FirstElectricNewspaper: 2010-12-19

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas

"Merry Christmas, everybody," said Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass at the end of the last Huntley Board meeting. "Or maybe I should be politically correct and say Happy Holidays," he amended.

Then he growled, "But it's still Christmas."

In the pic: Rembrandt's etching of an angel delivering the news to shepherds 2010 years ago.

No Stimulus Bonds For Controversial Sportsplex

Backers of the controversial McHenry County Sportsplex planned between Huntley and Woodstock admitted Friday there just isn't time to issue $18.5 million in stimulus bonds before authority to do it runs out next week.

In a press release (strangely absent from distribution to FEN), Village of Lakewood President Erin Smith said investment banking firm Stern Brothers pulled the plug on the bonds because even though, "they have identified investors interested in purchasing the bonds...the terms and conditions of the sale could not be finalized by December 31st."

Lakewood would annex the 160-acre Sportsplex if it were ever built and Smith said she was still "hopeful" it would. At the same time she said she was "confident" some other project will be proposed for the Route 47/Route 176 intersection.

Lake in the Hills maraschino cherry-maker and youth baseball coach Lou Tenore pitched the then-$40 million Sportsplex more than a year ago to the McHenry County Board. It was supposed to be a shovel-ready project financed by McHenry County-issued Recovery Zone Bonds. After a series of Sportsplex delays the County finally OK'ed the bonds. However, after extending the bond issue deadline because of more backer delays it finally tossed the inreasingly hot Sportsplex potato to a regional development authority in November.

Besides the $18 million in stimulus bonds, the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority was going to issue $18.5 million in regular munis for the project, too. Smith's release said UIRVDA head Andy Hamilton was thinking about doing all of the financing that way now.

One Sportsplex opponent scoffed at that. "If they couldn't build it with (lower rate) stimulus bonds how are they gonna do it with regular ones?" he said.

In the pic: An artist's conception of the McHenry County Sportsplex. After a year's work, pretty much still the extent of the project.

Here's A Real Christmas Dinner

What was Christmas dinner in Israel 2010 years ago? Ham surely wasn't on the menu and turkey hadn't been invented yet. According to MCC food instructor Tina Drzal of Huntley, chances are it was sort of a proto-pizza. No tomato sauce, of course (that hadn't been invented, either), but flat dough and toppings were pretty endemic to the Mediterranean. Here's Tina's recipe:

1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup 10 grain (or 7 or 5 or whatever) cereal mix
    (look for it in the flour aisle)
1 1/4 cups cold (room-temp, whatever) water
2 1/4 cups bread flour
1/2 cup whole wheat
1/2 tbsp salt
1 tsp yeast

Stir the boiling water into the cereal mix.  Let it cool.
Add the cold water.  Stir in the rest of the dry ingredients.
Cover with plastic film and put in the fridge to rise overnight.

Next day, flour a breadboard with cornmeal, knead the (wet and 
sticky, sorry) dough briefly into a ball, then roll and stretch 
it into something circular.  Put it on a cookie sheet greased 
with olive oil.

Slather some more olive oil on top.  Add onions, garlic, 
kalamata olives and feta cheese to taste.  Or just a little 
sea salt and rosemary. Or some honey, cinammon, nutmeg and 
cardamom.  It's pretty versatile.

Put the round in a 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes. 
Like a pizza, it's done when the edges start to brown and 
get crisp.

What's Aramaic for Bon Apetit?

In the pic: Food expert Tina Drzal making a Biblical pizza recently at Huntley's Faith Community Church. Easy does it with the dough. "You don't want too much gluten," she warned.

Police Blotters

Friday, December 24, 2010

Special Prosecutor Bills Another $113,000 In Bianchi Case

The latest bills from Special Prosecutors investigating McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi crashed through the County Board's budget entry for a second time last week according to a court order obtained by FEN via the Freedom of Information Act. The Board had previously added another $100,000 to an investigative kitty already tapped out but the latest bill totals just short of $113,000.

So far the cost of Special Prosecutors investigating charges Bianchi had his secretaries do political work on County time now totals more than $221,000. However, an FEN examination of some court records, County documents and State statutes finds there was another way to conduct the investigation that would have cost McHenry County nothing.

Bianchi's former secretary Amy Dalby nominally petitioned McHenry County Circuit Court for a Special Prosecutor claiming Bianchi had made her do campaign work and, obviously, he couldn't very well investigate himself. However, since 1977 there's been an arm of the judiciary called the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor created specifically for that kind of situation (among others). It's kind of a pre-paid legal program for counties. Each one pays a set amount whether it uses the office or not. McHenry County pays $30,000 per year to call on the SAAP's legal service.

Never clearly reported at the time, the State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor asked to participate in the Dalby request and Judge Gordon Graham granted that. What FEN hasn't been able to determine is why Graham chose not to appoint the SAAP to investigate Bianchi at no additional cost to the County. SAAP's Special Prosecutions unit conducted or assisted 348 cases in 69 counties in the last year for which figures are available. Instead Graham appointed a former bench colleague from the days when McHenry County was still part of the 19th Circuit.

A court order County administrators received last week finds that colleague, Henry "Skip" Tonigan, has billed the County about $59,000 in the case so far and his colleague, Thomas McQueen, has billed about $55,000. Actually, the biggest winner in the investigation to date has been something called Quest Consultants, Ltd., Oakbrook. It's a private eye firm headed by an ex-FBI agent named Bob Scigalski. Bills for whatever Quest is doing in the investigation now amount to $107,000, almost half the money the County's been told to pay.

The latest batch of bills only run through August. Still unknown is the cost of Tonigan's investigation for the past four months. A mysterious leak two weeks ago to the Chicago Tribune indicates he may be looking beyond Bianchi's secretaries now and last week he filed an answer to a Bianchi defense motion asking to have the whole investigation ruled improper on technicalities. Tonigan said it wasn't.

You can read the latest court order to pay Special Investigators' bills here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45866522/Court-Order-Bianchi

In the pic: The Second District State's Attorney's Appelate Prosecutor covers McHenry County.

Editor's note: Before anyone asks, FEN's been checking weekly for the latest Bianchi bills for the last three months.

McHenry County Unemployment Up With More Reporting Jobless

McHenry County's unemployment rate rose .3 percent in November to 8.1 percent according to the latest figures released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Paradoxically, that's actually a good sign. The increase probably came from discouraged jobless re-entering the job market.

Seasonally adjusted, "The Illinois unemployment rate fell (to 9.6 percent) even as more people entered the labor force to look for work," said Greg Rivara, IDES spokesman. The November national unemployment rate increased 0.2 percent to 9.8 percent.

Preliminary industry data indicates a slight contraction of non-farm jobs in November but that was after an upward revision in October's figure. According to Rivara job sectors leading Illinois are professional and business Services; educational and health services; trade, transportation and utilities with manufacturing still trailing.

