rasche, age 71, of 713 Brookside Ln., Frankfort, was arrested for DUI and DUI blood alcohol over .08. Rasche was cited for improper lane use.  Mr. Rasche posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 23, 2010.
June 13
A 16 year old male from Union  was arrested for consumption of alcohol by a minor.  The juvenile was assigned a July 26, 2010 court date and released to the custody of his mother.
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 10800 block of Wing Pointe Dr.  A GPS system valued at $175.00 and several music CDs were stolen.

Huntley Saves Money With Good Bookkeeping

Huntley's Auditor gave the village books a clean bill of health at Thursday's Board meeting.  Fred Lantz of Sikich Gardner even gave the Board an award for having such a swell balance sheet.  It was a pretty dry presentation until Lantz said, "To the ratings agencies that's worth 10 basis points." That's accountant-speak for a $100,000 per year interest discount on a hypothetical bond issue.

A little later trustees demonstrated how they plan to keep the books in good shape when they generally approved a plan to skip the village's policy of putting windfall revenue into a fund for future bricks and mortar projects this year.  Huntley's saved up about $5 million that way in the last six years but Village Manager Dave Johnson said State payments have been so shaky lately it might be a good idea to keep about $330,000 in one-time revenues from last year on hand in case the state welshes and it's needed to keep village operations going.

Trustees will formally vote on keeping the money handy at the next full Board Meeting.

In the Pic:  Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass with the village's latest seal of financial approval.

Bulls Basketball Camp In Algonquin Monday

The Chicago Bulls/Chicago White Sox Training Academy will host its annual five-day summer camp for basketball at Willoughby Farms Park in Algonquin Monday through Friday next week.

The Chicago Bulls Basketball Schools are in over 50 neighborhoods throughout the Chicago area. Every participant in the summer camp program receives a Bulls Basketball Schools duffel bag, Chicago Bulls indoor/outdoor basketball, t-shirt, graduation certificate and a discount on purchasing 2010-2011 Bulls tickets . All athletes will also have their abilities tested in some of the same skills that pro scouts use to test college athletes. The top qualifiers in each age group will compete for the Grand Championship on the United Center court at an annual Champions Day event.

The White Sox will conduct summer camps at Dundee's Randall Oaks Park July 5 through 9 for baseball and July 5 through 8 for fastpitch. For more information on any of the summer camps or to register go to www.BullsSoxAcademy.com

Another Route 47 Traffic Jam

A pair of gigantic and vaguely ominous tanks parked in the construction site at Kreutzer Road and Route 47 for the past week raise the question for passing motorists, "What the heck are these things?"

Cement hoppers, according to Illinois Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Tom Costello.  They don't have anything to do directly with widening Route 47 right now but "there's an awful lot of construction equipment in the area," Costello said.  There are so many, he said, that it's creating another construction traffic jam only this one's of the big machines. In short, Costello said, the hoppers are where they are because they need to be someplace.

Judge Scolds Blago Attorneys On Witness Treatment

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
But the aggressive stance of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's defense team has taken in the former governor’s corruption trial is started to rub federal Judge James Zagel the wrong way Thursday.

Blagojevich’s lawyers have accused two prosecution witnesses of lying on the stand this week. Attorney Mike Gillespie asked former Al Gore fundraiser Joe Cari Thursday if he “would lie to avoid prison.” When Cari answered no, Gillespie shot back “but you lied to the FBI (in 2004).” Cari admitted in his testimony that he lied to federal investigators about his relationship to convicted pay-to-play businessman Stuart Levine in the fall of 2004.

The prosecution immediately objected, leading Zagel to scold the defense attorney. “You are arguing with the witness, not asking him questions,” the judge said.

Blagojevich and his high-energy lead attorney Sam Adam Jr. appear to relish the spotlight the trial has afforded. Their frequent statements to the media have been a top concern for prosecutors, who submitted a motion to Zagel to bar the defense from taking its case to television cameras.

The judge sat on the motion until Wednesday — a day after Blagojevich and Adam Jr. called star witness and former Blagojevich Chief of Staff Alonzo “Lon” Monk a “liar” on air. “I don’t much care if a juror is exposed to (television news) about something that happened in court,” Zagel said. “What bothers me is argumentative interpretation…this is an appeal to a form of defense which the law excludes.”

He described Blagojevich’s complaints about his “best friend’s” testimony as an appeal to emotions, rather than courtroom evidence. Such statements could taint the jury’s impression of the case, he said. Zagel warned both sides to reach a “lawyerly agreement” concerning media communication by Monday. Lead prosecutor Reid Schar said the attorneys will meet today.

The defense has tried to paint cooperating witnesses like Monk and Cari as self-interested manipulators who are inventing testimony to avoid lengthy prison sentences.

You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3302/judge-scolds-blagojevich-attorneys-on-witness-treatment/

