Rockford Judge To Hear State's Attorney Misconduct Case

About half of the spectators at what was supposed to be the Friday arraignment of Lou Bianchi wore small carnations similar to the one the McHenry County State's Attorney habitually sports on his lapel.  Before a crowd that filled courtroom benches and lined the walls Circuit Judge Sharon Prather announced the controversial case had been reassigned to a Winnebago County judge.

It will be up to 17th Circuit Court Judge Joseph McGraw whether he will come to Woodstock or make everyone else go to his Rockford courtroom.  The only thing that was clear Friday was the next court date, Oct. 22.

Indicted two weeks ago on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct and communicating with a Grand Jury witness, Bianchi said only, "Talk to my lawyer," as he left the courtroom.

After a 15-minute conference with Special Prosecutor Henry "Skip" Tonigan, Chicago defense attorney Terry Ekl summarized the indictments against Bianchi as "crap."

More temperately he said, "Lou Bianchi violated no laws," and charged, "There is clearly a political component to this case and the appointment of the Special Prosecutor."

The spectators' carnations illustrated at least strong political interest in the Bianchi case.  They came from Carolyn Cox whose prominent Bull Valley husband Bianchi convicted three years ago for beating her half to death with a club and then trying to poison her the rest of the way with exhaust fumes. She said more people would have been wearing the flowers but she ran out of them.

Tonigan was less voluble than Ekl after their conference.  Asked to name the statute that forbade Bianchi to allegedly have his secretaries do political work on County time Tonigan paused, then said, "It's obvious.  We returned indictments based firmly on Illinois law."

In the pic:  Lou Bianchi defense attorney Terry Ekl said he expected to find evidence of political influence in almost 3,000 pages of computer records and Grand Jury testimony turned over to him Friday by Circuit Judge Sharon Prather.

Info On Punishment Withheld For Huntley Prank

Citing student privacy limitations District 158 Superintendent John Burkey Friday declined to say what school punishments were being meted out to five students for a Homecoming prank at Huntley High School Thursday.  Any disciplinary action would be in addition to criminal charges already lodged. 

Huntley PD Deputy Chief Todd Fulton said an officer on routine patrol after the Homecoming parade found the kids festooning the school with toilet paper at about 1 am.  Fulton said school officials signed complaints against them later in the morning.

Charged with criminal trespass were 18 year-olds, Joshua J. Adams, Jason M. Comstock and Tanner W. Tagliareni and two 17 year-old boys, all from Huntley.

Burkey said he'd sent out an announcement a week ago that things like "TPing" for Homecoming were strictly off-limits.  "Failure to heed these guidelines will potentially subject you to school and/or police action," it said.

Burkey said HHS has been TP'ed before, usually and the end of the year, and he thought it was time to put a stop to it.  He admitted as pranks go TPing is pretty harmless but "There's a cost to it," to clean things up.  He said, what he was really worried about was "They may take it to the next step where something gets broken."

Fulton observed the District actually gave the kids a break in the incident.  He said the five were only charged with a local ordinance violation for criminal trespass instead of the state version which carries harsher penalties.

Appliances Fly Out Retailer Doors--For 2 1/2 Hours

Fifteen percent federal rebates set off a flurry of appliance buying at area retailers Friday.  At least it did until the rebate money ran out at about 10:30 am.

The program wasn't supposed to begin 'till 8 am but Algonquin Home Depot Appliances Supervisor Scott Smessaert said, "I've been (preparing orders) since 5 am."

Friday's version of "Let's Make A Deal" was to use up the last $3 million of Illinois' share in a stimulus measure to boost sales of energy-efficient appliances.  The first edition in April burned through more than $9 million in rebates in one day.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association said it figured Friday's frenzy moved about $20 million worth of goods out of sellers' warehouses.

In the pic:  Algonquin resident Judy Cook bought a refrigerator at Home Depot Friday morning.  "Oh, my God," she said. "Hundreds of dollars on a refrigerator I really want.  This gave me the incentive to go out and get it."

LITH Legion Steak Fry Requires Reservations

Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231 will have a Steak Fry next Saturday at the post from 5 to 8 pm.  But they've only getting 100 steaks so reservations are definitely in order.  The number for that is 847-658-2010.

A 12-oz ribeye and trimmings will go for $15, a 6-oz for kids will be $8 and a hot dog dinner for the finicky little ones will be $5.

Music at the event will be by the High and Outside band from 7 to 10 pm.

Action Group, School Prepare Supreme Court Voting Guide

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
By the time voters step into the polling place this November they will likely know plenty about the candidates for governor, senator, even state representative and local officials. But what will they know about the people running to remain on the Illinois Supreme Court?

Three Supreme Court justices are running for retention this fall. But unlike most candidates on the ballot, chances are voters won't see a lot of campaign commercials or billboards for them. That's why Citizen Action Illinois and the John Marshall Law School have created a voter guide for the high court.

William McNary with Citizen Action said he wanted to let voters know what each justice has been doing with his time on the high court. "The (Illinois State) Bar Association generally does a good job of grading judges on values such as temperament or integrity or competence or their experience. Corporate interests generally do a good job of grading judges on how well they support their corporate agenda. We believe that consumer and family and workers' rights matter as well."

Walter Kendall with the law school said his group focused on cases where he believes a voter can get a sense of what a particular justice is thinking. "We eliminated all of the criminal cases, we eliminated all of the cases where there was a majority opinion. What we were looking for was a better understanding of legitimate differences of opinion, where some of the justices voted one way and some the other way."

The judicial guide can be found here: http://www.citizenaction-il.org/sites/default/files/Citizen%20Action%20Illinois%20Judicial%20Scorecard_0.pdf

You can read Ben's full report here: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4198/voters-to-get-supreme-court-voting-guide/

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 24
1735 HRS PHEASANT TRAIL & OAKLEAF RD. RECKLESS CONDUCT. RODRIGUEZ, LUIS A., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 72 HILLTOP DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct. RELEASED ON BOND.
2330 HRS 10 BLOCK OF HAWTHORNE RD. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO RESIDENCE. HUDSON, MARK L., M/W 48 YEARS OF AGE, 106 HICKORY RD.., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Trespass to Residence, Resisting a Peace Officer. RELEASED ON BOND.
0049 HRS 900 BLOCK OF NOELLE BEND. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0654 HRS ANNANDALE DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1455 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Wallet was taken. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1705 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Ex-husband vs. ex-wife. Verbal only. No priors.
1816 HRS RAKOW RD. & PINGREE RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1910 HRS HERON DR. & MILLER RD. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Two spot lights were damaged at the entrance to the subdivision. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2127 HRS FAIRHAVEN LN. & ALBRECHT RD. ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2229 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF HILLSBORO LN. CHECK FOR WELL BEING. Checking the well being of a female that was involved in an incident in Elgin.
2327 HRS ALGONQUIN RD & LAKEWOOD RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicle. Property damage only.
September 23
1001 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1437 HRS 158 N. RANDALL RD., (CURRENCY EXCHANGE). DOMESTIC. Ex-boyfriend vs. ex-girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1457 HRS 10920 REED RD., (HANNAH MARTIN). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Juveniles made threats to another juvenile.
2144 HRS 0 BLOCK OF BIRCHWOOD CT. THEFT. An iPod Touch was taken from the front porch.
Algonquin
September 21
08:53am A seventeen year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his mother.
14:03pm Kelly, Kristen R., DOB: 01/14/75, of 3 Charminster Court, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Caputo’s & Sons, 100 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 10/27/10 in Algonquin.
19:15pm Mejia-Garcia, Juan, DOB: 06/24/70, of 103 Meadowdale Lane Apt. #307, Carpentersville, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Illegal Transportation of Alcohol.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Eastgate Drive.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 10/20/10 in McHenry County.
September 22
01:45am Massaro, Brian J., DOB: 10/11/82, of 650 Braewood Lane, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 650 Braewood Lane.  He was transported to Kane County Jail to await a bond hearing.
12:38pm Bavester, Donald S. III, DOB: 03/12/83, of 1108 Birch Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Burglary.  He was taken into custody at The Algonquin Sub Shop, 105 Filip Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
16:08pm Mayberry, Netoya Y., DOB: 08/17/74, of 2529 Rutherford Avenue, Chicago, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Cook County for DWLS/DWLR.  She was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  She was released after posting $300 with a court date of 10/13/10 in Cook County.
19:28pm Black, William E., DOB: 12/19/90, of 1321 Blue Ridge Parkway, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Meijer, 400 S. Randall Road.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 10/27/10.

