Huntley Crossing Closure Snares Optimistic Drivers

Maybe there should have been another sign below the "Road Closed To Through Traffic" ones at Route 47 and Algonquin Road in Huntley, Friday. A sign saying, "No Kidding."

Railroad crews began ripping up the Route 47 crossing just above Main Street Friday afternoon but the highway between there and Algonquin road wasn't completely closed off so residents could still access businesses along the way. Apparently a lot of southbound rush hour drivers ignored or didn't believe the warning signs, though. Not until they reached the crossing, anyway, where, mirabile dictu, the road really was closed to through traffic by slabs of asphalt piled four feet high.

If Sammy's Restaurant offered curb service they'd have made a mint from drivers looping turnarounds through the parking lot. More determined drivers forged ahead through "road closed" and "wrong way" signs onto East Coral trying to noodle their way to Main and then back to 47 again.

That was naughty but it might have worked.  If only a lot of northbound 47 drivers hadn't decided to to jitter east on Main to get to Coral to try the same thing the other way.  The result was something the military calls a...well, this is a family newspaper so what the military would call it can't be printed. Just say there were some aggressive traffic snarls.

For the record, the official Route 47 detour through Huntley is east on Main, North on Haligus, west on Algonquin or vice-versa.  The UP crossing is expected to remain closed through Monday morning.

Arndt Says He'd Like To Enter Politics

The Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts picked D300 Superintendent Ken Arndt as this years honoree for youth community leadership at a celebration Friday at Jacobs High School.

The event co-sponsored by District 300 and the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce included a lot of area educators and municipal officials who turned out to help the Scouts honor Arndt who plans to retire from his position at the end of the school year.

Arndt said since he'd just refinanced his home, "I'm not going away."  The educator said he'd like to continue graduate level teaching somewhere.  He also said he planned to enter politics but mentioned no specifics.

Proceeds from the event went towards a scholarship in Arndt's honor.

In the pic: Kim Simmons, District Chair for the Boy Scouts Chippewa Council presents D300 Superintendent Ken Arndt with a bunch of merit badges for his service to area youngsters.

ALITH Fire Protection Dist. Open House Sunday

The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Department will host its annual Open House Sunday from 10 to 2 pm at the headquarters station at Pyott and Algonquin Roads. This year the District is promoting smoke alarms.

“Many homes in Algonquin and Lake in the Hills may not have any smoke alarms, not enough smoke alarms, alarms that are too old, or alarms that are not working,” said Lieutenant Julie Didier.”

According to Didier, smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Statistics show that working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire nearly in half, she said, assuming they're actually working. Often they aren't, usually because of dead or missing batteries, said Didier.

Sunday's open house will include info on smoke alarms, fire safety, and fire department procedure with lots of stuff for kids, too.

To learn more about smoke alarms Didier recommended this website: www. firepreventionweek.org .

Study Finds Public Wants Action On Budgets

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
A study of five states facing dire budget and economic problems found that most residents would tolerate a tax increase to fund some services but in many cases their expectations and understanding of states' budgets were unrealistic.

The Pew Center on the States and the Public Policy Institute of California asked residents in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois and New York about their states’ budgets. The study found some common themes across all states. People are beginning to feel a sense of urgency and would like to see their state governments change they way they craft budgets — Illinois more so than any other state. Eighty-six percent of Illinois respondents felt change is needed immediately.

Some of the results were contradictory, however. “By hefty margins, respondents across the five states say they are very or somewhat concerned about the effects of state spending reductions on government services," read the report. "Yet they also name spending cuts as their first choice to balance state budgets. Solid majorities believe that a good portion of their state’s budget squeeze can be solved relatively painlessly by reducing waste and inefficiency in government without affecting services.”

Those who said "relatively painless" cuts could be made believed they could amount to 10 to 20 percent reductions in overall spending.

Part of the issue may be that respondents did not fully understand the major sources of revenue and spending in the budget. Nearly one fifth of those surveyed thought that transportation makes up the largest area of spending in the state budget, when in reality the three areas they most want to protect — education, health care and human services — are by far the biggest demands on the general revenue fund.

“I think it also shows that people are willing to do their part," said Mark Baldassare, president and chief executive officer of the Public Policy Institute of California. "The public would rather not have tax increases, but for the right thing — in this case, education and human services — they are willing to pay and out of their own pockets.”

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/public-wants-officials-to-act-on-budget.html

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.
LARRY D. MOORE, DOB:  10/04/58, 14326 S. LOWE,  RIVERDALE. FORGERY(2CTS), THEFT (BY DECEPTION) (2CTS).--LITH PD

PETER D. W.  HIXSON, DOB:  10/07/84, 2 COUNTRY OAKS DRIVE, BARRINGTON HILLS. AGGRAVATED BATTERY (2CTS), DOMESTIC BATTERY (2CTS), RECKLESS CONDUCT.--Algonquin PD

ANTHONY A. COZZI, DOB:  03/29/90, 5306 BRIARFIELD LANE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--LITH PD
  
RYAN F. GAST, DOB:  03/18/84, 700 BROWN LAKE DRIVE  #2D, BURLINGTON, WI.
KYLIE L. CHRISTOPHERSON, DOB:  11/28/88, 700 BROWN LAKE DRIVE  #2D, BURLINGTON, WI. RETAIL THEFT.--McHenry PD

MICHAEL V.M. SAMUELSON, DOB:  11/18/90,    4903 W. WILLOW LANE, MCHENRY. RETAIL THEFT.--McHenry PD

MICHAEL J. HARTMAN, DOB:  09/19/76, 428 WEST GRANT HIGHWAY, MARENGO. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY(5CTS).--Marengo PD
  
ARELI SAMANO-RIOS, DOB:  05/04/80, 349 MCHENRY AVENUE, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (2CTS), LEAVING THE SCENE OF A PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENT.--Crystal Lake PD
  
BETTY J. CYPRET, DOB:  03/06/73, 709 BIANCA COURT, ROCKFORD. OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE.--Prairie Grove PD
      
MITCHELL R. RASKEY, DOB:  06/19/78, 109 NORTH MAIN STREET, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE.--Crystal Lake PD
      
JOHN A. REED, DOB:  02/09/76, LKA:  4104 BULL VALLEY ROAD, MCHENRY. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT (2CTS), AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE (2CTS).--Woodstock PD  
  
REGINALD L. BANKS, DOB:  05/29/67, 102 S. LOTUS STREET, CHICAGO. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

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 08
0846 HRS SPRUCE ST. & FIR ST. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. SINDELAR, BRIAN J., M/W 27 YEARS OF AGE, 4455 BARHARBOR DR LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0034 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF SPRUCE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 33 years of age, fell and hit his head. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1249 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF VIEWPOINT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 63 years of age, chest pain. No transport.
1323 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1421 HRS 1216 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (RYDER PARK). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Screen damaged on concession stand.
1814 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. son. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1959 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD., (TACO BELL). ACCIDENT / INJURY Two vehicles. Female, 12 years of age, transported to Sherman Hospital.