In McHenry County all the localities broken out in IDES's report showed increases in unemployment rates for November. Each one saw job increases for November but even bigger increases in the number of people who said they were looking for work.

The number of unemployed reported in federal and state unemployment reports is based on a home survey of workers, not the number receiving unemployment checks. Economists believe a lot of unemployed stopped "actively looking" for work at the bottom of the recession but are trying again now since the economic picture isn't as gloomy as it was.

                               UNEMPLOYMENT             
               REVISED OCT. 2010        PRELIMINARY NOV. 2010               
               LABOR    UNEMPLOYED      LABOR   UNEMPLOYED    NOV. 
               FORCE    NUMBER  RATE    FORCE   NUMBER   RATE 2009   
U.S. (X1000)   153,652  13,903   9.0    153,698   14,282 9.3  9.4 
ILLINOIS     6,634,640 607,751   9.2  6,604,860  613,724 9.2 10.4

COOK COUNTY  2,602,354 244,613   9.4  2,630,356  246,912 9.4 10.7
DUPAGE COUNTY  522,359  37,765   7.2    527,535   37,658 7.1  8.6 
WILL COUNTY    361,404  30,958   8.6    366,567   32,519 8.9 10.1 
MCHENRY COUNTY 177,739  13,858   7.8    180,197   14,529 8.1  9.6 
KANE COUNTY    265,736  22,073   8.3    269,681   23,362 8.7 10.1 
LAKE COUNTY    361,223  34,768   9.6    360,632   34,422 9.5 10.3

ALGONQUIN       16,639   1,216   7.3     16,830    1,239 7.4  8.5 
LITH            16,850   1,197   7.1     17,048    1,224 7.2  9.1 
CRYSTAL LAKE    22,226   1,841   8.3     22,491    1,884 8.4  9.7   
MCHENRY         14,991   1,245   8.3     15,214    1,318 8.7  9.8

Christmas Shoppers Turn Out For Last-Minute Rush

Retailers predicted a last-minute Christmas shopping rush and if local traffic, both vehicular and Internet was any indication, Thursday they're going to get it in spades.

Since Christmas falls on a Saturday this year a lot of businesses will be closed today. The premise is there's no point in a holiday day-off on a weekend. That made Thursday sort of like a normal Friday and afternoon traffic along the Randall Road retail corridor was pretty fierce as workers bailed out early to do some last-minute shopping.

By FEN's reader figures, Thursday saw a lot more shopping than a normal Friday would have. Visits dropped noticeably after lunch remaining low all afternoon. Then they all but fell through the floor all evening. The best bet again: Christmas Shopping. Unless everybody had a sudden yen to watch Miracle on 34th Street just in case the judge throws Edmund Gwynn in jail this time.

In the pic: Golly, traffic was fun at Randall and County Line Road Thursday.

Huntley Youth Honored By County Board

The McHenry County Board recognized a Huntley Troop 167 Scout this week for reaching the rank of Eagle. The Board honors each youth in the County who reaches Scouting's top category since only about four percent manage to do it. Joey Perrone's Eagle project was building some structures for McHenry County's Home of the Sparrow domestic violence shelter.

High-Speed Rail Agreement Reached

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Several groups involved with the push for high-speed passenger rail in Illinois spread some extra holiday joy this week coming to an agreement about how to proceed with development.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, Amtrak and Union Pacific Railroad OK'ed a deal that will allow federal funds to start flowing to the state. IDOT will administer the funds and Amtrak will be responsible for the running the trains. Union Pacific Railroad owns the track the trains will run on. Josh Kauffman, spokesman for IDOT, said “The agreement allows Illinois to access $1.1 billion in (federal) stimulus funds in order to move high-speed rail forward.”

Upgrades to the rail system between Lincoln and Dwight could start this spring and be completed as early as next fall, Kauffman added. The construction comes on the heels of a similar scenario that played out earlier this year in which 90 miles of track between Alton and Lincoln were upgraded.

The new accord is the largest and one of the first of its kind following President Barack Obama’s push for high-speed rail throughout the country using federal stimulus dollars, according to Rob Kulat of the Federal Railroad Administration. The upgraded track will allow passenger trains to move between Chicago and St. Louis at 110 mph. It’s projected that a trip between the two cities will take about four and a half hours, nearly one hour less than now.

Riders wondering what the new high-speed travel will be like will have to wait until 2012, the year IDOT projects a 20-mile stretch between Dwight and Pontiac will be finished. It won't be until 2014 before everything's online, allowing three daily high-speed trips between St. Louis and Chicago, according to Kauffman. The agreement also mandates that trains run on time at least 80 percent of the time, said Kulat.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4774/high-speed-rail-agreement-reached/

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.

REJNOLD A. KOPCINSKI, DOB: 05/30/63, 401 N. FIRST STREET #1S6, CARY. DOMESTIC BATTERY(2CTS).--Cary PD

TANGELIA C. WATTERS, DOB: 03/19/89, 1200 WALDEN OAKS DRIVE #B, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL USE OF A DEBIT CARD.--Woodstock PD

JOSHUA L. LYNCH, DOB: 04/20/82, 1422 WHEELER STREET, WOODSTOCK. RETAIL THEFT.--McHenry PD

EDWARD C. MASCARI, DOB: 11/07/54, 789 WEDGEWOOD DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE. DISORDERLY CONDUCT.--Crystal Lake PD

IVAN A. DURAN, DOB: 01/28/82, 425 PARK STREET #1, ELGIN.IDENTITY THEFT.--Cary PD

CHRISTOPHER A. HANEY, DOB: 09/23/88, 28492 WAGONTRIAL ROAD, LAKEMOOR. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD

CAMERON M. CUTRANO,DOB: 11/09/92, 122 DRYDOCK, LAKEMOOR. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF
CANNABIS.--McHenry PD

ANDREW C. HELMS, DOB: 11/04/90,   8212 CONCORD DRIVE, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF
CANNABIS.--McHenry PD

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
December 23
1005 HRS 5200 MILLER RD., (SUNSET PARK). THEFT A barricade was taken from the parking lot.
1057 HRS 71 HILLTOP DR., (BUTCH HAEGEL BEACH). THEFT A barricade was taken from the parking lot.
1143 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1417 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1612 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). DECEPTIVE PRACTICES. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1613 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). DECEPTIVE PRACTICES. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
2223 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD., (TACO BELL). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2315 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Ex-husband vs. Ex-wife. Verbal only. No priors.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

State Late Pay Kills Huntley Golden Diner For Seniors

Salvation Army officials said Wednesday they'll shut down Huntley's nascent Golden Diners sit-down lunch for seniors at the end of the year and chop the in-home program in half for some elderly residents. They said they had to make the cutbacks because Illinois still can't pay its bills.

