Bianchi Defense Pounds Prosecutors--Investigation Ongoing

McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi's defense Friday hammered away at the Special Prosecutor's case charging him with official misconduct and conspiracy but it'll be at least a week before anyone finds out if any holes have been punched in it. Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw said he'd mail his rulings on a series of motions by Terry Ekl on Bianchi's behalf.

Even if the judge agrees, more trouble may be on the way for Bianchi.  Special Prosecutor Henry "Skip" Tonigan after the hearing confirmed a leaked report two weeks ago and hints during Friday's arguments that he's still investigating Bianchi.  "The Grand Jury is still alive," said Tonigan.

Ekl argued Friday that if it is, it shouldn't be, in fact that it never should have been empaneled in the first place. Ekl claimed whatever Tonigan and fellow Prosecutor Thomas McQueen have come up with  ought to be thrown out because they found it too late or got it outside the rules.  "They're running around McHenry County doing whatever they want," Ekl complained.

Bianchi's charged with ordering his secretaries to do political campaign work for him on County time.  However, Ekl had already charged in written filings that even if Bianchi ordered his first secretary to do that, the statute of limitations had run out on it when Tonigan and McQueen were appointed to investigate.

McQueen argued any limitation was "silly". "If you're investigating a bank robbery and you find another one later you're supposed to say, 'Oh, no, you can't prosecute for the second bank robbery because that's outside the scope of your authority?'"

McGraw seemed reluctant to second-guess  McHenry County Judge Gordon Graham.  "Why can't you present the matter in front of the judge who appointed the Special Attorney?" he asked Ekl.

"No, your honor, it's you," Ekl replied.  "Every judge in the county has (disqualified) themselves."

Ekl demanded Friday Prosecutors turn over Grand Jury witness interviews and Prosecutors' statements to the jury panel.  He said he wanted to see if they threw out anything that made Bianchi look good and whether they misled jurors.  "I'll bet dollars to donuts that's what we're going to find," he said.

McQueen said he couldn't turn over some information. "My investigator's practice is to destroy (field) notes after he writes a memorandum," he said.

McGraw set the next court date in the case for Feb. 2.

In the pic: Bianchi

E-Recycling Dropoff Too Popular--Canceled

A steady stream of cars and SUV's bringing busted and obsolete computers and TV's overwhelmed the Dundee Township Public Library's Electronic Recycling Drop Off Days Friday.  The second day of dropoffs set today had to be cancelled.

"Unfortunately, the vendor we partnered with simply could not handle the overwhelming amount of electronics discarded by the community," said a spokesman for the  District which serves some of the southern neighborhoods in Algonquin.

Computer monitors and televisions seemed to be the (literally) biggest problem Friday, not surprising since most recycling centers don't want them or charge an extra fee to take them in.  The Dundee Library website said electronics are being accepted for recycling today until noon at the Kane County Circuit Clerk's office but that's way down in St. Charles.

Water Boil Order Today For Some Huntley Residents

A Huntley water main break on Cindy Jo Avenue shut down service to homes between Joan and Bernice Friday morning and left residents with a "boil order" in effect until 5 pm today.

The main "just popped" said one worker at the site after a crew put a sleeve over the break.  It was the first break in Huntley so far this year.  The village saw 15 water main breaks last year, according to the Public Works Department.

‘Amazon Tax’ Could Push E-Commerce Out Of Illinois

By Mary J. Cristobal, Illinois Statehouse News
A still-unsigned law isn't clicking with Illinois online retailers. Dubbed the "Amazon Tax," the legislation passed by both houses this week requires major online retailers such as Amazon.com and Overstock.com to collect the state's 6.25 percent sales tax from Illinois customers. It's projected to bring in about half of the $150 million in sales tax the state doesn't get currently.

Right now the state collects sales tax only from online sales of a business that has an actual brick-and-mortar presence in the state. Companies like Amazon allow third-party vendors to sell through its Web site. But the new legislation considers Amazon and Overstock’s partnerships with local retailers as "extending arms".

Amazon has sent a letter to Illinois-based affiliates stating that it would terminate its partnership once Gov. Pat Quinn signs the bill.

Illinois-based online retailers such as CouponCabin.com and FatWallet.com could lose up to a third of their revenues. And some are actually considering moving to another state. "That could account for a large percentage of our revenue, in order to keep our business going  because we make pennies on a dollar,” said FatWallet spokesman Brent Shelton. “We'd probably be  forced to move the business to another state, where Amazon and Overstock would still be willing to work with us."

A spokesman for the Illinois Department of Revenue predicts lawsuits from major online retailers if the proposal is put in place. But Mike Clemons says the new law won't create a loss of local jobs. "I think this is legislation that will retain jobs in Illinois, and create jobs in Illinois, because it will level the playing field between your local brick-and-mortar retailer, who has to unfairly compete with the Amazons and the Overstocks of the world," Clemons said.

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4854/amazon-tax-could-push-e-commerce-out-of-illinois/

Obituaries

Gladys L. Nepermann, 85, formerly of Woodstock and Huntley died peacefully Friday at her home.
A funeral service will be held 10:30 am Tuesday at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 8 pm Monday and from 9:30 am until the time of the service Tuesday. Burial will be in McHenry County Memorial Park.

Nepermann was born May 28, 1925, in Elgin, the daughter of Ernest and Edith (Eggert) Zimmick. She married Leo W. Neperman February 25, 1947. She is survived by her children, Ruth Mau of Wauconda, Susan Hurley of Algonquin, Jerry (Gail) Nepermann of Huntley and Steve and Scott Nepermann both of Woodstock; 13 grandchildren and her sister, Arlene Watermann of Plato Center. She is preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Karen, and by her brothers, Roy, Marvin and Harold.

