Strike Leaves Municipal Street Projects In Limbo

Algonquin Streets Division workers pulled back the barricades and detour signs from village's big North Harrison Street rebuilding project Friday.  This week's strike by laborers and operating engineers has knocked plans for that and other local rebuilding projects into a cocked hat.

Unions called for a meeting with employer negotiators this weekend but so far there's been no report of one scheduled.  The next meeting set before the strikes began isn't until Wednesday. 

Local public works departments are unionized but but not all with the striking unions.  LITH Public Works Director Fred Mullard said Thursday he didn't know if his men would honor stikers' picket lines.  "We haven't talked about that yet," he said.

If there isn't any asphalt the answer probably won't make much difference, anyway.  Laborers are striking the Allied plant in Huntley and Algonquin Public Works Director Bob Mitchard said, "We don't know if they're going to try to keep operating with supervisors or just shut down."  All FEN could learn is that nobody is answering the phone at Allied or returning messages left on the sales line.

Even though Huntley's Route 47 widening project shut down Wednesday the village turned out to have a little bit of luck in the strike.  That was the same day Reed Road reconstruction ended and that thoroughfare reopened to traffic.

In the pic:  North Harrison residents in Algonquin were supposed to remove their mailboxes to make way for construction but now the village says they're better leave them where they are after all. Algonquin's Old Oak project is on hold, too.

MCC Picks New Chairman, President

The McHenry County College Board chose a new Chairman Friday and then chose a new president for the college.  Both moves were related although in complicated ways.

The Board chose Crystal Lake Member Mary Miller to replace Cary's George Lowe as Chairman.  Then it picked Neosho College (Kansas) President Vicky Smith as MCC's new permanent President.

MCC has been without a permanent head for the last year and a half since Walt Packard retired or was forced out in the wake of a contentious battle over his plans for a minor league baseball stadium at the college.

Lowe took over as Chairman and chief Packard supporter when Scott Summers resigned the spot after the Board censured him and Member Donna Kurtz for saying the stadium was a bad idea.  While the conflict raged, Miller rarely raised her voice but often provided the swing vote as opposition grew.

The Board offered Smith, a Decatur native,  a three-year contract at $195,000 per year Friday.  That's roughly one third less than Packard drew when he held the position and even for the past year in a golden parachute settlement when he didn't.

Smith was among three candidates to head Heartland Community College, Normal, in April.

In the pic: MCC's new president Vicky Smith.

Whatever Happened To All The Felt Shepherds?

Think how much more fun the Ghana/Uruguay World Cup game would have been if the  soccer ball were the size of a Jeep. ("Handing penalty?  Which hand and which body was it attached to?") However, this isn't a pic from Jo'burg.  It was in Huntley. And the game wasn't a FIFA quarterfinal, just an energy-burner during the First Congregational Church Bible School this week.

Obituaries

Leonard “Jay” Peterson, 59 of Huntley, died unexpectedly at Sherman Hospital, Elgin, Thursday. Peterson was born December 4, 1950, in Elgin, the son of Leonard and Margaret (Pierce) Peterson and grew up in West Dundee. He worked for over 30 years with MAASS Midwest in Huntley, where he was currently employed.  Peterson married JoAnn M. Shoudt May 21, 1994, and moved to Huntley with his wife and their four children.

Peterson is survived by his wife, his children, Tracy May of Rolling Meadows; Patrick Peterson of Chicago; Kristen May of Huntley and Jonathan (Michael Gooding) Peterson of Chicago, his sisters, Margaret “Peg” (Dan) Kurowski of Algonquin; Linda (Dick) Lange of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, and his brother, Charles Peterson of Woodstock.

Visitation will be Monday, July 5,  3:00 to  8:00 pm with a 7:00 pm memorial service at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral and Cremation Servcice, Huntley.

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.

DAVID A. REGAL, DOB:  07/03/85, 1705 CEDARWOOD LANE, ALGONQUIN. THEFT (OVER $300.)--Algonquin PD

RUBEN FERNANDEZ, DOB:  05/09/69, 2504 LILAC STREET, HOLIDAY HILLS. AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE.--Holiday Hills PD
       
ROBERT W. EHREDT, DOB:  02/10/89, 306 W. RIVERSIDE DRIVE, LAKEMOOR. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA (2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM AMMUNITION.--Lakemoor PD
       
JEREME M. BALL, DOB:  03/09/82, 326 ROWLAND AVENUE, MARENGO. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, AGGRAVATED UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON.--McHenry County Sheriff
       
DANA M. WHITE, DOB:  10/11/78, 3009 W. CHESTNUT, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC NEEDLE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry County Sheriff
       
ROBERT J. MILLER,DOB:  03/22/86, 13620 KISHWAUKEE VALLEY ROAD, WOODSTOCK.THEFT (OVER $300.), CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
BRIAN B. WARD, DOB:  11/16/88, 616 HALE STREET, MARENGO. THEFT (OVER $300).
CHRISTOPHER J. JAGLES, DOB:  04/06/89, 3518 RAYCRAFT ROAD, WOODSTOCK. THEFT (OVER $300).--Woodstock PD

CHARLES D. HESTRUP, DOB:  04/23/59, 284 N. ASHLAND, PALATINE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD.

CORNELIO CAMACHO, DOB: 12/12/82, 217 UTEG STREET APT. B, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL.
IRIS MORALES, AKA: IRIS LIZABETH MORALES-RAMOS, DOB: 06/10/82, 217 UTEG STEET APT. B, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FRAUDULENT IDENTIFICATION.--McHenry County Sheriff

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
July 2
0222 HRS ROUTE 31 & RAKOW RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. RIVERA JR, LAZARO M., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 528 NUNDA TRAIL, CRYSTAL LAKE.
CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County Sheriff’s Department for Probation Violation, Disorderly Conduct & Improper Lane Usage. Bond Amount: $5,000 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
1220 HRS HILLTOP DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BECKER, ANTHONY A., M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 533 MANOR CIRCLE, SCHAUMBURG. CHARGES: Driving while license suspended & suspended registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
2343 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACKMAN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.  VERMILLION, BLAKE M., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 140 WALLACE AVE., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Over 08, Disobeying a Traffic Control Device, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1434 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2023 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MARION CT. HIT & RUN ACCIDENT. Car struck a mailbox and left.
2121 HRS 0 BLOCK OF E. OAK ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 84 years of age, needing assistance getting up from a fall. No transport.
2151 HRS 0 BLOCK OF W. ACORN LN. DOMESTIC Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only. No priors.