IDES Claims Big Unemployment Drop For McHenry County

Unemployment in McHenry County dropped in August below 9 percent according to the latest report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.  The Department reported unemployment dropped .9 percentage points to 8.6 percent from July's revised 9.5 percent figure.

The drop came as statisticians said the county's labor force shrank by about 2,600 people while the number "actively seeking employment" dropped by about 2,200.  Meanwhile national unemployment remained little changed at a 9.5 percent rate although the state rate improved dropping below 10 percent.

Neighboring Kane and Lake Counties showed far higher unemployment rates, 9.6 and 10.1 percent respectively.

Ominously, IDES Communications Director Greg Rivara said a measure that smooths out monthly bumps in the numbers fell in Illinois in August. "The three-month moving average of Illinois unemployment is down .2 points to 10.3 percent in August, the fourth consecutive monthly decline following 41 consecutive monthly increases."

Among the communities broken out of the county number, Lake in the Hills surpassed Algonquin for the lowest rate although barely.  IDES reported LITH's August unemployment rate at 8.2 percent, Algonquin's at 8.3.  The Department said McHenry saw a .9 percentage point improvement in unemployment in August to a 9.0 percent rate while Crystal Lake's was 9.1. 

UNEMPLOYMENT (unadjusted)             
                REVISED July   2010       PRELIMINARY August 2010               
                LABOR    UNEMPLOYED      LABOR    UNEMPLOYED       Aug. 
                FORCE    NUMBER  RATE    FORCE    NUMBER     RATE  2009   
U.S. (X1000)   155,270   15,137   9.7    154,678    14,759    9.5   9.6    
ILLINOIS     6,715,062  714,146  10.6  6,679,533   663,191    9.9  10.4    

MCHENRY COUNTY 180,764   17,195   9.5    178,151    15,366    8.6   9.5    
KANE COUNTY    271,645   28,446  10.5    267,665    25,633    9.6  10.1    
LAKE COUNTY    368,746   39,442  10.7    370,191    37,558   10.1  10.2    

ALGONQUIN       16,935    1,542   9.1     16,698     1,379    8.3   8.9   
LITH            17,127    1,503   8.8     16,931     1,382    8.2   9.0    
CRYSTAL LAKE    22,503    2,157   9.6     22,273     2,024    9.1   9.7    
MCHENRY         15,220    1,501   9.9     15,003     1,349    9.0   9.9   

Huntley's Fall Fest Begins Today

Huntley's Fall Fest begins its fifth year this afternoon for its annual run, this year expanded to a three-day schedule.

Weathermen seem to be in agreement that autumn outwear will be in order throughout Fall Fest but they're not quite to sure about umbrellas Saturday and Sunday. A check with your favorite weather site would probably be a good idea.

Here's the Fall Fest Schedule:

Friday
4pm-11pm, Food Vendors,Main Pad
4pm – 10:30pm Beer/Wine Garden, Main Pad

4:15pm – 4:45pm Huntley High School Jazz Band, Main Stage
5:30pm – 7:45pm BAND: Tongue N Groove, Main Stage
8:30pm – 11pm BAND: Modern Day Romeos, Main Stage

11pm Fest Closes for Friday

Saturday
8am Family Fun Run – Registration, Stingray Bay/Warrington Park
8:30am Family Fun Run – begins
8am – 11am Pancake Breakfast, Rec Center Cafeteria

10am FEST OPENS
10am – 3pm Touch-A-Truck, Deicke Park
10am – 5pm Kids Area/Games/RC Cars (Sat only), Deicke Park
10am – 5pm Tractor Show, Deicke Park
10am – 5pm Petting Zoo/Pony Rides, Deicke Park
10am – 5pm Craft and Home Business Show, Deicke Park
10am – 5pm Sponsor/Business Expo,Deicke Park 
10am – 5pm Library Book Sale,In Gym

11am – 10:30pm Beer/Wine Garden,Main Pad
11am – 11pm Food Vendors,Main Pad
12pm – 3pm Bingo In Gym

3:30pm – 5:30pm BAND: Rick Saucedo, Main Stage
5:00pm Deicke Park Closes
6:15pm – 8:15pm BAND: Libido Funk Circus, Main Stage
8:30pm – 8:45pm FIREWORKS, Behind Main Stage
9:00pm – 11:00pm BAND: 7th Heaven, Main Stage

11pm Fest Closes for Saturday

Sunday
8am – 11am Pancake Breakfast, Rec Center Cafeteria

11am FEST OPENS
11am – 3pm Touch-A-Truck, Deicke Park
11am – 5pm Kids Area/Games, Deicke Park
11am – 5pm Petting Zoo/Pony Rides, Deicke Park
11am – 5pm Craft and Home Business Show, Deicke Park
11am – 5pm Business/Sponsor Expo Deicke Park
11am – 5pm Library Book Sale In Gym
11am - 5pm Scarecrow Building - DIY, Deicke Park
12pm – 3pm Bingo In Gym

11am – 5pm Food Vendors, Main Pad
12pm - 4:30 pm Beer/Wine Garden.  Main Pad

11:00 am – 11:35 am Band: Sun City Swing Band, Main Stage
12:15pm – 2:15pm Band: Stockwood. Main Stage
3:30pm – 5:30pm Band: Denny Diamond Main Stage

5:00pm FEST CLOSES

Ash Borers To Take Another 100 Huntley Trees

It's been a bad summer for ash borer infestation in Huntley, according to Mayor Chuck Sass at the village's Board meeting Thursday who said almost 100 trees are scheduled for chopping in about 10 days. "It's going to wipe out Woodscreek pretty good," said Sass.

Only EAB contaminated trees on village right of way are scheduled for the chainsaw.  Forty will be taken down Oct. 4 by the public works department and another 57 larger ones will be removed later by a village contractor.

All of the trees will be eligible for replacement under Huntley's 50/50 tree program.  If homeowners chip in half the cost the village will plant a new tree right away and residents get to pick what kind.

In formal action Thursday the Board unanimously gave final approval to both Huntley's new Strategic Plan and it's Downtown Revitalization Plan.  Both are broad frameworks for directing the village's further development but there isn't very much of that going on right now.

The notable exception to that is a new RV superstore to locate in the Prime Autocenter area above the Tollway.  Sass said he expected groundwork for that to begin in about two weeks.