Last Heads Up: Route 47 RR Crossing At Huntley Closes 2 PM

Commuters on Route 47 through Huntley will encounter traffic and usual this morning, but the trip back after 2 pm will be a little different.  That's when Union Pacific railroad workers will shut the crossing above Main Street. It will stay closed perhaps as late as 12 pm Monday.

Route 47 traffic north will detour along Main east to Haligus Road, then north, then back west again on Algonquin Road to return to Route 47. Southbound will be the reverse.

It's just the railroad crossing that's closed, however.  Village officials emphasized that 47 itself will remain open so drivers can still travel to all the Huntley businesses on 47 between Main and Algonquin.

The most up-to-date info available on construction to widen Route 47 through Huntley remains: http://www.huntley.il.us/Route47Widening.asp .

In the pic:  Click the map for a bigger version if you need it.

Honors, Electricity And Quandary At D158 Board Meeting

The District 158 Board of Education recognized three top employees and a volunteer Thursday, prepared to cut their electric bill and fretted over how to meet a state deadline to publish information the State hasn't sent yet.

Huntley High social studies teacher Dennis Brown is one of  eight finalists for Illinois Teacher of the Year at Peoria next week.  The Board gave him a round of applause along with Associate Superintendent Terry Awrey and Conley Elementary Food Service worker Marianne Saxon, both singled out for honors by the State Board of Education.

ISBE honored Huntley High volunteer Maureen Berg with an award of excellence, too.

On the electric bill, the District's contract with its current power supplier runs out next May and Operations and Maintenance Director Doug Renkosik told the board there might be a chance to cut expenses by picking a new one in the next month or so.

Renkosik told FEN the commercial power market's weak enough right now that the District might save as much as 20 percent on the $1.3 million budgeted this year for electricity.

The problem is that after Renkosik winnows the a list of possible suppliers down to just the probable ones things will happen fast.  "We'll have new (Requests For Proposals) by 11:30 (am) and a contract by 2:30 (pm)," he said.

Someone from the Board will need to be on hand to sign the contract, though.  Member Paul Troy said he'd do it but couldn't absolutely guarantee he'd be available. He volunteered Board VP Mike Skala and after a Job-like moment Skala agreed to be the on-call signatory.

Superintendent John Burkey told the Board the District was trapped in a quandary since by law it's supposed to publish the statistically exhaustive District Report Card from the State Board of Education by the end of the month only the Board hasn't provided it yet.

Chief Academic Officer Mary Olson told FEN no one knows what the problem is in Springfield but it's not the first time it's happened.  "Last year we didn't get it until February," she said.

Burkey said it wasn't standard procedure but if the report comes in soon enough the Board could OK it at its next full meeting later this month.

In the pic:  D158 had four State Board of Ed honorees this year.  Three get a salary, but Sun City resident Maureen Berg doesn't  get a nickle for her work with handicapped youngsters at Huntley High.  She, herself, is blind.  Board President Kevin Gentry congratulated Berg Thursday evening as husband John stood at her side.

Tomaso Walk/Run Saturday At Huntley

Saturday will mark Huntley's third Annual Coach Tomaso Celebration Walk and 5k Fun Run.

The event's called a celebration of life event featuring a  stroll or run through the Carl Tomaso Sports Park to honor Huntley's late Village Manager, Carl Tomaso, and donate to Huntley's Shop with a Cop program.

Registration will begin at 7:30 am at the Tomaso Sports Park in Talamore, with the Walk/Run start at 8.  Participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt courtesy of Wells Fargo Bank, Huntley, with their registration donation while supplies last.

Registration forms can be downloaded here: http://www.huntley.il.us/documents/TomasoCelebrationWalk2010wwaiver-final.pdf or signed at the event on Saturday.

In the pic:  The late Carl Tomaso was very into sports.

Obama Campaigns For Giannoulias

By Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News
President Barack Obama was back in Chicago Thursday to help his friend Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias win his old U.S. Senate seat.

Obama made the trip to make sure Giannoulias' race to catch North Shore Republican Mark Kirk does not slip in the closing month of the campaign. More importantly, says David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the visit will bring some energy to a political party that is suffering from an enthusiasm gap.

“It could have a positive impact,” he said. “The Democrats have to get their base out and there’s no better person to do that in Chicago, Illinois, than Barack Obama.”

The money from the $500- to $2,400- a-plate dinner could be instrumental to keeping Giannoulias on Illinois’ airwaves and television sets--both major factors in his climb in the polls. Giannoulias has trailed Kirk money-wise throughout the race but with Thursday's take he can continue to capitalize on Kirk's perceived vulnerabilities.

The candidates are running neck-and-neck as the campaign enters its last three weeks, which makes fundraising and advertising in a statewide race that much more important.

“Obama needs a win in Illinois to make sure he gets a Democratic majority in the Senate and Giannoulias is running in one of the most competitive races in the country,” said Paul Green, director of the Roosevelt University School of Policy Studies.  “Politics is best when it’s win-win, and that’s what you have with him and Giannoulias.”

First Lady Michelle Obama will make a return to the Windy City to campaign for Giannoulias next week.

You can read Bill's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4252/obama-campaigns-for-giannoulias/