Omission of flowers is requested. Memorials may be directed to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Woodstock, IL

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
January 7
1013 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HALIGUS RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BOSS, BRITTANY D., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 640 LEAF LN. APT D, WOODSTOCK. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, Suspended Registration, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1045 HRS THREE OAKS RD. & ROUTE 31. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. HERNANDEZ, JESUS, M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 1312 SAGE LN., HARVARD.  CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
2047 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE EXPIRED. ROWLAND, BRADLEY D., M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 316 GARDEN CT., SYCAMORE. CHARGES: Driving while License Expired for more than a Year. RELEASED ON BOND.
0100 HRS 220 N., RANDALL RD., (MORETTIS). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 24 years of age, highly intoxicated. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0223 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Information for police.
0930 HRS 4 CEDAR RIDGE DR., (FAMILY DENTAL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 68 years of age, swallowed a metal dental clamp. Transported to St. Alexius Hospital.
1017 HRS 3700 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY. Delayed. Male student vs. male student. FAIL TO FILE.
1201 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1206 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF WINDGATE WAY. LOST ARTICLE. Wallet.
1437 HRS 10005 ROUTE 31, (MATERIAL SERVICES). THEFT. Copper wiring taken. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1621 HRS 10 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR CT. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Daughter. Verbal only. No priors.
2104 HRS 600 BLOCK OF HURON TRAIL. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Residence was entered and items removed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2137 HRS 100 BLOCK OF BRIDLEWOOD CIRCLE. HIT & RUN. Vehicle vs. mailbox. Vehicle left the scene.
2151 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF LUCERNE LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 42 years of age, fell due to intoxication. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
Algonquin
January 3
13:15pm Alcantara, Karen P., DOB: 07/28/88, of 1398 Essex Street, Algonquin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Front Plate and No Proof of Insurance.  She was taken into custody at Route 62 and Ryan Parkway.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/09/11 in McHenry County.
January 4
10:58am Vandermeir, Derek E., DOB: 08/25/81, of 892 Village Quarter, West Dundee, was charged with DWLS and Suspended Registration.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Failure to Appear on a DWLS charge.  He was taken into custody at Front Street & Main Street.  He was released after posting $150 on the Algonquin charges with a court date of 02/09/11 in McHenry County.  He also posted $400 on the Kane County Warrant and was given a court date of 02/18/11 in Kane County.
15:48pm Polanco-Vede, Karina, DOB: 11/27/84, of 10321 Ashley Street, Huntley, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, Speeding and No Proof of Insurance.  She was taken into custody at N. River Road and Route 62.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/09/11 in McHenry County.
16:04pm Henson, Jason D, DOB: 06/01/75, of 1074 Viewpoint Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident, DWLR, Failure to Reduce Speed and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/09/11 in McHenry County.
20:22pm Murr, Zachary J.M DOB: 02/01/83, of 53598 Kershner Lane, Elkhart, Indiana was charged with DWLS, No Proof of Insurance and Expired Registration.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Harnish Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/09/11 in McHenry County.
21:03pm Berber, David, DOB: 08/17/66, of 1560 Millbrook Drive, Algonquin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Speeding.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Huntley Road.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 02/16/11 in McHenry County.
January 6
19:49pm Mueller, Denise M., DOB: 08/01/63, of 2225 Barrett Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 02/23/11 in Algonquin.

Judge Rules No Inherent Conflict To Trigger Sheriff's Prosecutor

Unless ex-deputy Zane Seipler can come up with better arguments, McHenry County Judge Thomas Meyer ruled Thursday he won't appoint a Special Prosecutor to look into a range of allegations against Sheriff Keith Nygren.

Seipler, fired by Nygren and then beaten by him in the GOP Primary, a year ago charged the Sheriff with a range of petty but supposedly forbidden campaign activities similar to the ones for which State's Attorney Lou Bianchi was subsequently indicted.  Bianchi's office had turned down Seipler's request to investigate Nygren because in the legal scheme of things the State's Attorney is also the Sheriff's defense attorney.

Seipler recently added more sensational allegations of Nygren wrongdoing, murder orders, alien trafficking and bribery, based on another deputy's deposition in the federal civil rights case about his firing two years ago but no one mentioned that Thursday.

Seipler's counsel, Blake Horwitz, stuck to his main theme that Bianchi's office was trapped in an inherent conflict of interest like the one that triggered a Special Prosecutor in Bianchi's own case--the State's Attorney can't very well investigate himself.  Assistant State's Attorney Don Leist argued there was no built-in conflict as far as the SA and the Sheriff were concerned and the judge agreed.

Later Bianchi tried to clarify the hair-thin distinction.  "We could investigate the Sheriff but as a matter of policy we choose not to because he's our client," said Bianchi. "We have successfully represented the Sheriff in other cases," Bianchi said and he figured if he had to choose, it was more "cost-efficient" for the State's Attorney's office to defend Nygren than for the County to hire someone else to do it.

But if the Judge says the situation doesn't automatically trigger a Special Prosecutor and the County Prosecutor would rather play defense where does that leave Seipler and his fistfull of complaints?  "He can still go to the Attorney General, the State Police, the FBI or the U.S. Attorney," said Bianchi.

Or he can try to find a better reason for Meyer to appoint a Special Prosecutor. The judge allowed  until Feb. 17 to do that.

In the pic:  Seipler during the Primary a year ago.

Burkey Pitches Online Education For D158

In a move a little like the revelation of China's new J20 stealth jet fighter this week, D158 Superintendent John Burkey Thursday whipped the tarp off a new high-tech teaching program for Huntley High.  In both cases no one's even sure about the specs yet, never mind whether it will actually get off the ground.

In an hour-long briefing to the Board of Education Burkey and Director of Educational Technology Marisa Burkhart started from a premise that the current crop of kids are different from any ever before since they've grown up with the Internet and cell phones.  "What worked when we went to school doesn't work anymore," said Burkey.

His solution to supposed short attention spans and an aversion to personal interaction is online teaching. Not with the school district's clunky old PC's, though.  Burkey said he figured the way to go was with smartphones, maybe tablets, definitely wireless, however.  "I didn't know," he said.  "They don't even email each other.  They text all the time."

If the hardware was as yet unspecified, the medium was even more speculative, according to Burkhart who's been sounding out wireless companies to see if they'd be interested in some sort of gang  access package for all the high school students in the district.  "We're meeting with Verizon tomorrow," she said.

Burkey claimed apart from being a better way of teaching, the plan had some serendipitous merit. For one, he said, it would allow lots better monitoring of students' learning.  Earlier,  Academic Officer Mary Olson had reported testing requirements are growing by leaps and bounds.  "It's getting so we almost have to have an (Individual Education Program) for every student," she said, and Burkey thought online ed would mesh with that pretty well.

Even better, according to Burkey, leasing wireless thingummies would eliminate the District's current cost of buying new PC's.  "Any time we buy technology we assume the risk of it becoming out of date," he said.

So what would the brave new wireless world of education look like?  Sort of like college.  "We meet two times a week," said Burkhart, "and your coursework is done through the online system."  But what about the teachers?  "They'll have office hours," said Burkhart.  "They'll actually be available for more individual attention."