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
June 17
0105 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BLAKELY, JACQUELINE L., F/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 2001 SHERMAN BLVD., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0726 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. COOPER, KRISTEN A., F/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 955 NORTH SHORE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE.  CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1732 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & MARIE AVE. WANTED ON WARRANT. TAYLOR III, EUGENE F., M/W 29 YEARS OF AGE, 872 BRANDT DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, DuPage County, Failure to Appear for Traffic Offense, Bond is $ 2,000 @ 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
0202 HRS 300 BLOCK OF POCAHONTAS TRAIL. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. son and girlfriend vs. boyfriend. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0520 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Brick thrown through back window of parked vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0605 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Brick thrown through back window of parked vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0734 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. 46 year old male experiencing neck pain. No transport.
0819 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF SORREL ROW. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Brick thrown through back window of parked vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1028 HRS LAKEWOOD RD, & MILLER RD. FOUND ARTICLE. A set of keys were found on the bike path. Entered into evidence.
1047 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF DAYBREAK DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Ex-husband making threats to ex-wife.
1300 HRS 800 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 71 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1501 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF SORREL ROW. ACCIDENT. Vehicle backed out of driveway and struck parked car.
1508 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD., (TACO BELL). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1651 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1717 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WALNUT DR. DOMESTIC. Stepfather vs. stepson. Verbal only. No priors.
1743 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. ASSAULT. Altercation between neighbors. UNFOUNDED.
1842 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF CHERRY ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father v. daughter. One prior. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
Algonquin
June 14
11:00am Rahn, Corey J., DOB: 02/14/87, of 1300 Gaslight Drive, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS, BAIID (ignition interlock) Restriction Violation and Failure to Reduce Speed.  He was taken into custody at County Line Road and Merchant Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
June 15
18:53pm Ortiz, Gloria, DOB: 07/10/65, of 1398 Grandview Court, Algonquin, was charged with DWLR, Expired Registration and No Proof of Insurance.  She was taken into custody at Arquilla Drive and Hanson Road.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 07/21/10, in McHenry County.
June 16
00:06am Atta, Gerald J.,  DOB: 05/21/58, of 781 Lake Cornish Way, Algonquin, was charged with 2 counts of Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 781 Lake Cornish Way.  He was transported to Kane County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
00:42am Bunda, Matthew D., DOB: 08/25/78, of 151 Weaver Drive, Cary, was charged with DWLS and Possession of a Hypodermic Needle.  He was taken into custody at Greensview Drive and Fairway View Drive.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 07/21/10, in McHenry County.
08:20am A twelve-year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with Theft Under $300. He was taken into custody at the Algonquin PD. He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and released into the custody of his mother.
21:10pm Schlaiss, Marc D., of 10 Hollyhock Court, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLS. He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 07/21/10, in McHenry County.
June 17
05:25am Lee, Nicol E., 9/6/68, of 202 Tunbridge Trail, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery. She was taken into custody at 202 Tunbridge Trail. She was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
21:16pm Broederdorf, Anthony D., DOB: 02/02/92, of 1301 Cardinal Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on 2 Warrants out of McHenry County for Burglary.  He was taken into custody at Partridge Court and Grandview Court.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
June 18
01:37am Pientka, Bryan E., DOB: 06/17/73, of 1405 Washington Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DUI, DUI Over, No Proof of Insurance, Unsafe Tires and No Taillights.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 07/28/10, in McHenry County.
05:05am Berber-Lopez, Ireneo, DOB: 04/19/64, of 1411 Millbrook Drive, Algonquin was charged with No Valid Driver’s License.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Randall Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 07/21/10, in McHenry County.

Kids Penetrate Algonquin's Derelict Riverside Square

An examination Wednesday of Algonquin's derelict Riverside Square luxury condo development lent credence to the village's complaint that it poses a hazard to the community.  Inspectors found that kids have made their way inside it.

Building Commissioner Craig Arps told FEN "There's some (graffiti spray) paint inside it."  Arps and police made the inspection to see if the building had been penetrated and to figure out ways to upgrade security against it.

Algonquin police chief Russ Laine this week called the structure a safety hazard and said he planned to have his force step up surveillance and begin regular interior inspections of the decrepit development.

Following the failure of the project and then its lender, Amcore Bank, Riverside Square now belongs to Harris Bank.  After more than a year of fruitless negotiations with Amcore the village filed suit in Cicuit Court three months ago to have the moldering half-finished building torn down.  That suit continues now against Harris and Village Attorney Kelley Cahill reported last week she and Harris attorney's have been swapping around bits of arcane legal paper.

Harris spokesman Patrick O'Herlihy Wednesday told FEN "we are still in the early stages of finding a solution," but said he was constrained by "confidentiality reasons" from saying any more.

Amcore claimed it was trying to sell Riverside Square but the project never showed up in commercial real estate listings like Loopnet.  An FEN check Wednesday couldn't find it listed anywhere by Harris, either.

LITH Police Seek Child Incident Suspect

Lake in the Hills police are looking for two men who approached and followed a 14 year-old Lake in the Hills girl on her bicycle Tuesday afternoon.

Police said two men in a rusty pickup truck tried to talk to the girl at Miller and Frank roads about 2:45 pm Tuesday and then followed her west on Miller to onto Kingsgate to Glacier Ridge School. The girl told police the man on the passenger side threw something at her.

Police said the girl could only describe that person, a slim man 30 to 40 years old, medium complected with short receding hair and an Hispanic accent. She reported their truck was an older white Chevy, maybe a Silverado, with rust on the right door, a windowless white cap on the bed and tool handles sticking out the rear.

LITH Police asked anyone who might know the man or the truck to call 847-658-5676.

In the pic:  A composite picture of one of two men who approached a LITH teenager Tuesday.

Algonquin To Hold Seventh Water Conservation Fest Friday

Friday will mark the Village of Algonquin's seventh annual Water Conservation Day (if you don't count last year which ironically was rained out). The Village will highlight “From the Faucet to the Watershed” as part of the day of free activities on the Woods Creek bike path between Bunker Hill Drive and Woods Creek Lane.

Where does drinking water come from and how does it get to the faucet.? What's a detention pond for? From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm the village and community conservation groups will reveal the answers to those and other aqueous mysteries in a day at the Woods Creek Watershed with hands-on learning opportunities for all ages.

Centers will be strung out along the route.  Take Randall Road, turn west on Bunker Hill Drive near Jacobs High School, and follow until you see Woods Creek. Look for event signs.  Street parking will be available on Bunker Hill or Woods Creek Lane or else off-street in the library lot.

AG Investigates Possible Google Privacy Violations

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan Wednesday announced her office has joined a group of 29 others investigating whether Google collected personal information from state residents while gathering data for its popular Street View service.