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 7
0101 HRS 40 W. ACORN LN., (KINDER CARE). DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BERO, MICHAEL R., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 451 VILLAGE CREEK, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with Breath Alcohol Content Over .08, One Headlight, Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Expired Driver’s License. RELEASED ON BOND
0606 HRS 0 BLOCK OF BANFORD CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 56 years of age, feeling dizzy and cannot get out of bed. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0847 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). FOUND ARTICLE. Huffy 18-speed bicycle found at the splash pad.
0901 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). PRIVATE PROPERTY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1339 HRS 10920 REED RD., (HANNAH MARTIN SCHOOL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 8 years of age, with high blood pressure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1529 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MAPLE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 13 years of age, with a broken arm. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1606 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 43 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1617 HRS MONROE ST. & MCKINLEY ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1728 HRS 20 BLOCK OF ECHO HILL. DEATH INVESTIGATION. Female, 63 years of age, found unresponsive.
1754 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1813 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). BATTERY. Two females fighting. FAIL TO FILE.
Algonquin
October 4
23:34pm Ahmed, Bassan, DOB: 12/11/90, of 2952 Shamrock, Elgin; Bershed, Faizan A, DOB: 11/14/90, of 320 Farm Hill Court, Algonquin, and Dugo, Patrick J., DOB: 10/18/90 of 2226 Barrett Drive, Algonquin, were all charged with Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  They were all taken into custody at Hanson Road and Edgewood Drive.  They were all released after posting $150 each with a court date of 11/10/10 in McHenry County.
October 5
12:31pm Paredes, Alejandro, DOB: 01/30/82, of 3322 N. Whipple Street, Chicago, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Front Plate and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Harnish Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/17/10 in McHenry County.
13:57pm Guidarini, Lisa C., DOB: 03/28/66, of 1220 Zange Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 11/24/10 in Algonquin.
14:19pm Eck, Daniel M., DOB: 06/14/61, of 4 Cardiff Court, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for No Valid Driver’s License.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $500 with a court date of 11/09/10 in McHenry County.
16:41pm Soriano, Aileen R., DOB: 07/27/88, of 750 E. Bode Circle, Hoffman Estates, was charged with DWLS and No Front Plate.  She was also Wanted on a Warrant, out of Kane County for Theft.  She was taken into custody at S. River Road and Route 62.  She was released after posting $150 on the Algonquin charges with a court date of 11/10/10 in McHenry County and after posting $500 on the Kane County warrant with a court date of 10/20/10 in Kane County.
October 6
00:01am Bello, Erica, DOB: 01/18/86, of 1315 Wilson Avenue, Carpentersville, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Improper Lane Usage.  She was taken into custody at Route 62 and Longwood Drive.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/10/10 in McHenry County.
17:32pm Daniel, Ellen R., DOB: 04/03/80, of 753 W. Bode Road, Hoffman Estates, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Disregarding a Traffic Control Device.  She was taken into custody at Harrison and Front Street.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 11/10//10 in McHenry County.
October 7
17:27pm A 17 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at TJ Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 11/24/10 in Algonquin.
Huntley
September 27
Aniceto Vazquez, age 53, of 534 Desmond, Woodstock, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and leaving the scene of a property damage accident and cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Vazquez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 15, 2010.
September 28
Jeffery P. Lareno, age 53, of 11284 Caldwell St, Huntley, was arrested for interference with reporting of domestic violence.  Mr. Lareno was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond.
A theft report was taken in the 11000 block of Ruth Rd.  The victim states he left his bicycle in the bike stands. When he returned the bicycle was gone.
September 29
Sean G. Kobige, age 38, of 704 Willow, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for failure to notify police after causing damage to an unattended vehicle and cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.  The charges stem from a crash that occurred the day before.  Mr. Kobige posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of November 19, 2010.
October 1
A criminal damage to property report was taken at  Ol' Timers Park,
10700 Church St.  Gang graffiti was written in black marker on a picnic bench.
Wolfgang G. Reich, age 75, of 13474 Stone Hill, Huntley, was arrested for DUI and DUI blood alcohol over .08.  Mr. Reich posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of November 19, 2010.
A theft report was taken in 11500 block of Frederick Way.  A red mountain bike with Dr. Pepper stickers was stolen from an open garage.
October 2
Caprice J. Gray, age 21, of 11611 Becky Lee Trace, Huntley, was arrested for failure to notify police of an accident and cited for driving with an expired drivers license and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Gray posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of November 19, 2010.
October 3
Michele Z. Jones, age 37, of 5719 Ring Ct, Hanover Park, was arrested for obstructing identification, an outstanding Cook County warrant and an outstanding DuPage County warrant.  Ms. Jones posted bond on the obstructing charge and was issued a Kane County court date of November 1, 2010.  Ms. Jones was unable to post bond on the two warrants and was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond.

Special Prosecutor Request For Sheriff Set After Election

Judge Thomas Meyer Wednesday kicked a hearing on whether to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren to the day after the General Election.

Back in January ex-deputy and now political foe Zane Seipler filed suit asking for a Prosecutor to look into charges Nygren, like now-indicted State's Attorney Lou Bianchi, has been using County personnel and resources to do his political jobs.

Nygren defeated Seipler at the primary polls for the Republican Sheriff's nomination but Seipler beat Nygren in a federal arbitration hearing and Circuit Court to get his old job back. Meanwhile Seipler's request for an investigation has gone through nine months of procedural wrangling.  Wednesday's check will extend that to 10.

Separately, Nygren explained an apparent empty spot on his resume 40 years ago.  Green Party Sheriff's candidate Gus Philpott has pointed to a  gap between Nygren's 1964 high school graduation and his hiring at Crystal Lake PD in 1971.  Rumor has those years filled with dire but never specified events. However, no one's ever been able to actually track them down.

Nygren told FEN Wednesday that was because there's nothing to find.  "I was slow and it took me six years to get my degree," he said.  Especially, he said, since the last two years at NIU he also worked as a juvenile officer for DeKalb County.

How'd the ravenous VietNam draft manage to miss a six-foot six-inch football player? "I don't know," he said. "Several of the guys I went to high school with never got drafted." 

Many Join Walk To School Day At D300

Sometimes ( far too rarely) things work out just right. Wednesday's Walk To School Day at several District 300 grade schools turned out to be one of them.  The morning was brisk but bright sun and clement temps in the afternoon combined for a perfect day to skip a bus ride.

Nine schools opted to push International Walk to School Day as part of a Kane County Heath Department initiative to get kids off their little duffs.  "Across Kane County one out of five kids are overweight," the department warned.  "In some Kane County Communities the number is an even more alarming one out of three."

Neubert Elementary teacher Kristina Carioscia said the plan seemed to  work Wednesday. "We had a lot more kids in the parking lot (lined up for release)," she said.  "There were noticeably more students walking than usual."

In the pic:  A few kids from Neubert School traveling home shanks' mare on Walk To School Day Wednesday.

Municipal Governments Group Preps For Legislative Session

Members of the McHenry County Council of Governments met Wednesday in Algonquin for a legislative workshop to get ready for the Legislature's Veto Session after the November election.

MCCoG is sort of a chamber of commerce for local governments and former 26th District State Sen. Bill Peterson, Long Grove, had a list of tips for getting legislators to pay attention to what they think is important.  A few of them:

"Get your issues in early, not in the middle of a crisis."

"If you've got (a legislator's) cell phone number call early, before 11 (am)."

"A bill is never dead in Springfield. It's like (movie monster) Freddy Kreuger.  At 11:30 all of a sudden an amendment comes out.  (The dead bill) has been attached to some other bill."

"The worst time is crunch time when all the bills are coming up.  There are 7,000 bills and amendments.  Unless it's a hot topic you'd better be specific or (legislators) won't know what you're talking about."

Peterson whose Springfield career began in 1983 said legislators' laptops have actually improved things on that last point.  "We used to have a stack of bills this (roughly chest) high and another stack of notes this (roughly belt) high," he said.  "Now we can make notes right on the bill."

In the pic:  Former State Sen. Bill Peterson briefs area municipal officials including several Algonquin trustees and some County Board members at a MCCoG meeting Wednesday.

Grafton Annual Coat Drive Underway

The frost is quite literally on local pumpkins now but there are some people who can’t afford a winter coat to fight it so Grafton Township is putting on its annual coat drive.

Coat collection boxes are at four Huntley locations:

Grafton Township Office
10109 Vine Street

Centegra Health Bridge
10450 Algonquin Rd.

Heritage Woods
12450 Regency Parkway

Huntley Area Library
11000 Ruth Rd.