Burkey figured there might even be savings on new bricks and mortar later on.  "If every day we have 200 fewer students at Huntley high school--this is a side benefit as we continue to grow," he said.

The glow of a digital dawn faded a little a few minutes later, though, in the harsh glare of Financial Officer  Mark Altmayer's rundown of the District's five-year financial outlook.  Even the good scenario isn't very and the worse ones range from bad to doom-laden.

Burkey admitted that saying, "Everybody sort of teased you last year when you said the sky was going to fall.  Then the sky fell even more than you thought it might."

Altmayer said the District's been getting along by "kicking the can down the road" deferring expenses.  (Including not spending $700,000 to replace aging PC's this year.)  Altmayer's revenue forecast doesn't see any new money coming along to fix that.  In fact, he said still more money may vanish and he asked what sort of hit list the Board would like to see next month along with the first draft of next year's budget.

"Start with the things you'd like to see taken care of the most," said Member Tony Quagliano.  "The Board's going to have to decide if it wants to use up some of the surplus we've built up over the years."

In the pic:  John Burkey and Marisa Burkhart outlined bold plans for D158 online instruction Thursday.

McHenry Board OK's New Committees Without Debate

With no debate or even much comment the McHenry County Board Thursday appointed a new slate of committees.  District 2's Lakewood Member Scott Breeden advanced to head the powerful Finance and Audit Commitee but District 1's Cary Member Anna May Miller remained at the top of the important Transportation Committee.  District 5's Woodstock Member Tina Hill returned to head the somewhat less important these days Planning and Development Committee.

The only hint of dissent came from District 4 Member Sandy Salgado, McHenry, who charged Board Vice Chairman John Jung shouldn't head the Human Resources Committee because that blurred the line between rank and file leadership and board leadership.  Hers was the only vote against the the new regime.

The list included District 1's Fox River Grove Member Bob Bless as a new member on the Finance Committee even though there's an investigation of alleged financial wrongdoing pending against him at the Illinois Attorney's Registration and Disciplinary Commission.  "I think there's probably something there," said one Board Member afterward.  "He's on Law and Justice, too," the Member said even though he (or she) had cast a "yes" vote for the list as presented.

Cold Weather Coats Still Available At Grafton Twp.

Grafton Township residents were generous in helping the less fortunate this year in the Township Supervisor’s Coat Drive.  Supervisor Linda Moore said more than 400 coats were dropped in collection boxes at Huntley Library, Centegra Health Bridge and Heritage Woods in the past two months.

In fact, she said there are still a lot of coats available at the Grafton Township Offices on Vine Street. "We have coats for men, women, boys and girls of all ages," said Moore.  The coats are available during the office hours 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday, she said.

Top Dems: Deal On Illinois Income Tax Hike

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Top Democrats in Springfield say they have an agreement that will erase Illinois' $15 billion deficit, send more money to Illinois schools and limit state spending for three years. All it will take is a 75 percent hike in income taxes and billions more in state borrowing to make it all happen.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, announced the deal late Thursday. A vote on the measure is pending. Under the provisions Illinois taxpayers will see their income tax rate jump from 3 percent to 5.25 percent.  The corporate tax rate would climb to 8.4 percent.

Cullerton estimates that the personal income tax increase would bring in $6.2 billion more to the state.  He put the price tag for the corporate tax hike at $1 billion a year.

The deal also includes just over $12 billion in borrowing.  Cullerton said $3.7 billion of that borrowed money would go to pay this year's pension obligations.  The rest would go toward Illinois' mountain of unpaid bills.

"People would get paid money that is owed to them.  It'll help the economy when we infuse that much money back into the economy and pay those bills off," said Cullerton.  Illinois owes about $5.2 billion in unpaid bills dating back to the summer.  The tax and borrowing plan would pay those bills by the end of March.

There is also money earmarked for schools.  Cullerton said a quarter of 1 percent of the total income tax hike would be set aside for property tax relief and education funding.  Another $377 million for schools would come from a yet to be-approved cigarette tax increase of $1 per pack.

State Rep Will Davis, D-East Hazel Crest, said now that top Democrats have come to terms on the details, a vote could come as early as Sunday. "Right now our goal is 60 votes," Davis said. "We hope it's bipartisan, which means (Republicans) support trying to put more money in education and human services. But at this point we're looking for 60 votes."

There are a number of expiration dates that are to be built into the legislation.  All but .25 percent points of the personal income tax increase would expire in four years. The pension borrowing component is to be paid back over the next eight years.  Borrowing for the past due bills is on a 14 year repayment plan.

The income tax increase would be based on 2011 incomes, back to Jan. 1, according to Cullerton.  But he is quick to say that homeowners will get a property tax credit this year, and property tax rebate checks of $325 starting in 2012.

Cullerton said the tax increase and borrowing plan of 2011 should settle Illinois' budgets until at least 2014. "Eight-billion-dollars will go back into the economy; people will be paid on time," he said. "Our credit rating will be dramatically improved. We will then have a balanced budget with virtually no growth for the next four years."

Lawmakers will have to vote quickly on the scheme. A new General Assembly will be sworn in Wednesday.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4847/top-dems-deal-on-illinois-tax-hike/

House Narrowly Approves Abolishing Death Penalty

By Mary Massingale, Illinois Statehouse News
A measure to abolish the Illinois death penalty squeaked to House passage Thursday after falling one vote short earlier in the day. The measure now moves to the Senate, where it will be considered when that chamber returns to the Capitol next week.

The bill finally earned the required 60 votes after an emotional, hour-long debate. But it was the $20 million annual cost of death penalty cases that convinced state Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, to change his previous “no” vote to “yes.” “I was on both sides of this issue. But then you think of the potential cost savings of this bill, and the state needs all of the savings we can get,” Verschoore said. “Besides, my wife was on me to vote for it.”

There aren't any savings, though. The measure calls for the money in the state’s capital litigation trust fund, which covers partial costs of litigating death penalty cases, to be funneled to law enforcement and services for victim’s families.

State Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, a former FBI agent, could not be swayed by that provision. He recalled that Brian Dugan confessed to the 1985 killing of 7-year-old Melissa Ackerman in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. “We wouldn’t have had information on the heinousness of this crime had we not had the tool of the death penalty,” Sacia said.

McHenry County Reps. Tryon and Franks both voted against abolition.

