Illinois Declares Tax (Penalty) Amnesty

It's really a bad idea to take out an unofficial loan by not paying taxes.  The penalties add up to the sort of interest rate usually associated with knuckle-scarred guys named Bruno.  If you've already done it, though, there's a way out, although  only for about five weeks.  It started Friday and the Illinois Department of Revenue calls it a Tax Amnesty.

It's actually a penalty and interest amnesty.  The tax itself (incurred between June 30, 2002, and prior to July 1, 2009) is still due and toot sweet, too.  Furthermore, if you don't pay during the amnesty period, Illinois' version of Bruno will look for you to demand double penalties and interest.

Naturally there are all sorts of complicated quiddities and provisos.  For a taste, check here: http://www.revenue.state.il.us/Amnesty/AmnestyQandA.htm .  Local attorneys, naming no names, suggest candidates for the amnesty should consult an attorney.

Samson Treatment For D300 Superintendent Apparent

You can take the Principal out of the school, but apparently not the school out of the principal.  Or maybe a bargain's a bargain.

In any case, last year Mike Bregy told Jacobs High School students if they made a bigger improvement in their ACT test scores than the kids at Huntley they could shave his head.  They did (.1 point up vs. .1 point down; Huntley still with a .7 point edge), so even though Bregy's now District 300's Associate Superintendent, he came back to Jacobs' Homecoming Pep Rally Friday for a shearing.

If the Samson treatment helped with ACT scores it didn't do much that evening on the football field, however.  Jacobs fell to CL South 14 to 28.

In the pic:  Jacobs ACT high-achievers Eric Hansen and Brad Searle relieve D300 Associate Superintendent Mike Bregy of the need for a pocket comb at a Pep Rally Friday.

Huntley Firefighters Support October Breast Cancer Awareness

Pink T-shirts will be the unofficial uniform of the day for the next month among the man and women of the Huntley Fire Protection District.  They're to promote National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the support's so strong some of the guys like Deputy Chief Keith Mallegni even wear the T's under their official uniforms.

Comparing notes, firefighters discovered almost every one of them had a mother, sister or wife who'd had at least a brush with breast cancer so they decided to really get behind the idea that cancer prevention and early detection can make the difference between life and death.

The Huntley Fire Protection District has t-shirts for sale to support breast cancer education and treatment.  They're available at Station #2 on Reed Road and Culver’s of Huntley.  They're $15 for the short sleeve model (and also pink hats), $17 for the long version. Proceeds benefit local breast cancer support organizations.

Seminar Warns Against Senior Scams

State Rep. Tim Schmitz (R-49) sponsored an edition of the Illinois Attorney General's Silver Beat program at Huntley's PNC Bank this week to warn seniors to watch out for scams.

Seniors are thought to be high-priority targets for scammers since they've spent a lifetime saving for old age.  In the region in the past couple of months an elderly Elgin woman fell for the "Grandma, I'm in jail" phone scam and another elderly woman near McHenry fell for the "Now the job's finished but want twice what we quoted you" scam.

The Silver Beat seniors' education program is supposed to help prevent that sort of thing.  Details on scheduling seminars are here: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/SilverBeatDescription.pdf .

Schmitz' Huntley Silver Beat seminar was co-sponsored by State Rep. Mike Tryon and State Sen. Pamela Althoff.

In the pic:  State Rep. Tim Schmitz alerting Huntley area seniors to watch for fraud.

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
October 01
0725 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LINCOLN ST., POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. GATLIN, MEGAN L., F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 18 LINCOLN ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. RELEASED ON BOND.
0848 HRS 500 BLOCK OF PAWNEE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 33 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1100 HRS 250 RANDALL RD., (COSTCO) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 83 years of age, lost consciousness. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1017 HRS 600 BLOCK OF LONG COVE DR. OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE. Property turned over to Police Department. Entered into evidence.
1252 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LINCOLN ST.
DOMESTIC Sister vs. sister. Verbal only. Two priors.
1306 HRS 100 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 80 years of age, injury to her hip. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1630 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1816 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS PD). CUSTODY DISPUTE. Parents having a dispute over child visitation issues. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2029 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Suicide Attempt. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.

McHenry County Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned indictments this week against the following individuals:
The charges against these defendants are merely allegations against them.  The defendants are presumed innocent of any crime until proven guilty in court.

ERVIN A. BETANCOURT, DOB:  08/22/91, 6868 SW 21ST STREET, MIRAMAR, FL. GROOMING, CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE.--Huntley PD
  
CYNTHIA B. WRIGHT, DOB:  09/14/66, 213 CIRCLE DRIVE, FOX RIVER GROVE. UNLAWFUL USE OF A CREDIT CARD.--Fox River Grove PD
      
JACOB J. DIEDRICH, DOB:  07/26/90, 1403 N. CHURCH STREET, MCHENRY. MOB ACTION, BATTERY.
HARVEL C. HARRIS, DOB:  07/24/89, 14627 JUSTIN ROAD, HARVEY. MOB ACTION, BATTERY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
ANTHONY M. STEPINA, DOB:  03/11/79, 2097 STONE LAKE ROAD  APT 1C, WOODSTOCK. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
CARLOS M. DANTES, DOB:  10/13/91, 880 NORTHHAMPTON LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FRAUDULENT IDENTIFICATION CARD.--Crystal Lake PD
  
ALBERTO D. REYES, DOB: 12/29/83, 1006 ESSEX COURT, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FRAUDULENT IDENTIFICATION CARD.--McHenry  PD

PATRICK M. FALLOW, DOB:  07/01/92, 3301 E. LAKE SHORE DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
JOSEPH C. CALLAS, DOB:  05/09/92, 7518 SALEM DRIVE, WONDER LAKE.UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--Prairie Grove PD
  
MITCHELL W. KLUWE, DOB:  06/04/85, 352 MARENGO ROAD, HARVARD. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM WITHOUT REQUISITE FIREARM OWNER’S IDENTIFICATION CARD(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM AMMUNITION WITHOUT REQUISITE FIREARM OWNER’S IDENTIFICATION CARD.--Harvard PD

NANCY L. LIMA, DOB:  01/25/60, LKA:  3705 CORNELL COURT, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry PD

Huntley Amtrak Backstep: More Details

One legislator at a forum announcing the State hasn't settled on an Amtrak route from Chicago to Dubuque  offered two explanations for the change Friday.  One was optimism and the other was politics.

Until the transportation meeting Sept. 2 at Kishwaukee College west of DeKalb, planners had been laboring under the impression the Illinois Department of Transportation was settled on a north route through Huntley for the new Amtrak service.  Huntley hoped it had the inside track to a station on the new route.  At the forum, though, IDOT officials revealed they weren't so sure after all and had begun a new study of the matter.

State Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-35) was at the meeting and told FEN Friday IDOT decided to restudy the route in hopes of getting more federal money for it from President Obama's Stimulus II proposal which was about to be formally announced.