“It is disturbing that Google has been collecting this data since 2007,” Madigan said. “We have asked Google to explain in detail exactly what information it has collected and what it is doing with the information."

Google Street View allows users to view actual photos when using other Google services such as Google’s map service or driving directions service. Besides the pics, Street View vehicles are also equipped to capture WiFi network data.

Google has acknowledged that its equipment also collected and stored samples of so-called payload data from computer users who were logged on to open WiFi networks at the time the vehicles passed through certain areas. Payload data can include user emails, passwords, and browsing activity. Madigan and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley sent a joint letter to Google last week requesting detailed information on Google Street View’s collection of payload data from Illinois and Massachusetts residents.

In public statements Google said it collected the data but didn't do anything with it and isn't using the cars anymore, anyway.  "we are investigating Google’s actions to determine whether any laws were broken and what steps must be taken to protect the privacy of Illinois residents,” said Madigan Wednesday.

In the pic:  A Google Street View data gatherer.  Google says the cars have been grounded.

Witness: Blagojevich Planned Kickbacks

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
A friend of convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko said the developer told him of plans to kick back money to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Joe Aramanda testified Wednesday that Rezko told him of plans to kick back tens of millions of dollars in fees from the Teachers’ Retirement System to Blagojevich, Lon Monk and fundraiser Chris Kelly in 2004.

Aramanda had been under investigation by federal authorities for his ties to Rezko and several outstanding business loans when he agreed to testify in the Rezko and Blagojevich trials in exchange for immunity.

Aramanda said he was “uncomfortable” with the alleged proposal to kick back future fees to the quartet and turned down the offer. He refused a $125,000 payment from his consulting job because he “thought it was wrong,” he said.

Motive is becoming a key argument for prosecutors, which is why Joe Cari’s testimony could play a vital role in the government’s case. Cari was the financial chairman for the Democratic National Committee for former Vice President Al Gore’s presidential run in 2000. Cari testified that Blagojevich discussed his presidential aspirations en route to a 2003 fundraiser in New York. Blagojevich allegedly told Cari he had a great way to raise money for a national campaign.

“(Blagojevich said) that as a sitting governor he had a better chance of raising money (than senators) because he would be giving out state business and would go back to those people for money,” Cari said. He said Blagojevich specifically cited investment and pension fund contracts, as well as legal consultation, for possible fundraising opportunities.

Once out of the courthouse, the former governor signed autographs and posed for pictures–even moving out of the building’s overhang to help get better lighting for a picture with one couple.

You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3290/witness-blagojevich-planned-kickbacks/

Telecom Bill Get Quinn’s Signature

By Kevin Lee,  Illinois Statehouse News
For the last 25 years, the state’s telecommunications regulations have remained nearly unchanged, while new technologies like cell phones and wireless routers have boomed.  Tuesday, Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law a new plan that would loosen the regulations on telecommunication companies and open the way for new investment in wireless and cellular technologies.

Telecommunication companies like AT&T had called for modernizing regulations and claimed that Illinois was losing out on business and investment to other state
The Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit focused on consumer protection, had previously worried AT&T and others would neglect consumers who relied on landline technology if regulations were loosened.

CUB spokesman Jim Chilsen said “A major focus of CUB was to make sure that those consumer choice plans were protected. An earlier version of this bill would have set the stage for those plans being eliminated in three years and under this proposal, the rate freeze is extended and those plans get new life.”

State Sen. Michael Bond, one of the sponsors of the proposal that became law, said new developments in how people communicate made changes in regulations necessary. “Illinois has lived in a rotary-dial law, yet we live in an iPhone world,” he said.

The Brookings Institution, a conservative think tank, estimates that investment following the new modernization law could bring in between 13,000 and 39,000 jobs for Illinois.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3289/telecom-modifications-get-quinns-signature/

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
June 16
0859 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & OAK ST. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CRONMER, ELIZABETH A., F/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 1321 CUNAT CT. #2C, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while license suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1521 HRS PYOTT RD. & RAKOW RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BIANCHI, RAYMOND T., M/W 62 YEARS OF AGE, 375 DARTMOOR DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1402 HRS FOLLOW UP ARREST: 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS PD). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. JUVENILE M/W 13 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Property. TURNED OVER TO PARENTS.
0726 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 29 years of age, severe vomiting. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1015 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HOLLYHOCK CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 10 month old, cut to the thumb. No transport.
1259 HRS INDIAN TRAIL & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Pregnant female in need of a check-up. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2144 HRS 500 GRACE DR., (PLOTE FIELD). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 18 years of age possible broken collarbone. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.

Ban "X" Township--More Easily Said Than Done

"We ought to get rid of this township," said one onlooker after Monday's latest agonized Grafton Township Board meeting.  Theoretically that might be a solution but it's not simply a matter of the Township Fairy waving her magic wand.  The McHenry County State's Attorney's Office has looked into it and it turns out the Devil is in the details.

How to abolish a township comes up periodically, according to Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Rein.  The most recent inquiry came last month, she said, and not from Grafton Township but from a Greenwood Township resident. "There are two ways," said Rein, "but there's a conflict."

Well, not exactly a conflict.  Article VII, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution says residents can abolish all the townships in a county, or just one of them.  However, Illinois Statutes only provide rules for getting rid of all of them.

A study two years ago by the Roosevelt University Institute for Metropolitan Affairs concluded there might not be a lot of point to the exercise in the first place.  It found Illinois townships spend more for administration that other units of local government but the experts decided there were so many other factors at work it probably was an apples and oranges comparison. (Here's the study: http://legacy.roosevelt.edu/ima/pdfs/IMA_050708.pdf )

Be that as it may, the law says to get rid of all the townships in McHenry County, 10 percent of the voters in each one would have to petition for a referendum. If the question managed to make the ballot, the referendum would pass if three quarters of the voters in over half the townships approved it. (Providing the townships that approved it also contained half the total county population. Break out the spreadsheets.)