Paving Shuts Huntley Route 47 Briefly--This Time

Huntley officials were worried Thursday when engineers on the Route 47 widening project told them they'd have to shut the road down completely for 10 to 15 minutes.  They needed to move a giant paving machine across the Kishwaukee bridge above Kreutzer and during noon traffic to boot.

In the event, the crossing came two hours later than anticipated and once the multi-ton Gomaco GHP2800 paver hiked up its metaphorical petticoats the hulking machine dashed across the creek in a little over two minutes.

Even though traffic wasn't snarled the way everyone had feared,  it provided proof that like rain upon the just and the unjust, construction delays play no favorites.  When the flagger shut the highway down, "I was the first in line," said Village Manager Dave Johnson resignedly.

Workers said the paver slapped down about 1,700 cubic yards of concrete Thursday at a rate FEN estimated at roughly 100 feet per hour.

Health Care Reforms Kick In For Illinois

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
New provisions of the federal heath care reform package that began Thursday will change medical insurance in Illinois although the bulk of the legislation doesn't kick in until 2014.

The biggest change might be a ban on rescinding policies for anything other than intentional fraud or misrepresentation. Previously insurers could “rescind,” or cancel policies up to two years after purchase because of inaccuracies on applications. Illinois had the highest rate in the nation for that.

Other changes include:

* A ban on denying children younger than 19 access to insurance because of pre-existing conditions. Insurers would also be barred from denying coverage for treatment associated with children’s pre-existing conditions.

* Elimination of caps on lifetime benefits. Patients with chronic or costly conditions often ended up paying out of pocket or missing out on medical care after they reached the lifetime cap that insurance companies put on the cost of treatment.

* Free preventative care. Insurers will have to pay for a set list of preventative measures, such as immunizations and screening, without charging patients a co-pay.

* Claim denial reviews. Insurers must provide an appeals process for denied claims and allow for an external independent review for denied claims. Those requirements went into effect under a state law July 1, but “self-insured” plans often offered by unions and large employers were exempted . “Self-insured” plans are included in the federal law.

* Women’s health access. Insurance plans with obstetrical or gynecological coverage must allow women to visit any OB-GYN within the plan’s network of doctors without requiring approval or referrals.

“(Insurance companies) have always been kind of the poster child for all these abuses that have supposedly occurred," said Kevin Martin, executive director of the Illinois Insurance Association. "Will these reforms actually result in better benefits and less cost? I kind of doubt that.”

Policies written from now on will reflect the new law. Martin advised residents with insurance to sit down once a year with their agent and go over their plans. “You always need to kind of look at what you’re paying for and what you’re getting.”

You can read Jamey's reports at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/some-health-care-reforms-kick-in-this.html and http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/insurance-changes-could-mean-higher.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
delayed--FEN schedule problem
Algonquin
delayed--FEN schedule problem

Blast Or Bluster?: Candidate Charges County Crime Increasing

Lake in the Hills Democratic candidate for McHenry County Sheriff Mike Mahon fired another shot at incumbent Keith Nygren Wednesday but it may have disintegrated on impact.  Mahon charged crime has increased during Nygren's tenure.  That turned out to be true but the crime rate actually decreased.

“Under Sheriff Keith Nygren, McHenry County showed an increase of 141 reported serious crimes in 2008 as opposed to year 2000," charged Mahon in a release that pointed to a drop in total crimes in, among others, Kane and DuPage counties. "Our neighbors seem to know how to reduce crime," fumed Mahon in a release. "I wish they would let Sheriff Nygren in on the secret."

Mahon sourced his charge from Illinois State Police major crime statistics on an NIU Center for Governmental Studies' website (http://www.illinoisdata.com/).  Indeed, the numbers there do show a general increase in McHenry County crime from the years since 2000.

That period saw a lot of people come to live in McHenry County, though. The U.S. Census estimates the increase was 61,000. Unless those immigrants were a lot more virtuous than their new neighbors the total number of crimes would have been expected to go up.  During the same period Kendall County saw its population nearly double while total crimes skyrocketed.

What most law enforcement statisticians look at isn't the raw number of crimes but their rate.  Figures for crimes per 100,000 residents shows McHenry County crime actually decreased between 2000 and 2008.  In fact the crime rate fell just about everywhere in the state and McHenry County's was the lowest among the collar counties.

Nygren couldn't take a bow for that Wednesday, though, since he was out of the office "training" according to a spokesman.  In any case, the figures refer to crime everywhere in the county and the sheriff is only responsible for crime outside the municipalities.  What's the crime rate for the Sheriff's territory?

Information officer Sgt. Jim Wagner said he didn't know.  Although he has numbers for total crimes in the Sheriff's jurisdiction (two, in fact, one for state reports and one for the feds) he said he couldn't come up with anything on the rate of crime.

"We don't have a figure for the unincorporated population," he said, "and that's what's really important."

In the pic:  (above) McHenry County crime increased.  (below)  Or else it decreased.

Huntley Begins 2010 Homecoming Celebration

Red, white and black are the Huntley High School colors but John Deere green ran a close fourth Wednesday in the school's homecoming parade.  That was the color of the tractors towing a lot of the wagons in the village where subdivisions still alternate with corn and bean fields.

Huntley's homecoming parade had a couple of changes this year. For one thing instead of marching through Downtown it marshaled at Shepherd of the Prairie Church, wended through  Georgian Place and finished at Ole Timers' Park for a rally.  For another, the parade jumped a day ahead of its usual schedule since the volleyball Red Raiders team has a game today.

Also today from 3:30 to 7:00 pm celebrities (teachers) will be among the servers at the Algonquin Sonic Drive-In.  No word on whether they'll actually don skates but all tips and proceeds will be donated back to the HHS Co-Op program.

The 2010 Homecoming Game is tomorrow against the McHenry Warriors. Head Coach Matt Gehrig’s football Red Raiders will take the field at 7:15 pm.

HHS Announces Two National Merit Semifinalists

Two Huntley High School students were among the 16,000 semifinalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship competition the school announced Wednesday  The pair were some of the top scorers out of 1.5 million students in 22,000 high schools around the national who took the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

If Christopher Cowart and Rodrigo De Losada pass another test to confirm their scores and keep up their grades they'll probably go on to become National Merit finalists. Finalists have to survive still more winnowing including a (dreaded) essay before they're in line for college scholarships next Spring.

The monetary aid is only $2,500 but a lot of colleges fall all over themselves to enroll National Merit Scholars since they're supposed to show “exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.”

GOP State Senate Candidate Stays On Ballot

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Steve Rauschenberger is a qualified Republican state senate candidate and can stay on the general election ballot even though he voted Democratic last election.

Rauschenberger is a former state senator seeking a second stint against the man who replaced him, current state Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin. An official complaint claimed that Rauschenberger was ineligible to run as a Republican because he submitted a Democratic ballot in the Consolidated Primary in February 2009. Rauschenberger voted in support of his sister who was running in a local Elgin Township election.

The state’s high court found that Rauschenberger’s Democratic vote did not disqualify him as a Republican candidate.

The Illinois State Board of Elections made up of four Democrats and four Republicans first heard the complaint against Rauschenberger but deadlocked along partisan lines. State courts at several levels all sided with Rauschenberger.

The state’s high court returned a decision early Wednesday afternoon, less than an hour after hearing arguments. Michael Kasper, the lawyer who argued against Rauschenberger’s candidacy, expressed surprise at the quick turnaround. "I think it’s fairly unusual for the court to issue a decision the same day that a case is argued. I don’t think any of us were expecting that,” he said.

