Sheriff Seeks Huntley TV Star Burglar

If a guy offers you a killer dead on some Yahama Blaster ATV parts, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office would like to hear about it.  Especially if the guy's young and blond with some sort of splotch on his neck.

Investigators said Friday somebody stole a 2006 white YFS200 and a black and yellow 2005 YFZ450T from a garage in unincorporated Huntley Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. In itself that's not a lot to go on but security cams caught some pictures.

He's not the only burglar Deputies are trying to find. In another release Thursday investigators said someone's been breaking into outbuildings and trailers at nurseries, lawncare and landscaping businesses in unincorporated sections of northwest McHenry County. The burglar(s) have carried off chainsaws, weed eaters, concrete saws and grinders, backpack blowers, hedge trimmers, combo trimmers, cordless drills, and leaf blowers.  Brands stolen have included common ones like STIHL, DeWalt and ECHO but some have been more obscure like  REDMAX and Shindaiwa.

There's a possible reward to up to $1,000 in both cases.  The Sheriff's Crime Stoppers of McHenry County caller ID-less number is 800-762-7867.  Email is TipLine@co.mchenry.il.us.

In the pic: Surveillance cameras picked up low-res pics of an ATV burglar in Huntley. He sports what looks like either a largish birthmark or maybe a kitschy broken-heart tattoo on the left side of his neck.

Hinckley Man Convicted On Second Bank Charge

A McHenry County jury deliberated for only about two and a half hours Friday before bringing in a guilty verdict against a Hinckley man charged with attempted armed robbery.

Another jury acquitted 19 year-old Matthew Reno earlier this year of a similar charge in the attempted holdup of a Huntley bank two years ago but this time jurors said he was the masked gunman who walked into Midwest Bank in Union March 24, 2008, demanding money from one of the tellers.

The holdup was a botch when a bank customer wrestled with the bank robber and he ran away.

The State's Attorney's case was built on testimony from Reno's co-defendant Justin Fasel who admitted he was the getaway driver in the attempt. It also included cellphone records, however, that prosecutors said put Reno near the crime scene that day.

Reno's sentencing is set for  Oct. 1.

Huntley Church Garage Sale To Help Food Pantry

Next Saturday is the deadline to register for Faith Community Church's, big garage sale at the Church in Huntley in mid-August.  The sale will support the church's Community Food Pantry.

Sellers will need their own tables and chairs but Faith Community will provide the 8 by 8-foot display space  Friday, Aug. 13 and Saturday, Aug. 14 from  9am to 5 pm. Register in person at Faith Community Church or call the church office at 224-569-6501 to request a form to register by mail.  Registration fees are:  $20 Friday only, $20 Saturday only, or $35 both Friday and Saturday.

Register in person at Faith Community Church, 10527 Faiths Way, Huntley or call the church office at 224-569-6501 to request a form to register by mail.  Registration deadline is Aug. 7th.  Registration fees are:  $20 Friday only, $20 Saturday only, or $35 both Friday and Saturday.

The Faith Community Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 4 to 6 pm  In June it served 122 families, about 500 people.  Donations of food or non-food paper items are always appreciated at the Pantry. 

Flooding Flummoxes Unemployment Benefits

As if being on unemployment weren't bad enough, the Illinois Department of Employment Services said Friday people seeking weekly benefits will have to do it via computer for awhile.

Communications director Greg Rivara said telephone benefit certification routes through a switching station in Chicago that was knocked out by flooding this week.  The good news Rivara said is that benefits can still be certified online.  The place to start is: http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/online-services.asp

The bad news is IDES's website won't let anyone past the start using, say, Firefox's web browser, don't even think of Chrome.  Only Internet Explorer is supported.

Quinn Downplays Top Staffer’s Tax Hike Plan

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn appears to be having a problem with message control about his tax policies, thanks to one of his top aides.

The governor’s budget director, David Vaught, said lawmakers intend to increase the individual tax rate by 66 percent come Jan. 1 in an interview Wednesday. Thursday Quinn tried to distance himself from the budget director’s proposal, while reaffirming his own plan.

“I don’t think (Vaught) should philosophize about taxes. I will tell him that. I don’t think he should talk about any other plan than my plan,” he told reporters. “My plan is very straightforward, it’s a 1-percent surcharge on the income tax and that will be used exclusively for education.

Right now the state’s individual income tax rate stands at 3 percent. Under Vaught’s scenario, both the individual and corporate income tax rates would be raised to 5 percent.

Quinn’s opponent for the November general election, state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, criticized Quinn for considering tax hike proposals while boosting the salaries of some of his top officials.

“It seems that Gov. Quinn’s policies are to raise the taxes on the backs of Illinois families and businesses to pay for his bigger, bloated government,” he said. Brady also criticize Vaught, whom Quinn gave a $24,000 raise to bring his salary to $144,000 per year.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3840/quinn-downplays-top-staffers-tax-hike-plan/

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.

GUSTAVO RODRIGUEZ, DOB:  11/02/77, 1406 CARY-ALGONQUIN ROAD, ALGONQUIN. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL PRODUCTION OF CANNABIS SATIVA PLANTS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESSION OF FIREARM AMMUNITION WITHOUT REQUISITE FIREARM OWNER’S IDENTIFICATION CARD, DOMESTIC BATTERY(3CTS).--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

RICHARD A. AXTELL, DOB:  07/12/69, 3005 OAKWOOD DRIVE, MCHENRY. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED (SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE).--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
JEFFREY JAY HAUCK, DOB:  11/30/85, 219 LINCOLN AVENUE, FOX RIVER GROVE. BURGLARY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED PROPERTY, THEFT, POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS.--Crystal Lake PD
  
JOSE PONCE-GONZALEZ, DOB:  10/03/85, 164 W. WOODSTOCK STREET  #C, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.--Crystal Lake PD
  
PAUL S. MARTIN, DOB:  03/07/73, 333 ELM STREET, MARENGO. BURGLARY.--Marengo PD
  
ADELE K. HUDSON, DOB:  02/19/63, 922 FRONT STREET, MCHENRY. THEFT.--McHenry PD
  
ADRIAN M. SALAZAR, DOB:  05/31/71, 571 SOMERSET LANE  #2, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE(2CTS), DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED(SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE)--Crystal Lake PD

