Back To School Tax Break Shaping Shopping Crunch

Illinois' Back To School Sales Tax Holiday shapes up to create a headache for parents and retailers in District 300.  Under a bill signed last week the state will forgo collecting its 5 percent share of the sales tax on school supplies and clothes between Aug. 6 through 15. The local problem:  District 300's first day of school will be Aug. 16 this year.

District 158 schools will open their doors on the more standard date of Aug. 25 but earlier this year District 300 decided to jump the gun to align the school year better with the state's schedule for student tests.  The dates for the new tax holiday mean parents in that district will have to shop right down to the wire if they plan to save the state's usual 5 percent rakeoff.  Their District 158 neighbors meanwhile will also be able to save the 5 percent but they'll get an extra 10 days afterwards to shop around for the odds and ends they couldn't find during the interregnum.

Only the part of the sales tax that the state keeps is being suspended.  Illinois sends 1.25 percent of the current 6.25 percent state sales tax back to local governments.  That part still counts.  Likewise villages' .75 percent home rule sales tax and the .75 percent RTA bailout tax will remain in effect, so even during the Tax Holiday local shoppers will still pay 2.75 percent sales tax.

“The road to recovery goes through retailing and consumers, and Illinois’ first-ever sales tax holiday will go a long way in aiding these efforts,” said Illinois Retail Merchants Association President David F. Vite.  Back to School is the second biggest sales period after Christmas for retailers.  By one estimate parents spent about $550 to send a kid back to school last year.  Forecasts this year range anywhere from 3 to 16 percent sales growth which would put a family's sales tax savings around $30 per head, probably not enough to keep stockbrokers hovering by their phones.   

The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability figures that'll cost the state anywhere from $20.6 million to $67.1 million in revenue. For context, the state's deficit is expected to clock about $13 billion this year.  

Generally the state will skip the tax on school supplies (not including computer stuff) and clothes up to $100.  Naturally the actual details aren't that simple.  For instance crayons are OK but paintbrushes and watercolors aren't.  Raincoats are OK but not umbrellas.  Steel toed shoes are fine but safety goggles aren't on the list. Books?  They'll carry the full tax.

"We made sure the Governor signed the bill 30 days before it goes into effect to make sure (retailers) have time to reprogram their computers," said Department of Revenue spokesman Sue Hofer. Even so, IDR's bulletin to stores is located here: http://tax.illinois.gov/Publications/Bulletins/2010/FY-2010-17.pdf

Auditorium Packed For "The Witches"

District 158 Summer Stock's production of "The Witches" drew a good opening night crowd Friday.  Brooke Romero plays "Grandmother" and Noah Evans plays "Boy".  Katie Walocha in a chicken suit her mother whipped up is one of 49 other students acting in or supporting the production which continues this evening a 7:30 pm and tomorrow at 2 pm at Huntley High.  Tickets are $5 at the door.

Eagles Impersonators Set At Algonquin Commons

Eagles tribute band Heartache Tonight headlines Algonquin Commons' free concert at the Commons Sunday.  It's the second in the series which will continue from 5 to 7 pm every Sunday through August 8.

Also on tap this year:
July 25th - Blooze Brothers
August 1st - 7th Heaven
August 8th - The Meteors

Besides the music, the concerts include food vendors, store booths, free children's activities and prize giveaways.

Board Of Ed Honors Baseball Red Raiders

District 158's Board of Education handed out medals this week to the district's top athletes this year.  Marcus Popenfoose couldn't make it for his medal for taking tops in the state in discus and second place in shot put.  The Huntley Red Raiders baseball team were there in force, though, to collect honors for their remarkable fourth-place finish in the state tourney.

In the pic:  Andy Jakubowksi, Matt Sassi and Jerry Modlinski helped the Red Raiders to a finish Jakubowski said "They'll probably remember for the rest of their lives."  The team included: Jeremy Ahillen, Thomas Crohan, Chris Klein, Matthew Morin, Philip Pupillo, Andre Sopena, Zachary Staab, Matthew Szytz, Cody Wennerstrom, Carlos Alvarez, Nicholas Brallich, Sam Chapman, Tyler Davila, Edward Husak, Nicholas Kostalek, Joshua Moore, Josh Prokuski, Jacob Staab, Kyle Sutter, Brody Burkart, Justin Gundlach, Mark Merevick, Jake Perkins, Colin Lyman and Bruce Only.  That's the Board in back.

Quinn Orders More Time Off

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
After more than a week of being hounded for doling-out raises to his top staffers, Gov. Pat Quinn has ordered unpaid days off for more than 2,700 state workers. Quinn Friday used his new emergency budget powers and ordered 24 new furlough days for non-union state employees. Last year, such workers took 12 furlough days.

The governor insists that the "shared sacrifice" should put to rest any complaints about what he pays his budget director and other top officials. "It's very important to cut the overall budget of the office. Which is what I have done. I have cut my own salary…My deeds match my words," said Quinn.

Quinn said he will take the two dozen furlough days along with 2,700 other merit comp employees. Those days without pay should add-up to $18 million in savings, according to the governor's budget estimates. But Quinn's opponent this fall, State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said that's too little and too late.

""Today’s fourteen hundredths of one percent reduction out of a $13 billion budget gap shows Governor Quinn protects big government at all costs, and only responds after pressure from taxpayers and the media," Brady said in a statement. The GOP candidate for governor said the furlough order is "yet another slap in the face of taxpayers."

Quinn responded with his own criticism of Brady's vote to maintain legislative pay and his attendance in Springfield.

But Brady is not the only Republican blasting the governor. State Rep. Rich Brauer, R-Petersburg, represents an area with a lot of state workers and says they know the score. "It's just a cheap political trick," said Brauer. "You take the people that got pay raises. They now have a 9 percent cut on top of their 20 percent pay increase, so what you've done is essentially given them an 11 percent increase and a month off."

Workers covered by Friday's furlough order have until the end of next June to take their 24 unpaid days.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3691/quinn-reacts-to-pay-raise-controversy-orders-more-time-off/

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 16
0356 HRS ALGONQUIN RD & BLACKHAWK DR. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. KRAMER, JOSEPH M., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 507 HURON TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, Zero Tolerance, Improper Lane Use. RELEASED ON BOND.
0749 HRS CEDAR RIDGE DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. VASHI, KUNAL K., M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 1131 STARWOOD PASS, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Operating Motor Vehicle with Registration Suspended, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
2150 HRS RANDALL RD. & POLARIS DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. AMIN, JULIET T., F/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 1150 LAKEVIEW DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0633 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. Male subject may have violated an order of protection by contacting a female on Facebook.
0759 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. DEATH INVESTIGATION. 47 year old male found unresponsive. No transport.
1124 HRS 1391 INDUSTRIAL DR., (PLATINUM AUTO). IDENTITY THEFT. Credit card used by an unauthorized subject. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1646 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1812 HRS ANDERSON DR. & JOSEPH ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1816 HRS 4520 ALGONQUIN RD., (CASTLE BANK WEST). ACCIDENT. Truck vs. building. Property damage only.
2207 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ADAMS ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 3 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2209 HRS 9190 PYOTT RD., (24-7 PYOTT RD DIESEL). HIT & RUN. Complainant’s vehicle window was broken.

