Opponents Complain More About McHenry County Sheriff

Investigations into the corruption and apparent suicide of Metra's Executive Director four months ago are beginning to redound onto the McHenry County Sheriff's race.  Democratic challenger Mike Mahon charged Sheriff Keith Nygren's delayed release of 911 records in the case was another example of Nygren's trying to suppress information about "the McHenry County good-old-boy network."

Crystal Lake resident Phil Pagano walked in front of a Metra train May 7 just as he was about to be fired for finagling almost $500,000 worth of improper pay and loans from the transportation agency.  Chicago's Better Government Association asked for the 911 recording of McHenry County's RTA Board Member Al Jourdan who called the Sheriff's Office that day to report Pagano was planning to kill himself.

Nygren refused to release the 911 call and the Sun-Times reported Friday he only gave it up when the BGA threatened to sue.

Nygren told FEN Friday he only withheld the recording because Jourdan gave the dispatcher his phone number and address and his technicians at first couldn't figure out how to redact them from the digital sound file.

Jourdan's address and phone number are readily available on the Internet, however.

On the tape Jourdan identified himself as a friend of Nygren's and in a news release Friday Mahon said that was really why it was withheld.  "Mutual backscratching and personal favors are not the way to conduct the people’s business," it said.

Separately, Tuesday one-time Democratic candidate for McHenry County Coroner Dave Bachmann charged in a blog entry that a secret informant had told him Nygren had hired someone to kill him.

Bachmann who from earlier postings clearly has a mad on against the Sheriff claimed in the entry Nygren put out a contract on him about the time he began investigating his ownership of multiple homes in different states.  Bachmann said his informant had been to see the U.S. Attorney about the supposed hit.

Asked about Bachmann's charge, Nygren said Friday, "I'm surprised you'd even ask that question. I'm not going to waste a minute on that man. My time's too valuable."

U.S. Attorney spokesman Randall Samborn Friday refused to confirm or deny if his office had been contacted about Bachmann's murder for hire allegations.  "We don't comment on what we know or don't know," he said. "Especially in a political campaign," Samborn added.

In the pic:  Late Metra Director Phil Pagano at a McHenry County meeting.

No Injuries In Algonquin Bus Crash

There were no injuries reported Friday when an East Dundee motorist struck a District 300 school bus carrying 22 children in Algonquin.

The bus was making its morning run turning off Crystal Lake Road onto eastbound Algonquin when police said 35 year-old David Kuhfall ran a red light and struck it in the rear.

Another bus had to be called in to finish taking the kids to school and police gave Kuhfall a ticket for running the light.

Run At Summer Sunset Sees Chill Weather Onset

Lake in the Hills' annual Summer Sunset 5k Run saw more than 400 runners thunder through a chilly and breezy course this year.  With the temp just above 60 and the wind abut 12 mph runners were more at risk of frostbite than heat exhaustion.

Schaumburg runner Ryan Giulano was the overall winner turning the LITH course with a time of 15:58.5.  LITH's Steve Bland was the fastest local runner with a fourth-place finish at 17:24.9.

LITH's Michelle Stien was the fastest local female runner, third on the women's side and 37th overall.  She clocked the LITH course at 21:15.7.

Race results for all runners (and walkers) are shown here: http://www.racetime.info/2010_results.htm

In the pics: (above) Steve Bland taking fourth at the Summer Sunset 5k Run.  (below)  Michelle Stien, was third among women runners at the annual run.

View From A Ferris Wheel At LITH's Summer Sunset Fest

Square Dance Club Do Si Does It In Huntley

Noted Caller Eric Tangman came down from Pewaukee, WI, to direct the patterns at the Huntley Square and Round Dance Club Friday at Faith Community Church, Huntley.

The recently-formed group meets there the first Friday evening of each month for two dances.  The first one is for those who want to learn square and round dancing.  It's followed by a second for those who already know how to respond to each call.

Organizer Sid Sampson said even though the group is called the Huntley Square and Round Dance Club that's only to indicate where the club is, not for whom. "Oh, sure," he said, "Lake in the Hills and Algonquin are welcome, too."  Square dancers can call 847-669-0642 or email sidneys111@yahoo.com for more details.

In the pic:  Here's Eric Tangman weaving a round dance.  Round dancing is square dancing except in a circle.

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.
BRIAN K. KOESTER, DOB:  01/08/93, 97 ½ LILJA ROAD, HARVARD. LEAVING THE SCENE OF A PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENT, CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR--Crystal Lake PD
  
FROYLAN M. ALONSO, DOB:  09/16/87, 233 UTEG AVENUE  #5, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY.--Crystal Lake PD
   
RACHEL D. OTIS, DOB:  02/05/76, 1508 N. GREEN STREET, MCHENRY. THEFT.--McHenry PD
   
GINNY L. LINKER, DOB:  09/19/68, 4702 OAKWOOD DRIVE #2, MCHENRY. RETAIL THEFT.--McHenry PD
   
CURTIS L. BITTLE, DOB:  04/15/67, 175 DEVLIN ROAD  #106, INGLESIDE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY.--McHenry PD
   
JEREMY A. SOJKA, DOB:  05/02/90, 54 S. PRAIRIE, CARY. UNLAWFUL FICTITIOUS IDENTIFICATION CARD, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--Cary PD
   
JOSHUA L. LYNCH, DOB:  04/20/82, 480 W. JACKSON STREET, WOODSTOCK. RETAIL THEFT.--Woodstock PD

TERRENCE JONATHON TUCKER III, DOB:  08/28/86, 700 E. WASHINGTON STREET, MARENGO. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

MICHAEL R. MANTOR, DOB:  08/09/75, 1950 N. ORLEANS STREET  APT#C, MCHENRY.UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(3CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS)--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

ROBERT T. FRASER, DOB:  02/16/66, 5905 RIDGE, BERKELEY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS)--McHenry PD

CONNOR T. MCDONALD, DOB:  07/17/87, 1621 HIGHVIEW, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD
   
JONATHAN D. CAREY, DOB:  11/26/90, 1004 BONNIE BROOK LANE, ROUND LAKE BEACH. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--McHenry PD
   
STEVEN J. RADONIC, DOB:  10/06/71, 725 W. MADISON STREET, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS).--Harvard PD
   