STEVEN L. MANSON, DOB:  09/24/69, 1710 PARK LANE, MCHENRY. HARASSMENT OF A WITNESS.--Woodstock PD
  
PATRICK L. RUSH, DOB:  07/21/78, 400 W. VIRGINIA AVENUE  ROOM A, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO REAL PROPERTY, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--Woodstock 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 30
0826 HRS MCHENRY AVE. & RANDALL RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. MITCHELL, BYRON K., M/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, 958 CONGDON AVE., ELGIN. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant Kane County for Driving Under the Influence, Bond set at $5,000 @10% applies. RELEASED ON BOND.
1513 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. DANG, KIETH, M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 1636 BRIGHAM LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGE: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1912 HRS REED RD. & HALIGUS RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. STECKER, CHRISTOPHER S., M/W 30 YEARS OF AGE, 38W716 HIGHLAND AVE., ELGIN CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant Failure to Appear, Traffic Offense, McHenry County, $1000 @ 10%, No Seatbelt. RELEASED ON BOND
2031 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MESA DR., DOMESTIC BATTERY. SUTTER, CHRISTINA E., F/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 419 BERKSHIRE #24, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGE: Two counts of Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY.
2122 HRS 00 BLOCK OF PERSHING AVE. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. GAIDA, BLAIR N., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 676 OLD WESTBURY RD., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGE: Possession of Cannabis less than 2.5 grams. RELEASED ON BOND.
VOISS, BRIAN C., M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 364 MARY LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGE: Possession of Drug of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis less than 2.5 grams. RELEASED ON BOND.
FOLLOW-UP ARREST:061610 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKEWOOD. CHARGE: Criminal Damage to Vehicle. TURNED OVER TO PARENTS.
0615 HRS RANDALL RD. & ROOSEVELT RD/ CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti on fence.
0937 HRS 00 BLOCK OF MARION CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 83 years of age, severe arm pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1058 HRS 515 PLUM ST., (LAKE IN THE HILLS SANITARY DIST) FRAUD. Possible fraudulent funds transferred.
1419 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2102 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2146 HRS ANNANDALE RD. & REED RD. THEFT. Temporary stop sign taken from intersection. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2217 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRIARCLIFF. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2234 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 7 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.

D300 Teachers: 10 Percent Down

District 300 schools will open their doors Aug. 16 with 65 rehired teachers Resources Director John Light told FEN Thursday.  Teachers' union president Kolleen Hanetho told FEN her estimate is that only about half will be teachers cut earlier this year in attempts to balance the district's budget.

Light said some of the "rehires" will actually be newbies because some positions like special ed and bilingual education  require teaching certificates none of the laid off teachers hold.

Faced with uncertain state funding, the Board of Education this Spring cut 29 teachers for poor performance and axed 162 more in advance of a mandatory rehire deadline.  At least seven teachers resigned, too, according to Hanetho making the total teacher loss in advance of the 2010-11 year almost 200.  Add back the teachers Light's hired this summer and the shortfall is almost the same as the one in Finance Director Cheryl Crates' latest budget forecasts: 129 fewer teachers this year than last.

"That's 10 percent of all the teachers in D300 who aren't coming back," said Hanetho

"We're not totally 100 percent complete," said Light but he anticipated any more hires would require an unexpected wave of last-minute student registrations.

Hanetho wasn't happy about that. "The rest of the teachers are going to have to compensate for that.  They're (each) going to have more students to teach."

Light agreed D300 class sizes would be going up.  Since he's still figuring out which teacher goes where he said he didn't have average class sizes yet. Light did provide "roll numbers", however. That's the point at which a class is considered full.  This year the D300 Kindergarten roll number will be 33.  The first and second grade roll number will be 35 and the roll number in third through fifth grades will be 37. Light said middle school roll numbers vary by how each school did on the No Child Left Behind tests with thirty three the collective average.  In the high schools the roll numbers depend on whether a class is a requirement or an elective and Light said they're spread all over the board.

LITH Beach Blazes With Barefoot Hawaiians

An audience of 300 turned out at Indian Trail Beach Thursday for the fifth year's LITH Parks and Recreation Department performance by the Barefoot Hawaiians.  The group's repertoir includes songs and dances not only from Hawaii but Tahiti and New Zealand, too.

The Barefoot Hawaiians annual appearance coincidentally echoes a Luau Celebration that the LITH Property Owners Association used to hold in the summer back in the days when everyone lived closer to the earth and TV reception wasn't very good out this way, anyhow.

In the pic: The Barefoot Hawaiians Fire Act was a crowd-pleaser at Indian Trail Beach Thursday evening.

Madonnari Grace Algonquin Summer Concert

Algonuin's Events and Recreation Department's experiment mixing art and music drew (!) a dozen artists Thursday before a Summer Concert performance by the Dooley Brothers.  Modern Day Madonnari, Renaissance artist/mendicants, chalked half a dozen artworks on the pavement at Riverfront Park while the Dooleys set up for their performance and spectators finished dinner.

In the pic:  Jessie Tennant, Molly Leopold and Jackie Kelley created a scene from "Toy Story" while Anna Tennant, left, limned a girl on a horsie. 

Friends Of Algonquin Library Book Sale Set

The Friends of the Algonquin Area Public Library will hold another book sale at the Eastgate Branch starting next Thursday through Sunday.

On sale will be books, DVDs, and CDs at bargain basement prices with proceeds supporting the library.  Here's the schedule:

Thursday, Aug. 5, 4 to 8 pm-$10.00 entry fee this night only, Adults only Please!
Friday, 4 to 8 pm, No entry fee
Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm, No entry fee
Sunday, 1 to 4 pm.No entry fee; All Selections 1/2 Price

Quinn Seals Police Evaluations

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Employees working in state law enforcement would have their performance evaluations sealed from the public under an amendatory veto issued by Gov. Pat Quinn this week but all other evaluations will remain accessible.

The bill Quinn signed originally blocked all public employees’ performance evaluations from being accessed under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). However, Quinn said in his veto message that such a broad exemption would undermine FOIA reform approved just last year.

Quinn said law enforcement evaluations were different, though, since they could be used to influence the criminal justice process. “If disclosed, these evaluations could be used by criminal suspects or defendants to undermine a police investigation or attack the credibility and integrity of a police officer."