Former Gov. George Ryan in 2000 halted all executions following media investigations that uncovered wrongly sentenced death row inmates, and instituted a moratorium on the death penalty while possible reforms were studied. Ryan in January 2003 then cleared out death row, commuting the sentences of all inmates. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Gov. Pat Quinn have upheld the moratorium. Meanwhile murderers continued to be sentenced to death row, which now houses 15 inmates.

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4846/house-narrowly-approves-abolition-of-death-penalty/

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
January 6
0203 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. SANCHEZ, MATTHEW M., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 3820 MILL ROAD, RICHMOND. CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Vehicle, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia & Possession of Cannabis.TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1641 HRS ACORN LN. & WANDER WAY. WANTED ON WARRANT. LEWIS, ETHAN L., M/B 20 YEARS OF AGE, 3561 SONORA RD., HODGENVILLE, KY.
CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear for Disorderly Conduct. Bond Amount: $2,500.00 at 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
0019 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 38 years of age, possible allergic reaction to medication. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1025 HRS 700 BLOCK OF PARC CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 80 years of age, feeling lethargic. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1246 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1536 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. THEFT. Digital camera was removed on 010411. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1723 HRS 500 BLOCK OF SEMINOLE TRAIL. FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY. Unlawful use of a debit card. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
Algonquin
delayed--FEN schedule conflict

State Pays Ed Bills But Districts Ponder Next Year

While legislators debate an income tax increase in Springfield, school district financial officers at the other end of the money pipeline are trying to figure out what to do if there isn't one.

The good news local CFOs report is the State managed to pay what it owed for the 2009-2010 year, albeit just before the doubly-extended clock ran out and six months late.  The bad news is the state's already six months late on the current school year.

"They owe us two payments worth about $10 million," said D300 CFO Cheryl Crates.  "I'm going to have to borrow money next month to make payroll."

"We are in exactly the same boat," said D158 Finance head Mark Altmayer.  Well, maybe not quite as bad.  "(School districts) all just got our property taxes from September and October," he said. "I have enough cash to (make payroll)," Altmayer reported, but even so, "They probably owe us about $2 million."

"We're hoping in the next couple of months we'll receive a payment (for this year) but then they'll still be almost six months behind," Altmayer said.

Crates isn't so optimistic about either the State's finances or her own district's.  She and Superintendent-to-be Mike Bregy are set to unveil "Proposal #1" Monday for possible budget reductions in D300's 2011-2012 school year. The District chopped about $8.5 million in expenditures for the current school year and last month Crates reported she thought there'd have to be another  $8.5 million in cuts next year.

What's up on the butcher's block hasn't been revealed yet but from the preparations it looks as if the district expects them to set off a storm next week. There's already a timeline posted for deciding what to cut and a set of rules for complaining about them.  You can read both here: http://www.d300.org/About%20Us/Financial%20Information/Budget%20Cuts%202011-2012

Monday's meeting is at District headquarters in Carpentersville at 7:30 pm but there's also a session set to honor some music students which usually draws a lot of proud parents.

In the pic:  Boarding the buses at Jacobs when it was warmer.

Pond Hockey Tournament Officials Needed At LITH

"Rocky, Rocky"

"What is it, Bullwinkle?"

"The Village of Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department scheduled their first ever outdoor hockey tournament that will be held on Woods Creek Lake next Saturday, January 15, and there aren't enough officials to, uh, officiate.  Golly, Rock, What'll we do?"

"Maybe we could ask for some volunteers, Bullwinkle. All the games have two 15-minute (running clock) halves with a 2 minute-halftime and the first face-off is at 8:30 am.  We can ask them to call Trevor Bosack at the Parks and Recreation Department at (847) 960-7460."

"That's a swell, idea, Rocky.  You think it'll work?"

"If it doesn't, Bullwinkle, I'll pull a rabbit out of my hat."

In the pic: A Pond Hockey ref about to drop the puck at Hay River, Northwest Territories, very near in spirit to Frostbite Falls, MN.

MCC Seeks Literacy Volunteers

McHenry County College is looking for literacy volunteers to teach reading, math or English as a Second Language at McHenry County College at MCC. The next volunteer orientation is a month from now.

A literacy volunteer tutor doesn't have to speak a second language to teach in the adult education literacy program. Volunteer applicants attend 12 hours of training and complete 10 hours of classroom practicum to what they need to work with literacy students. Work schedules flexible to accommodate the rest of volunteers' lives whether working full time of retired..

The next orientations are 6:30 to 8:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 3, and from 9 to 10:30 am Saturday, Feb. 5, at MCC.

The reading project is made possible in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, with state funds designated for literacy. For more information or to reserve a seat at the orientation, call  Marie Day at (815) 455-8542.

Kids' Pantry Cash Donation Snowballs

The Grafton Township Food Pantry was recently surprised by donation from a very young donor. Six year-old Aaron Shapiro and younger brother Adam, three, Crystal Lake, decided to empty their piggy bank (OK, it was really a dinosaur bank) to "give it to people that need food," said Aaron.

The decision wasn't entirely a bolt from the blue since the boys had visited the Pantry several times with their grandmother who serves on its Board of Directors.  Even so, parents Cameron and Carey Shapiro were so pleased at their sons' decision they chipped in the contents of the household "extra change" container.  Meanwhile a neighbor heard about it and was was so impressed he said he'd match the boys' donation.

Everybody trooped over to the Pantry to hand over the money and here's the picture.  They kept the dinosaur, though. 
 
Photo: Aaron (right) and Adam Shapiro, Grafton Board Member Betty Zirk and the boys' Dad Cameron.

Income Tax Hike(s) Moving Forward

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
There's a plan in Springfield to increase the State income tax.  In fact there are several of them. They range from  temporary to permanent and from one to two percentage-point increases.

A 2-percentage point income tax increase, which amounts to taxpayers handing over 66 percent more to the state, would bring in more than $6 billion additionally each year to state coffers.Gov. Pat Quinn has mentioned borrowing $14 billion to cover the state’s debts and adding an additional tax increase to cover the debt payments. For every quarter percent jump in the income tax, the state brings in about $700 million,according to Kelly Kraft, spokeswoman for the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget.

The personal income tax is currently three percent. The Illinois Senate approved a two percentage-point increase in 2009, but it never came to a vote in the House. That measure included several tax breaks to make it easier on low- to middle-income families.

