McHenry County State's Attorney Indicted

A week short of a year after his appointment as a McHenry County Special Prosecutor, retired Judge Henry "Skip" Tonigan led a County Grand Jury Friday to indict States Attorney Lou Bianchi and his administrative assistant, Joyce Synek, for conspiracy.  Bianchi was also charged with official misconduct and unlawful communication with a witness; Synek also with perjury and obstructing justice.

Most of the 20 counts returned against Bianchi allege he used County personnel on County time to do some of his political campaign work.  Judge Gordon Graham commissioned Tonigan late last year after similar allegations surfaced during the 2008 Bianchi/Regna Primary campaign.  Those were eventually traced to a Regna supporter flogging information from computer files secretly siphoned off by Bianchi's earlier secretary, Amy Dalby, in 2005 and 2006.

The bulk of Tonigan's charges, however, fall in the 2007 period when the Illinois Attorney General's Office was looking into ex-Assistant State's Attorney Kristin Foley's complaint.  The AG eventually declined to investigate Bianchi without comment.

Bianchi didn't return an FEN call about Friday's indictments but in a prepared statement released to other media he claimed he'd done nothing wrong and was under attack because he'd thrown the money changers out of the temple.

“I stopped the influence peddling and deal making that had been rampant.  The 'select' group of defense attorneys no longer had an open door to negotiate sweetheart deals for their clients,” according to Bianchi. “Political heavyweights...need to remove me from office so that they can regain their power and control.”

With submittal of a bill this week for work from January to June, Tonigan's investigation tab stands at close to $110,000, well over the County Board's worst-case bookkeeping placeholder and still counting. The Board's Finance and Audit Committee will meet Tuesday to up the kitty to $200,000.

As FEN reported months ago, Bianchi has hired high-powered criminal lawyer Terry Ekl to defend him.  In statements to other media Ekl promised "war" against the prosecution.

The indictments allege Bianchi had Dalby and Synek write political letters and announcements on County time and maintain campaign databases.  The also claim he let staff go to fundraisers during working hours and paid them time-and-a half to appear in parades that were at least partly political.

They also charge Bianchi had his staff prep him during working hours for endorsement interviews with the Northwest Herald and Daily Herald newspapers.

The unlawful witness communication charge alleges Bianchi remonstrated with First Assistant State's Attorney Tom Carroll about which records he should to take to his Grand Jury appearance after he and they were subpoenaed.

Synek is charged with lying to the Grand Jury about whether she did the alleged campaign work. The obstruction of justice charge claims she hid files in something the indictment calls a "buddy" computer folder.  That may refer to an add-on program for automating repetitious tasks--like typing fundraising letters.  Bianchi and Synek are also alleged to have moved some political files into what sound slike a normally undisplayed operating system folder of her computer. That's listed in the conspiracy section, though.

The indictment lists 26 witnesses called before the Grand Jury, most of them current or former State's Attorney's employees.  Among them was Dalby but not Foley.  Some of the charges involving computer records indicate one of them was probably a computer investigations specialist.

In the pic:  State's Attorney Lou Bianchi two weeks ago announcing a first-time offenders plan.  His attorney's comments indicate he won't apply for it.

Patriot Day Observance At Mackeben Honors 9/11

About 200 kindergarten through second graders and 13 of their police, fire and active duty military parents observed Patriot Day pledging allegiance at Mackeben Elementary School, Algonquin.  The kids wore red white and blue and their parents wore their uniforms.

The Patriot Day observance was really in advance of the anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers but Mackeben Principal Jen Zayas but said "We don't talk about 9/11."  Her students are aged five to seven so, "It's something that we leave to parents to explain at home," she said.

"I kind of told (my son Nicholas) a little about that," said Arlene Allen, wife of Marine SSgt. Robert Allen, LITH, who attended in his dress blues.  "I said a lot of people died and were hurt by some really bad people who don't like us."

That's about as complicated as you can get right now," she said. In fact, it's still a pretty good summary of a conflict that's gone on for nine years.

Legislators Set Town Hall Meetings

The national economy appears to be stumbling again; the State's looking for its "will work for food" sign and MCHenry County's State's Attorney just got indicted. A pair of Town Hall meetings announced Friday by State Sen. Pam Althoff and State Rep. Mike Tryon should produce some interesting feedback.

The first will be held Sept. 28 from 7 to 9 pm at the Crystal Lake City Hall. The second will follow the next day, Sept. 29, same hours, at the Huntley Town Hall.

Push For Road Money Hits Usual Speed Bump

Illinois Statehouse News
One of Illinois biggest transportation advocates wants to make last year's road, bridge, and school plan a political issue.  But the problem is, it already is. The Transportation for Illinois Coalition, a group of big business and labor unions, is pushing for answers on road building from candidates on the November ballot.

Jennifer Morrison with the Coalition said the group just wants to remind lawmakers that only half of the money for the nearly $10 billion dollar building package has been authorized.

"It seems as though it's a technical, small detail and in the bigger picture of everything that's been going on, this wasn't uppermost in anyone's mind.  After the election we're hoping that a lot of the other things are cleared off the deck  and they can focus back on the small things that make government work like its supposed to."

But lawmakers say the road building plan, and its details, are not small issues and have never left their thoughts.  Although who remembers exactly what depends in large part on who you ask.

State Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, said Democrats pushed to approve the entire $10 billion dollars, but were thwarted because Republicans wanted to hold-up Gov. Pat Quinn or hold-out for their share of the money.

"It was distrust on part of the Republicans.  They would only vote to authorize half of [the capital plan] I'm assuming they wanted to make sure they weren't going to get cheated out of their projects.  The money was appropriated for the whole [thing] but they'd only vote to authorize half of it."