Opponents say it is too soon to make any changes to the new FOIA regulations. “This is poor public policy on so many levels. The new FOIA law needs to be given time to work before being assaulted with attempts to make changes and exemptions," Dennis DeRossett, executive director of the Illinois Press Association, said in a written statement.

“It was commonsense legislation to preserve the confidentiality of private records containing personal info ... to ensure that managers at all levels of government know that their evaluations will serve their intended purpose,” said Anders Lindall, spokesman for Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, state government's largest union.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/quinn-wants-police-evaluations-sealed.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 29
2048 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & ACORN LN. WANTED ON WARRANT. HERNANDEZ, BRIAN C., M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 701 MOHICAN TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Probation Violation, Bond set at $5,000 @ 10%. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
FOLLOW-UP 061610 ARREST: 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Criminal Damage to Property. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. TURNED OVER TO PARENTS.
0732 HRS 00 BLOCK OF SHOAL CREEK CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 74 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
0803 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1612 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1627 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CLAYTON MARSH DR. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. son. Verbal only. No priors.
2309 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. One prior.
FAIL TO FILE.
Algonquin
July 26
10:46am A 17 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with three counts of Criminal Defacement.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his parents.
July 27
09:57am A 17 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with two counts of Criminal Defacement.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his parents.
13:33pm Taylor, Chisa E., DOB: 12/27/80, of 507 Oak Drive, East Dundee, was charged with six counts of Theft.  She was taken into custody at Meijer, 400 S. Randall Road.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing.
July 28
00:59am A 15 year-old male from Algonquin, two 16 year-old males from Lake in the Hills and a 14 year-old male from Lake in the Hills were all charged with Violation of Curfew.  All were taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Stonegate Road.  The 15 year-old male was Petitioned into Juvenile Court and the others were released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 08/25/10 in Algonquin.
05:16am Cruz, Steven, DOB: 12/25/91, of 145 Arquilla Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer.  He was taken into custody at 145 Arquilla Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
08:17am Rouseeau, Davis J., DOB: 12/31/86, of 1075 Knoll Lane, Hoffman Estates, was charged with DUI, DUI Over & Improper Stopping on the Roadway.  He was taken into custody at W. Algonquin Road and Route 31.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License, with a court date of 09/01/10 in McHenry County.
July 29
18:14pm Khan, Shireen A., DOB: 05/16/74, of 11 W. Acorn Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLR & Failure to Yield at Intersection.  She was taken into custody at County Line Road and Randall Road.  She was released after posting $100 with a court date of 09/15/10 in McHenry County.
July 30
01:23am Milewski, Matthew A., DOB: 03/09/78, of 328 Sedgewick Street, Carpentersville, was charged with DUI, DWLS, Speeding and Improper Lane Usage.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Pyott Road.  He was released after posting $300 with a court date of 09/01/10 in McHenry County.

LITH Finds "Hidden" Trucks of Garbage

Waste Management's new waste transfer facility on Virginia Road has been a thorn in Lake in the Hills' side since Crystal Lake annexed the site for it five years ago.  Wednesday, it got thornier, although it's not clear yet who's going to be stuck.

Late Tuesday a LITH Police officer on patrol noticed a garbage truck pulling out of Sunset Cartage and followed it.  Homeowners near the Larsen Industrial Park on Pyott have been complaining about Sunset operations a lot this year and the village busted a loaded garbage truck there earlier this Spring.

"They didn't find any garbage trucks on our property," said Sunset VP and dispatcher Fred Amato.  "The only time there are any garbage trucks here is when there's one that needs repair."

Well, no, said Village Administrator Jerry Sagona, Police didn't find a garbage truck at Sunset.  What they found when they followed the truck  was "several garbage trucks hidden in a (nearby) quarry."  Public Safety Director Jim Wales this morning said there were a dozen of them in the nearby Material Services pit.

Sagona was irate.  "What part of  'You can't park a loaded garbage truck in Lake in the Hills' don't they understand?"

Equally perplexing, why would anyone want to do that, anyway?  Sagona said he suspects the transfer station which only began operations in April isn't working right.  "It was supposed to be hassle-free," he said.  "It hasn't been."

Waste Management spokesman Bill Plunkett Wednesday said it was literally the first he'd heard of the incident.  In a 6 pm followup Plunkett told FEN the transfer station's working fine and the garbage trucks LITH found didn't belong to Waste Management in the first place.

"They were owned and operated by an independent trucker who transports waste from the transfer station to a disposal site," said Plunkett.

Really. And what was the name of the contractor?

"Sunset Cartage," said Plunkett.

In the pic:  Collection trucks like this one take neighborhood garbage to the Waste Management transfer station here west of Route 31 where it's loaded onto bigger trucks for transport to distant landfills.

Local Road Projects Nearing End

Workers returning from the construction strike ended last week laid down the final lift of pavement Tuesday for the southbound Randall right turn lane into Algonquin's Oakridge Center. There's still some lane marking left to do at the long-delayed project, though, and that didn't happen Wednesday.

Likewise unfinished is the northbound pavement on Virginia Road between Route 31 and Rakow Road.  Crews were still laying an asphalt base course on one section Wednesday with another still to go.

FEN was unable to get a closer reading from MCDOT on either project Wednesday.

Fox Begins To Recede At Algonquin

The Fox looks to have crested and then dropped about five inches in the Algonquin Dam tailwaters Wednesday. With the dam gate open before Saturday's heavy rains the level above the dam never got anywhere near flood level according to official readings.  Below it a little water slopped into Buffalo Park.

In the pic:  Algonquin resident Joshua Curatola found the roiling waters of the Fox made for good fishing Wednesday.  "I caught a cat' and a smallmouth a little while ago," he said. 

Auditions Set For Christie Mystery At MCC

The Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College will hold auditions Monday and Tuesday for its Fall production of  “And Then There Were None,” the famous murder mystery by Agatha Christie.

Director Tish Lyon will hold auditions from 6 to 8 p.m. both days in the Black Box Theatre, Room D167.

No past experience is necessary for eight eight male and and three female roles.  Auditions are open to all students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members. Actors will be reading from the script for the general auditions and those are available on reserve at the MCC Library. 

For more info, call (815) 455-8746 or send an e-mail to jgeller1960@yahoo.com.

Jacobs Sign: Not A Typo

This is for passing high-speed copyreaders.  Jacobs High School's sign on Randall sports a play on words, not a mistake.  Jacobs' new Principal this year is Shelley Nacke.  Knack/Nacke.  Get it?