Agreement Not Seen Restarting Construction

Negotiators will meet again Monday to try to resolve the strike by laborers and machine operators against major employers that's idled Chicago area construction projects including many in McHenry County.

Thursday Operation Engineers 150 reached an agreement with the Illinois Valley Contractor Association to the south similar to one approved Wednesday with smaller Chicago area companies.  Both call for a 3.25 percent per year salary increase, but that's about triple what the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association has been reportedly offering the unions.

MARBA Chairman Tom Nordeen said in a statement Wednesday, "For everyone to get back to work, the unions are going to have to step out of the bubble they’ve been living in for the last few years that has shielded them from the harsh realities of this recession."

James Connolly, Business Manager of the Laborers’ District Council of Chicago & Vicinity said the big contractors are using the strike to crush smaller competitors. “There are a lot of contractors out there who don’t agree with MARBA’s stall tactics because it will put them out of business,” he said.

Meanwhile local officials whose projects are stalled have been reduced to observer status.  "It looks like it's going to last a long time," said one.

In the pic:  Laborers who first struck local construction projects were on the picket line earlier this week.

EAB Infestation Doubles In Huntley

Tree-killing Emerald Ash Borer beetle infestations have doubled in Huntley in the past year according to a report to the Village Board Thursday from Management Assistant Barb Read.

While only 34 of the village's more than 2,200 ash trees were infected last year, the number this year stands at 68 not counting last year's trees which were cut down. 

In 2009 borer infestations were limited to the Huntley Meadows, Sun City, Wing Pointe and Woodcreek neighborhoods.  This year EAB infestations have also been discovered in Georgian Place, Heritage and Cider groves, Huntley Cove, Northbridge and Southwind neighborhoods. Every village tree in Huntley Cove is infected as are almost half the trees left in Woodcreek.

Read said letters went out last week to residents where the village had found EAB infestation warning the trees would have to come down to prevent the insects' spread and offering participation in the village's 50/50 tree replacement program.  Huntley will go halfies with residents on the cost of berm replacement trees but only from a list of approved species.

If a Huntley ash tree is looking peaked, the number to call is 847-515-5223.

In the pic:  An adult Emerald Ash Borer and the distinctive hole from which it emerges.  It's the larvae that do the damage but they're under the bark where you can't see them.

158 Board Approves Razing Farmhouse

The District 158 Board of Education in a perfunctory session Thursday approved a contract to pull down the farmhouse across from Huntley High School. The house represents "an attractive nuisance," according to Director of Operations and Maintenance Doug Renkosik.

The Board approved a pair of contracts totaling $59,000 for to remove asbestos and demolish the house, garage, henhouse, barn, milkhouse, cattle and machine sheds and cap the residence well.

Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore and husband David had been renting the 140 year old-home on a monthly basis after a lease expired late last year but Renkosik said they notified the District they wanted to leave early this year.

Separately the Board set September 16 as the date for a hearing on the district's new budget.

In the pic:  District 158 plans to pull down the Borhart Farm compound near Huntley High soon.

War Chests Full For Political Races

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Candidates for Congress and the U.S. Senate were scheduled to submit their campaign contribution reports for the second quarter of 2010 before midnight on Thursday. As of Thursday afternoon, many candidates in Illinois had not submitted their comprehensive reports to the Federal Elections Commission, which collects and displays the reports online.

Those vying for a high-profile office like U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative can wield a successful period of campaign fundraising as a sign of political strength.

Candidates require huge sums of money to build on their own platforms or launch scathing attack advertisements against their opponents, according to Jim Nowlan, a Knox College public policy professor and former Illinois congressman.

“Very few candidates have enough money to effectively define both themselves and their opponents, and so they have to try and determine which it is that they need to do,” he said.

But Cindi Canary, head of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, said voters are looking for more than massive campaign war chests.

“We often forget that the candidate that is the most effective fundraiser isn’t always the most effective communicator and isn’t always the winner,” she said.

Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and five-term Republican Congressman Mark Kirk are vying to replace the appointed Roland Burris in the U.S. Senate.

For the 2010 quarter that ended in June, Kirk raised $2.3 million, according to his campaign. Kirk has about $3.9 million in his campaign fund at his disposal.

Giannoulias raised more than $900,000 over the second quarter of 2010, according to campaign spokeswoman Kathleen Strand, and has about $1 million to spend on the race.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3682/teeming-war-chests-highlight-tight-congressional-races/

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.

DION C. HUBBARD, DOB: 06/18/80, 3337 W. MADISON, CHICAGO. DOMESTIC BATTERY, AGGRAVATED BATTERY.--Woodstock PD
  
JOHN R. FILLIPP, DOB: 05/23/67, 3597 NEWPORT DRIVE, ISLAND LAKE. UNLAWFUL USE OF CREDIT CARD, FORGERY.--McHenry PD
  
LUIS GAYTAN, DOB: 02/25/80, 4504 GARDEN QUARTER #19, MCHENRY. ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER, AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY, AGGRAVATED BATTERY, UNLAWFUL USE OF WEAPONS.--McHenry PD
  
DAVID J. FAULKNER, DOB: 08/31/86, 22 E. MAIN STREET, CARY; MICHAEL A. RUSSO, DOB: 09/14/92, 16 S. WILLIAMS STREET, CRYSTAL LAKE; NICHOLAS R. CIWAY, DOB: 04/21/90, 22 E. MAIN STREET, CARY. AGGRAVATED ROBBERY (6 COUNTS), MOB ACTION (3 COUNTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH THE INTENT TO DELIVER.--Cary PD
  
ROBERT J. OSWALD JR., DOB: 05/21/69, 1329  FOUNTAIN GREEN DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY, UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH THE REPORTING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.--Crystal Lake PD

CESAR NOVA-HERNANDEZ, DOB: 03/31/82, 206 ADMIRAL DRIVE, HARVARD. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL (2 COUNTS), ENDANGERING THE LIFE OF A CHILD (2 COUNTS)--Harvard PD

CHRISTOPHER J. GORALKA, DOB:  04/06/61,    9007 EVERGREEN DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. INTIMIDATION.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
JEFFREY M. PHEN, DOB:  10/18/78, 7404 HEMLOCK STREET, CRYSTAL LAKE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY(OVER $300.), AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

VICTOR M. CASTILLON, DOB:  07/25/74, 14 S. LAKE AVENUE, FOX LAKE. HOME INVASION, BATTERY.--Lakemoore PD
      
JONATHAN E. GOZA, DOB:  12/11/90, 5209 W. GREENBRIER DRIVE, MCHENRY. BURGLARY.--McHenry PD
  
MARTHA HERRERA, DOB:  11/12/81,    3820 WAUKEGAN ROAD, MCHENRY. AGGRAVATED BATTERY OF A CHILD(4CTS), DOMESTIC BATTERY(4CTS).--McHenry PD
  
BRIAN J. MASSARO, DOB:  10/11/82, 650 BRAEWOOD, ALGONQUIN. BURGLARY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, THEFT.--Algonquin PD
  
OTONIEL RINCON, DOB:  01/01/83,    529 FAIRVIEW BOULEVARD, ROCKFORD. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Marengo PD
  
BRIAN R. KELLER, DOB:  01/03/85, 1918 HIGHCREST LANE, MARENGO. AGGRAVATED DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED.--Marengo PD
      
