MCC Levy Will NOT Increase 9.9 Percent

The McHenry County College Board this week set Dec. 16 for a hearing on the district's requested tax levy, up 9.9 percent from last year. Relax. The actual tax take won't go up nearly that much, according to MCC Interim Treasurer Don Wilske who estimated Friday the jump will really be between three and four percent.

In the last "worst recession since the Great Depression" in 1981 the Legislature passed something called the Truth In Taxation Act.  ("Sounds like a contradiction in terms, doesn't it?" said Wilske.)  It says if the next estimated levy is five percent greater than the actual tax take last year, a taxing body has to hold a hearing.  It doesn't say the levy can't go up that much, just that there has to be a hearing so taxpayers can complain about it.

Ten years later it was clear that hadn't accomplished anything so the Legislature passed the Property Tax Extension Law. It actually did limit levy increases to five percent, max, (before adding in new construction {and expired TIF districts}).  In fact, the limit is usually the increase in the previous year's cost of living, 2.7 percent this time.

The problem is that taxing districts don't know exactly what their total EAV is going to be yet.  "We won't get that until 2011," said Wilske.  To get the last penny the law allows, some, particularly school districts, overestimate their requests.  No one ever canceled the Truth in Taxation Act, though, so if the overestimate is big enough it triggers a hearing about the fictitious increase.  That's the one MCC will hold next month.

Supervisor's Husband Pleads Not Guilty To Trustee Battery

David Moore, husband of Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore, pleaded not guilty in McHenry County Circuit Court Friday and demanded a jury trial on a misdemeanor charge of battery stemming from an incident after a Grafton Township Board meeting a month ago.

A Huntley police report charges Moore pushed Trustee Gerry McMahon after McMahon threw his hand up to block Moore's videoing his conversation with other trustees after the meeting.

Judge Robert Beaderstadt set Dec. 17 for Moore's next appearance before Judge Charles Weech to set a trial date.

Controlled Burn Helps Native Plants

It wasn't quite a John T. McCutcheon scene of autumn but there was a tang in the air this week when firemen from V3 Companies, Woodridge, did a controlled burn in the wetland preserve at Huntley's Georgian Place neighborhood.  Occasional burns help some native plants propagate and, in this case, have the added benefit of making it easier to watch the muskrats that live there.

Back From The Rexall: Huntley TCYFL Champs Pic

Finally, here's the Huntley Mustangs who won the 2010 Chicagoland Youth Football featherweight Big 10 championship in a 24-0 shutout of Barrington at Lake Zurich last Saturday.

Probably not seated alphabetically they're: Andrew Altergott, Ryan Antonsen, Joe Boland, Michael Boland, Devin Borring, Dillon Cherwin, Chris Constantino, Antony Cullotta, J. J. Flores, Matthew Gelander, A. J. Henkle, Jake McGovern, Eric Mooney, Brian O'Mara, Tommy Ryan, Michael Talesky, Jared Tatgenhorst and Charlie Zornow.

Court Rebukes State On McHenry County Liquor Shutdown

The McHenry County State's Attorney's Office announced Friday it's won an appeal from a State order to reopen liquor sales at a store the County wanted shut off.

Two years ago the County Liquor Control Commission voted to revoke the liquor license at a convenience store in unincorporated McHenry when it was found selling to minors for the third time within eight months.  The Illinois Liquor Control Commission ruled the punishment should have been just a temporary suspension but late this week the Second Court of Appeals threw that out and said the County was right the first time.

Kids and alcohol are such a big problem that McHenry County recently set up an Underage Drinking Task Force under soon-to-be Regional Superintendent of Schools Joe Williams and Sheriff Keith Nygren.

Veto Session Sputters

By Mary Massingale, Illinois Statehouse News
Looking for more excitement in your veto session? Come back for the second act.

Issues such as civil unions, abolition of the death penalty and medical marijuana have yet to surface and a committee vote on a massive gaming expansion was postponed after advocates, opponents and residents overflowed the hearing room to testify.

“This week, we have really come to the realization that we’re not going to see some of those things,” said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington. “Who knows about the second week of veto when we come back?”

“It’s a matter of counting votes and not wanting to fail publicly,” said Kent Redfield, a professor of political science at the University of Illinois-Springfield. But remember the lesson from the pension reform bill passed in one day last session, he said. “Things can happen pretty quickly once they’ve got the votes,” Redfield said.

However, he cautioned not to expect a vote on an income tax increase anytime soon – even during the lame duck session set for the first week of January when only a simple majority vote will be needed for passage.  Redfield viewed an income tax increase as one of several bargaining chips while the state struggles with an expected $15 billion budget deficit.

“Revenue, the budget and redistricting will all get linked together,” Redfield said. “I think it’s more likely that it’s going to happen in May rather than January.”

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4559/veto-session-sputters-during-first-week-as-votes-get-counted/

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.

JENNIFER A. OCASIO, DOB:  04/27/83, 321 W. TERRA COTTA  #4, CRYSTAL LAKE. RETAIL THEFT, CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO REAL PROPERTY.--Algonquin PD

MATTHEW J. COOK, DOB:  04/15/90, 1470 WYNFIELD DRIVE, ALGONQUIN. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE.--LITH PD

RUBEN RODRIGUEZ, DOB:  01/27/68, 416 PRIDES RUN, LAKE IN THE HILLS. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED, ENDANGERING THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF A CHILD(4CTS)--Crystal Lake PD
      
TRACIE L. JOYNER, DOB:  10/10/76, 244 BELL DRIVE, CARY. FINANCIAL IDENTITY THEFT.--Cary PD
       
MARK R. WIEGERT, DOB:  09/05/70, 114 SCHRYVER, WOODSTOCK. DECEPTIVE PRACTICE(2CTS).--Woodstock PD
   
MIGUEL H. RAMIREZ, DOB:  04/25/79, 502 MCHENRY AVENUE  APT 207, WOODSTOCK. AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY.--Woodstock PD

ROBERT A. HULL, DOB:  10/09/81,    3104 OAK TERRACE, ISLAND LAKE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED PROPERTY, DOMESTIC BATTERY.--Island Lake PD
   
STEVEN L. FULLER, DOB:  07/14/71, 3605 N. RIVERSIDE DRIVE  #3, MCHENRY, BURGLARY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--McHenry PD
   
LESLIE C. IROCKY, DOB:  08/08/71, 24620 87TH STREET, SALEM, WI. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, THEFT.--Spring Grove PD
   
DENNIS URIOSTIGUE, DOB:  08/04/81, 945 GOLF COURSE ROAD  #3, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY, RECKLESS CONDUCT.--Crystal Lake PD
   
JOSEPH P. OLBERDING, DOB:  03/19/68, 309 N. STATE STREET, MARENGO. MOB ACTION, BATTERY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS
JACOB A. KEARNS, DOB:  01/23/91, 309 N. STATE STREET, MARENGO. MOB ACTION, BATTERY, UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON.--LITH PD
   
BRIAN M. BLUM, DOB:  12/14/79, 4706 JOYCE LANE, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER(2CTS)--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
   