If lawmakers can come to an agreement on a plan, it likely won’t be enough to plug the budget gap, which is approaching $15 billion.“Over the long-term you would still have a structural imbalance. It would obviously be lesser than today, and they would be able to pay a number of back bills, and it’s a significant step forward because it is a structural reform," said Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability

Without a tax rate increase experts don't see much more money coming in to State coffers.  “In 2011, the estimates are (that) revenue will only be up slightly more than they were in 2010." said Larry Joseph, budget and tax expert for the advocacy group Voices for Illinois Children. "So in 2011 we’re still almost $2 billion lower (in total revenue) than we were in 2008.”

Martire said because of the recession and the state’s tax structure, an increase is necessary to just maintain the current services the state provides. “Every year, revenue growth from our various tax services is not enough to accommodate the growth of and cost of providing the public services the state provides, even if you are trying to cover it based on inflation and population,” Martire said.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4837/income-tax-hike-moving-forward/

Senate Passes ‘Bold’ Medicaid Reform

By Mary Massingale, Illinois Statehouse News
Medicaid reform took a “bold” step on Wednesday as the Illinois Senate approved a measure projected to save $800 million during the next five years. The bill calls for moving half of the state’s 2.8 million Medicaid participants into “coordinated” or managed care during the next four years an order of magnitude more than the 195,000 participants now assigned to a primary “medical home.”

“That is a very aggressive goal, it’s a bold goal, but we believe that by really looking at the holistic needs of our Medicaid clients we will, in fact, succeed in keeping them healthier,” said Julie Hamos, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

All states are looking at Medicaid reforms in anticipation of the ramp-up of Obamacare in 2014, when low-income single adults will be eligible to enroll. However, Illinois' new legislation makes an attempt to crack down on fraud by setting up administrative hearings that can collect and fine individuals who have been scamming the system, and even refer the cases to local prosecutors. But the Senate’s chief budget expert questioned how effective that would be.

The measure also tightens eligibility by requiring individuals to provide proof of Illinois residency and a month’s worth of income, and to periodically re-apply to the program. It clamps down on the expanded All Kids program, the state’s health insurance for children of parents who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Parents pay health insurance premiums based on their income, which will be limited to 300 percent of the federal poverty level – or $66,150 for a family of four

The legislation also creates a “global budget” for long-term care by allowing up to 4 percent of budget line items for nursing home care for the elderly, developmentally disabled and the mentally ill to go toward shifting those patients into community-based settings, at an annual savings of $100 million.

Using future appropriations to pay current bills to providers of care will also be phased out during the next 10 years, in an attempt at fiscal responsibility.

The measure now heads to the House, where a vote is expected Thursday.

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4836/senate-passes-bold-medicaid-reform-measure-heads-to-house/

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
January 5
0946 HRS PYOTT RD. & MCPHEE DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. JAROSZ, RONALD A., M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 1019 BUTLER DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
2000 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE EXPIRED. RIM, STEVE H., M/W 35 YEARS OF AGE, 4 RIVERDALE CT., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving While License Expired for more then a year and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1501 HRS IMPRESSIONS DR. & RONAN DR. BATTERY. Female, 11 years of age was struck by another female, 12 years. FAIL TO FILE.
1606 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF PRINCETON LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 3 years of age fell from the bed, bleeding from the mouth. No transport.
2219 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. DOMESTIC Brother vs. sister. Verbal only. 3 priors.

Sheriff's Office Admits Tattletale Deputy "On Leave" But Not Why

Five working days, the statutory limit, after an FEN Freedom of Information Act request for the employment status of Deputy Scott Milliman, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office refused to reveal why he'd was pulled from active duty the day before it became known he'd sworn Sheriff Keith Nygren told him to kill a political opponent.

In the response the Sheriff's Freedom of Information Officer admitted Milliman was placed on Administrative Leave Dec. 23 but denied FEN's request seeking the reason for the change claiming it was exempt under the FOIA statute.

"If a document exists stating the reason for the change of status it would be in an active administrative investigation file," said FOIA officer Jan Weech in the response letter.

"'There's an investigation but the reason for it is in the file and the file's a secret'," said FEN Publisher Pete Gonigam.  "I don't think that'd pass the laugh test even in Iran.  This goes to the Attorney General as soon as my lawyer can write it up."

According to a snippet of a duty roster Weech provided, Milliman was on "vac(ation)" Sunday and Monday, Dec. 19 and 20; "off (duty)" Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 21 and 22, and placed on "administrative leave" Thursday Dec. 23.

Dec. 24 Cal Skinner's McHenry County Blog began printing the transcript of a Federal Court conference in Rockford referring to Milliman's deposition in the civil rights discharge case of ex-deputy Zane Seipler.  In that transcript on Dec. 15 attorneys, including one representing the Sheriff's Office, and a federal magistrate talk about Milliman's sworn statement that Nygren told him to kill two people, that the Sheriff and a crony run an illegal immigrant railroad into McHenry County and that attorneys paid bribes to settle criminal cases.

Skinner filed a FOIA request similar to FEN's and reported he got the same results Tuesday.  He said Dec. 23 was the first day the transcript became publicly available.

Nygren declined through a spokesman Tuesday to comment on either Milliman's reported charges or his change of duty status.

Koehler: Never Considered Bless To Head Finance Committee

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler said Tuesday he's won't appoint a County Board member up before the State's Attorney Disciplinary Commission to head the Board's Finance and Audit Committee. Koehler said he never even considered it.

FEN reported Monday that two (possibly three) lists being circulated had District 1 Member Bob Bless listed as Chairman of the powerful Finance Committee.  Bless, an attorney, faces a Disciplinary Commission complaint charging he had an affair with a client from whom he borrowed money that he never paid back.

Koehler gets to appoint committee chairmen and said Tuesday the lists were wrong. He said his pick to head Finance will really be veteran District 2 committee member Scott Breeden.  "I think I know where this came from," said Koehler who described a magnetic board the Committee on Committees used during deliberations a couple of weeks ago.  "That had places listed for 'Chairman and Vice Chairman' on it," said Koehler, "but that wasn't what it was used for.  It was just to balance the districts on each committee."

Koehler said Bless is on the list to serve as one of the regular members of the Finance and Audit Committee and belongs there at least until he gets his hearing.  "You know why?  He's a CPA," said Koehler.

Bless's Board bio doesn't claim that, though. It just says Bless was once was an accountant.  An examination of online records of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants shows no record Bless is or ever was a certified accountant in Illinois.

The County Board will appoint new committees and Koehler their heads at its meeting Thursday.