ANDREW C. LETIZIA, DOB:  11/27/89, 632 PARTRIDGE PARKWAY, GENOA CITY, WI.   UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A HYPODERMIC SYRINGE.--Woodstock PD
      
MICHAEL A. RUSSO, DOB:  09/14/92, 46 S. WILLIAMS STREET, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE.--Crystal Lake PD
  
NATHAN E. CULLOM, DOB:  04/30/89, 6719 S. RAWSON BRIDGE ROAD, CARY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH THE INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--North Central Narcotics Task Force

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
July 15
0054 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF CLAREMONT LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 36 years of age, vomiting. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
0459 HRS 350 BOULDER DR., (BOULDER RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB). FOUND PROPERTY. Two bicycles located on the side of the building. Entered into evidence.
0807 HRS 200 BLOCK OF HAWTHORNE RD. FOUND PROPERTY. Blue women’s Fuji mountain bike and and iPod found. Items place into evidence.
0935 HRS 100 BLOCK OF COOLSTONE BEND. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 55 years of age, injury to her leg. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1018 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. IDENTITY THEFT. Identity Theft.
1132 HRS PYOTT RD. & RAKOW RD. OVERWEIGHT TRUCK. Citation issued. Fine Paid.
1419 HRS 200 BLOCK OF ELLIS RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 64 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2027 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HEARTLAND GATE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE An Apple iPhone was taken from an unlocked vehicle on 07/10/10.
Algonquin
July 14
16:36pm Gallardo-Alfaro, Mirna E., DOB: 08/28/77, of 732 Woodfern Drive, Pingree Grove, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 08/25/10, in McHenry County.
July 15
09:26am Hajroja, Burim, DOB: 02/22/87, of 2635 Amber lane, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for DUI.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for DUI and Battery.  He was taken into custody at 2635 Amber Lane.  He was released after posting $500, on the Kane County Warrant, with a court date of 07/30/10 and after posting $700, on the McHenry County Warrant, with a court date of 07/23/10, in McHenry County.
17:33pm Rosales, Marco A., DOB: 10/04/78 of 15 Arrowhead #28, Algonquin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance and Disobeying a Traffic Control Device.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 08/18/10, in McHenry County.

Algonquin Township Ponders Windmills

Wednesday's meeting of the the Algonquin Township Board proved windmill salesmen are combing McHenry County for prospects and Algonquin Township, for one, is at least interested.

Highway Commissioner Bob Miller reported he and Supervisor Dianne Klemm had met with Emmit George, President of windpower company Electritech, Naperville, to hear his pitch for a pair of 130-foot tall 15 KW wind turbines to lower the township's electric bills.

Miller told trustees the turbines, one to power township offices, one for the road district, would cost about $100,000 apiece, installed. But since the district could use its own equipment and men to build pads for the windmills, Miller said, "We could save a bundle."

Better yet, Miller reported, Electritech claimed the federal government would pay up to 50 percent of the cost of the mills, so "It would take 5, 6, or 7 years to pay off."

Miller emphasized there was a lot more research to do.  "We're just looking at the opportunity," he said.  "We haven't made any decision."

George, a former regulatory VP for ComEd, and a rep from R.C. Wegman Construction, Aurora, appeared at the Nunda Township Board meeting Monday to make a similar proposal there. Electritech and Wegman's claim to fame is that they just built a windmill for Aurora Township which is about to go online.

Electritech's website claims the company is affiliated with Heston Wind, Milwaukee.  That's the consultant the District 300 Board of Ed hired for $50,000 last year to study the prospects for a $50 million school-financed windfarm in Stark County. Heston still hasn't presented a formal report.

In the pic:  If Algonquin Township decides to put up windmills they'd probably look like this one in Presque Isle, ME.

Defenders Want "Stuff" For Warehouse Sale

Defenders of McHenry County want your old stuff so it doesn’t wind up in a landfill.  The nonprofit organization is collecting donations of good, used household items for its Use-It-Again Garage Sale at the end of the month.  The annual fundraiser will be held at the Algonquin Township Road District complex east of Crystal Lake, and proceeds will support the group’s eco-friendly programs and services.

 The Defenders are looking for antiques and collectibles, household items, books, tools, dishes, pots and pans, dressers and tables . . . just about anything that sells well at garage sales except clothing, upholstered furniture, televisions, computers, or large appliances.  Small appliances and electronics must be in working order.

 Donations may be dropped off at the Algonquin Township Garage from 11 am to 3 pm Friday, July 23, through Wednesday, July 28. The Use-It-Again Garage Sale will run from 8 am to 3 pm on Thursday, Jul.29, through Saturday, Jul. 31.  Sunday, Aug. 1, will see with a bag sale from 11 am to 2 pm.

LITH Restaurant Moves To Algonquin

"It's a risk but sometimes you have to take a risk for the reward," said Konstantinos Drivas, explaining why he's so sleep deprived this week moving his successful Burnt Toast Restaurant from its North Randall location in Lake in the Hills to its new off-Randall location in Algonquin.

After seven years, business was swell at the old spot but "the lease was getting pretty expensive," Drivas explained.  For the same amount of money, he found, he could double his space by relocating to the former Ruby Tuesday restaurant on Bunker Hill Drive.

That's about half a mile closer to his other Burnt Toast location south on Randall above the Tollaway in Elgin but Drivas said he doesn't think there'll be any conflict.  "Our customers go to both places," he said.  "It depends on what errands they have to run."

Besides, his bigger restaurant in Algonquin will require more staff. "They're training at the other restaurant right now," said Drivas.

Burnt Toast's target to reopen is Monday.

In the pic: Konstantinos Drivas tweaks a high-zoot coffee machine getting ready to open his Burnt Toast restaurant at its new Algonquin location.

LITH To Host Battle At The Beach

The Lake in the Hills Parksand Recreation Department will host its first-ever Battle at the Beach on Saturday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at Indian Trail Beach.

Neighbor against neighbor, family against friends, guys against girls, Confederation against Klingons, the choice of opponent is up to participants.  Games include: a sack race, water balloon toss, marshmallow relay race, tug-o-war and a hula hoop contest.

Participants must register as a team by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 847-960-7460. Teams must consist of six people who've already agreed on a team name by the time of registration.

The Battle at the Beach will be a free event and the show will go on, rain or shine. It's  part of LITH's Summer Visor Program. For more info about that, go to:  http://www.lith.org/pdf/Recreation/2010VisorProgramFlyer.pdf.

Tell Your Friends About FEN

Education Union Backs Quinn

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
One of the state’s largest teachers’ unions has backed Pat Quinn to remain governor of Illinois. The Illinois Education Association boasting 133,000 members announced their endorsement for the Quinn candidacy Wednesday.

IEA President Ken Swanson said Quinn’s values and support for education were reasons for the endorsement. “He knows that education is the key to rebuilding Illinois and coming out of the economic doldrums. He is willing to say publicly that education is the key and that we need to invest in new revenues,” he said.

The IEA recommendation, one of the first major endorsements in the run-up to the November general election, comes as little surprise. Quinn’s running mate, Southern Illinois University law professor Sheila Simon, is an IEA member.