MARK A. FAVIA, DOB:  10/14/88, 1515 BURR OAK COURT, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS--McHenry PD
   
DAVID R. HAMMITE, DOB:  02/27/80, 4502 GARDEN QUARTER  #2, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD
   
PEGGY L. BALDWIN, DOB:  01/31/73, 3703 JAMES STREET  3A, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry
   
KODY A.W. KICK, DOB:  08/04/93,    1501 DOLDER LANE, SPRING GROVE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry PD

CARRIE L. EMPSON, DOB:  07/09/77, 321 S. ANN STREET, MARENGO. AGGRAVATED BATTERY.--Marengo PD
   
ROGER ELLIOTT BUDRIS-JACKSON JR., DOB:  01/09/90, 1113 W. HAYDEN DRIVE, JOHNSBURG. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Illinois State Police
 

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
November 19
2048 HRS 0 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. WANTED ON WARRANT/HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE. PAPAK, ALOYSIUS J., M/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, 5420 5TH ST., BRADENTON, FL. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant out of McHenry County for Reckless Conduct/Reckless Driving, bond $2,500 @ 10% apply, Harassment by Telephone. RELEASED ON BOND.
0511 HRS 4700 BLOCK OF SAGINAW ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 6 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1059 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 45 years of age, feeling weak and difficulty breathing. No transport.
1246 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1544 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT/INJURY Vehicle vs. pedestrian. Two subjects transported to Sherman Hospital.
1614 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1632 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). TOBACCO COMPLIANCE CHECKS. Checking local businesses for tobacco compliance.
1723 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & ANNANDALE DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1952 HRS 500 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 80 years of age, injury to his head from a fall. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2233 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 24 years of age, having a seizure. No transport.

Huntley Auto Service Center Put On Hold

The Huntley Board sent a proposed auto service center back to the drawing board Thursday after residents said it was in the wrong place and some trustees worried it might make traffic on Church Street dangerous.

Auto Tech Centers with three stores in McHenry, Crystal Lake and Woodstock want to open a fourth at Route 47 and Joan Street.  The spot's zoned for more shopping center but Auto Tech hopes to put in an 8,200 square-foot tire store and service area.

More than a dozen nearby residents have been complaining the noise from mechanics' air wrenches would be too loud, store and vehicle lights would be too bright at night and cars exiting through a new access onto Church would turn the street into a raceway.  "We think it belongs on the other side of Route 47," said one potential neighbor.

"We haven't had complaints at our other locations in 25 years," replied Auto Tech owner Ed Miculenich.

The new link between Route 47 and Church Street, not the service center itself, was what sent the project back to planners.  "I don't like the access drive," said Trustee Pam Fender.

Developer Kenny Bakley said there needed to be one since otherwise there'd be no practical way for patrons to go back south on 47.  He and Fender argued about whether drivers would or should jink north a block to Joan to reach its intersection with 47 instead of oozing through the shopping center down to Algonquin Road.  Finally Fender moved to table the proposal for more study and that's what the Board voted to do.

"Can we improve the flow in and out of there?" asked Trustee Paul Mercer.  "What could be done?  The whole shopping center is going out on Church Street."

Village manager Dave Johnson said he'd have planners look over existing traffic studies and try to project what drivers will do when  Route 47 widening is finished.

Separately the Board approved an accelerated review of a three-story 128-unit supportive living facility for the physically disabled north of the village's Heritage Woods Assisted Living center on Regency Parkway.

"Where can I go to visit one?" asked Trustee Harry Leopold.  A spokesman for developer Bravo Properties said there was one in Aurora but what they had in mind was almost the same as Heritage Woods, just for disabled in the 22 to 64-year age range rather than seniors.

Grafton Pantry Helps Hungry For Thanksgiving

There'll be Thanksgiving dinner after all this year for 175 Huntley area families thanks to Thursday's annual special distribution at the Grafton Township Food Pantry.  About a dozen extra volunteers loaded residents' cars all afternoon in temps low enough the turkeys were in no danger of thawing.

Manager Mary Hardy said the special distribution is an annual tradition made possible thanks to extra contributions from Pantry supporters.

In the pic:  Grafton Township Food Pantry volunteers Chris Hoxie (left) and Ted Buczynski had loading Thursday's  Thanksgiving distribution down to a science after the first few dozen cars Thursday.

Huntley Board Saves Walleyed Thanksgiving

Residents who booked Thanksgiving celebrations at Sun City's Walleye Grill may have a happy holiday after all. The Huntley Liquor Commission Thursday approved two new Class I licenses so now someone can legally cater events there.

Holiday plans were thrown up in the air when the Sun City Owners' Association canned Walleye's operator last month.  The stopgap scheme was to have celebrations at the Grill catered but that would require a liquor license.  Huntley's Board quickly threw together a new Class I license so current on-premises liquor license holders who know about carding kids and cutting off customers can serve liquor at catered events, too.

Thursday the Board awarded two of the new licenses to Nikko's Grill and Pub and the Pines of Huntley.  Trustee Niko Kanakaris abstained from votes on both licenses since he's the Niko of Niko's.

Warning Issued On Possible "Tea Party" Scammers

An area Tea Party Organizer warned Lake and McHenry County residents Thursday of what may be a scam targeting people whose homes are in danger of foreclosure.

Lake County 912 Patriots organizer Tom Weber said he happened to be visiting an elderly supporter in McHenry Wednesday when a pair of strangers came to to door claiming to be Tea Party members out to help folks in financial distress.  Later, according to Weber's account, the men visited another McHenry resident asking for $800 cash to help avoid foreclosure and, for another $200, to fix his credit history to boot.

Weber said the men were grubby-looking, anyway, and he notified local police adding,  "I cannot imagine any Tea Party people trying to help and then requesting money."

Lawmakers Given Short Time For Medicaid, Workman's Comp

By Mary Massingale, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois Senate leaders have charged a few select lawmakers with reforming the state’s Medicaid program and workers’ compensation system – by Jan. 3. But members of the bi-partisan commissions said they weren't scared by the tall order due in a little over six weeks.

Medicaid makes up a sizable and growing portion of the state’s annual budget. Righter said a federally mandated 2014 expansion just adds to the urgency for reform. State officials have said new participants are expected to cost the state about $200 million annually.

Co-chair of the Medicaid commission, state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said the topic has been simmering on the back burner long enough. “This is an issue that’s been discussed for years,” said Righter. “There have been studies done on this, there’s been research on this, there’s been legislative proposal after legislative proposal on this.”

Commission co-chair state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, said the state must move away from its institutional care of the elderly, mentally ill and developmentally disabled. “We way over-institutionalize in Illinois compared to other states – very heavy costs associated with that, and we lose out on some Medicaid matching opportunities because of that.”

Meanwhile, State Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, on the workers’ compensation panel said reform is part of a solution to Illinois’ business and manufacturing woes.

“Illinois is now, I believe, third in the nation in workers’ compensation insurance costs to business and industry,” said Haine. “That simply cannot be sustained.”

But in six weeks?