Huntley Fireworks: How To Beat The Traffic

Thud......(FLASH)(sparkle, sparkle, sparkle)poppoppoppetypop.  Huntley's 4th of July Prime Outlet Mall fireworks display Sunday will be the only one the immediate vicinity so even though it's free, spectators are going to pay with traffic delays afterwards.  Huntley Police Chief John Perkins has plans for that.

The good news is Perkins said this week he doesn't think (currently stalled) Route 47 construction will slow going home after the event.  Last year, "By the time they got to Kreutzer (Road) traffic was already thinned out," he said.

The bottleneck is the entrance to the Mall parking area itself, according to Perkins.  "There's, what?, 1600 parking spaces I think and just one way in and one way out," said Perkins He advised maybe bringing a chair and something to occupy the time. "It takes about an hour."

Once Traffic reaches Freeman at 47, "we control the lights," he said. That's the first point where his officers can begin to improve traffic flow.

Perkins suggested the best way to beat the fireworks snarl would be to choose another coign of vantage altogether.  "The only place we shag people off of is the bridge (over the tollway)," Perkins said.

There are other fireworks displays scheduled locally this summer but Algonquin's won't be until the end of Founders' Days in three weeks.  Lake in the Hills' fireworks won't come until the Summer Sunset Festival in September.

In the pic:  There are other places to view the Outlet Mall fireworks display Sunday.  Huntley Police advise trying Dhamer Drive, for instance.

Local Relief Supplies Head To Haiti

Volunteers at St. John's Lutheran Church, Algonquin, loaded half a ton of clothes, shoes, sanitary aids and construction tools Thursday for shipment to earthquake victims in Haiti.  Area Lutheran churches gathered donations throughout last week to aid refugees.  There were so many the truck picking them up didn't turn up in Algonquin until 8 in the evening.

In the pic:  Dianne Klbecka and Kathy Terzinski load relief supplies for Haitian earthquake victims onto a car while Dave Saunders and Dianna Bonfield impersonate the Little Engine That Could to get another cart onto the collection truck.

Fun July 3 At Huntley, Too

The 4th of July is Independence Day, but the 3rd of July is Family Fun Day in Huntley.  Besides Huntley's Weekly Farmers' Market and Craft Fair and Book Shop Sale, all from 8 am to 2 pm there are some added attractions this weekend.

For instance, there's a Bike, Stroller, Wagon, Kid & Pet Decorating show and Around the Block Parade.  The show sponsored by Westlake Community Church starts at 10 and the parade goes at 11:30.

From 10 am to 2 pm there are a number of Family Friendly Events/ and Games including face painting, a cake walk and temporary tattoos. Culver’s of Huntley will be there offering frozen custard with proceeds going to the Special Olympics and Huntley’s Papa Saverio’s will be on hand with food and
drinks.

In the Gazebo at noon Watch there'll be a patriotic skit called "Let Freedom Ring" and at  12:30 pm local entertainer Peter Guerin will perform the best of Elvis, Frankie, Deano, Bobby Darin, The 4 Tops and American Bandstand.

Organizers advise "bring a chair." 

Some Work Continues Despite Construction Strike

The laborers and operating engineers strike hasn't shut construction down in the area completely.  Union Pacific workers, for instance, were still plugging away Friday at crossing control changes to accommodate Route 47 widening in Huntley.

The work's at the same place as IDOT's project, but technically it's not the same thing.  Check with a union steward for details.

Union and construction company negotiators are schedule to meet Saturday to try to reach an accord.

Quinn Inks Budget Package

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
After signing the package of state budget proposals for this fiscal year into law, Gov. Pat Quinn said he's taking it upon himself to fix the state's budget problems. Thursday morning, the first day of the new fiscal year, Quinn approved a budget plan the Legislature passed last month leaving the state billions of dollars in the red.

Quinn granted himself extraordinary powers to dictate how much funding state agencies and programs are granted during the fiscal year.

"The legislature in the past has gone line-by-line over the budget, decided what agency gets how much money, what program gets how much money. [Lawmakers] didn't do that (this year). They didn't want to make any…put their fingerprints on any reductions or cuts whatsoever. They want the governor to do it," he said.

Illinois is facing a combined $12 billion budget deficit for both this fiscal year and last fiscal year, according to David Vaught, director of Quinn's Office of Management and Budget. Part of the budget package Quinn inked into law is a $24.9 billion spending plan for this fiscal year, a $1.4 billion reduction compared to last year's budget.

Quinn is looking to cut $509 million overall from major state agencies and programs compared to last year. Quinn is also planning to set aside almost $900 million in emergency reserves that would not be immediately spent by state agencies.

Under this year's budget package, state government will have until the end of this December to pay off the $6 billion in unpaid bills accrued during the last budget period.

Vaught said the state is looking to a number of borrowing measures included in the budget plan to make those late payments to vendors such as schools and community care centers. The measures could bring in immediate revenues of $3.3 billion, which would still leave state government about $2.7 billion in the red with unpaid bills.

Throughout the year, lawmakers have not discussed an income tax increase, despite Quinn's advocating a 33 percent income tax hike to help close the budget deficit and provide funds for education.