SHANTOL A. APPELL, DOB:  03/03/90, 415 REBECCA ROAD, BELVIDERE. BRIAN H.A. DAVIS, DOB:  09/27/90, 603 N. HALE STREET, MARENGO. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS)--Marengo 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
September 3
1757 HRS 5200 MILLER RD, (SUNSET PARK). AGGRAVATED BATTERY. GATES, JEFFREY L., M/B 17 YEARS OF AGE, 2681 CAMERON DR., HAMPSHIRE. CHARGES: Aggravated Battery, Criminal Trespass to Property, Criminal Damage to Property, Resisting a Police Officer. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1833 HRS 61 OAKLEAF RD., (JAYCEE PARK). AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. JUVENILE M/B 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest. TURNED OVER TO PARENTS.
2347 HRS MAPLE ST. & CEDAR ST. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.  BERGSTEN, STEPHEN R., M/W 49 YEARS OF AGE, 1115 MAPLE ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, Possession of Cannabis, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. RELEASED ON BOND.
0315 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTIS). BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. IPod was taken from an unsecured vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0335 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTIS). BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Television, video monitor, three laptops were taken from an unsecured vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0359 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTIS). THEFT. A purse was taken. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0808 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CLAYTON MARSH DR. DOMESTIC Father vs. Son. Verbal only. One prior.
0943 HRS 00 BLOCK OF FEATHERSTONE CT. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 3 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1733 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BERNYCE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 75 years of age, fell out of bed. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Huntley Board Contemplates Hoped-For And Real Development

Huntley Trustees solved objections to the village's Downtown Revitalization plan by drawing some new pictures to illustrate what they might do someday.  Then they kicked around a few ideas for an actual commercial development tentatively set to begin construction late this year.

The most strident objection at last week's public hearing on the Downtown Plan came from Strode's Furniture who complained they'd lose parking spaces in front of the store.  Consultants Houseal and Lavigne solved that by expanding the footprint of a theoretical parking lot that might go behind the store if the village ever decides to redo Main Street.  A few other gripes were solved in similar fashion.

The Board and Village administrators emphasized the Revitalization Plan expected to be approved next week is a broad brush guideline for Downtown development over the next couple of decades, not a detailed blueprint with construction schedule attached.

"Until we get a developer with a real project it's just a plan," said Trustee Pam Fender.
"It's a dream."

Trustee Niko Kanakaris put it even more bluntly.  "Obviously they're going to come to us with a proposal and we'll tell them if we like it or not.  Case by case," he said.

Village Manager Dave Johnson said the point of the plan was to provide a well-thought out framework for further development instead of trying to make things up on the run.

From the sublime distant future Trustees turned to the near-term mundane,  mulling over a proposal expected to be presented next week to build a huge RV center just south of the Auto Mall off Route 47.  Trustee Harry Leopold worried motorists coming off I-90 into Huntley might face a wall of RV's decorated with vinyl pennants and discount prices soaped on their windshields.  "I don't think we want that," he said.

Johnson said other trustees had already expressed reservations about the bland industrial look to drawings of the center's giant showroom and service area.

Fender said there'd be so many big RV's in the way people wouldn't be able to see the building very well, anyway, while Kanakaris cautioned, "I don't think we should scare them before they even break ground, guys."

In the pic:  General RV's superstore expected to be proposed next week in Huntley would cover 33,000 square feet, have spaces for about 160 RV's on the apron and employ about 40 people.

LITH Summer Sunset To Open 2010 Fest

Lake in the Hills' Summer Sunset Festival begins its three-day run today at the village's Sunset Park.  Today's highlight will be the annual Summer Sunset 5k Run/Walk.

Online registration for the run (https://jobs.lith.org/webtrac/wbwsc/webtrac.ws /wbar0220.html?search-name=1360) is supposed to be open 'till either noon or 5 pm today depending on which page you look at but in any case onsite registration starts at 5:45.  The starter's pistol goes off at 7 pm and race winners will receive their prizes on the Summer Sunset Main Stage "after the final participant crosses the finish line".

The Main Stage will mostly be occupied during Summer Sunset by half a dozen original and cover bands.  Here's who'll be there:
Friday
Paparazzi -                               6:30pm - 8:00pm
Chicago's Maggie Speaks -  9:00pm - 10:30pm
Saturday
PETTYCASH! -                       6:30pm - 8:00pm
7th Heaven -                           9:00pm - 10:30pm
Sunday
Bucket Number6 -                5:30pm - 7:00pm
SODA -                                       8:00pm - 9:30pm

Saturday's Main Stage will also feataure a Battle of the Bands competition from 2 to 5 pm, a new attraction at the festival.

Also new (and thoroughly wacky) this year will be Sunday's attempt by the Algonquin/Lake In the Hills Jaycees to make a world record-sized Rootbeer Float.  Recipe: Take 3,500 gallons of soda. Mix with 100 gallons of ice-cream in a really big glass. Tip: Don't forget a video camera so there's something to show the Guinness people.

The Summer Sunset Festival schedule is in a story below. Admission's free.

Wanted: One Kane County State's Attorney

The Illinois executive and legislative branches can't get anything done these days but the State Supreme Court demonstrated this week that shilly-shallying doesn't extend to the judiciary.  Tuesday 16th Circuit Judge Michael Colwell announced he planned to retire; Wednesday Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti said he might like to replace him; Thursday the State Supremes appointed him to do it.

Barsanti admitted he'd heard the opening was coming up and put his name in the informal hat even before Colwell announced there was a hat to fill.  Starting Dec. 1 he'll serve the remainder of Colwell's term through 2012 on the 16th Circuit covering Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties.

Meanwhile Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay said she'll appoint a panel to recommend someone to fill out Barsanti's term as State's Attorney.  It doesn't run out until November 2012.

In the pic:  Sixteenth Circuit Judge appointee John Barsanti when he first ran for Kane County State's Attorney six years ago.