There is still a lot of distrust at the Capitol, but State Sen. Pam Althoff, R-Crystal Lake, said that's the lingering effect of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.  She insists the GOP only wanted to make sure the new governor wasn't going to play the same shenanigans with the road projects.

"Not saying 'Here you have billions of dollars to spend governor, have at it.'  I think our feeling from the General Assembly was that we designated specific projects where that money could be spent and we were going to make sure that there was General Assembly oversight."

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield after the election for the annual fall veto session.  But no one knows what action the General Assembly will take then.

You can read the full version of this report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4100/push-for-road-money-hits-same-political-speed-bump/

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
delayed by FEN scheduling.

Grafton Legal Bills Near Max At Six-Month Point

"With $197,000 paid already and the $14,000 you just approved we're already close to the $230,000 budgeted for legal bills and we're not even 6 months into the (fiscal) year," said Supervisor Linda Moore in an overview examination of Grafton Township spending Thursday.

"You're the one who sued us," shot back Trustee Barb Murphy in what may have been the most important exchange at the monthly Township Board meeting.

The other contender illustrated why the Township's legal bills are so high.  It began  obscurely with a complaint by Trustee Betty Zirk that benefits for Moore's assistant Trudy Jurs were included in budget line items for regular Township employees.  Zerk argued they belonged in the General Assistance section.

In a power play earlier this year Moore had claimed Jurs was a GA-only employee under her direct control by statute. Then she jacked up the budget for GA-helper salaries to over $40,000 just to prove it.  Thursday, however, Moore argued Zerk was wrong. "No, she's not a GA employee," she said.

Trustee Rob LaPorta grinned as he saw the contradiction but Murphy beat him to the punch. "Then she's a regular employee," she howled, "and we can hire and fire her."

"That's a matter under litigation," was Moore's reply.

In earlier bill examination Township Assessor Bill Ottley charged Moore's "harassment and other meddling" has cost him two weeks' work on the assessment books due by the end of this month.  Ottley complained Moore directed all his vendors to send their bills to her instead of him and he's spending too much time chasing them down.

"The Assessor has prepared his bills for presentation for 20 years and is still capable of their preparation," he said.

The loss of a $40,000 County Senior Services Grant for the Township's Senior Bus caused less wrangling than expected.  That may have been because it had already been the subject of trench warfare exchanges in the Huntley Neighbors online forum and elsewhere.  In them Moore placed responsibility at the feet of the trustees. Township Administrator Pam Fender, however, in a blistering attack had called Moore's application "the sloppiest piece of grant writing I've ever seen."  Both positions were only briefly recapped at Thursday's Board session.

Unrelated to the grant loss, the Grafton Board increased all Senior Bus fares by $1 starting Oct. 1.  Three months ago the Transportation Committee had recommended a $2 hike for Rutland Township riders but Thursday Zerk argued that would endanger a $10,000 subsidy from the Village of Huntley.  "If we (raise Rutland rates) we'll lose it next year.  They won't pay it to us," she said.

In the pic:  Grafton Assessor Bill Ottley asked Trustees to approve his own bill list instead of one offered for him by Linda Moore.  "When she pays mine I get late charges all the time and she doesn't care," he said.

More Legal Action Planned In Grafton Twp. Court Case

A scheduling error in McHenry County Circuit Court Thursday revealed legal maneuvering isn't over in the case of who runs Grafton Township.

Judge Michael Caldwell's docket call list Thursday showed consideration of a motion to strike or remove something in the case. When its turn came, though, there weren't any attorneys there. Caldwell consulted his case history and said he couldn't find any record a motion had been filed in the first place.

Grafton Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer told FEN Thursday she had asked the Circuit Clerk's Office about possible dates to file but somehow it had gone into the schedule before she'd done it.

Krafthefer said she plans to ask Caldwell to eliminate parts of Attorney John Nelson's case summary and reply for Supervisor Linda Moore.  Which parts?  "Practically all of it," she said, claiming Nelson had failed to follow court rules in citing testimony.

Krafthefer said she didn't think that would delay Caldwell's decision in the case even though it's next check date is only 10 days away.

Lake in the Hills Mystery Trip

Lake in the Hills seniors can see three love stories, a murder mystery and nuclear espionage--all at once-- next month with the LITH Parks and Recreation Department's bus trip to Pheasant Run Oct. 7 to a performance of  Red Herring.

The stage is set for 1952; America's on the verge of the H-bomb, Dwight Eisenhower's on the campaign trail, and I Love Lucy is on Monday nights. Meanwhile, Senator Joe McCarthy's daughter just got engaged to a Soviet spy, and Boston detective Maggie Pelletier has to find out who dumped the dead guy in the Harbor—or else lose out on a honeymoon in Havana.

"It's a knock-out—a surprising, clever comedy that keeps you laughing and even thinking all the way," according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Registration deadline for this Senior Experience is Friday, September 27.  The Parks and Rec number is  (847) 960-7400.  The fee is $50 for residents,  $60 for non-residents. That covers transportation, lunch and tips, and admission to the show. Space is limited, though.

The Bus to Pheasant Run will leave Village Hall at 11 am sharp Oct. 7 and return at approximately 5:15 pm.

Quinn Within Days Of Privatizing State Lottery

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn could select a private firm to manage the Illinois State Lottery as soon as next week, but some lawmakers would rather keep the lottery under state government.

Two bidders are vying for the right to privately manage the Illinois State Lottery. Earlier this week at a public hearing held in Chicago, the Northstar Lottery Group and the Camelot Group both presented their proposals to a state commission.
The Northstar Lottery Group is a combination of three different companies that already work with the Illinois Lottery, while the Camelot Group is based in the United Kingdom and oversees the United Kingdom National Lottery.

The Illinois Lottery receives more than $2 billion in annual sales, with more than $600 million going towards the state’s Common School Fund.