Three Years For Putting Out Eye In Huntley Birthday Fight

McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather Tuesday sentenced 39 year-old Boguslaw Czapla of Elmwood Park, to 3 years in prison for kicking a man's eye out at a child's birthday party in Huntley 2 years ago. A jury found Czapla  guilty of aggravated battery and mob action after a four-day trial two months ago.

According to testimony Czapla, towards the end of the Sesame Street-themed party, kicked 32 year-old Robert Steele in the face after an argument about the Cubs and Sox.  During the sentencing hearing Steele who was a commercial truck-driver when the fight happened said now he's having trouble taking care of his family and getting a job because he only has one eye.

Czapla's brother, Jaroslaw, had earlier pleaded guilty to charges from Steele's beating while a third man sought has never been caught.

Tickets Running Out For "Streetlamp" At Huntley High

"We have 41 seats left," said D158 Board Member and arts supporter Kim Skaja Tuesday reporting tickets for the Huntley High Fine Arts Boosters program "Under The Streetlamp" are selling out.

The fundraising concert at the school's Performing Arts Center Jan. 29 features the Chicago cast of the Broadway hit "Jersey Boys" performing doo-wop favorites, golden oldies and Rat Pack.  "Jersey Boys" was the Tony Award-winning musical account of America's answer to the British Invasion of Rock and Roll in the 60's, "Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons".

"Under The Street Lamp" is set for 7 pm Saturday, Jan. 29 at HHS's PAC. For remaining tickets call  815-923-8810 or go online at www.underthestreetlamphuntley.com. Tickets are $40 & $60 for premium seating. The program's presented by HHS FABulous, Inc (Fine Arts Boosters) and all proceeds benefit the arts at HHS. It's sponsored by Barley House, Glopak Industries and Color Craft Graphic Arts.

In the pic:  Dominic Scaglione, Shonn Wiley, Michael Cunio and Michael Ingersoll were the final Chiciago cast channeling "The Four Seasons".

Dem Leaders Talk Tax Hike

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Lawmakers being told they will have to decide if Illinois raises income taxes are skeptical that a plan can come together in the coming week. Tuesday, top Democrats met with Gov. Pat Quinn to lay out a strategy for the governor's desired income tax increase.

Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, once again said the Illinois House is going to have to act first. "We already passed an income tax out of the Senate," Cullerton said. "So they're talking about getting the vote to pass an income tax out of the House."

Cullerton and Senate Democrats passed a plan in 2009 that would have hiked income taxes two points, from 3 percent to 5 percent.  Quinn most recently has pushed for just a one point hike.  The Senate President wouldn't say if those numbers have changed.  Cullerton did add that when something happens in the House, there may need to be more than just Democrats voting yes.

State Rep Jill Tracy, R-Quincy, said that Democrats only want GOP votes as a shield against angry voters. "Why does President Cullerton say it has to be done with Republican votes? Doesn't it seem curious that Democrats members don't want to support a tax increase," she said.

Part of the calculation for the tax hike push now is that a number of lawmakers are lame ducks and can vote on an unpopular proposal without having to worry about the next election. One, State Rep Mike Smith, D-Canton, said that alone could bring in a vote or two.  "I think that's the opportunity to maybe get someone who's always been for a tax increase but didn't feel that they could politically because of retribution at the ballot box," he said.

Top Democrats say they'll meet as often as it takes to get a framework for an income tax increase.  A vote is expected before a new General Assembly is sworn-in Jan. 12, but nothing is certain.  Lawmakers are scheduled for more lame duck days for the rest of this week.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4817/dem-leaders-talk-tax-hike/

Local Prosecutors: Don’t Rush Death Penalty Vote

By Melissa Leu, Illinois Statehouse News
 With the Illinois Legislature back in full swing, supporters of the death penalty are concerned that lawmakers are rushing into a vote on a proposal that will repeal the death penalty. The Illinois State’s Attorneys Association held a news conference Tuesday urging lawmakers to vote against SB 3539.

“[I] just would hate to see this legislature rush through something without giving consideration. They could abolish the death penalty tomorrow,” said Steve Ferguson, Coles County State’s Attorney.

In 2000, former Illinois Gov. George Ryan placed a temporary moratorium on the death penalty, which has since been upheld. Three years later, two days before leaving office, he commuted the sentences of 167 Death Row prisoners.

Sheldon Sobol, Grundy County state's attorney and president of the Illinois State's Attorneys Association, said that the legislation was rushed through committee and that victims didn’t get a chance to be heard by lawmakers. “When this bill is taken by the Legislature, they have not heard from the most important people that are impacted by this decision,” said Sobol.

Jamie Boyd, Kankakee County state's attorney, who also has served on an Illinois Supreme Court committee on capital cases, said legislators have based their decision on saving money as the state faces a budget deficit of at least $13 billion “[Let’s] talk about the cost of the 18 murders that don’t occur every time someone is executed because we have the death penalty. Those are costs we’re saving,” said Boyd.

You can read Melissa's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4815/local-prosecutors-dont-rush-death-penalty-vote/

Obituaries

David B. Patterson, 82, of Huntley died peacefully Sunday at Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin.
A memorial service will be held noon Sunday, January 16, at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home,, Huntley. Burial will be private later in Pennsylvania. 

Patterson was born March 27, 1928 in Meadville, PA, the son of the late Harry Bruce and Berneice (Haight) Patterson. In Huntley, he served on the Planning Commission for nine years. He's survived by his wife, Mary Gail (Gaenzle) Patterson; his daughter, Deborah (Rick) Burdsall of Palatine; his sons, Bruce (Mary Ann) Patterson of Algonquin  and Bentley Patterson of Naperville and his grandchildren Scott, Steven and James Burdsall, Kathleen and Meredith Patterson and Keith Patterson.  He is also survived by his sister, Dr. Mary Beth Hagamen of Deerfield, MA. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Darlene, and his grandson Drew, who died in 2010.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Breast Cancer Research or American Diabetes Association.

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
January 4
0757 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & PINGREE RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. ELLIS, JAMES M., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 1345 CUNAT CT. APT 3B, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Suspended Registration, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
2211 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & TALAGA DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. KRETTLER, GREGORY S., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 18N635 FIELD CT., WEST DUNDEE. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Expired Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
0855 HRS 40 W. ACORN LN., (KINDERCARE). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Information for police. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1013 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. DEATH INVESTIGATION. Male, 74 years of age, not conscious and not breathing. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY CORONER.
1350 HRS 300 N. RANDALL, (LOWE’S). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 5 years of age, with a head injury. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2336 HRS 900 BLOCK OF TARALON TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 35 years of age, with severe twitching. No transport.