Coats for the needy will be distributed staring Nov. 1.  Township Supervisor Linda Moore is running the Grafton Coat Drive.  She can be reached at 847-669-3328.

In the pic: Donations are already filling Grafton Township Coat Drive dropoff boxes.  Here's Linda Moore with an armful.

Experts: Polls Paint “Imprecise” Picture Of Gov’s Race

By Kevin Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
It's election season so it's polling season, too.  Which one to believe?  Pick the one that you like.

When asked about a recent Chicago Tribune poll that gives the incumbent Pat Quinn a slight edge in the race for governor, Republican challenger Bill Brady said his he is relying more on numbers that his campaign has gathered.

"We care deeply about one poll and that's the poll on Nov. 2. We know that internally, our numbers are growing and that we're doing very, very well," he said on Tuesday.

Brady cited a poll conducted by GOP candidate for U.S. Senate Mark Kirk's campaign that had Brady up by twelve percentage points over Quinn.

Voters should be cautious with findings from internal polls, or polls that are conducted by an agency hired by a candidate's campaign, according to Michael McDonald, a professor of government and politics at George Mason University in Virginia. "Usually a campaign will release an internal poll if it shows favorable numbers for their candidate. So those are the polls that you have to take the largest grain of salt with," he said.

Several independent polls like the Tribune poll have the race between Brady and Quinn too close to call.

On Tuesday, Brady didn't specify which poll consults he reviewed for the gubernatorial race. "Different polls have different methodologies…we're confident with our internal methodology and a lot of the independent polls as well," he said.

You can read Kevin's full report with links to different polls at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4245/experts-polls-paint-an-imprecise-picture-of-governors-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
October 06
1617 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. NO VALID ILLINOIS DRIVER’S LICENSE.  MARTINEZ, ALEJANDRO, M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 144 WOODSTOCK ST. APT. B, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No Valid Illinois Driver’s License, Registration Suspended Mandatory Insurance Violation, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1816 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & OAKLEAF RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED.  CLARK, SHAWN S., M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 1074 VIEWPOINT, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Registration Suspended, Expired Registration, No Insurance.
RELEASED ON BOND
1853 HRS ROUTE 31 & KLASEN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CUBBERLEY, MARK B., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 705 SHORELINE DR., SCHAUMBURG. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0920 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. FOUND PROPERTY. 15-foot fiberglass canoe.
1152 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. OUTSIDE ASSIST. Documented an incident for court services.
1437 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 13 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.

Bianchi Case Could Run Half Million-- County Has No Bills

McHenry County Board members had a lot of questions Tuesday about the possible prosecution of State's Attorney Lou Bianchi.  Besides estimating the case could end up costing as much as $500,000 County Administrator Pete Austin was only able to tell the Board he was as much in the dark as they were.

After almost a year's investigation a Grand Jury indicted Bianchi last month on charges of conspiracy and official misconduct for allegedly using county staffers to do personal campaign work.

The bulk of Tuesday's meeting dealt with ways to close a projected $1.2 million deficit in the County's FY 2011 budget.  Bills from Bianchi Special Prosecutor Henry "Skip" Tonigan through June have already punched a $109,000 hole in the current budget, though. Some members were clearly worried the cost of prosecution would wreck hopes of a balanced budget next year.

Austin could only respond, "We don't know where this is going to go.  If the case continues the number certainly could be several hundred thousand dollars," he said.  At one point he set the cost at $500,000 but later said that was just a guess based on what's already been billed.

Regarding those bills Austin said the County doesn't actually have any.  All that's been received so far are Court orders to pay Tonigan a specific dollar amount, Austin said. Everything else is sealed because it's an active criminal prosecution, he said.

"Is there any way to get the billable hours? Is that confidential?" asked District 5 Member Paula Yensen, Lake in the Hills.

Austin answered no they couldn't, at least not right now.  "The documents will be unsealed (when the case is done)," he said.

The context of Tuesday's questions was Bianchi's charge Tonigan's investigation and indictment was politically inspired in the first place.

Gadfly Cal Skinner, publisher of McHenry County Blog, has been trying to get copies of the Special Prosecutor's bills ever since he outed rumors two weeks ago that Tonigan is a personal friend of Associate Judge Gordon Graham who appointed him.

"Is there any way the Board can monitor our financial interest?" asked District 1 Member Yvonne Barnes, Cary.

"We asked who is reviewing the bills," said Chairman Ken Koehler. "That was Judge Graham."

Board Members Blast County Development Group

Trying to close a gap in the County's next budget some McHenry County Board members came up with a way to save some money: stop paying any to the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, a group that functions as the County's salesman to businesses.

Administrators boosted sales tax revenue estimates and offered a package of 15 more "frozen" County employee spots, reduced overtime and marginal program cuts to come up with a plan that came within $100,000 of budget balance for the coming fiscal year.  County Administrator Pete Austin said considering the long range of some of the draft budget's revenue and expenditure estimates, "We're about there."

Among the marginal cuts was a 15 percent reduction in the County's $160,000 annual support for MCEDC, technically a non-profit corporation to promote business activity in McHenry County.

District 5 Member Paula Yensen, Lake in the Hills, wondered why the reduction should stop at that point.  "I can't see how they're bringing business to the County," she said. That sparked an impromptu round of MCEDC criticism.

"I haven't been very impressed with the last couple of (MCEDC) reports," said District 6 Member Randy Donley, Union.

"I've been very disappointed," chimed in District 6's Ersel Schuster, Woodstock.  "They were supposed to be self-supporting long ago," she said.  "We have to pull the plug some time."

Assistant County Administrator John Labaj said that might not be a good idea.  Then there'd be no one for inquiring businesses to talk to except the County itself whose assurances, he said, businesses don't trust.

District 2 Member Lyn Orphal offered the only defense for MCEDC.  "These are three people trying to do a huge job for the County," she said.

Yensen wound up the venting session trying to clarify her original objection.  It wasn't that there shouldn't be someone trying to recruit new businesses to McHenry County, she said, just that she wasn't sure MCEDC was doing it.

In the pic:  MCEDC Director Pam Cumpata pitching McHenry County suppliers at the expansion of a GE Aviation plant in Rockford Monday.

Friends Foundation Supports Huntley Library At Fundraiser

More than 20 volunteers served Butterburgers and sold raffle tickets at the Huntley Area Public Library Friends Foundation fundraiser at Culver's Tuesday.  Ten percent of sales  with a coupon went to the Friends Foundation but order takers at the register weren't too picky if patrons had forgotten to bring one.

The event was part of the Friends Foundation's ongoing plans of general support for the library.  "We (save the money) until the Library tells us what they need," said Pam Kampworth, Friends Liason. The last big purchase was automatic doors at the library, she aid.  Right now there's about $1,800 waiting from the Friends' recent used book sale at the Huntley Fall Fest.

"We also received two e-book readers from Sony last week," said Kampworth.  "That'll help a lot."