"The State hasn't paid us since July," said Maj. Ken Nicolai, in charge of the Salvation Army's subsidized senior nutrition program in McHenry and Kane counties. Nicolai figures Springfield owes the Army $60,000 right now. That's on top of a near-perfect storm of other bad financial news. One ongoing federal program that supports the Golden Diners was cut $30,000 this year; $70,000 in federal stimulus money that went to the program wasn't renewed last week and contributions from seniors served are off about $10,000 this year, anyway.

Nicolai feels especially bad about that last. "It's not the seniors' fault," he said. "They're just being squeezed. They haven't had a cost of living adjustment in Social Security." Each Golden Diner meal costs Salvation Army $5.50, Nicolai said. Seniors are asked to pay $3.50 for each one but the average donation has dropped to about $2 he said.

Axing Huntley's sit-down diner at First Congregational Church was a fairly easy economy move in a way. For reasons that remain unclear it never really took off after its launch in late May. Despite efforts to publicize the program including a door-to-door campaign, "usually we have two to four people a day," said Golden Diner Manager Sharon Zeilstra. Except sometimes when more than half a dozen would show up and there weren't enough meals to go around. Zeilstra thought might have injured the Diner's reputation. "I never thought it would be so tough to give away lunch," she said.

There's still a strong demand for the home-delivered Diner meals, however. Driver A.J. Johnson said he has about two dozen seniors on his route. "A couple of them are housebound," he said and many of the rest aren't awfully mobile.

"Which would the State prefer?" asked Nicolai. "$5.50 a day for a delivered meal or $800 a month if someone has to go into an institution?"

In the pic: Salvation Army's Sharon Zeilstra serving a Golden Diner lunch to Frank Kajikawa in Huntley earlier this week. That's Paul Souchek and wife Joan with him and their grandkids, Scott and Pam, visiting for the day.

Commons D300 Drive Clothes Homeless, Near So For Winter

Even though Algonquin Commons' D300 Community Coat Drive was supposed to have ended more than a week ago, Property manager Jim Pratt delivered another batch of cold weather wear to School District headquarters Monday. They were among the last of almost 1,200 new and gently-used coats residents contributed so every homeless student in D300 had something warm to wear this winter.

"A coat is not a want or a luxury," said one of more than 300 recipients without a home. "It is a need. We need it for survival. We really appreciate the people who cared enough to help us stay warm."

Since the Commons received way more coats than the roughly 300 homeless kids in the district, many of the extras went to students on the verge of losing the roof over their heads.

"The recession has devastated families from all walks of life, many of whom never imagined they would find themselves in this position," said said Allison Strupeck, D300 supervisor of Communication Services. "The holiday spirit is alive and well here in District 300."

In the pic: Patty Briones and Linda Keyes from D300's Central Office sort a delivery of donated coats for homeless students.

"I Think I Can" Still See The Huntley Holiday Railroad Display

The Kishwaukee Valley & Eakin Creek Model Railroad Club raised more than $3,000 at a raffle Wednesday at the club's annual holiday model railroad display at Sun City's Prairie Lodge.

For the seventh year the club's elaborate Holiday Display has been on view in the Lodge's entrance Social Lounge where it will remain through Sunday, Jan 2. Hours are weekdays 11 am to 3 pm, weekends 11 am to 5 pm.

Received wisdom is that electric trains are passe in Xbox age but club president Don Espeseth said, "I disagree with that. The young children are more interested that three or four years ago thanks to The Polar Express (movie) and Thomas the Tank Engine (videos)."

In the pic: Spectators Robert and Matthew Scherer did the drawing Wednesday for three model railroad sets given away by Sun City's Kishwaukee Valley & Eakin Creek Model Railroad Club. Casey Jones turning the crank is actually club president Don Espeseth.

Festival Of Trees Garners 2,200 "Votes" For Pantries

The "votes" are in on Lake in the Hills' ninth Festival of Trees sponsored by area businesses and organizations. The winner was Huntley's All Star Towing with 764 non-perishable food item votes.
The Festival of (more than) 30 Trees garnered 2,200 donations for area food pantries. Each tree "owner" donated $75 to sponsor a tree, too.

Other high votes went to Lincoln Prairie School next-door to the trees on display at LITH Village Hall (515), the District 300 Foundation (346), Basset Buddies Rescue one of whose directors is a LITH resident (134) and the Algonquin Lioness club (107).

In the pic: The Winnah.

Lawmakers' Reforms--Show Or Substance?

By Mary Massingale, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois lawmakers appear to be skipping a few gears accelerating toward reform packages on such complex issues as Medicaid, workers’ compensation and education reform. Committees created by both the House and Senate have been meeting throughout the month to craft legislation for the lame duck session set to begin Jan. 3 – now a mere two weeks away.

But a longtime observer of Illinois politics said the speedy timeline is par for the course for Illinois' legislating. “It’s not a deliberative process at all,” said Kent Redfield, a professor of political studies at the University of Illinois-Springfield. “As soon as they’ve got something, they’ll run with it.”

That point appears to be lost on some advocates. “We’ve thrown open the hood. We’re looking at an incredibly complex engine with dozens, if not scores, of moving parts,” Illinois Hospital Association general counsel Mark Deaton told House lawmakers studying workers’ comp. “The last thing you want to do is just start yanking wires and hoping that you yank a wire that will fix things.”

Several wires have already been scrutinized in all three issues. Medicaid reform talks have focused on tightening eligibility, since the bulk of the federal health care law is set to hit in 2014, bringing an estimated 700,000 new participants into the state-federal health care program. Lawmakers also are looking at managed care for Medicaid – assigning Medicaid recipients a “medical home,” much like an HMO.

The key players in the workers’ comp debate are simply asking for an agreed-bill process out of the reform talks. The complex issues of distinguishing between a degenerative physical condition and an on-the-job injury, and using standardized physical impairment guidelines have ignited fiery disagreement between business and labor groups that can only be resolved through negotiation, just as in the past, according to a labor leader. “Everybody gave up something in order to come out with a bill at some point,” AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan told lawmakers.

Redfield said he believes a reform bill will surface for both Medicaid and workers’ compensation, for both fiscal and political reasons but doubts the call for education reform is real.

All public employee unions – especially the state’s two teachers’ unions – are still chafing at last year’s whirlwind passage of pension reform legislation, Redfield said. It showed up in a lack of teachers’ unions campaign contributions and participation in the House Democratic targeted races in the November election, Redfield said, after crunching the data.

That apparently didn’t sit well with the Speaker, he said. “Madigan’s firing a shot across the bow,” Redfield said of the creation of the House education reform committee. “At the end of the day, you have to deal with the Speaker and the Senate President.”