Whichever firm obtains the contract would stand to gain up to 5 percent of all ticket and share sales, depending on the agreement. In turn, the private firm would be expected to contribute manpower and funding towards the Lottery, market to a wider range of participants and ultimately bring in more revenues.

But McHenry County State Rep. Jack Franks (D-63) would rather have the state continue to manage the lottery. He also questioned the bidding process altogether, wondering how the field of bidders was whittled down to two finalists so quickly.
“There are way too many questions here that have not been answered and I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the taxpayers of the state of Illinois,” he said.

Last year, Quinn signed into law a multi-year, $31 billion package of public works legislation. The legislation called for a number of funding sources, including lottery privatization as well as expanded video gaming and increases to liquor taxes and motor vehicle fees.

State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, voted against the public works package but is open to the concept of opening the lottery to private management and possible growth.

“Like so many other rather complicated policy matters, it’s all in how you do it. It’s got great potential, the question is, are you going to carry it out in such a manner that you actually…realize that potential. And I think that question is still out,” he said.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4114/quinn-within-days-of-privatizing-state-lottery/

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 09, 2010
1212 HRS 7900 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. ROMAN, DIEGO, M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 3140 BRISBANE DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while license suspended and median violation. RELEASED ON BOND.
2342 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD., (RAKOW CURVE). DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. KALAMARAS, JAMES V., M/W 46 YEARS OF AGE, 1156 CALDEDONIA LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Illegal Transportation of Liquor by Driver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis less than 2.5 grams, Driving 21-25 miles above the Limit. RELEASED ON BOND.
1235 HRS 3400 BLOCK OF SANDSTONE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 90 years of age, with a possible stroke. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1425 HRS 1299 PYOTT RD., (LARSEN TUNNEL). CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Gang graffiti inside the tunnel.
1513 HRS 4100 BLOCK OF GREENFIELD LN. BURGLARY TO A MOTOR VEHICLE. Laptop and cellphone were taken out of an unlocked vehicle overnight.
1748 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE. Complainant received harassing text messages.
1927 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. DELAYED. Two vehicle accident, property damage only.
2129 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 48 years of age, highly intoxicated. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
September 7
07:17am A seventeen year-old female from Algonquin was charged with Criminal Damage to Property.  She was taken into custody in the area of Falcon Ridge Court and Lake Drive South.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 09/29/10 in Algonquin.
20:19pm Adams, Guy R., DOB: 11/06/69, of 1120 Stonegate Road, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 1120 Stonegate Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
September 8, 2010
10:51am Tran, Ly Tra, DOB: 01/01/85, of 11613 Woodscreek Drive Apt #A, Huntley, was charged with DWLS and Violation of the Child Restraint.  She was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Rolls Drive.  She was released after posting $100 with a court date of 10/13/10 in McHenry County.
15:32pm Stanko, Sean M., DOB: 07/25/91, of 2004 Clematis Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for a Petition to Revoke due to a Possession of Cannabis charge.  He was taken into custody at 2004 Clematis Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
September 9
15:40pm A thirteen year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin Middle School, 520 Longwood Drive.  He was formally Station Adjusted and then released into the custody of his mother.
16:16pm Richert, Lisa M., DOB: 05/20/68, of 11730 Niagra Lane, Huntley, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released after posting $100 with a court date of 10/07/10 in Kane County.
20:23pm A seventeen year-old male from West Dundee was charged with Battery.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released.

Grafton Loses Major Grant For Senior Bus

The McHenry County Public Health and Human Services Committee approved the list of requests for 2011 Senior Services Grants Wednesday but Grafton Township's wasn't among them.  The request had earlier been denied but "No one from Grafton Township" showed up to appeal the decision said Vice Chairman Mary Donner, District Three.

Recriminations are expected at this evening's Grafton Township Board Meeting since the grant would have been enough to cover the Township's Senior Bus drivers' salaries.

For the past six years .25 cents per $100 assessed value has gone to the program to support social services for county seniors.  This year Grafton Township requested $40,000 for its Senior Bus program but when it came time for review three weeks ago the Commission turned it down.

The grant request mentioned an intergovernmental agreement to coordinate with Algonquin Township's Senior Bus. Asked how the agreement was working,  Algonquin Highway District administrator and District One Board Member Anna May Miller reported, "There isn't one."  She said Grafton Supervisor Linda Moore had never completed negotiations.

"That was news to me," said Moore, Wednesday.  "I signed it and sent it to Algonquin Township in January."

Miller's revelation set off a discussion of Grafton Township's headline woes for the past couple of years and at the vote only 2 of 17 Commissioners were in favor of it's grant request.

"She has taken a program that worked just fine and now it's not working as efficiently as it was," said Miller Wednesday.

"I was shocked," said District Six Board Member Randy Donley, one of the two who supported the bus request.  "I've always thought of this as seed money.  Even if they're having problems I thought we ought give them something."

Need A Telephone? It Takes A Consultant In Algonquin Twp.

Algonquin Township opened bids Wednesday for a new phone system. Now the trick is to figure out who really was the low bidder.  "They're kind of amazing," said Supervisor Dianne Klemm who added, "It's not as bad as I thought it would be."

The Township's current phone setup is so old, "You have to go on Craiglist or Ebay to get parts," according to Highway Commissioner Bob Miller.  "The last time we got hit by lightning we were barely able to get it working again."

The problem is buying phones these days is really complicated.  "First we met with a phone consultant," said Miller.  "Then we put together a bid packet and even had a pre-bid meeting.  Fifteen vendors showed up."

Bids ranged from about $30,000 to $70,000 according to Klemm but things aren't like they once were when there was only phone company and it was Ma Bell.  "Who's Ipiphany?" asked Trustee Linda Lance.  "How do you pronounce it?"