In the pic: Volunteer Pam Cardenas hands over a bag of Butterburgers and chicken to Cristina Mikkelsen, Pingree Grove, at the Huntley Library Friends Foundation fundraiser at Culver's Tuesday.

Algonquin Issues First House Permit Of Year

The Algonquin Village Board gave formal approval Tuesday for a new 11,000 square-foot daycare center to open next Spring and to the same $5.6 million tax levy it's asked for three years now.  There was no debate on either measure since none of the trustees had changed their minds since forwarding them last week.

Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine reported residents turned in more than 100 pounds of useless medications two weeks ago in the DEA-sponsored Drug Take Back day.  He said DEA was thinking of making it a semi-annual event.

The Board retired to closed session to work on an undisclosed "property acquisition" issue and while they were there Community Development Director Russ Farnum revealed the village had marked a red letter day last week with the issuance of the first building permit of the year for an actual home in Algonquin.

"We've seen a lot of room additions and remodelling," said Farnum but this is the first house," he said.  It's supposed to be a big upscale residence on Fairway View Drive, according to Farnum.

NJ Gov. Defends Brady’s Promises

Illinois Statehouse News
Bill Brady finally found someone who agrees with his wait-and-see approach to specifics about cutting Illinois’ budget and erasing the state’s deficit.  But Brady had to go to New Jersey to find him. Brady, the state senator from Bloomington and GOP nominee for governor, crisscrossed Illinois Tuesday with New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

As Brady hopes to be this Fall, Christie was elected last year on the promise of cutting state spending and filling his state’s budge deficit.  And like Brady, Christie was criticized for not offering specifics of how to do that.  The New Jersey governor defended Brady’s strategy of staying away from specifics on the tour.

“When Bill Brady says he’s going to cut spending and balance the budget without new taxes, that’s very specific.  Now, each individual cut will be determined by what he finds when he gets here to Springfield and has to make those difficult decisions and consult with the legislature,” said Christie.

Democrats and other Brady critics complain the GOP candidate only promises vague slogans, saying only that he will cut 10 percent from the budget and can balance the budget within a year.  Christie said he heard the same thing, and thinks Brady is right to not promise too much.

“What I said was, I’m laying out for the people of New Jersey the direction that I’m going to take the state.  And I’m not going to sit here now and talk about each every single, specific cut…And candidly I’m really happy I didn’t.  Because the problem I found in New Jersey was much worse than my predecessor advertised.”

Christie solved his problem by skipping New Jersey’s $3 billion pension payment, laying off teachers, and holding back property tax rebates.  And that is what Gov. Pat Quinn’s campaign said will come to Illinois if Brady is elected.

“(Bill) Brady looks to be following in Christie’s footsteps," said Quinn spokesman Mica Matsoff, "promising to slash funding for critical programs.  His disastrous cuts would cut at least $1 billion from education, causing skyrocketing property taxes, and laying off 15,000 teachers.”

In addition to the endorsement trips across the state, Christie also appeared at a handful of fundraisers for Brady and other GOP candidates in Illinois.

You can read the full version of this story here: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4231/nj-gov-defends-bradys-campaign-promises/

In the pic:  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie lauds Republican candidate for Governor Bill Brady, left, at a news conference Tuesday.

Watchdog’s Pork Report Called Bull

Illinois Statehouse News
One of Illinois’ largest fiscal watchdogs has released its latest pork report on a state with a multi-billion dollar bag of unpaid bills and a $13 billion operating budget deficit. But there is a lot of opposition to what the group is calling waste.

The Illinois Policy Institute has released the 2010 Piglet Book which details what the group calls millions of dollars in wasteful spending. The Institute’s Christina Rasmussen said funding for parks, parking lots, theaters and even Amtrak makes the pork list. Those projects are in Illinois’ $31 billion capital bill, which pays for everything from new roads, bridges and schools to long-neglected or newly planned local projects.

Rasmussen said it’s a matter of priorities, and thinks Illinois can ill afford some of the priorities in the massive building plan. “We’re having trouble paying for core government services and we really need to prioritize. The needs come before the wants.”

But lawmakers and local leaders argue that the local spending in the capital bill is responsible, and often brings back much more than the original investment. Tim Dimke, executive director at the Rockford Park District, said his local improvement, in line for state dollars, will make money. Dimke said the Sportscore I and II facilities are slated to receive $275,000 but will return $21 million to Rockford.

“If (state government) were to put 100 percent into just core services we’re really depriving our own citizens of the quality of life…that they need to enjoy their lives. The second thing is the amount (the IPI is talking about). they’re getting three times that back just in tax revenues on an annual basis.”

Rasmussen and the Institute said the book is not a hit list against specific projects or lawmakers, but rather a tool to highlight the state’s fiscal situation.

You can read the full version of this report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4234/watchdogs-pork-report-called-bull/

Obituaries

Jung Hi Trinidad, 71, of Lake in the Hills died peacefully this week. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Wednesday at Defiore Jorgensen Funeral and Cremation Service, Huntley, and services will be held there 10:30 am Thursday. A Memorial service will be held at 2 pm Sunday at the home.

Trinidad was born June 15, 1939, in Andong Si Kyung Buk, South Korea.  She married Victor Trinidad February 18, 1963 in Seoul, South Korea.  She is survived by her husband of Lake in the Hills; three children, Victoria Trinidad of Chicago, Nicholas (Terry) Trinidad of Crystal Lake and David (Jessica) Trinidad of Chicago and by her grandchildren, Nicole, Alexis, Jacob, Jeremy, Kayla, Noah and Jonathan.


David W. Kennedy, 45, of Wonder Lake, died at Condell Medical Center, Libertyville, Monday.

Kennedy was born January 14, 1965, in Oak Park, the son of William and Beverly (Tangney) Kennedy.  He grew up in Central Illinois and graduated from Potomac High School in 1983.  In 1986 he married Sandy Birmingham. He is survived by his mother, Beverly, of Huntley; his step-daughters, Niki and Tiffy; his sisters, Denise (Kurt) Daniel of Salem, MO, and Diane (Mike) Hornsby of Union and his brother, Bill (Tessa) Kennedy of Burlington.  He was preceded in death by his father, William. 

Financial and Professional Regulation

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued the following disciplinary orders in the month of August:

James Rainbolt, Algonquin – massage therapist license placed in refuse to renew status after defaulting on an Illinois educational loan.

Meredith Kirmse, Algonquin – registered nurse license and advanced practice nurse license placed on indefinite probation for a minimum of three years due to diversion of controlled substances from a facility in the state.

Title Lenders, Inc., 5005 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake – fined $1,450 for the following violations: Original documents, or approved equivalent, not canceled or returned following payoff, documentation was not in file to indicate lien was released or title was returned to borrower on title-secured loan within 24 hours or 5 days if paid by check, lender made a title-secured loan with a scheduled monthly payment exceeding 50% of the obligor’s gross monthly income, title-secured lender did not obtain borrower’s most recent income documentation available at the time the loan was made, and security was not released.