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4745/lawmakers-rush-to-reform-medicaid-workers-comp-education-show-or-substance/

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
December 22
0132 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEERPATH. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO RESIDENCE. Male, 20 years of age, entered residence without homeowner’s approval. CHARGES PENDING.
0743 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF FAIRHAVEN LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 65 years of age, injured her head after fainting. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
0826 HRS 600 BLOCK OF JOSEPH ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 79 years of age, fell on driveway. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1038 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Water pipe broken in crawl space. Report for insurance.
1123 HRS 3600 BLOCK OF CHADWICK LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. daughter. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1124 HRS 101 PYOTT RD., (MOBIL). ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. carwash. Property damage only.
1202 HRS 3300 BLOCK OF BANFORD CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 66 years of age, feeling very weak. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1211 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HAWTHORNE RD. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Contact made with a registered sex offender.
1244 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & PRINCETON LN. FOUND ARTICLE. Bicycle found in snow.
1402 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINDERMERE WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Brother vs. Sister. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1451 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 54 years of age, feeling dizzy. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1648 HRS 900 BLOCK OF McPHEE DR. DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. Female, 47 years of age, unresponsive, found in possession of drug paraphernalia. Transported to Sherman Hospital. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY OFFICER.
1814 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH PD). FORGERY. Forgery occurred in McHenry County Sheriff’s jurisdiction. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY SHERIFF.
1833 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HAWTHORNE RD. DOMESTIC Son vs. Father. Verbal only. No priors
1952 HRS 9342 VIRGINIA RD., (FOCUS MARTIAL ARTS). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 25 years of age, feeling faint Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1955 HRS 100 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. IDENTITY THEFT. Possible identity theft occurred in an outside jurisdiction. Referred to other agency.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Bianchi Rush Plan Postponed 6 Weeks

McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi's plans to hire a new First Assistant for a slew of criminal cases slammed into a wall at Tuesday's County Board Meeting. With essentially no discussion, the Board put off until February maybe raising the salary for the spot, something Bianchi says he needs so he can hire an attorney good enough to do the job.

Bianchi maintains it's time to fill the second-in-command spot in the State's Attorney's Office because a lot of criminal cases, including one murder trial, are coming up on the court dockets after New Years. Bianchi's kept the spot empty for two years to hold the County's budget down but now he says he needs to fill it and boost the salary $30,000 a year to draw decent applicants. One committee said OK last week but another turned in a split vote against it.

It wasn't clear at the time if that "No" was about money or something else. Tuesday's vote didn't make the matter any clearer. No one's ever mentioned it, but Bianchi's currently awaiting trial on charges he made his secretaries do political campaign work on County time and the case has already cost the County a small fortune.

After the vote Board Chairman Ken Koehler said it would be a good idea to run the First Assistant salary boost through committees again since new members have been seated since the November election. There are only 5 new members on the 24-seat Board, however,and only 3 of them are really brand-new.

No Gold Coin Yet Where Christmas Tradition Began

This year's record gold prices might be endangering the Christmas tradition of a gold coin in a Salvation Army kettle. Only three days before the kettles disappear none has turned up in McHenry County whereit all began.

In 1982 an anonymous donor dropped a goldpiece in a kettle in Crystal Lake and since then Salvation Army officials report more than 400 others have showed around the county in the small change (average donation $1.25) bell ringers collect for the charitable group. At last report eight gold coins have turned up this year in the Chicago area but, so far, not in McHenry County.

Local Commander Maj. John Price said kettle collections in general are lagging this year. "I think there might be a little upswing," he said, however, "and we might make it." McHenry County Salvation Army's goal this year is $400,000.

One thing that might be holding back the gold coins is this year's runup in gold prices, $1,389 an ounce at Tuesday's close. In dollar terms gold's higher than it's ever been. The poor old dollar isn't what it used to be, though, and the interesting thing is, adjusted for inflation (see chart), the price of gold's about the same as it was in 1982 when the coin in the kettle donations started.

Price said he was still hopeful. "Last year it wasn't 'till the last day before someone brought in a gold coin," he said adding that coins not made of gold and even folding money were still welcome, too.

Algonquin Youth Sports Group Helping Burned Out Family

The Algonquin Argonauts Youth Football and Cheer organization are trying to find clothes and money to help one of their member families forced from their Eastside home by fire a week ago.

Fire in the garage forced the Mountain family from their Webster Street home last Tuesday. Thanks to a passerby who helped them evacuate no one was injured but everything they owned was ruined by smoke, according to Argonauts mom Melissa Porter. "They had to wear masks just to go back inside to see what they could salvage," she said.

The Mountains were insured but moving money around takes time and right now, "They need everything," said Porter. The Argonauts are asking for boys' clothing (men's small tops, pants 31x30, shoes 7-1/2), girls' clothing (Jr medium & large Tops, pants 7 and 9/10 and Shoes 7 and 9) and men's clothing (XL). Porter said gift cards would help, too.

Donations are being collected at the Village of Algonquin, Dundee Crown, Algonquin Middle School and Eastview. Questions can go to argostaff@algonquinargonautsfootball.com .

In the pic: The Mountain Family home had a lot of smoke damage.

Five Arrested For LITH Break-In Burglary

A Carpentersville man remains in McHenry County Jail and four Carpentersville youths have been turned over to their parents' custody after a Monday morning burglary that left a Lake in the Hills resident cowering in the bedroom.

Luis A. Rosado,31, of 334 Tulsa, Carpentersville, is charged with Residential Burglary, Criminal Trespass to Residence and Criminal Damage to Residence. The four youths, all 15 or 16 years old, are charged with Residential Burglary, Theft Under and Criminal Damage to Property.

It all began mid-morning Monday when a homeowner in the 2900 block of Brisbane Drive called 911 to report burglars breaking in. Police arriving saw people running away from the residence through neighboring yards and radioed other officers. Those picked up four suspects in the 2900 block of Hillsboro Lane. Meanwhile the first officers checking to see the homeowner was OK found a fifth man hiding in the basement.

Police said they recovered the alleged burglars' loot, among which were "numerous" Christmas presents, already wrapped.

Crossing Delays Not Imaginary

The Surface Transportation Board Tuesday fined Canadian National Railway Company $250,000 for "knowingly violating Board orders" about reporting street-crossing blockages in the Chicago area. It's the first time the Board's imposed a fine in 14 years.

CN is supposed to tell the Board about every crossing blockage of 10 minutes or more as a condition of the Board's approval of its 2008 acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company. In its November and December 2009 monthly reports, the railroad reported a total of 14 blockages caused by stopped trains. But an independent audit found 1,457 instances caused by stopped or slowly moving trains.

In Tuesday's decision, the Board found "CN's alleged 'good faith' interpretation that the reporting requirements regarded only stopped trains is contradicted by both the CN staff admissions and the plain text of the Approval Decision."