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
September 2
0731 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CORIA, NALLELY, F/W 29 YEARS OF AGE, 224 HARRISON ST., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
2334 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. HORNING, BRIDGET J., F/W 35 YEARS OF AGE, 3407 FOREST ROAD, MCHENRY. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0627 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
0816 HRS PYOTT RD. & WILLOW ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1605 HRS 500 BLOCK OF DELAWARE DR. DOMESTIC. Brother vs. Sister. Verbal only. No priors.
1612 HRS 100 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. INFO FOR POLICE. Possible probation violation. Turned over to McHenry County Probation Office.
1620 HRS MESA DR. & VIEWPOINT DR. DOG BITE. One dog attacked another dog. Turned over to McHenry County Animal Control.
1702 HRS 10 BLOCK OF TORREY PINES CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 68 years of age, has severe abdominal pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1853 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. INFO FOR POLICE. Complainant loaned out a cellphone two weeks agoand now it is lost.
2303 HRS 0 BLOCK OF SPYGLASS CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 50 years of age, having chest and back pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
August 29
18:30pm Stecker, Christopher S., DOB: 04/05/80, of 38W176 Highland Avenue, Elgin, was charged with DUI, Endangering the Life/Health of a Child, Obstructing a Peace Officer and 2 counts of Resisting a Peace Officer.  He was taken into custody at 4077 W. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
August 30
07:41am A fourteen-year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with Forgery and Theft Under $300.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his mother.
September 1
00:10am Perez, Leo, DOB: 07/21/92, of 545 N. Airlite Drive, Elgin, and a seventeen year-old male also from Elgin were charged with Damaging Property.  Both were taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  Both were released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 09/29/10 in Algonquin.
00:57am Dorantes, Erick M., DOB: 07/14/91, of 116 Green Lane, Carpentersville, was charged with Speeding and DWLS.  He was taken into custody at S. Harrison Street and Route 62.  He was released after posting $100 with a court date of 10/06/10 in McHenry County.
16:40pm Parker, Allante T., DOB: 08/13/90, of 32 Sparrow Street, Carpentersville, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Caputo’s & Sons, 100 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 09/28/10 in Algonquin.
September 2
14:49pm A seventeen year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.  He was taken into custody at Edward Street and Route 31.  He was released after posting $100 with a court date of 10/06/10 in McHenry County.
September 3
04:13am Foster, James M., DOB: 05/08/74, of 2624 Loren Lane, Algonquin, was charged with 2 counts of Domestic Battery, Interfering with the Reporting of a Domestic Battery and Criminal Damage to Property.  He was taken into custody at 2624 Loren Lane.  He was transported to Kane County to await a bond hearing.

Overflowing Gardens Help Fill Local Food Pantries

With Summer drawing to a close stocks at local food pantries are getting skimpy.  Meanwhile local vegetable gardens are bursting, a good thing since the pantries can use produce donations.

"We've got a lot of holes.  We're really hurting," said Alice Hallett Wednesday as she bustled to help customers at the Grafton Food Pantry.  With school out and families out of town on vacation donations of canned and boxed food have dropped even though demand hasn't.

"Cereal!  We need breakfast cereal.  Right now you can have your choice of crispy rice, crispy rice or crispy rice," Hallett said.  Pasta, spaghetti sauce, and canned vegetables are also in short supply, she said.

Fresh veggies are a welcome treat when they're available, though. "It comes and goes," said Hallett.  "It's tomato season and those have been doing pretty good. The squash are starting to come in.  I haven't seen any corn; we had corn last year."

All three local food pantries told FEN they'd be happy to accept garden donations during regular hours or maybe a little bit ahead of each day's open since the stuff isn't called "perishables" for nothing. Here are their hours and locations:

Grafton Food Pantry, 12191 Smith Drive (off Kreutzer), Huntley. Mon, Wed & Fri 1-4pm.  Phone 847-495-0922.

Faith Community Church Food Pantry, 10547 Faiths Way (off Haligus), LITH.  Wed. 4-7pm. Phone 224-569-6501 ext.3.

Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry, 600 E. Oak Street, LITH.  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to Noon; first and Third Saturdays each month, 9:30 am to Noon.  Phone: 847-854-1904.

Hallett said Sun City gardeners have provided a lot of the produce for her pantry.  "The Del Webbers have been very good to us," she said.

In the pic: Volunteer Alice Hallett shows off some cukes and squash that came in Wednesday at the Grafton Food Pantry.

LITH Summer Sunset Ready For End Of Summer

Workers were busy in Sunset Park Wednesday preparing for Lake in the Hills' Summer Sunset Festival starting Friday through Sunday.  Here's the full schedule:

Friday, September 3
Food Vendors/Beer Garden    3:00pm - 10:30pm
Carnival                    3:00pm - 10:30pm
Carnival Ride Wristbands    3:00pm - 7:00pm
Car Show                    6:00pm - 10:00pm
THE MAIN STAGE              6:30pm - 10:30pm
Sunset 5K                   7:00pm
    

Saturday, September 4
Parade                     10:00am
Food Vendors / Beer Garden 11:00am - 10:30pm
(Beer sales start at Noon)  
Arts & Craft Show          11:00am  - 5:00pm
Kids' Korner               11:00am  - 5:00pm
Carnival                   Noon    - 10:30pm
Carnival Ride Wristbands   Noon     - 4:00pm
Horseshoe Tournament                 12:30pm
Skateboard Competition                1:00pm
(Check in at 11:00am)  
Melon Propellin'           2:00pm
Battle of the Bands        2:00pm   - 5:00pm
THE MAIN STAGE             6:30pm  - 10:30pm
    

Sunday, September 5
Food Vendors/Beer Garden   11:00am - 10:30pm
(Beer sales start at Noon)  
Carnival                   Noon    - 10:30pm
Carnival Ride Wristbands   Noon    -  4:00pm
Baggo Tournament           Noon
(Check in at 11:00am)  
Kids' Korner               1:00pm   - 5:00pm
Got Talent?                2:00pm   - 4:00pm
World Record Rootbeer Float           4:00pm
THE MAIN STAGE             5:30pm   - 9:30pm
FIREWORKS FINALE                      9:30pm

Huntley Area Public Library Adjusting Hours

The Huntley Area Public Library began new hours Wednesday. The library will be open one hour later on Sundays but close one hour earlier on Fridays.  Hours Monday through Thursday and Saturday will remain unchanged.

“We wish funds were available to remain open even longer, but this change in hours will help us serve the most residents in a budget-neutral way,” stated Library Director Patrick McDonald.

Here are the new Huntley Area Public Library hours:

Monday – Thursday     9am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday         9am – 5pm
Sunday                            Noon – 5pm

LITH Preschool Program Expands Enrollment, Offerings

Lake in the Hills' Parks and Recreation Department has added several, new preschool programs this year.  In addition to expanding enrollment in their regular Playschool Academy preschool program, their accredited preschool staff has developed classes targeting the intellectual growth of preschoolers between 3 and 6 years old.

The new programs are the result of a community-wide survey the department conducted and they're aimed at stimulating learning through  crafts, stories, songs, group/individual projects, and social interaction. The aim is to introduce kids to preschool or enhance the preschool experience, according to Parks and Rec spokesmen.

For more information about specific programs the Parks and Recreation Department phone is (847) 960-7460. Info's also available online in the Department's 2010 Fall Brochure at www.lith.org/pdf/Parks/Brochure/PreschoolSportsVariety.pdf .

Report: Second Clean Coal Plant Costly, Questionable

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
The push for clean coal technology in Illinois has hit another snag. A much- anticipated report on a clean coal proposal in central Illinois questions both the costs and benefits of the $3.5 billion project.