Chung Counihan, McHenry – pharmacist license reprimanded and fined $1,000 for filling prescriptions for an individual when she knew that the drugs were also meant for other individuals, then submitted the prescriptions for reimbursement through Medicare under a single patient's Medicare profile.

James Brome, Johnsburg – certified residential real estate appraiser license revoked for violating the terms of a consent order requiring him to complete continuing education.

All Roofing Services, McHenry – roofing contractor license placed in refuse to renew status for failure to continue to meet requirements of Roofing Act and unprofessional conduct.

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 05
1703 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & LAKEWOOD RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. LILLY, CHARLOTTE D., F/W 47 YEARS OF AGE, 1018 MAPLE ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0733 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE DEPT.) FOLLOW-UP ARREST: CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE. SCHNECK, JUSTIN J., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 775 ELDERBERRY CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Criminal Sexual Abuse. RELEASED ON BOND.
JUVENILE, F/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Battery. RELEASED TO PARENT.
1011 HRS 700 BLOCK OF ELDERBERRY CT. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assisted North Central Narcotics Task Force with serving a Warrant.
1108 HRS 600 BLOCK OF LORREE LANE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 63 years of age, possibly having a stroke. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1205 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF GREENSHIRE CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 78 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Woodstock Memorial.
1205 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF CLAYTON MARSH DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 80 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1326 HRS 200 BLOCK OF STICKLEY LANE. IDENTITY THEFT. Credit card account opened by unknown subject.
1404 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF ASH ST. DOMESTIC. Ex-Husband vs. ex-Wife. Verbal only. No priors.
1525 HRS 200 BLOCK OF ELLIS RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 64 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1711 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MUIRFIELD CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 47 years of age, bleeding from a surgery. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1931 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & RAKOW RD. HIT & RUN. Complainant’s vehicle was hit by another vehicle that fled.
2114 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PINE ST. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. No priors.
2157 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. SUICIDAL SUBJECT. Male, 43 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2208 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF MACKINAC ST. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. Three priors.

Grafton Decision Due In Six Weeks

Circuit Judge Michael Caldwell Monday set Nov. 15 as the date for his decision on who really runs Grafton Township.

Caldwell heard more than four day's of testimony in mid-May in the mutual suits between Supervisor Linda Moore and the rest of the Township Board and the Township Attorney but motions from both sides and time hearing other cases have delayed a decision.

At Monday's case check-in Caldwell accepted a response from Moore's attorney to the other side's motion to throw out big chunks of his written arguments.  Thomas DiCianni told Caldwell Monday John Nelson was "making representations counter to the facts."  Nelson's response said DiCianni's motion was an unfair attempt at a second rebuttal and filed too late, anyway.

Moore's suit charges the rest of the Board with trying to usurp her authority as "chief executive officer" of the Township.  The rest of the Board claim Moore does whatever she wants and ignores any of their votes that go against her.

Since the court cases began, Grafton Township Board meetings have been relatively civil affairs but the conflict seems to have just gone behind closed doors.  Moore and Township Administrator Pam Fender, for example,  are reported to have had a protracted screaming match over using a copy machine at the Township Offices two weeks ago.

The next regular board meeting is Oct. 14.

Algonquin Gas Leak Fixed With No Injury

It took Nicor workers about six hours to repair a gas main break in Algonquin's North Harrison Street between Melvina Drive and Lehigh Court Monday.

A construction worker's misplaced blade broke the main about 9:30 am and gas hissed out with a sound like the world's biggest and maddest cat for several hours until Nicor could figure out the best way to repair it.  Algonquin Lake in the Hills firefighters stayed at the scene until the leak was stopped late in the afternoon.

Officials said no one was hurt in the incident, just one more delay in North Harrison reconstruction.  Several weeks were lost earlier this summer to the Operating Engineers'/Laborers' strike and the rebuilding effort's been slowed by unexpected pockets of stuff that isn't strong enough to support a road base.

"They didn't do a very good job when they built the street the first time," observed Algonquin Public Works Director Bob Mitchard in a recent report to Algonquin trustees.

Dem Sheriff's Candidate Says He Can Save $1 Million

 Lake in the Hills Democratic candidate for Sheriff Mike Mahon charged Monday he could save $1 million, maybe more, if he's elected next month.

Mahon charged Republican McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren's department is top-heavy with expensive supervisors.  “Feel-good programs, waste and cronyism are out and focused, sensible programs are in," he said, or at least they would be under his administration.

For example, Mahon said, sergeants in evidence, narcotics and apprehension units only have two deputies apiece to supervise.

Mahon said he'd like to junk a professional certifications coordinator, an equal opportunity officer, a Captain, the Jail's Deputy Chief, the Court Security Chief, a business manager and the Sheriff's mechanics' supervisor to save $750,000.  He said he'd also eventually save another $340,000 by eliminating three sergeants or lieutenants through attrition.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office has over 400 Deputies, jail personnel and court security officers with a budget this year of over $30 Million.

Nygren didn't respond to an FEN request for comment Monday.  In an interview with the Daily Herald, however, he said all the spots Mahon targeted were "necessary" and "critical" and it just showed how little his challenger knew about administration and law enforcement.

Mahon is currently a Deputy Supervisor in the Cook County Sheriff's Department which has a budget of $473 million.

In the pic:  Mahon pressing the flesh at LITH's Summer Sunset Parade last month.

LITH PD Seeks ATM Robber

Lake in the Hills Police Monday released a composite picture of a man who robbed an ATM customer at the Chase bank at North Randall and Acorn Saturday evening.

Police said robber interposed himself between the victim's car and the ATM machine after she'd punched in her PIN number.  When she became frightened and left police said the man finished the transaction she'd started withdrawing cash from her account.

Police described the robber as a white male, about 25 years old,  about 5 foot-nine or -10 inches tall.  He was wearing a black hoodie with a yellow design on the back, black gloves, blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a white or khaki ball cap.

In the pics:  (above) A surveillance camera cap of a man who robbed a woman at an ATM in Lake in the Hills Saturday.  The logo on his hoodie sweatshirt is probably distinctive.  (below)  Probably his face is, too.  The number to call Lake in the Hills PD about this is 847-658-5676.  Or there's an anonymous tip form here: http://www.lith.org/LITHPD.php

State Deficit Could Reach $15 Billion

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Illinois could be facing an even larger stack of unpaid bills next fiscal year, as well as a $15 billion deficit, according to the quarterly report on the state’s finances released Monday by Comptroller Dan Hynes.

According to Hynes, 23 percent of FY 2011 revenues will be needed to pay off obligations from last year. A short-term loan the state took out in July for $1.3 billion, which will come due next spring, already went toward payments to vendors and service providers.

Hynes estimated that $8 billion in overdue payments could carry over from the current fiscal year to FY 2012 because so much of this year’s money will be needed to pay down last year’s bills. A total of $3.5 billion in unpaid bills from this fiscal year have already piled up.