CN merged with EJ&E to bypass Chicago congestion. Commuters complain it just moved the congestion to the suburbs.

Illinois Loses Seat In Congress

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois residents will have a smaller voice in Congress starting in 2012. The state will lose one of its spots in the U.S. House of Representatives because of a national population that is shifting to the South and West, according to officials at the U.S. Census Bureau.

Starting with the 2012 election, the 12,830,632 Illinois residents will be divided among 18 instead of 19 people in the House, meaning each representative will have a larger base to serve.

The announcement about the change in congressional seats came during a news conference Tuesday to announce the first official population figures from the 2010 census.

“It always hurts to lose representation. It hurts in two ways: one is the loss of a House seat, obviously. It’s a loss of a voice and a loss of someone being concerned exclusively about Illinois. Secondarily, it hurts by one less vote in the Electoral College,” said John Jackson, a visiting professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

The Legislature and the governor will be tasked with carving up the political landscape this spring. Historically, members of Congress have concocted maps that protect incumbents and passed those maps down to the General Assembly for approval. “The leadership will almost certainly look at the least senior members … they are the people most in danger because traditionally it’s been a very junior member without seniority that gets sacrificed,” Jackson said.

Mike Lawrence, a long-time statehouse reporter and retired director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, said this year could be different, though. Three legislative Democratic incumbents lost their races against Republicans, giving the GOP 10 seats. At the same time, the Democrats control the Legislature and the governorship for the first time since Illinois’ constitution was adopted in 1970.

“The Legislature is dominated by Democrats and Democrats may be more interested in regaining some power within the Illinois congressional delegation than they are in accommodating incumbents from both parties,” Lawrence said.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4763/illinois-out-a-seat-in-congress/

Ryan To Remain Behind Bars

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Former Gov. George Ryan lost his most recent bid for freedom Tuesday despite pleas on his behalf from public figures and his ill wife.

Ryan’s case for throwing out some of his corruption convictions was based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowing a category of fraud that requires public officials to provide "honest services". U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer said the new standard came in a case that argued the law law was too vague. That didn't apply to Ryan said the judge. In fact, Pallmeyer wrote, prosecutions under the honest services law were limited to “bribery and kickback schemes — the very theory of prosecution under which Ryan was convicted.”

Ryan’s lawyers say the former governor’s wife, Lura Lynn Ryan, diagnosed with cancer, may only have three to six months to live. Pallmeyer’s ruling alluded to calls from Lura Lynn and public figures, such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, to allow Ryan to come home to his family. "His conduct has exacted a stiff penalty not only for himself but also for his family," she wrote.

Ryan is serving a 6 1/2-year sentence in a federal prison at Terre Haute, IN., where he has been since November 2007. His lawyers plan to appeal Pallmeyer's ruling.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/ryan-to-remain-behind-bars.html

Obituaries

Joseph Amstadt, 77, of Hampshire died Monday at the Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois in Barrington following a short illness. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 am Thursday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Hampshire, with visitation one hour prior at the church.

Amstadt was born June 22, 1933 in Kernei, Yugoslavia, the son of Josef and Katharina (Walter) Amstadt. He came to the United States in 1951 where he served in the U.S. Navy following the Korean War. On September 29, 1962, he married Maria Schwartzinger in Chicago.

Armstadt is survived by his wife; two sons, Robert (Kelly) Amstadt of San Jose, CA, and Michael (Misty) Amstadt of Indianapolis, IN; his grandchildren, Alyson, Anton, Justin & Lacey; his sister, Anna Born of Chicago, and his brothers, John Amstadt of Arlington Heights and Jakob (Hilde) Amstadt of South Barrington.

Memorials may be made to the St. Charles Borromeo Capital Campaign.

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
December 21
1517 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & LEE AVE. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. GOMEZ, JOSE E., M/W 48 YEARS OF AGE, 13 OAKCREST DR. APT 2, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving While License Revoked and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0210 HRS 700 BLOCK OF PARC CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 80 years of age, bleeding from his foot. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
0440 HRS 1521 IMHOFF DR., (CORY PROPERTIES). STOLEN VEHICLE. 24-Foot White 1997 Freightliner Regular Cab was stolen. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
1305 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 1 year of age, vomiting. No transport.
1335 HRS 40 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 76 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1338 HRS 3600 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only. On private property.
1458 HRS 500 BLOCK OF PAWNEE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 51 years of age, possible shoulder injury. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1719 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & PRINCETON LN. ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Property damage only.
1826 HRS RAKOW RD. & MCHENRY AVE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1851 HRS 500 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1938 HRS 200 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 9 weeks of age with difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2041 HRS E. OAK ST. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2102 HRS 90 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 15 years of age feeling like he is going to pass out. No transport.
2215 HRS 100 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No priors.
December 20
0020 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. CURFEW. JUVENILE, F/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Curfew. Notice to Appear Issued. RELEASED TO PARENT.
1053 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BRISBANE DR. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. ROSADO, LUIS, M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE. 2147 N. MCVICKER, CHICAGO. CHARGES: Residential Burglary, Wanted on Warrant, Dupage County for Failure to Appear, Traffic Violation, $2000 at 10%, Wanted on Warrant, Kane County for Traffic Offense, $500 Full Cash, Residential Burglary, Criminal Trespass to Residence and Criminal Damage to Residence. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
JUVENILE, M/B 16 YEARS OF AGE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Residential Burglary, Theft Under, Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Residential Burglary, Theft Under, Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Residential Burglary, Theft Under, Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED TO PARENT.
JUVENILE, M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Residential Burglary, Theft Under, Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0910 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MARBLE CT. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. One prior.
1303 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & OAKLEAF RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1306 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & OAKLEAF RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1312 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF CHADWICK LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 25 years of age, six months pregnant and vomiting. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1354 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MARBLE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 69 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1645 HRS ACORN LN. & ACORN CT. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1706 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HIAWATHA DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 53 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1908 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Daughter. Verbal only. No priors.
1929 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Daughter. Verbal only. One prior. Female, 16 years of age, transported to Sherman Hospital.
1939 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. INJURY ACCIDENT. Three vehicle accident. Driver of Unit 2 transported to Sherman Hospital.
2045 HRS HILLTOP DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. No transport.
Algonquin
December 19
01:11am Lafata, Michael P., DOB: 03/15/79, of 35 Kingspoint Drive, South Elgin, was charged with DWLS and No Proof of Insurance. He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Commons Drive. He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 01/26/11 in McHenry County.
December 21
17:24pm Gomez, Jose E. DOB: 07/20/62 of 13 Oakcrest Drive Apt #2, Carpentersville, was charged with Failure to Give Aide/Information, No Proof of Insurance, DWLR and Improper Lane Usage. He was taken into custody at the Lake in the Hills Police Department. He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 01/19/2011 in McHenry County.Huntley
December 14
A residential burglary report was taken in the 11300 block of Middletown. The victim states a laptop computer was stolen from his unlocked home.
A theft report was taken at the High School. The victim states her jacket was stolen from a class room.
December 15
A criminal damage to vehicle report was taken in the 10900 block of Preston Parkway. The hood and front bumper were damaged.
December 18
Kourtni Drougas, age 23, of 10711 Church St., Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding failure to appear in court warrant. Ms. Drougas posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of January 24, 2011.
December 19
Luis Antonio Flores-Velzquez, age 32, of 524 Elmridge Rd. #3B, Carpentersville, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license, DUI and DUI blood alcohol over .08 and was cited for improper lane use and disobeying a stop sign. Mr. Velzquez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of January 7, 2011.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Apr. 5 Filings In--D158 Shows Dilemma