Burton Odelson, the attorney who defended Rauschenberger’s candidacy, believed that the justices took action because of the proximity of the Nov. 2 general election. “Not giving us a decision could impact my candidate’s ability to raise funds, (raise) question marks whether he would be the candidate after the election," he said.

“I’m pleased that the Supreme Court ruled to keep my opponent on the ballot," Noland said in a statement. "This race is for the voters to decide, not the courts.”

You can read Kevin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4183/ill-gop-state-senate-candidate-stays-on-

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 22
0238 HRS 10910 REED RD., (CHESAK SCHOOL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 21 years of age, lost consciousness. No transport.
0444 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 48 years of age, having back pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0840 HRS 2255 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (FIRESTONE). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 63 years of age, experiencing dizziness. Transported to Centegra Hospital.
1201 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICKS). RETAIL THEFT. Male subject left the store with an item without making payment. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1447 HRS 200 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Residence was entered and items were removed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1520 HRS 800 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. Two priors.
Huntley
September 13
A 17 year-old female from Huntley was charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident.  The juvenile posted bond and was released.
Three theft reports were taken at a business in the 11800 block of Rt. 47.  Fire extinguishers were stolen from parked vehicles.
A 14 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was arrested for possession of cannabis.  The juvenile was released to his mother and will be petitioned into McHenry County Juvenile Court.
A residential burglary report was taken in the 11400 block of Morning Glory Dr.  A screen on a basement window was cut prior to the morning of September 12.
Jacquelyn N. Adamski, age 26, of 10525 Wing Pointe Dr., Huntley, was arrested for 2 counts of domestic battery.  Ms. Adamski was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
September 16
A fraud report was taken in the 9800 block of Compton Dr. The victim states unauthorized withdrawals were made from her savings account.
Christopher J. Matsie, age 20, of 324 Tecumseh #202, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for loud muffler, driving with no insurance and possession of a suspended license.  Mr. Matsie posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 15, 2010.
September 17
Jordan S. Dotson, age 18, of 1986 Harper, Crystal Lake, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and was cited for no taillight.  Mr. Dotson posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 22, 2010.
Robert W. Snyder, age 26, of 7816 S. Union Rd., Huntley, was arrested on a forgery warrant out of Howell County, Missouri.  Mr. Snyder was transported to McHenry County jail to await extradition to Missouri.
September 18
Four criminal defacement reports were taken in the 10600 block of Elizabeth St.  Two homes, landscaping and a curb were painted with black spray paint.
Six criminal damage to property reports were taken in the area of Rt. 47 and Kenneth St.  Six mail boxes were damaged.
A criminal defacement report was taken at a business in the 11200 block of Rt. 47. The victim states that within the last two months an unknown subject used a blue pen to write on a bathroom wall.
Joseph S. Beireis, age 43, of 1051 Noelle, Lake in the Hills, was arrested on an outstanding Lake County warrant.  Mr. Beireis posted bond and was released with a Lake County court date of October 1, 2010.
Heather L. Svoboda, age 26, of 11106 S. Church St., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for improper display of registration.   Ms. Svoboda posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of  October 15, 2010.

D300 Announces New Plan For Gifted Students

"We've had a program for 'gifted' students," said Carole Cooper, District 300 Assessment Director at a meeting Tuesday for their parents.  "It was a terrible program."

A month into the new school year most of the talk about the District's classes has centered on their size.  But there's been a class change in grades three through five  unheralded by regional newspapers. What it amounts to is this year the "smart" kids are all together.

Under the previous regime gifted students were scattered at random and pulled from class once each week for an hour's extra instruction by an itinerant specialist.  Cooper said the kids didn't like it.  "What does being smart entail?  Extra work," she snorted.

This year the top-testing five percent of each grade's students at each elementary school, are "clustered" in one classroom with a teacher who's had extra gifted-instruction training. "The students get all-day certified instruction in every subject.  That's way beyond what we did before," Cooper said.

It doesn't mean the "cluster class" is nothing but little braniacs, though.  "In a class of 32 there might be 8 gifted ones," said Cooper.  That's enough for the gifted kids to provide  a little competition for each other but not enough to overwhelm the other students she said. It's a backward extension of the District's high school honors and advanced placement classes and middle school accelerated classes, said Cooper.

The best part of clustering is it's cheap, said Anastasia Epstein, Sleepy Hollow Elementary Principal and former head of the Deerfield District's gifted education program who helped design District 300's new plan.  "We're using fewer financial resources and getting more bang for the buck," she said.

Parents mostly approved the clustering idea.  "I'm seeing so much coming home from school with my child that's different," said one.  "Me, too," others chimed in, "Me, too."

They were more sceptical of another idea coming up for gifted youngsters, though. The Easy Tech curriculum technology literacy program is a web-based instruction course that's supposed to foster creativity, innovation, collaboration, critical thinking and "digital citizenship". Some parents thought it just sounded faddish, especially after Cooper admitted it was a new program and only about half a dozen districts in the state have tried it.

"The kids need these 21st century skills," Cooper told those parents.  Anyway, she said, it'll be another month before the program is even up and running.

In the pic:  Educator Carole Cooper briefed bout 100 parents of gifted elementary students Tuesday on District 300's new plan for teaching smart kids.

Latest State Education Test Scores So-So

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois school kids are doing about the same as last year, according to the results of the latest round of state testing.

The Illinois State Board of Education has released statewide averages for both the ISAT and PSAE tests.  Grade schoolers and middle schoolers take the ISAT, while high school students take the PSAE.

ISBE said while the average score for third through eighth graders ticked up, the percentage of students meeting and exceeding the PSAE stayed unchanged this year from last at 53.

Fergus with the State Board of Education said the numbers and the frustrations are the same as last year.

In 2009 ISBE leaders voted to adopt new learning standards for all students across the state.  Fergus maintains those standards will be "clearer, higher, and fewer." ISBE is not slated to test on the new standards until at least 201, however.

"The new standards will be good for the state.  The test results may be ugly for a while, but the new standards will be better overall," said Robin Steans with Advance Illinois, an independent education group.

In the meantime, schools are going to have to deal with the results.  ISAT and PSAE results determine if a local school district will go on, stay on, or come off the No Child Left Behind watch list.  ISBE will release a comprehensive report on local results in late October.


You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4180/latest-state-educationtest-scores-so-so/

Sheriff Objection Too Late Says County Clerk

Green Party Sheriff's candidate Gus Philpott's hopes of having Sheriff Keith Nygren's name struck from the November ballot were dashed Tuesday when McHenry County Clerk Kathie Schultz said his objections came too late for her to do anything.

Philpott charged in complaint Monday that a  property tax exemption on a Nygren Florida home  proved he wasn't an Illinois resident. Tuesday Schultz said simply, "The time for him to object to a candidate on the ballot is past."

"The law says the time for objections is within five days after the last day for (candidate) filing," Schultz told FEN.  That was months ago, though, so, "It's out of my hands," Schultz said.

Drug Collection Set For Sat But Not At LITH

Local police and the Drug Enforcement Administration want residents to clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in unused and outdated medications.  Cops will collect the drugs Saturday for DEA disposal to keep the stuff off the streets and out of local water supplies.

DEA invented what it hopes will be an annual "Take-Back Initiative" to halt what it's Acting Administrator called "the disturbing rise in addiction caused by (drug) misuse and abuse." Other agencies worry that even if unused drugs don't end up in illicit trade they'll be flushed down the toilet to eventually contaminate rivers and groundwater.