The Township Code goes on to vaguely detail how the County Board would be replaced by three County Commissioners serving six-year terms with the County itself taking over all the township roads, assessments and assistance.  There doesn't seem to be anything, however, on how to square all those new responsibilities against the state's cap on county tax increases. Algonquin Township Supervisor Dianne Klemm told FEN taking on those new duties would probably cost a lot.

"Back in the 90's when I was County Board Chairman we did a study on it at the county level," she said.  "It turned out...everything we'd have to do including staff and equipment, it would be very expensive."

"Now that I'm wearing other other shoes, I don't see how it could be done," said Klemm. "We're so busy."

As for getting rid of just one township in a county, while the State Constitution says it's possible, there isn't any law on how to actually do it.  Rein provided a copy of the State's Attorney's latest response to getting rid of a particular township.  It says one route would be to get Springfield to draft new legislation setting forth the rules.  The other, it said, would be to go to court. 

Algonquin Plans Edgewood Reconstruction

The Algonquin Village Board Tuesday approved a plan to rebuild Edgewood Road, the major thoroughfare between Route 31 and Hanson Road.  It's in rough shape now, according to planners, and it will probably take at least two years to line up the federal and state funding.

Key to the financing, said Public Works Director Bob Mitchard at last week's meeting, is a plan to include a multi-use bike path along Edgewood.  More matching funds will be available that way, he said, albeit at the cost of taking out about 40 more trees than otherwise. The village plans to replace them with new ones, he said.

Some Edgewood residents have expressed opposition to the path but Mitchard said it would only use up village right of way, not residents' property.

In other action the Board awarded lifesaving awards to two Algonquin Police officers who plunged into a blazing home last year to save an unconscious elderly resident.

In the pic:  Algonquin officers Thomas Murray and Deborah Scott receive medals from Village President John Schmitt for risking their lives to rescue a village resident. Chief Russ Laine, rear, said they exemplified his department's professionalism. 

Free Skin Screening In Huntley Thursday

Remember those sexy tans back in the day?  It turns out that while they may have been sexy ("Ooh, tanlines.  C'mere, Sweetie.") they probably didn't do our skin a lot of good.  That's why The Road to Healthy Skin Tour Bus will make a stop at Centegra Health System, Huntley, from 8 am to 2 pm Thursday.

The Road to Healthy Skin Tour Bus is a 38-foot RV with two exam rooms, making about 80 stops in 24 states throughout the summer months. Centegra Health System was one of those chosen so area residents could get a free skin screening, try some sunscreen samples, and learn about the risks of the sun.

In two months the sobering results of the tour have included diagnosis of 33 melanomas, 88 squamous carcinomas, 189 basal carcinomas and 352 probably pre-cancerous keratoses.

Generally health advisors recommend wearing protective clothing that covers and shades the skin, using sunscreen with UV protection and avoiding tanning beds.  Another tip is not to get old.

“We need the sun for Vitamin D, but need to avoid sunburn and long-term damage to our skin,” said Kay Preshlock, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Centegra's Sage Cancer Center.

Details about the Skin Bus can be found here: http://www.skincancer.org/road-to-healthy-skin-tour-2010.html

In the pic:  The Skin Tour Bus at a stop in New York.

Blagojevich Trial: Monk In Defense’s Crosshairs

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
The defense team for former Illinois Gov. Road Blagojevich laid into a star government witness on Tuesday morning, accusing him of lying on the stand in exchange for a shorter prison sentence. Lead defense attorney Sam Adam Jr. repeatedly called former Blagojevich Chief of Staff Alonzo, “Lon,” Monk a liar during cross examination. And he used Monk’s previous statements to prosecutors to do it.

Monk testified last week that convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko provided him with “seven to nine” envelopes filled with $10,000 in cash beginning in spring 2004. Monk said the envelopes were advance payments for future work for Rezko.

“Wasn’t that money to keep you quiet?” Adam Jr. asked, pointing an accusing finger at the star witness. Monk denied the payments were hush money, but Blagojevich’s lead attorney continued to lay into him. Adam pointed to Monk’s written statement to the FBI and his testimony to a grand jury, in which he described the money as “gifts,” rather than advance payments.

Monk said none of the money he received ever made its way to Blagojevich — a point on which Adam focused much of his questioning. Adam has argued that Blagojevich’s financial troubles are evidence of his innocence, repeatedly telling jurors during his opening statement that the former governor “didn’t see a dime.”

Monk was initially facing up to 20 years in prison in connection to a bribery charge when he agreed to cooperate with the government. The charge was later reduced to a lesser count in which he faced up to five years in prison. Monk will receive a two year prison sentence in exchange for his testimony in the Blagojevich trial.

The prosecution moved beyond its star witness onto a $10 billion pension obligation bond. Blagojevich made the bond the centerpiece of his first budget, persuading lawmakers in 2003 to pass legislation approving the bond.  The government alleges Blagojevich rigged the investment contract to Bear Sterns, which made millions in fees from the sale, in exchange for $500,000.

But the defense argued the decision was influenced by economics, rather than greed. Prosecution witness and former Illinois Director of Debt Management David Able affirmed that notion during cross examination. Interest rates were at 5.05 percent in early June, the lowest in more than 30 years. Able said it was good economics for the state to issue bonds when interest was low and would benefit future returns on investment.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3273/blagojevich-trial-monk-in-defenses-crosshairs/

Obituaries

A wake for Lake in the Hills Trustee Joe Murawski will be held Friday from 3:00 until 9:00 pm at Willow Funeral Home, Algonquin. There will be a viewing at 9:00 am Saturday, at St. Margaret Mary Church with mass following at 10:00. The burial will be at Windridge Cemetery in Cary.