The report, released Wednesday by the Illinois Commerce Commission says Nebraska-based Tenaska Energy's proposed plant in downstate Taylorville will be costly, incomplete and potentially harmful to competition in the marketplace. "The cost associated with electricity generated by (the plant) is substantially higher than…other types of generation."

The report came only a day after participlants agreed not to pull out of federally subsidized clean coal plant in Mattoon.

The Taylorville plant would convert coal into natural gas. Project developers hope to funnel waste carbon dioxide through a pipeline to the Gulf states where it can be used to extract oil from wells. But they came up with a $3.5 billion price tag without assessing the costs of the carbon sequestration and pipeline–significant gaps, according to commission member John Colgan.

"Their initial report did not have a final decision of how to sequester the carbon," he said. "It is difficult to make a decision without knowing what those costs are going to be."

Teneska representatives countered that the ICC report seemed to misunderstand the purpose of the project. "No one has ever tried to tell the General Assembly that the initial clean coal facility is going to be the cheapest option." said the company in a statement.

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4077/report-tenaska-plant-costly-questionable/

In the pic:  The clean coal process downstate Taylorville style.

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
September 01
2251 HRS 2100 BLOCK OF PEMBRIDGE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. LISCHALK, ROLAND E., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 2125 PEMBRIDGE DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery of a Provoking Nature. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0006 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Male, 43 years of age, making suicidal statements. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0029 HRS 500 BLOCK OF PAWNEE DR. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. One prior.
0818 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. FOUND ARTICLE. Wallet.
0823 HRS 100 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Golf ball thrown through window.
1045 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 41 years of age, possible stroke. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1158 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 73 years of age, with an adverse reaction to medication. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1245 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 25 years of age, feeling dizzy. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1641 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF GENEVA LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 17 years of age, took an unknown amount of medication. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1847 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MARION CT. DOMESTIC Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. Two priors.
1929 HRS PYOTT RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. pole. Male with a head injury. No transport.
1936 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 91 years of age, with chest congestion. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Interlibraries Blaze Trail In Wilderness Without Funds

Five interlibrary loan systems including the one that serves Algonquin and Huntley will meet today to figure out the answer to a problem a lot of other groups may face soon--how to stay alive when the State runs out of money.  For the interlibrary systems it already has.

The North Suburban Library System which moves book loans around among 28 suburban libraries earlier this year laid off almost its entire staff.  Basically all that were left were the truck drivers when State payments fell behind $900,000, more than 40 percent of the NSLS budget.  The system's been running on pocket change donations from member libraries for the last three months and so have four others. They plan to merge into one super-interlibrary system to consolidate back-office operations. At some of the systems there isn't a lot of back-office left, though.

"I work part-time 15 hours a week, " said Jan Hayes who is almost all that's left of NSLS's administrative staff.  "So is my co-worker and we have a woman who does payrolls 10 hours a week," she said.

"(Interlibrary systems) were created by the State of Illinois and were funded by the State of Illinois," said Tom Sloan, head of the DuPage Library System and leader of the merger team.  Now that big money's still owing from the last fiscal year and this year's funding is only conjectural Sloan says the ailing systems have no choice but to merge.  "We hope there will be some economies of scale.  If that isn't enough then we'd have to find savings in service.  The only savings in service left is not to provide them."

One service that NSLS has already cut, for instance, is its program of continuing education for area librarians. As far as interlibrary loans themselves go,  stopgap measures are working, according to Hayes.  NSLS  still manages to move books from wherever they are to where they need to be she said. "If the money came through we could probably do this indefinitely," said Hayes.

New Phones, Fiber Optics For Huntley Fire District

The Huntley Area Fire Protection District Board approved a new phone system Tuesday to tie its soon-to-be four firehouses together.  Then they OK'd some fiber optic upgrades to make it all work.

Deputy Chief Ken Caudle told trustees the District's current phone system is so old in tech terms (ten years) that there aren't even patches to keep it limping along anymore.
The low bid on a new system to let fire stations talk to each other, make PA announcements and expand for new stations when they're built was $82,000.  The good news there, Caudle said, was that's $3,000 less than the estimate, also the figure on a grant request the District has pending to pay for the whole thing.

The new phone setup is a VOIP system that uses fiber optic transmission instead of copper lines. That's the same thing everyone's switching to for Internet access.  The District's Station 4 which will begin construction this month will have fiber optics built in.  The other three stations need it added.  "We missed that when Stations Two and Three were built," said Caudle.  "It wasn't that common then."  The tab to upgrade the older stations will be $29,000.

In the pic:  Trustee Bob Kunde swore in Firefighter Paramedic Dave Floyel Tuesday who'll replace a comrade on the disabled list.  Three full-time and three part-time firefighters will join him soon as planned staff for Station Four.  Retired Elgin Lieutenant Steve Berry was sworn in Tuesday, too, as an HFPD Commissioner.

CERT Emergency Training Set In Huntley

Huntley PD will hold a series of training sessions in September for people interested in becoming part of the Huntley CERT (Community Emergency Response) Team. The sessions will be at the Department Saturday, and the following three weeks, Sept. 11, 18 and 25 from 8 am until Noon. There will be a practical exercise at the end of the training.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may strike the area and trains them in basic disaster response skills like  fire safety, hazardous material and terrorist incidents, disaster medical operations, and search and rescue, and team organization. The CERT material was developed by the LA Fire Department in 1985 and adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 1993.

Sergeant Mike Hewitt's number is (847) 515-5334 for CERT training signups.

Gov Candidates Talk Jobs On State Tours

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
GOP and Democratic candidates for governor made their way around the state Tuesday, outlining their commitment to creating jobs in the state while taking political jabs at each other.

Gov. Pat Quinn and state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, are the frontrunners for the state’s top post. Quinn made a stop in Danville  Tuesday to talk about developments in broadband infrastructure and high-tech jobs before heading to Springfield to outline a new local construction project.

The construction project, which involves the widening of lanes and the easing of congestion at an intersection near an I-55 exit, would cost the state $11 million and create or retain 143 jobs in the Springfield area.

“And those are good jobs, well-paying jobs, important jobs to make us a better state, a safer state and a stronger state when it comes to the economy,” Quinn said.

Brady traveled throughout the state Tuesday to spread word about his own plan to stimulate the state’s economy.

Brady announced a slate of economic proposals aimed at incentivizing the private sector through a series of tax credits and tax cuts. One of those proposals was a two-year tax credit of $3,750 to businesses for every new job created.