Five McHenry County PD's including Algonquin and Huntley are signed up for the program to collect drugs from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday. Notably absent is Lake in the Hills but Jim Wales, Director of Police and Public Safety said that wasn't because the program's not a good idea.  He said it was mostly to save the village some money.

"I'd want to have at least an evidence technician collecting controlled drugs," said Wales, but he didn't think it would be "fiscally conscientious" to pull an officer off regular duty to collect dusty Darvons.  "Actually I'd spoken to (Algonquin PD) and they were already planning to do the collection," said Wales.  "I don't think our residents will mind driving to Algonquin to dispose of medications."

The collection program's only for dry drugs. No liquids, IV bags or solutions, injectables, needles, lancets or sharps allowed. Prescription and over-the-counter, pills,tablets and capsules are supposed to be in clear, sealed plastic bags for disposal. If residents are paranoid they can mark out any patient info on the labels before bringing them in for dropoff.

Union Deal Sparks Ethics Charges In Gov’s Race

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
A deal brokered by Gov. Pat Quinn's administration with one of Illinois’ largest labor unions provided more controversy Tuesday for a close governor's race centered on the state budget and ethics.

Quinn reached the deal with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees representing thousands of state government workers, calling for no layoffs or state facility closure for the next two years. That was in exchange for concessions including salary increases, health-care costs and furlough days. The timing of the announcement Monday, however, has been called into question. The deal was reached just days after the union endorsed the Democratic governor.

It also came on the eve of a closed-door candidates’ forum between Quinn and his opponent for governor, Republican state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington. The Tuesday debate was described by each candidate as spirited, thanks in part to revelation of the deal.

Quinn hailed it as a breakthrough in negotiations with a union that was not obligated to come to the bargaining table.  “I'm the first governor I think ever in Illinois history to get concessions from the union,” he said in Chicago. “The amount of savings to the tax payers is $300 or $325 million that we've been able to negotiate from the union.”

But Brady called the deal a "pay-to-play" scheme, pointing to the union's recent endorsement of the incumbent governor. More importantly, according to Brady, the no-layoff clause could tie the hands of the General Assembly and the next governor in addressing budgetary problems. “It’s scandalous what this governor has done,” said Brady.

Representatives from AFSCME denied any link between the endorsement and the still-unsigned deal. “There is no connection here, except at a figment of an overactive, politically addled imagination,” said AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall.

The union must identify about $50 million in cuts to avoid layoffs until mid-2012. Unpaid furlough days, increased healthcare payments from workers and a reduction in outside contractors are all being discussed as possible cost-saving measures. The union expects to return to the governor's office with the cuts by Oct. 31, just 2 days before the general election.

You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4181/union-deal-sparks-ethics-ado-in-illinois-govs-race/

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 21
1258 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PATTON AVE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. SCHAG, DANIELLE A., F/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 1119 PATTON AVE., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1340 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. KAMINSKY, JOEL M., M/W 43 YEARS OF AGE, 2941 BALDWIN LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
2321 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). FOLLOW-UP ARREST: LEAVING SCENE OF PROPERTY DAMAGE ACCIDENT. DOTY, MATTHEW A., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 1788 ANDOVER LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Leaving Scene of Property Damage Accident, Failure to Report Accident, Driving too Fast for Conditions, Expired License. RELEASED ON BOND.
0919 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only.
1052 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 65 years of age, fell and bleeding from his head. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1139 HRS 700 BLOCK OF ELDERBERRY CT. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT. Delayed from 09/17/10. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1634 HRS 200 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. Complainant advised her ex-husband called numerous times. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1756 HRS REED RD. & HALIGUS RD. ACCIDENT Four vehicles. Property damage only.
1825 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WARWICK LN. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Items taken from vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1849 HRS 20 BLOCK OF WALNUT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 83 years of age, with hip pain. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1911 HRS 100 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only.
2024 HRS ROUTE 31 & TRINITY DR. ACCIDENT. Car vs. Deer. Property damage only.
2200 HRS 20 BLOCK OF PERSHING AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 62 years of age, with extreme leg pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Green Candidate Wants Sheriff Struck From Ballot

Woodstock blogger and McHenry Green candidate for Sheriff Gus Philpott charged Monday his opponent Republican Sheriff Keith Nygren should be removed from the County's November ballot because he's not an Illinois resident.  Philpott said on his blog Woodstock Advocate  Monday the matter might be resolved by the end of the day but that estimate proved optimistic.

Philpott filed his complaint at the McHenry County Clerk's Office.  However, Clerk Kathie Schultz was in Springfield Monday doing clerkly things.  An Office spokesman said she hadn't been able to reach Schultz there.  First Assistant State's Attorney Tom Carroll said Monday he'd heard about Philpott's complaint but hadn't seen it and couldn't comment on it.

Philpott's letter to Schultz referred to a revelation last year by anti-Nygren blogger and ex-Coroner's candidate Dave Bachmann that Nygren and his wife owned a swank home in Florida that carried a tax exemption available only to that state's residents.

This Spring Nygren eventually told the Northwest Herald it was just a mixup and it was his wife who'd claimed the Florida resident exemption.  Meanwhile then-County Assessor Donna Mayberry said she'd removed Illinois' homestead exemption from the Nygren's Hebron home.

Philpott said Monday he didn't buy that.  "If there was perjury involved then that's something the County Clerk should be asking," he said.  Philpott said he'd waited for someone else to make an issue of the Florida exemption but, "No one over challenged him."

The intervening months may have outmoded Philpott's complaint, though.  An online check of the Lee County, Florida, Assessor's records Monday showed the Nygren residence there no longer enjoys that state's up to $50,000 exemption.

In the pic: Third from the top, left, is McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren's now non-exempt 4,000 square-foot double-lot home on a canal in Florida's Gulfcoast Cape Coral.  

Grafton Township Decision Delayed Two More Weeks

Hopes for a decision in the court battle over who runs Grafton Township were dashed when another judge took the docket call Monday explaining that Circuit Judge Michael Caldwell was in the middle of a malpractice trial that might run into next week.

Associate Judge Michael Feetterer set the next checkin date on the case for Oct. 4 by which time John Nelson, attorney for Grafton Supervisor Linda Moore, said he'd file a response to Tom DiCianni's motion to throw out big chunks of his written arguments. DiCianni is the attorney for Grafton Township's four trustees and the Township attorney whom Moore accuses of usurping her authority--and who in turn accuse Moore of ignoring their directives. In a filing last week DiCianni charged Nelson didn't properly cite courtroom testimony.

Nelson told FEN he'd tell Caldwell that the way he wrote his summary was OK because both sides had agreed to submit written briefs in place of in-court argument. He said oral summations don't include citations to testimony so that's the way he worte up his arguments.

"I asked the judge if he wanted a copy of the transcript," said Nelson, "and he didn't."

LITH PD Busts Four Alleged Car Burglars

Lake in the Hills police said Monday they thought they'd solved a spate of car burglaries residents discovered Sunday in the Ferryville/Waterbury/Warwick/Steeplechase neighborhood off Annandale Drive.

Police arrested a coed quartet early Monday morning after a nearby Briarfield Lane resident reported someone was in his garage.  By the time police arrived at the residence no one was there but officers said they found the four nearby.

Charged each with two counts of burglary to a motor vehicle, possession of burglary tools, and theft over $300 were Michael J. Mehlman, 20, Fox River Grove; Joe R. Schultz, 19, Stone Park; Jeremy R. Stanfield, 19, Northlake, and Liannah J. Gagnon, 17, Carpentersville.