"I don't really anticipate any revenue from the legislature in the near term. After the election, I think some of them may be more willing to take a look at the issue. I do believe a surcharge for education is necessary if we're going to have a good state," Quinn said.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3560/quinn-inks-budget-package-into-law/

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
July 1
0126 HRS ECHO HILL & RAMBLE RD. UNLAWFUL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A Minor. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor, Tobacco Violation. Notice to Appear Issued. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Curfew. Notice to Appear Issued. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor, Curfew. Notice to Appear Issued. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 14 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Curfew. Notice to Appear Issued.
TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
1644 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD).FOLLOW UP ARREST: HIT AND RUN. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Leaving the Scene Property Damage Accident, Failure To Give Information, Driving Under the Influence and Improper Lane Usage. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
0036 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF ADAMS ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 73 years of age, having arm and neck pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0039 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend vs. Son. Nine priors. FAIL TO FILE
0101 HRS 300 BLOCK OF RAMBLE RD. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Complainant advised some miscellaneous change was taken from their vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1140 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF SORREL ROW. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 10 years of age, possibly having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1113 HRS 290 INDIAN TRAIL, (TURTLE ISLAND). ABANDONED BOAT. A boat was found washed ashore at Turtle Island.
1523 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PINE ST. SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A CHILD. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1622 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). FOUND ARTICLE. A bag with an unknown white substance inside was located. Entered into evidence.
1655 HRS 323 N. RANDALL RD., (FUNKY MONKEY). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Items were taken from the store. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1949 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 45 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2030 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Daughter. One prior.
Algonquin
June 29
08:49am Contreras, Carlos, DOB: 02/20/89, of 532 Alicia, Cary, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License. He was taken into custody at Main St. and Front St. He was released after posting $100 with a court date of 8/11/10 in McHenry County.
18:24pm Acevedo, Noelia Y., DOB: 02/13/87, of 715 Smith St. #1, Woodstock, was charged with DWLS and No turn Signal. She was taken into custody at Randall Rd. and Longmeadow Dr. She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 08/04/10 in McHenry County.
July 1
18:29pm Lester, Christopher O, DOB: 11/03/91, 2806 Sorrel Row, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Retail theft. He was taken into custody at 400 S. Randall Rd. He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 07/28/10, in Algonquin.

Laborers And Operators Stop Area Construction

Chicago area construction ground to a halt Wednesday as members of the Laborers District Council went on strike.  Machinery Operating Engineers Local 150 authorized their own strike Wednesday evening.  With other unions contemplating still more strikes no one could say when work would resume on important local road projects.

Laborers showed up with picket signs at Huntley's Route 47 and Algonquin's Randall Road Wednesday morning, stayed long enough to put the other unions on notice and went home.  Algonquin's Hanson Road rebuilding project closed down, too. Although the Operating Engineers hadn't yet OK'ed their own strike yet, they refused to cross the laborers' picket lines.  So did utility workers who are also unionized.

Contracts with the Mid America Regional Bargaining Association ran out at the end of May and Union spokesmen for laborers and machinery operators said construction companies haven't been serious about bargaining for a new one.  In the case of laborers, workers want a 5 percent raise but employers said they'd only ante up a 1 percent boost with employees paying more for healthcare.

"We're at their mercy," said Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass whose village is currently eviscerated by work to widen Route 47.  The strike will further delay the project which village officials said last week was already running 25 days behind schedule.

Both southbound lanes on Randall Road north of Harnish were open when workers decamped.  Paving isn't finished on the project which was supposed to only take a few days more than a year ago and speeding motorists now encounter an unsettling dip in the right lane pavement.

If an agreement isn't reached quickly drivers on those projects and Chicago's Eisenhower Expressway will face the prospect of motoring through half-finished construction throughout the winter.  Right now, "We've got money in the budget and it's dry," said McHenry County Assistant Engineer Wally Dittrich.  "During the construction season time is everything."

In the pic:  Laborers struck the asphalt plant at Huntley, too, so there wouldn't be any material to lay even if anyone was willing to cross their lines at construction sites Wednesday.

Grafton Twp. OK's $330,000 Deficit Budget

The Grafton Board Wednesday finally approved a budget for the fiscal year that began in April but the one they approved was $330,000 in the red.

Trustees also changed their minds about not paying any Township bills and told Supervisor Linda Moore to pay practically all of them by July 8.

The meeting featured the now-standard double agendas, one from Moore about the budget and one from Trustees Rob LaPorta and Betty Zirk about the bills. This time the conflict was resolved by doing both.  More confusing, was dueling draft budgets, one prepared by Moore and a second worked up by Zirk.  With as many as five people talking at once, not counting comments from the mercifully small audience, even Trustees had a hard time keeping track of which items they were arguing about.

Trustees lopped almost $100,000 in receipts that Moore wanted to include from the possible sale of the Haligus Road property on which the Township intended to build new offices.  "There's a good chance the Village of Lake in the Hills will take it back," she said.  LaPorta snorted that LITH officials had told him that wasn't in the cards.

Unwinding the complicated sale and financing which was supposed to help pay for the Haligus offices ended up with a new Zirk plan.  The latest scheme is for everything to stay the way it is except for the Township's assuming interest payments on the debt of the Road District (which currently holds the bag) and paying off the $700,000 loan principal over three years.  Zirk said that way the Township could cover any deficits with the money it hadn't spent to build the now court-forbidden new offices.

"In essence we would create an intergovernmental agreement," said LaPorta. "The chances of the court ruling this doesn't follow the direction of the electorate are pretty high," said Moore but the rest of the board went aheady anyway.

Moore clearly opposed the budget the rest of the Board worked out and intimated she wouldn't sign it for submission to the County Clerk.  Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer reminded her that Trustees had approved a measure whereby they could submit it themselves and Moore made vague references to further legal action.

"Did you hear that, Mr. Newspaperman?" screamed Trustee Jerry McMahon.  "She's going to sue us again."  But FEN was already taking the best notes possible under the circumstances.

The final budget came in at $1,056,000 for the year now in progress, including $230,000 for attorney's fees.  Zirk said by her calculation Township Attorney legal firm Ancel-Glink had already billed $168,000 since it was hired last year.

Almost $100,000 of that figure was among the roughly $150,000 worth of accumulated bills the Board directed Moore to pay by the next week adding a proviso that if she doesn't they'll declare her bond forfeit.  Since the Supervisor's power is primarily financial forfeiture would effectively prevent her from doing much of anything at all.

In the pic: Trustees tried to make sense of the Township's accumulated bills Wednesday.  "You've messed with our list again," cried Trustee LaPorta.

Meet, Greet And Eat For District 5 Board Member

McHenry County's first Democratic Board Member since the Civil War aimed to retain that distinction and his seat Wednesday hosting a meet-the-voters pizza fest at Lou Malnotti's restaurant in Lakewood.  About 30 friends and supporters turned up to hear Lake in the Hills resident Jim Kennedy boast about his achievements.

Kennedy claimed McHenry County's good financial position was due to having a handful of Democrats on the County Board.  He said they helped create new local jobs with the Board's decision to OK federal stimulus money for a big sports complex planned in Lakewood and a minor league baseball stadium hoped for in Woodstock.

