Area Flash Flood Warning and Flood Advisory Issued

A flash flood warning from the National Weather Service was in effect for McHenry County until 8 am this morning and it wouldn't be surprising if it were renewed or another one issued later.

A flash flood warning means flooding is likely to occur or actually happening.  At 5:30 this morning observers were reporting significant flooding across parts of north central and northeastern Illinois.  Radar indicated most of McHenry County received two to four inches of rain with an area around Alden getting around five.

The Weather Service warns that two feet of fast moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road, even a hulking pickup truck or SUV.

The Weather Service also warned of expected flooding on the Fox.  The river level was reported at 2.27 feet this morning above the Algonquin Dam but it's expected to reach the 3.0 foot flood stage by Sunday morning.  A 3.9 foot crest is expected Tuesday morning.  That's about the level where flooding starts on Lowe Drive.

In the pic: A big storm system moving through the Midwest at 7 am.

Special Prosecutor Seizes State's Attorney Files

Investigators for McHenry County Special Prosecutor Henry "Skip" Tonigan seized records from the office of State's Attorney Lou Bianchi in a raid just before the office was to close for the weekend Friday.

Bianchi wasn't there when Tonigan's men carried off what were reported to be both paper and computer files while officers from the Sheriff's office looked on.  Sheriff Keith Nygren was reported to have sent them along at Tonigan's request while his people carried out a search warrant.

For the past 10 month's Tonigan's been investigating allegations Bianchi used County resources and personnel for political campaigning in 2005.  Bianchi's ex-secretary pleaded guilty more than a year ago to copying State's Attorney computer files she thought proved the charges. Bianchi's steadfastly held he never did anything wrong.

Tonigan submitted a bill for $35,000 early this year but no one knows what he's been doing since, even after a grand jury was appointed in the investigation in April.  Courthouse observers believe it's met four or five times but aren't sure if any witnesses have been called, much less who.

Bianchi's tried to ignore the controversy since it surfaced four years ago.  Next month he's got a party set at Lake in the Hills' Boulder Ridge Country Club to raise money for another run.

Tonigan is a former judge of the 19th Circuit that used to include McHenry County.  Now he's an administrative hearings officer in eight villages, nine when Antioch's new court opens next month.

In the pic: Special Prosecutor Henry "Skip" Tonigan.

Founders' Parade Reroutes Traffic Today

Traffic will be disrupted in Downtown Algonquin today for the Village's Founders' Days Parade.
Routes 31 and 62 will be closed and traffic will be diverted beginning at 10:00 am.

The Parade will start at 11:00 a.m. from Eastgate Drive and Route 62 traveling west on Route 62 over the Fox and then travel south on Route 31. The Parade will end at Railroad Street but 31 will be closed down to Edgewood. South Harrison will be closed from Algonquin Road (Route 62) south to Washington Street during the parade which will probably take around two hours from start to finish.

In the pic:  Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen?  Nope, a shot Friday night at Founders' Days which, unlike many other area celebrations, is held in the bosky dell of Algonquin's Towne Park.

LITH Summer Concert To Feature Dueling Pianos Sunday

The Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department's Summer Concert Sunday will feature Midwest Dueling Pianos, a request-driven show for all ages.

The group claims to leave audiences "singing, cheering, dancing, and laughing... doubled over gasping for breath." (The posture most critics recommend for true music appreciation.)

LITH's latest free concert begins at 6 pm at the outdoor amphitheater at Village Hall and, as usual, a picnic basket full of comestibles is welcome.  In case of inclement weather, the concert will move inside.

In the pic:  Midwest Dueling Pianos will feature...dueling pianos.

Appeals Court: Illinois Must Elect Obama’s Replacement

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois is one step closer to having two votes for a U.S. Senator in November’s general election. Thursday, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals once again cited the U.S. Constitution in ruling that vacancies in the U.S. Senate must be filled by special elections. The court reiterated a ruling made last month and rejected an appeal from Illinois officials that a special election would be too costly and impractical.

Illinois had a vacancy in the U.S. Senate when Barack Obama resigned in Nov. 2008 to prepare for becoming President of the United States. Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich controversially appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to fill the vacancy.

A lawsuit filed in federal court claimed that even with the appointment of Burris, the state still needed to hold a special election to determine a permanent replacement, an argument that the federal appellate court has supported now twice.

The ruling enhances the possibility that Illinois voters will make two votes for the U.S. Senate on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. One vote would determine who would serve as the junior senator from Illinois for the 112th Congress. Democratic State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Congressman Mark Kirk are the frontrunners of a contentious race for the seat. The other vote would be the special election to determine an interim senator to serve the remainder of Barack Obama’s term from Nov. 3 to Jan. 3 in the 111th Congress.

Marty Oberman, a lawyer on legal team arguing for a special election, said there are two likely possibilities. One is that political parties would get to choose the nominees for the special election themselves. The other possibility is that the current slate of nominees for U.S. Senate, including front-runners Giannoulias and Kirk, could double as nominees for the special election.

“Until the (district) court orders someone to do something, we’re still in sort of wait-and-see mode as to exactly what needs to be done,” said Ken Menzel, a lawyer with the Illinois State Board of Elections.


You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3785/appeals-court-illinois-must-hire-obamas-replacement/

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.

DANIEL A. YAKHNIS, DOB:  01/10/79, LKA:  512 OAK DRIVE, EAST DUNDEE. THEFT, FORGERY.--Algonquin PD

ANDREW O. ODEGAARD, DOB:  08/05/64, 4719 CUMBERLAND CIRCLE, MCHENRY. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--McHenry PD
      
DAWN MARIE BORTER, DOB:  07/10/65, 7319 BARNARD MILL ROAD, WONDER LAKE. RETAIL THEFT.--McHenry PD
   
EMILY R. TJARDES,DOB:  07/13/88, 1048 KENILWORTH, WHEELING. DISORDERLY CONDUCT.--Crystal Lake PD
   
JOSE LOPEZ, AKA JOSE M. GONZALEZ, DOB:  12/02/79, 126 CHURCH STREET  APT 2, HARVARD. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER.--Harvard PD
   
CARLOS AQUINO-RIVAS, DOB:  02/26/50, 101 N. DIVISION STREET, HARVARD. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE.--Harvard PD
   
JAMES EDWARD GUTIERREZ, DOB:  02/28/84, 101 N. SOUTH ELGIN BOULEVARD, SOUTH ELGIN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER, AGGRAVATED BATTERY.--Harvard PD
   
GERALD A. GEHRKE, DOB:  12/15/70, 11804 LUCAS ROAD, WOODSTOCK. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE(2CTS), DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED (SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE).--Woodstock PD
   
STEVEN ROSY, DOB:  11/01/77, 1311 GINNY LANE, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A HYPODERMIC SYRINGE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--Woodstock PD
   
REX W. PEREZ, DOB:  09/29/87, 5319 W. WONDER WOODS DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Woodstock PD
   