Governor Pat Quinn had already committed $60 million from Illinois' share of Stimulus I for the Amtrak route. The Stimulus II plan included $50 billion for roads, runways and railroads, however, and IDOT hoped to get some of that, too, Burzynski told FEN.

When Stimulus II was introduced, though, it met with  Republican opposition and Democratic apathy. Now it seems to be sidetracked at least until after the November election, maybe permanently.

So, IDOT's conducting an expensive study to get more money that might never even exist?
"You said that," Burzynksi chuckled.  "I didn't."

But then the Rochelle legislator suggested there might be something else going on behind the scenes. "There are three possible outcomes for the study," he said.  "It might find the northern route's the best. (The one through Huntley.)  Or it might find the southern route's the best.  Or it might find neither one is very good."

"I have to ask myself what would happen if none of them worked?," said Burzynski.  "Then Governor Quinn would have an extra $60 million to spend somewhere else.  For instance, Cook County; there's a lot of work that needs to be done there," he said.

In the pic:  State Sen. Brad Burzynski.

Jacobs HS Kicks Off Homecoming With Annual Parade

Jacobs High School's Homecoming Parade marched from Spella Park down Harnish Drive to the high school Thursday where students revved up to prepare the (majestic and soaring) Golden Eagles for their battle this evening with Crystal Lake South's (cold-blooded, belly-crawling) Gators.

Highlight of a Pep assembly this morning is supposed to be a gang head-shaving for 10 teachers who helped students increase the school's ACT average.  The Homecoming game is tonight at 7:15.  Saturday will see Jacobs' annual Homecoming Dance.

Last Farmers' Market Of Season At Huntley Sat.

Huntley's Farmers' Market will fold its tents for the last time this season at the end of  Fall Harvest Celebration Saturday.

From 8 am to 1 PM the Market will feature Fall produce and decorations. The Market's Craft Fair will include yard art, jewelry, handmade wood rolling pins, cutting boards and salad hands plus children's dress-up costumes and hats and hair accessories, home decor, photo cards and lots of other stuff. There'll be free pumpkin decorating and kids' crafts at the Market and shoppers will hear Andrew Huber and Dave Gutshall playing music in the village Gazebo.

Fall Fun Factoid--Impress Your Friends

A recent release from the Illinois Department of Agriculture claims the state is the nation's leading pumpkin producer.  Take that, corn and soybean farmers.  Illinois is the Pumpkin King.

In the pic:  A pile o' punkins have already been harvested from this field near Huntley.  They belong to Dave Reid, owner of the eponymous Dave's Pumpkins on Algonquin Road.

Free Health Fair, Testing Saturday At St. MM, Algonquin

Saturday  Elemental Ministries, a Northern Illinois evangelical ministry,  will  host a Free Health Fair at St. Margaret Mary Elementary School, Algonquin.  The fair from 10 am to 5 pm.  The fair will include speakers, booths and health testing and a Health Forum.

The Health Forum will feature Dr. Arie Friedman, Dr. James Brown, Steve Tucker, Joe Walsh and Joe Calomino of Americans for Prosperity discussing new health reform legislation from a medical, insurance and legislative viewpoint. The forum will run from 1 pm til 3 pm.

Campaign Is On For Early Votes

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
As many as 1 in 10 votes cast this year could be cast before Nov. 2  That’s millions of voters from Chicago to Cairo who will miss the October push, millions of voters that campaigns need to reach out to right now.

For the past week Voters in Illinois have been able to request an absentee ballot and they’ll be able to vote early in person starting Oct. 11.  Voters have the right to a pre-Election Day ballot without needing a reason. And since 2006 when early voting became an option, early voting turnout has steadily grown. Mark Guethle, Kane County Democratic chairman, said he’s seen more and more of the county’s 400,000 voters cast an early or absentee ballot. “I know that we had 40,000 votes cast (as) early votes in ‘08.”

Guethle said lifting restrictions and making early voting more accessible has gone a long way to making it popular.  But that popularity is also impacting how he has to do his job.  Guethle is already having to send campaign troops out to “get out the vote.” “We have about 150 committeemen and about half of them will go out this Saturday and canvass their precinct.

Rudy Lewis with Peoria County’s Republican Committee adds that there are new calculations to be made. “We work on supporting our state legislators and making sure that constitutional candidates get their signs up and are in strategic locations to have the maximum impact.” Lewis said that’s work that used to be able to be done in October, not early and mid-September.

Lewis said encouraging early and absentee voting makes the math of election day a bit easier. “The process of elimination.  If 30 percent of people have already voted that leaves you only 70 percent to concentrate on.”

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4201/campaign-is-now-for-early-votes/

Obituaries

Cal Geschke, 85, of Huntley died Monday at his home in Huntley. He was born October 10, 1924, the son of Otto and Ella (Kegler) Geschke. A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, October 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Huntley.  Entombment will be in Acacia Park Cemetery, Chicago.

Geschke is survived by his wife, Elaine, his son Clifford (Susan) Geschke of Crystal Lake and his two grandsons Tim and Paul.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lorraine and his brother Clarence.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Huntley, or Immanuel Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake.



Genevieve C. Smith of Sun City, Huntley, died peacefully Wednesday.  A funeral service will be 2 pm Saturday at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Smith was born February 15, 1921, the daughter of Joseph and Josephine Cerkan.  She married Wilse W. Smith.