Win, Lose, Show For 2010 Business Openings In Algonquin

Business dynamo Algonquin saw 49 new startups in 2010 according to figures compiled for FEN by Senior Planner Katie Parkhurst.  While that's five more than the previous year, it's only half the story, according to Community Development Director Russ Farnum.

"We have businesses register with us when they open but when they close down they don't necessarily inform us," he said.

For instance, a business to restore old muscle cars that was going to open on Railroad Street early last year had to relocate to make way for the Route 31 Bypass.  It switched to a new site in Fox River Grove but apparently didn't fare very well, there, either.  Only shreds of its website are left on the Internet and the phone's disconnected.

Indeed, the Bypass appears to have shut down or driven away eight Algonquin businesses in 2009.  The Prairie Bike Shop relocated to FRG and Paul Sturznickel's Hansen's Service packed up for Crystal Lake.  Surznickel said of his commercial tenants only McHenry Upholstery Service (now on Main Street) stayed in Algonquin.

Some of the 49 new businesses probably should have been marked with an asterisk, too.  For example, Halloween City was open on South Randall only for a few weeks around (wait for it) Halloween.  "These sorts of things are commonly referred to as 'pop-up' stores," said Farnum.  They come, they go and weeks later hardly anyone remembers they ever existed at all.

Another asterisk probably should go by the Radio Shack kiosk listed for Woods Creek Commons.  It's contact phone is the one for most of the company's nooks added to Target stores around the country this year.

Chains were among some of Algonquin's new openings--Quiznos and Fantastic Sams, for instance. Papa Severio's was an expansion of a regional chain.  One opening was a relocation that merely shifted sales tax revenues from one village to another. That was the popular Burnt Toast restaurant.  Still others, though, were pioneering business plans to boldly go where no man has gone before.  Creperie Normande in Algonquin Commons was one of those.  The most recent, Knock It Off, also in the Commons was another.

Huntley resident Dan Druck opened his store next to Claires just before Christmas offering designer-look accessories at off-the-rack prices.  "People want to look good," he said "but they have to cut back somewhere." 

"I hear designer-look stores are really hot on the West Coast and in Florida so maybe I'm onto something here," he said.

In the pic:  Hampshire residents Laura and Jack Vincent check out high style and low prices at Algonquin's new Knock It Off designer-look store Monday.

Electronics Recycling Dropoff Days Fri, Sat--Dundee Lib

Was there a new flat screen under your tree this year? How about a shiny new monitor? Gaming system? Smart phone?  Kewl but now what are going to do with all the outdated doodads?  The Dundee Township Public Library has an answer, at least for district residents.

Friday and Saturday the library's sponsoring an electronic recycling event in its parking lot.
Friday's dropoff times are 10 am to 4 pm.  Saturday hours are 10 am to 1 pm.  Computers, cell phones, printers, telephones, copy/fax machines, gaming systems and televisions (!) will be accepted and responsibly recycled, according to the library's notice.

Questions? Call the library at 847-428-3661 or visit www.dundeelibrary.info .

In the pic:  People dropped of literally tons of stuff at the Village of Algonquin's e-waste event this past summer.

Hanging Chads Revise Festival Of Trees Voting

Last minute food donations to the Lake in the Hills Festival of Trees Food Drive pushed the total donation almost to 3,000 according to LITH Parks and Recreation Department.  In fact the late food "votes" ended up with the announcement of a new winning tree.

The new winner, with 846 votes, was the tree sponsored by the Lake in the Hills People For Parks Foundation and decorated by the D300 Foundation. Donations from Algonquin-Lakes
Elementary School, Lake in the Hills Elementary School, and Jacobs High School, all in D300, helped top All Star Towing which garnered the original high of 764 donations.

Other high votes went to Lincoln Prairie School (515), Basset Buddies Rescue (134), and Algonquin
Lioness (107). All the food donations went to the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry and other local food pantries.

Sweetener For Existing Boats As Gaming Expansion Changes

Illinois Statehouse News
To get five new casinos, Illinois lawmakers may be willing to make it easier for the state's 10 existing riverboats to expand. State Rep Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said Monday that he is re-tooling the latest gambling expansion package in Springfield to give a sweetener to the nine casinos now open and the one being built in Des Plaines.

"There are going to be provisions in the (new legislation) that will recognize that current gaming operators will have some problems as a result of the smoking ban, as a result of the down economy, and as a result of the increased competition they are going to get under this [plan.]," Lang said. "We're going to provide some credits to them that they are not getting today.  We're going to provide some opportunity for expansion.  We're going to try and make their way a little better."

Tom Swoik, director of the Illinois Casino Gaming and Gaming Association, said as long as the expansion plan's broad strokes stay the same, his opposition won't change. "We're not opposed to new casinos, it's just the number of new casinos and gaming positions under this plan," he said. "It's too much." Swoik's  numbers paint a picture of Illinois brimming with slot machines. "Under this plan Illinois would have more gaming than Missouri, Iowa and Indiana, combined,' said Swoik.

Lang said his additions would give more to Illinois' staggering horse racing industry.  Lang says as many as 50,000 new jobs could be created. State Rep. Mike Tryon said that would be welcome news in McHenry County. "There are 11,000 workers in the horse racing industry today," Tryon said. "Then you have all of the farmers and other associated job across the state.  I think we need to do something to help them all out."

You can read the full report on this at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4809/sweetener-floated-for-existing-boats-as-gaming-expansion-changes/

Teachers Unions Offer Own Education Reform

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Education in Illinois needs revamping, but those involved with the system are at odds over how to accomplish that. While a comprehensive-reform plan was recently introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives, state teachers’ unions laid out their own proposed changes Monday during an Illinois Senate committee hearing.

The unions want school administrators and local school boards to be more responsible for what happens in a school district. Additionally, they are seeking professional training for school board members, a second certification for principals based on performance evaluations, and a list of programs that districts must maintain, said Ken Swanson, president of the Illinois Education Association.

Several union representatives said not all parts of the state's first draft of reform are ill conceived. Like the proposal in the House, the unions would have performance ratings established in the Performance Evaluation and Review Act of 2010 count heavily when districts fill new and vacant positions.