"Everybody who's called has ended up laughing," said Nacke's secretary.

Jurors Begin Deliberations, Blagojevich Looks to God

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is hoping the 12 men and women on the jury and the Almighty can deliver him from the 415 years in prison he faces in his federal corruption trial. “Ultimately, in the final analysis, Patti and I always have a deep and abiding faith in God…it’s in God’s hands,” he said.

“I’m not anticipating (a quick verdict),” Federal Judge James Zagel said Wednesday morning before calling the jury into the courtroom for the final time.

Zagel has made juror anonymity a top priority in the trial, denying multiple media requests for the identities. He has said the high profile nature of the trial has drawn out passionate individuals on both sides of the case who could try to contact the jurors. The judge returned to this theme on Wednesday morning. “Don’t let fears of public opinion influence you,” he said. “This is your job and yours alone.”

He iussued an extensive list of instructions. Here are some of the guidelines for the 24 charges the ex-governor faces.

WIRE FRAUD, Counts 3 through 13, 4
-One of the straightforward charges against Blagojevich. The prosecution must prove that the conspirators used telephone lines to further a criminal act. All the jury needs to figure out is if Blagojevich ever committed a crime. (It’s safe to say he used a phone).

EXTORTION/CONSPIRACY 17, 21, ATTEMPTED 14, 15, 19, 22
-A guilty verdict requires evidence that Blagojevich used fear of loss (monetary, etc.) to influence an action. The judge said Blagojevich did not need to intend to cause fear to be found guilty.

BRIBERY/CONSPIRACY 16, 20, ATTEMPTED 18, 23
-A guilty verdict requires evidence that Blagojevich used his office to benefit an individual who he had asked directly or indirectly for a contribution. The prosecution must prove that he was knowingly influenced by the possibility of a contribution

RACKETEERING/CONSPIRACY, 1, 2
–All-encompassing charge. If the jury finds Blagojevich guilty of two or more of the other offenses, he will be guilty of racketeering and conspiracy to commit.

FALSE STATEMENTS, 24
–The jury must determine that Blagojevich knowingly lied to FBI agents when he told them there was a firewall between fund-raising and governance.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3829/jurors-begin-deliberations-as-blagojevich-looks-to-god/

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 28
0204 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. VYBORNY, BRYAN L., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 1034 ROSEWOOD TERRACE, LIBERTYVILLE. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis less than 2.5 grams, No Insurance, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1627 HRS REED RD. & HALIGUS RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. HOYNE, ERIC P., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 9567 INVERNESS CT., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0204 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Contact with a Registered Sex Offender.
0934 HRS 3700 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Father vs. son. Verbal only. Two priors.
1821 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MARION CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1827 HRS 0 BLOCK OF TORREY PINES CT. BURGLARY FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE. Items removed from the vehicle. UNFOUNDED.
1913 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Male, 43 years of age, suicide attempt. Transported to Sherman Hospital/
Huntley
July 19
Denise M. Gamble, age 53, of 11215 Reed Rd., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Ms. Gamble posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 20, 2010.
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 12500 block of Raintree Path.  A CD player was stolen from an unlocked vehicle.
A 13 year-old male from Huntley, A 13 year-old male from Lake in the Hills and a 15 year-old male from Huntley were arrested for criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to land.  The three are accused of damaging property at a business in the 11900 block of Algonquin Rd.  The juveniles were released to their parents and will be petitioned to McHenry County juvenile court.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 12100 block of Sinnett St.  A vehicle drove through the victim’s yard damaging his lawn.
A theft report was taken at a residence in the 9800 block of Bedford Dr.  A laptop computer was stolen.
A credit card fraud report was taken in the 12600 block of Wedgemere Dr.  Unauthorized charges were made to the victim’s credit card.
July 20
Jerry Campos, age 32, of 10811 Woodstock St, Huntley,  was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Mr. Campos posted bond and was released with an August 13, 2010 court date.
Louisa M. Anglada, age 44, address withheld, was arrested for two counts of domestic battery.  Ms. Anglada was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond call.
July 21
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 13900 block of Chanwahon Dr.  A garage door opener was stolen from the unlocked vehicle.
July 23
Luke E. Wood, age 26, of 1220 S. Lorriane, Wheaton, was arrested for DUI, possession of a controlled substance and possession of hypodermic needles.  Mr. Wood was cited for improper lane use and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Wood was transported to Kane County Jail to await bond call.
July 24
Patrick S. Kromm, age 23, of 2407 Shaw Rd., West Brooklyn, was arrested for DUI, DUI blood alcohol over .08, and possession of cannabis, and cited for speeding.  Mr. Kromm posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of August 27, 2010.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in 9900 block of Bedford Dr. The victim’s tire was slashed.
A burglary from motor vehicle and a criminal trespass to vehicle report were taken at a residence in the 10800 block of Church St.  A laptop computer and a cell phone were stolen.
July 25
Hyder S. Gaziuddin, age 19, of 12061 Yellowstone Dr, Huntley, was arrested for two counts of domestic battery.  Mr. Gaziuddin was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond call.
Elizabeth M. Rullo, age 37, of 10418 Scott Dr., Huntley, was arrested for battery.  A McHenry County court date of August 20, 2010 was assigned.  Ms. Rullo was unable to post bond and was transported to McHenry County Jail.
Michael A. Orlandini Jr, age 18, of 2851 Melbourne Lane, Lake in the Hills, and Carlin A. Preble, age 18, of 11345 Balmoral, Huntley, were charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor.  Both subjects were assigned a McHenry County court date of August 9, 2010.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 10600 block of Grand Canyon.  The victim’s mail box was damaged.
A criminal damage to vehicle report was taken in the 11000 block of Preston Parkway.  The rear window was damaged.

Lakewood Annexes Giant Rt. 47 Sportsplex

A Tuesday Village of Lakewood Board meeting was supposed to last "no later than 10:30 P.M." It was midnight, though,  by the time Members without dissent approved half a dozen ordinances to annex, rezone and incentivize a proposed $40 million McHenry County Sportsplex at routes 47 and 176 between Huntley and Woodstock.