Quinn’s opponent in the general election, state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, downplayed the union’s endorsement. “The union leadership supports Governor Quinn’s higher taxes and more spending,” Brady said in a statement.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3675/education-union-backs-quinn/

Observers Expect Blagojevich To Take Stand

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
The prosecution rested its case againts former Governor Rod Blagojevich Tuesday and defense attorneys will start presenting witnesses on Monday. The jury so far has been inundated with wiretaps of the former governor allegedly plotting the sale of a U.S. Senate seat or the strong-arming of a political player; testimony from former insiders, who pointed to Blagojevich as a man-obsessed with fund-raising; and federal agents talking about his lavish lifestyle and $20,000 suits.

The sheer volume and nature of government evidence has impressed former federal prosecutor Rodger Heaton, who helped convict former Arkansas Gov. Guy Tucker of fraud in 1996. But the outcome of jury trials are never guaranteed, he said.

“The jury will have to decide, should the words (on tape) be taken at face value? Do you trust the co-conspirators (who testified) or Blagojevich?” Heaton said. “When you have questions like this in a long trial the credibility of the actors in the courtroom–witnesses and lawyers–becomes critical.”

Sam Adam Sr., the storied lawyer from Chicago’s 26th and California streets criminal court, said he will be handling Blagojevich’s questioning personally. He said he has been preparing his client for the stand for six months and is confident he will hold his own under cross examination.

Blagojevich’s testimony may allow the defense an opportunity to offer its own narrative as to what was going through the governor’s mind when he was talking campaign contributions and the Senate seat. But it will also allow the prosecution the chance to restate its case, constantly reminding jurors of previous tapes and testimony–a “luxury” for any prosecutor, according to Heaton.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3674/political-observers-anticipate-blagojevich-taking-stand-in-defense/

Obituaries

Kenneth Broughton, Sr.,died Monday at Provena St Joseph’s Hospital,  Elgin.  Broughton was born August 6, 1937, to Andrew and and Tressie Wagner Broughton and grew up in Pineville, KY.  He moved to Chicago in 1959 and raised his family in Chicago and Streamwood.  He worked for 40 years at Reliable/MacLean-Fogg Company until his retirement in 2002. He is survived by his wife Axie (Baker) Broughton; daughters Cindy, Marsha and Sherry, and sons Steve and Ken, Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents and all 10 of his brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm today at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley.  Funeral Services will be at 1 pm Friday, July 16 at the funeral home.Interment will be immediately following at  Huntley Cemetery.

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 14
0247 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. SKONECKE, THOMAS J., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 1796 ANDOVER LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis, Failure to Signal. RELEASED ON BOND.
NOGRA, ZACHARY R., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 4708 NORTH OAK ST., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0817 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY. Forged prescription received.
HRS 00 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL DOWNS CT. SUICIDAL SUBJECT. Female, 18 years of age, attempted suicide. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1237 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRISBANE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 5 years of age, with stomach pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1249 HRS 8390 PINGREE RD., (KOLD BAN INTERNATIONAL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 49 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1334 HRS 3400 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. SEXUAL ASSAULT. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1452 HRS 149 HILL TOP DR., (LABAHN-HAIN HOUSE). FOUND ARTICLE. Two paddles were found.
1654 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF MAGNOLIA LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs Wife. Verbal only. One prior.

Coroner, Animal Control Contracts "Hit Wall"

McHenry County negotiations with the union representing Coroners and Animal Control workers have "hit a wall", according to the County's Human Resources Director.  With a deadline looming, so have County Board Committee discussions on what to do about it.

Tuesday the Board's Finance and Audit Committee deadlocked over whether to impose contracts or break their own vows to hold wage increases to 2 percent this year. Two other committees have approved the contracts but one other rejected them.

Five Coroner and twelve Animal Control workers are represented by the Service Employees International Union certified as their bargainer two years ago.  Despite negotiations, an initial contract has never been agreed on.  Recently the County made its "last, best and final offer" granting workers the same raises other county employees received in the interim.  Under labor law rules time's running out to make that offer stick.  If the Board doesn't, "You would, in essence, be required to come back to the table with something else," said HR Director Bob Ivetic.

"We want to be firm," said County Administrator Pete Austin.  "There's nothing extra for these two unions," he said.

SEIU negotiators have rejected the County's offer and been quoted as saying if it were imposed their people would strike.  Commitee Chairman Marc Munaretto said he'd feel better if the workers had a chance to vote on the offer in the first place.  "I can't speak to the question of why SEIU won't bring it to it's members," he said.

Committee Member Scott Breeden, Lakewood, said there wasn't any reason to sweeten things. "We had a kennel technician opening two weeks ago.  There were 44 applicants."

With mixed committee recommendations the question will go before the full County Board next week.

“The Witches” Comes To District 158 Production

This weekend, Huntley High School’s Performing Arts Center will be transformed into a posh seaside resort beset by witches in the fourth season of District 158's Summer Stock with performances of  The Witches, a play based on the Roald Dahl kids' book of the same title.  

“One child a week is fifty-two a year. Squish them and squiggle them and make them disappear," is the motto of Dahl's witches.

The cast and crew, a total of 52 students from District 158 ranging from elementary grades through high school, will be directed by Holly Burkhalter with costuming by Janet Burkhalter, Marlowe Middle School teacher.

Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee   at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets may be purchased at the door for $5 each. The Performing Arts Center is at Huntley High on Harmony Road.

In the pic: Roald Dahl, famous for "Willy Wonka" (in rehearsal for performance over at D300 later this month), survived a perilous career in the WWII  to later write humorously dark adult stories and darkly humorous children's stories.

Chicago Regional Plan Briefed For McHenry County

Only a dozen or so people appeared at Woodstock Library for the McHenry County round of public meetings to explain the GoTo2040 Regional Plan expected to be adopted soon by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency For Planning.

The document sets the way Chicago and the collar counties ought to grow for the next 30 years but depends on all the communities and agencies in the area cooperating with each other to do it since there's no enforcement authority.

The plan calls for less sprawl, modernizing transportation instead of building more, preserving open space and reducing water and energy use.

A prerecorded version of Tuesday's presentation at Woodstock is available in zip form (you have to download and decompress it) here: http://www.goto2040.org/uploadedFiles/RCP/Events/Get_Involved/Files/Draft_GO_TO_2040_Plan_Overview_SOUND.zip

In the pic: CMAP Planner George Johnson outlines "fiscally constrained capital projects" in the region for a local couple who dropped by the Woodstock Library Tuesday.

Defenders To Collect Recyclables In Local Parades

In a different day and age volunteers trailed parades sweeping up road apples but in modern times pollution has moved far beyond simple horse manure.  That's why Environmental Defenders of McHenry County this year have begun to of bring up the rear of area parades to collect empty pop cans and plastic water bottles.

"We’re getting the message out, and getting trash off the streets at the same time,” said outreach director Diane Ayers.

The group collected over 35 large bags of recyclables at Crystal Lake’s Independence Day parade. This Sunday,they'll be at McHenry’s Fiesta Days Parade and the following Saturday at Founders’ Days Parade in Algonquin. They plan to do Lake In The Hills Summer Sunset parade in September, and Marengo’s Settlers Days parade in October, too.

“These folks are all volunteers, and they don’t get paid to do this,” said Ayers. “It’s a great public service and a lot of fun - and work - for our volunteers, too.”