There was a small flurry of filings Monday, the last day to get on the April 5 Consolidated Election ballot. Filings for seats on the D158 Board of Education ended up posing a sort of Spanish Prisoner games theory dilemma for two candidates.

Only four people filed for the four positions open on the District 158 Board but it's not as simple as it sounds. There are three four-year terms and one (momentarily) two-year term to fill right now but all four are seeking the long ones and two of them the short one, too. Member Aileen Seedorf apparently chose not to run.

Incumbents President Kevin Gentry, Mike Skala and Tony Quagliano and hopeful William Geheren all filed for the four-year spots. Skala and Quagliano filed for the two-year spot, too, however. If either one abandons his four-year bid the whole thing effectively turns into a series of uncontested races. County Clerk Kathie Schultz confirmed this morning that each man has to withdraw at least one petition to remain on the ballot. The question is which one withdraws which petition since the two-year version leads to, in effect, a consolation prize. Another possibility would be for both to withdraw their two-year petitions so everybody slugs it out for the four-year spots. Then the new board would have to appoint someone to fill the two-year spot and there'd be a fresh runner-up standing in the wings.

The choices aren't completely a Spanish Prisoner blind situation, though. There's nothing that says Skala and Quagliano can't get together over coffee (mit schlag) and draw straws or something.

Three incumbents and another challenger joined Board President Joe Stevens and hopeful Susie Kopacz who filed for the four open seats on the District 300 Board of Education last Monday. Monica Clark, Hampshire; Karen Plaza, LITH, and Chris Stanton, Hampshire seek to retain their seats. Steve Fiorentino, Algonquin, wants one of them, perhaps the on he applied to fill but to which Plaza was appointed when John Ryan had to resign earlier this year.

Incumbent trustee Jim Steigert won the reverse race to be the last Algonquin name on the April 5 Combined Election ballot marching in to Village Clerk Jerry Kautz's office chanting the time from his watch, "4:59:35, 4:59:40, 4:59:45...." Incumbent trustee John Spella had filed earlier Monday. Both joined incumbent Debby Sosine and hopefuls Mike Stratejcruk and Ken Fishleigh. Those three all filed in a dead heat last Monday and so will have their ballot spots determined by lottery today in the race for Algonquin's three open seats.

There were no new trustee filings in Lake in the Hills during the week. Incumbents Ray Bogdanowski and Paul Mulcahy challengers Russ Ruzanski, Bill Dustin and Joe Wright will compete for LITH's three seats.

Two more candidates Monday joined incumbents Harry Leopold, Jay Kadakia and Nikio Kanakaris and hopeful J.R. Westberg seeking one of Huntley's three open trustees' spots. This will apparently be Rosa DeMaertelaere's first try for public office although husband Guy ran for the Library Board this year. It looks like the first try for Nick Hanson, too.

In the pic: Algonquin Trustee Jim Steigert fills out a receipt acknowledging Clerk Jerry Kautz gave him a D5 Form explaining election rules and dire penalties for not following them.

Centegra To Seek Huntley Hospital State OK Before Year End

Centegra Health Systems held a celebration Monday to formally announce plans for a new 128-bed hospital in Huntley. Centegra CEO Mike Eesley said the company will submit a Certificate of Need application to the Illinois Health Facilities Board in the next 10 days. That's the first step in getting the hospital built.

The Board hasn't turned down a hospital in the last two years. But it's newly-reorganized after Blagojevich-era taint and critics are asking what its point is if it's just a rubber stamp.

Huntley Mayor Chuck Sass told assembled Centegra officials, "I congratulate you on meeting a need before there's a real problem," and so put his finger on what could be an excuse for the Facilities Board to put Centegra through the wringer. The Certificate of Need's based on a 15.6 percent growth in the area's population in the next 8 years. Five years ago that would have looked like a slam dunk. Now it may be more equivocal.

Meanwhile, Centegra CFO Robert Rosenberger told FEN he doesn't have anyone in mind yet to help finance the project. He said he expected to have $50 million on hand by the time it's time to break ground in 18 months but felt it was too early to seek $183 million bonds yet. "We haven't approached anybody," he said.

In the pics: (Above) Centegra CEO Mike Eesley outlined all the new construction and staff jobs the Huntley hospital would bring. (Below) The hospital would be to the north of Centegra's present immediate care facility.

Algonquin Jimmy Johns Not Involved In Salmonella Scare

Three days after warning of possible salmonella contamination at Jimmy Johns restaurants in McHenry County the Illinois Department of Public Health told FEN the chain's Algonquin locations weren't involved.

After 46 cases of salmonella food poisoning around the state since Nov. 1, late Friday IDPH sent out a warning about alfalfa sprout-laden sandwiches at Jimmy Johns restaurants in 9 counties. McHenry was one of them but that was all the information available all weekend. McHenry County Health Department spokesman Debrah Quackenbush said all she knew was that three cases were in McHenry County but not where they'd occurred. Monday she said she still didn't where they'd happened.

It took two hours Monday afternoon for IDPH spokesman Tom Green to find out that wherever it was it wasn't in Algonquin. He didn't know where in McHenry County the illnesses did occur.

The 46 cases were confirmed instances of salmonella food-poisoning which typically involve diarrhea, vomiting, fever and/or stomach cramps. Officials said they believe more were unconfirmed and unreported. IDPH doesn't think the problem had anything to do with Jimmy Johns restaurants themselves and now they're looking at bean sprout producers and processors.

Grafton Township OK's 2010 Levy

Snow (a lot of it) didn't stay a Special Meeting of the Grafton Township Board Monday to approve a new levy for the 2010 tax year. The board OK'ed a theoretical figure 4.99 percent higher than last year but it was another "balloon levy" that bears little relation to the township's coming total tax bite.

That's limited to a 2.7 percent increase over last year plus the value of new construction in the township this year of which there was some but not a lot.