EDWARD A. MERCADO, DOB:  02/27/74, 1811 ROGER ROAD, WOODSTOCK. PHILIP J. MOTRONI, DOB:  05/23/80, 12308 ROGER ROAD, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE--Woodstock PD
   
MICHAEL G. FERRARO, DOB:  07/26/68, 4420 HILLTOP DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD
   
JEFFREY J. LEWIS, DOB:  01/06/82, 8512 ELM STREET, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry County Sheriff
   
GARY A. BRENTON, DOB:  03/22/88, 11701 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD. WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH THE INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
JAMES J. ZARANTO, DOB:  04/07/84, 11701 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH THE INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
ANGIE L. ANDERSON, DOB:  05/02/84, 11701 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--McHenry County Sheriff

FLYNN M. DOODY, DOB:  04/07/71, 628 MOHAWK DRIVE, ROUND LAKE HEIGHTS. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FRAUDULENT DRIVER’S LICENSE.--McHenry County Sheriff
   
RODRIGO VAZQUEZ-ROSALES, DOB:  11/12/83, 801 WASHINGTON STREET, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry County Sheriff
   
ALLEN L. AUSTIN IV, DOB:  06/28/91, 207 W. BROADWAY STREET, MCHENRY. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO RESIDENCE(2CTS), CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, DISORDERLY CONDUCT(2CTS)--McHenry County Sheriff
   
STEVEN F. HIGGINS, DOB:  12/13/57, 628 W. 25TH STREET  APT 6, WESTMONT. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVERY CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--Richmond PD

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 23
0132 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF SYCAMORE ST. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS.
CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol ContentGreater Than .08, Squealing/Screeching Tires, Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Illegal Possession/Transportation Of Alcohol by Driver, Underage Consumption of Alcohol, Curfew Violation, No Valid Drivers License. RELEASED ON BOND. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, Curfew Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, Curfew Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, Curfew Violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
1026 HRS ALGONQUIN DR. & HILLTOP DR. NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. CHAVEZ, EULALIO E., M/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 108 BERKSHIRE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0056 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF SYCAMORE ST. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No priors.
0751 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BLACKHAWK DR. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Global positioning system and two cameras removed from an unlocked vehicle.
0802 HRS 300 BLOCK OF APACHE TRAIL. THEFT. License plate taken from vehicle.
0912 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BLACKHAWK DR. TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Vehicle was entered, nothing was taken. FAIL TO FILE.
0958 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicle. Property damage only.
1033 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 67 years of age, blood pressure problems. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1104 HRS 300 BLOCK OF N. ANNANDALE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 42 years of age, having a diabetic reaction. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1713 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. Daughter. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1843 HRS 481 N. RANDALL RD., (ACE HARDWARE). HIT & RUN. Complainant’s vehicle was struck by another vehicle that left.
1930 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Property damage only.

McHenry County Unemployment Below 10 Percent

McHenry County unemployment fell .5 percent in June to below 10 percent according to the latest report issued Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The latest county unemployment figure, 9.9 percent,  appeared to be an astounding improvement from the 10.4 percent rate reported last month.  Instead it was an astounding revision.  IDES said May's rate was actually only 9.9 percent so it thinks unemployment was essentially unchanged while state and national numbers increased to 10.6 percent and 9.6 percent levels.

Those were the raw numbers, though. Adjusted for seasonal variation both state and national rates showed a decline according to statisticians. The revision in the May numbers came in both the size of the workforce (smaller than initiall thought) and the number of persons seeking jobs (smaller than first thought and less than the change in the workforce number.)

“The best gauge of our economic well-being will be found in long-term trends, not monthly reports," said IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell. "Those long-term trends reflect cautious optimism among employers and job seekers,” she said.

Among McHenry  County municipalities broken out by IDES, only McHenry's unemployment rate now stands above 10 percent.

                        UNEMPLOYMENT (unadjusted)             
               REVISED May   2010       PRELIMINARY June 2010               
               LABOR    UNEMPLOYED      LABOR   UNEMPLOYED      JUNE 
               FORCE    NUMBER  RATE    FORCE   NUMBER    RATE  2009   
U.S. (X1000)   153,866  14,369   9.3    154,767   14,885   9.6   9.7    
ILLINOIS     6,643,853 664,611  10.0  6,695,983  708,039  10.6  10.5    

MCHENRY COUNTY 180,479  17,928   9.9    180,488   17,825   9.9  10.4    
KANE COUNTY    269,932  28,248  10.5    271,118   29,267  10.8  11.0    
LAKE COUNTY    361,356  33,994   9.4    369,076   38,101  10.3   9.3    

ALGONQUIN       16,794   1,496   8.9     16,813    1,505   9.0   9.4   
LITH            17,099   1,661   9.2     17,122    1,585   9.3   9.8    
CRYSTAL LAKE    22,389   2,170   9.7     22,431    2,198   9.8  10.6    
MCHENRY         15,219   1,585  10.4     15,232    1,588  10.4  11.0    

Buffalo Orchestra Bids Founders' Farewell

The Vito Buffalo Orchestra played the opening night of Algonquin's Founders' Days celebration as it has since the days when Bufallo himself barbecued a side of beef for the crowd while the fire department had hose fights over a beer keg.  But the orchestra won't be at Founders' Days next year unless someone steps in with a wad of cash.

It's a complicated story that's both  older than Founder's Days and as new as iTunes.  The short version is the Village of Algonquin says it doesn't have enough money to hire Buffalo's 20-piece orchestra again.

Although it plays on the first night of and at Founders' Days, for the last several years the Buffalo event has actually been part of the village's Summer Concert Series.  The village doesn't pay all of Buffalo's bill, though.  Part of it's been subsidized by something called the Musicians' Trust, according to Algonquin Events and Rec Director Sara Stefan.  "It was just for Vito's orchestra," said Stefan but that support's run out.

The Musician's Trust was a creation of James C. Petrillo (yeah, the bandshell guy), for years the head of the powerful American Federation of Musicians.  When phonograph records really began to take off, musicians worried they'd lose their jobs so Petrillo hammered the record companies into paying royalties into a fund to subsidize live performances.  In its heyday the fund was incredibly flush.  Now, with 99-cent music downloads and no-cost illegal ones the fund's busted.

"The music companies never worked out a way to contribute to the fund," said Spencer Aloisio, Secretary of AFM's Chicago local.

The Musician's Trust subsidy for Buffalo's performances was reportedly about $500 but even with that an orchestra spokesman said Buffalo cut his rates for old times' sake and the Founder's Day gig didn't cover expenses anymore.

"It's a shame," said the 78 year-old band leader summing everything up.

In the pic:  Fans of the Vito Buffalo Orchestra weren't all from the Social Security Set Thursday.  Half a dozen kids danced 'till they dropped and they hadn't even discovered yet that boys and girls can dance together.

Grafton Court Deadline Now Aug. 3

Judge Michael Caldwell Thursday gave lawyers another couple of weeks to submit rebuttals in the court case to settle who runs Grafton Township.