If anyone would like to help, even if they're not official Defenders, call  (815) 338-0393 or email mcdef.outreach@gmail.com

In the pic: Defenders volunteers Jim Donato, Kathy Powles, and John Darger collect bottles and cans during CL's Independence Day Parade.

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 13
1300 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. WIERER, WILLIAM J., M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 5314 BURWOOD RD., CARY. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0305 HRS 1299 PYOTT RD., (PYOTT ROAD BRIDGE). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti found on bridge wall.
0459 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Global Positioning System taken from vehicle.
0704 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Global Positioning System taken from vehicle.
0720 HRS 2265 ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTON’S). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1146 HRS 11115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. Subject received a text message from his ex-wife. Text mail did not rise to the level of harassment. FAIL TO FILE.
1446 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Miscellaneous change taken from vehicle. FAIL TO FILE.
1456 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female, 72 years of age, head injury. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1531 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1545 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF PINE ST. BATTERY. Complainant was pushed in his kitchen by his ex-landlord. FAIL TO FILE.
1556 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Son vs. Step-father. Verbal only. Ten priors.
1505 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Digital camera and other items taken from a vehicle.
1714 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRIARCLIFF LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Report for insurance. Window was damaged.
1844 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF POPLAR LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 52 years of age, extreme leg pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2141 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT. Two male subjects observed exiting a vehicle and walking up and down the area.
2340 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK LN. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Female, 71 years of age, suicide attempt by medication. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Huntley
July 5
A residential burglary report was taken in the 10600 block of Cape Cod Lane. Electronics and Jewelry were reported stolen.
July 6
Timothy K. Ferbache, age 49, of 1013 Nottingham Ln., Crystal Lake, was arrested for telephone harassment and disorderly conduct.  Mr. Ferbache posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 20, 2010.
A wallet was reported stolen at a business in the 10400 block of Rt. 47.  The wallet was later located and returned to the victim.  Cash was taken from the wallet.
July 7
An unlawful use of credit card report was taken at a residence in the 10800 block of Sawgrass Ln.  The victim states her credit card number was used for fraudulent transactions.
July 8
Jaime Cruz, age 29, of 33 Barberry, Crystal Lake, was arrested for unlawful display of registration and cited for no front plate, no proof of insurance, and no valid registration.  Mr. Cruz posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 27, 2010.
July 9
Gumercindo Mendez-Gomez, age 37, of 435 Ann #B, Elgin, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and cited for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and disobeying a traffic control signal.  Mr. Mendez-Gomez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 13, 2010.
A fraud report was taken at a business in the 12400 block of Princeton Dr. A counterfeit $20.00 bill was found.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11200 block of Donald Dr.  The victim’s mail box was damaged.
July 10
A 17 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was arrested for possession of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  The juvenile was also cited for consumption of alcohol by a minor and failure to signal. The juvenile was released to his mother and will be petitioned to McHenry County juvenile court.
Steven F. Bubacz, age 37, of 4022 W. Lake Shore Dr., Wonder Lake, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for defective windshield and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Bubacz posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 27, 2010.
Brian C. Gauch, age 22, of 775 Elderberry Ct., Lake in the Hills, was arrested for forgery and possession of an open title.  Mr. Gauch was transported to McHenry County jail to await a bond hearing.
July 11
Jimmy M. Martinez, age 21, of 1534 Brierwood Circle, Crystal Lake, was arrested for driving while license suspended and obstructing identification.  Mr. Martinez posted bond and was released with a Kane County court date of August 2, 2010.
Jonathan O. Olushina, age 19, of 9694 Cummings St., Huntley, was arrested for improper use of registration and cited for no drivers license on person and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.  Olushina posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 20, 2010.

Circuit Judge Candidate Proves Citizenship

"I have no problem disclosing I was actually born in Harvard," said independent Circuit Court Judge candidate Sally Wiggins Monday.  That was what a right-wing activist essentially asked her to do before the McHenry County Officers Electoral Board.  Wiggins' attorney, however, called it "borderline harassment."

Sharon Meroni, a Barrington Hills Tea Party-style Webradio personality under the name Chalice Jackson, is what's known as a "birther".  That's someone who believes Barack Obama was born in Kenya, maybe, or Indonesia, or someplace unknown but definitely not the U.S., so he's not Constitutionally qualified to be president.

Meroni earlier this year demanded a McHenry County Grand Jury to investigate the matter but was rebuffed. Now she's found a new approach, challenging the signatures on candidates' nominating petitions. She isn't challenging the autographs of supporters, the usual procedure, though.  She's challenging those of the candidates themselves certifying they're U.S. citizens entitled to run.  She wants them to prove it.

"It's very important to have the people with power over my life prove they're legally qualified to do so," she said. The approach didn't fly, though.  Hearing officer Don Leist explained all the Electoral Board could do was enforce the law as it is.  He asked for "testimony, witnesses, exhibits, evidence," Wiggins wasn't a citizen.
 
"If I'm asked to prove a negative...I can't do that," said Meroni.

"She needs to go to Springfield to get the Legislature to change the law," snarled Wiggins' Attorney Margo Ely.

Wiggins had brought along her birth certificate, anyway, so Meroni finally withdrew her challenge. Those against about 30 independent candidates in other jurisdictions still stand, though. Nothing against independents, said Meroni, just they were the only ones left to challenge because she hadn't figured out her petition ploy before the primary.  Really, "I'm a huge third party supporter," she told FEN.

In the pic: Circuit Judge candidate Sally Oeffling Wiggins shows a copy of her birth certificate.  She had proof of residence, too.

Delays Expected At Huntley Train Crossing Today

Even though work to widen Route 47 at Huntley is halted because of the laborers and operating engineers strike, work to upgrade the railroad crossing at Route 47 and Main is still going on and it's going to foul up traffic today.

A Huntley bulletin warns that at about 2 pm railroad workers will making changes that will cause the crossing signals to flash red at Route 47 and Main St. even though there's no train coming.  The work is expected to take one or two hours, according to the release which advises motorists to "expect delays."

Huntley Centegra Schedules Health Fest Saturday

The first 400 children at the Huntley Centegra Family Health Fest Saturday will receive a free bike helmet and every family attending will receive a free backpack cooler. The Fest will mark its second year Saturday at Centegra's Health Campus at Algonquin and Haligus roads from 11 am to 2 pm.

As part of the Fest Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center for an open swim in the outdoor pool from 2 to 4 pm.  Among other activities, there'll be a free healthy lunch, Teddy Bear Clinic and tour of the Health Center, helmet safety checks, a rock wall and obstacle course, tours of Huntley’s emergency vehicles.  Players Choice Academy of Huntley will offer free baseball tips and , Centegra’s Mobile Health Unit, Wellness on the Move, will be on-site to provide vascular screenings for $129. Athletes attending the event may receive a reduced-price sports physical for $25.

Pre-registration is required for the vascular screening and sports physical, though. To register for one or both, call 877-CENTEGRA.

For additional information about Centegra Family Health Fest Saturday, visit www.centegra.org/healthfest.

In the pic:  Centegra's First Health Fest in Huntley was mobbed last year.

Algonquin Summer Concerts Begin Thursday

Algonquin's Riverfront Park Summer Concert Series begins Thursday with tropical rock band Pirates Over 40.  The concert will run from 7:30 to 9 pm at the park.  That will be the schedule and venue for the series through August 19.