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 30
0112 HRS 0 BLOCK OF PRINCETON CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE Male, 54 years of age, with high blood pressure. No transport.
0701 HRS 600 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Suspicious vehicle in the area.
0829 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. DEATH INVESTIGATION. Male, 74 years of age, unresponsive.
1049 HRS 3800 BLOCK OF BLACKBERRY DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 60 years of age, injury to his head. No transport.
1058 HRS 8700 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. HIT & RUN. Vehicle in parking lot struck overnight.
Algonquin
September 28
09:03am Two 14 year-old females and a 16 year-old female all from Carpentersville were charged with Aggravated Battery.  All were taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  All were referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of their parents.
20:14pm Lechner, Julie A.m DOB: 06/03/80 of 5 Arrowhead Drive Apt #40, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for DWLS.  She was taken into custody at 5 Arrowhead Drive.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
September 29
07:03am A 14 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with Theft Under $300.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his mother.
18:25pm Salgado, Jesus Jr., DOB: 09/27/88, of 1610 N. Poplar Avenue, Round Lake Beach, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Cary Road and Route 31.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/03/10 in McHenry County.
21:40pm Hajroja, Burim, DOB: 02/22/87, of 2635 Amber Lane, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for DUI and also a Warrant out of McHenry County for Battery.  He was taken into custody at 2635 Amber Lane.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
September 30
18:43pm Wouters, Denise A., DOB: 11/22/54, of 230 First Street, Crystal Lake, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at TJ Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/10/10 in McHenry County.
October 1
01:22am Heflin, Christopher M., DOB: 01/20/85, of 3 Westminster Court, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Obstructing, DWLS and DUI.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Berg Street.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
01:32am Anderson, Lacey C., DOB: 08/15/86, of 35W580 Country School Road, West Dundee, was charged with DUI, No Proof of Insurance and Improper Lane Usage.  She was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Berg Street.  She was released after posting $150 and her Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 11/10/10 in McHenry County.
Huntley
September 20
An identity theft report was taken in the 10500 block of Somerset Dr.  The victim states he is being contacted by a collection agency for payment on an account that he does not own.
Two 15 year-old females were each charged with two counts of disorderly conduct.  The charges stem from an incident that happened on a school bus.  The juveniles were released to their parents and will attend Peer Jury.
A burglary report was taken at a business property in the 11000 block of  Rt. 47.  The victim states that within the last 30 days buckets of wood stain were stolen from the building.
Leonard M. Regal, age 51, of 10408 Evendale, Huntley, was arrested for disorderly conduct.  Mr. Regal posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 15, 2010.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 13500 block of Rainsford Dr.  A window was broken at a residence.
Brandon L. McBryde, age 21, of 12181 Sinnett, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for speeding.  Mr. McBryde posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 15, 2010.
September 21
Two burglary from motor vehicle reports were taken in the 11600 block of Woodcreek Dr.  The car stereos from each vehicle were stolen.
September 22
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 10700 block of Golden Gate.  The victim states an iPod adapter and a carton of cigarettes were stolen from the unlocked vehicle.
A retail theft report was taken at a business in the 12300 block of Rt. 47.  A digital camera was stolen.
Two criminal damage to property reports were taken in the 13100 block of Oakwood Ave.  Mail boxes at both residences were damaged.
September 23
Joshua J. Adams, age 18, of 11510 Grove St, Huntley, Jason M. Comstock, age 18, of 10891 Allegheny Pass, Huntley, Tanner Tagliareni, age 18, of 10488 Middletown Ln., Huntley and 2 male juveniles from Huntley were charged with criminal trespass.  All were released with a court date of October 25, 2010.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 9900 block of Cummings.  The glass on a sliding glass door was broken.
September 24
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 11800 block of Leland.  The vehicle was broken into and tools were stolen from the vehicle.
September 26
A 16 year-old female and a 15 year-old female from Huntley were charged with possession of tobacco by a minor.  Both juveniles were released to their parents and will attend Peer Jury.
Peter T. Morzos, age 29, of 14217 Frohling Rd., Huntley, was arrested for unlawful use of a registration sticker and cited for no valid registration and no proof of insurance.  Mr. Morzos posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of November 12, 2010.

Quinn Puts Huntley Amtrak Station Back To Square One

Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass said he began to suspect two months ago something was wrong with a plan that might give the village an Amtrak railroad station.  Wednesday State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-64) confirmed that Governor Pat Quinn's choice for an Amtrak Route from Chicago to Dubuque is no longer operational and there's another study underway about it.

Huntley had offered to pay for the Amtrak station if planners would pick the village as the area stop on the northern route Quinn selected last year. They were hopeful the offer would clinch the selection. However,"There was supposed to be an announcement in June or July," said Sass. Only it never came.

Tryon said for undisclosed reasons Quinn's decided Genoa might be the best place for an  Amtrak station. The only problem with that is that Genoa isn't on the route Quinn he'd already picked.  "If you'd look at the demographics you'd have 50,000 riders (from Huntley)," said Tryon. "I can't imagine you'd have that in Genoa where there'd be far fewer."

Be that as it may, an Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman confirmed a new study's underway to pick the Amtrak route with a report expected in mid-November.  He wouldn't say why there was a new study, nor would he say why he wouldn't say it.  Quinn's office didn't return a call.

State Sen. Pam Althoff (R-32) put the cost of the study at $700,000 and said she thought part of the revision was to get more federal aid.  Quinn had planned to use $60 million in stimulus money on the northern route through Huntley.  "I think there's an opportunity for other federal dollars but there's a process (that requires a new study) so they're backpedalling," she said.

Nobody's sure how Genoa came into play.  The new study seems to have been underway for more than a month.  Obscure news reports indicate someone mooted a station for Genoa at a transportation forum at Kishwaukee College in Malta Sept. 2 but apparently there weren't any local officials in attendance.

What Huntley really wants is a Metra station.  The Amtrak station is just a first step towards that.  The question now is if that's already gone.  "We don't know," said Sass. "That's what we're having a meeting (with IDOT) for in a couple of weeks to find out."

It's all state politics as far as Amtrak is concerned.  Spokesman Marc Maglieri said Wednesday, "We've said all along we'll put the route wherever Illinois wants it."

In the pic:  Chicago's Union Station would be one end of a proposed Amtrak route to Dubuque through Huntley.

"Can You Hear Me Now?" Emergency Style

Oh, Lordy, Lordy.  An imaginary tornado touched down in Algonquin and, since there aren't any trailer parks there, tore right through the Randall/Algonquin Roads intersection without stopping for the redlight camera and devastated LITH, too. That was the scenario for an interoperational preparedness exercise called by the Lake in the Hills PD Wednesday.

The premise was that 50 officers from LITH, Algonquin, Huntley and Cary and personnel from the McHenry County Emergency Management agency had to figure out what to do.  On paper it was easy. In the face of rude reality, not so much.

Chief of Support Services Mary Frake keyed the mike on her LITH radio and chanted, "This is a test, this is a test." She looked over at Algonquin Deputy Chief Ed Urban 10 feet away and said, "Did you get that?"

Urban twiddled with the gain on his Algonquin radio and finally gave up to reply, "No."

Steve James from Emergency Management swapped some patch cords around in a suitcase-sized communications controller while reminding himself, "Always look at the book first." Then  they tried it again but the result was no better.  Indeed, before FEN had to leave LITH and Algonquin officers never were able to communicate with each other except by shouting. 

James thought he needed some patch cords he didn't have and that was part of what the exercise was all about in the first place. Said LITH Chief of Patrol Services Dave Brey, "When a tornado really hits a town you don't want to be standing here trying to figure out why the radios don't work."

In the pic:  It was easy for police to talk to each other over a map on a table at Wednesday's emergency exercise.  Long distance communication proved more problematic.

Mulch! Mulch Beyond A Mad Gardener's Dreams

The storm that roared through the area last week brought down a lot of branches and a lot of those have ended up at Algonquin Township where they've been run through the Highway Department's monster tub chipper.

Fall gardeners can stop at the Township on Route 14 any time for all the mulch they can carry away.  Take plenty.  It's free.

No Suprises At Huntley Town Hall Meeting

A town meeting with State Sen. Pam Althoff and State Rep. Mike Tryon drew a small crowd Wednesday at Huntley's Village Hall.  The topics citizens raised were largely what might have been expected.