“It’s not what I’d hoped to do in December, but it’s what I’m going to be doing,”  Haine said.

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4572/senate-lawmakers-given-short-timetable-to-reform-medicaid-workers-comp-2/

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
November 18
1808 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). WANTED ON WARRANT. SCULLY, COLIN M., M/W 65 YEARS OF AGE, 6 DEER CREEK LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant McHenry County for Health-Safety, bond set at $1,500 @ 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
2314 HRS PYOTT RD., & RAKOW RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE. BARKSTROM, DALE G., M/W 30 YEARS OF AGE, 1770 PEBBLEWOOD LN., HOFFMAN ESTATES. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1739 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. FOLLOW UP ARREST: DOMESTIC BATTERY. JUVENILE M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery, Two counts. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0120 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Son. Verbal only. Two priors.
0152 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 21 years of age, with bleeding fingers. No transport.
0356 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. One prior.
0538 HRS 10105 S. ROUTE 31,  (MATERIAL SERVICES). HIT & RUN. Complainant’s vehicle was struck by a semi-truck that left.
0636 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. RECKLESS CONDUCT/RECKLESS DRIVING. Driving altercation between two vehicles. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0732 HRS 00 BLOCK OF OLYMPIC CT. DEATH INVESTIGATION. Male, 43 years of age, found unresponsive.
0903 HRS 100 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 14 years of age, in need of an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1450 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF BURR ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 39 years of age, having difficulty breathing. No transport.
Algonquin
delayed
Huntley
November 8
Dwayne L. Kerley, age 26, of 719 N. State St., Marengo, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for driving with an expired registration and driving with no insurance.  Mr. Kerley posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 17, 2010.
A 14 year-old female from Lake in the Hills was arrested for battery.  The juvenile was assigned a McHenry County court date of December 13, 2010.
Bennie D. Sizemore, age 45, of 2019 Parker, McHenry, was arrested for driving while license suspended and driving with no insurance.  Mr. Sizemore posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 17, 2010.
An identity theft report was taken in the 10200 block of Central Park.  The victim found unauthorized charges on his credit card.
November 9
Jeremy D. Perrin, age 29, of 218 Seneca, Elgin, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Perrin posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 17, 2010.
A theft report was taken in the 10600 block of Philip Dr.  A ring was stolen from the residence.
November 10
Rita L. Sorejian, age 40, of 5482 Wildsprings Dr., Lake in the Hills, was arrested for DUI and cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving with an expired registration.  Ms. Sorejian posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 17, 2010.
Elmer L. West, age 52, of PO box 374, Forgan, OK, was arrested for domestic battery.  Mr. West was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
November 11
A 14 year-old female from Huntley was charged with disorderly conduct at the High School.  The juvenile was released with a McHenry County court date of December 13, 2010.
November 12
A 16 year-old female from Huntley was charged with battery at the High School.  The juvenile was released with a McHenry County court date of December 13, 2010.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 10400 block of Oxford Dr.  A shed was damaged.
November 14
A 17 year-old male from Huntley was arrested for aggravated battery, resisting a peace officer and consumption of alcohol by a minor.  The subject was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
Cody R. Curran, age 20, of 11541 Marengo Rd., Union, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant.  Mr. Curran was unable to post bond and was transported to McHenry County jail.
A retail theft report was taken at a store in the 11800 block of Factory Shops Blvd.  Two jackets were stolen from the store.
A criminal damage report was taken in the 10400 block of Centennial Ave.  The garage door was dented.

Assessment Appeals Made (Sort Of) Easy

Grafton Township Assessments were due to be published today while Algonquin Township's were printed Monday so the clock's ticking toward the deadline for appeals in both jurisdictions now.  For Algonquin it's a postmark by Dec. 16.  For Grafton it's Dec. 20.

The process starts with the premise that the assessor has it in for you, your valuation is obviously iniquitous and if there's any justice in a world gone mad the blasted thing should be reduced, probably at least 50 percent, no make that 90 percent, what's the matter with these people anyway?  Try to calm down. Here are some sites that will save you all the time you lost hyperventilating:

First download a McHenry County complaint form and all the rules:
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/assessments/PDFDocs/Residential%20Complaint%20Packet.pdf

There's a lot of rules but mainly they add up to the onus is on you to prove your assessment is wrong. First go to the assessor's site and make sure all the info about your property matches the actual fact:

(For Algonquin Township) http://algonquin.northwoodsoft.com/display/PropertySearch.asp
(For Grafton Township) http://www.graftonsearchsite.com/

Assuming the information is correct (or isn't incorrect but in your favor) your best bet is probably an appeal based on current "fair cash value."  You could hire a professional appraiser but (a) you'd have to pay him and (b) get the appraisal in to the Review Board within 10 days after the complaint deadline. It'll probably be cheaper and faster to try one based on recent sales.

You need to find three comparables, properties similar to and near yours but that sold cheaper in 2007, 2008 or 2009. (A sale in 2010 isn't supposed to count because the assessment is supposed to be its value on Jan. 1, 2010.)  Use the search boxes to cruise around.

Look for lots more than three comps, though, because only "arms-length" sales count.  That means short sales of distressed homes don't and there've been a lot of those.  Write down the pins of all your comps and call the assessor's office to see which ones aren't allowed.

The Algonquin number is 847-639-1700 x6
The Grafton number is 847-669-3383

If you can find three, you're still not home free, however.  Eventually you'll have to go before the Board of Review and prove they're all really just like your property. Good luck with that.  You'll have 15 minutes.

Besides, you've got to go to Woodstock to do it. All things considered, you're going to blow around half a workday. Popular wisdom has it you'll get a reduction simply for filing a complaint but even if that were true, if the Board knocked, say,  $1,000 off your assessment just because you showed up and said "Sir" and "Ma'am", you have to ask yourself if that's going to be worth all the trouble.

Meanwhile, tick, tick, tick....

Yensen Explains No Vote On County Budget

The McHenry County Board approved the County's 2011 budget and its 2010 tax year levy to help pay for it Tuesday evening.  Lake in the Hills' District Five Member Paula Yensen, one of the few who voted against both, explained her reasoning Wednesday.

The County's new total budget came in at $242.5 million, down $6.9 million from the current year thanks to a hiring freeze and small reductions all over the place. However, the real estate tax levy is up to $77.8 million from $73.4 million and that didn't sit well with Yensen.

"I'm a fiscal conservative," said Yensen, one of the Board's three (soon to be two) Democrats.  "When I ran in 2008 I promised I wouldn't raise taxes," she said, "and I want to keep that promise."

County administrators said they'd put the budget through the death of a thousand cuts, though.  Yensen charged they could have done more, pointing especially to $1.2 million in overtime budgeted for the Sheriff's Office and around $400,000 in reduced but not eliminated subsidies for groups like McHenry County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation.  "These were supposed to be independent organizations," she said.  "It's time for them to stand by themselves."

In short, "Just because the County can raise taxes (by the inflation index) doesn't mean it's justified," said Yensen. "People can barely make ends meet now," she complained. "There's something radically wrong."