Caldwell may have been in a good mood since the entire courtroom had shortly before dissolved in laughter when two opposing lawyers in another case both hobbled to the bench on crutches from summer sports injuries. In any event, Caldwell didn't chastise John Nelson, attorney for Supervisor Linda Moore, for submitting his case summary and arguments weeks late.

The judge cut no slack, though, for Trustee's attorney Thomas DiCianni who requested the court order Moore to pay a bunch of unpaid bills.  Some were from Moore's disputed transfer to another office in the Grafton Hall and some were from the Township's Annual meeting.  Nelson argued Moore hadn't authorized any of them and that was part of what the case was all about in the first place.  Caldwell declined the motion and set August 3 as the new deadline for rejoinders in the case.

Parking Changes Recommended For Huntley Revitalization

Consultants presented the latest draft of Huntley's Downtown Revitalization Plan to the Huntley Board Thursday.  In an "If you build it, they will come" vein it focused on changes to streets in the village Downtown to make it easier for people to get there and walk around.

One proposal would widen Main Street sidewalks by changing parking from diagonal to parallel. Another would add diagonal parking on Coral but make it one way.  Other changes proposed include closing the railroad crossing at Grove but extending Woodstock south and then west over the tracks to connect to Route37.

Behind these and other changes would be four new parking lots in the downtown area.

Trustee Niko Kanakaris said it all looked swell but said, "I don't think any of the existing business owners would put up any money."

"I think we need to investigate how to help businesses to get there," said Trustee Pam Fender.

"This is just a first step," said Village Manger Dave Johnson.  "We have a lot of work to implement this."

The Board approved another round of public meetings on the plan in about six weeks.  The full 150-page draft proposal can be found here:  http://www.hlplanning.com/dnn/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=PGsl%2bgYet%2bQ%3d&tabid=832&mid=1174

In the pic:  An artist's concept of Downtown Huntley circa 2025 when, apparently, people will drive cars shaped like Chris Crafts.  That's Parkside Pub in the lower left but just about everything else isn't there now.

Huntley Man Killed In Coral Twp. Crash

A Huntley man died Thursday when the pickup he was driving rolled several times on Hemmingsen Road in Coral Township.

Kevin D. Ziller, 21, son of Dan Ziller, Jr., was thrown from the easbound truck when it ran into the ditch,  overshot the return and went into the other ditch on Hemmingsen after the tracks and before the creek.

Emergency personnel pronounced Ziller dead at the scene after the 6 am accident and Sheriff's Deputies and the Coroner are still trying to find out what caused the accident. Funeral arrangements have not been set yet.

Huntley First Congregational Barbecue Saturday

Huntley's First Congregational Church will have it's annual Fay's Pork Chop Barbecue Saturday at it's nearby Field of Dreams from 4 to 7 pm.  There'll be chicken too, not to mention, slaw, rolls, etc.  It's all in support of the church's hoped-for expansion at the Field of Dreams.

Quinn’s Office: No Medicaid Boost Equals Cuts

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's office is, for the first time, acknowledging that the state may not get $750 million from Washington for the neediest families in Illinois.

The so-called FMAP money — Federal Medical Assistance Percentage – has been tied up on Capitol Hill for months as states lobbied the federal government to extend the increased Medicaid reimbursements set to expire Dec. 31.  Christina Mulka with Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin's office said many states are waiting on millions of their own.  But she said the cash has become part of an election-year battle.

"FMAP was tied to the unemployment extension, but was stripped out so [an extension] could be passed," said Mulka.

Mulka said Republican opposition to the Medicaid extension has halted any momentum for the program for the foreseeable future.  But she said Durbin is still "going to work on" FMAP.

That's how the governor's budget office sees things as well.  Kelly Kraft with the Quinn budget office says the administration is still holding out hope for an extension of the federal stimulus money. But she admits it's a long shot. "[An extension] may not happen, Kraft said.  "And if it doesn't the governor is looking at further economies."

It will take a lot of economies to close the gap left by FMAP.  The state's new budget counts on $750 million dollars of the increased Medicaid payments.  The governor's office will have to replace that money, while at the same time trying to close Illinois' $13 billion deficit.

Kraft said Quinn has already started that process. "The 24 furlough days [ordered earlier this month] is aimed at closing that $750 million gap," she said.

Kraft said she expects Quinn to issue an emergency budget order at least once a month.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3769/quinns-office-no-medicaid-boost-equals-cuts/

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 22
0057 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GLASCOW CT. MISSING JUVENILE. Male, 16 years of age, did not return home. Entered into LEADS. Returned home, removed from LEADS.
0534 HRS 200 BLOCK OF RIDGE LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 55 years of age, cut to her leg. No transport.
1225 HRS REED RD. & ANNANDALE DR. ACCIDENT. Two Vehicles. Property damage only.
1347 HRS STANTON CIRCLE & MILLER RD. DOMESTIC. Son vs. Mother. Verbal only. No priors.
1736 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1747 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1752 HRS 201 LAKEWOOD RD., (LEROY GUY PARK). ACCIDENT. van drove into some boulders.
1920 HRS 4900 BLOCK OF THISTLE LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Complainant’s siding was damaged by a bb gun.
Algonquin
July 20
16:58pm Lytle, James M., DOB: 11/20/89, of 411 Kings Avenue, West Dundee, was charged with DWLS and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at N. Harrison Street and Edward Street.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 08/25/10, in McHenry County.
July 21
11:15am Lucy, Timothy C., DOB: 04/04/66, of 1149 Sawmill, Algonquin, was wanted on a warrant from McHenry County Sheriff Department for leaving the scene of an accident. He was taken into custody at 1149 Sawmill. He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 8/4/10, in McHenry County.
17:14pm Nava, Carlos H., DOB: 02/25/84, of 1037 Charlela Ln #105, Elk Grove Village, was arrested on a warrant out of Kane County. He was taken into custody at 902 S. Main. He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 08/16/10, in the Elgin Branch Court.
July 23
Gonzalez, Billy J., DOB: 09/10/84, of 3 Tivoli #9, Elgin, was charged with Domestic Battery, Unlawful Interference with the reporting of Domestic Violence. He was taken into custody at 851 Linda. He was transported to the McHenry County jail to await bond court.
Huntley
July 12
Officers took a theft by deception report at a business in the 12400 block of Princeton Dr.  The business was a victim of a phone scam.
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken at a residence in the 10800 block of Wheatlands Way.  An MP3 player and stereo equipment were stolen from a locked vehicle.
July 13
Heather Ann Arcari, age 19, of 10865 Wheatlands Way, Huntley, was arrested on four counts of domestic battery.  Ms. Arcari was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond call.
A theft report was taken at a business in the 11400 block of Kiley Dr.  Two propane tanks were stolen.
A theft report was taken at a residence in the 10400 block of Castleberry S.  The victim states that a check was stolen.
Officers took a burglary report at a business in the 11000 block of Rt. 47.  The victim states a commercial mixer and an ATV were stolen out of an unlocked garage.
Pablo G. Lara, age 33, of 661 Jefferson Ave, Elgin, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and cited for driving with no insurance and no rear registration light.  Mr. Lara posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 27, 2010.
July 14
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in a parking lot of a business in the 12300 block of Rt. 47.  The victim states a laptop computer, a hot pad, a modem and a phone charger were stolen.
Jose Gonzalez, age 35, of 1831 Wesley Ave, Berwyn, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and cited for driving with one headlight and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
July 16
Justin W. Vickery, age 21, of 9411 Welsh Dr, Huntley, was arrested for unlawful delivery of liquor to a minor.  Mr. Vickery posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 20, 2010.  In the same incident Geoffrey W. Neubauer, age 18 of 241 Wright Dr., Lake in the Hills, was cited for possession of liquor by a minor.  Mr. Neubauer was assigned a McHenry County court date of August 23, 2010.
July 17
A criminal damage to vehicle report was taken in a parking lot in the 12200 block of Lois Lane.  The vehicle was keyed.
July 18
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 13500 block of Abbington Dr.  Fishing equipment was stolen from an unlocked vehicle.
A Criminal Damage to property report was taken in the 11200 block of Kingsbury Ct.  A vehicle was driven through the yard causing damage to the lawn.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11200 block of Donald Dr.  An outhouse was damaged.
Tyrus P. Kavanaugh, age 34, of 9683 Compton Dr. was arrested for violation of an order of protection.  Mr. Kavanaugh was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
A 17 year old male, from Huntley,was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.  The juvenile was released to his parents and will be petitioned to McHenry County Juvenile Court.