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
June 15
0557 HRS FOLLOW-UP ARREST: 934 CENTER ST., (SHERMAN HOSPITAL) CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. EVERTSEN, WILLIAM S., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 120 WOODY WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS/ CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Property. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL
1951 HRS FOLLOW-UP ARRESTS: CRIMINAL DAMAGETO PROPERTY. 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). JUVENILE, M/W 13 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED TO PARENT. JUVENILE M/W 13 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0520 HRS FOLLOW-UP ARREST: 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. BARSZCZ, CHRISTOPHER T., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 2 MONTCLAIR CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Criminal Damage to Property, two counts. RELEASED ON BOND.
0726 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Siding and screens were damaged on the concession stand. Metal “NO SMOKING” sign taken from the area. Damage is estimated to be greater than $300.
0758 HRS 1216 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (RYDER PARK) CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Screens ripped out from the concession stand.
0922 HRS 71 HILLTOP DR., (BUTCH HAGELE BEACH). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Beach umbrella’s fabric ripped.
1138 HRS RANDALL RD. & POLARIS DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. On 06-14-10 a blue Chevrolet Blazer activated a strobe light inside the vehicle and went through the intersection.
1434 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female, 81 years of age, needed to be checked out.
Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1454 HRS FRANK RD. &  MILLER RD. BATTERY Complainant was struck by rocks by an unknown offender. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
1556 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF CLAYTON MARSH DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 80 years of age, fell out of wheel chair. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1644 HRS RANDALL RD. &  ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1811 HRS 400 VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 33 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Grafton Postpones Unwinding Office Deal Again

Despite another set of dueling agendas the Grafton Township Board Monday managed to hold together for over an hour before dissolving in acrimony again.  However the only substantive business accomplished was to punt farther down the road unwinding the bank and real estate deals that would have allowed building new offices for the township.

Supervisor Linda Moore posted one agenda because "(Clerk) Harriet (Ford) wouldn't do it."  Trustees Rob Laporta and Barb Murphy had Ford post another agenda which included seven items called for by Moore.  A letter to "members of the public" about the last special meeting truncated over agenda conflicts said Monday's special meeting was called by LaPorta and Trustee Betty Zirk, not Laporta and Murphy.  LaPorta told FEN "that was a typo."

The meeting began with something new, a short invocation requested by Moore.  It was over before Zirk could finish objecting to it and Moore ruled her "out of order."

Paying Grafton Township bills reached a new impasse as Moore and trustees continued to wrangle over half a dozen the Supervisor has refused to pay until "continuing litigation", specifically, her suit to get rid of Administrator Pam Fender, is completed.  Zirk moved not to pay any bills at all until Moore pays the bills she refuses to pay and the rest of the trustees agreed to that.

The Board, Moore dissenting, finally approved a package of  Minutes, some of them dating from last October.

Moore reported the Township no longer has enough cash on hand to pay off a bank loan to take back the Township Hall and Road District Garage.  The latest plan from the Township Attorney is for the Township to pay the $2,000 monthly interest on the loan until an audit of the Township financial records is completed. Murphy fumed "This is a waste of money since the audit was supposed to be done two months ago."

That set off another battle over financial records which trustees say are no longer on the township computer.  Moore said Monday "The books are on the township computer" but trustees said they aren't and ordered her to "restore them to the township (computer) server" so they could be audited.

"The problem is we don't have anyone to do the special audit," said Moore.  Zirk said there was, too, and she'd contact the auditing firm again to get things rolling.

The Board approved Administrator Pam Fender's proposal to coordinate a computer-oriented job-hunting center at the Township Hall as long as she didn't as long as she didn't support it with anything more than a few office supplies.  "I can do that at almost no cost to the township," Fender said.

Things finally broke down again when Moore called for a report from attorney Keri-Lynn Krafthefer on "statutes regarding payment of trustees/employees".  Krafthefer said trustees should be paid $100 per meeting monthly.  "I disagree with you, attorney, Krafthefer."

"She's trying not to pay us," said LaPorta who slapped down a copy of the Township Code and challenged Moore to find something to support any change in compensation.  Moore browsed through it for a few minutes while Trustee Jerry McMahon railed in stentorian outrage and then said she couldn't find anything because she couldn't concentrate. "It's impossible to read while you're arguing," she said.

Moore was just getting into a report that looked as if it was headed into changing the charges on the Grafton Senior Bus when LaPorta'd had enough and moved to adjourn.  The rest of the trustees agreed and that was the end.

In the pic:  Grafton Supervisor Linda Moore and Trustee Rob LaPorta wrangle over unwinding the aborted Township Office deal while Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer tries to keep her counsel and Trustee Barb Murphy  her cool. 

District 300 Cuts $900,000 In Non-Teacher Salary

The District 300 Board of Education at full strength with newly-sworn Member Karen Plaza aboard approved compensation changes Monday that amounted to upwards of 4 percent salary reductions for administrators, secretaries and janitors and non-union support staff.  The measure was expected to save the district about $900,000 in the coming school year.

The District 300 Education Support Personnel Association voted last week to approve $550,000 in cuts to their salaries.  However, only days before the district's teacher's union rejected $2.2 million in compensation cuts charging administration and staff weren't taking a big enough hit making up for expected reductions in district state funding for the 2010-11 school year.

Administrators will see a 4.1 percent cut compensation cut next year, secretaries and janitors and teachers' aides 4.5 percent.  In a news release last week the district said teachers will see a 6.6 percent increase in compensation next year.

The District claims it will have only have 96 administrators next year, down from this years' 98.  How many teachers will be on hand depends on how much money the district has at the end of summer to hire back some of the roughly 180 let go for next year.

Monday's measures raised District 300's budget cuts for next year to a little over $12 million.  However district financial scriers predict a $15 million revenue shortfall for the coming year.