More than 100 residents turned out at 6 pm for the Planning and Zoning Committee meeting before the Board meeting.  A dozen Sportsplex planners and consultants spent two hours outlining a huge sports center featuring all the latest "green" bells and whistles including certified energy-efficient construction using of recycled materials, native plant landscaping and maybe even geothermal heating and cooling.

On a more mundane note developers revealed plans to relocate Pleasant Valley Road's intersection with Route 47 so it will match up with Route 176 to the east.  That would control all the anticipated traffic with lights but require a tight S-curve and a lower, still-unspecified speed limit on Pleasant Valley.

Head planner Jack Porter from Porter & Associates, Woodstock, ran down a bullet point list of the project's benefits including creation of 353 "full-time equivalent" jobs. That's a slight change from earlier claims of 350 jobs created. For government reporting purposes two or three seasonal workers can equal one full-time one.

Among the incentives was a village promise to provide water and sewer service to the Sportsplex, although precisely how and at what cost is still up in the air.

Financing for the planned 162-acre multi-sports center includes $18 million in recovery stimulus bond authority conferred on it earlier this year by the McHenry County Board.

Editor's Note:  In earlier coverage FEN reported it was unable to determine whether the Sportsplex's majority owner, Chicagoland Foreign Investment Center, was authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to sell investments in sports facilities.  CFIG's original authorization in March, 2009, didn't include that.  However, FEN has since established that six months later in October, 2009, CFIG secured authorization from Immigration to sell investments in "Arts, Entertainment and Recreation".

In the pic:  Sportsplex sceptic Bill Franz, Crystal Lake, tries to cross examine head planner Jack Porter to get some business information about the planned sports complex now become part of Lakewood. 

County Microloans Become Sleeping Beauty

As expected the McHenry County Board's Finance and Audit Committee Monday ended its Microloan Fund to aid Mom and Pop businesses who mostly never asked for any money during the past year.  That freed up $200,000 to loan to bigger small businesses who have been asking for help.

Technically it only freed up $199,950.  The Committee didn't kill off county microloans outright.  On District 3 Member Mary Donner's motion they put it into suspended animation with a $50 allocation in case Mom and Pop every do turn up.  While they were at it members renamed the Fund the McHenry County Microloan Program since it's always  part of the larger County Revolving Loan Fund and the discrepant name has been driving the County Finance Administrator to distraction.

With what amounted to a new cash infusion the Commitee approved a revolving loan for a Cary bellows company to refinance an obscure piece of expensive machinery. They turned down one for a machining company to relocate to Woodstock because its cashflow didn't look good enough.

That left about $330,000 in the County's Loan Fund kitty at the moment and growing.  "We get, if everyone pays on time, about $20,000 per month," said Deputy Admininstrator John Labaj.

Huntley Jaycees Fundraiser Saturday

Huntley Jaycees will hold a volleyball Fundraiser Saturday at Parkside Pub to benefit Animal House pet shelter, Huntley.

The event will run from 11 am to dusk with volleyball pre-registration $25 a head, $90 for a four-man team and $25 registration for a two man baggo team.  The price includes four beverages and one lunch. The live music by bands Dead Cat Bounce, Lights of Aberdeen and S.N.A.F.U is gratis to competitors.

The Jaycees' number to call for details is 847-802-9280.

Hawaiian Show Set For LITH's Indian Trail Beach

An authentic Polynesian-style performance troop, the Barefoot Hawaiians, will appear tomorrow at Indian Trail Beach, Lake in the Hills.

The free Parks and Recreation Department show features tropical island music and indigenous dance and costumes beginning at 7 pm at the beach.

If the weather's bad there's no alternate venue and the annual Barefoot Hawaiian Beach Show will be rescheduled at a later date.

Eight Area McDonalds Support County Violence Shelter

Four more area McDonalds restaurants have joined four others to support McHenry County's Turning Point shelter for battered women and children in "McCare Night" next week. Fifteen percent of sales at the restaurants next Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm will be donated to Turning Point.

The McDonalds on South Randall in Algonquin and in Huntley, Marengo and Fox River Grove were already on board the event but this week the Algonquin Road restaurant in Algonquin, two in Crystal Lake and one in McHenry joined the effort.  Restaurant owners plan to present a check from "McCare Night" to Turning point during a 36-hour radiothon this weekend at Algonquin Commons.

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 27
0224 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF MOONSTONE RUN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 62 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1032 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 33 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1538 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF MAGNOLIA LN. ATTEMPT SUICIDE. Male, 49 years of age, making suicidal threats. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1704 HRS 8265 VIRGINIA RD., (SUNSET CARTAGE). ORDINANCE VIOLATION. Trucks parked full of garbage. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1919 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Residence was entered but no items were removed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
2206 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Vehicle was egged. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.

End Of Year Deadline For D300 Consortium To Buy Windmills

After almost 11 months of study the District 300 Board of Education learned  Monday the deadline to start building a $50 million windfarm in Stark County is the end of the year.

The original proposal sounded like something for nothing but it's morphed in the interim and Board President summed up the current version saying now, "There is a touch of a little bit of risk."

Originally the idea was to lever a law requring ComEd  to buy any electricity generated from renewable sources into enough money to pay for the District's expensive electric bill.  Now the project would  pay for just part of the bill and the key to making even that work is a complicated house of financial and legal cards that involve buying a bunch of giant windmills by Dec. 31.

The project would be one third built with revenue bonds paid off with the money from the electricity it generates.  The other two thirds of funding would depend on selling tax credits to investors and a one-time grant from federal stimulus funds, according to District CFO Cheryl Crates. The grant is where the short deadline comes in.  "It requires us to spend the money by the end of the year," she said.

That doesn't leave a lot of time for consultant Heston Wind to complete two double-spaced pages of tasks to see if the project will really work.  A yet-unsigned letter of agreement calls for Heston to be the project's developer and commits the District to paying the company $2 million if the project is "financially viable" but the District doesn't decide to go ahead. The agreement says Heston itself would provide the numbers to demonstrate that viability.

ComEd spokesman Krissy Posey told FEN the time it would take to figure out how much to charge the project to connect to her company's grid is variable.  She said ComEd would have to do its own study "to see what needs to be done."

The plan's organization is complicated, too.  The windfarm would actually belong to a consortium made up of District 300 and two much smaller school districts in Cook and DeKalb counties.  District 300 would have an 80 percent share of the costs and profits but only one spot on the consortium's three-man board.