Jobs:  Illinois has to become more business-friendly so it can be competitive with states like Indiana and (hands to aching Althoff head) Kentucky.

Property taxes:  "If you haven't appealed your taxes you should do it," said Tryon.  Only maybe it won't work so well next year since there's a lot of reassessment going on, added Althoff.

Income taxes:  The State's finances are a disaster but "I don't think anyone wants an income tax increase," said Tryon.

Medicaid:  It's bad and going to get worse.  "By 2012 it's going to be 50 percent of the budget," said Althoff.

The State's Finances:  They're a disaster.  Consider the state's pensions.  "We've made one full contribution in the last eight years," said Althoff.

Springfield:  It's all Chicago's fault both agreed.

Chicago:  They're all (Democrats) both Republicans agreed. See Springfield, above.

Immigration:  Kept coming up over and over.  "I'm not against immigration," said Tryon. "I'm against illegal immigration."

Sun City Owner's Fees:  Woops, a local issue.  Althoff said she's working on a bill to try to fix current law that won't allow a sensible resolution to common fee conflicts. "If George Washington and Thomas Jefferson had had condo associations I think they'd have made them unconstitutional," Tryon joked.

Quinn, Brady Spar Over Jobs, Each Other At First Debate

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
The first debate between Illinois' two candidates for governor was little more than a condensed version of the nine-month, meandering campaign Bill Brady and Pat Quinn have waged against each other. Brady, the Republican challenger and state senator from Bloomington, and the Governor at  Chicago's Union Club at times sounded as if they were just reciting the same old campaign speeches voters have been hearing since the February primaries.

The audience asked questions ranging from how Quinn and Brady would fully fund public schools and the state's pensions to their plans for Asian Carp.  But the two candidates spent most of their time talking about the main issues of the campaign and the debate: jobs and each other.

Quinn found the message that critics say has been lacking for most of the campaign, and pointed to numbers that show Illinois is starting to crawl back from the recession.

"Our state has grown jobs this year, more than any other state in the Midwest.  We've had eight straight months of consistently declining unemployment…We've put together 'Put Illinois to Work,' the most successful program of its kind.  Since early May we've gotten 25,990 people jobs."

Brady, though, said "Put Illinois to Work" is little more than using money Illinois doesn't have to put people to work in jobs that the government shouldn't be creating.  The GOP candidate said Illinois needs to let businesses create jobs.

"In the last 15 months of the Quinn administration we've net lost over 200,000 jobs, and in the last two months we've net lost over 26,000 jobs."

The only off-script moments came when Quinn and Brady jabbed at each other.  Brady tried to sting the governor for the no-layoff agreement with AFSCME just before the massive union endorsed him, saying the deal is "wrong and you know it."

But it was Quinn who had the harshest words, saying repeatedly that Brady and his plans for the state are little more than a fantasy.

"We've got to have people with common sense, not with nonsense.  This is a pretend world that you're hearing of from Senator Brady. A world that doesn't exist."

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4207/quinn-brady-spar-over-jobs-each-other-at-first-debate/

Edgar: Take a Chance on Brady

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar's recent endorsement of fellow Republican Bill Brady has caused a splash in the governor's race.  Edgar's endorsement appears to have everything to do with what he believes Gov. Pat Quinn lacks, rather than the Bloomington senator's capabilities.

"We've had…18 months of Gov. Quinn and I just don't think managing is necessarily his suit. I think he means well, but I just don't think that's what he's cut out to do," Edgar said Wednesday, following a lecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "Whereas Bill Brady we don't know for sure, he hasn't been governor. He has some business experience. I'm willing to take a chance there, too."

Brady has made the endorsement top news on his website. He made no secret of his happiness with it following the first public gubernatorial debate Wednesday.

"Needless to say we were both anxious to get it out," he said. "He realizes that the failed management of Pat Quinn is a path we can't continue to kick the can down the road on, so I'm very honored to have Gov. Edgar's endorsement."

Edgar last spring said he would vote for Brady, but withheld a public endorsement until this week. He has yet to join Brady on the campaign trail, nor did he issue his endorsement at Brady's side. The senator emphasized that there was no distance between the former primary rivals.

"Gov. Edgar and I both live a very hectic schedule," he said. "I'm sure Gov. Edgar and I will be together in the public eye before this election is over."

You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4208/edgar-take-a-chance-on-brady/

In the pic:  Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.

Obituaries

James “Jim” Roberts, 69, of Sun City, Huntley, died at his home Wednesday. Visitation will be Saturday 9 am to 11 am at Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. The funeral service will follow at 11. Interment in Waukesha Cemetery will be private.

Roberts was born March 12, 1941. He is survived by his wife,  Pamela; children, Suzanne (Steve) Cox and Kathleen Anne Roberts; brothers William (Debbie) Roberts and Thomas (Jeannette) Roberts, and grandchildren, Arthur, Brandon and Robin Cox

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock, or The National Boy Scouts of America Foundation.

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 29
1116 HRS 100 RANDALL RD., (CAPUTO’S). DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. ADENEKAN, VICTOR, M/W 48 YEARS OF AGE, 1424 SKYRIDGE DR. APT C, CRYSTAL LAKE.  CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0615 HRS 400 VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. Four priors.
1738 HRS 20 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. Son. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1751 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF VIEWPOINT DR. DOG BITE. Male, 3 years of age, was bitten by a dog. Animal Control was notified.
2057 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Male, 46 years of age, attempted suicide. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2256 HRS 0 BLOCK OF PRINCETON CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. Wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
September 28
1645 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF MAGNOLIA LN. WANTED ON WARRANT. SANTORO, FREDRICK R., M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 4662 MAGNOLIA LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Two Warrants out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear, Harassment by Telephone. Bond Amount: 20,000 at 10% and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident. Bond Amount: $1,500 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND
0932 HRS 9256 TRINITY DR., (AUTO FOCUS LLC). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Unknown substance placed in fuel tanks on two vehicles causing damage to the engines.
1032 HRS 9010 HALIGUS RD., (PUBLIC WORKS) CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Sign at entrance damaged.
1144 HRS 1200 HEARTLAND GATE, (KEN CARPENTER PARK). ACCIDENT. Two Vehicles. Property damage only.
1204 HRS 100 BLOCK OF FERRYVILLE DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE/ Report for insurance. Basement of vacant house flooded.
1729 HRS 100 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 50 years of age, highly intoxicated. No transport.
1944 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF MONROE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 41 years of age, has numbness in her hands. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
2026 HRS 2126 W. ALGONQUIN RD.(CONVENIENT MART). FOUND ARTICLE. A wallet was located. Entered into evidence.
2049 HRS 100 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 50 years of age, highly intoxicated. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Algonquin Taxes: No Rise In Levy

The Algonquin Village Board gave initial approval Tuesday for the village's 2010 tax levy on taxes due next year.  The levy would be $5.6 million, the same figure as the last two years.  "We don't want to add any more dollar stress on our residents," said Village Manager Bill Ganek.