Quinn Signs Local Legislator's Vet Court Bill

Among the stack of legislation on Governor Pat Quinn's desk last week was one he signed Saturday creating a special court for U.S. Veterans if judicial districts want to have one. The measure was sponsored by southeastern McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon who said Monday he was happy the measure was finally approved.

“Recent studies indicate that up to forty percent of combat veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have been, or will be, diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, clinical depression, and related challenges,” said Tryon. “In turn, these issues can sometimes lead to criminal activity. Creating a veterans’ court enables the criminal justice system to re-connect a troubled veteran with a social network of friends and therapists who can help him or her overcome their service-related problems.”

McHenry County already has a special Mental Health Court and is trying to figure out how to pay for a new Drug Court next year.  Tryon said a Veterans' Court might fit into the Mental Health Court framework but mostly it was about making better use of federal programs available for ex-GI's.

"The purpose is for the court to monitor benefits available through the VA," said Tryon, "therapeutic benefits and tons of other benefits that other people don't have."

The proposed Vet's Court would have jurisdiction over non-violent criminal charges due to PTSD and other service-related disabilities. After treatment the charges would be dismissed under the legislation.

Manzullo Scores Latest Healthcare Regs

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-16) issued an "I told you so" blast Monday after  regulations were unveiled that he said would outlaw most current employer-provided health care plans.

“This is outrageous," Manzullo charged. "Despite the President’s earlier assurances that Americans could keep their health insurance if they wanted, his own Administration now says most Americans could lose their employer-paid plans once the new health care is fully implemented by 2014,” Manzullo said.

Manzullo charged between 51 and 70 percent of Americans who receive employer-provided health care coverage could lose their plan by 2014 when the new health care law is fully implemented.  As passed, the new health care law was supposed to allow existing health care plans to be “grandfathered” in as long as they met the standards of the new law. The regulations unveiled Monday say most employer-provided plans won't meet the new standards.

Manzullo called for a "bipartisan" rewrite of the whole bill.

Defense Blasts Blago Prosecutors’ Key Witness

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Defense attorneys had their first crack at key witness Alonzo “Lon” Monk as the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich continued Monday. Attorneys for both Blagojevich and his older brother and former fundraiser Robert  raised questions on both Monk’s testimony and integrity.

Monday, Assistant U. S. Attorney Chris Niewoehner concluded his three-day direct examination of Monk with questions concerning John Johnston, part-owner of racetracks Balmoral Park and Maywood Park. Monk testified that in late 2008, Blagojevich was trying to leverage a $100,000 campaign contribution from Johnston in exchange for his signature on legislation that would bring in millions of dollars for racetracks

On cross-examination, lawyers for both defendants dismissed that any actual “pay-to-play” exchange had taken place and called into question Monk’s character.

Michael Ettinger, lawyer for Rod’s brother and defendant Robert Blagojevich, said the initiative to obtain a $100,000 contribution from Johnston began before both legislative chambers had even passed the gaming proposal.

Blagojevich attorney Sam Adam also pointed out to jurors that Monk could not explicitly say for certain whether or not Blagojevich was seeking to implement a contribution-for-state-action exchange. “Did you ever hear ‘You give me 100-grand, I’ll sign the bill?’” Adam asked Monk, to which Monk said no.

Monk earlier testified that he was earning about $150,000 per year as a lobbyist for the racetracks, a statistic that Adam confirmed with Monk during cross-examination.

Adam also lambasted Monk for his own role in the quartet of Blagojevich, Monk, and fundraisers Anthony “Tony” Rezko and Chris Kelly that allegedly conspired to embezzle funds from the state for personal gain.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3262/defense-blasts-prosecutors-key-witness-monk/

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
June 14
0052 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF CHANCERY WAY. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. LOMBARD, JONATHAN J., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 10934 JANICE DR., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis. RELEASED ON BOND.
1136 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: No Valid Driver’s License. Notice to Appear Issued. RELEASED TO GUARDIAN.
1740 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. BATTERY. EVERTSEN, JEANETTE A., F/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 120 WOODY WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
0513 HRS 144 N. RANDALL RD., (SIGNATURE CLEANERS). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Spray paint found on an electrical box. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1050 HRS 200 BLOCK OF S. ANNANDALE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 71 years of age, with leg pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1359 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). FOUND ARTICLE. Complainant found a GPS. Entered into evidence.
1514 HRS 1111 PYOTT RD., (LARSEN ISLAND). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti found on the tunnel under Pyott Road. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1716 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Property damage only.
1740 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Brother vs. Brother. Three priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2207 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY/ Complainant advised her son damaged items in the residence.  Male, 21 years of age, bleeding. Transported to Sherman Hospital. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.

Book Loans Set Precedent For State Finance Fiasco

The collapse two weeks ago of the area's interlibrary book loan organization has produced a remarkable result as the state of Illinois falls farther and farther behind paying its bills:  the system's still running. Books not in the stacks at Algonquin and Huntley are still being brought in from other areas as member libraries have turned the system, at least temporarily, into something halfway between a co-op and a "wiki".

At the end of May the North Suburban Library system essentially decapitated itself firing 23 administrators.  "We have four drivers and a supervisor left," said Jan Hayes, one of two part-time co-directors also remaining, Friday.

The system's budget was supposed to be $2.2 million this year but the state is already almost $900,000 behind in payments and the best bet is there won't be any until November.  That was what prompted the semi-shutdown.

NSLS provides a valuable service, though, essentially expanding a library system's stacks many fold.  Every one of its 49 members, for instance, probably has a copy of Cold Service by the late detective writer Robert T. Parker. Only two have the scholarly Without Conscience by psychologist R.D. Hare.  (Don't ask how FEN knows.--ed.)  With NSLS the latter is available through any library in the region.