The matter may come to vote at the next  Board meeting Aug. 9.

In the pic:  The circle shows where Heston Wind installed a gauge earlier this year to measure the breeze in tiny Stark County.

Latest D300 Deficit Projection: $11 Million

The fifth iteration of District 300's 2010-11 budget revealed Monday showed why Board President Joe Stevens was quoted last week complaining about an $11 million shortfall when the most recent projection had been only $3.5 million in the red.  Finance Director Cheryl Crates' told the Board of Education according to her latest estimates $4.3 million short will be the best the district can do this year and an $11 million deficit is not only the worst-case outcome but the most likely one, too.

Crates said her old worst-case scenario is now the best one but even that isn't very realistic.  It depends on comparatively light cuts to general state aid and support for special education and transportation.  Crates called a second scenario involving deeper state aid cuts a "voodoo budget" since it's based on the legislature's 50-percent unfunded state appropriations measure.  The most realistic assumption now, she said, is deep cuts to general student support with aid for special ed and transportation chopped in half.

All of the projections include about $9 Million worth of cutbacks in expenses the Board's approved in the past several months.

Complicating matters, Crates reported the State has still only reimbursed about half the money it owes the District for the school year just ended.  That number now totals about $12.3 million and the General Assembly just extended the payment deadline to Dec. 31.

"They're probably going to pay the $12.3 million but they'll pay it in 2011," Member Chris Stanton said.  "I don't think they'll do either one," replied Stevens.

Supporting that conclusion Crates said buried in the extension legislation is a proviso that if the state doesn't pay what it owes by the end of the year it doesn't have to pay it at all. If that happens, she said, it would wipe out all the money the district's saved in the past three years.

"The hardest part for us is we don't have a big (carryover) fund balance," said Crates. "There's not enough there to help us very long."

Villages Get Ready For National Night Out Next Tuesday

The Village of Algonquin will forgo its usual village party at Lions/Armstrong Pool this year from National Night Out next Tuesday in favor of locally-organized neighborhood celebrations, according to Events and Recreation Director Sarah Stefan. Meanwhile the Village of Lake in the Hills will hold both its annual central celebration at Village Hall and several neighborhood get-togethers while the Village of Huntley has almost a dozen village events scheduled.

The 27th National Night Out, a community building campaign, is supposed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate local anticrime program support and participation, strengthen neighborhood spirit and notify criminals that neighborhoods are organized.

LITH's National Night Out celebration is the most extensive starting this Saturday and extending to next Sunday.  It starts with a Beach Party Saturday at Indian Trail Beach from noon to 3 pm followed by the village's Community Cookout at Public Safety fest at Village Hall from 5 to 8 pm. Tuesday will see neighborhood block parties on the actual Night Out from 7 to 10 pm followed Sunday Aug. 8 by a car show at Sunset Park from 8 am to 3 pm.

Huntley has eleven neighborhood parties scheduled from 6 pm Tuesday to roughly 9 pm. 

Even the McHenry County Sheriff's Office will get in on the act.  The Sheriff's Facebook page announces "fun activities" from 6 to 9:30 pm for all the families around the new MCSO substation at the Algonquin Township Offices on Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

In the pic:  One of LITH's neighborhood Night Outs last year.

LITH Events Reset For Weather Cancelations

The  Battle at the Beach event that was to have taken place Saturday, July 24, has been rescheduled to this Saturday, July 31, due to flooding at Indian Trail Beach. Start time is 11 am at the beach.

The Wellness Family Bike Ride that was to have taken place on Friday, July 23, has been rescheduled to Friday, August 20, due to last week's beastly high temperature and humidity levels.  The ride will be at Ken Carpenter Park on the corner of Randall and Miller Roads on August 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Blago Trial Arguments Winding Up

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Marathon closing statements Monday by the prosecution and lawyers for Robert Blagojevich —-older brother and fundraiser to Rod--extended the ex-governor's trial by another day as the case wound down before going to jury deliberation.

U.S. Attorney Christopher Niewoehner meticulously outlined the case federal prosecutors presented to the jury for the last six weeks, using a combination of graphs and headshots of witnesses as visual cues.

Niewoehner began with the allegation that Blagojevich attempted to exchange the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Barack Obama for money, campaign contributions, job opportunities and other forms of personal gain. The government attempted to convince the jury that Blagojevich’s behavior throughout his six years in office reflected years of criminal enterprise, with Blagojevich at the center of it all. “The thing that connects all of these schemes is Rod Blagojevich,” he said. “If you find him guilty on one, you have to find him guilty of the others.”

“I’ve got this thing and it’s @#$%^&* golden,” Niewoehner quoted from a transcript of a Blagojevich wiretap. “And I’m not going to give it away for @#$%^&* nothing.”

“Those agreements and those attempts are crimes,” Niewoehner said. “You don’t need to be a successful criminal to be a criminal.”

The prosecution faces some challenges in convicting Blagojevich, despite mountains of documents and miles of tapes. The defense is trying to argue that Blagojevich was a man who ran his mouth without much back-up to his unfiltered vulgarity — a notion Adam Jr. said was confirmed by the ex-governor’s actions. Though Blagojevich asked for campaign donations or sat on state actions, he never followed through. A horsetrack bill was signed, a hospital received its money and a school got its grant — all without the requested campaign donations.

The defense will make its final pitch to the jury today.

You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3793/blagojevich-attorney-says-hes-willing-to-go-to-jail-for-client/

Obituaries

Georgia Ann Johnson, 63,  of Hampshire died at her home Monday after a fight with lung disease. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley.  Visitation will be from 9:00 am until the time of the service.  Burial will be in Doty Cemetery, Hampshire.

Johnson was born March 12, 1947, the daughter of Arthur and Mary Jane (Tekip) Dupons.  She married Edward Johnson in 1969.  She is survived by her husband Edward Johnson of Hampshire; daughter, Amy (John) Rosati of Huntley and son, Jay Johnson of Los Angeles; her grandchildren, Noah and Samuel; her mother, Mary Jane Dupons of Huntley; two brothers, Arthur (Glenda) Dupons and Warren (Dolly) Dupons, both of Salem, WI, and one sister, Sue Mackay of Marengo. She was preceded in death by her father.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Provena Hospice or the American Lung Association.