Separately the Board gave initial approval for a big new children's daycare facility.  The 184-child capacity Primrose School of Algonquin would be built in the Briarwood Center east of Randall Road at County Line Road.

Primrose is another regional daycare chain expanding nationally.  The Board last month approved a similar daycare center planned by the KidsRKids chain for the East Side's Fountain Square.  Like that center, the Primrose School would be its chain's first entry in the Chicago area.

McHenry County May Freeze Hiring, Cut Overtime

County Finance Administrator Ralph Sarbaugh laid out a $1.2 million list of measures to help balance McHenry County's budget for the coming year at Tuesday's meeting of the Board's Finance and Audit Committee.

The easiest way to make the next budget work would be just to get more revenue.  Sarbaugh said County sales tax receipts are up about eight percent from a bottom at the end of last year.  "Would I feel comfortable doing six or six and a half percent (more next year)?  Yes," he said, estimating that alone might be worth $420,000.  "Unless something blows up," he added, "I probably shouldn't talk about it 'cause I'll jinx it."

More predictable but more difficult would a couple of administrative changes.  One would cut back County Employees' overtime work.  That could save $290,000 according to Sarbaugh's estimate.  Another, worth $730,000 would freeze hiring to fill 20 County positions currently empty.

The trick on the overtime pay, said Sarbaugh, would lie in what overtime to cut.  "The Recorder's office?  They're not very busy right now.  The Sheriff's Office?  They use a lot of overtime.  I'm not so sure."

District 2 Member Lynn Orphal, Crystal Lake, wondered if "comp time" might not be a better alternative.  Sarbaugh replied comp time for overtime would still be figured at time-and-a-half so the financial result would still be the same.  Orphal said the paper work would have probably been "a nightmare", anyway.

Board Chairman Ken Koehler sitting in on the meeting called fast action on the hiring freeze "crucial" since filling some of the spots has already advanced to the interview stage.

The Finance and Audit Committee told Sarbaugh and Administrator Pete Austin to work up some detailed proposals.

Sheriff Loses One Case While Second Goes Past Election

McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren was rebuffed for the second time this year when Circuit Judge Thomas Meyer Tuesday upheld an arbitrator's ruling that he shouldn't have fired a Deputy.  A second case charging Nygren's been using Sheriff's Office personnel to do his campaigning was booted until after the General Election.

Neither Zane Seipler nor his attorney were present when Meyer refused to overturn a federal arbitrators ruling that Nygren should have suspended Seipler for three days, not fire him, for issuing a pair of bizarre traffic tickets.  Seipler said the last he'd heard Meyer was going to issue his decision by mail and he still hadn't seen the opinion.  "All I know is what I read in (FEN's) competition," he said.

Tuesday's decision came after an Appelate Court in March overturned Nygren's firing of another deputy for failing to pass a physical required for training he'd ordered.

In interviews with the Northwest Herald and Daily Herald Nygren didn't rule out another legal challenge in Appelate Court but he also mulled the possibility of returning Seipler's star in some sort of quasi-probationary capacity.

Seipler remained unrepentant. "It's not his position to offer me a place.  He still has to abide by the union contract," said Seipler.  "He can't hide me away on Midnights."

Since his firing almost two years ago Seipler has become a thorn in Nygren's side, first running against him in the Republican Primary earlier this year, then filing suit asking for a Special Prosecutor to investigate Nygren for allegedly using Sheriff's Office personnel to do his campaigning.  That's the case that was continued until Nov. 18 after the election.

Another case in Federal Court will come up just before Nov. 2, though.  In that one Seipler charges the real reason Nygren fired him was for complaining about ethnic profiling at the Sheriff's Office, not for giving out weird traffic tickets.



In the pic: McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren

Huntley High School “Steel Magnolias” Performance Set

Students under the direction of Huntley High director Tom George will perform their version of the 1987 off-Broadway comedy-drama Steel Magnolias tomorrow through Saturday.

The play, set in a Lousiana beauty salon, is about the bonds between a group of women as delicate as flowers and tough, as it turns out, as steel.

Performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday will all be at 7 pm.  Tickets will be available at the high school's Performing Arts Center door. The price is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.

The play by Robert Harling, includes music by Georges Delerue.

Quinn, Brady Debate Expected To Avoid Details

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
Voters have been bombarded with advertising and campaign mailers in a heated race for governor, but today they will have the chance to see Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington debate for the first time at The Union League Club of Chicago.

It will be a pivotal moment in a race that has seen a substantial back-and-forth over peripheral matters like the administration's early prisoner release program and the senator's conservative views on women's issues. Such campaigning has led to low expectations from political observers like Paul Green, director of the Roosevelt University School of Policy Studies.

"You can expect a lot of adjectives and adverbs, but not many nouns," Green said. "Neither man can talk about the reality of what we are facing, the dire situation the state is in, so they avoid the subject."

University of Chicago political science professor John Brehm, however, doesn't think the pair can avoid the elephant in the bedroom.

"Quinn will talk about the irrationality of Brady's hopes to cut taxes and spending enough to balance the budget," he said. "Brady will be talking about the problems of the budget, taxes and fees, which are largely a Chicago issue…and Quinn's push for higher taxes."

Brady has a narrow advantage over Quinn in the polls, thanks largely to his 20 percent lead in downstate Illinois. The Republican needs support from the Chicago suburbs if he hopes to occupy the governor's mansion in January.

Wednesday's debate represents only the second time the two candidates have met since the end of the legislative session. They squared off for a private debate in front of the Commercial Club of Chicago last week Sept. 21. Both expressed mutual respect following the forum before blasting one another's tax policies and special interest ties.

Brady and Quinn will meet two more times before the Nov. 2 election. They will square off in Carbondale on Oct. 14, before returning to Chicago Oct. 20 for a debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters.


You can read Bill's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4202/quinn-brady-debate-expected-to-avoid-details/

Obituaries

Lowell H. Swenson, 91, of Sun City, Huntley, formerly of Arlington Heights, died Sunday at Northwest Community Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 7 pm Thursday with visitation from 4 pm until service time at DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Arlington Heights.

Swenson was born in Lane, SD, the son of Theodore and Amy (Bard) Swenson. He graduated from Huron College and served for nearly four years in the Army Air Force during WWII. He was married LaVerne G. Jenner on June 12, 1946.

Swenson is survived by his wife of of Huntley; his son, Randy (Deborah) Swenson of Crystal Lake; his daughter, Jean (Bill) Wagner of Antioch, IL; his grandchildren, Bradley and Sarah, and one brother, Merle (Carol) Swenson of Rapid City, SD. He was preceded in death by his brother, Marvin and sister, Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Midwest Palliative Care & Hospice, 2050 Claire Ct., Glenview, IL 60025.