McHenry County Foreclosures Still Increasing

Foreclosures continued to take their toll on the depressed McHenry County housing market rising more than 60 percent in the first half of this year over the same period in 2009.  According to a report Wednesday by the nonprofit Woodstock Institute almost 1,700 homes in the county went into foreclosure in the year's first six months versus a little over 1,000 in the first half of last year.

"The largest increases in new filings occurred in middle- and higher-income communities," according to the group's analysis of foreclosure proceedings in Chicago and the collar counties. 

Locally, Algonquin saw a 62.5 percent increase in filings.  Lake in the Hills' increase was 48.8 percent.  No figure was reported for Huntley but Crystal Lake saw a huge 75.5 percent increase in filings, and McHenry a whopping 86.6 percent increase.  Woodstock's increase was 39.1 percent.

Foreclosure auctions also rose in the first half of this year, according to the report, although that to some extent reflects conditions in 2009 since it takes about a year for a foreclosure to reach that point.  So far this year Algonquin has seen 33 homes go on the block. In Lake in the Hills the number was 71.  Crystal Lake's number was 59, McHenry's 37 and Woodstock's 37.

The Woodstock Institute reported the big change in foreclosures regionally was an increase in foreclosures on condos but said it was mostly limited to Chicago and a few inner suburbs.  Condo foreclosures in McHenry County have increased about 1 percent over last year according to the report.

Algonquin Founders' Days To Start Four-Day Run

Some vendors were still assembling their pitches Wednesday at Algonquin's Towne Park in preparation for the Village's 50th Celebration of Founders' Days.  The four-day celebration
opens at 4 pm today with a Carnival for Special Kids and a Cardboard Regatta.

The main event begins at 5 pm with the Taste of Founders until 10 pm and the Carnival opens for all comers at 6 pm.  Opening ceremonies start a 7 pm followed at 7:30 with music by Founder's Days standby, Vito Buffalo's swing orchestra, until 9:30. The Social Garden also opens at 7:30 until 9:30 and the day's events end with the park's closing at 10.

The full Founders' Days schedule can be found here (click the calendar, top left): http://www.algonquinfoundersdays.com/

Village warnings about street closures and parking restrictions are in a story below.

In the pic:  A guy named William from Columbus Ohio was busy relining the brakes on a Tilt-A-Whirl ride Wednesday to get ready for Algonquin's Founder's Days today through Sunday.

Area Construction To Resume Today

Barring rain, area construction projects should resume today after machine operators approved a new contract with employers Wednesday night following a three-week strike.  Striking laborers approved a similar pact Monday.

Operating Engineers 150 pulled their pickets Wednesday and told members they could go back to work today after the ratification vote.

The Construction and General Laborers District Council walked off their jobs June 30 after working without a contract for a month.  The Engineers followed the next day.  Both sought 15.9 percent wage increases in a new three-year contract to offset increased healthcare costs. What they won from the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association was 9.75 percent.

The increases will only go to workers who are actually working, of course. Estimates given by both the unions and MARBA claim construction unemployment is as high as 40 percent, depending on the trade. An OE 150 spokesmen said at least 1,000 of the union's 8,500 members and their families depend on food banks now and that 1,200 families have lost their health care coverage due to a lack of work.

LITH Sheriff's Candidate Holds Fundraiser

Lake in the Hills Democratic Sheriff's candidate Mike Mahon held a fundraiser Wednesday at Huntley's Parkside Pub.

Mahon unveiled a new door hanger for party faithful to distribute in neighborhoods pointing out that incumbent Republican Keith Nygren has three lovely homes to which he can retire.  They still don't, however, offer any particular reason voters ought to make Nygren go to one of them.

In the pic:  Besides local Dems, Illinois Comptroller candidate, Dave Miller (left) dropped by to chat with McHenry County Sheriff's hopeful Mike Mahon.  Miller, a Dolton dentist and State Rep., is in a race with Republican ex-Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. That's CL County Board Member Kathy Bergan Schmidt with them.

Tryon To Host Kids' Health, Safety Fair At LITH

Children and their families are invited to attend a Health and Safety Fair Sunday sponsored by State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-64). The event will be from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Lake In The Hills "Safety Town," next to the Lake In The Hills Police Station, Crystal Lake Road.

On tap will be a, community cookout, bike Safety instruction, face painting, a moonbounce, three-legged and potato sack races, a raffle for bike supplies and a watermelon eating contest. There'll be a parade around Safety Town for kids and their bikes with decorations provided, too.

Tryon encouraged anyone attending the free event to bring food donations for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

Blagojevich Doesn’t Testify, Closing Set Monday

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
“At this time the defendant Rod Blagojevich rests.” Defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky’s brief words and calm tone Wednesday brought an end to the 19-month saga the former Illinois governor has faced after his December 2008 arrest on federal corruption charges.

It was a move that shocked trial observers and the prosecution when the defense introduced the idea Tuesday. The jury, which heard it for the first time on Wednesday, looked equally puzzled, some turning to each other in whispers, as Sorosky took his seat. Blagojevich’s defense team had told the 18 jurors Blagojevich would be taking the stand in his own defense.

“It is my decision under advice of counsel (not to testify),” Blagojevich told federal Judge James Zagel after the jury was dismissed. Blagojevich has been very vocal about his innocence, and long promised to take the stand. He soon found his voice again outside the courtroom.