"We're not rushing into this headlong," said Miller.  "Our consultant is going to give us the three or four low bids that meet our specifications.  Then they'll meet with us for a dog and pony show and we'll see what was the true low bid."

The importance of having an up-to-date phone system was illustrated Wednesday by Trustee Niels Sorenson.  He's currently in the hospital and attended the Township Board Meeting via speakerphone.

Kelly Miller Circus This Weekend In LITH

Following up their giant ice-cream float last weekend, Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Jaycees  will present the annual appearance of the Kelly Miller Circus Saturday at LITH's Sunset Park.

Kelly Miller's a real circus with a real tent, real elephants, real ferocious beasts, funny clowns, pretty girls in tights and all the rest of the stuff that most people only know from Dumbo DVD's.

Show times are 2:00 and 5:30 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Algonquin State Bank, all branches,  both Castle banks, Algonquin Bank & Trust and the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber office. Advanced ticket prices are $10 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under.  At the gate they're $14 for adults and $7 for kids.

Questions? call 224-489-7701.

McHenry County SA Bouncy Check Recovery Hits Record

McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi announced Wednesday his office's Check Enforcement Program has passed the $200,000 mark in rubber check collections for McHenry County business owners.

Bianchi created the in-house Check Enforcement Program three years ago to help local businessmen recover outstanding debt due to bad checks.  It's also meant to help law enforcement fight what is often a criminal activity.

It's a simple program. Bianchi has said that a lot of bad checks are just mistakes but a stern letter from the local SA gets people really motivated to fix the error.

The Check Enforcement Program provides customers with a one-time chance to make good on bad checks to merchants. They have to complete a home course about fiscal responsibility, too.  If the check isn't made good quickly the matter goes to the local PD for a criminal investigation, then maybe a prosecution.

Bianchi said he's recovered check money for more than 160 county merchants so far.

For businesses with a bad check the number to call is 815-334-4103.  Details about the Check Enforcement Program and a complaint form are at: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/statesattorneyoffice/Pages/CheckEnforcementProgram.aspx

Early Balloting Changes Could Spur More Young Voters

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse NewsFriday marked 60 days before the state’s general election on Nov. 2, but voters have the opportunity to submit their votes as early as the end of this month.

Registered voters can receive and submit absentee ballots beginning Sept. 23. They can also show up at designated early voting locations between Oct. 11 and Oct. 28, including weekends, to turn in their ballots.

Early voting has been especially prevalent locally. "Algonquin Township had 25 percent of all the early voters in the County," said Clerk Marc Munaretto Wednesday.

Rupert Borgsmiller, assistant executive director for the Illinois State Board of Elections, said the early voting dates and absentee ballots allow the county clerks and the State Board more time to process votes. “The judges aren’t having to process all of the numbers that they would normally expect, that would come through the precinct. A lot of those (ballots to count) have gone down on the day of the election because (of) the people going and voting early,” he said.

Larry Reinhardt, Jackson County clerk in southern Illinois, said early voters make up around 20 percent of all voters in his area. He expected to see an uptick in the percentage of early voters for this general election. “Political parties and some voter groups are gearing up for a heavy early-vote drive, a get-out-the-vote effort. So it’ll be interesting to see which one is more effective and whether any of them are effective,” he said.

Borgsmiller was not sure how overall voter turnout would be affected by early voting, but he did think early voting would become more popular because it creates a greater number of voting opportunities. “I think the trend is that more and more people are utilizing the early voting versus waiting until the day of the election to go vote,” he said.

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4105/changes-to-early-voting-law-could-spur-more-young-voters/

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
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.
September 08
1447 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). FOLLOW UP ARRESTS: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. JUVENILE. M/W 14 YEARS OF AGE, ELGIN. CHARGES: Aggravated Assault. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0943 HRS MILLER RD. & ALBRECHT RD. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. FAIL TO FILE.
1357 HRS 500 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). FOUND ARTICLE. Car keys found on football field. Entered into Evidence.
1440 HRS 00 BLOCK OF ECHO HILL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 63 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1508 HRS PYOTT RD. & VIEWPOINT DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1906 HRS 600 BLOCK OF DAVID ST. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Vehicle was keyed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1929 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. son. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2059 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF MAGNOLIA LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 38 years of age bleeding from the head. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2202 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 50 years of age feeling dizzy.
Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2334 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only.
No priors.
September 7
0200 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF RIDGEWOOD CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 51 years of age, vomiting. No transport.
0448 HRS-2100HRS 600 BLOCK OF DAVID ST., 600 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR., 600 BLOCK OF JOSEPH ST., 500 BLOCK OF GRACE DR., 1000 BLOCK OF VIEWPOINT DR., 900 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.   TIRES SLASHED, WINDOWS BROKEN, KEYING ON 29 VEHICLES. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0513 HRS 00 BLOCK OF JOSEPH CT. ATTEMPTED RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Screen to window well torn. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1222 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF RIDGEWOOD CIRCLE. THEFT. Emblems taken from complainant’s vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1341 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). SEX OFFENDER VIOLATION.Sex Offender Violation. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1341 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HICKORY RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1500 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). HIT & RUN. Vehicle was struck while complaint was at work.
1642 HRS 700 BLOCK OF ELDERBERRY CT. BATTERY. Female vs. female. FAIL TO FILE.
1758 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRISBANE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 10 months old ingested dish soap. No transport.
1900 HRS 600 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Global Positioning System removed from vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2042 HRS 200 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 35 years of age, with blurred vision. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

County Board Extends Sportsplex Fund Deadline

More than 100 residents packed the County Board meeting Tuesday to oppose plans for a huge Sportsplex on Route 47 north of Huntley.  Members extended the deadline to the end of the year for issuing bonds to pay for it, anyway.  The question is still whether that's enough time, though.