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 26
2023 HRS NORTHLIGHT PASS & HEARTLAND GATE. WANTED ON WARRANT. ESTARITA APARICIO, CRISTHIAN J., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 1300 CAMBIA DR APT 5302, SCHAUMBURG. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, DuPage County for Failure to Appear for a Traffic Violation. Bond Amount: $3,000 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
0712 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ADAMS ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Three year old male having a seizure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1208 HRS 300 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). ASSIST AMBULANCE. 50 year old male possibly having a heart attack. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1244 HRS 101 PYOTT RD., (MOBIL ON THE RUN). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Three year old female got gasoline in her eyes. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1306 HRS 311 RANDALL RD., (AMC THEATERS). Delayed. Female subject lost her wallet.
1635 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1927 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. MISSING JUVENILE. Female juvenile left sometime on 072410. Entered into LEADS.
1926 HRS 2000 BLOCK OF LITCHFIELD LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Stepfather vs. Stepson. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.

Construction Resumes: Expect Delays-- Again

Area construction was expected to be back to normal today after partial restoration late last week following a strike by laborers and machine operators.

Tom Costello, IDOT resident engineer for Huntley's Route 47 widening project workers from two companies returned to work Thursday after approval of a new labor agreement. and those from the main contractor were due today.  "They had a lot of projects to start again," he said.

Costello said utility crews should be back at work, too.

Meanwhile contractors will have materials to work with again.  When the strike dragged into its second week Allied Asphalt in Huntley turned off its burners. "The liquid asphalt has to be stored at 300 degrees," said GM Dick Lyons who forecast it would be again by today.

In the pic:  Sewer installation for Huntley's Route 47 widening resumed last Thursday.

Algonquin Founders' Days Ends With Run, Fireworks

Algonquin's rain-truncated 50th Founders' Days celebration finished Sunday night with a fireworks display from Riverfront Park thanks to a lower than predicted river level.  The North Central River Forecast center had expected the Fox to be approaching flood stage Sunday but by evening it was well below that level.

Sunday morning's Founders' Run saw close to 200 runners blast off in a 1-mile and a combined 5K and 10K race.

Crystal Lake's Ryan Miller topped the 10K men's list with a 32:58.5 time.  Algonquin's Mark Windsor was fifth among men at 43:11.2.  Debra Beyer, Algonquin, was the fastest woman and fifth overall with a 43:02.1 time.  Full results of the races are located here: http://www.racetime.info/2010_results.htm

Area Rep. Sponsors Fair, Blasts Springfield

Since the Governor and House and Senate leaders haven't called lawmakers back for a special session legislators calendars are more open than usual.  State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-64) spent Sunday afternoon at LITH PD's Safety Town at a Health and Safety Fair he was sponsoring.

Tryon got in a dig at the State's leaders last week announcing he'd sent back more than 10 percent of his local office allocation.  "If I can trim 10 percent from my budget in McHenry County, why can't our Governor do the same in Springfield?" he asked.

In the pic:  Algonquin's Scott Leffler and daughter April talk with State Rep. Mike Tyron at his Health and Safety Fair in Lake in the Hills Sunday.

County May Cut Back Gravel Pit Monitoring

The McHenry County Board proposed  something unusual in government last week.  Members put on 30-day review a measure to ratchet back a regulation because it doesn't seem to be doing anything.  The Board will consider monitoring groundwater for pollution from gravel pits once a year instead of every three months.

Matt Hansel, Deputy Code Enforcement Officer said, "The fact is in more than 18 years worth of data there isn't any evidence of pollution (from gravel pits) happening."

Under the new amendment if the Department of Health does find something during a yearly test the monitoring at a site would go back to quarterly.

In the pic:  McHenry County's proposed new groundwater testing regime would only affect the dozen gravel pits in unincorporated areas.  Several others fall within municipal boundaries.

Quinn Bill Signings Campaigning?

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn has been busy during July, signing a slew of bills ranging from public safety to the state’s newest budget package. But instead of sitting at the governor’s desk Quinn has been busy traveling the state, shaking hands and publicly announcing the new laws.

Denny Jacobs, a former state senator, said this time of year is typically when a governor addresses hundreds of legislative proposals sent by the General Assembly, after lawmakers adjourn for the summer. “It takes a little while to read all the bills and decide which ones you’re going to write. So it’s only logical that July and August and even into September would be that time that you logically sign these bills anyway,” he said.

Pat Brady, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party and of no relation to State Senator Bill Brady running against the Governor, said Quinn’s public bill signings is flat-out wrong. “You understand there’s a little bit of overlap, but he’s crossed way over the line in the last couple of weeks with the way he’s been traveling around the state campaigning under the guise of public safety bills,” he said.

Quinn’s office reiterated that the governor is serving the state when he conducts public bill signings. “As governor, Governor Quinn represents the entire state and travels throughout Illinois to sign pieces of legislation that will improve life for the people of Illinois,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

Last week, Quinn held two Chicago-area press conferences to ink two separate proposals dealing with firearms regulation. On the other hand, Quinn did not have a public appearance when he signed Bill Brady’s proposal mandating  the state Department of Corrections post information on any inmates who were released from prison early.

You can read Kevin's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3767/is-quinn-mixing-bill-signings-with-campaigning/

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 25
0141 HRS 400 BLOCK OF BIG CLOUD PASS. BATTERY. Male subject had a physical altercation with other unknown male subjects. FAIL TO FILE.
0232 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD, (TACO BELL). AGGRAVATED BATTERY. A male subject was punched in the face by another male. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0330 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). BATTERY. A female subject was pushed. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1413 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF AVALON LN., BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. GPS unit was taken from a vehicle.
1551 HRS 400 BLOCK OF GLENROSE LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 44 year old male possibly having a stroke. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1820 HRS 4000 BLOCK OF COYOTE LAKES CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 79 year old male with difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2212 HRS 400 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. 92 year old female having chest pains and vomiting. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
July 23
13:05pm Berestizhevsky, Noach, DOB: 05/10/93, of 36W340 Huntley Road, Carpentersville, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $2500, with a court date of 07/30/10, in McHenry County.
17:43pm Rosas-Maravilla, Tiburcio, DOB: 08/11/68,  of 1225 Concorde Drive, Elgin, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Harnish Drive.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 08/25/10, in McHenry County.
23:08pm A seventeen-year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody in the 300 block of Eastgate Drive.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 08/25/10, in Algonquin.
July 24
18:57pm Cooper, Shreen, DOB: 06/28/60, of 11 Oakcrest, #6, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLS, No Proof of Insurance and Attempted Obstructing Justice.  She was taken into custody at Sandbloom Road and Bolz Road.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
20:34pm Lombardo, Susan A., DOB: 07/06/58 of 324 Tecumseh Trail #205, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLS and No Proof of Insurance.  She was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Lake Drive South.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond, with a court date of 08/25/10, in McHenry County.
July 25
19:11pm Terrazas, Francisco J., DOB: 12/02/81, of 883 Dover Street, Pingree Grove, was charged with DWLS and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road.  He was released after posting $100, with a court date of 08/25/10, in McHenry County.
23:34pm Perez-Sanchez, Guadalupe M., DOB: 10/08/89, of 709 Strom Drive #201, West Dundee, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Speeding.  She was taken into custody at Route 31 and Wilbrandt Street.  She was released after posting $100, with a court date of 08/25/10, in McHenry County.