Next week's entertainment will be local swing band the Vito Buffalo Orchestra playing on the first Day of Algonquin's Founders' Days.  July 29 will feature the Dooley Brothers, followed subsequent weeks by the Saturday June Band, The Silver Orkiestra and The Archives.

The concerts are all free and the village sees them as a great way to enjoy the village's Fox River, particularly if the audience packs picnic dinners. Parking for the concerts will be available on and around North Harrison street.

If it's raining or the threat is imminent, concerts may need to be cancelled, though. In that case the number to call will be (847) 658-2700 or visit www.algonquin.org/recreation for status information.

In the pic: Pirates Over 40 drew a huge crowd when they appeared last year at Algonquin Commons.

Blago Defense Asks for Time For White House Witness

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s attorneys are asking the judge for a week-long continuance after the prosecution rests because it has to “(coordinate) with the Secret Service” for one high-profile, anonymous witness. The defense has repeatedly tried to subpoena President Barack Obama and several members of his administration.

Sam Adam Sr. delivered a rare public statement about the motion Monday, saying a denial would represent a direct violation of Blagojevich’s Sixth Amendment rights. “We’re stuck without our witnesses,” he said. “We have a constitutional right to call witnesses.”

Those witnesses, he says, will need plenty of preparation — and Secret Service agents. He said the defense plans on calling White House Chief of Staff — and alleged Obama emissary — Rahm Emanuel, and former Obama staffer — and almost-Illinois senator — Valerie Jarrett to the stand. Adam Sr. did not mention Obama, but the defense has unsuccessfully tried to subpoena the former Illinois senator in the past.

But federal Judge James Zagel has denied multiple defense motions for a continuance since the trial’s start. So, the defense team on Monday embraced a different means of slowing down court proceedings.

Blagojevich attorney Aaron Goldstein went line by line through taped conversations between Blagojevich and former Deputy Gov. Bob Greenlee – a normal line of questioning for a corruption trial shaped almost entirely around FBI wire taps. That is, until Goldstein began asking the witness about dictionary definitions and punctuation marks.
The defense attorney spent four hours "exploring leaves that needn’t be turned", according to Zagel. “It’s become a waste of time,” he said, threatening to put a stop to a repetitive line of questioning.

The defense is challenging the prosecution’s narrative, which has been shaped largely around taped conversations between the governor and his former advisers. Many former Blagojevich confidantes have backed away from their statements on the tapes, which show them participating in Blagojevich’s alleged conspiracy.

“I was trying to agree with what (Blagojevich) said,” Greenlee testified about some of his conversations with the governor. “I was scared to disagree with him … I wouldn’t be able to do my job.”

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3645/blago-defense-asks-for-time-for-anonymous-witness-needing-secret-service/

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 12
1425 HRS 300 BLOCK OF PLUM ST. DOMESTIC BATTERY. ROLLO, JEREMY R., M/W 30 YEARS OF AGE, 422 EDWARDS AVE., WEST DUNDEE.
CHARGES: Domestic Battery, 2 counts. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0210 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. MISSING JUVENILE. Female, 17 years of age, missing. LEADS entry made.
1149 HRS 600 BLOCK OF LORREE LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Subject received a suspicious check in the mail.
1254 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK. VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. Subject mailed a package to a protected person.
Algonquin
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.
July 5
17:34pm Perez, Alejandro W., DOB: 10/12/84, of 2215 S. Aurora #26, Pingree Grove, was charged with DWLS. He was taken into custody at 1508 S. Randall Rd. He was released on a Personal Recognizance bond, with a court date of 8/11/10, in McHenry County.
July 6
10:39am Bardwell, Kevin E., DOB: 01/14/87, of 17508 Washington, Union, was Wanted on Warrants from: Glendale Heights and Rockford for Failure to Appear. He was also cited for Driving with a Broken Windshield. He was taken into custody at 500 W. Parkview Terrace, Algonquin. He was released after posting a $300 and a $500 bond, with court dates in Glendale Heights and Rockford.
16:40pm Singletary, Rhonda C., DOB: 11/02/67, of 2 Middlesex #3, Carpentersville, was charged with Retail Theft. She was taken into custody at 400 S. Randall Rd.; she was released on a Personal Recognizance bond, with a court date of 08/11/10, in McHenry County.
18:40pm Khan, Shireen A., DOB: 05/16/44, of 2806 E. Bridleway, Carpentersville, was charged with No Insurance and DWLR. She was taken into custody at Randall and Broadsmore. She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 08/11/10 in McHenry County.
23:05pm Carver, William M. IV,  DOB: 05/25/90,  of 4319 Drake Dr., Crystal Lake, was charged with Aggravated Assault. He was taken into custody at 400 S. Randall Rd. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 08/11/10, in McHenry County.
23:05pm Sorich, Shane S., DOB: 11/17/89, of 3 Salford Ct., was charged with Possession of Firearm Ammunition without a Foid Card. He was taken into custody at 400 S. Randall Rd.; He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 08/11/10, in McHenry County.
July 7
10:12am Ali, Qajim, DOB: 06/16/83, of 2606 Amber, was Wanted on a Warrant from Kane County for No Insurance. He was taken into custody at 2606 Amber. He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 07/26/10, in Downers Grove Court.
18:31pm Sanchez, Ismael Jr., DOB: 07/13/90, of 802 Ollie Ct. #2C, Carpentersville, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Insurance and Following to Close. He was taken into custody at RT 62 and Highland. He was released after posting $100, with a court date in McHenry County.
July 9
17:19pm Sardis, James, DOB: 01/04/79, of 860 Mohawk Dr., Elgin, was charged with DWLS. He was taken into custody at Algonquin Rd and Main St. He was released on a Personal Recognizance bond, with a court date of 8/11/10, in McHenry County.
July 11
02:19am Kowitt, Kristen A., DOB: 11/02/72, of 781 West Chicago St., Elgin, was charged with DUI and Dui BAC over .08. She was taken into custody at 2414 Dawson Ln. She was released after posting $100 and her Driver’s License, with a court date of 8/18/2010, in McHenry County.
08:03am Navarro, David, DOB: 07/27/81, of 4516 Garden Quarter, McHenry, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, speeding and No Seatbelt. He was taken into custody at RT 62 and Harrison. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 8/18/10, in McHenry County
Huntley
June 28
Michael J. Moyta, age 20, of 327 Circle, Algonquin, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of cannabis and was cited for consumption of alcohol by a minor.  Mr. Moyta posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 23, 2010.
Michael P. Donegan, age 56, 11806 North St, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle and disobeying a stop sign.  Mr. Donegan posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 16, 2010.
June 29
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 10100 block of Hanover St.  A mailbox was damaged.
Ryan P. Kennedy, age 20, of 10548 Yellowstone, Huntley, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and cited for speeding and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Kennedy posted bond and was released with a McHenry county court date of August 6, 2010.
June 30
A vehicle was reported stolen from a parking lot in the 11700 block of Main St.  The stolen vehicle was later recovered near the intersection of Main and Myrtle streets.
A 16 year-old male was cited for possession of tobacco by a minor.  The minor was released to his mother with a McHenry County court date of July 26, 2010.
Juan R. Aldaco, age 36, of 1451 Sterling, Joliet, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Mr. Aldaco posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 23, 2010.
July 1
A disorderly conduct report was taken in the 11300 block of Grove St.  The victim states that unknown persons threw eggs at her house.
July 4
Joseph M. Goldufsky, age 24, of 10609 Kathleen St, Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant and cited for a fireworks violation.  Mr. Goldufsky posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 16, 2010.
Mr. Porfio Aquino, age 40 of 3049 W. Lyndale, Chicago, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and cited for a child restraint violation.  Mr. Aquino posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 2, 2010.
A 15 year-old male from Huntley was charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor.  The juvenile was released to his parents with an August 9, 2010 court date.
A men’s 26” bicycle was reported stolen in the 11300 block of Timer Drive.  The bicycle was later recovered at a business in the 11600 block of Main St.