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; editor's brainfade

Route 62 Fox Bridge Delays Expected Today

The Algonquin Road bridge at the Fox River will have reduced lanes today for most of the day because of   utility work. Expect delays  according to an announcement which probably meant to say worse than usual.

Nicor told the Village of Algonquin Monday the company would be doing work that will cause lane closures from 9 am to 3 pm Tuesday.  At least one lane in each direction will be open to traffic at all times, according to the Village announcement on the Nixle municipal multimedia service ( http://www.nixle.com/ )

Algonquin hopes to use Nixle, Facebook and Twitter to communicate with residents more directly and faster than it's been able to with its current village website and email.

D300 Approves Deficit Budget

The District 300 Board of Education approved a $94 million budget for the 2010-11 school year Monday, one in the red by $6.3 million and then only if things work right.
There was no public comment, no discussion and no debate before the Board's unanimous vote except for Member Monica Clark's discouraged comment that "We've kind of discussed it to death."

Since January the Board had managed to whittle $9.3 million worth of expenses but couldn't come up with enough to finish in the black even if the State Board of Education comes through this school year with the funding it's promised.  Payments for the last school year are still $6.5 million in arrears.

The District has enough money from previous years of abundance to make it through the this school year but there won't be a lot left when it's over.  Even before formally approving this year's budget the Board was looking at the next one.

Director of Assessments Carole Cooper outlined a series of proposed measures to boost students' stagnant test performance.  Board President Joe Stevens interrupted the briefing saying, "Some of the things you have in the program are things that could be cut.  What programs are legally required?"

Clark also seemed willing in to scale back Cooper's plans but cautioned that "We need to know if we have to (cut them) what that's going to do."

Stevens appeared to accept that but returned to his theme.  "These are very big-ticket items now that we have deficit funding," he said.  "We have to find $6.5 million somewhere."

The District's new budget can be found here: http://www.d300.org/document/19752

An analysis of the financial situation underlying it is here: http://www.d300.org/files/2010%2008%2023%20BOE%20Budget%20Presentation.pdf

BGA Says Sheriff's Office Suspected Of "Corruption"

As the election approaches whispered rumors are, if not being confirmed, at least made public.  The latest, Monday, that the Illinois State Police are investigating "corruption" in the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

In a posting to the blog of the Better Government Association, Acting Director of Investigations Robert Herguth reported "a State Police investigator has interviewed at least a few people in recent weeks about a range of things supposedly going on in the sheriff’s office, sources tell the BGA. The probe appears to be in the early stages, and nothing has been substantiated."

An Illinois State Police spokesman Monday did not return a call seeking confirmation or denial.

Herguth declined, regretfully he said, to provide any further details but was meticulous in saying the ongoing investigation was of the Sheriff's Office not necessarily of Sheriff Keith Nygren himself.

All the announcement actually confirms is that the venerable Chicago-based watchdog group has been nosing around McHenry County.  "We're concerned with government in Chicago and its suburbs and McHenry County is a suburb," said Herguth.

Separately, Woodstock blogger and Green Party Sheriff's candidate Gus Philpott reported Monday he had faxed a complaint to the Illinois Attorney General's Office that Nygren isn't a  bona fide candidate because he's not an Illinois resident.  Last week Philott lodged the complaint with County Clerk Kathie Schultz but she ruled he should have done it last year during the period for legal objections.  Philpott said Monday that was ducking the issue.

A spokesman for Attorney General Madigan's office said he wasn't sure if Philpott's complaint had been received, so declined comment.

The BGA blog post, such as it is, is here: http://bganotebook.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/mchenry-county-a-political-podunk-no-more/ 

Grafton Pantry Plans Big Food Distribution Saturday

The Grafton Township Food Pantry will have a special 10,000 pound food distribution for needy families Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm or at least as long as the food lasts.  The Food Give-Away from the Northern Illinois Food Bank's mobile pantry is being sponsored by the Huntley Rotary Club.

The Pantry is located now at 12191B Smith Drive off Kreutzer Road and the announcement says it is "not associated with the governmental office of Grafton Township".  The number for more information on the Pantry and the Food Giveaway is 847-495-0922. 

Huntley Jaycees' Poker Crawl Scheduled Saturday

Huntley Jaycees' annual Poker Crawl is set for Saturday to benefit the Kishwaukee Elementary School Library.

Checkin starts at 6:30 pm at Parkside Pub.  The route wends through Sammy's Restarant, the American Legion Hall and Offie's Tap before returning to Parkside at 9 where the band S.N.A.F.U. will provide live music.

There's a donation of $10 per person requested for the Crawl with prizes for the best and worst 5 Card Stud hands and a 50/50 raffle.

There's more info available at facebook.com/huntleyjaycees or by caling Janet Oertel-Westburg at 847-802-9280.

State Could Face $250 Million Interest Payment

By Kurt Erickson, Illinois Issues
Amid the huge backlog of bills and unpaid pension obligations, the state also has borrowed more than $2.2 billion from the federal government to pay out unemployment benefits to laid-off workers. And now, the bill for that borrowing — an estimated $250 million in interest — is about to come due, according to information compiled as part of a joint project of Illinois Issues magazine and Lee Enterprises’ Springfield bureau.

In the next few months, Illinois and other states will have to figure out how to repay the money to the feds, while also attempting to craft a plan to replenish their depleted unemployment insurance trust funds.

“It really is the ticking time bomb,” says Mark Denzler, government relations chief for the Illinois Manufacturers Association, which represents large business interests in the Capitol.

Along with borrowing, Illinois and 34 other states have tried to adjust what they collect from businesses. In some cases, such as Illinois, states raised their taxable wage base, which gives businesses the basis on which to figure how they will pay into the fund for each employee.

For now, the federal government has not required states to repay the loans with interest. But beginning in 2012, Illinois could be on the hook for $250 million to $300 million in interest payments — at a time when the state is already in dire fiscal shape.

A multi-tiered solution could be in the offing. Along with pushing Washington, D.C., to waive or delay interest payments, the Illinois legislature could begin talks aimed at boosting how much employers contribute or lowering how much workers receive in benefits — or some combination of both.

Sean Stott, a representative of the Laborers’ International union, says he doesn’t see negotiations between business and labor getting serious until after the federal government outlines how far it will go in helping out the states. “A lot depends on what action Congress takes,” Stott said.

You can read Kurt's full report at:  http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/archives/2010/09/stateinterest.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 27
0701 HRS SULLIVAN PASS & WRIGHT DR. ACCIDENT WITH INJURY. Two vehicles. One female with an injury to her leg. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
0807 HRS 4561 PRINCETON LN., (GODDARD SCHOOL) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1108 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 69 years of age, abdominal pain. Transported to Northern IL Medical Center.
1255 HRS 680 NORMANDY LANE., (NORMANDY PARK). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Damage to the playground equipment.
1835 HRS 211 N RANDALL RD., (STEAK N SHAKE). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 82 years of age, fell and could not get up. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1931 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. Three priors.
1959 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only.  No priors.
2006 HRS WILLOW VIEW DR. & FRANK RD. FOUND ARTICLE. Passport located at intersection.
2223 HRS 300 BLOCK OF STEEPLECHASE WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 4 years of age, vomiting and has a rash. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.