Kennedy's up against Republicans John Jung, a former Board Member, and Tina Hill an incumbent in November.

Angry Blagojevich Heard On Tapes

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich decried the Obama administration while oscillating between rage and self pity in wiretaps recorded by the FBI immediately following the 2008 election.

“The arrogance of these @#$%^&* people,” Blagojevich said on Nov. 10, apparently exasperated by his inability to allegedly get a deal out of President Barack Obama for appointing his friend, Valerie Jarrett, to the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Obama. The prosecution and former Deputy Gov. Doug Scofield Wednesday painted a picture of a bitter and jealous egomaniac during the 2008 election.

When he saw his chances of a cabinet post slipping, Blagojevich searched for excuses to appoint himself, at one point discussing criteria he would set for potential appointees surrounding healthcare policy. The standards would point back to him as the person best suited to take the job.

He predicted such a move would irk Obama in a conversation with Scofield on Nov. 13.

“The (last) thing Obama wants is me (in the Senate),” he said.

His apparent vindictive streak extended to bystanders, as well. Blagojevich told Scofield on Nov. 13 that Iraqi War veteran and former congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth had no chance at the Senate seat. It wasn’t an issue of merit–she was just backed by the wrong people, including Illinois senior U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

“Why the @#$% would I make Durbin’s candidate or Rahm’s candidate (senator),” he said.

Scofield will be back on the stand on today.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3541/angry-blagojevich-heard-on-tapes/

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 30
0130 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CEDAR ST. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. MYERS, GAIL L., F/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 111 E. OAK ST.., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
1120 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CAPUCHINO, ALEJANDRO, M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE. 1385 CUNAT CT. #2C, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Operating a Motor Vehicle without Insurance, Operating a Motor Vehicle with Expired Registration, Unlawful Display of Vehicle Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
0541 HRS 2000 BLOCK OF NOELLE BEND. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assisted Kane County with a warrant service. TURNED OVER TO KANE COUNTY.
1009 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTONS) FOUND ARTICLE. Plastic wallet insert containing miscellaneous cards.
1215 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1521 HRS 500 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Paint ball damaged complainant’s siding. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1708 HRS 100 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASSE. ATTEMPT SUICIDE. Subject attempted suicide by cutting her wrist. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1936 HRS 3600 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. HIT & RUN. PENDING INVESTIGATIONS BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2007 HRS 220 N RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 57 year old, lost consciousness. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Huntley
June 21
A criminal damage to property report was taken at a business in the 11900 block of Algonquin Rd.  Window screens, a garage door, and a door handle were damaged.
A credit card fraud report was taken in the 12900 block of Mesa St.  The victim states several unauthorized charges were made to her credit card.
A theft report was taken at a business in the 13300 block of Village Green Dr.  The victim states she was the victim of a quick change scam.
June 22
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 12500 block of Flowerwood Ln.  Window screens were slashed with a sharp object.
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 10500 block of Yellowstone.  The victim states that between the night of June 12 and early morning hours of June 13 his GPS unit was stolen from his vehicle.
Christopher Avila, age 41, of 10845 Shenandoah, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Mr. Avila posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 23, 2010.
June 23
Christopher L. Stacks, age 31 of 10860 Cambia Ct, Huntley, was arrested for DUI and cited for illegal lane use, possession of cannabis, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.  Mr. Stacks was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond.
June 24
Maria M. Ayala, age 49, of 1435 Fox Sedge, Woodstock, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Ms. Ayala posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 16, 2010.
June 25
Luis R. Cuello, age 26, 11891 Covey Lane, Huntley, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Mr. Cuello posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 6, 2010.
A 17 year-old male from Carpentersville was arrested for driving with no valid driver’s license and cited for driving without headlights, no DL on person, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The juvenile was assigned a July 16, 2010 court date.  In the same incident a 15 year-old female from Huntley was cited for a curfew violation.  The juvenile was assigned a July 26, 2010 court date.
A 17 year old male from Huntley was arrested for Domestic Battery.  The juvenile was released to his mother and will be petitioned to McHenry County Juvenile Court.
June 26
A criminal trespass to residence report was taken in the 10700 block of Allegheny Pass.  The victim states she awoke in the middle of the night to see an unknown person in her bedroom.  Upon discovery the trespasser ran out of the residence.
A theft report was taken near the intersection of Sunderline Dr. and Borhart Dr.  The victim states that on May 27, 2010 three string trimmers, and a backpack blower were placed near the side walk.  When they returned the items were missing.
Sean P. Little, age 25, 969 Carriage Way #10, Elgin, was arrested for driving while license suspended, improper use of registration, and revoked registration.  Mr. Little posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 23, 2010.
June 27
Matthew Shawn Darnell, age 32, of 2198 Colltonville, Sycamore, IL was arrested for harassment by telephone.  Mr. Darnell posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 23, 2010.

Late Revisions To Huntley Garbage For Fourth

The Village of Huntley has been notified that MDC Environmental Services will be picking up garbage on Monday, July 5th.  This affects all residents in the Village except those that live in Sun City.  Residents who need to contact MDC can call 1-815-568-7274.

There will be no garbage pick-up in Sun City on Monday, July 5th, since Waste Management will be observing the Independence Day holiday.  The garbage pick-up schedule in Sun City will be delayed one day starting Tuesday, July 6th, according to a village notice.

More Businesses Join LITH's Shop Local Campaign

More than 20 additional Lake in the Hills businesses have signed on to the Village's Shop Lake in the Hills program in the past three weeks according to Assistant Village Administrator Shannon Andrews. That brings to about 35 the number supporting the program that offers Internet discount coupons to help keep purchases within the village.

Wine Styles on Randall Road was the Shop LITH featured business for June and co-owner Wendy French said the program helped her.  "The day the email came out I had a customer come in with the coupons," she said.  "They'd been in before but I hadn't seen them in a while and they were very excited about it."

Andrews said she expected even more businesses to join the Shop Local effort. "They're used to programs that require them to spend money for a promotion and this one doesn't."

Businesses and shoppers both can sign up for the Shop Lake in the Hills discount program at: http://www.lith.org/shoplocal.php#Shop_Lake_in_the_Hills_

In the pic:  Wine Styles' owner Wendy French recommends a Cabernet to oenophile Brenda Fahey who explained, "I live in Dundee but I come to Costco a lot."