“The business community is the pathway to our future and our success. Creating an environment where (businesses) put people back to work reduces the reliance on government services and creates the tax revenues we need to pay down the backlog of unpaid bills and debt that Blagojevich and Quinn have accumulated,” he said.

Brady also wants to repeal the state’s portion of the sales tax on gasoline and the state’s estate tax. Brady acknowledged that he would have to cut another $650 million to $1 billion if those taxes were eliminated, but said the long-term gains would make up for the initial loss.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4066/gov-candidates-talk-jobs-on-tour-of-state/

Clean Coal Project Sputters, Gets Back On Track

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
The federal government’s proposal to develop a multi-billion dollar clean coal project will move forward with the support of a coalition of energy companies after all.

“The Alliance is pleased that DOE and Sen. Durbin have been able to preserve the $1 billion in funding for advancing clean coal technologies and the associated jobs,” said Steve Winberg, chairman of the FutureGen Alliance, a coalition of energy companies.

The Department of Energy caused quite a stir earlier this month when it announced that plans to build a new clean coal plant in Mattoon were being scrapped in order to retrofit an existing oil-fire plant 120 miles west in Meredosia. Mattoon officials balked at the government’s offer to house waste in the town.

FutureGen board members held a secret meeting in Washington, D.C.Tuesday to debate whether or not to remain with the project they had spent seven years nurturing. Ultimately, the board decided to remain in partnership with the department, a move hailed by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who helped steer the project to Illinois.

“The vote by the FutureGen Alliance today affirmed what the Department of Energy, the state of Illinois and so many potential Illinois community partners already know — FutureGen 2.0 is an exciting opportunity to create jobs in Illinois and put our state on the cutting edge of clean coal research,” he said.

The department will send $1 billion to Ameren — which owns the Meredosia plant – the Alliance and several other parties involved in the project in September. That money will be used to help develop the retrofitting, which is expected to break ground in 2012. Officials are scouting several areas across the state to store waste.

You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4065/illinois-clean-coal-project-sputters-gets-back-on-track/

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
August 31
0858 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & INDIAN TRAIL. WANTED ON WARRANT. ACEVEDO, NOELIA Y., F/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 238 COOLSTONE BEND, LAKE IN THE HILLS.  CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Failure to Appear for Driving While License Suspended. Bond Amount: $8000 @ 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
0400 HRS 0 BLOCK OF SIERRA CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 40 years of age, possibly dehydrated. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0601 HRS 200 BLOCK OF E. ACORN LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 57 years of age, low blood sugar. No transport.
0632 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. son. Verbal only. No priors.
0849 HRS 2100 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (CASTLE BANK). DECEPTION. Fraudulent check cashed.
0909 HRS 4520 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (CASTLE BANK). DECEPTION. Fraudulent check cashed.
1253 HRS 00 BLOCK OF BIRKDALE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 33 years of age, having back pain and trouble breathing. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1550 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF ALEXANDRIA DR. THEFT. A blue and silver bicycle was taken from garage between 08-29-10 and 08-31-10.
1612 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY. Fraudulent activity with a savings account. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1621 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). BATTERY Male vs. Male. FAIL TO FILE.
2016 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). FOUND ARTICLE. A blue Trek mountain bicycle was found. Bicycle was placed into evidence.

Rush Hour Bandit Strikes Huntley Bank

A rush-hour bandit made off with an undetermined amount of money Monday in the armed robbery of Citizens Bank, off Rt. 47, Huntley.

Police said a man wearing a black ski mask entered the bank at 5 pm and brandished what was described as "a large silver revolver" as he demanded money from a teller.  As soon as he got that, police said the robber left the bank and fled in what was described as a small old white or cream car, perhaps a Ford. No one was injured in the event.

Police said the bank robber was 30 to 40 years old, mid height and mid to heavy weight, wearing a dark hoody sweatshirt and baggy blue pants. Police said he might have blond hair.

If anyone has info, Huntley PD Detectives are at 847-515-5311 or Huntley PD's Anonymous Tip Line is 847-515-5333. 

McHenry County To Begin New Felony First Offender Program

Starting tomorrow some McHenry County residents in trouble with the law will have an alternative to jail time.  State's Attorney Lou Bianchi Monday announced the start of the County's First Offender program for those accused of non-violent felony crimes.

The plan, a year in the making, is similar to one in Kane County.  It's largely defined by whom it isn't for: no one accused of violence or sex crimes, no druggies, no drunks, no gangbangers, no one already on probation.  Although Bianchi didn't precisely say so, the program's not so much for criminals as for stupid people.  Kids were mentioned a lot.

"There's a 35 year-old man waiting," said Bianchi. "He rented a car from Avis and then rented it to someone else to make money."  The second renter had an accident leaving renter one on a felony hook.  "He's a perfect candidate.  He's never been in trouble," said Bianchi. "It was just a stupid mistake," he said shaking his head.

The First Offender Program isn't supposed to be a slap on the wrist, though.  For one thing it costs $750 upfront just to get into it. Finishing it so Bianchi's Office will drop charges might involve making restitution, doing community service, getting counseling or some other thing a Community Board might think would do some good.  Phil Hiscock, head of the SA's Criminal Division said 77 percent of those accepted into Kane County's program finish it, though.

That lightens the load on judges, he said.  "The problem we're experiencing is an overload of cases," said Hiscock who reported a lot of the County's felony cases can drag on for up to two years.  "The older a case becomes the more problematic it is (to get a conviction)," he said.  Hiscock estimated there are between 2,000 and 3,000 felony cases backed up right now.

That's a big part of the reason there's a new Circuit Judge on November's ballot while the County tries to figure out where to put him (or her).  "This isn't going to change that," said County Administrator Pete Austin.  "It will have an effect on the judiciary to consider what sort of new courtroom it's going to be," he said.

The part of the program that might create controversy is the Community Board that decides how First Offenders are supposed to expiate their crimes.  The Board will do whatever it does in secret, said Bianchi.  "I'm sorry, you can't see that. It's not public."  Their names will be secret, too, although,  "I expect that to become known eventually," he said.

How were the first anonymous members chosen?  "We asked for recommendations," said Bianchi.  "From people we know."

In the pic: "We'll get calls from people," said State's Attorney Lou Bianchi explaining what McHenry County's new First Offenders is supposed to prevent. "They've gone on with their lives and now they need to bonded or they want to go back to school but they have a felony conviction on their record from when they were young."  Criminal head Phil Hiscock is in the middle.  Program Coordinator Sue Van Diggelen is right.

Algonquin Bypass Moves Closer To Start

Algonquin's Western Route 31 Bypass is inching closer to a start but it's beginning to look as if it'll be Autumn before demolition can begin on the village's derelict Toastmaster factory and nearby buildings.