From the start the only clear number in financing the proposed $40 million sports complex has been $18 million in federally-subsidized Recovery Zone revenue bonds which the County Board approved for issuance in April.  As FEN reported last week the Village of Lakewood has also promised to help developers locate $5 million in grants somewhere.

A commitment letter the Board's Finance and Audit Committee demanded from the developers' bond company said it would issue the bonds if the Sportsplex came up with $8 million in private equity.

Stern Brothers Vice President Miyun Cho refused Tuesday to comment on how close the Sportsplex is to that figure.  "I don't speak about banking deals, especially those that aren't closed," she said.

Sportsplex President Lou Tenore from Lake in the Hills said the $8 million figure was outdated, anyway.  "A lot of things have changed in this project.  They've changed a dozen times."  But Tenore refused to say how much private equity the company needed to come up with to get the bonds issued.  "That's private," he said but added, "We'll meet all our deadlines."

In a Northwest Herald story last month Chicago immigration Lawyer Taher Kameli appeared to have said he would raise the private equity but Tuesday he told FEN it wasn't his responsibility.  "You misread the newspaper," said Kameli.  "My job is to bring in the EB5 (foreign) investors," he said.

A financing schedule Sportsplex developers gave the Finance and Audit Committee last month set Aug. 30 as the date to "finalize PPM".  That would refer to a Private Placement Memorandum, a document used in the sale of unregistered securities to private investors.

The rules for private offerings say above $5 million a company is supposed to file an informational document with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission called "Form D".  An examination of SEC records Tuesday didn't find one on file for the Sportsplex.  The Illinois Securities Department requires a Form D on file with them for private offerings over only $1 million. A spokesman for the Department said he didn't find one  for the Sportsplex, either.

The vote to give the Sportsplex's developers more time was 15 to 8. The "No" votes were:
District 1, Yvonne Barnes; District 2, Jim Heisler; District 3, Kathy Bergan–Schmidt; District 4, John Hammerand; District 5, Paula Yensen; District 6, Randy Donley, Ersel Schuster and Mary McCann.

In the pic:  About 100 people appeared at Tuesday's McHenry County Board Meeting to oppose the McHenry County Sportsplex.  However, leaders had called for 300 to show up.

Algonquin Approves Public Finish To Grand Reserve

The Algonquin Board approved a contract Tuesday to finish public improvements in the village's failed Grand Reserve housing development west of Randall Road.

Copenhaver Construction, Gilberts, was low-bidder at $134,000 to complete work left unfinished when the originally 55-and older development became an early casualty of the Great Recession.

Public Works Director Bob Mitchard said the village would use a bank letter of credit for the Grand Reserve to pay for grading in the development, do some seeding, finish some storm sewers and complete water system work.  Mitchard said, "It's getting the neighborhood into a livable condition."

LITH Airport Open House Set Saturday

Lake in the Hills Airport will have an open house Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm so visitors can have a close up look at the airport and the services it provides to LITH and surrounding communities.

T.J. Moore, Lake in the Hills Deputy Public Works Director and Airport Manager will be there the whole time to explain current and future improvements planned for the airport. Also on hand will be pilots from EAA Chapter 790 offering free Young Eagles rides for youngsters. Airport business operators will also be there to answer questions and many aircraft based at the airport will be on static display.

Also scheduled, the Civil Air Patrol will hold a flag ceremony in memory of the anniversary of the September 11th attack.

Lawmakers: Daley’s Exit To Be Felt Statewide

By Benjamin Yount,  Illinois Statehouse News
Richard Daley is not just the mayor of Chicago, and his decision Tuesday not to run for re-election is far more than just a local issue for voters in Chicago. Illinois lawmakers, from the city and across the rest of state, all agree that Daley's exit from city hall will impact the entire state.

Daley, who's been mayor since 1989, said Tuesday he's decided not  to seek re-election next spring, that "it's time for me, it's time for Chicago to move on."

The impact of that decision could be felt as quickly as this fall.  University of Illinois at Springfield professor Kent Redfield points out mayoral wannabe's are already making their owns plans.  And Redfield said anything that hurts party loyalty in Chicago could hurt Gov. Pat Quinn and other Democrats across Illinois.

"Chicago is the core of the Democratic party, in terms of their base vote," Redfield said.  "And a strong political organization led by [Mayor Daley] is a plus for Democrats statewide."

State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, said there is a lot of uncertainty now, and so that political organization will not be unified until the candidates are chosen.

"It will have impacts in November and as [Chicago] goes forward…And so it'll be time so see who is going to step forward and lead in probably one of the most difficult times on our history."

Other Democrats say the pushing and shoving that are sure to come will be critical as the final  candidates emerge and eventually, the new mayor.

State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said a Chicago without Daley could be chance to  balance the power inside the state capitol.

"Because of the fact that the party that is controlling the state of Illinois now is from Chicago, and you have a disproportionate number of legislative members from the city of Chicago and with Daley's influence means that Chicago has had a strong influence in Illinois government."

Roosevelt University professor Paul Green said downstate lawmakers had better be careful what they wish for.  Green adds that Daley's power in Springfield did more than keep downstaters in check.

"Without Mayor Daley in Chicago the question is what would be the relationship of Chicago to the legislature?  And will it mean that Speaker Madigan will have even more power because you'll have a brand new mayor who may or may not have any legislative experience what so ever."

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4101/lawmakers-mayor-daleys-exit-from-chicago-to-be-felt-statewide/

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
delayed

Grafton Township Briefs Short On Law

McHenry County Judge Michael Caldwell is scheduled to resolve the battle over who controls Grafton Township in two weeks.  According to the 72 pages of briefs and answers summarizing the case the contending lawyers didn't bring up very much law to support either side.

Attorney John Nelson summarized the case as "The age old issue of the separation of powers of the branches of government.  The board of Trustees is the legislative branch of government which is seeking to impose its will on and usurp the duties of the Supervisor, in the township structure, the executive branch of government."