Here's The Fireworks Warning

Lake in the Hills police warned about illegal fireworks Tuesday emphasizing "zero tolerance" for lawbreakers.  In other words, if you get caught setting them off you won't get away with just a warning and a stern lecture.

Police cite the usual stats about fireworks injuries but only about 7,000 people nationwide suffered enough injury to go to an emergency room in the most recent report. Fires appear to be the greater danger with over 22,000 estimated due to fireworks gone awry on the 4th two years ago.

Fireworks are prohibited in Algonquin and Huntley, too, but LITH has the harshest penalties, a minimum $250.00 fine on up to $1,500.

GOP's Brady To Appear At Palatine Tea Party

Illinois' GOP stealth candidate for Governor will make an appearance in Palatine Saturday but details much beyond that are in short supply.

The Palatine Tea Party announced Tuesday Brady would speak at the group's rally in Volunteer Plaza at 2 pm claiming more information is at their website. (http://www.teapartypalatine.com/ )  However, it takes diligent drilling to find any mention at all of Brady's appearance.  At the moment the site's mostly promoing a press conference about the terrible things 9th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean's been doing.  It does mention Algonquin and Huntley Tea Party people will be at the rally, though.

Brady's campaign website mostly features his "new innovative" website and doesn't say where he's going to be or even much about where he's been.

Where the Bloomington State Senator has mostly been is downstate since he unexpectedly won the Republican nomination for Governor in February.  For the past week, though, he's been making occasional appearances around Chicago and the latest polls put him ahead of incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn.

Quinn To Release Budget Plans Today

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn says he plans to release his plans for the budget, including where he will make cuts today, the last day of the current fiscal year.

Quinn says his top priorities are education and health care, which typically account for more than half of all general revenue spending. He said he also wants to protect police from deep cuts. If this holds true, it could mean human services, which make up more than 20 percent of spending from general revenues, could be facing cuts.

Quinn called out legislators for not giving specifics in the $30 billion budget  with a $13 billion deficit they approved last month. “The General Assembly basically did not want to make any decisions on the budget they passed, a lump sum budget, and gave all those decisions to me, the governor," he said

Quinn is attempting to pressure the Senate to return to Springfield and pass about S4 billion in borrowing to make the state's required employee pension payment for fiscal year 2011. So far, there has been no indication that will happen. Quinn will not say if he intends to call legislators back in a special session attempt to get the borrowing passed.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/quinn-to-release-budget-plans-wednesday.html

GOP Lawmakers Blast Quinn For Medicaid Budget

By Benjamin Yount,  Illinois Statehouse News
Republican lawmakers in Springfield are getting in their "I told you so's" now that Congress has balked at extending federal stimulus funding.

Including in the sweeping plans in Washington, D.C., was about $700 million earmarked in the new state budget for a continuing enhanced Medicaid match.  But the so-called FMAP money — Federal Medical Assistance Percentage – is not coming in time for the start of Illinois' new fiscal year tomorrow, if it comes at all.

Medicaid is the state-federal health care program for the poor and disabled. The federal stimulus program set to expire Dec. 31 boosted the federal share of costs for all states. But GOP lawmakers say the extra Medicaid money should never have been included in the Democratic written budget.

State Rep. Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale, said Quinn wanted the most optimistic numbers he could find, and now the state is going to have to pay the price. "When you are doing a budget you have to work with real money," she said.  "You cannot count on money that is supposed to come in."

Mary Massingale contributed to this report.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3534/gop-lawmakers-blast-quinn-for-medicaid-budget/

Jurors Hear Famous Blagojevich @#$%^&* SoundBite

By Bill McMorris Illinois Statehouse News
The most damning soundbite of Rod Blagojevich's career echoed through a federal courtroom late Tuesday afternoon — and that was the high point of the former Illinois governor's day.

"I got this thing and it's @#$%^&* golden and I'm not just giving it up for @#$%^&* nothing" the speaker played.

A different tape played by the defense suggested Blagojevitch had more benign motives in mind in filling Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat but it came to nothing. "If I'm going to (antagonize) the black community (with a Lisa Madigan pick), I want public works programs, I want healthcare here and no raising taxes," Blagojevich said in the conversation. "They do that I'll hold my nose and (appoint Madigan)," he said.

It seemed a strategic victory for the defense but Judge Zagel dismissed the tape as hearsay ruling it offered an alternate explanation, rather than actual refutation of earlier testimony.

"When my lawyers attempted to play a tape that will begin the process of actually exonerating me, the prosecution objected," said Blagojevich after court adjourned. "I can't wait to testify…and clarify some of these conversations and tell the people of Illinois what exactly was on my mind and what I was trying to do."

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3532/jurors-hear-famous-blagojevich-f-soundbite/

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 29
2005 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BLACKHAWK DR. CHILD ENDANGERMENT. BERRY, SHAWN, M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 522 BLACKHAWK DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Four Counts of Child Endangerment. RELEASED ON BOND.
BERRY, TABATHA A., F/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 522 BLACKHAWK DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Four Counts of Child Endangerment. RELEASED ON BOND.
0052 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (POLICE DEPARTMENT). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Male juvenile fell off his bike, unknown reason. UNFOUNDED.
0413 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Landscape lighting damaged.
0510 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Landscape lighting damaged.
0759 HRS 400 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Landscape lighting damaged.
1004 HRS 600 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only. One prior.
1502 HRS 100 N RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). INFORMATION FOR POLICE/ Unlawful acquisition of a controlled substance.
1533 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Four vehicles. Male, 40 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1855 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINDERMERE WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Niece vs. aunt. No priors.
1902 HRS 0 BLOCK OF SHADOW CREEK CT. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Sex offender residence check.
2216 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. Seven priors.

D300 Website Plan Goes Back To Drawing Board

The Board of Education postponed a $93,000 plan Monday to hire a company to design and host District 300's website. Then it shaved another $35,000 sliver off the coming year's budget and set a second-semester deadline for new anti-bullying measures yet to be determined.

The Board didn't discuss why they pulled the website contract from the evening's agenda but Carpentersville Mom Missy Graf may have provided a clue during the public comment session.  "When a lot of us parents heard $93,000 for a website we freaked out." In fact the plan would cost well over $100,000 the first year, $80,000 to redesign the District's clunky website and another $26,000 to host it, but half the latter money would come from the Feds.