Joining Yensen voting against the new budget were District Four Member John Hammerand and, interestingly, fellow District Five Dem Jim Kennedy and District One Republican Yvonne Barnes. Neither of the latter two will be on the Board next year.

The new McHenry County Budget summary can be seen here: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/MtgDocs/201011/111610cb/16_2Aattach.pdf

Huntley Lane Changes Expected Friday

If all goes the way it's supposed to, traffic lanes are expected to switch in the Route 47 construction area in Huntley Friday. The change was expected to occur this week according to village officials and the construction signs have been advising the 19th as the target date.

One thing that might delay it is work on the railroad crossing.  Crews were erecting standards this week that are supposed to carry light booms across the tracks. 

Meanwhile workers are madly laying sewer pipe in the Route 47/Kreutzer Road area.  Motorists are warned to expect delays there although the work seems to be snarling Kreutzer more than 47.

LITH Holiday Lights Signup Open Now

It's time to sign up for Lake in the Hills' annual Christmas lighting contest. Judging will be Dec. 16 and registration is simple.  Just call the Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department at (847) 960-7460 to enroll in the LITH Holiday Lights Decorating Contest.

Winners will be announced in two categories, Best Overall Display (tasteful) and the Clark Griswold Award (over the top). Each winner will each receive a gift certificate to an area restaurant and, of course, local accolades and the thanks of their neighbors.

In the pic: One of the winners in LITH's Lights Contest last year.

Pension Changes Likely, Agreement Not So Much

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
It is looking more likely that lawmakers will change pension benefits for new police officers and firefighters across Illinois.  But it is also looking less sure what that change will be when the vote comes.

Wednesday the architect of the latest plan to scale back retirement plans for to-be-hired cops and firemen, State Rep. Kevin McCarthy, D-Orland Park, told a legislative panel that he expects to have a final plan by next week.

However, police and firefighter unions are upset with the plan to increase the retirement age from 50 to 57, require 30 years on the job, cap benefit payments for survivors, and impose a lower cost of living adjustment than the unions have asked for.

The unions maintain that a different pension "reform" could save those cities just as much, or more. Pat Devaney with the Associated Firefighters of Illinois told McCarthy's panel that there was a deal almost in place among his people.

The General Assembly last spring trimmed back state funded pensions for teachers, university employees, state workers, judges, and future lawmakers.  The police and fire pension plans are primarily paid for by local governments, however.

Legislators are expected to leave the Capitol by noon today but are scheduled for three more days of veto session after Thanksgiving.


You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4558/pension-changes-likely-agreement-not-so-much/

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
November 17
0058 HRS 200 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, one month old, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0720 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. MISSING JUVENILE. Female, 15 years of age, was not at home when her parents awoke.  Juvenile returned home.
1101 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. TELEPHONE HARASSMENT. Complainant had questions reference problems with her husband.
1826 HRS PYOTT RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Car vs. Deer. Property damage only.
1920 HRS 70 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. Wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2017 HRS 289 N. RANDALL RD., (EINSTEIN BROTHERS). FOUND ARTICLE. Bicycle. Entered into evidence.

McHenry County House Prices Rebound Sharply

McHenry County home prices saw a sharp rebound in October cracking the $200,000 price barrier for the second time in 14 months, according to the latest report from the McHenry County Association of Realtors.  The increase was especially striking following September's poor showing, the second lowest in the same period.

McHAR Chief Excecutive Jim Heisler said Tuesday he hoped it was a sign of stability.  "I think we're getting back to where the market actually is," he said.

The average price of a McHenry County home rose to $202,000 from September's weak $189,000 average figure.  The number of homes sold, 218, was still low but remained steady while the length of time to sell a home increased slightly, still around 6 months.

Heisler said a federal stimulus homebuyers' tax credit probably distorted the market by accelerating sales that would have happened anyway.  That changed things two different ways.  At first, sucking buyers forward pumped up the numbers but when the program expired earlier this year it left a big empty space where those buyers would ordinarily have been.  "The stimulus purchases brought a lot of people forward," said Heisler. "We aren't sure when or if the dip has flattened."

Veteran LITH realtor Mary Siewenie said she was happy to see the October report.  "I'm the eternal optimist," she said, "but even I was running out of helium."

Siewenie said she thought the market might be on a permanent rebound pointing to last months' area unemployment report.  "It looks like there's more work out there in the county, it truly does," she said.

"We're seeing an increase in showings of homes and contracts for purchase," said Heisler. "We're hoping the closings follow suit."  Whether that will actually happen probably won't be clear until Spring, though, Heisler said, since home sales naturally plummet during the winter months.

MRED Closed Statistics for McHCAR
(Detached homes, attached homes, and two to four units)

      month    units  avg.price    days
                                   on mkt. 

      May '09  238    $210,383     195 
      Jun '09  279    $217,471     174 
      Jul '09  282    $215,806     185 
      Aug '09  261    $217,789     199 
      Sep '09  293    $198,332     208 
      Oct '09  335    $199,504     191 
      Nov '09  264    $191,636     169 
      Dec '09  258    $198,224     168 
      Jan '10  152    $193,497     162 
      Feb '10  175    $177,260     187 
      Mar '10  258    $189,152     184 
      Apr '10  316    $187,713     175 
      May '10  323    $195,770     183 
      Jun '10  357    $199,142     168 
      Jul '10  214    $207,950     173 
      Aug '10  236    $192,793     168 
      Sep '10  215    $188,856     173 
      Oct '10  218    $202,320     189

Statistics provided by MRED covering McHCAR’s geographical area
including Alden, Algonquin, Cary, Oakwood Hills, Chemung, Harvard,
Lawrence, Crystal Lake, Lakewood, Prairie Grove, Fox River Grove,
Bull Valley, Greenwood, Woodstock, Harmony, Marengo, Hebron,
Huntley, Holiday Hills, Johnsburg, McHenry, Lake Moor, McCullom
Lake, Sunnyside, Ringwood, Lake In The Hills, Richmond, Solon Mills,
Spring Grove, Union, and Wonder Lake.

Toastmaster And Taxes Occupy Algonquin Board

Work to begin to clear away the rubble of from Algonquin's charred Toastmaster factory should begin in mid-December according to a Tuesday report from the village's Director of Public Works.

Bob Mitchard said the Illinois Department of Transportation had already contracted to haul away the Toastmaster remains. "It's usually takes approximately 45 days before work begins," said Mitchard "and we're about two weeks into that."

As FEN first reported, the removal was folded into an IDOT contract earlier this month to clean up the contaminated soil and water at the Toastmaster site and an adjacent property.  Low bidder on the Nov. 5 contract  was Curran Contracting, Crystal Lake, at $2,315,000.  The job also includes removing the Prartie Oasis propery on Railroad Street.

Nearby resident Mary Stratejcruk told the Board she was worried about that because she'd heard there was asbestos there.  "What are you going to do to make sure the neighborhood is safe?" she demanded.

As FEN reported, IDOT job specs based on site surveys show a small amount of mostly non-friable asbestos present at the Railroad Street location.