Swastika Defaces Local Political Sign

Republicans and Democrats don't usually agree on much but the chairmen of the two McHenry County parties were unanimous Sunday on one thing.  Mike Tryon and Mike Bissett both said, "I was disgusted," when they learned someone had carved a swastika into a campaign sign for District Two Republican County Board candidate Donna Kurtz over the weekend.

Police notified Kurtz Saturday afternoon of the vandalism to the sign which had been erected the previous day on the Crystal Lake side of busy Miller Road near Golf Course Road. Photos show the symbol appeared to have been cut into the tough corrugated plastic with a utility knife.

As the emblem of antisemitism it was presumed to refer to the fact that Kurtz' husband follows the Jewish faith.  Authorities hoped it was just an especially offensive teenage prank but Kurtz, like a lot of professional women, goes by her maiden name. It's not obvious that she's married at all, much less to whom, still less yet what her husband's religious persuasion is.  That can't be found with an idle Internet search. It can't even be found with an intense one.

"There's probably no symbol that's more inflammatory," said Tryon.  "This doesn't have any place in politics, not in the nation and not in our county."

"It made me sick to my stomach," said Bissett.  "No candidate should be subjected to this kind of hatred."

"We still have veterans in this county that fought against the Nazis in World War II," said Tryon. "It's an insult to them, too."

"The parties slug it out with each other," said Bissett, "But at the end of the day we're in this to serve people, not to hurt them."

In the pic: "First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me."--theologian and concentration camp survivor Martin Niemoller

Route 47 Closure Set In Two Weeks At Huntley

Construction work to widen Route 47 at Huntley is creeping north toward the Main Street intersection.  When it gets there next week IDOT engineers plan to shut Route 47 down completely between Main and Algonquin Road for four days.  The current estimate is between October 8 and 11 with traffic rerouting over to Haligus Road.

Meanwhile Mill Street between 47 and Lincoln Ave. was scheduled to shut down completely this morning and stay closed until Thursday.

In and out of Deicke Park is supposed to remain occasionally constricted and until the stretch shuts down there may be temporary lane changes between Main and Algonquin Road.

The concrete the big paving machine is laying down is a monolithic pour that would crack and buckle with temperature changes so after it's cured workers are cutting expansion joints into it.  That's supposed to be done at night so even then drivers should take it easy through the construction zone.

The most up-to-date information available on Route 47 construction is here: http://www.huntley.il.us/Route47Widening.asp .

Jacobs Runners Honored At Run For The Bear Race

Jennifer Christian accepted the trophy for a group from Jacobs High School Sunday at the 16th annual Run For the Bear 5 and 10/k races to benefit the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation at Eastview Elementary in Algonquin. Jacobs had the most participants in the run, more than 30, who jointly raised the second-highest amount of money for the foundation, over $1,000.

In the 10k run Josh Ebspahr from Woodstock crossed the line first but Algonquin's Gary Kanner, almost 30 years his senior, took second place.  Bartlett's Amy Burns was the fastest female runner but Lake in the Hills' Michelle Stien was only about a minute behind her.

Full results for both races are here: http://www.runnersedgeracetiming.com/results.asp

Pancake Breakfast Held For Church Community Food Pantry

Bob Wasberg worked the grill and Madi Barchard helped serve up the pancakes Sunday at Huntley's Faith Community Church's Pancake Breakfast Sunday to benefit its community food pantry.

Pantry Director Debbie Fox said food supplies are beginning to recover from the Summer's drain but slowly.  "They come in but they go right back out again," she said.

Donations to the church's food pantry may be dropped off at the church during daytime business hours.

Better Late Than Never Department, Huntley Division

The Huntley American Legion Monday Bingo tonight at  7 pm will feature a free spaghetti dinner and dessert with the purchase of a Bingo Package.

The $5-off from the regular $20 package (tell 'em you've got a coupon) includes cards for all games & specials.  That's nine cards for each regular game and one card for each special game. "Better special" packages are $1 per sheet or six for $5, according to a release.

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 26
0139 HRS 00 BLOCK OF BONNIE CT. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL.  DORAN, DANIELLE L., F/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 327 CLEAR SKY TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
PFEIFER, EMILY A., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 4 BONNIE CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
0052 HRS 200 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. NUISANCE. Four male juveniles out past curfew. All four were turned over to their parents.
1105 HRS 400 BLOCK OF BIG CLOUD PASS. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Male subject vs. wife and son. Five priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1254 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 11 years of age, possible concussion. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1806 HRS 1400 S VIRGINIA RD., (WASTE MANAGEMENT). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Ordinance violation.
Algonquin
September 24
19:25pm Busano, Francesco Jr., DOB: 04/04/90, of 10652 Potomac Drive, Huntley, was charged with Criminal Trespass to Residence and Criminal Damage to Vehicle.  He was taken into custody at 10652 Potomac Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
September 25
02:51am Pooler, Daniel E., DOB: 09/06/93, of 206 Waverly Court, Carpentersville, was charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor, 3 counts of Burglary to Motor Vehicle and 3 counts of Theft.  He was taken into custody in the 1700 block of Charles Avenue.  He was transported to Kane County Jail, to await a bond hearing.  Also taken into custody during the same incident was a 16 year-old male from Carpentersville who was charged with Curfew Violation, Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor, 3 counts of Burglary to Motor Vehicle and 3 counts of Theft.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his sister.
06:24am Graham, Paige W., DOB: 08/04/83 of 1450 Commons Drive Apt. #1C, Woodstock, was charged with DUI – Private Property.  She was taken into custody at the Randall Road and Commons Parkway.  She was released after posting $100 and her Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 10/27/10, in McHenry County.
13:45pm Miciak, Monika M., DOB: 11/13/76, of 1421 Millbrook Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  She was taken into custody at 1421 Millbrook Drive.  She was taken to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
September 26
00:28am Alvarez-Montes, Isidro, DOB: 06/16/70, of 34 N. Gifford, Elgin, was charged with DUI, No Proof of Insurance, Improper Stopping and No Valid Driver’s License.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Eastgate.  He was released after posting $300 with a court date of 10/27/10 in McHenry County.
16:05pm A 15 year-old female and a 17 year-old female, both from Elgin, were charged with Retail Theft.  They were taken into custody at TJ Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road.  They were both referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of their parents.
22:28pm Pawlicki, Jonathan J., DOB: 12/10/91, of 4 Fieldcrest Court, Algonquin, was charged with Criminal Damage to Vehicle.  He was taken into custody at 4 Fieldcrest Court.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/03/10 in McHenry County.