Police said Monday they're not through investigating the four and they expect more charges to be filed against them later.

Petitions Can Start Today For April Election

It's still six weeks until the November 2 General Election but even so it's already the first day for local candidates to circulate nominating petitions for next April's Consolidated Election.

Packets for prospective candidates are available at municipal offices; school, fire protection and library district headquarters and at community college administration offices.

In Algonquin candidates for three trustees' seats will be on the ballot as the terms of Debby Sosine, John Spella and Jim Steigert expire.

Lake in the Hills will also see balloting for three trustee's spots.  Besides the empty one of the late Joe Murawski, terms for Ray Bogdanowski and Paul Mulcahy are running out.

In Huntley, too, three trustees' slots will be on the ballot.  Ending are the terms of Jay Kadakia, Niko Kanakaris and Harry Leopold.

In the school districts things get a little complicated.  Four seats will be up in District 300.  The spots now held by Karen Plaza (Algonquin Township), Joe Stevens (Dundee Township), Monica Clark (Hampshire Township), and Chris Stanton (Rutland Township) will be on the April ballot.  Candidates can come from any township in the district but no more than three Board Members can come from Algonquin, Dundee, Hampshire and Rutland townships.  The terms of Anne Miller (Algonquin Township), Dave Alessio (Dundee Township), and Karen Roeckner (Dundee Township) don't expire so depending on who wants to run there might be a game of musical chairs for a spot on the ballot.

In District 158 four spots will be open.  Terms of Kevin Gentry, Mike Skala, Anthony Quagliano and Aileen Seedorf are running out.

At McHenry County College the Board seats now filled by Bob DeWitt and George Lowe will be on the consolidated ballot.

Over at Elgin Community College the slots of trustees Phyllis Folarin and John Duffy, both of Elgin, and Eleanor MacKinney of Hampshire will be up for grabs.

At the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District the two-year terms of John Bradach and Mike Markowitz are expiring.  Winners in April will serve full six-year terms.

At the Huntley Area Fire Protection District the slots that currently belong to Bonnie Bayser and Bob Kunde will be on the consolidated ballot.

Trustees at the Algonquin and Huntley area library districts will also be on the ballot.

There are all sorts of tricky rules about circulating nominating petitions and woe betide the candidate that trips over one.  A handy guide from the State Board of Elections can be downloaded here: http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/PDF/2011Canguide.pdf

It carries the warning, "Legal information contained in this guide, however, is not binding ...."  Just the State's way of saying "Welcome to local government."

Kirk: Voters Don’t Know Why Senate Race Is Key

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Get ready to hear a lot more about Illinois' race for U.S. Senate.  But know that not everything you hear won't necessarily be from Mark Kirk and Alexis Giannoulias.

Kirk, a Republican Congressman and the GOP candidate, Monday said that once the national attention is focused on Illinois, the race for U.S. Senate will become much hotter.
He made the comments during a Springfield appearance at an event hosted by the Illinois Policy Institute.

He offered the prediction as part of his explanation as to why he and Giannoulias are still in a such tight race, while Republican challenger Bill Brady has been able to pull away from Gov. Pat Quinn in Illinois' race for governor.

Kirk said voters understand the mess at the Statehouse, but said he doesn't think they have the same knowledge about the race for Senate.

"We're the only state in the country that will specifically elect a junior senator to serve in the lame duck session in Congress," said Kirk. "The national media has missed the potential that Illinois could send a senator that could be the 42nd Republican."

A Giannoulias campaign spokesman said it's not that voters or anyone else is not paying attention to the race for U.S. Senate.  But rather that people are paying attention and don't like what they've seen from Kirk.

"Voters are smart enough to realize that Congressman Kirk's abysmal record of supporting the failed reckless economic policies of the past will not earn him a new job in November." said Scott Burnham with the Giannoulias campaign.

Kirk tried Monday to stay away from a potential controversy surrounding a soon-to-be aired TV commercial from American Crossroads, a group affiliated with Republican Karl Rove. Giannoulias called a press conference to demonize the ad.  Kirk said he's not yet seen the ad, so he declined to talk about it.

Kirk said more ads could be on the way. "There are so many outside parties that will attempt to come into the state, it's very likely that a large part of the voice in the election will not be (mine or Giannoulias'), it's just the First Amendment on display."

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4173/kirk-voters-dont-know-why-senate-race-is-key/

In the pic: Kirk at a Monday news conference.

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 20
0017 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. STANFIELD, JEREMY R., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 9535 FRANKLIN, FRANKLIN PARK. CHARGES: Two counts of Burglary to Motor Vehicle, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
MEHLMAN, MICHAEL J., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 9710 GALLEK RD., FOX RIVER GROVE. CHARGES: Two counts of Burglary to Motor Vehicle,Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
GAGNON, LIANNAH J., F/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, 110 WOODLAND CT. APT 3B, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Two counts of Burglary to Motor Vehicle, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
SCHULTZ, JOE R., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 1814 N. 37TH AVE., STONE PARK. CHARGES: Two counts of Burglary to Motor Vehicle,Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0844 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. BIGI, FABRIZIO G., M/W 51 YEARS OF AGE, 5324 BRIARFIELD LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1425 HRS MILLER RD. & LAKEWOOD RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. CZEMPINSKI, MARIUSZ, M/W 48 YEARS OF AGE, 420 WINSLOW WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Improper Lane Usage, Disobeying a Traffic Control Device, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Illegal Transport of Alcohol. RELEASED ON BOND.
0844 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Stepmother vs. Stepdaughter. No priors. Female, 37 years of age, with a head injury. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center. FAIL TO FILE.
0947 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF MAPLE ST. DEATH INVESTIGATION. Female, 73 years of age, found unresponsive.
1018 HRS 300 N. RANDALL RD., (LOWE’S) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1439 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. Pole.
1709 HRS 00 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. THEFT. Complainant’s checks were stolen from his check book. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1736 HRS FRANK RD. & PEARTREE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 27 years of age, fell off her bicycle. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.

Defenders, Fall Fest Schedule Big Book Sales

This weekend will see a feast for bibliophiles. While Kindle and Nook and a couple of dozen other e-book manufacturers duke it out over who has the best resolution, contrast, battery life, price and cost of content, there's one product (A guy named Gutenberg invented it.) that beats them on every point but price and at used book sales at Algonquin Township and the Huntley Fall Fest the digital entries will take a drubbing on that, too.

McHenry County's Defenders will have their annual used book sale at the Algonquin Township Garage beginning Friday through Oct. 2.  Meanwhile the Huntley Area Public Library Friends Foundation will sponsor Huntley's Fall Fest Book Sale at the Rec Center Saturday and Sunday.

The Defenders will still accept good-quality used books, tapes, videos, and CD's at the Township today through Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm each day.  Friday everything goes on sale marked way down from the original list price. Sale hours will be 10 am to 7 pm Friday, and  10 am to 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Entrance is free.

Next Monday hardcovers drop to $1 apiece, paperbacks $.50 for the rest of the week except the final Saturday, Bag Day, when they're $5 in bag bulk.  The hours for that week are noon to 7 pm and 10 am to 2 pm Oct. 2.

The Fall Fest Book Sale will cost $2 per adult, $1 per child to enter but if patrons stop by the Library first they can pick up two-for-one coupon to use for buying books.  Hours for the Huntley sale will be 10 am to 5 pm Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm Sunday.