"We've required (the contractor) to follow all EPA requirements," Village Manager Bill Ganek told Stratejcruk.

In other action Tuesday the Algonquin Board approved its 2010 tax year levy, $5.6 million, the same amount as last year.  That doesn't mean if an Algonquin resident's assessment published Tuesday morning went down his tax to the village will, too, though.  Each home's tax due is the result of multiplying its assessed valuation by the village's tax rate.  The rate, calculated by the County, is probably going to rise but no one's sure by how much. "We don't usually get that 'till March," said Ganek.

Food Pantry Roundup Before Holiday Season Starts

As the holidays approach,  donations and drives for area food pantries are revving up.

Monday Faith Community Church Food Pantry, Huntley, lugged in an unexpected trailer and van load of goods gathered by employees of the Rabine Paving Group of Schaumburg.  Under the auspices of the Rabine Foundation the company had a food drive competition among teams, winner take all. The one that included four Faith Church members came out on top and  volunteers spent Monday evening sorting though 2,400 items.

Meanwhile the Meijer Algonquin store is having a "Simply Give" campaign to support the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry.  It's part of a broader program the family-owned chain of stores began two years ago to help local food pantries.

Through New Years Day local shoppers can purchase a $10 Meijer Food Pantry Donation Card at special store displays. The donation cards will be converted into Meijer Gift cards and given to the local food pantry to give to clients.  So far the program's raised $1.6 million for 193 pantries.  The company claims it donates more than six percent of its net profit each year to charities and organizations in the five states where its stores are located.

Back in Huntley again, the Grafton Township Food Pantry is asking people to "adopt a family for Christmas." A  $15 donation will provide a turkey dinner for a family of 4.  Non-perishable food items, paper goods, household cleaning items or gift cards in any denominations are also welcome.

The Grafton Pantry is also looking for aspiring Santas to fill a gift wish list for profiled families.  The gifts shouldn't be wrapped and they'll be given to the anonymously.  The pantry thinks memorial donation cards are also a good way to spread Holiday cheer offering a reminder that for every $1 donation, the pantry can buy $4 worth of food at the regional food bank.
 
For all of that the pantry's number is (847)495-0092. A spokesman says, despite its name, the pantry doesn't have a thing to do with Grafton Township government.

In the pic:  The church was jumping Monday as volunteers sorted out a big donation.  "It's equivalent to what we order every two weeks from the food bank," said the pantry's director.

McHenry County Approves Financial Disclosure Form

The McHenry County Board Tuesday approved a new financial disclosure ordinance that a reform group said would increase "transparency" and make sure residents won't think County officials are self-dealing.

The new ordinance applies to all elected and appointed County officials and requires them to disclose certain economic interests, especially real estate holdings and ownership in companies doing business with the County.  It's a lot like the Illinois disclosure form officials already have to submit except where that one says "state" the new one says "county".

The measure approved Tuesday was either watered down or tightened up from a proposal almost a year ago by the Alliance for Land, Air and Water.  The original plan called for disclosure of interests held by the signer's family broadly defined.  Members complained that in a lot of cases they didn't know what their parents, siblings and adult children were up to financially. The new ordinance is limited to the officeholder, his spouse and dependent children unless there's something else that's "constructively controlled."

A plan to strip violators of their offices also went into the wastebasket. The State's Attorney's office pointed out the County doesn't create the offices so it can't take them away.  The new ordinance carries a $1,000 penalty for lying.

ALAW chief Emily Berendt told FEN last month the final version of the ordinance wasn't all she'd hoped for but a big improvement over nothing at all.

Whether the new ordinance will make any practical difference is too early to tell.  Before the election more than a dozen candidates voluntarily filled out the form but almost all of them had no economic interests to report in the first place.  The new disclosure forms are supposed to be filed by May 1.

Casino Mayors Run Hot, Cold, Lukewarm On Expansion

By Mary Massingale, Illinois Statehouse News
Mayors of cities that could be affected by a potential gaming expansion showed up at the Capitol Tuesday to voice their opinions: yes, no and maybe.

Residents and city officials packed a committee room, as the components of a Senate Bill  were laid out: five new casinos and slot machines at race tracks. So many people testified that senators didn’t vote on the proposal, choosing instead to ponder what they had heard.

Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer said he hopes committee members remember the original intent of the Riverboat Gambling Act. The influx of jobs from construction, the casino itself, a hotel, restaurants, and retail stores would bolster the community struggling with an unemployment rate hovering around 14 percent to 15 percent. But gambling opponents added to the chorus against a gaming expansion. "By doubling the amount and number of casinos we have, it will become the No. 1 gambling state in the nation,” said John Boryk of the organization Stop Predatory Gambling.

This year, a report from the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability highlighted the challenge of the state relying on gaming revenues. The report noted that state revenue from gambling is at a 10-year low, due primarily to the recession and the recent statewide indoor smoking ban, prompting Illinois gamblers to migrate to neighboring states without the smoking ban.

The mayor of Ford Heights in line for a casino, Charles Griffin, said the 35 percent unemployment rate of his village calls for action now. “We would be able to not only hire a police department but we would be able to hire and staff a full-time fire department,” Griffin said. “We would be able to hire individuals to work in our planning department, our community development department, to help us organize and implement the type of services and be competitive with everyone else as opposed to being dependent on everyone else.”


You can read Mary's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4552/mayors-of-cities-targeted-for-casinos-run-hot-cold-lukewarm-on-proposal/

House Overturns Quinn FOIA Veto

By Jennifer Wessner, Illinois Statehouse News
The Illinois House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to overturn Gov. Pat Quinn’s amendatory veto on a bill that originally kept private the performance evaluations of all public employees.

Lawmakers amended the state FOIA law last January to exempt releasing performance reviews of teachers, superintendents and administrators. This past spring, they did it again making performance reviews of all government employees off limits. Quinn used his amendatory veto this summer and changed the law a third time to exclude release of only law enforcement evaluations.

Melissa Hahn, president of Illinois News Broadcasters Association, said she was disappointed by the House vote. “We are opposed to the bill in its entirety, as it was originally proposed and after it was tinkered with by Gov. Pat Quinn," Hahn said. “We sincerely hope that the Illinois Senate chooses to literally ignore the bill and let it die.”

You can read Jennifer's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4538/illinois-house-overturns-quinn-veto-on-foia/

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
November 16
0821 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Resident requested a report for insurance after receiving an injury to her foot on 093010.
0938 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF PRINCETON LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 3 years old, fell down the stairs. No transport.
1640 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF ROYAL OAK LN. CHECK FOR WELL BEING. 25 year-old overdue in returning home.
1734 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF HILLSBORO LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 33 years of age, intoxicated and a bruise on her face. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1751 HRS 00 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT. Subject breaking windows on residence.
1746 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ADAMS ST. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Report for insurance for damage to a vehicle.
2132 HRS 2126 W ALGONQUIN RD., (CONVENIENT MART). ATTEMPTED ROBBERY. Female, 47 years of age, with a head injury. Transported to Sherman Hospital. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.