Supervisor Linda Moore argued for no increase in the levy at all citing a rough year for taxpayers. The rest of the Board voted for the semi-imaginary $1,060,490 levy so that the Township could capture whatever actual increased revenue the law allows come April.

It was a short meeting. Trustee Gerry McMahon reportedly didn't arrive until after the vote. FEN didn't arrive until there was nothing left but tire tracks in the parking lot.

How Not To Build A Gingerbread House

College students on Christmas break built gingerbread houses with graham crackers at Huntley Library Monday. Um, come again?

"The graham crackers are easier," said Young Adult Librarian Karin Thorgersen. "You have to bake gingerbread."

In the pic: Thorgerson works on a tree while MCC student Jessica Galeba does a bit of roofing and Andy Fitzgerald, home from Augie, for some reason falls farther and farther behind.

Census Could Be Unkind To Illinois

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Despite having one of its own in the White House, Illinois will likely lose some clout in Washington, D.C., in the near future. Illinois will be down a congressional seat during the 2012 election if estimates regarding the 2010 census are correct.

Today the U.S. Census Bureau will announce the official number of people in the country and in each state. How many U.S. House of Representative seats each state gets for the next decade will be determined by those figures. Every state is entitled to at least one seat, leaving 385 spots that are divided between the states according to population.

“It looks like from preliminary estimates that we are going to lose a congressional seat. … This doesn’t mean that Illinois lost population, it just means that we didn’t gain population as quickly as other states have,” said Ron Michaelson, former executive director of the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Where the new congressional districts will fall, and which representative’s seat will be eliminated, is up to the Illinois General Assembly and governor’s office, which are both controlled by Democrats. In addition to having one less member in Congress, Illinois’ influence in presidential elections could diminish. The number of votes a state gets in the Electoral College is determined by the number of congressional delegates it has. One less representative means one less vote.

Today's data will represent the first official population numbers from the 2010 census, according to Shelly Lowe, spokeswoman for the Census Bureau. She warned not to expect too much detail. That comes later.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4757/u-s-census-could-be-unkind-to-illinois/

Police Blotters

Monday, December 20, 2010

Centegra Plans New Full-Service Hospital At Huntley

Centegra Health System announced in a release late Sunday evening it hopes to build a new 128-bed 350,000 square-foot hospital at its Huntley campus to serve Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Carpentersville, Lakewood and south Crystal Lake. But first it has to get the $233 million facility past the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board.

The new full-service acute-care hospital would be located at Haligus and Reed roads. North of Centegra's present immediate care and fitness centers, the hospital would be called Centegra Hospital-Huntley and include state-of-the-art technology, private patient rooms, a full-service emergency department, Level II nursery, non-invasive cardiology services, a dedicated Women’s Center and a helipad.

“Additional services are needed in the Huntley community and Centegra is the health system best-suited to provide these services,” said Centegra CEO Michael S. Eesley. “Although we brought outpatient and physician services to southern McHenry County, the area remains medically underserved. In fact, state data shows that because of population growth, this region is one of the few areas in Illinois that is in need of inpatient beds.”

That's for the State Review Board to decide, though. Before Centegra can build the new Huntley Hospital it has to obtain a Certificate of Need from the Board. The Board's premise is that too many hospitals chasing too few patients is a recipe for higher hospital bills so Centegra has to show there's a need for a hospital in Huntley.

While there aren't any hospitals in southern McHenry County, there are several in northern Kane. That includes the new 255-bed Sherman Hospital opened only a few months ago at Randall and I90. It's only 10 miles from the Huntley location.

An OK from the Review Board would bring a flood of jobs to the area. A spokesman estimated the hospital would create more than 800 construction jobs generating $152 million in paychecks. Another $45 million in new economic activity would come from professional salaries and medical equipment and furnishings. Centegra Health System expects to hire another 1,100 "associates" if the hospital's approved, according to a release.

Centegra said there'd be more details at a news conference in Huntley today.

In the pic: (above) An architect's sketch of Centegra's proposed new Huntley hospital. (below) It's pretty close to Elgin's hospitals, though.

Village Of Algonquin To Acquire Algonquin Bluff

Algonquin finally dodged a 120 year-old bullet. In the next few days it'll take over ownership of the bluff overlooking its Historic District area.

The tree-covered bluff rising northwest of Main Street and Algonquin Road is almost as emblematic of Algonquin as its Old Village Hall but until now it's always been in private hands. Worse, since around 1893, it's been platted for development. As things worked out, Frank Lloyd Wright never came to town with a truckload of rebar and a gullible client but even so the bluff's officially been cut up into seven ominous building sites for most of the village's official history.

Last week the present owners, most now residing out west, donated it to the village. "They're not in the development business," said attorney Nick Scarpelli, "and they've been paying the town (real estate tax) all these years."

Indeed, the transfer expected before the end of the year's technically a sale, not a donation. The village will pay $8,000 to acquire the bluff. That's the estimated amount due on the property for the 2010 tax year. "That would certainly be an acceptable fee for a valuable piece of Algonquin," commented Community Development Director Russ Farnum at this week's Board meeting.

The bluff acquisition will be up for final approval at Tuesday's meeting.

Last Call For Christmas Trees

Algonquin Lions were a happy crew late Sunday with only seven trees and one big wreath left to sell. "It was a good year," said Mark Hecht. "It was a very good year," said Steve Lunt.

Usually the Lions just hand out the leftovers Monday to anyone who comes along but this year they thought they might take them to the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Food Pantry for families who can't afford a tree. "That's a good idea," said Lunt. "That's a very good idea," said Hecht.

Scouts helping out to raise money at Steve Perry's lot at Randall and Algonquin said Sunday they still have trees for sale. Perry's supervisor said he thought they'd last through Tuesday.

In the pic: Algonquin's version of Hardrock, Coco and Joe--Lions Joe Dobbelaere, Steve Lunt and Mark Hecht.

Sheriff Warns Watch Mailboxes For Holiday Thieves

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office warned residents to keep an eye on their mailboxes during the holidays. According to a recent notice, criminals have been rifling Christmas mail awaiting pickup looking for money, giftcards and personal information lately.

An SO release says so far the incidents have been in the northeastern part of the county and have mostly been confined to mailboxes with the flag up. A Sheriff's spokesman suggests taking outgoing mail to the Post Office instead of leaving it for the Postman but possibly also for an opportunistic dirtbag. That goes double for cards with a few Christmas bucks for the grandkids.

House Considers Limits On Teacher Strikes

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Some education reformers want to make it more difficult for Illinois public school teachers to go on strike. A House Education Reform Committee took testimony Friday on a proposed new process for teacher contract negotiations.

According to Jessica Handy, policy director for Stand for Children Illinois — a national organization that is spearheading the current reform push in Illinois — if unions and administrators couldn't reach an agreement through mediation, a fact finding panel would be chosen. Labor and management would each appoint one member and then would have to agree on a third person, who must have arbitration experience. Both sides would present their cases at hearings, and the panel would make recommendations for contract terms.