Lawmakers, AG To Hold Workshops On Senior Fraud

State Sen. Pamela Althoff, State Rep. MiKE Tryon and Deputy Republican Leader Tim Schmitz are teaming up with Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s Office to offer “Silver Beat” fraud prevention seminars at two area locations next week.  They're aimed at helping seniors avoid scams.

First seminar will be next Monday at the Algonquin Township offices from 10 am to noon. The second is set for the following Wednesday Sept. 29  at PNC Bank, Huntley, from noon to 2 pm.

At the seminars, seniors will receive information and training on fraud prevention involving a range of senior-targeted scams:

debt settlement traps and  fake check cashing scams
“Reverse mortgages”
The Senior Medicare Patrol Project and health care fraud
Rights under the new credit card rules
Fraudulent businesses.

“Seniors are often the target of con artists and deceptive practices," said Althoff because criminals perceive them to be more vulnerable and affluent, with access to a wide variety of retirement accounts and pensions.”

The seminars are free. For more information, call (815) 455-6330, (815) 459-6453 or (630) 845-9590.

MCC's Shah Center Offers Computer Courses

The McHenry County College Shah Center will offer instructor-led, hands-on computer training next month to help residents retread for new careers.

The courses include:

Saturday, Oct. 2
8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (continued on Oct. 9) Word 2003: Basic: Microsoft Word is a powerful authoring program that gives you the ability to create and share documents by combining a comprehensive set of writing tools. Cost: $155. Register using Course ID: NTC S84 002.

Monday, Oct. 4
5:30-9:30 p.m. (continued on Oct. 11) PowerPoint 2003 Basic: Microsoft Office PowerPoint enables users to quickly create high-impact, dynamic presentations, while integrating workflow and ways to easily share information. Cost: $155. Register using course ID: NTC S91002.

Friday, Oct. 8
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Excel 2007: Basic: Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool you can use to create and format spreadsheets, and analyze and share information to make more informed decisions. Cost: $155. Register using course ID:  NTC S48 003.

Tuesday, Oct. 12
1-5:30 p.m. (continued on Thursday, Oct. 14) Excel 2003: Advanced: Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool you can use to create and format spreadsheets, and analyze and share information to make more informed decisions. Cost: $155. Register using course ID: NTC S46 001.

Friday, Oct. 15
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Outlook 2007: Microsoft Outlook is the email client included with the Microsoft Office suite. It manages email, calendars, contacts, tasks, to-do lists, and documents or files on the hard drive. Outlook helps you communicate through email, phone support, and group scheduling capabilities. Cost: $155. Register using course ID: NTC S70 002.

Saturdays, Oct.16
8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (continued on Oct. 23) Expression Web: Basic. Whether you're an expert or just getting started, building standards-based Web sites is faster and easier with Microsoft Expression Web. Cost: $155. Register using Course ID: NTC S09 002.

Monday, Oct. 18
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (continued on Oct. 20) Crystal Reports XI: Basic: Crystal Reports is a business intelligence application used to design and generate reports from a wide range of data sources. Cost: $339. Register using course ID: NTC S18 001.

1-5 p.m. (continued on Wednesday, Oct. 20 ) Adobe Acrobat Basic:  is a software application that helps you communicate and collaborate more easily and securely using PDF, the standard for electronic document exchange. Create and reliably share PDF documents and forms, help protect and control sensitive information, safeguard your work, and communicate exactly as you intended. Cost: $155. Register using course ID: NTC S47 002.

Friday, Oct. 22
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Access 2003 Basic: Microsoft Office Access is a relational database system that helps you track and report information with ease. Cost: $155. Register using course ID: NTC S71 002.

Tuesday, Oct. 26
1-5:30 p.m. (continued on Thursday, Oct. 28) Excel 2007: Intermediate:  Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool you can use to create and format spreadsheets, and analyze and share information to make more informed decisions. Cost: $155. Register using course ID: NTC S49 003.

Friday, Oct. 29
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Outlook 2003: Basic:  Microsoft Outlook is the email client included with the Microsoft Office suite. It manages email, calendars, contacts, tasks, to-do lists, and documents or files on the hard drive. Outlook helps you communicate through email, phone support, and group scheduling capabilities.  Cost: $155. Register using course ID: NTC S68 002.

Saturdays, Oct. 30
8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (continued on Nov. 6) PowerPoint 2003: Advanced:  Microsoft Office PowerPoint enables users to quickly create high-impact, dynamic presentations, while integrating workflow and ways to easily share information. Cost: $155. Register using course ID: NTC S92 002.

All of the programs are located at the Shah Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane, McHenry. To register, call (815) 455-8588.  For course descriptions and skill level information, call the Shah Center at (815) 455-8593.

Releases We Didn't Finish Reading

"Press passes are now being issued for the 2010 North American Bed Bug Summit in  Chicago...."

In the pic:  Where do all those bedbugs stay in Chicago during the summit, the Roach Motel?
 

Quinn Chooses Familiar Firm For Lottery

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn last week chose a private firm made up of companies that already work with the Illinois Lottery to manage its efforts for the next 10 years.

Northstar Group represents gaming vendors, Rhode-Island-based GTECH Corp. and New-York-based Scientific Games Inc., along with marketing partner Chicago-Based Energy BBDO. The firm beat out the Camelot Group, which runs the United Kingdom’s lottery. The Illinois Department Of Revenue and an advisory panel recommended Northstar to Quinn because its bid set higher profit goals and lower operation costs than Camelot’s.

“From what the lottery officials told us today," Senate President John Cullerton said in a written statement, "if they ran the lottery over the next five years, it would generate $3.3 billion. With a private manager, this first-in-the-nation approach is slated to generate $4.8 billion.”

Jodie Winnett, acting lottery superintendent, some of the plans moving forward include expanding from 7,500 retailers to 13,000 — including “big box” stores and pharmacies — such as Wal-Mart and CVS. Marketing efforts would also include highlighting projects funded with lottery profits.

Quinn said Northstar is promising profits greater than what the state original projected an independent firm could bring in, which he says "more than make up for any short-term shortfall from video gaming."