“In the tapes that the government played, they proved that I did nothing wrong,” Blagojevich said. “The government proved my case, proved I was innocent–there was nothing further for me to add.” Blagojevich said the tapes were a part of his First Amendment rights to free speech and constituted nothing more than talk and in some cases, “ideas (that) were stupid.”

The defense’s assertion that Blagojevich’s lack of action and absence of enriched bank accounts may not fly in Zagel’s court. The judge reminded the defense team on Wednesday afternoon that conspiracy is a “crime of words.”

The prosecution spent six weeks trying to use those words to convince the jury that the former governor was a money-crazed politician whose corruption knew no bounds. The government produced shopping carts of evidence, including FBI wiretaps which showed Blagojevich allegedly attempting to shake down businessmen, educators and other politicians for campaign contributions and fund-raisers. The tapes were narrated by testimony of some of the ex-governor’s closest friends, advisers and alleged co-conspirators.

The defense, which complained that the prosecution went through its case too quickly, rested after only two days of testimony from the governor’s elder brother and former fund-raiser Robert and his wife, Julie. Not only did the former governor refuse to testify, but his defense team called no witnesses.

Closing arguments are expected Monday, more than two months earlier than expected.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3749/blagojevich-doesnt-testify-closing-arguments-set-for-monday/

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 21
0358 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF GENEVA LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 37 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
0425 HRS 00 BLOCK OF MILLER RD. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0556 HRS 300 BLOCK OF POCAHONTAS TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE.  Female, 60 years of age, severe stomach pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0927 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 9 years of age, too much medication given. No transport.
1022 HRS 14 PROSPER CT., (COBRA CONCRETE). ASSIST OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT. Assisted Addison Police with the recovery of a stolen trailer.
1135 HRS 220 RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1539 HRS 10 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR CT. FOUND ARTICLE. Skateboard was left on front yard. Entered into evidence.
1631 HRS 500 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No priors.
2043 HRS 10 BLOCK OF GAIL CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 15 years of age having a seizure. Transported to Good Shepherd.

County Board Imposes Contract On Union Workers

The McHenry County Board Tuesday voted to stick by their budgetary guns imposing a contract on unionized Coroner's Office and Animal Control workers that gives them no more of a salary increase than other county workers have gotten.

The Board retired into closed session for almost an hour and a half before returning to overwhelmingly approving the three-year contracts, retroactive to Dec. 1, 2008.  Both grant three percent and two percent pay increases for the past two years and promise the workers whatever the Board decides to give everyone else at the end of this year.

The public was shooed out of the Boardroom during the discussion but last week Human Resources Director Bob Ivetic said that after two years of fruitless talks with the groups' representatives, Service Employees' International Union, labor law left the County with two choices.  One was to impose the contract the Board approved Tuesday. The other would have been to continue negotiations but with the contract's terms as a floor for any new offers.

In fact, the second option is what the new contracts created, anyway, just delayed until next July when workers can notify the County they don't want to renew them.

The contracts only apply to five Coroner's and a dozen Animal Control workers. After the vote, one of the latter said at least the backpay would be nice.  "We can use it to pay our bills.  Maybe we can keep our homes."

"We've already lost two," added a co-worker.

Animal Welfare Coalition To Host Adoption Fest Sat.

The McHenry County Animal Welfare Coalition will hold the  “Doggie/Kitty Days of Summer” adoption fest Saturday from 11 am to 2pm at McHenry County Animal Control center in Crystal Lake.

The event's hosted by coalition members who are licensed animal rescue groups. Those include Animal Outreach, Animal Service Assistance Program (ASAP), Assisi Animal Foundation, On Angels Wings, McHenry County Animal Control, No Splitting Hares, Pets in Need, Animal House Shelter and  Helping Paws.  You can check out adoptable animals ahead of time online at:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/mcac.html

If you had a pet but he's lost you might check here in case anyone found him: www.petharbor.com

In the pic:  This guy's name is Manny, one of a lot of animals up for adoption Saturday.

Farming Still Strong In McHenry County

The McHenry County Board passed a resolution Tuesday declaring July 20 to be McHenry County Farm Day, or maybe to have been McHenry County Farm day since the sun was going down when they did it.

In either case, the idea was to remember there's still a lot of agriculture in McHenry County. In fact, the last time the USDA checked three years ago there were 1035 farms in McHenry County covering over 216,000 acres.  They produced about $157 million worth of ag products that year but spent more than $128 million doing it.  Grain was the number one moneymaker but Christmas and nursery trees were a surprisingly strong second.

In a $3.5 billion county economy the Census Bureau in 2007 put ag products behind, in order, manufacturing, construction, health care, retail trade, wholesale trade, and professional and scientific services.  Ag production was about par with administration and waste management but still ahead of finance, transportation and restaurants.

This year might be a good year if it rains soon.  McHenry County Farm Bureau Manager Dan Volkers said the warm weather recently has boosted crops.  "Corn is about 7 to 10 days early," he said.

"We're ahead of the five-year average" reported USDA spokesman Mark Schluesener who said he'd emptied an inch of water from his downstate rain gauge Tuesday morning.

"We're not recession-proof," said Agriculture Conservation Easement and Farmland Protection Program Chairman Harry Alten in a presentation to the Board.  "But the farmers keep going on and on."

In the pic:  A corn cathedral just off Reed Road and Route 47 in Huntley.

MCC Names LITH Librarian Outstanding Faculty

McHenry County College announced Tuesday it had named a Lake in the Hills resident, Janet Scott, as its Outstanding Faculty Member.

Scott, has been  a reference librarian at the college for 23 years but calls herself a “teaching librarian.”

“If a librarian locates an answer for a student, the student can complete an assignment." she said. "But if a librarian teaches information literacy skills, the student can learn for a lifetime.”

When the Internet was new in the 1990's, Scott and her fellow reference librarian provided the first training in how to navigate and search the Internet for MCC employees. She also helped develop the first MCC Library web page and continues to update portions of the library web site today.

Scott received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development award for excellence in teaching in 2004. She has two master’s degrees, one in library and information science and one in educational media.

In the pic:  Janet Scott

Blagojevich Not Expected to Testify

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Rod Blagojevich and his defense team could spike six months of preparation and break a promise they made to the jury to put the ex-governor on the stand today–a move which could bring an abrupt end to the former Illinois governor’s federal corruption trial.

Sam Adam Sr., a storied local criminal defense attorney, said it was his idea to pull Blagojevich from the stand, a revelation made all the more shocking by his role in prepping the former governor. Adam told Illinois Statehouse News last week he would personally be handling Blagojevich’s testimony and that he’d been working with the ex-governor one-on-one for six months to prepare him for the stand.

Neither the former governor nor his attorneys would comment as to why the defense has abandoned the strategy they have touted as the key to Blagojevich’s vindication. But the prosecution’s rough treatment of his brother and co-defendant Robert Monday and Tuesday could not have helped.

Former federal prosecutor Rodger Heaton, who helped convict Alabama Gov. Guy Tucker of fraud in 1996, said Robert’s treatment on the stand could very well have inspired Blagojevich’s change of heart. “It’s very likely (the government) made Blagojevich realize how tough it is up there,” he said. “I’m sure his attorneys warned him, but it’s very different being told how hard it is and actually seeing it.”