District staff said parents consistently complain it's hard to find whatever they're looking for on the current site but it cost $60,000 last year to keep up and running.

In a cheese-paring next year the Board approved a package of measures to make sure buses for school competitions are fully-loaded and to drop school clubs with fewer than 20 members. The changes are supposed to save $35,000 on a budget now expected to come up $3.5 million short thanks to state funding cutbacks.

The Board gave the go-ahead to a committee to come up with ways to cope with bullying, both the physical and cyber varieties.  Safety Officer Gary Chester said bullying isn't just part of "growing up" and recent studies prove bullies are more likely to end up in the hoosegow later on than regular students.

Superintendent Ken Arndt told FEN there was no particular incident that prompted the plan.  "It's been an ongoing problem," he said, "and I realized we're been addressing it piecemeal."

Board President Joe Stevens thought it would be a good idea to have a plan in place at the start of the new school year but Member Ann Miller said a mid-year start like the one two years ago for her Peer Jury would probably be a more realistic schedule.

Grafton Township Jobs Center Ready To Help Residents

Administrator Pam Fender did some dumpster diving Saturday and some fast wiring Monday to announce her Grafton Township Computer Jobs Center is ready for business.

Last month the Township Board gave its OK for the Jobs Center as long as Fender, basically, didn't spend any money setting it up.  "(Township Attorney firm) Ancel-Glink gave us us (four) old computers and monitors," she said.  "They even sent along the operating systems so we're legal."

Fender thought she needed some printers, too, so she raided the bins at neighboring Algonquin Township's recycling center over the weekend.  "I got some printer cables, too," she said. "You know some of those are pretty expensive."

Fender said Supervisor Linda Moore helped her connect everything up so residents without computers or lacking computer expertise can come to the Township Hall to do their job searches.

The Grafton Jobs Center is similar to the one Huntley Library began earlier this year which, Fender said, is part of the point in the first place. "They don't have much room over there," she said, "and we do."

Fender said it might be a good idea for job seekers to call ahead to make sure she's actually in the office to help.  The Jobs Center number is 847-669-1171.

In the pic:  Grafton Administrator Pam Fender and Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller rummage through computer castaways Saturday to get Grafton Township's Jobs Center up and online.

Manzullo Sets Algonquin Forum Next Week

It must be an election year.  Congressman Don Manzullo (R-16) will be at Algonquin Village Hall next Friday to hear what's graveling his constituents. He'll also stop in Harvard and Crystal Lake in a series of meetings called "America Speaking Out" which are supposed to help House Republicans "craft a new agenda for America."

The Algonquin meet will be 12:30 to 2 pm July 9. Voters being busy and this being the computer age, however, Manzullo has a webpage for gripes and bright ideas, too. It's at http://manzullo.house.gov/americaspeakingout/

Gun Ruling Could Spark Legislative Push in Springfield

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
If Illinois wasn’t facing such desperate financial times, the fight over gun control could dominate the next legislative session in Springfield. The U.S. Supreme Court Monday essentially struck down the city of Chicago’s ban on handguns. Now both sides in the gun debate say they plan to push for new laws next year.

Richard Pearson, president of the Illinois State Rifle Association, said that with the hurdle of a gun ban now cleared, the Second Amendment is on equal legal footing. “The Second Amendment has been declared a fundamental right…so it’s going to be very difficult to pass some of the laws that (gun opponents) proposed that did not get passed.”

That includes the long stalemated concealed carry law in Illinois. “It’ll be a good year for the Second Amendment and Second Amendment supporters in Illinois,” was as close as Pearson would come to predicting passage for concealed carry.

Mark Walsh with the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Handgun Violence said that may be as close as gun supporters get. “I don’t know if they have the votes for it,” Walsh said. “I know it will be a hotly contested issue.”

“(The Supreme Court) left open room for passing some of these common sense gun laws such as registration, reporting lost or stolen weapons, and limiting handgun purchases,” Walsh said.

In Illinois, legislation about guns is usually disputed along regional rather than party lines. The population center of Chicago and the suburbs almost always outweighs downstate votes. But there are enough lawmakers who support gun-owner rights to counter most proposals from Chicago-area legislators.

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3509/gun-ruling-could-spark-legislative-push-in-springfield/

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
0525 HRS 500 BLOCK OF MASON LN. FOLLOWUP REPORT: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Complainant’s screen door was damaged by someone throwing a crab apple. FAIL TO FILE.
0008 HRS 2250 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (MEDICAL CENTER). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Two small holes found in the windows. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0031 HRS 3300 BLOCK OF BANFORD CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 65 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1020 HRS 00 BLOCK OF RONAN CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 69 years of age possibly took too much medication. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1038 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE/ Female, 64 years of age, possible reaction to medication. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1341 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. DOMESTIC Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
1625 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Ex-girlfriend vs. ex-boyfriend. No priors.FAIL TO FILE
1836 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST TO MCHENRY COUNTY. Assisted the Sheriff’s office with the service of an order of protection.

Randall At Harnish Not Done Yet

Both southbound lanes were open on Randall Road above Harnish in Algonquin over the weekend but the construction area was expected to go back to one lane again today to complete paving of a right turn lane into Oakridge Court. 

Rains delayed the work which was planned to be finished last Wednesday.  MCDOT Design Engineer Wally Dittrich said this morning today and Tuesday will see the laying of the final wear layer and striping.  He said he expected all Randall lanes will be open Wednesday morning.

New State Ed Budget Will Short D300 $3.5 Million

Local educators will be poring over the State Board of Education's new budget approved today late last week trying to figure out its effects on area schools this coming year.  The Board late Thursday approved the new budget cutting roughly $300 million from last year's figure.

When FEN provided a copy of the new budget, Meriann Besonen, Director of Fiscal Services at District 300, said the cuts approximate one model the district had already developed based on full funding of general state aid but a 25 percent cut in things like transportation and special education.  "For our district for our next year’s projects we would be about $3.5 million over budget," she said.  That would be after the roughly $12 million in cutbacks the District Board has already made.

Before FEN obtained the State Board's budget Finance Director Cheryl Crates said it was largely theoretical, anyway.  "It doesn't matter what the budget is if there isn't any money," she said.  The state is far behind in its payments due school districts for the school year that ends Wednesday and, so far, the Legislature hasn't passed a coherent state budget or even announced when it might.