Nelson cited the Illinois Township code to support the assertion that Moore is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Township.  However, the Code doesn't offer much detail on what that really means.  To the extent it does, it concentrates on the financial side. Even so, Nelson argued the Code gives Moore the "absolute right to control her offices, telephone liens (sic), township mail and manage the township finances...make the agenda...hire and fire all township employees under her direction."

That last includes the Township Attorney. Nelson cites a Madison County case 15 years ago.  It's the same one that figured in the court case over whether the Board had the right to build a new Township Office building.

Grafton Township Attorney Thomas DiCianni essentially asked in his brief what Trustees were for if all power belongs to the Supervisor?  "The Township Supervisor, Linda Moore, ("Moore"), contends that the only function of the township trustees is to audit bills and nothing else; and even then, she believes that she has discretion to refuse to present bills before the Board for auditing and to refuse to pay approved bills."

DiCianni on the basis of the part of the Township Code that says each Board member gets one vote concluded, "In Illinois township government, no one person is given the primary task of governing the township.  Instead, the township board, comprised of both (italics his) the township supervisor and the township trustees acting collectively, is given many responsibilities and powers."

"There is no statutory provision which permits the township supervisor...to disregard the will of the majority of the township board if she does not like the action taken by the board majority and is outvoted," wrote DiCianni.

His brief included a lot of citations about injunctions and writs of mandamus and other lawyerly things but those only count if Judge Caldwell buys DiCianni's first argument that Trustees have rights and powers of their own.  If he does, then DiCianni argued, among other things, the Trustees ought to be able to examine the Township financial records and have a say in whether the Township Attorney ought to be fired.

Nelson's reply cited a Wikipedia definition of CEO as "the highest ranking executive officer of administrator in charge of the total management of an organization."  He also cited a 1973 case that "The power to appoint 'carries with it the power of removal,'"  and a 1976 case in Evanston finding Trustees "are given no administrative authority."

DiCianni's reply included a cite to the Appellate ruling in Ziller v. Rossi.  That's the one that supported Caldwell's own decision that the Grafton Board under its previous Supervisor didn't follow the rules to build new Township offices.  It might serve to remind the judge he's seen most of these people before and they've been fighting for years now although if it does it might cut either way.

Nelson's reply ends with an unfortunate typo.  He tried to ask the court to "rein in" the trustees for Moore the way a teamster would check an unruly horse.  However, the word he actually used was "reign",  the thing that kings do over their subjects.

In the pic:  Most of the players in the Grafton controversy.  Supervisor Linda Moore, Administrator Pam Fender, Trustees Rob LaPorta, Barb Murphy, Betty Zirk and Gerry McMahon.  Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer was off-camera in this shot and ex-Supervisor John Rossi is just a civilian these days.

Huntley Pie Contest Coming

Huntley's Farmers' Market will feature a real no-kidding, just like the old days, pie contest Saturday. We're talking real homemade pies, here, no "available in your favorite supermarket freezer case" (especially not the crust).

Registration will begin at 10 am at the Market and judging starts at 10:30 in both the fruit and cream pie categories, not to mention those for bakers 15 and under and a second one for, well, everybody else.  Winners will receive a tote bag full of goodies from the Huntley Farmers' Market.

Entry forms can be printed from http://www.huntley.il.us/documents/PieBakeOffEntryForm.pdf . Questions can go to Barb Read at 847-515-5262, email: bread@huntley.il.us

Algonquin, LITH Offer Parents "Night Out"

Lake in the Hills and Algonquin are both offering parents a night off from the kids next Friday. "Parents, when was the last time you went out for dinner and a movie with your significant other?" asks Lake in the Hills release clearly expecting an answer like "the 12th of Never."

LITH's Parks and Recreation Department has a series of Parents' Night Outs scheduled.  Sept. 17 there's one for the K through 5th Grade set. It's $16 for residents and $18 for non-residents.  That will be followed with nights out for for (potty-trained) kids from 3 to 7 years old on Fridays, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 10. The price for those is $16 for residents, $19 for non.  All the Parents' Night Outs will be at LITH Village Hall and run from 6 to 9 pm.  For more information and registration, call the Parks & Recreation Department at 847-960-7460.

Meanwhile the Village of Algonquin Recreation Department has a similar series of Parents' Night Outs set but for Kids 2 to 8 (not necessarily potty trained) beginning Sept. 17.  Here's the schedule or all of them at Algonquin's Historic Village Hall:

F 9/17 6:30-9:30pm
F 10/8 6:30-9:30pm
SA 11/13 6:30-9:30pm
SA 12/18 3:00-6:00pm
SA 12/18 6:30-9:30pm
SA 1/15 6:30-9:30pm

The cost for these is $8 for residents, $16 for non residents.  Registration is at www.algonquin.org/recreation and information is at (847) 658-2700.