Asked if he was comfortable leaving jurors with the impression of the Rod Blagojevich they met on tape–the foul-mouthed governor with a penchant for $20,000 suits– defense lawyer Sam Adam, Jr., replied “certainly.”

You can read Bill's full rerport at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3720/blagojevich-apparently-gets-spooked-not-expected-to-testify/

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 20
1042 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. WANTED ON WARRANT. RODRIGUEZ, STEVEN, M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 3656 W. CORNELLA, CHICAGO. CHARGE: Wanted on In-State Warrant, Parole Violation, Illinois Department of Corrections, No Bond, Obstructing a Peace Officer. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0822 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WALNUT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 69 years of age, injury from a fall. No transport.
0913 HRS 2100 BLOCK OF ALGONQUIN RD. FOUND ARTICLE. A set of keys.
1039 HRS 00 BLOCK OF ANNANDALE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 83 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1202 HRS 600 BLOCK OF LONG COVE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Delayed. Husband vs. wife. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1742 HRS 600 BLOCK OF LONG COVE DR. ASSIST OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT. Assisted McHenry County Sheriff, with serving an order of protection.
1952 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. MISSING JUVENILE. Juvenile left residence, LEADS entry made. Juvenile returned home, removed from LEADS.
2017 HRS 5200 BLOCK OF SPENCER PLACE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 80 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2207 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BRISBANE DR. THEFT OVER. Several items removed from the home. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.

Agreement Reached In Construction Strike

Striking Chicago area laborers and equipment operators reached an agreement with contractors late Monday but it's not clear when work will resume on projects stalled for more than three weeks now.

A release by the Construction and General Laborer's District Council of Chicago and Vicinity was headed "Strike Ends".  However, one from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 said the pact was merely a "tentative agreement" and called on members to attend a ratification meeting in Rosemont Wednesday evening.  Employer group the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association made no release Monday evening.

Under terms of the new pact workers will get a 3.25 percent wage boost each year for the next three years. They started out asking for 4.25 per year to offset increases in healthcare costs.

Strikers and contractors had reached similar agreements in two other Northern Illinois regions in the past week.  They may have felt some pressure Monday from a letter made public from Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig warning the State wouldn't skip penalties for late completions and might invoke terms of other labor agreements to force strikers back to work.

Latest Grafton Deadline Thursday Will Be Missed

More than a month after the original deadline briefs had yet to be filed Monday summing up testimony in the McHenry County Circuit Court case about who runs Grafton Township.  That's why Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer said she mailed in a motion asking permission to file her brief instanter, Latin for "right now."

Testimony in the case ended June 2 and Judge Michael Caldwell gave both sides two weeks to file their summaries and another week for rejoinders to them. Both sides were supposed to file their briefs at the same time so there'd be no peeking.  A month ago Caldwell extended the deadline to this Thursday but Krafthefer said since nothing's been filed yet that won't be met, either.  She blamed the delay on John Nelson, attorney for Supervisor Linda Moore who's suing the rest of the Grafton Board for usurping her powers.

"We've been prepared (to file a brief) since June 17th," she said.  "We made several informal agreements to work with (Nelson) but now he isn't even returning phone calls."

Nelson's office reported he was in court Monday on another case.  He didn't reply to FEN after hours.

Krafthefer's motion essentially asks Caldwell to rule that if the other side still isn't ready with a written summary it's their tough luck.  "Every day that goes by, new problems come up at the Township," she said.

There's no way to guess how Caldwell will rule on the motion. Generally judges don't like to have cases cluttering up their dockets.  On the other hand the Grafton Township case is a pretty high profile one by McHenry County standards.  One clue might be the only audible comment from the bench a month ago when he granted the initial extension: "Let's move this along," Caldwell told attorneys.

Street Closings Announced For Algonquin Founders' Days

The Village of Algonquin warned Monday about "numerous detours and delays" due to its  Founders' Days celebration between July 22 and July 25.

One big delay will be Saturday with the Founders' Days Parade.  Routes 31 and 62 will be closed and traffic will be diverted beginning at 10 am.  The parade itself will begin at 11 am from Eastgate Drive and Route 62.  It will travel west on Route 62 over the Fox and then  south on Route 31 to end at Railroad Street. Even so, Route 31 will be closed all the way to Edgewood Road.  Additionally, South Harrison will be closed from Algonquin Road (Route 62) south to Washington Street during the Parade. Last year it was almost 2 pm before the parade was finished.

Fireworks Sunday will mark another closure.  Harrison Street will shut down from Route 62 to Edward Street from 5 to 11 pm.  No parking  will be allowed within this section of North Harrison the day of the fireworks.  Village officials reminded motorists to observe other traffic restrictions in place for the North Harrison Street Reconstruction project.
   
During the fireworks no one, including pedestrians will be permitted to stand on the bridge on Route 62 over the Fox River during the period from 7 to 11 pm. Officials said the bridge will be kept open for walking traffic to Riverfront Park before the fireworks but police won't allow crossing Route 62 at River Road before, during or after the fireworks.  All pedestrian traffic must cross Route 62 at either Harrison Street or Eastgate Drive, officials says.

When the fireworks are finished, anyone who wants to cross the Fox River to go eastbound on Route 62 will have to cross at Harrison Street to the south side of Route 62 and then go eastbound.

In the pic:  A pedestrian map for the fireworks Sunday at Algonquin's Founder's Days. Click to enlarge.

Quinn Signs New Gun Law

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
One day after a third Chicago police officer was gunned down after his shift, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn was in Chicago to sign the state’s newest get tough on guns law. The legislation that requires prison time for criminals caught with a gun is one of the few gun laws that has passed the legislature with broad support.

Illinois’ attempts to regulate, or deregulate, guns face the same regional challenges every year.  Lawmaker in Chicago want to get tough on guns, but downstaters want to allow people more freedoms.  That stalemate means very few gun laws are passed. But the legislation signed by Quinn Monday had broad support in Springfield.

Todd Vandermyde with the Illinois State Rifle Association said the new law deals with a topic that both gun supporters and opponents can agree on.  Vandermyde says no one wants bad guys to be walking around with illegal weapons. “If you don’t posses a FOID card and you’re prohibited from owning a firearm, those are the people we’ve always said should be punished.”

The Governor said two recent shootings of Chicago police officers, for a total of three this year, shows the need to keep guns out of the hands of the bad guys. “We must enact laws…so that we do prevail over the gang bangers and the thugs who think they can use guns to erase human life and create great chaos in our law abiding society,” said Quinn.

The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, requires a mandatory one- to three-year prison sentence for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without an Illinois firearm registration card.