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/quinn-chooses-familiar-firm-to-run.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
September 19
0357 HRS 250 N. RANDALL, (COSTCO). BATTERY. KNIESEL, RICHARD K., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 12 WEST ACORN LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND. ODONNEL, MARK M, M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 1405 SKYRIDGE DR. APT B, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
1807 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. COFFMAN, SHELLY A., F/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 3 COMPTON CT., ALGONQUIN CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
1938 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD.,(THORNTONS). WANTED ON WARRANT. MEJIA, RUBEN, M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 131 VILLAGE CREEK, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Chicago Police Department for Failure to Appear for Marijuana Possession. Bond Amount: $2,000 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
0136 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF NOELLE BEND. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 65 years of age, severe abdominal pain.  Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0239 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. Fifty-five priors.
0249 HRS 220 N. RANDALL, (MORETTIS). ACCIDENT. Two vehicle. Property damage only.
0420 HRS 250 N. RANDALL, (COSTCO). ASSIST AMBULANCE Male, 39 years of age, injury to his head. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0659 HRS 200 BLOCK OF WARWICK LN. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Radar detector and numerous items taken from two unsecured vehicles.
0736 HRS 200 BLOCK OF WARWICK LN. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Numerous items taken from unsecured vehicle.
0953 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF WATERBURY PLACE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Numerous items taken from unsecured vehicle.
1024 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LINCOLN ST. DOMESTIC. Daughter vs. Father. Verbal only. One prior.
1059 HRS 400 BLOCK OF STEEPLECHASE WAY. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Purse, GPS, and other numerous items taken from two unsecured vehicles.
1113 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF CROSSVIEW LN. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. GPS and other numerous items taken from unsecured vehicle.
1215 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF CROSSVIEW LN. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Numerous items taken from unsecured vehicle.
1633 HRS 2200 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female hit her head on back headrest. No transport.
1821 HRS 00 BLOCK OF KURT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 38 years of age, fell and injured her hip. Transport to Sherman Hospital.
1921 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 50 years of age, feeling off balance. Transport to Sherman Hospital.
1929 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF WHITMORE WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Ex-girlfriend vs. Ex-boyfriend. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1116 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. One prior.
2256 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. Complainant had contact with her ex-boyfriend via telephone. UNFOUNDED.
September 18
0330 HRS 231 N., RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL). ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR. RAU, ALLISON C., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 3990 GEORGETOWN CIRCLE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0840 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICK’S). FOLLOW-UP ARREST: RETAIL THEFT. JUVENILE, F/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Retail theft. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0047 HRS 5200 BLOCK OF GREENSHIRE CIRCLE. HIT & RUN. A silver vehicle drove into complainant’s fence and then left. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0332 HRS 166 N. RANDALL RD., (LIBERTY TAX SERVICE). BATTERY. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1057 HRS 600 BLOCK OF DAVID ST. THEFT. Mailbox was taken overnight. Valued at $75.00.
1209 HRS RANDALL RD & ACORN LANE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1356 HRS 400 BLOCK OF GLENROSE LN. THEFT. Copper piping taken from vacant residence.
1519 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF CHANTILLY CIRCLE. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 47 years of age highly intoxicated. Transported to Woodstock Hospital
1603 HRS 2100 BLOCK OF CLAREMONT LN. AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, one and a half-month old, having difficulty breathing. No transport.
1706 HRS 2500 BLOCK OF FAIRFAX LN. AMBULANCE ASSIST Female, 72 years of age having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2209 HRS 6000 BLOCK OF LUCERNE LN. BATTERY. Female vs. female. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
September 17
0841 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. HOFF, KAREN E., F/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 1007 OEFFLING DR., JOHNSBURG. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Suspended Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
0710 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 50 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1128 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 66 year of age, with a severe headache. No transport.
1538 HRS 310 RANDALL RD., (CHASE BANK). DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. Fraudulent bank activities.
1709 HRS 220 RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). PRIVATE PROPERTY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2041 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 41 years of age, with a rapid heart beat and feeling faint. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
September 17
16:56pm Hixson, Peter D., DOB: 10/07/84, of 2 Country Oaks, Barrington Hills, was charged with Reckless Conduct, 2 counts of Domestic Battery and 2 counts of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and High Point Ridge.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
17:31pm Khan, Shireen A., DOB: 05/16/74, of 11 W. Acorn Lane, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLR.   She was also Wanted on a Warrant, out of Kane County.  She was taken into custody at Panera Bread, 451 S. Randall Road.  She was released after posting $150 on the Algonquin charge with a court date of 10/13/10 in McHenry County and after posting $400, on the Kane County warrant with a court date of 10/21/10 in Kane County.

McHenry County Dems Open Campaign HQ At Algonquin

Saturday it was McHenry County Democrats' turn to open their campaign headquarters for the  upcoming election at a storefront on South Main in Algonquin.

In contrast to the GOP who had a burgers and brats cookout Friday at the opening of their election HQ in Crystal Lake, most of the Dems were busy Saturday preparing for the campaign.
"We'll be busy stuffing envelopes and phone banking," said County Chairman Mike Bisset.

Phone banking?  Don't voters hate that?  "We'll have real people.  It's the robocalls people hate," said Bisset.

In the pic:  At McHenry County Democrats' campaign headquarters Saturday Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp seeking to oust Congressman Don Manzullo shakes hands with Crystal Lake retired postal worker Bob Kaempfe who hopes to beat State Rep. Mike Tryon.

It's Our River Volunteers Clean Fox At Algonquin

High School students from two Cary-Grove environmental science classes provided the most manpower Saturday scouring the river shore near Algonquin's Cornish Park.  They gathered bags of riverine jetsam littering the littoral in the village's third It's Our River Day co-sponsored with the McHenry County Defenders environmental group.

While the volunteers collected a fair amount of detritus, even with Scouts from Troop 151 adding their numbers it wasn't nearly as much as they gathered initially two years ago.

"You've got to feel good that that's all they picked up," said Trustee Jerry Glogowski, sidewalk superintending the operation.

"Our Public Works Department has done such a fine job that at the end of the day there isn't a lot left for the volunteers," said Trustee Debby Sosine who had helped start Saturday's event with a pep-talk.

In the pic:  Cans, bottles and shoes were among the debris collected at Algonquin's It's Our River Day cleanup of the Fox River shore.  So was a tire and an ornamental garden gate.

Mobile Pantry Distributes 5 Tons Of Food At Alg. Twp.

The line stetched from the distribution depot back into the parking lot Saturday afternoon as the Northern Illinois Food Bank's Mobile Food Pantry distributed a truckload of food at Algonquin Township headquarters.

"We're got 10,000 pounds," said Melody Stanko, President of the Cary-Grove Food Pantry whose volunteers provided labor for the project.

Stanko said the special mobile distribuition sponsored by Family Medicine For McHenry County, Crystal Lake, came at a good time since the shelves at the CG Pantry, like those in Algonquin and Huntley are getting pretty bare.

"It's always thin at this time of year," said Stanko, "but there's stuff we usually have a lot of like green beans that we're down to less than 24 cans.  It's unheard of."

In the pic:  (left to right) Dr. Clare Legursky and Certified Nurse Practitioners Linda Rood and Katherine Galias, all from event sponsor Family Medicine For McHenry County, helped pass out food to folks having a tough time getting by in the current economy.

Local Joint Walk For Poor Set Next Saturday

St. Margaret Mary Church in Algonquin and St. Mary's in Huntley are among five area churches  participating in the National Walk for the Poor next Saturday. The local walk at St. Catherine's of Sienna, Dundee, is sponsored by the churches' St. Vincent DePaul societies, a lay group that helps poor people with rent, utility bills, food and even legal fees.

The walk will be a 5k affair starting and ending at St. Catherine's on West Main (Rt. 72) in West Dundee.  Registration is open through the morning of the walk, Sept. 25, when signups start at 7 am. The walk starts at 8.

The other participating churches are Saints Peter and Paul Church in Cary and  St. Charles Borromeo Church in Hampshire. Money raised by the walkers through pledges will go directly to the poor in each participant's community.

Other churches in McHenry County are holding similar walks and nationally it's estimated there will be more than 200 Walks For the Poor next Saturday. Last year 158 national walks collectively raised over $1.2 million.

The number to call for the local walk at St. Catherine's is (847) 658-5542.

Local Sports

Local Football

SATURDAY
Springfield Southeast    6
Johnsburg                       21

FRIDAY
Marmion                         24
Marian Central                7

Crystal Lake Central   42
McHenry                         21

Huntley                           34
Woodstock                    16

Prairie Ridge                 20
Crystal Lake South      24

Woodstock North         7
Cary-Grove                   42

THURSDAY
Dundee-Crown               14
Grayslake North            28

Grayslake Central         7
Jacobs                              24

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
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