A McHenry County Judge awarded title to the Toastmaster property to the Illinois Department of Transportation two weeks ago and Circuit Clerk's records show another order transferring title to adjacent land last week.  IDOT attorney Rick Redmond told FEN Monday the process is much like a residential closing, though.  Everything has to happen in order and IDOT won't actually have possession of the land until the State Comptroller cuts checks to compensate the owners.  How long does that usually take?  "Thirty to sixty days," said Redmond.

Paul Sturznickel, owner of the Railroad Street land adjacent to Toastmaster, said he didn't know how long it would take, either.  "They'll probably give me 30 days to vacate," he said.

Sturznickel's coffee vending repair company, Hansen's Service, will be the latest Algonquin business to fall to the bypass.  The Prairie Trail Bike Shop relocated to Fox River Grove earlier this year and Sturznickel expects he'll have to move his shop to Crystal Lake.  He said there while there was plenty of commercial space available in Algonquin right now none of it was right.  "It's all too small," said Sturznickel.  "Or some of it's too big."

Ice Cream, Recruiting On Tap At CMPTA

With school back in session again the Chesak/Martin PTA is hosting an Ice Cream Social to kick off the year.  It's set for Thursday from 7 to 8 pm in the Chesak Cafeteria.  Besides enjoying a little conviviality organizers hope to recruit a few more volunteers, especially a chairman for the Dad's Club.  CMPTA's home webpage is here: http://www.cmpta158.org/

In the pic:  The Chesak/Martin PTA is an active one.  Here's last year's contingent at LITH's Summer Sunset Celebration.

FutureGen Alliance May Pull Out Of Clean Coal Project

By Bill McMorris. Illinois Statehouse News
A multi-billion dollar effort to develop clean coal technology in Illinois may be in jeopardy now that federal officials have changed the nature of the program.

Illinois Statehouse News has learned that board members from the FutureGen Alliance, a multi-national coalition of energy companies, will meet today in Washington, D.C., to decide if it will remain partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a clean coal plant in Illinois.

Conflict arose earlier this month when Department of Energy officials decided to turn what was supposed to be a new clean coal facility in Mattoon into a CO2 waste repository. Mattoon officials balked at the deal.  Mattoon Mayor Tim Gover said he was not contacted once by federal authorities to discuss the plans. “I could have told them that this was unacceptable,” he said.

Mattoon’s rejection of the department’s policy shift led to the relocation of the project to Meredosia, a town of 1,000 in central Illinois. The department will spend billions retrofitting an oil fire unit at the Meredosia Power Plant to produce clean coal. “They didn’t fill us in on a lot of the details,” said Kenneth Scott, mayor of Meredosia.

Scott said he received a call from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s office letting him know of the department’s decision on Aug. 5--the same day officials in Mattoon discovered the change of plans. “It was the first I heard of (FutureGen),” he said.

The FutureGen project has been plagued by delays and plan changes. Two companies and the Australian government have abandoned the Alliance since President Barack Obama reversed a Bush administration decision to halt the project altogether.


You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4056/futuregen-alliance-may-pull-out-of-clean-coal-project/

Obituaries

Jerald W. Darlington, 70 of Sun City, Huntley, died peacefully at his home Sunday.
A memorial service will be held 5 pm Wednesday at the DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home Huntley. The family will greet friends from 4 to 5 pm prior to the service.

Darlington was born June 30, 1940, the son of John and Dora (Childers) Darlington. On December 2, 1960 he married his wife Mary Jo in Tacoma, Washington. An Air Force veteran Darlington was a member and past president of the Sun City Lions Club and a member of the Huntley American Legion.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Jerald Darlington, Jr., and his wife Sandy of Marengo, and Jeff Darlington of Frisco, TX, and five grandchildren, Joe, Jake, Jesse, Chase and Paige Darlington. He is also survived by two brothers, John A. (Donna) Darlington, Jr., Naples, FL, Jay (Ginger) Darlington of Davenport,IA, and two sisters, Susan (Rev. Mark) Tope of Snow Camp, NC, and Nancy (Dennis) Kincaid of Brownsburg, IN.

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
August 30
0028 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. AGUILAR-RODRIGUEZ, JOAQUIN U., M/W 35 YEARS OF AGE, 561 DARLINGTON LN. APT 2, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1642 HRS FOLLOW UP REPORT: 2265 W ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTON’S GAS). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
0138 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 88 years of age, not feeling well. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0857 HRS 20 BLOCK OF WALNUT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 69 years of age, shaky. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1203 HRS 500 BLOCK OF DELAWARE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 22 years of age, needing an evaluation. No transport.
1214 HRS 700 BLOCK OF MOHICAN TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 78 years of age, not feeling well. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1347 HRS 71 HILLTOP DR., (BUTCH HAEGELE BEACH). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Damaged port-a-potty.
1352 HRS 10920 REED RD., (HANNAH MARTIN SCHOOL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, eight years of age, high fever and high heart rate. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1616 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 49 years of age having extreme pain in her arms. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1832 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. son. Six priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2001 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female, 51 years of age having chest pain. No transport.

Sportsplex Grant Financing To Spread Five Years

More details of the complex finances of a proposed McHenry County Sportsplex dribbled out after the County Board's Finance and Audit Committee last week gave developers a provisional OK for another 3 months to line up stimulus bonds to build the project.  Five million dollars of the cost of the forty million project at routes 47 and 176 is supposed to come from grants.  The grants, it turns out, haven't been identified yet and they'll be spread out over a five-year period, anyway.

The grant money's been mentioned in passing for several months now.  It's listed on the Sportsplex's new website ( http://mcsportsplex.com/ ) put together by Crystal Lake PR firm The Coffee Group.   The Sportsplex's Aug. 18 letter requesting an extension for issuing revenue bonds marked the first time it was described as "grant assistance...from the Village of Lakewood."

After assuring the Finance and Audit Committee the Village of Lakewood was still foursquare for the Sportsplex, Village Trustee Blake Hobson told FEN that as far as the grant money goes all Lakewood plans to do is help developers write requests for some. He said coming up with the full $5 million would take five years.  Hobson wasn't sure if any grants had been identified yet and said, "You need to check with our Village Manager Catherine Peterson."

FEN tried to do that all week without result and filed a Freedom of Information Act request Friday.  Sunday Lakewood President Erin Smith called to clarify Lakewood's position.  Smith maintained the village is all for the Sportsplex which it annexed a month ago but so far what it's actually pledged developers is just a package of fee waivers worth $1 million if the project actually gets built.  As far as grant funding goes, she said, all the village has done is promise to try to help to developers identify possibilities and ask for them.