While income tax revenues saw a small increase according to Hynes' report, sales taxes where down. The summary said Illinois cannot count on an economic rebound to bail out the budget in the near future.

Hynes’ report says all this bleak budget news — along with the loss of federal stimulus money and the state’s high cost of borrowing due to a bad credit rating — could culminate in a deficit of at least $15 billion by the time lawmakers are hammering out a new budget early next year. If that happens, the state’s debt would represent more than half of the money currently in the general revenue fund.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/budget-deficit-could-reach-15-billion.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
October 04
0019 HRS HEARTLAND GATE & MILLER RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. DORANTES, ERICK, M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 116 GREEN LN., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0749 HRS ALBRECHT RD. & LAKEWOOD RD. NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. HERNANDEZ, GUSTAVO, M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 1317 BALDWIN CT. 3C, PALATINE. CHARGES: No Valid Drivers License (Expired), Expired Registration, No Proof of Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0135 HRS 0 BLOCK OF PRINCETON CT. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. One prior. Transported male subject,55 years of age, to Sherman Hospital for an evaluation.
0856 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HEAVENS GATE. CHECK FOR WELL BEING. Male, 17 years of age, making suicidal statements.
1515 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Delayed from 10/02/10. Report for insurance. Vehicle’s exterior scratched.
1755 HRS 132 N. RANDALL RD., (SHERWIN WILLIAMS). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.

Second Notice: Route 47 Closure Coming This Weekend

Work to widen Route 47 is creeping up toward its intersection with Main Street in Huntley where the UP railroad crossing is scheduled to close for the coming weekend starting Friday afternoon.

If everything works according to schedule the crossing will close at 2 pm Friday and remain shut until as late as noon next Monday.  Northbound Route 47 traffic will detour east on Main to Haligus Road, than back west on Algonquin Road to the highway.  Vice versa for southbound travelers, of course.

Meanwhile this week according to Illinois Department of Transportation engineers Main west of Route 47 will periodically neck down to a single lane.  Tuesday flaggers are supposed to squeeze Mill Street to a single lane.  In fact, Mill to Lincoln Street will occasionally go to one lane for the next several weeks, according to spokesmen.

In and out at Deicke Park will also periodically drop to one lane for several weeks.

The latest info on the project at any given time is supposed to be here: http://www.huntley.il.us/Route47Widening.asp

Area Home Construction Continues

Area home construction is down from its fevered pitch of five years ago but it hasn't ended completely.  For instance, Ryland Homes is busy right now building some new townhomes at the Talamore development in Huntley.

Some of the units are being built on spec but some have already been sold, according to Sales Counselor Demetrios Danigeles. In fact one closed last week.  "During the course of year our sales have outpaced our inventory," he said.  Translation:  Time to build again.

In the pic:  Ryland Homes expects to have these townhomes on Burnschamber St. in Huntley's Talamore development ready for occupancy by the end of December.

Toys For Tots Preview At LITH Legion

About 30 motorcyclists ferried presents to the Lake in the Hills American Legion Post Sunday for the Fox Valley Children's Organization.  It was the kickoff of FVCO's efforts to support the Marine Reserve's 32nd Toys For Tots motorcycle run, this year Dec. 6 in Chicago.

Local riders brought toys and games from Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Barrington, slurped down some coffee and sped off on a poker run while the weather was warm enough for wind in the face but not conducive to bugs in the teeth.

In the pic:  Marine Sgt. Vladimir Madrinich, stationed at Great Lakes Training Center, flagged off riders who'd brought toys for the Fox Valley Children's Organization Toys For Tots collection Sunday.

Harvest Fest, Cemetery Walk Saturday At Algonquin

The Downtown Algonquin Partnership will hold it's annual annual Old Time Country Harvest Fest Saturday on South Harrison Street from 9 am to 3 pm.

Harvest Day activities be in the municipal parking lot on South Harrison Street and include free games for kids, a pumpkin decorating contest, beanbag tourney, a craft fair, farmers' market, and a sidewalk costume parade for kids starting at noon.

The event will also include the Algonquin Historic Commission's Eighth annual Historic Cemetery Walk from 11 am to 2 pm at the Algonquin Cemetery. (There's free parking and shuttle service will be offered from the main event up to Cemetery from 10:45 am to 2:30 pm.) The walk features graveside visits with historical  re-enactors of the occupants therein.

The Harvest Fest is free. A donation of $1 per person at the cemetery walk is requested to help further the work of the Historic Commission.  For more information on the cemetery walk contact the Algonquin Historic Commission at 847-658-4322. For a full listing of Harvest Day activities the Downtown Algonquin Partnership website is at www.downtownalgonquin.org .

In the pic:  A Civil War nurse recounts her experiences at last year's Algonquin Cemetery Walk.

New Study Tracks Illinois Domestic Violence

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
The 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council will hold its annual Candlelight Vigil at 6 pm Wednesday, Oct. 13, on the Woodstock Square in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

An advocacy group for survivors of abuse released studies last week on the scope of domestic violence in Illinois and the needs of its victims.

“We must end the silence about the domestic violence. … We — all of us, men and women, young and old — have a duty to each other to help protect the victims of domestic violence,” Quinn said at a Chicago news conference last week.

According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. There are approximately 115,000 to 125,000 domestic violence cases annually in Illinois, and 300,000 women and children will experience violent abuse — either as a victim or a witness — each year. Members of the coalition provide services to 44,000 survivors and 8,000 children each year.

According to the group’s survey, service providers turned away more than 15,000 survivors and children seeking shelter in fiscal year 2009, which was a 24 percent increase over the last three years. The report says the economic downturn that has hit state revenues, causing cuts, has also increased the need for services relating to domestic violence.

“The current economic crisis exacerbates factors that affect domestic violence — increasing unemployment and poverty. As a result, survivors are experiencing an increase in the frequency and severity of abuse due to the effects of these conditions,” according to the report.  It's located at:  http://www.ilcadv.org/June2010ICADVdvHomicide-FullReport.pdf


You can read Jamey's full report at:   http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-data-on-domestic-violence-in.html

In the pic:  The Candlelight Vigil at Woodstock last year.