MCC Board Chooses Adams Collision Head Until April

In a special meeting Monday the McHenry County College Board picked McHenry businessman Dennis Adams, co-owner of Adams Collision Centers in Lake in the Hills, Huntley and Harvard, to fill Donna Kurtz's empty seat for the next five months.

Adams was one of four candidates who stepped forward after Kurtz, about to become a District Two Member of the McHenry County Board, resigned her MCC Board spot to force the choice for the rest of her term onto April's Combined Election Ballot. The other three included a retired McHenry educator, Woodstock's retired basketball coach and a Crystal Lake picture framer.

During a public interview with the Board Adams showed a broad streak of irony but one often crafted to his advantage.  "I know a lot of people," he said, "and that's probably their misfortune if we have a fund drive."

Asked how the public views the Board, Adams drew a chuckle firing back, "Is this a trick question?" then adroitly switching to another topic so he wouldn't have to say a lot of people don't have a very high opinion of MCC's trustees.

The Board split bitterly three years ago over then-President Walt Packard's plan to put up a $10 million sub-minor league baseball stadium. Since that scheme collapsed the college has been operating  with a steady stream of temps filling a lot of senior staff positions.  Indeed, Monday the Board also approved hiring a new permanent Chief (computer) Information Officer. The Chief Financial Officer spot's still open, too, and newly-installed President Vicky Smith said interviews for that would begin in a couple of weeks.

Adams said "common sense" was what he thought he could bring to the Board.  "When the budget goes above $40 million a small businessman is an asset," he said.

Adams will be on the April ballot for the remainder of Kurtz's term since Chairman Mary Miller said that was a condition of his being considered for the temporary appointment in the first place.  Bob DeWitt, filling out the term of censured and eventually resigned Trustee Scott Summers, said he'd be there, too.  Recently deposed Chairman George Lowe said he hadn't made up his mind yet whether to run for another term.

If he does, though, he and the others may face a lot of competition.  Board Secretary Pat Kriegermeir reported she's handed out 14 trustee nomination packets so far and the deadline for filing isn't for another month.

In the pic:  Dennis Adams will take over Donna Kurtz's MCC seat.  "What I've learned in business is you can't just look at what's right," he said.  "You have to figure out what can go wrong."

Grafton Decision Expected Late This Week

McHenry County Judge Michael Caldwell's made his decision in Grafton Township's mutual requests for temporary injunctions against the Supervisor and the rest of the Board to stop doing what they're doing.  However, Caldwell said Monday he hasn't finished writing his verdict so it will probably be late this week before anyone knows what it is.  He said he'd mail it to both sides Wednesday.

The only thing clear at Monday's short court conference was that Caldwell's decision's a long one.  He said he'd only reached page 38 so far.  That's far more than the complaint by Grafton Supervisor Linda Moore that the rest of the Board's usurping her executive authority.  It's around the number in the countercomplaint by trustees that Moore's ignoring any board votes she doesn't like.

Caldwell's decision is important not only because it might end the gridlock that's gripped Grafton Township for more than a year now.  It's also important because so many local government boards are structured like Grafton Township's, a group of people led by a primus inter pares, one person with some extra duties and responsibilities but exactly the same vote as all the rest.  If Caldwell comes up with a ruling that seriously alters the concept a lot of municipal governments could be thrown into turmoil.

Whatever his decision, it may not end Grafton's legal wrangling which now carries a price tag approaching $250,000.  The injunction requests are the heart of a pair of antagonistic suits between Moore and Trustees but the merits could be argued all over again as the larger cases grind forward.  Caldwell's probably also writing his decision with the possibility in mind that a panel of appellate judges will be looking over his shoulder later on.  The Judge and attorney's for both sides agreed there was a pretty good chance of that even before testimony in the case began in May.

Bregy To Take Over D300 Decision-Making

District 300 residents can mark their calendars for Jan. 4 with the notation: "Now it's Bregy's fault."  In a release Monday the school district announced Superintendent Apparent Mike Bregy will take over district day-to-day and long-range decision making even though retiring boss Ken Arndt will nominally remain at the helm.

Arndt's to continue as a "mentor" but Supervisor of Communication Services Allison Strupek said the D300 Board decided in a special closed meeting to turn things over to Bregy now since he's the one who's going to have to live with next year's starvation budget and possible labor problems.  The district just finished a budget in the red for the 2010-11 year and is gearing up for what could be an even tighter one for 2011-12.  There've also been preliminary talks with the teachers' union and other employee groups whose contracts will be up next year.

Bregy was chosen Associate Superintendent to succeed Arndt earlier this year but won't officially take over the top spot until next June.

In the pic:  Michael Bregy

Algonquin Turkey Trot to Kick Off Thanksgiving Day

Runners, slop a little Shoe Goop over those worn Nike's and zip over to the supermarket for a load of canned goods.  It's only a week until the Turkey Trot fun run/walk at Algonquin's Lifetime Fitness Thanksgiving day.

Anyone can enter the 5K event sponsored by the Lifetime Fitness Run Club to benefit the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry.  The cost to enter is either $10 or a non-perishable food donation.

The starters' pistol fires at 8 am Thanksgiving day at the fitness facility behind Algonquin's Panera Bread but registration starts at 7:15.  Dogs and strollers are OK since the event's just for fun.

Any questions?  Call (847) 458-6200.

In the pic:  The weatherman couldn't make up his mind whether to rain or snow at last year's Algonquin Turkey Trot.

Lawmakers Look For Little Veto Session Action

By Jennifer Wessner, Illinois Statehouse News
Despite a lot of hype, some Democratic lawmakers in Illinois’ General Assembly say not much is going to happen in this year’s veto session.

The annual two-week November session, which starts on Tuesday and is scheduled to end the week after Thanksgiving, will give lawmakers a chance to return to the capitol to consider any legislation Gov. Pat Quinn has vetoed since the General Assembly left Springfield in June. However, additional proposals have popped up. Many expect lawmakers to pass controversial legislation such as a tax increase or a number of social issues during the upcoming session.

Members in the House can vote on Quinn’s tax increase proposal that passed the Senate in 2009. The proposal calls for an increase in the state income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent, while doubling residential property tax credits homeowners can claim on their taxes. Quinn has also proposed a one percentage point increase in the income tax  for education, but that proposal has yet to be voted on in either chamber.

Or lawmakers can pass a bill that would expand gaming in the state by adding as many as five casinos — including one in Rockford — and allowing slot machines at racetracks. Some estimate the measure could bring in as much as $1 billion into the state’s coffers
 But a recent report from the Illinois Commission on Governmental Forecasting and Accountability noted that revenue from gaming is at a 10-year low.

Several controversial pieces of legislation — such as legalizing medical marijuana and civil unions — are thought to be coming before the General Assembly this month.

Legislation considered during veto session means all measures need a three-fifths majority vote to pass to have an immediate effective date. However, the proposals for civil unions and medical marijuana have an effective date of July 1, 2011, so they'll require only a simple majority vote to pass.