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 6
1616 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). FOLLOW UP ARREST: HARASSMENT BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE. BOS, MEGAN E., F/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 1427 RIDGEWAY ST., ROUND LAKE BEACH. CHARGES: Harassment by Electronic Device. RELEASED ON BOND.
0041 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 25 years of age, vomiting.Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0204 HRS 5600 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. BATTERY  Male victim was battered by an unknown subject. FAIL TO FILE.
0746 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). FOUND ARTICLES. Multiple articles found at Sunset Fest on 09/05/2010. Articles were either returned to the owners or entered into evidence.
1057 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 76 years of age, not feeling well and incoherent.Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1208 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. HIT & RUN Two vehicles.
1526 HRS 200 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 40 years of age needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1556 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. Male, 20 years of age possible overdose. Possession of a controlled substance. Transported to Sherman Hospital. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY RESPONDING OFFICER.
2252 HRS 500 BLOCK OF CAMARGO CLUB DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Emblems removed from car. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
Algonquin
September 3
19:00pm Schackelton (Hokanson), Michelle L., DOB: 05/04/84, of 206 Scenic Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for DUI.  She was taken into custody at Nero’s Pizza & Pub, 300 Eastgate Court.  She was released after posting $1000 with a court date of 09/23/10 in McHenry County.
21:43pm Husenica, Michael C., DOB: 08/26/87, of 10615 Philip Drive, Huntley, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear on a DWLS charge.  He was taken into custody at Brunswick Zone XL, 1611 S. Randall Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
September 4
00:52am Krysiuk, Norbert, DOB: 06/06/90, of 508 E. Lake Shore Drive, Barrington, was charged with DWLR and Speeding.  He was taken into custody at Rt. 31 and Edward Street.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 10/06/10 in McHenry County.
20:32pm VanDyke, Paul A., DOB: 04/12/55, of 13020 Skyline Drive, Plainfield, was charged with Battery.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $100 with a court date of 10/06/10 in McHenry County.
September 6
01:18am Berglund, Kevin J., DOB: 10/19/89, of 1274 Raleigh Court Apt #201, Glendale Heights, was charged with DWLS and Obstructed Registration.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of DuPage County for DLWS.  He was taken into custody at 801 W. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
18:10pm Ojea, Alexis D., DOB: 11/29/69, of 175 S. Main Street Apt G, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant, out of McHenry County for Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at 109 S. Main Street.  He was released after posting $100 with a court date of 09/23/10 in McHenry County.
19:35pm Ransom, Glen S., DOB: 12/31/82, of 111 S. Main Street, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of DuPage County for Contempt of Court.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Resisting Arrest.  He was taken into custody at 109 S. Main Street.  He was released after posting $330 on the DuPage County warrant with a court date of 10/27/10 in DuPage County and after posting $500 on the McHenry County warrant with a court date of 09/22/10 in McHenry County.

A/LITH Jaycees Create Presumptive Record Ice Cream Float

Here's the calculation: Take 720 cases of 2-liter soda past its sell-by date, mix in 25 tubs of equally outdated ice cream, add and an astonishing number of local kids and one portable swimming pool and you get the new world's-record "rootbeer" float. At least that's how the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Jaycees hope the Guinness people will certify Sunday's 3,040-gallon concoction at LITH's Summer Sunset Festival.

Until Sunday's float is certified the record belongs to the Coca Cola company. They made a 3,000-gallon float in Atlanta 13 years ago but workers pumped flat soda mix out of a tank truck and carbonated it on the spot.

Grafton Township Coat Drive Begins

Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore says she wants to help people who can’t afford a winter coat as the weather cools. For the next couple of months Grafton Township will be collecting gently used coats for anyone in need.

Donation boxes will be at the following locations:

Grafton Township Office
10109 Vine Street
Huntley, IL

Centegra Health Bridge
10450 Algonquin Rd.
Huntley, IL

Heritage Woods
12450 Regency Parkway
Huntley, IL

Huntley Area Library
11000 Ruth Rd.
Huntley, IL

Moore said the coats will be distributed starting November 1. Call her at (847) 669-3328 for more info.

"Wild Cat Wednesdays" Set For County Animal Control

McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center MCAC will host September “Wild Cat Wednesdays” adoption fests this month at its Crystal Lake headquarters.

Wednesday and each Wednesday for the following three weeks kitties may be adopted at the center from 11 am to 6 pm.  Felines (and some canines) up for adoption can be previewed here: http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=IL24&sort=pet.Identifier .

Adoption fees are $80 and include all vaccinations, spaying orneutering, FELV & FIV testing, microchipping and de-worming. A free first vet visit and discounted grooming goes with it. Animal Control's adoption number is 815-459-6222 for more information.

In the pic:  This guy's name is Rascal.  He's one of the abandoned cats up for adoption at MCAC.

Quinn Names Acting Corrections Director

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Governor Pat Quinn named former budget adviser Gladyse Taylor to replace exiting Department of Corrections Director Michael Randle.

Taylor will move up from acting assistant director to acting director after Randle’s scheduled departure Sept. 17. She previously served in the governor’s Office of Management and Budget and at the DoC. She came back to the department in May during a staff shake up in the wake of the scandal over the “Meritorious Good Time Push” program. Under the now-canceled program, prisoners were awarded “good time” credit at the beginning of their sentences, some released after serving as little as 11 days.

Quinn defended Randle until his resignation last week. Quinn claimed Randle went against his orders by releasing some violent offenders early. Randle said he implemented “MGT Push” to make required budget cuts.

Randle is returning to Ohio to run a new correctional facility, scheduled to open in January, for the nonprofit Oriana House Inc. Before coming to Illinois to head the DoC, he served as assistant director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.


You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/quinn-names-new-doc-director.html

Judge Targeted In Supreme Court Retention Ballot

By Scott Reeder, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois State Supreme Court retention races are usually low-key affairs garnering little attention from interest groups and even less from voters, but this year may well be different. Justice Thomas Kilbride, a mild-mannered veteran of the state’s high court, is being targeted for removal from office by a well-funded group representing business interests.

For Kilbride, the issue is one of judicial independence. One of Kilbride’s more controversial votes was cast last spring when he and a majority of the court voted to rule a law limiting how much money doctors and hospitals could be sued for was unconstitutional.
“I knew taking the vote that I took in the medical malpractice case there would be consequences,” said Kilbride who claimed he was just following the law. “We aren’t legislators in robes," he said.

“Nobody is questioning his integrity or his performance on the bench,' said Ed Murnane, president of the Illinois Civil Justice League spearheading the effort to have Kilbride removed. "The only thing we are questioning is how he voted on a number of cases,” Murnane said. “We think Judge Kilbride is one of the worst judges out there — he consistently votes against business and in a state like Illinois where there are so few jobs we need someone who will support business,” he said.