That's why all the libraries except Des Plaines kicked in $223,000 worth of contingency spare change to keep the system alive until probably September. Huntley, for instance, pledged $8,000, according to Director Patrick McDonald. "We did tweak the system a little bit," he said.  Formerly patrons could order in a book in a book even if it was in local holdings but temporarily checked out, he said.  Now they'll have to wait a few days for the local book to come back in.

NSLS members could do that McDonald said since they already control the joint computer catalog that lists area libraries' collective holdings.  That's the part that tags a book and tells NSLS where to send it.

How long the rest, physically swapping books around, can last is an open question.   Member libraries might find room for an annual contribution in their next years' budgets, Hayes said.  Or perhaps they might charge patrons a nominal fee for interlibrary loan books.  "That's what we're trying to figure out," she said.

In the pic:  NSLS swapping books at Algonquin's main library earlier this year.

Cool Temp Helps LITH Triathletes

The interface between the air and the water was a little vague as over 350 triathletes crashed into the water at Indian Trail Beach at 6:30 Sunday morning for the first leg of the fourth annual Lake in the Hills Triathlon.  The mist dissipated after a while and temps in the low 60's kept stress low for the swimmer/bicyclist/runners.

Niles West teacher Vachee Loughran clocked 1:13:00.9 to set the men's best time.  Crystal Lake's Shannon Schroeder was first among women at 1:24:44.7.

Race results in order are here: http://www.lith.org/pdf/LITHOA.HTM
Results by age group are here: http://www.lith.org/pdf/LITHAG.HTM

In the pic:  After a half-mile morning swim there's nothing like a 15.5-mile bike ride to warm up for a 4-mile run.

County Health Survey Returns Fall Short

Local agencies are seeking community feedback from a household survey recently mailed to 8,000 randomly selected McHenry County homes but they're having trouble getting back responses.

The survey was designed by the McHenry County Healthy Community Study, 19 local  government, healthcare, education, parks and recreation, environmental and social services organizations.  So far the response hasn't been very good, according to Barbara Iehl, Community Relations Specialist at the McHenry County Mental Health Board, one of the 19.  Huntley residents have turned in about five percent of surveys sent out she said, but Lake in the Hills residents only around two percent. Algonquin returns haven't been tabulated, said Iehl, while the county as a whole has sent back about eight percent.

The survey is a chance for residents to voice their opinion on healthcare, transportation, social services, employment and land use and how to improve the quality of life for themselves and their family, according to McHenry County Department of Health spokesman Deborah Quackenbush.  Results of the Study will be presented at a public forum at McHenry County College early next year.

A similar survey four years ago identified the need for more help for those who've suffered traumatic brain injury and the Mental Health Board increased services in that area because of it, said. Iehl. 

Quinn Says Blago Trial Won’t Affect Him

By Jennifer Wessner  Illinois Statehouse News
As the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich heats up, Illinois’ current governor last week tried to distance himself from his impeached predecessor.

Gov. Pat Quinn said he isn’t concerned that his connection to the Blagojevich administration will affect him in November’s general election. Although he was Blagojevich running mate ran in 2002 and 2006, Quinn said he was independently chosen by voters in the Democratic primary.

Quinn said his interaction with  Blagojevich has always been limited. Once in office, Quinn said he disagreed with Blagojevich often and openly. He outlined two major initiatives that the two diverged on: the gross receipts tax and recall.

The gross receipts tax was proposed by Blagojevich as a way to generate revenue for the state. It would have placed a tax directly on businesses’ gross income. It was widely criticized as anti-business and was voted down by the General Assembly. Quinn publicly broke with Blagojevich during debate over the measure and denounced the proposal.

In 2008 before Blagojevich’s arrest, Quinn proposed a constitutional amendment that would have allowed voters to recall a sitting governor.

Quinn said his opposition to Blagojevich made him an outsider to the previous governor’s administration. “When I saw things going in the wrong direction in the second term, early on, from the gross receipts tax on, I was banished from the administration,” Quinn said. “My predecessor went on the media, TV and radio, and said that I was not a part of his administration.”


You can read Jennifer's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3212/quinn-says-blagojevich-trial-wont-affect-him/

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
June 13
0826 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. GUSTAFSON, JENNIFER A., F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 544 DELAWARE DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS.CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0019 HRS 200 BLOCK OF COOLSTONE BEND. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. Daughter. One prior. UNFOUNDED.
1055 HRS 400 BLOCK OF E., OAK ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE Male, 81 years old, possibly having a reaction to medications. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1408 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR CT. IDENTITY THEFT. Money withdrawn from bank account by unknown subject in New York.
1420 HRS 500 BLOCK OF SHAWNEE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Daughter vs. Dad’s girlfriend. FAILED TO FILE.
Algonquin
June 12
01:47am Heindl, Victoria E., DOB: 06/07/64, of 3 Grayshire Court, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  She was taken into custody at 3 Grayshire Court.  She was transported to Kane County Jail to await a bond hearing.  She was then released after posting $200, with a court date of 07/06/10, in Kane County.
15:49pm Regal, David A., DOB: 07/03/85, of 1705 Cedarwood Lane, Algonquin, was charged with Theft.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant, out of Glendale Heights for Theft of Services.  He was taken into custody at 1705 Cedarwood Lane.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.

Chicago Region Plan Up For Public Comment

PUblic comment on a master plan for the next 30 years' development of Chicago and the collar counties including McHenry began Friday. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's draft regional plan sets forth the area's problems and proposes solutions for them.

Three years in the making, the plan had its genesis in the centennial of 19th Century planner Daniel Burnham's grand scheme for the Chicago area.  "People were looking at the past," said CMAP's Erin Aleman Friday.  "They said we needed a new plan like Burnham's, a bold one," she said.