You can read Jennifer's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4535/democratic-lawmakers-look-for-little-action-in-veto-session/

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
November 15
0201 HRS 200 BLOCK OF EAST ACORN LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 20 years of age, having a seizure. No transport.
0805 HRS 200 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 68 years of age, having a seizure. No transport.
0827 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Possible violation of a civil no contact order.
1046 HRS 4400 BLOCK OF COYOTE LAKES CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 57 years of age, with a laceration to the head. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1145 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Subject advising she has damage on her vehicle from an accident that happened in the parking lot in June.
1326 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEERPATH. HIT & RUN Vehicle vs. fence & mailbox. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1552 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 46 years of age, fell down the stairs. No transport.
1647 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 36 years of age, with blood in her urine. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2128 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Possible violation of a civil no contact order.
Huntley
November 1
A 15 year-old male from Huntley was charged with possession of tobacco by a minor at the High School.  The juvenile was released with a November 22, 2010, court date.
November 2
Barbara Williams, age 69, of 11696 River Terrace Dr, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Ms. Williams posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 3, 2010.
A 16 year-old male from Huntley was arrested for criminal trespass at the High School.  The juvenile was released to his mother and will be petitioned to McHenry County juvenile court.
Mark J. Thanadabouth, age 18, 0f 10933 Cape Cod, Huntley, was arrested for DUI and DUI blood alcohol over .08.  Mr. Thanadabouth posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 3, 2010.
November 3
Renee D. Moellenkamp, age 46, of 9213 Kasper, Crystal Lake, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Ms. Moellenkamp posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 17, 2010.
Kayla K. Borchart, age 22, of 200 E. Jefferson St., Hampshire, was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for display of expired registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.  Ms. Borchart posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of November 19, 2010.
November 4
Brandon M. Witkin, age 28, 10615 Phillip, Huntley, was arrested for possession of a suspended drivers license and an outstanding Kane County warrant.  Mr. Witkin was unable to post bond and was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond.
November 5
An identity theft report was taken in the 13000 block of Bull Ridge.  The victim states that someone has been cashing counterfeit checks against his account.
November 6
Lois Cortez was arrested on an outstanding DuPage County warrant.  Ms. Cortez posted bond and was released with a December 7, 2010, DuPage County court date.
Thomas M. Manley, age 25, of 201 Prairie Ridge, Woodstock, was arrested for DUI and DUI blood alcohol over .08 and was cited for improper lane use.  Mr. Manley posted bond and was released with a December 17, 2010, court date.
November 7
Russell Palermo, age 45, of 11313 Douglas, Huntley, was arrested for DUI, and DUI blood alcohol over .08 and cited for improper lane use.  Mr. Palermo posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 3, 2010.

$5.7 Million In Stimulus Up For McHenry County Board Vote

The McHenry County Board will try one more time this week to get some sort of benefit from a federal stimulus program that after 16 months has failed to yield much at all.  Tuesday the Board will vote on approving $5.7 million in Recovery Zone Facilities Bonds for a factory expansion that will create 50 new area jobs.

Last year the County was awarded authority to issue $27.5 million in federally-subsidized revenue bonds to kickstart "shovel-ready" projects that would juice local employment.  Most of the authority, $18.5 million worth, was awarded to the almost immediately-controversial McHenry County Sportsplex.  Another $5.9 million was assigned to a project to dredge silt-clogged Wonder Lake. The $3.5 million left over was awarded to the latest version of a sub-minor league baseball stadium in McHenry County, this time in Woodstock.  The catch in all cases was that the bonds have to be issued by the end of this year when the stimulus program expires.

The Sportsplex is still in play, trying to get its facilities bonds issued as well as another $16 million worth of another kind of bond it wants from a regional development agency.

The baseball stadium had planned to sell non-subsidized bonds to finance the bulk of its construction but last month it finally admitted no one was interested and gave back its bonding authorization.

The Wonder Lake dredging was tied up in court all summer. When it finally emerged it turned out last month that some of the project didn't qualify for the bonds so it's about to turn back $2 million of its original authority.

The upshot is that suddenly the County Board has about $5.7 million on stimulus bond authority on its hands that will turn into a pumpkin at Midnight Dec. 31.  Tuesday it will vote on awarding that to help pay for a $12 million expansion of Cary medical products manufacturer Sage Products.  The bonds won't really create any new jobs that weren't going to happen anyway, however.  Sage had originally planned to go it alone and broke ground on the new addition back in April.

In the pic:  Sage Products is a major area manufacturer of disposable medical supplies to prevent hospital infections.

Algonquin LITH Jaycees Pick "Best Pizza(s)" For Fundraiser

There are certain questions that have engendered debate for ages untold:  What's the meaning of life?  Is it better to give than to receive?  How will the world end, with a bang or a whimper?  Who makes the best pizza?  Wait a minute. The Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Jaycees came up with an answer to that last one Sunday.

The Jaycees have tried pizza competition fundraisers before.  Back in 2003 and 2004 things got bogged down in details, though;  Best thincrust, best thick, best made by a left-handed baker in a month with an R in it.  This time the choice was simple: pick the best pizza from an Algonquin restaurant and the best one from one in Lake In the Hills.  With 10 restaurants on hand, the electorate had a lot of sampling to do.

And the winners are (Drumroll): Sal's Pizza Company and Pop's Pizza Pasta Panini.(Applause and quiet burps of satisfaction.)  Long may they reign.

In the pic:  Post 1231 was packed Sunday with pizza aficionados for the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Jaycees Pizza Contest.  Funds raised supported Jaycees' projects and other charities.  Pizza left at the end went to the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Department and LITH PD.

Chesak/Martin Donuts For Dad Food Drive Sat.

The Chesak/Martin PTA will host their annual Donuts for Dad event Saturday at Martin Elementary to help gather some food contributions for the Grafton Township Food Pantry.

Proud Papas can line up to sit down with the kids and a soothing sinker from 8:30 to 10 am.  That's after lugging in the canned goods, of course, which last year totaled more than 6 cases of donations. 

Huntley Jaycees' Wheel Of Meat Spins Saturday

Saturday is the Huntley Jaycee's annual Wheel Of Meat fundraiser, this year at Algonquin's Barley House. It's just like the game show Wheel Of Fortune without those pesky word puzzles or even Pat and Vanna, for that matter.

Well, there's one more difference.  The prizes are steaks, chickens, turkey, beef, hams and so forth instead of, say,  a lovely front-loading washing machine from Whirlpool.

The Wheel of Meat will meet Saturday at the Barley House in Algonquin Commons from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.  For info or to reserve a seat call 847-802-9280 or try  huntleyjaycees@gmail.com .

Proceeds from the popular event benefit families in Huntley.