Drug Take Back Snares Lots Of OTC Meds

There's no way to tell yet how many Dialudid tabs and Fentanyl pops Saturday's first National Drug Take Back Initiative removed from the schoolyard drug trade but it's a good bet there's going to be a shortage of illicit Dulcolax and Ginko Biloba supplements.

Yellow vials with childproof caps showed prescription drugs were, indeed, among those turned in at local police departments. At Algonquin, however, far greater in number were quart-sized zipper bags near-bursting with parti-colored OTC pills and capsules.

Traci Matysek, Algonquin, had some old prescription drugs.  "I never knew where to get rid of this stuff.  Some of it dates back to '96 and 97," she said.  But she was also disposing  of a lot more unused over the counter medications and supplements.  "You get these high-performance vitamins and take them for a week and you're jumping out of your skin," she said.

Lynette McGill, West Dundee, had some unused medications she's been trying to safely discard for the past two years.  "You get a prescription and take them for a couple of days and they don't work," she said.  "I was going to take them to Naperville but they're only open on Saturdays and I only get to Naperville during the week."

Another resident had what appeared to be about two pounds of Joe Weider protein capsules.

Saturday's drug take back was prompted by the Drug Enforcement Administration which fears schoolkids are trafficking in Ocycontin from their Moms' prescription stashes.  An agency spokesman said DEA will pick up whatever citizens turned in Saturday and take them to a "secure facility" for incineration.

In the pic:  Traci Matysek said she had a lot of old pills in her spice cabinet because there wasn't enough room in her medicine cabinet. She thought that was a good place to keep them out of the reach of daughter Jennifer (right),too.  Algonquin PD Sergeant John Bucci was on hand Saturday to make sure drugs placed in the collection boxes stayed in the boxes.

St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary Walkers Hoof It For Poor

About 280 residents from 5 area parishes had a brisk (temps in the 50's) early-morning saunter Saturday in West Dundee.  The event was the third annual edition of the St. Vincent DePaul Society's Walk For the Poor.

Included among the walkers were groups from St. Margaret Mary Church, Algonquin, and St. Mary's Church, Huntley who gathered to wend a 5k course from St. Catherine's Church through Dundee and back again.

The Walk For The Poor raised $15,000, nearly double last years's figure, to support the St. Vincent DePaul lay group's charitable work.

In the pic:  Here's part of the contingent from St. Margaret Mary spinning into the turn at the start of the area's annual Walk For The Poor in West Dundee Saturday.

Final Day For Fifth Huntley Fall Fest

Huntley's Fifth Fall Fest draws to a close today with Scooby-Doo's Mystery Machine on hand so kids can get a pic in front of it for their books of treasured memories.  More traditional is the do-it-yourself scarecrow building site. The straw's free, you bring the clothes.

Fall Fest's windup is this evening at 8:30 with a fireworks display.

In the pic:  Staci Wand and daughters Mackenzie (six) and Scarlett (four) drove over from Hampshire Saturday for an autumnal outing at Huntley's Fall Fest 2010.

Local Sports

Boys' Football

Saturday
Marian Central                   54
Immaculate Conception      7

Friday
Huntley                               43
McHenry                            13

Dundee-Crown                   0
No. 10 Crystal Lake South  40

Cary-Grove                        49
Jacobs                                21

Crystal Lake Central           33
Grayslake North                 6

Grayslake Central               30
Woodstock                        14

Woodstock North              20
Johnsburg                            45

McHenry County Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned indictments this week against the following individuals:
The charges against these defendants are merely allegations against them.  The defendants are presumed innocent of any crime until proven guilty in court.

STEVEN R. SIMMONS, DOB:  05/11/79, 157 NICHOLS DRIVE, SYCAMORE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--Huntley PD

THOMAS STEVENS III, DOB:  05/01/56, 506 SANTA BARBARA, LAKEMOORE. BURGLARY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
BRETT A. ROBERTS, DOB:  11/28/73, 1084 COTTONWOOD WAY, PALATINE. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
GUADALUPE TORRES, DOB:  08/30/66, 1011 FAIRFIELD, ROUND LAKE. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, THEFT (UNDER $300.), CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--Richmond PD
  
WENCELSLAO LARA-BERNAL, DOB:  10/17/55,    103 E. SUMNER, HARVARD. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER(3CTS).--Harvard PD
      
ALEXANDER J. JENSEN, DOB:  02/23/90, 214 NORTH OLBRICH ROAD,HARVARD. UNLAWFUL USE OF A CREDIT CARD(3CTS).--McHenry PD
  
RICARDO NAVARRO, DOB:  08/11/80, 2641 W. BRYN MAWR, CHICAGO. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, LEAVING THE SCENE OF A VEHICLE DAMAGE ACCIDENT.--Island Lake PD
  
BRANDON S. RILEY, DOB:  08/28/80, 400 PARK DRIVE  #2, MARENGO. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.--Marengo PD
  
MARCELINO MORENO, DOB:  01/16/69, 7717 CATALPA DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY A FELON, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM AMMUNITION BY A FELON, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.
ROSANA MORENO, DOB:  09/26/68, 7717 CATALPA DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
RODRIGO PACHUCA-JUAREZ, DOB:  03/15/84, 233 UTEG STREET, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS)--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
RODRIGO PACHUCA-JUAREZ,UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
      
RYAN T. STENSGAARD, DOB:  11/11/85, 1520 MILDRED AVENUE  APT 2, ELGIN. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS).--Crystal Lake PD
      
CHERYL A. WEGRZYN, DOB:  05/14/67, 19802 ROUTE 173, HARVARD. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.--Harvard PD

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
September 25
0247 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & WENTWORTH DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. FRIEDLI JR., TERRY R., M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 11803 WOOD CREEK DR. UNIT D, HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Greater than .08, Driving While License Revoked, Speeding. Wanted on a Warrant, DuPage County, Failure to Appear, Driving While License Suspended, $10,000 @ 10%. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1222 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). RETAIL THEFT. SOBERG, VICKIE A., F/W 56 YEARS OF AGE, 330 POPLAR ST., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Retail Theft. RELEASED ON BOND.
2303 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & CRYSTAL LAKE RD. HIT AND RUN. ALVAREZ, MONTES I., M/W 40 YEARS OF AGE, 34 N. GIFFORD, ELGIN. CHARGES: No Valid Drivers License, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Operating an Uninsured MotorVehicle, Failure to Give Information, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident. RELEASED ON BOND.
0955 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father-in-law and mother-in-law vs. daughter-n-law. No priors.FAIL TO FILE.
1102 HRS OAK ST. & SYCAMORE ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1411 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF PRINCETON LN. FRAUD. Unauthorized use of a debit bank card.
1537 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF CADBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST. AMBULANCE Female, 48 years of age, took too many medications. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
1955 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Brother-in-law vs. Brother-in-law. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2000 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.