Local Home Rebound Continues

Local home sales prices continued their rebound in June, according to the latest report released by the McHenry County Association of Realtors.  It's the report for July, though, that will probably test whether recent numbers have any foundation in the unsupported marketplace.

MCHCAR reported the average sale price of a home in McHenry County rose to just under $200,000 last month, up $3,000 from May.  The figure might still include a boost, however,  from the federal "first-time homebuyers" credit worth up to $8,500.  Although the program ended two months ago it still applied to homes under contract by the end of April with a June closing.  (The closing deadline was recently extended to Sept. 30 after buyers complained they didn't have enough time to line up financing but the April 30 contract date still stands.)

The number of McHenry County homes sold rose to 357 units.  That was about a 10 percent increase but home sales usually increase in the summer, anyway.  Time on market dropped a couple of weeks to 168 days but that's not unusual, either.

Lake in the Hills Realtor Mary Siewenie said, "I think buyers are coming out for the good (mortgage) rates.  I haven't ever seen rates like these.  When I started 37 years ago rates were 7 1/2 percent and that was a low."

The trick, of course, is to get those rates.  Common wisdom is that banks have shifted from granting mortgages with wild abandon to hoarding them in case Bill Gates gets tired of living near Redmond.  Siewenie said the local home market is a candy store for qualified buyers.  "There's such a selection of homes right now, it's amazing."

LITH Ribfest May Have Set Attendance Record

The take won't be toted up until later today but Lake in the Hills Rotary's Rocking Ribfest may have set a new fundraising record, according to a somewhat groggy ex-president Paul Shamoun late Sunday.  "Saturday (attendance) was the biggest we've ever had," he said.

Clouds began to move in earlier than the weatherman had predicted Sunday but it was only when the appropriately named AC/DC tribute band Downpour closed out Ribfest that the rain finally fell.  "We couldn't have timed it better," said Shamoun.

In the pic:  A griller slathers on some more sauce Sunday for customers lined up for some 'cue at Armadillo's, one of eight barbecue vendors at LITH's Ribfest.

First D300 Foundation Musical In Rehearsal

"We have four weeks of work and only three week's to do it in," said Steve Fodor, director of the D300 Foundation's musical Willy Wonka Jr. which debuts July 30.

The production, the first under a Summer Theatre Grant from the foundation includes 20 student actors, 20 more dancers and 30 crew members from D300 schools under the direction of instructors also pulled from all over the area.  Fodor, for instance, was 8th grade drama teacher at Algonquin's Westfield school before budget cuts prompted a shift to teaching technology.  Choreography is being done by Karen Fitzsimmons who runs Huntley's Dance Force Studio.  Music is under the direction of Daniel Beetstra, music teacher from Algonquin Middle School.

The show is an adaptation of the film derived from the darkly humorous Roald Dahl kids' book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory featuring songs by Leslie Bricuse and Anthony Newley.  There will be four shows,  July 30 and 31 and August 6 and 7, all at 7:30p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be ordered online here:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dGpOVVRuaVA2aGZFSFFKYXBSVnR0OVE6MQ#gid=0

In the pic: Director Steve Fodor outlines a scene for the Oompaloompas ('loompae?) last week during rehearsal for the D300 Foundation's production of Willy Wonka Jr. That's Jacobs Soph Michael Wade to his left in Willy Wonka regalia.

Gov Turns Eye Toward Prisons Budget

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn’s spending plan lops $1.4 billion from the state budget but specifics for each agency are still hard to come by. For example Quinn wants to cut $42 million from Illinois’ prisons but last week all he said was he’d look at vehicle costs as part of an effort to find “efficiencies.”

The governor did appear to leave the door open to hiring new prison guards so the state can save on skyrocketing overtime costs. “In some ways that’s a way to economize. There’s been a large amount of overtime in that agency and some others and we tried to reduce that because it can save the taxpayers money,” said Quinn.

Illinois has been spending millions on overtime for prison guards. In 2007 the extra shifts cost the state $20 million. By 2009 that cost jumped to as much as $68 million.

Quinn is also not saying when the budget cuts will come. He instead continues to say he will “manage” the budget throughout the year. Lawmakers this year chose not to make significant cuts, opting instead to give Quinn sweeping powers to cut from agencies and programs as he sees fit.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3629/gov-turns-eye-toward-prisons-budget/

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
1011 HRS 100 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. DOMESTIC BATTERY. FIERI, GREGORY J., M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 109 INDIAN TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0239 HRS 220 N. RANDALL, (MORETTIS). DOMESTIC BATTERY. Room-mate vs. room-mate. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0756 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF PATTON AVE. THEFT. A lawn ornament was taken from subject’s yard.
0940 HRS BLACKHAWK DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 21 years of age, headache. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1125 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. THEFT. A lawn decoration was taken from subject’s yard.
1153 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. Nine priors.
1349 HRS 9500 BLOCK OF CHANTILY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 74 years of age, having a diabetic reaction. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1327 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 24 years of age, having contractions. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1857 HRS 3800 BLOCK OF PEARTREE LN. STRUCTURE FIRE. Structure fire investigation.
2004 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). FOUND ARTICLES. Numerous items were located at the park. All items entered into evidence.
2056 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF BURR ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 40 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2101 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HIAWATHA DR. DOMESTIC. Verbal argument between boyfriend and girlfriend. No priors.
2317 HRS 100 BLOCK OF BOULDER DR. REPORT FOR INSURANCE, Water from a leak in a toilet caused damage to the residence.
Algonquin
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Even Minor Repairs Await Strike's End

Negotiators will meet again Monday to try to resolve the strike by laborers and operating engineers that has shut down major constructions projects all over the Chicago area.  The strike has shut down work not only on major projects like the Eisenhower in Chicago and, locally, Route 47 in Huntley, though.  It's even brought minor repairs to a halt.

Case in the point, the "blowout" in the new pavement on Kreutzer Road just west of the railroad tracks.  The spot was a chronic problem even when Kreutzer was gravel and putting a quick base and asphalt over it didn't solve the problem.  With the strike on, though, the village of Huntley can't fix it.

"We've talked to the contractor but until the strike is over there isn't anything we can do," said Village Manager Dave Johnson last week.  The Kreutzer blowout is doubly hampered, in fact.  Not only are workers on strike against the construction companies, they're also striking the nearby asphalt plant so not only is there no one to make repairs,  there's nothing to make them with, anyway.

Johnson said the only good news in the strike was that most of Huntley's street projects had already been completed before laborers walked out a week and a half ago. "That's one of the advantages of operating on a calendar-year budget," Johnson said.