You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3700/quinn-inks-welcomed-gun-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 19
1601 HRS SPRINGLAKE DR. & SPRING LAKE CT. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. STEINHAFEL, PAMELA J., F/W 27 YEARS OF AGE, 12 MANCHESTER CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended and Registration Suspended Mandatory Insurance Violation. RELEASED ON BOND.
0307 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 40 years of age, feeling faint. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0807 HRS 1216 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (RYDER PARK). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Nine screens were removed and damaged. Estimated value of damage is $250.00.
0922 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF CHANTILLY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 53 years of age, having stomach pains. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1106 HRS 00 BLOCK OF RIVIERA CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 75 years of age, injury to her foot. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1141 HRS 4520 ALGONQUIN RD., (CASTLE BANK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 48 years of age, feeling faint, rapid heartbeat.Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1426 HRS 1111 PYOTT RD., (LARSEN PARK). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti located on top of a structure.
1609 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1707 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. FOUND ARTICLE. A silver Next mountain bike was found. Entered into evidence.

McHenry County May Cancel Business Microloans

Last July the McHenry County Finance and Audit Committee set aside $200,000 to foster growth of really small businesses in McHenry County.  A year later the money's still there and the committee's thinking seriously of folding it back into its Revolving Loan Fund to put out where it can do some good.

McHenry County's program offering loans up to $25,000 to very small businesses has only drawn three applicants in the past year and none of them made it past a financial review.  Meanwhile the County's fund for loans to larger businesses is close to empty.  "If the (microloan) money sits idle it won't help other applicants," said Committee Chairman Marc Munaretto.

The idea sounded promising since a U.S. Department of Commerce study is regularly quoted claiming half of all new jobs are generated by small businesses.  "We thought it was a good idea, it just didn't do as much as we'd hoped," said Munaretto.

Why?  McHenry County Economic Development Commission President Pam Cumpata noted part of the problem might lie in the small print.  "According to the federal government a small business can have up to 500 workers and $10 million in sales," she said.

That wasn't the kind of small business Finance and Audit had in mind.  They were thinking more along the lines of Mom and Pop who needed a few thousand to help buy some equipment or a franchise.  MCEDC put the word out to area bankers who were supposed to funnel applicants to the program but hardly any showed up and the ones who did weren't prepared.

"We had some requests from people who said, 'I've got a great idea'," said Cumpata.  "That's not going to help me. You need more than that."

"One of the things we require is a well thought out business plan," said Deputy County Administrator John Labaj who was supposed to vet the applications.  "You'd be surprised how that slips people up."

Meanwhile, "In the past week we've had three requests from good (larger) companies," said  Munareto.  Just last week the committee approved a $150,000 revolving loan to a Woodstock millwork company to expand its operations and sales force.

The Finance and Audit Committee may vote on unallocating the Micoloan Fund money at its next meeting July 27.

New ECC Programs For Entrepreneurs

Five new academic programs offered by Elgin Community College this Fall could help  prospective students to careers in design, office administration, green technology and fitness.

Adobe Creative Suite is an industry-leading communication tool that is offered at ECC as a basic vocational specialist certificate. Students will learn how to produce highly innovative print, web, video, mobile and other multimedia projects.

Virtual Assistant offers opportunities for self-employment by providing administrative services from a home office to entrepreneurs, small businesses, non-profit organizations and corporations. Featuring one degree and two certificates, the program is for those seeking flexibility in their schedule, or wanting to work from home. Previous work experience in an office is highly recommended as a prerequisite.

Computer-aided 3-D design has become an integral part of careers in architectural modeling and construction. This fall, ECC will debut three new basic vocational specialist certificates in architectural design; Revit, a leading 3-D building modeling software; and Solidworks, a 3-D mechanical computer-aided design program.

A degree in health and wellness management allows students to create their own careers as a certified trainer, fitness instructor or wellness consultant and leads to successful completion of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Personal Trainer certifying exam.

A degree or vocational certificate in energy management allows students to play a crucial role in keeping the world green and sustainable. The program prepares students to work in applications engineering, as a field technician or a systems representative by designing, testing and problem-solving environmental controls and computerized building-automation systems.

More info on these programs is at: elgin.edu/newprogramsA .

In the pic: ECC will offer an AA in Health and Wellness Management this Fall.

Job Opportunity: Sell FEN

Looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the newspaper biz?  Well, how about just a challenging one?

After a year the First Electric Newspaper has enough readers to credibly sell space to advertisers but your Publisher now finds he's up against his own physical limitations.  There isn't enough time to cover the news and knock on advertiser doors, too. "What a revoltin' development this is."

So FEN is looking for a Sales Director.  You know, a self-starter who eats rejection for breakfast and asks for a second helping.  This isn't rocket science so experience would be nice but it's not absolutely necessary. A little maturity and a lot of that old Protestant work ethic is probably more important.

The job's full-time but everything else is just detail.  In fact, a couple of self-coordinating part-timers would probably work.  Pay's straight commission but an idiotically generous one.

Excited already? Send some sort of resume or letter of interest to gonigam@firstelectricnewspaper.com. Not for you but your brother in law's been out of work for a year? Tell him about it.  Or your cousin.  Aunt Matilda.  Your old college roommate.  Spread the word.

LITH Family Wellness Bike Ride Friday

The People for Parks Foundation of Lake in the Hills, will have a Family Wellness Bike Ride on Friday.  Riders will pedal from Ken Carpenter Park at 6:30pm to to Sunset Park, where they'll meet wellness experts from include Jamba Juice, Stretch n' Grow, and Precise Chiropractic Center. There's a raffle scheduled with prizes including bike helmets, gloves, pumps and other bike accessories.

All riders must wear a helmet.  The bike ride is free but registration is required.  To do that, the number is 847-960-7460.

State Teams With Businesses To Reduce Asian Carp

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois is turning to supermarkets, restaurants and dining tables halfway around the world to help solve its Asian Carp problem. Gov. Pat Quinn announced last week the state will team with Chinese meat processing company Beijing Zhuochen Animal Husbandry Company and Illinois-based Big River Fish Corporation to harvest 30 million pounds of carp from Illinois rivers and waterways.

Quinn is hoping that the public-private partnership will diminish the threat of the voracious Asian carp, which threatens the ecosystem of the Great Lakes and its estimated $7 billion commercial and sport fishing industry.

"If you can't beat them, you eat them," the governor said. Under the agreement, Big River will use its fishery downriver from Havana, to process, package and ship carp to Zhuochen for resale. The carp is a much more popular culinary fish in China and other parts of Asia than in the U.S.

The state through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will invest $2 million in capital funds to help Big River retrofit its existing fishery, as well as expand to new production facilities .

Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club in Illinois, said shipping carp to China might help stem the northbound flow of the fish towards the Great Lakes. "So, even if there is little chance of fishing them entirely out of the Illinois River, it may well be possible to make a dent in their population, and in the migration pressure," Darin said in a statement. "It also could be another reason to keep cleaning up the Illinois River, if the nation's most populous country is developing a taste for fish harvested from it."

You can read Kevin's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3662/state-teams-with-businesses-to-reduce-asian-carp/

In the pic:  A fisherman sorting Asian Carp at Big River Fish Corp.