Kilbride is philosophical about the political battle before him. “Do we want judges looking over their shoulders – wondering if I decide this way I’m going to be criticized?” he said. “This whole politicization of the courts is really going to tear apart the court system."

You can read Scott's full story at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4091/kilbride-targeted-in-supreme-court-retention-ballot/

In the pic:  Judge Kilbride

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 5
0108 HRS ACKMAN RD. & RANDALL RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. HEDBERG, KRISTIN C., F/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 11244 CALDWELL DR., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Child Endangerment. RELEASED ON BOND
0022 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1057 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & ANNANDALE DR. FOUND PROPERTY. A purple bicycle was found. Entered into evidence.
1450 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & FAIRWAY VIEW. REPORT FOR INSURANCE. A golf ball struck the windshield of complainant’s vehicle.
1711 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALBRECHT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1714 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. Daughter. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1954 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & LAKEWOOD RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2232 HRS 0 BLOCK OF E. ACORN LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. Seven priors.

Mark Kirk Makes First Local Appearance

Republican candidate for Barack Obama's old Senate Seat, Mark Kirk, was one of the politicians in Lake in the Hills' Summer Sunset Parade.  Saturday was the first time he's dropped in locally, although the second time he's been in McHenry County during the campaign.  Democrat Alexi Giannoulias showed up in Crystal Lake two months ago.

Kirk's amble down Miller Road came two days after a Chicago Tribune poll showed he and Giannoulias were neck and neck but about one third of voters were still undecided or had made up their minds they didn't like either one. Almost 10 percent said they planned to vote for LeAlan Jones, Green candidate, or Mike Labno, Libertarian.

Kirk is still trying to shake charges he puffed up his military record.  Giannoulias is trying to ditch the albatross of his family's failed bank which he once headed.

Voters will probably hear more than they want to from both Kirk and Giannoulias in the next couple of months.  First, politicos think the seat still retains some of the warmth of the President's departed posterior so whoever wins will reflect on his chances in 2012.  Second, thanks to a federal judge's decision that there should have been a special election to fill the rest of the term, campaign donors in this race effectively get to give twice as much money to each candidate as they normally could.

In the pic: Senatorial candidate Mark Kirk mingles with the multitude at LITH's Summer Sunset Parade.

Subtle Symbols Mark Summer Sunset Parade

With two months until the election the only clearly articulated issue in the race for McHenry County Sheriff is the one about incumbent Keith Nygren's alleged misuse of public resources to support his private campaign.  The Sheriff hasn't said much on the subject but the Summer Sunset Parade may have featured a non-verbal answer.

 Up at the front of the parade was the Sheriff in a convertible with a sign that just said "Keith Nygren, Sheriff".  Way at the back was a bunch of people with signs saying "Nygren, Sheriff."  But those signs were obviously political since they featured a GOP elephant.  So back up front must have just been a County officeholder non-politically celebrating a local event with his constituents.

If it was all symbolism, the meaning of a quartet of county mounties doing motorcycle minuets behind the Sheriff wasn't immediately evident. Since opponent Mike Mahon didn't have one of those he just trotted along the parade route shaking hands.

Gaulrapp Campaign: Hot Chrome And No Helmet

Democatic challenger for Don Manzullo's 16th District Congressional seat George Gaulrapp motored down to the Summer Sunset Parade from Freeport.  The mayor's visited McHenry County a lot in the past few months but not usually on his motorcycle.

The last Harley-riding member of Congress FEN can recall was Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell.  Campbell was a maverick (both as a Democrat and later as a Republican) but there was no chance to ask Gaulrapp about that over the rumble from his hog.

Area Football Scores

Friday

Grayslake Central            35
Woodstock North             0

Prairie Ridge                    26   
Crystal Lake Central        6

Woodstock                        24
Grayslake North              21

Bartlett                                9   
Crystal Lake South        10

Benet                                 33
Marian Central               21

Dundee-Crown              12
Streamwood                  27

Jacobs                              37
Johnsburg                       17

Kaneland                        40
Huntley                           12

Lake Zurich                    10   
Cary-Grove                       3

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 4
0051 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & RANDALL RD. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.  RANDAZZO, STEPHENIE, F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 4206 N. MARMORA,  CHICAGO. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Wear a Seat Belt-Passenger. RELEASED ON BOND.
SPEAR, NICHOLAS R., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 1219 E. WASHINGTON ST. APT A102, DES PLAINES, CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Wear a Seat Belt-Driver, Operating an Uninsured Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
2157 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR. JUVENILE, M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0138 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTIS). HIT & RUN. A red pickup truck hit a black car in the parking lot and then left.
0544 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF VIRGINIA RD. INJURY ACCIDENT Vehicle vs. Bicyclist.  Male, 40 years of age, with hip, back, & chest pain. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
0733 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MAPLE ST. ASSIST OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT. Assist Algonquin Police Department with locating a missing juvenile.
1318 HRS PYOTT RD. & OAK ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1341 HRS BANBURY LN. & CHADWICK LN. ORDINANCE VIOLATION. Unauthorized sign removed from roadway. Entered into evidence.
1549 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 68 years of age, in extreme pain. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1611 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 12 years of age, passed out. No transport.
1720 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MILLER RD. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. One prior. Female, 33 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
1842 HRS CLAREMONT LN. & GRAFTON FARM. HIT & RUN. Unknown vehicle struck complainant’s parked car.
2013 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF PINE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 61 years of age, with a high fever. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
2022 HRS 3200 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 45 years of age, passed out. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
2319 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 53 years of age, with a twisted ankle. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
2356 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). FOUND ARTICLE. A bicycle was found. Bicycle placed into evidence.