"We're going to use our (grant writing) expertise to help them get grant money," said Smith.  "It's a commitment but it's not cash up front."

Smith said she wasn't sure how many grant targets for the Sportsplex have been located yet.  The only one she was sure of was a request to IDOT approved at the Village's meeting last week. It's to help build a bicycle trail near the Sportsplex's proposed location but it would require someone to come up with 20 percent matching funds if the State OK's it.

In the pic:  A rendering of the proposed McHenry County Sportsplex "Championship Bowl".

Taste Of St. Margaret Mary Nibbles Away At Debt

The aroma of Polish Sausage, potato pancakes and trout (trout?) wafted over Sunday's Taste of St. Margaret Mary Police Fest in Algonquin.

"This is a wonderful event," said Father Mike Tierney finishing up some pirogi. "Our Polish and English communities come together to enjoy the end of the summer."

And also to help the church pay the mortgage.  "We have an $8 million debt for the school and the property behind it," said Tierney.  "Our first plan was to pay it off in seven years but that didn't work," he said.  First there was shock and uncertainty after 9/11, he said and now there's, well, now.


Fortunately the parish has an understanding lender, according to Tierney. It's the Rockford Diocese so, "It'll be paid off as soon as it's paid off."  Perhaps one Taste of St. Margaret Mary at a time.

In the pic: Algonquin parishioners Len and Sandy Chlopek, kids Pat and Sue and some of the grandkids worked their way through sausage, 'kraut, and stuffed cabbage rolls at the Taste of St. Margaret Mary Polish Fest in Algonquin Sunday.

Revival Starting For Algonquin Downtown?

Attorney Jason Bailey brought the latest breeze to Algonquin's Historical Downtown District caught in the economic doldrums.  The Algonquin resident opened a new law office on South Main Street last week.

How Bailey got there was a three-step process. The first decision was to go it on his own.  "I was working (at a Chicago law firm) 70 to 80 hours a week getting to spend an hour or two with the kids.  Now I see my family.  What a novel concept."

Bailey's second decision was to skip the commute.  "On a good day it was 45 minutes from my front door to my (Chicago northwest side) office.  Now it's about two minutes."

The clincher, though, was rent in Algonquin's Downtown.  "Rent down here is definitely more reasonable," he said.  "In fact, it's a bargain."

In the pic:  Jason Bailey's name isn't up in lights yet but gold leaf  looks pretty good at his new Downtown Algonquin law office.  

Tax Cuts Proposed But No Numbers With Them

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn has incorporated a new component to his proposal for the state budget: property tax relief but the numbers don't seem to work.

Quinn’s original budget proposal included a 1-percentage-point income tax increase, which he said would go wholly to fund education. At the time, the governor was proposing a $1.3 billion cut to education as the only alternative to the tax, which he said would be necessary to replace federal stimulus funds that will not be coming this fiscal year. Quinn’s budget office estimated the tax increase would bring in $2.8 billion. Some of the money was also meant to go toward paying down the millions in overdue bills the state owes schools.

Quinn has been bringing up the point for months that cutting school funding could lead to higher property taxes. “If you don’t have the state fully supporting education the way it should, local property taxes go up. That’s a[n] iron law. That happens. If the state doesn’t pay for schools, then local property taxes end up paying for schools,” Quinn said at a Chicago news conference.

When pressed by reporters on the issue last week, Quinn said he would require local school districts to cut property taxes if his so-called “surcharge for education” income tax increase passed.

The idea that education should be funded predominately by state dollars and not local property taxes has long been a topic of debate. It was the thrust of  the tax increase that passed in the Senate last year. However, that plan, which stalled in the House, included a 2-percentage-point income tax increase and broadening sales tax to include some services.

Requests to Quinn’s budget office for more specifics on his property tax proposal were met with referral back to tape of the news conference that Quinn held in Chicago. There he took questions on the plan but did not get into the numbers.

You can read Jamey's full report at:  http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/tax-cuts-dont-add-up.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
August 29
0154 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). TRESPASSING LESNIAK, JOSEPH J., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 1 SAGINAW ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Trespassing. RELEASED ON BOND.
0000 HRS 2500 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. FIREWORKS. Fireworks confiscated. Citation issued.
0419 HRS 241 N. RANDALL RD., (WHITE CASTLE). BATTERY Male vs. male. FAIL TO FILE.
0606 HRS 00 BLOCK OF W. OAK ST. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal Only. Four priors.
0809 HRS GRAFTON FARM DR. & FOXFIELD LN. FOUND ARTICLE. Blue Mongoose bicycle found. Bicycle entered in Evidence.
1104 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HICKORY RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 64 years of age, feeling sick. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1103 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. Eleven priors.
1425 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET SKATE PARK). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles in the parking lot; property damage only.
1524 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 59 years of age feeling sick. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1754 HRS MILLER RD. & GRAFTON FARM DR. FOUND ARTICLE. A bicycle was located. Entered into evidence.
1910 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. DOG BITE. Complainant's son was bitten by a dog. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING 2037 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Damage was done to the side window.
Algonquin
00:15am Showers, Douglas, DOB: 11/11/67, of 311 Winding Canyon Way, Algonquin, was charged with DUI, DUI Over and Speeding.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Harrison Street.  He was released after posting $300 with a court date of 09/29/10, in McHenry County.
00:58am Herwehe, Thomas G. Jr., DOB: 07/29/81m of 3012 Sunbury Lane, Carpentersville, was charged with DUI, Speeding, No Proof of Insurance and Failure to Notify SOS of Address Change.  He was taken into custody at Esplanade Drive and Corporate Parkway.  He was released after posting his Illinois Driver’s License and $100 with a court date of 09/29/10 in McHenry County.
03:38am Tabel, Matthew F., DOB: 05/05/86, of 953 Golf Course Lane, Crystal Lake, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear on a DWLS charge.  He was taken into custody at 2 S. Main Street.  He was released after posting $500 with a court date of 09/15/10 in McHenry County.
15:41pm Teronde, Donna M., DOB: 09/15/63, of 4421 W. Prairie Avenue, McHenry, was charged with DUI and DUI Over.  She was taken into custody at Hayrack Drive and Buckboard Drive.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond after posting her Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 09/29/10 in McHenry County.
23:02pm Watt, Jason B., DOB: 04/20/88, of 2907 Talaga Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Criminal Damage to Property.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $100 with a court date of 09/21/10 in McHenry County.
August 29
03:05pm Iacullo, Jennifer A., DOB: 10/13/70, of 1150 Sedgewood Trail, Algonquin, was charged with DWLR.  She was taken into custody in the 1800 block of Cooper Lane.  She was released after posting $100 with a court date of 09/29/10 in McHenry County.
18:30pm Stecker, Christopher S., DOB: 04/05/80, of 38W176 Highland Avenue, Elgin, was charged with DUI, Endangering the Life/Health of a Child, Obstructing a Peace Officer and 2 counts of Resisting a Peace Officer.  He was taken into custody at 4077 W. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.