LITH First Summer Concert Draws Large Crowd

About 100 music lovers lolled in the  humidity at LITH Village Hall to hear Chicago cover band Soda Sunday.  It was the first installment of the village's Summer Concert Series.

The next Summer Concert event is set July 25 featuring Ferrante and Teicher epigones, Dueling Pianos.  August 15 will feature the 60's flashback band The New Invaders.

The concerts and free will start at 6 pm at the Village Hall amphitheater.  Unless it's raining in which case they'll start inside.

Algonquin Man Wins Huntley Run

Algonquin's Kevin Piefer topped a field of 320 runners in Sunday's RoadRunners 5K Run at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center, Huntley.  Piefer's time was 17:05.3 .  Marengo's Laura Witeck took first in the women's division with a time of 19:28.7 . Huntley's Deena Snell was the fastest local woman at 23:13.6.

Proceeds from the race will benefit Centegra’s Cardiac Care Fund. Through the Centegra Health System Foundation, donations are used for state-of-the-art equipment, Heart Failure Clinic, Cardiac Cath Lab and Cardiac Diagnostic Services.

Full results of the RoadRunners Health Bridge 5k Run are here: http://www.racetime.info/2010Results/HEALTHBRIDGEO.HTM

Sun City Celebrates 11th Golf Cart Parade

About 40 golf carts purred along Del Webb Boulevard Sunday in Sun City's 11th annual golf cart parade.  The parade began in 2000 after the late State Sen. Dick Klemm got a bill through the Legislature allowing golf carts on Illinois steets if a municipality OK'ed it.  It's gone on ever since, apparently just because it's fun.

This year's event was only slightly marred by a decorative malfunction on cart number five in the parade when a supporting framework fell into the street.  The problem was solved the way Arnold Schwarzeneger took care of a loose car door in Terminator 3:  a grip of steel to hold everything in place. 

Asian Carp Unlikely In Fox

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
A single live bighead Asian carp was found last week beyond the electronic barrier meant to keep the invasive species out of the Great Lakes. The original manager of the barrier, though, thinks the obnoxious fish is unlikely to make it into the Fox River.

The Illinois Department of Natural (IDNR) Resources announced last Wednesday that a commercial fisherman, contracted by the department to search for carp, caught an almost-20-pound male specimen in Lake Calumet—about 6 miles from Lake Michigan. This is the first carp found beyond the barrier.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox unsuccessfully appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to close locks on the Sanitary and Ship Canal to keep the fish out of Lake Michigan. "Our worst fears were realized with the discovery of Asian carp near the Great Lakes," Cox said in a written statement. Cox added that his agency is considering further legal action.

“At this time there is not intention to close the locks,” said Mike White, director of programs for the Great Lakes and Ohio River division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. John Rogner, assistant director of the IDNR, said the first task is to find out whether the fish is part of a greater population of carp.

Phil Moy, the first manager of the electric barrier and now part of its advisory panel, said earlier this year the carp aren't likely to get into the Fox and Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, though.  The dam at Dayton, five miles above the Illinois, is physically impassible.  Experts worry, though, the carp might bypass it if fishermen accidentally dump carp larvae above the dam.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/asian-carp-found-near-lake-michigan.html

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 27
1622 HRS 120 N RANDALL RD., (LOVES LIQUOR). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. GOMEZ, SANDRO, M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 104 W. BALCKMEN, HARVARD.CHARGES: Driving While License Revoked, No Seat Belt. RELEASED ON BOND.
2221 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICK’S). RETAIL THEFT. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Retail Theft, Illegal Possession of Alcohol by a Minor. Notice to Appear Issued. RELEASED TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 14 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Possession of Alcohol by a Minor. Notice to Appear Issued.RELEASED TO PARENT.
0244 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). BATTERY. Two male subjects fighting in the parking lot. FAIL TO FILE.
0326 HRS 300 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 85 years of age, feeling ill. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0528 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 5 months olds, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0656 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & ANNANDALE DR. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. light pole. Property damage only.
0852 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Report for insurance. House damaged by lightning.
1303 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF CADBURY CIRCLE. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Complainant’s vehicle was scratched overnight while in
the driveway.
1759 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & MILLER RD. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
1956 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF RONAN DR. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. Complainant’s ex-husband drove by the residence.
PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2106 HRS 300 BLOCK OF STICKLEY LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. One prior.
2242 HRS 300 BLOCK OF STICKLEY LN. DOMESTIC Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. Two priors.
2256 HRS 0 BLOCK OF COG HILL CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 37 years of age, having difficulty breathing and chest pains.Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
June 26
09:40am Esterlen, Marilyn G., DOB: 08/04/36, of 8611 Huntley Road, Crystal Lake, was charged with Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to a Minor.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 07/28/10, in Algonquin.
09:41am Lobocki, Kimberly M., DOB: 10/14/59, of 925 Thornewood Lane, Algonquin, was charged with Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to a Minor.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 07/28/10, in Algonquin.
14:47pm Mojica, Ivan, DOB: 02/25/78, of 1410 Grand Pointe Boulevard, West Dundee, was charged with Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to a Minor.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 07/28/10, in Algonquin.
16:42pm McMahon, Caeli K., DOB: 08/13/76, of 3291 Ronan Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to a Minor.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 07/28/10, in Algonquin.
June 27
00:10am Webster, Michael, DOB: 09/13/67, of 10213 Victor Place, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS, No Proof of Insurance and Improper Lane Usage.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Route 25.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 07/28/10, in McHenry County.
03:06am Webster, Michael, DOB: 09/13/67, of 10213, Victor Place, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS, No Proof of Insurance and Violation of Bail Bond.  He was taken into custody at High Point Ridge and Route 62.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.

Coral Street Closedown Coming In Huntley

Coral Street in Huntley will be closed in the coming week from the HFPD Station One to Route 47 as crews install a gas main,  another of the offshoots of widening Route 47.

Some parts of the huge construction project are being changed on the the fly as plans crash into reality.  This week the Huntley Board had to change plans to relocate the Main Street Sanitary Sewer Pump station to a spot north Dean Foods and the railroad.  Engineers reported the soil was weak and the change might topple a nearby house.  Now the lift station (which looks like a big tool cabinet) will go to the southeast corner of Main and 47 where an obscuring sign was planned, anyway.