Even if agreement can be reached Monday in the current strikes, work may not resume immediately.  Chicago area cement workers, masons and carpenters have been working without a contract since the end of May, too.

LITH Ribfest Heads Into Final Day

If the weather holds--the forecast doesn't call for storms to reach the area until late this evening or tomorrow morning--LITH Rotary's fifth Rockin Ribfest at Sunset Park may turn out to be a record-setter. Lines to enter Ribfest Sunday afternoon were over a block long and the newly-expanded pitch was nonetheless packed Sunday evening.

A little first-person reporting at the entrance table at Ribfest Sunday revealed three things. First, anything under a $20 bill is small change these days and nobody carries much.  A handful of Abes and Alexanders is a good way to speed Ribfest transactions.

Second, the well-dressed Ribfest goer wears either mosquito repellent or a lot of itchy welts after sundown.

Third, kids sure are growing up fast lately. The Bears are going to have some terrific lineman prospects in a few years judging by the size of some of the "12 and unders" who passed through the Ribfest gate.

You can find today's Ribfest schedule posted below.

LITH Restaurant Returns Full Circle

All the empty storefronts argue the recovery hasn't kicked in much yet locally so it's good news when a business reopens.  That's the case with Aroma's Tapas restaurant on West Algonquin Road.

Last year owner Tim Trujillo thought a move to East Dundee would save him money on lease costs but negotiations snarled so badly that his license to operate ran out and the restaurant went on a six-month hiatus.  Now he's back where he started, reopening last month.  Although, "I'm  still not happy about the lease," he said.

Aroma's specializes in the Spanish bar appetizers called tapas, made famous in the U.S. by Ernest Hemingway who lived on the things while writing his first novel.  Each bar usually has a different one and Trujillo offers a long and varied list.  "I also do a lot of catering," he said.

In the pic:  Chef Rafael Reyes prepares a tapas of baked goat cheese and tomato basil with toasted bread rounds while LITH restaurant owner Tim Trujillo looks on. 

Easgate Library Hosts First Lego Competition

Algonquin's Eastgate Library was the site Saturday for the library district's first-time experiment with a Lego contest to draw in kids.

About 45 kids and parents turned out to see who could build the best assemblage out of the ubiquitous plastic construction toys, the winner chosen by the constructors themselves.

In the pic: Elijah Gurevich, LITH, and Foster Jackey, Gilberts, built a "space police space boat" out of Lego blocks at Eastgate Library Saturday.  It included a toilet seat cantilevered off one landing strut which led to an interesting discussion of the possible effects of gravity and Newton's Third Law, at least from a nine year-old's perspective.

MCC Names Top Students On President's, Dean's Lists

The following students were named to the President’s List for Spring 2010 semester at McHenry County College:
Algonquin
Stephanie Anne Kordecki, Suzanne B. Marinace, Rebecca A. Schutten.
Huntley
Derek Berggren, Jason T. Brown, Brianne N. Busch, Adam D. Clavey, Jessica V. Deron, Jacquelyn M. Esposito, Burton W. Hein, Caroline Hicks, Suzanne Koeppen, Megan Denise Lillibridge, Wajiha Masood, Joseph Matthew Plaminek, Christine Schillinger, James E. Sidor, Karley J. Vickery.
Lake in the Hills
Amanda N. Armijo, Margaret M. Charpentier, David A. Conrad Jr., Anthony J. Cucinella, Mary Kathleen Grzenia, Margaret E. Grzenia, Elizabeth A. Haddad, Robert G. Herley, Monique R. Hunt, Brian A. Lahey, Lucas Leger, Mary E. Mitchell, Matteo Occhipinti, Andrea Occhipinti,   Clare Virginia Paulsen, Meenaz Pradhan, Daniel Patrick Regan, Laura A. Rosenwinkel, Nile P. Schaaf, Matthew D. Spina.
Students who earned a grade point average of 3.75 to 4.0 were awarded the honor.

The following students were named to the Dean’s List for Spring 2010 semester at McHenry County College:
Algonquin
Joseph P.  Brock, Andrew E. Eppley, Lauren M. Paulius.
Huntley
Antonio Luis Aguilar, Shirley D. Beagle, Zachary D. Boster, Tonya A. Daniels, Kristen A. Gilio, Thomas R. Giordano, Jeffrey W. Krueger, Jake A. Marino, Fraaz M. Siddiqui, Brianna K. Wills.
Lake in the Hills
Matthew A. Baginski, Alexander C. Borring, Chantel V. Buergi-Moore, Nicolas A. Costa, Grizell Duncan, Alexander M. Eudaley, Brittany B. Jensen, Karyn J. Kolner, Karen A. Kroll, Ryan Christopher Kromar, Ariana J. Rapp, Sanchesca Rodriguez, Lauren R. Tredore, Jennifer L. Wahl.
Students who earned a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74 were awarded the honor.

Some Education Programs Spared

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
While K-12 education is still taking a hit under the budget plan Gov. Pat Quinn outlined last week, funding levels have improved since the Illinois State Board of Education laid out its budget last month.

The board based its budget on a predicted reduction of almost $300 million. Quinn’s plan would only cut education by $241 million:

* $84 million from student transportation.
* $68.5 million from reading improvement grants and $70.5 million from other grant programs.
* $2.1 million from the ISBE operations budget.

The ISBE budget zeroed out several high-profile programs. Funding has been restored for many of those programs, but not all would be back to fiscal year 2010 levels.

Under Quinn’s plan, advanced placement classes, agricultural education, alternative education for at-risk students and arts and foreign languages would all be funded at 80 percent. All the funding would be restored for the After School Matters program and Teach for America.

David Comerford, a spokesman for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said most of the more than $1 billion the state already owes schools is for mandated categoricals like busing and special education.

“It’s still a key funding source that helps pay salaries. … Categoricals can’t be looked at as extra curriculars. … That’s day-to-day education stuff. It’s not frivolous side programs,” he said.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/some-education-programs-spared.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
July 10
0027 HRS FRANK RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. PRENTICE, MARILYN Y., F/B 41 YEARS OF AGE, 239 SPRING POINT DR., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol. RELEASED ON BOND.
0040 HRS 200 BLOCK OF BRIDLEWOOD CIRCLE. ROBBERY. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0539 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
0657 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. FOUND ARTICLE. BMX style bicycle, spray painted black, blue and white. Secured in evidence.
1114 HRS 200 BLOCK OF THUNDER RIDGE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Mirror on Jeep broken and trampoline cut.
1117 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BANBURY LN. FOUND ARTICLE. Silver Mongoose bicycle. Secured in evidence.
1217 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 12 years of age, hit in the face by a baseball. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1438 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GAIL CT. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Female, 2 years of age, with a bruise on her backside. TURNED OVER TO D.C.F.S.
1419 HRS 200 BLOCK OF OAKLEAF RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 58 years of age, having a diabetic reaction. Transported to Northern IL Medical Center.
2011 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF HALFMOON GATE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 85 years of age, leg pain due to a fall. Transported to Good Shepherd.
2118 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 17 years of age, seizure. Transported to Centegra.
2015 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. Report written.
2224 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BERNYCE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 30 years of age, chest pains and non-responsive. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2245 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 11 years of age, cut to the foot. No transport.