Covering Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties the "To To 2040" plan covers four broad categories in northeastern Illinois:  Livable Communities, Regional Mobility, Human Capital, and Efficient Governance

Fast-moving times may have aleady outstripped parts of the draft plan.  On transportation, for instance, it calls for more development of the Route 47 intersection with the Tollway but that's already in the works.  On the other hand, not in the works yet is a Lake-Mchenry County transportation corridor which regional planners think would be a good idea.

Elsewhere the plan claims there's work still to be done.  It favors farmland protection programs like McHenry County's but observes it and others "would benefit from a more permanent funding source".

McHenry County's low-impact environmentally sensitive subdivision ordinance is mentioned as a possible model for other counties in the plan.  So too are County efforts to protect groundwater resources.

Public comment on the draft plan is open through August 6 and CMAP will hold a series of open house meetings around the region in the interim.  You can view the (416 page) plan here: http://www.goto2040.org/plandocs/

Huntley Falls To Stevenson, Weather

Huntley's baseball Red Raiders fell to Stevenson in a 5-0 shutout for third place in Saturday's IHSA Class 4A State Tournament at Joliet.  The game only ran to three innings, though, thanks to bad weather.

For reasons not entirely clear, "It was a chore getting everbody motivated" for the game, said Coach Andy Jakubowski. One factor might have been Friday's slim 7-6 loss to powerhouse St. Rita.

Saturday's championship game saw the same result as last year: Naperville Central dumped St. Rita 10-4.

Young Eagles Flight Fogged Out

After a blowout (too windy) last month,  Saturday's EAA790 Young Eagles Flight at Lake in Hills Airport saw a second cancellation, this time for clouds so low and dense pilots couldn't see 500 yards. It was probably a good call since the area was hit with another frogstrangler rain and strong winds half an hour later.

EAA pilots hoped to reschedule the Young Eagles Flight to this morning to introduce kids to small aircraft but the group's website didn't show anything at 6 am today and the weather looks no better than it did Saturday.

The next young Eagles Flight won't be until September 11.  http://www.youngeagles790.com/Calendar.html

In the pic:  Waiting for clouds to lift at LITH Airport Saturday,  Crystal Lake Aviation Merit Instructor Joe Sener explains small airplane dynamics to Boy Scout Charles Alms and Mom Michelle and Katie Pfeil and her friend Kyndall Wiley.

Huntley Author At Algonquin Book Signing

Unlike most authors Joyce Wold didn't have to fight jetlag Saturday at a book signing at Algonquin's Lemonston bookstore.  That's because she lives in Huntley.

Her children's book, God's Creations, is her first.  "I've been writing since I was in my 20's trying to be published and getting rejected," she said.  "Last year I got one.  You should have seen me jumping up and down."

Wold has a second book in the works but won't say what it is.  "I might change the title," she said.  "But it's for anyone from 3 to 103.  And it has a message."

Wold will be at Border's in Algonquin next week for another book signing.

In the pic:  Three year old Teya Nieman checks out the new book God's Creations by Joyce Wold (rear) while Mom Heidi and brother Trevor help with the words.

Algonquin Restaurant Fundraiser Helps Toddlers Saturday

Proceeds hadn't been totaled this morning for the fundraiser at Algonquin's Mandile's Ristorante to benefit a pair of 22-month old twins who need liver transplants.  Little Jake and Luke Swanson and their family had a big table at Mandille's but the kids seemed more interested in Cheerios than Italian cuisine or figuring out where $75,000 was going to come from.

Obituaries

Leonard C.(“Len”) Hurley , M.D., 82, retired Chief Pathologist at Sherman Hospital, Elgin, died unexpectedly at his home Wednesday in Lauderdale Lakes, WI. Born July 12, 1927 to Leonard and Hazel Hurley, Hurley grew up in Rockford, IL. He enrolled at the University of Illinois (Champaign), but interrupted his studies to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He obtained his medical degree from Loyola University and became Chief Pathologist at Sherman Hospital in 1961, a position he held for 33 years.

He is survived by his wife, Susan L. (Nepermann) Hurley; children Brian (Mary), Kevin (Mary Lynne), Peggy (Charley) Rich, Maureen (Steve Christian) Corcoran, Matt (Keith Lustig), Megan (Steve Napadow) Guzeman, Chris (Arnold Riddle), Molly (Mark) Nepil, Tim (Kathleen), and Keri (Dave) Personette and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Margaret Ann, and sister, Margaret Dobnick.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm today at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley. The visitation will continue at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Elgin, from 9:30 am Monday until the funeral Mass at 10:30 am.  Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Huntley. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bridget Nepil Enrichment Fund at visitation or at any Harris Bank location.

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
June 12
0149 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. DONNELLY, TODD A., M/W 50 YEARS OF AGE, 27690 GERRY LANE, SYCAMORE. CHARGES: Driving while License Revoked. RELEASED ON BOND
1012 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MESA DR. WANTED ON WARRANT. COOPER, KRISTEN A., F/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 955 NORTH SHORE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Wanted on warrant – Sheriff’s Office Kane County for Disorderly Conduct. Bond amount: $1,000.00 Full Cash. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1147 HRS 3300 BLOCK OF BANFORD CIRCLE. WANTED ON WARRANT. BROCKMAN, MATTHEW D., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 3340 BANFORD CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant – Sheriff’s Office Cook County for Possession of Control Substance. No Bond. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
2328 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF GENEVA LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. SULANA, FELICIENO B., M/W 53 YEARS OF AGE, 3030 GENEVA LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery, two counts. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0457 HRS PYOTT RD. & VIEWPOINT DR. HIT AND RUN. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0731 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. One prior.
1144 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF MONROE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 28 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1633 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). DOMESTIC Ex-wife vs. Current wife. Verbal only.