Algonquin Carnival, Fireworks Still On For Founders' Days

Algonquin's 50th Founders' Days Parade began with cool temps and clouds but ended two hours later with sunny skies and the mercury in the mid-80's.  Even so, the weather change came too late to save the Founders' Days Events set later Saturday and today in Algonquin's Towne Park.

A parade highlight was the giant American Flag in the van, this year borne by, among others, two active-duty soldiers and an Algonquin Lake in the Hills firefighter.  Ssgt. Michael Ferguson, Elgin, and Ssgt. Clinton Lyon, Crystal Lake, and firefighter/paramemdic J. P. Kilanski were among the flag bearers who helped lead the 180-unit parade.

The Friday night and Saturday morning deluge, however, left too much water behind to continue Founders' Days events in Towne Park--bands,  food, baggo-- everything except the Carnival on the other side of Crystal Creek.  Founders' Days had weather problems last year, too, with a Friday night rainout and a rain-damped Saturday evening.

"It's going to have an impact on our financial status," said Founders' President Kevin Meyer.   "However, we have planned accordingly for that very day," he said, bankerese for "Better luck next year."

The Founders' Run starting from Algonquin Middle School this morning remained on the schedule, though, Meyer said. Barring problems with the rising Fox, so too was the Founders' Fireworks this evening at 9 pm at Algonquin's Riverfront Park.  The event will involve some traffic and pedestrian restrictions.  Details are in a story below.

Candidate Bounces Back From Heat Exhaustion

Saturday's Founders' Days Parade featured the usual host of officeholders including, somewhat unexpectedly, District 5 County Board Member Jim Kennedy, Lake in the Hills.

Kennedy, an Elk Grove Village police sergeant, missed Tuesday's County Board meeting after conking out with heat exhaustion.  "I was giving CPR (to a victim) for a long time and it was 90 degrees," said Kennedy. He laughed adding, "At least it waited until we got to the emergency room."

In the pic:  County Board candidate Jim Kennedy seemed none the worse for wear Saturday in Algonquin's Founders' Days Parade.

Students Publicize District 300 Musical

Cast and crew of  "Willy Wonka Jr." handed out fliers Saturday at several area business to drive ticket sales for the District 300 Foundation musical set for next weekend and the following weekend.

With songs by Leslie Bricuse and Anthony Newley, four shows are set for July 30 and 31 and August 6 and 7, all at 7:30p.m. Tickets are $5.

In the pic: Students from schools all over District 300 publicized the musical "Willy Wonka Jr." at the North Randall McDonalds Saturday.  That's lead Mike Wade in the Willy suit. 

McHenry County Board Honors Huntley Scout

The McHenry County Board honored Huntley Troop 167's Brian Bocian this week for making Eagle Scout.  Only about four percent of Scouts make Eagle rank and the Board likes to recognize that. Bocian's the first Huntley Scout they've given a plaque in a while but there's an Algonquin Eagle coming up soon, too.

In the pic:  County Board Chairman Ken Koehler gives Huntley Scout Brian Bocian a plaque this week for making the rank of Eagle.

New “Sexting” Law OK'ed

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
In an attempt to address the newfound ways people are using personal technology, Gov. Pat Quinn signed off on the state’s first “sexting” law this week. Sexting in this case describes the act in which individuals distribute lewd photographs using their cell phones or computers.

Under the new law, those under  age  18  involved in sexting would have to stand before a judge and could face supervision as well as community service and counseling.  Before the new act was passed, though, they could have faced much stricter criminal charges or even been deemed sexual predators.

Scott Mulford, a spokesman with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office, said the new law provides an appropriate legal remedy. “The new law strikes the right balance in recognizing and prioritizing those sexters that are by-and-large kids and, in this case, are making poor choices with technology,” he said.

The sexting phenomena has become more prevalent as personal technology continues to advance and cell phones and computers become more usable with multimedia.  A report jointly released by music television network MTV and the Associated Press indicated that three out of ten young people from ages 14 to 24 participate in sexting and that one out of ten young people has shared a nude image of themselves.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3699/quinn-signs-sexting-law/

Obituaries

Mass for Kevin D. Ziller who died in a truck crash Thursday will be celebrated at 10:30 am Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley. Burial will be in Huntley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 9 am until  Mass on Tuesday, at the church.

Ziller was born Feb. 16, 1989, in Woodstock, the son of Dan Jr. and Carol Ernesti Ziller. He is survived by his parents, his brother and sisters, David, Colleen and Meredith, and grandparents, Barbara Ernesti and Dan Sr. and Jeanne Ziller, all of Huntley. Memorial contributions in Ziller's name may be sent to the Marengo Community High School FFA or to the McHenry County 4H Foundation. Arrangements were made by the James A. O'Connor Funeral Home, Huntley.

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 24
1329 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & LINDEN ST. WANTED ON WARRANT BIANCALANA, PETER J., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 502 MCHENRY AVE. APT 311, WOODSTOCK.  Wanted on Warrant, Carpentersville Police Department for Failure to Appear for Aggravated Domestic Battery, Speeding. No Bond. TURNED OVER TO CARPENTERSVILLE POLICE.
0857 HRS 800 BLOCK OF PARC CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 43 years of age, in pain after a recent surgery. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1232 HRS 5600 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 18 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1917 HRS 3600 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 43 year old, disoriented. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.