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
November 14
1804 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. HIT & RUN. MILAZZO, ANTHONY M.., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 801 VILLAGE RD., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Failure to give information following an accident, Motor Vehicle Accident Involving Damage, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, No Headlights.RELEASED ON BOND.
1014 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HEARTLAND GATE.FOLLOW UP REPORT: MISSING JUVENILE. Female, 16 years old did not return home on 11/13/10. Entered into LEADS on 11/14/10. Returned home on 11/14/10. Removed from LEADS.
0106 HRS 220 N. RANDALL, (MORETTIS). DOMESTIC Girlfriend vs. boyfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0115 HRS 220 N. RANDALL, (MORETTIS). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Male subject punched the windshield of a vehicle. Transported to Sherman Hospital. FAIL TO FILE.
2800 BLOCK OF BRIARCLIFF LANE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 48 years old, having a seizure. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1847 HRS 00 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 63 years of age, abdominal pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2119 HRS 00 BLOCK OF TWELVE LAKES CT. DOMESTIC Sister vs. Sister. Verbal only. Two priors.
2356 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. ACCIDENT Car vs.deer. Property damage only.
Algonquin
November 12
11:10am Cores, Mary D., DOB: 12/11/66, of 516 Summitt Drive, Schaumburg, was charged with Prostitution.  She was taken into custody at World Spa, 1445 W. Algonquin Road.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 12/15/10 in McHenry County.
21:12pm Sabatine, Blake A., DOB: 11/11/92, of 6 Annandale Court, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Lifetime Fitness, 451 Rolls Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 12/15/10 in McHenry County.
November 13
16:43pm Wilhelm, Amanda M., DOB: 04/27/88, of 701 Majestic Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant, out of Kane County for DUI.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released after posting $1500 with a court date of 12/08/10 in Kane County.
November 14
00:10am Herrera, Tiffany J., DOB: 05/16/91, of 616 Westwind Drive, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLS and Attempted Obstructing.  She was taken into custody at Route 31 and Edgewood Drive.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 12/22/10 in McHenry County.
02:02am Fibish, Zakary R., DOB: 09/16/92, of 729 Henry, Lake Geneva, WI, was charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody in the 500 block of E. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
17:01pm Dukes, Margaret A., DOB: 11/08/66, of 210 E. Algonquin Road #E, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant, out of DuPage County for Failure to Appear, on a DUI charge.  She was taken into custody at 210 E. Algonquin Road.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.

Algonquin Puts Green Spin On Decorating Contest

There are more than two weeks left to enter Algonquin's Holiday Lights Contest to see who has the village's (a) most spectacular house and who has (b, this being Algonquin) the most eco-friendly-decorated house this Christmas Season.

The Most Spectacular category will be judged on which house is...well, most spectacular.  The Green Holidays division, however, will be judged not only on how things look but also on how much the decorations include natural and recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting.

There's no cost to enter and the winners will receive a year's family membership to the Algonquin Swimming Pool and Splashpad.

Here's where to find the rules and entry form:

http://www.algonquin.org/egov/docs/1288723982_911560.pdf

Entries have to be in by Midnight Dec. 1 and judging will be Dec. 12.  Incidentally, the contest needs judges, too.  Send your name for that to recreation@algonquin.org .

In the pic:  National Lampoon's Green Christmas Vacation--Clark "Sparky" Griswold covers his house in bayberry candles.  Hijinks ensue.

"Alice" Packs Park District

If Friday's and Saturday's performances were precursors, this afternoon's performance of the pop/rock opera Alice in Wonderland at the Huntley Park District will be packed.

Students ages 8 through 18 of CYT Chicago (Kane County) sing and dance their way through a modern-day adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic.

Today's performance at 2 pm. will  be followed by more next week:

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 9:30 and 11:45 am
Thursday, Nov. 18, 9:30 and 11:45 am
Friday, Nov. 19, 7:00 pm
Saturday, Nov. 20, 2:00 and 6:00 pm
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2:00 pm

Prices: $8-12 presale,  $2 more at the door. Group, child, senior and school discounts available.For tickets call 847-516-2298 or visit www.cytchicago.org

In the pic: Lead Cassie Reich of Union isn't a demure Victorian girl in Alice in Wonderland at the Huntley Park District.

Fire District Recertifies Drivers Sat.

Algonquin Lake in the Hills firefighters recertified on some of their rigs Saturday at  the truck center off Pyott Road.  Operators have to be checked on yearly on any of the rigs they might have to drive.

Notably absent, however, was ALFPD's new 100-foot ladder truck.  They're still practicing driving the thing with its oversized overhangs.  If you see it on the road, give it plenty of leeway.

Illinois Lags On Solar Jobs

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
A new study found Illinois is not keeping up with some neighboring states on job creation in the solar power industry. The study  conducted by the Solar Foundation, a non-profit group, labor forecaster Green LMI and Cornell University .

According to the report, as of August 2010, more than 93,000 people nationwide work in solar power, and half of companies in the field expect to hire new employees in the next year. Those jobs include manufacturing, installation and sales. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio all made it into the report’s top 20 states for solar job creation, but Illinois did not.

According to the research, Illinois has about 530 solar-related jobs with a projected growth to nearly 700 jobs by 2011. That compares with Indiana — ranked 10th in the country for solar employment and growth — with more than 1,600 jobs and projected growth to more than 1,800 by 2011.

Environment Illinois says the General Assembly can take steps to help Illinois catch up with its neighbors in the solar sector. Miranda Carter, a field associate with Environment Illinois, said a few key changes could help the state keep pace.

One plan is to allow larger solar operations to sell extra power that they create back to utilities. Now, smaller operations, such as private residences and small business, can generate power with solar panels or a wind turbine and sell back what they don’t use under a policy called net metering. Carter said larger operations, including warehouses and big-box stores, such as Walmart, need to be included in the policy

However, Sen. Mike Jacobs, chair of the Senate Energy Committee, said solar power needs to be more reliable before the state starts setting such policies or subsidizing it. “I am still waiting for that big new idea that’s really going to get this off the ground." Jacobs, a Democrat from East Moline, added, “Really I just think that we need to make sure that we take care of our current employers before we go chasing new ones.”



You can read Jamey's full report at:  http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/illinois-lags-on-solar-jobs.html

In the pic: This 10 MW Exelon photovoltaic array in Chicago is the nation's largest urban solar power plant.

Local Sports

Football

Saturday
CLASS 6A QUARTERFINALS
#4 Prairie Ridge    37
#1 Crystal Lake South    10

#2 Rockford Boylan    20
#11 Cary-Grove    (OT) 14

CLASS 5A QUARTERFINALS
#10 Marian Central    10
#6 Montini    24

CHICAGOLAND YOUTH FOOTBALL
Huntley Pac 10 Red   0
Buffalo Grove  31

Huntley Pac 10 Premier  24
Barrington  0

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
November 13
2257 HRS 300 BLOCK TECUMSEH TRAIL. DOMESTIC BATTERY. SIMON, DAVID, M/W 42 YEARS OF AGE, 324 TECUMSEH TRAIL APT 208, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery of a Provoking Nature. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1015 HRS 100 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. THEFT. Mailbox taken.
1131 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles, male subject with neck pain. No transport.
1400 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1518 HRS 9000 BLOCK OF HALIGUS RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 31 years of age, not feeling well after surgery. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1540 HRS 2800 CADBURY CIRCLE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. Wife vs. daughter. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1831 HRS 200 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Multiple mailboxes damaged. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1835 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.