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 18
0251 HRS 3900 BLOCK OF PEARTREE DR. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Items taken from attached garage. Fail to file. JUVENILE M/W, 14 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS.  CHARGES: Curfew. Notice to Appear Issued. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 14 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Curfew. Notice to Appear Issued.
TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 14 YEARS OF AGE, LAKEWOOD. CHARGES: Curfew. Notice to Appear Issued. TURNED OVER TO PARENT. JUVENILE M/W 13 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS.CHARGES: Curfew. Notice to Appear Issued. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
0901 HRS 2126 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (CONVENIENT MART). WANTED ON WARRANT. SROWKOSKI, ASHLEY M., F/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 890 GANNON DR., HOFFMAN ESTATES. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Kane County Sheriff for Failure to Appear for a Traffic Offense. Bond amount: $800.00 Full Cash. RELEASED ON BOND.
1412 HRS 2126 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (CONVENIENT MART). WANTED ON WARRANT/ HARPOLE, JOHN A., M/W 49 YEARS OF AGE, 4323 GREEN LEAF DR., DODGEVILLE, WI. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Lake County Sheriff for Failure to Appear for a Traffic Offense. Bond amount: $30,003.00 at 10%. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY CO JAIL.
2205 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. DOMINGUEZ, FRANCISCO D., M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 1171 CONCORD DR., ELGIN CHARGES: No Valid Driver’s License, Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
1716 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). FOLLOW-UP ARRESTS: CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT/ CONTRERAS, LANCE A., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 30W 221 MACK RD., WARRENVILLE. CHARGE: Distribution of Harmful Material. RELEASED ON BOND.
0847 HRS 00 BLOCK OF CROSSVIEW CT., AMBULANCE ASSIST. 43 year-old female passed out. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1225 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. REPORT FOR INSURANCE. Damage caused by water leaking from unit above.
1225 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. REPORT FOR INSURANCE. Damage caused by water leaking from unit above.
1244 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. REPORT FOR INSURANCE. Damage caused by water leaking from a sink that was running.
1429 HRS 4800 BLOCK OF HIGHWOOD LN. AMBULANCE ASSIST. 43 year-old male in need of an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1556 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1655 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF POPLAR ST. AMBULANCE ASSIST. 43 year-old female experiencing cold sweats and a rapid heartbeat. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1740 HRS HEAVENS GATE & MILLER RD. AMBULANCE ASSIST. 18 year-old male fell off his skateboard and hit his head. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1829 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1949 HRS 200 BLOCK OF BOULDER DR. AMBULANCE ASSIST. 82 year old female unable to move right arm. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
July 17
22:34pm Rodriguez, Abel Jr., DOB: 07/16/86, of 2916 Plantation Drive, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLR, DUI, DUI Over & Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Randall Road.  He was released after posting $300, with a court date of 08/25/10, in McHenry County.
July 18
01:11am A sixteen year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer.  He was taken into custody in the 500 block of Old Oak Circle.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 08/25/10, in Algonquin.
July 19
00:39am A seventeen year-old male from Algonquin was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Improper Lane Usage.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Commons Parkway.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 08/18/10, in McHenry County.

McHenry County First Round Stimulus Now $58 Million

With President Barack Obama campaigning this week for another shot of recovery steroids for the nation's 98-pound weakling economy it's time to take a look again at what the the first $800 billion dose accomplished locally in the past 17 months.

According to federal figures, as of March $8.1 billion has been allocated to Illinois but only $3.8 billion had actually made its way to the Land of Lincoln. There's a little uncertainty there since according to state figures by the end of March Illinois had received $9.2 billion in stimulus money and sent it on down the line, too.  

In any case, according to the Feds the stimulus money "created or saved" 70,000 Illinois jobs. State stimulus spending reports claim Illinois has spent $4.1 billion in recovery money on "workforce development".  For context, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported this week that seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls in June were still off 28,500 jobs from the same time last year.

The state tally shows at the end of March McHenry County had been allocated $72 million worth of stimulus but only $58 million had actually been sent out.  That amount had "created or saved" 604.54 jobs in the county although there are a couple of big asterisks there.  For one thing, the ".54" fraction in the total betrays that the number relates to statistical rather than objectively identifiable jobs.

For another, the greatest number of McHenry County stimulus jobs fell into the education category.  District 158 had about 270 of them.  District 300 had 140.  Those numbers involve the other asterisk.  The state's stimulus reporting is geographically fuzzy and lumps all of each school district's jobs into the number reported for every county within the district. In short the two districts didn't really have 410 stimulus jobs in McHenry County but there isn't any way to tell how many they did have.  Some of the construction jobs were listed that way, too.

The federal version of stimulus spending is here: http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx
The Illinois version is here: http://recovery.illinois.gov/

In the pic: click and drill down for a map of McHenry County stimulus sites.

Centegra Health Fest Promotes Choices

Centegra Huntley's second Health Fest drew about 500 families Saturday according to registrars with another 100 families appearing later for a free swim in the Healthbridge pool.  The event emphasized making healthful lifestyle choices so while the free lunch included hot dogs, instead of high-fat ice cream dessert was frozen yogurt.

In the pic:  Getting some exercise is important to health.  Here young Marshall Clemetsen, Huntley, climbs a portable wall while other kids line up in the background for some baseball pitching.

"Fill The Bus" Drive Collects School Gear

Area residents donated piles of backpacks and school supplies for needy students Saturday at District 300's "Fill The Bus Drive" at the Algonquin Wal-Mart.  The event was a grassroots effort to make sure needy district students have enough school gear to start out the year.

Patty Briones from Pupil Services said donations will go to about 400 students.

In the pic:  Dave Nacke drops of a hefty box of student supplies at the District 300 "Fill the Bus Drive".  He's the husband of Shelley Nacke, the new Principal at Jacobs HS.

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 17
1809 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). WANTED ON WARRANT.  ERNST, CORY R., M/W 27 YEARS OF AGE, 302 PLUM ST LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Failure to Appear for Obstructing Justice. Bond Amount: $5,000 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
1843 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & RANDALL RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. LANDRY, CHERYL A/. F/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 221 HEINE AVE., ELGIN. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant out of Elgin, Failure to Appear for Traffic Offense. Bond Amount: $500.00 Full Cash. Registration Suspended Mandatory Insurance Violation, Expired Driver’s License, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1956 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF CHANCERY WAY. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. RACHOWSKY, PETER, M/W 30 YEARS OF AGE, 5514 CHANCERY WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Felony Criminal Damage to Property. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0146 HRS 800 BLOCK OF BRANDT DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Parents vs. Son. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0537 HRS 2000 BLOCK OF HIAWATHA DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 31 years of age, took an excessive amount of medication. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0642 HRS 50 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 73 years of age, possible heart attack. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0957 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. FOUND PROPERTY. A white and black BMX boy’s Mongoose bicycle was found. Entered into evidence.
1540 HRS 400 BLOCK OF STEEPLECHASE WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 8 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1559 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRISBANE DR. STRUCTURE FIRE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.