State Restores Paint Recycling Funding--Reportedly

A year after funding for the State's Partners For Paint program disappeared it's back, according to Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Milller.  At least maybe.

A check of the Illinois EPA website still shows the program "terminated due to budgetary constraints".  However, Miller said Saturday he'd received a phone call last month that it had been restored.  "The haven't actually picked up anything yet but it was very encouraging," he said.

Funding for the program that supports waste paint collection efforts like Algonquin Township's monthly-throughout-the-summer events disappeared last year when the State rifled the bureaucratic sofa cushions for change to keep the lights turned on.  Most of the cash cost of Algonquin Township's program goes toward safe disposal of paint that can't be recycled.  In the absence of state reimbursement, this year the Township decided to foot that bill itself.

"We've already done two shipments," Miller said but added he doubted any restoration of the State's paint program would include retroactive payments.  One published report puts the program budget at only $100,000 to pay for paint disposal in eight counties.

Only two more paint dropoffs are scheduled at Algonquin Township this year, anyway,  Sept. 25 and Oct. 23. The Township will also collect used oil, computer junk, batteries and brush on those dates.  The brush gets ground into mulch so residents can do pickups, too.

In the pic: Algonquin Township's paint recycling program appears to be a popular one.  Cars and trucks swarmed it Saturday morning like ants on a candy bar. 

Busy Weekend For Algonquin's St. Margaret Mary

The area around the St. Margaret Mary Church, Algonquin, was a beehive of activity Saturday with the Education Center parking lot full of exhibitors for a community yard sale and the parish grounds behind it abuzz with volunteers erecting tents for today's Taste of St. Margaret Mary celebration.

Twenty seven sellers filled the parking lot offering everything from $2 hostas to a bathroom pedestal sink ("I've been carrying it around for two years.) for $10. Money raised from spot rentals will go toward a Youth Day trip to Spain next year.

The Taste of St. Margaret Mary Parish, aka Polish-American Fest,  will run today from Noon to 8 pm. It'll feature the usual food, drinks, music and dancing and special free kids' attractions.  How about out-of-season paczki's or a draught of zimne piwo (cold beer in Polish)?  The entrance fee is free for kids, $1 for youngsters 11 to 16 and $3 for those of more advanced age. Raffles include prizes ranging up to $500.

On The Road, 2010 Edition

With any kind of luck a pair of Brooklyn bicyclists ought to be pulling in to Dubuque today.  They'd only made it as far as Huntley Thursday after setting out from a Chicago stopover.

Writer Michaelangelo DeSerio and cartoonist Sam Ferri are two-wheeling their way across the continent mostly because it's there.  "We've always wanted to do this," said DeSerio.

Late rush hour drivers were backed up behind the pair on busy Dundee Road.  Ferri said motorists have proved the greatest danger.  "I was checking my tire and a car next to me hit a car which hit another car," he said.  "It didn't have anything to do with me.  They were just stupid."

 DeSerio's closest call came when someone threw a sandwich at him.  "That was in New Jersey," he added as if it explained everything.

The pair hope to make it to Seattle "in October."

In the pic: (above)  Bicyclist/writer Michaelangelo DeSerio stopping so artist partner Sam Feri can catch up on Dundee Road.  (below) Feri still catching up.

GOP Lawmakers Discuss Prisoner Release Among Themselves

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
A panel convened by Republican lawmakers to review Gov. Pat Quinn’s early prisoner release program drew input from all sides of the criminal justice system this past week save one — Democratic lawmakers.

The panel first met in Peoria earlier this month, where some interested Democratic lawmakers stopped by and were welcomed on to the panel. After the one-sided meeting in Chicago Wednesday, though, both parties are trading accusations of politicizing one of the election year’s biggest scandals.

State Rep. and former prosecutor Dennis Reboletti, R-Addison, said he believed Democrats snubbed Wednesday’s meeting as a way to obstruct further investigation into the early prisoner release program. “This is not something that we’ve taken lightly, this is something that we’ve tried to be helpful for and we would be hopeful that some of our Democratic colleagues would be joining us today, as they did in Peoria,” he said.

The governor’s office has dismissed the hearings as partisan tools in a tough election year, a sentiment shared by state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, who sat in on the first panel held in Peoria. “What’s unfortunate is the timing — this close to election year,” he said. “This is a serious issue, but it’s being used as a political football.”

The panel was formed earlier this month after repeated attempts to investigate the program were blocked by Democrats in the General Assembly. Republican leaders gave the group an air of formality with the title “Illinois Joint Investigatory Committee on Early Release,” although it does not have legal standing with the General Assembly.

Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, said there are unanswered questions about the program that go beyond politics, including the whereabouts of dozens of inmates released early, along with who designed the program. “We got stonewalled by the director of Corrections,” he said. “There’s a lot of unanswered questions."

You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4017/gop-lawmakers-discuss-governors-early-prisoner-release-program/

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
August 28
0206 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. LAY, RYAN S., M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 710 S. RIVERSIDE DR., MCHENRY. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1724 HRS SPRINGLAKE DR. & MILLER RD. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. RODRIGUEZ, GUADALUPE, M/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, 1371 WHISPERING SPRINGS, PALATINE. CHARGES: No Valid Illinois License and Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
2112 HRS 211 N. RANDALL RD., (STEAK N SHAKE). ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR. SPINA, JONATHAN J., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 4530 N. MILWAUKEE, CHICAGO. CHARGE: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
ADELPHIA, SAMUEL N., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 6746 N. HARLEM AVE., CHICAGO. CHARGE: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED
1447 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). FOLLOWUP ARREST:  AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. JUVENILE, M/W 13 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Aggravated Assault. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
2251 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Criminal Defacement to Property. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0129 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD., (TACO BELL). HIT & RUN. A white truck struck another vehicle in the parking lot before fleeing.
1018 HRS 1530 INDUSTRIAL DR., (GRAND SPORT CENTER). THEFT. The lower half of an out drive on a motor boat was taken overnight. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1742 HRS 160 N. RANDALL RD., (RADIO SHACK). THEFT. A cellular telephone was taken. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.