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 03
0343 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. MADSEN, CORY J., M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 7B GREEN OAKS DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
1742 HRS RANDALL RD. & VILLAGE RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE EXPIRED. GAGEN, WHITNEY F., F/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 700 AUBURN CT., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGE: Driving while License Expired over One Year. RELEASED ON BOND.
1943 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TERRAMERE LN, 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. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0039 HRS 220 N. RANDALL, (MORETTI’S). BATTERY. Two male subjects. FAIL TO FILE.
0129 HRS 400 BLOCK OF PLUM ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 69 years of age, flu-like symptoms. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0958 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Four-car accident. Driver and passenger for Unit 4 transported to Sherman hospital. Driver for Unit 3 transported to Sherman hospital.
1131 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 68 years of age, fell off a ladder.Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1138 HRS 3600 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. THEFT. Unlawful use of credit card with a total loss of $2,250.32.
1157 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF FAIRFAX LN. ASSIST TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A fire started in a garbage can outside that spread to the side of the residence.
1208 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BARTON CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 47 years of age, sawed off part of his finger. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1216 HRS 9625 HALIGUS RD., (MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 13 years of age, possible broken ankle. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1424 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & OAKLEAF RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. One female complaining of back pain. No transport.
1435 HRS 2400 BLOCK OF CLAREMONT LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 4 years of age, coughing excessively. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1440 HRS LAKEWOOD RD, & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. One male transported to Sherman Hospital.
1550 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD., (AMC THEATRES). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 45 years of age, possibly had a seizure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1728 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 85 years of age, severe lower back pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
October 1
14:55pm Beck, Keith A., DOB: 07/26/63, of 1199 Mohawk Drive, Elgin, was charged with Aggravated Assault and Criminal Damage to Property.  He was taken into custody at 512 James Court.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/10/10 in McHenry County.
17:07pm Quevedo, Julio A., DOB: 11/06/67, of 220 Sioux Avenue, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLS, No Proof of Insurance and Disobeying a Traffic Control Device.  He was taken into custody at Route 31 and LaFox River Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/03/10 in McHenry County.
19:56pm A 17 year-old female from Lake in the Hills and a 17 year-old female from Crystal Lake were charged with Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.  A 17 year-old female from Crystal Lake and a 17 year-old female from Carpentersville were charged with Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  They were all taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  They were all released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 11/24/10 in Algonquin.
October 2
15:45pm Pace, Joseph J., DOB: 07/08/88, of 11611 Bernice Avenue, Huntley, was charged with Failure to Give Aid or Information after being involved in an Accident.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/03/10 in McHenry County.
October 3
02:08am A 16 year-old male from West Dundee was charged with Violation of Curfew and Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at 245 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 11/24/10 in Algonquin.
08:00am Cruz, Steven, DOB: 12/25/91, of 145 Arquilla Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Carpentersville for Resisting, Obstructing and Unlawful Possession/Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody at 145 Arquilla Drive.  He was turned over to Carpentersville PD when unable to post bond.
19:21pm Soldatovic, Diana T., DOB: 07/04/78, of 116 Del Rio, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLS and Suspended Registration.  She was taken into custody at Randall Road and Corporate Parkway.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/10/10 in McHenry County.

Grafton Pantry Saturday: 5 Tons Of Food Gone In An Hour

More than 120 families depleted 10,000 pounds of food in an hour at a visit Saturday by the Northern Illinois Food Bank's Mobile Pantry at the Grafton Food Pantry.

The visit was sponsored by the Huntley Rotary Club.  It was where the proceeds went from their beanbag tournament earlier this year and club members were among the volunteers who helped hand out the food, too.

Pantry President John Rossi said that even though the recession is officially over lots of people still need help.  "Are you kidding?  This truck shows you the state of the economy," he said. "People are not working."

Pantry Board Member Harriet Ford said even when people are working times are tough.  "There was a woman here working three jobs and she's still not making it," she said.

"There was another family, a husband, wife and two kids; now there's thirteen people in the house," said Ford.  "Other relatives had to move in with them because there was nowhere else for them to go"

Rossi said the financial pressure on area residents is starting to show up in donations.  "Our small five and ten-dollar donations have been falling," he said.  "Fortunately we're still getting help from wonderful people like Rotary and other community organizations."

In the pic:  People were lined up at the Grafton Food Pantry our to Kreutzer Road when a special food distribution began Saturday.  The NIFB mobile food pantry was stripped of all but a few boxes of Lunchables kids' sandwiches an hour later.

More Dogs Than You Can Shake A Stick At

Huntley's Deicke Park was canine central Saturday as 13 animal rescue and shelter organizations including Huntley's Animal House put on Dogtoberfest.

Vendors included vets and purveyors of doggie toys and nummies but the event was mostly about finding homes for unwanted and abandoned beasts.  Some of the rescue organizations were general but others were tightly focused on specific breeds like airedales, bassets, collies, golden retrievers and rottweilers.

Animal House is equal opportunity dogwise.  They've even got cats.  You can see pets who need a home here:
http://www.animalhouseshelter.com/contact.asp

Jaycees' Poker Crawl Raises Money For School

Huntley Jaycees' Poker Crawl Saturday raised about $1,000 to benefit the Kishwakee Elementary School Library.  Jay Langlano of Carpentersville turned in the winning hand for a two-day motorcycle tour donated by Woodstock Harley and a bonus local band SNAFU sweatshirt. Crystal Lake Jaycee Mike Van Bladel had the losing hand which won a single-day tour but not 1/2 a sweatshirt.

In the pic:  Huntley Jaycee's Poker Crawl drew players from all over the region.  Here organizer Jan Westberg tot's up the hand garnered by Jeff Luedking, Hoffman Estates.

Appeals Court Rules Against ComEd Bill Addons

Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Friday her office  won a court appeal that could reduce future ComEd bills by more than $100 million. The Second District Appellate Court ruled the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) allowed ComEd to recover inflated property costs and extra infrastructure charges improperly boosting consumer bills.

“At a time when people are struggling financially, this is an excellent decision for consumers,” Madigan said. “The court’s ruling ensures consumers throughout our state are paying for the true cost of electricity service – not just paying for the increases in the cost of doing business but also sharing in the savings.”

The court’s decision will likely end, she said, the practice of adding fees to cover costs like capital projects and improvements, which are within the utility’s own control.  It comes even as utilities across the state have asked the ICC to approve increased fees on top of their regular rates for electricity and its delivery.

The ruling stems from ComEd’s request for a rate increase of $360 million two  years ago. Madigan fought the request, but the ICC eventually granted $275 million, anyway. The Attorney General’s Office then appealed to the Second District on the issues of surcharges and ComEd’s recouping operational costs that didn't include property depreciation and ComEd lost the argument.

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 02
1600 HRS ROUTE 31 & TRINITY DR.  DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CARR, RYAN M., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 112 S. WESTON AVE., ELGIN. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended and Registration Suspended, Mandatory Insurance Violation. RELEASED ON BOND.
1152 HRS 50 W. ACORN, (HOMESTATE BANK). FORGERY Two male subjects attempted to cash stolen checks. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1308 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (HOMESTATE BANK), FORGERY, Delayed from 10/01/10. Five stolen checks cashed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1334 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1428 HRS 50 W. ACORN, (HOMESTATE BANK) FORGERY. Two stolen checks were cashed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1433 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Vehicle’s exterior was scratched overnight.
1727 HRS 200 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Vehicle’s window was broken. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1823 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1936 HRS 310 N. RANDALL RD., (CHASE BANK). ROBBERY. Complainant was robbed at the ATM. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2255 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Father vs. son. Verbal only. Eleven priors.