Temporary pavement is scheduled to be placed on Algonquin Road west of 47 to about four houses past Wolf Drive. It's already been installed between Algonquin Road and Reed Road and the traffic pattern has now changed in that area.  Work is underway at the box culvert at the Kishwaukee Creek extending the current culvert to accommodate four lanes. Storm sewer work continues at the south end of the project area.

Placement of temporary pavement continues throughout the entire construction route and Nicor, ComEd and AT&T are still doing their things so traffic will go down to one lane in certain areas. Watch for flaggers.  Expect delays.

The village has begun advising against walking or riding bicycles in the construction area, a warning which seemed superfluous until FEN saw a cyclist (sans helmet) actually doing it last week.  Retreading an old motorcycle joke:  Q.  What do you call a bicyclist in the Route 47 construction area?  A. An organ donor.

In the pic: Still a lot of sewer work to go at the south end of the construction area.

Local Produce Ahead Of Standard Schedule

Lots of rain and unseasonable spring heat is pushing local fruits and veggies ahead of their usual schedule according to area growers.

"It's had an effect on a lot of stuff," said Wayne Workowski, Harvard grower at Huntley's Farmers' Market Saturday.  He listed lettuce, snap peas, Swiss chard and spinach, all of which he happened to have for sale in abundance.  Workowski said raspberries and blackberries are coming along fast, too, not to mention strawberries.

Mike O'Leary from Marengo said "The heat is good, we can use all we can get," but opined the rain might be verging on too much of a good thing.  O'Leary said his green beans were doing well and corn is so far along "It's probably going to be available in three weeks."  Tomatoes are rocketing as well, said O'Leary.  "We'll have them by the third week in July.  Cherry tomatoes, anyway."

Randy Book from Belvidere said his corn is way ahead of schedule, too.  "Our sweetcorn we start getting around the first of August.  This year we're looking at the middle of July."

In the pic: Produce up from Southern Illinois is similarly advanced from the usual schedule down there since it's been warm and wet all over the central Midwest.

Local Blood Drives Set Throughout July

Heartland Blood Centers and local sponsors have    drives scheduled in Algonquin and Huntley during July, a month when the need for blood is high but donors are often on vacation.

As a “thank you” to blood donors who support summer collections, all donors who give blood in July will get a coupon for a free quart of Oberweis Ice Cream.  The promotion is part of a Pint-for-a-Quart campaign which rewards blood donors who take time out of their summer schedules to donate blood at any Heartland location or mobile blood drive.

Huntley
July 9 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Del Webb Sun City: 12920 Del Webb Blvd.; call the wellness center at 847-515- 2078.
July 10 from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm at Saint Mary's Catholic Church: 10307 Dundee Road; Call Ernie at 815-356-5245.
July 14 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center-Huntley: 10450 Algonquin Road; Call Lesley Addison at 847-802-7155. Besides the Oberweis all donors will get a special gift pack from the Fitness Center on this one.
July 25 from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm at Faith Community Church: 10547 Faiths Way; call Lori at 815-236-0911 and leave a message with your desired donation time.
Algonquin
July 27 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Lifetime Fitness Center: 451 Rolls Drive
July 29 from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Village Hall: 2200 Harnish Drive.

Besides calling local numbers, Heartland blood donations can now be scheduled online at: http://www.heartlandbc.org/donating_online_appt.html

Quinn Signs Payday Loan Regulation

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation this week intended to keep payday lenders from slipping through a regulatory loophole.

The 2006 Payday Loan Reform Act defined such loans as lasting only 120 days. But according to consumer advocates, some in the industry used that definition as a way to skirt regulation. Extending the terms of payday loans meant they could be defined as installment loans, which had no interest caps. The new legislation caps interest levels for installment loans at 99 percent for loans under $4,000 and 36 percent for loans above that threshold.

Brent Adams, secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said that is the most important aspect of the law because no matter how a loan is categorized, there will be limits on what lenders can charge for it.

However Attorney General Lisa Madigan said those strapped for cash still need to be wary of payday and installment loans and should exhaust all other options first. "But please remember, extreme caution still has to be exercised when taking out a short-term high-cost loan. … People should only consider those types of loans in an emergency as a last resort.”

Especially since the new regulations won't take effect for nine months.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/quinn-signs-payday-loan-regulation.html

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 26
0303 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BARZIDEH, BAHMAN, M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 316 N. HARRISON ST., ALGONQUIN. Charges: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Greater than .08, Improper turn at an intersection. RELEASED ON BOND.
0446 HRS 200 BLOCK OF N. RANDALL RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. STABEN, MICHAEL T., M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 12595 W. MAWMAN AVE., BEACH PARK. Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Greater than .08, No proof of valid insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1531 HRS 3129 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (EVERGREEN). WANTED ON WARRANT. ROMAN, DIEGO, M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 3140 BRISBANE DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Failure to Appear, Harassment. Bond Amount: $5,000 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
ROMAN, LEONARDO, M/W 49 YEARS OF AGE, 3140 BRISBANE DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while License Expired more than a year, No Valid Insurance, Cracked Windshield. RELEASED ON BOND.
0206 HRS 100 BLOCK OF QUAIL RUN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 62 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0402 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. REPORT FOR INSURANCE. A shed caught on fire from lightning.
0425 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF POPLAR ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. A male infant was having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1011 HRS 400 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 52 years of age, having back pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1031 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). FOUND PROPERTY. Motorist dropped off a wallet that was found in the road.
1122 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF NOELLE BEND ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 45 years of age, in pain following medical procedure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1205 HRS 200 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 63 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1241 HRS 260 RANDALL RD., (COSTCO GASOLINE). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1241 HRS 300 RANDALL RD., (LOWE’S). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1243 HRS 145 HILLTOP DR., (NOCKLES PARK). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Subject fell off bench when bench collapsed from weather-related damage. Work order was sent.
1321 HRS 285 RANDALL RD., (JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1351 HRS 81 RANDALL RD., (CHAZIOS). HIT & RUN. Vehicle left after hitting a parked vehicle.
1815 HRS 400 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs Wife. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
2139 HRS 700 BLOCK OF JUNIPER LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Complainant advised he was struck by a vehicle. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2316 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.