If either side did not agree to the terms, the panel's’proposal would be released to the public. Unions and management would then have 10 days to make final offers on disputed issues. If an agreement could not be reached, the local school board could adopt the final offers or the panel’s proposals on disputed issues with a two-thirds majority. Only if the board did not choose a solution to each disputed issue would teachers then have the option to strike.

Union officials said the system would in essence ban the right for their members to strike. They added that school systems would have no incentive to bargain with teachers because school boards would like sign off on management proposals at the end of the process. “Collective bargaining under the proposal would effectively be eliminated,” said Dan Montgomery president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Eden Martin, president of the Commercial Club of Chicago said the proposed changes would give teachers “less muscle in collective bargaining.” But he said unions currently hold the upper hand. “There is a balance in the process today … the balance is shifted way against management because of this threat to strike and the consequences of it. … What we’re suggesting is, you shift the balance in the other direction.”

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/house-considers-limits-on-teacher.html

Police Blotters

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Turnaround Underway In Algonquin Downtown?

Saturday's open house at Algonquin's new Cafe Firefly on Main Street was thronged. Owner Allie Gilbert saw it not only as an encouraging sign for her own business but also as an indicator for Algonquin's entire Downtown area.

"I think it shows that all of Main Street is coming back," said Gilbert. "If this doesn't prove it with Christmas shopping going on and not a moment to spare I don't know what does."

Well, the relocation to Main Street of McHenry Upholstery Service from the about-to-be-demolished Prairie Oasis might be another. So would Jason Bailey's new law office. No to mention a hair salon set to open soon and a hotdog restaurant still undergoing remodeling before its open.

Gilbert wasn't concerned about that last, by the way. "We need competition on Main Street," she said.

New LITH HobbyTown Store Ready For Racers

RC racers flocked to Lake in the Hills' HobbyTown USA store Saturday to try out the emporium's long-awaited and newly-installed race track.

Creating the radio-controlled race track's been a grueling experience for HobbyTown, according to owner Betty Conley. Originally located in Crystal Lake, the store wasn't able to find a spot big enough for its retail section and the track, too. "Crystal Lake shot us down in three locations," she said.

That led the store to its new LITH site at Pyott Road and Imhoff Drive. "Lake in the Hills has been very kind to us," said Conley. Not that the move was a simple one. "We took down our sign and put it in storage," she said. "Only someone thought we were junking it and began to break it up."

While the sign was being repaired the track full of twists and turns and whoops had to be built and then the controllers' gallery overlooking it had to be constructed. "We had to make sure it met all the standards for safety," said Conley. The sign only went up a couple of weeks ago and the track area was finished last week.

While the RC car track's been Conley's focus of attention lately the store also sells RC planes and boats, too, not to mention games, puzzles, toys and art supplies. There's even an electric train section at HobbyTown but as Conley commented, "There's not a lot of radio-controlled opportunity with those."

Friends Tell Friends About FEN

Huntley Library Introduces NextReads Book Recommendations

The Huntley Area Public Library has a new online service called NextReads to send free book recommendations emails to readers based on their areas of interest.

The service is customizable to allow users to follow a link to the library catalog to place a reserve request on items they'd like to read. Readers are notified when their books are ready to checkout.

“This free service offers one more way to locate new materials, and an easy way to access or reserve it,” stated Head of Public Services, Rosie Lukas. The place to sign up for the new free newsletter is here:

www.huntleylibrary.org/nextreads

In the pic: The top recommendation right now on the mysteries list is Jane Austen And The Madness Of Lord Byron. Northanger Abbey meets Childe Harold's Pilgrimage?

Algonquin Resident Newest ECC Foundation Board Member

Algonquin native John Sleeting, is the latest member of the Elgin Community College Foundation Board. The ECC Foundation provides scholarships and support to ECC students and its Board picked Sleeting, an Elgin financial advisor, for the next four-year term.

Sleeting's is a 1986 graduate of Jacobs High School with a bachelor’s degree from the Coast Guard Academy and an MBA from the University of Maryland. In addition to the ECC Foundation, he also serves on the school board of Westminster Christian School in Elgin, where he's finance committee chairman.

Workers' Comp Reform "Swimming In Data"

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Proponents of workers' compensation changes say Illinois’ system is unnecessarily complicated, and the math for medical fees just doesn’t add up. Representatives of the medical community meanwhile say Illinois is moving too quickly on the issue.

Barb Malloy, consultant and former workers’ compensation administrator for the city of Chicago, told a House committee last week that medical fees employers pay for injured worker’s treatment in Illinois outpace what the state and federal government pay under medical programs for the low-income and elderly residents. Malloy said a standard visit to a doctor costs $24.25 under Medicaid, $42.99 under Medicare and $77.81 under workers’ compensation requirements in Illinois.

Mark Deaton, general counsel for the Illinois Hospital Association, warned that budget cuts and substantial federal health care reforms make it a dangerous time to do any major tweaking to Illinois’ health care sector. "Right now in the state of Illinois there are a lot of hands and a lot of fingers jostling that house of cards that we call health care,” he said at the hearing held at Illinois State University in Normal.

Eugene Munin, budget director for the city of Chicago, said the city has seen workers’ compensation costs rise while the number of city employees decreased. Munin said the city has eliminated around 6,000 positions in the last 10 years because of budget cuts. “Our costs have increased … even while the number of employees the number of claims have gone down dramatically,” he said.

Tom Mercier, a board member of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, said employers want to make things right for their workers who are injured on the job. He takes issue with employers having to pay the full cost of treatment for conditions which may be caused or contributed to by outside activities. “Our questions come about when there isn’t a definitive reason for why that person needs a double hernia operation. Was it because something that happened at work or was it something that happened on the weekend because he is part of a band?” he said.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/workers-comp-reform-swimming-in-data.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.

ANTHONY V. OCCHIPINTI, DOB: 11/19/77, 633 S. SPRING ROAD, ELMHURST. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--LITH PD

FRANK J. NAPLES, DOB: 06/17/77, 517 N. HARRISON STREET, ALGONQUIN. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, DRIVING WHILE DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED.--Algonquin PD

CODY S. DIDIER, DOB: 08/22/93, 10501 CINDY JO, HUNTLEY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA(3CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE.--Huntley PD

DANIEL J. RUIZ, DOB: 12/02/89, 4008 GRAND AVENUE, MCHENRY. AGGRAVATED BATTERY(2CTS), DOMESTIC BATTERY.--McHenry PD

SABRINA L. SIEGEL, DOB: 03/19/70, 308 ½ S. MAIN STREET, AUBURN, IN. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.--Fox River Grove PD

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