Additionally, like the House version of the plan, the unions want to see tenure based on good evaluation scores. The unions, however, want the length of time for earning tenure shortened from four years to three years, barring no poor evaluations.

The legislation introduced to House must be passed before the new General Assembly gets sworn in on Jan. 12. Otherwise, the whole legislative process would have to start again.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4808/teachers-unions-offer-own-education-reform/

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
January 3
0130 HRS MCHENRY AVE. & RANDALL RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.  ALARCON, SERGIO M., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 936 COVENTRY LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, No Valid Driver’s License, Improper Lane Use, Failure to Signal Lane Change. RELEASED ON BOND.
0849 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & PINGREE RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CUTHBERTSON, CYNTHIA F., F/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 34 SURREY LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1611 HRS 2200 BLOCK OF LITCHFIELD LN. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. AHILLEN, MICHAEL J., M/W 42 YEARS OF AGE, 170 LAKESHORE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1638 HRS RANDALL RD. & ROOSEVELT RD. REVOKED REGISTRATION. BLANCO DIAZ, LUIS R., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 24634 NORELIUS ST., ROUND LAKE BEACH. CHARGES: Revoked Registration, Expired Registration, Operate without License/Registration, Tow Truck ID/Equipment, Overweight on Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
2116 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED.  YILDIRIM, ALIRIZA, M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 1 ASBURY CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Suspended Registration, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1148 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. FOLLOW UP ARREST: VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. EVERTSEN, WILLIAM S., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 120 WOODY WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Violation of an Order of Protection. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0711 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. Male subject e-mailing protected female.
1003 HRS 0 BLOCK OF LA QUINTA CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 55 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1216 HRS 9625 HALIGUS RD., (MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 12 years of age, with neck and back pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1318 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VINTAGE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 83 years of age, with foot pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1508 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF FAIRFAX LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1645 HRS 280 N. RANDALL RD., (ATHLETICO). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 30 years of age, passed out. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1745 HRS 2200 BLOCK OF DAYBREAK DR. DECEPTION. Debit card used online by an unknown subject. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.

Candidate For Finance Committee Head Has Legal Troubles

The McHenry County Board this week will appoint committees for the next two years including the head of the powerful Finance and Audit Committee.  FEN has learned the leading candidate for that post is due to be prosecuted by the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois for complaints of alleged legal and financial misconduct.

The County Board's Committee on Committees made up a list of committee recommendations Dec. 21.  There are several versions of the list circulating but two of the most authoritative show District 1 Member Bob Bless, Fox River Grove, heading Finance and Audit.  The committee's been led for four terms by District 1's Marc Munaretto, Algonquin, but he failed to put his name in the hat for any committee spots this time.

Bless, a Cook County Sheriff's deputy and attorney who also holds a real estate sales license, joined the Board in 2008.  His first term was marked mostly by near silence during Board meetings.

In the midst of that term, July 27, 2009, the ARDC received a complaint about Bless from a widow who now lives in Wauconda.  She claimed Bless had been her attorney, became her lover and hadn't paid back a lot of money she'd loaned him.

According to an ARDC investigation dated Aug. 30, 2010, five years ago Bless's law firm took over a suit about the alleged wrongful death of Kathleen Scott's late husband, Bless taking personal charge of the case in 2006. Later that year according to the report Bless and Scott began a "sexual relationship".  Besides the wrongful death case the report found Bless represented Scott in a number of real estate transactions over the next couple of years and borrowed about $125,000 from her.

The loans reportedly included, among others, a $50,000 personal loan, $25,000 to buy Bless a BMW convertible, $3,800 to take a course to pass the Florida Bar exam and about $2,800 for postage to mail campaign material for his County Board run.  About $15,000 worth of the loans were to Bless's law firm.

Some of the loans were secured by a commercial property in Palatine that Bless owned with his father and his law partner.  According to the report, Bless set up a complicated deal in which Scott would pay Bless's father and partner another $58,000 and forgive about $65,000 worth of the loans to Bless in return for 49.5 percent interest in the property.  According to the ARDC report  last year it all ended up in the name of Bless's father.

The report also claims Bless texted Scott not to tell investigators about the sexual and personal relationship with him because "I could lose my license."

Bless's answer dated Oct. 21 admits the relationship with Scott but said that he never represented her in her late husband's wrongful death case and other people put his name on court documents without his knowing about it.  He also claimed he didn't represent her in the real estate transactions, merely accompanying her "as a friend". He admitted borrowing some of the money but said the rest was payments on the Palatine commercial property, not loans, and the part where his father ended up owning all of it was just "one step in a process" that would have ended up with Scott having 49.5 percent interest in it.

He also said he didn't remember texting Scott to keep quiet about their relationship but said if he did he didn't mean in a legal deposition.

ARDC Deputy Administrator Jim Grogan said last week the complaints against Bless haven't been proven yet, analogizing them to an indictment rather than a conviction.  "It's our burden of proof," he said to show that Bless did all the things charged.

FEN was unable to locate a Scott civil suit against Bless in Cook, Kane or McHenry counties. FEN couldn't check Lake County.  

Bless said late last week he was unable to comment on the allegations.  "I'd really like to," he said.  "This is really frustrating."

Grogan said the next conference on the case won't be until March 15 and it likely won't be heard by a panel until mid-year.

The ARDC complaint can be read here: https://www.iardc.org/10PR0133CM.html
Bless's answer is here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/46200089/Answer-to-Complaint-amp-First-Report-Pursuant-to-Commission-Rule-253-1

In the pic:  Bless is alleged to have sold just short of half of this defunct auto stereo store in Palatine to a woman complaining he hasn't paid back money she loaned him while he was her attorney.

New Years Day Fire Damages Algonquin Home

An Algonquin family spent Sunday repairing and cleaning their home after a fire late New Years Day.Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District firefighters sent 20 minutes putting out a chimney fire that had spread to the attic at 610 Circle Drive, Algonquin. No firefighters were injured and the family and their pets had left the home before the District and trucks from Carpentersville, Crystal Lake, Huntley got there.

Battalion Chief John Greene said the fire began in the chimney and thought it was a good idea to remind everyone with a fireplace to have the chimney cleaned and serviced regularly.

In the pic:  Repair crews had already boarded up the chimney chase of the home at 610 Circle Drive Sunday afternoon.

Winter Tree Trimming Underway In Algonquin

"A lot of people wonder what we do in the winter besides plowing snow," said Algonquin Parks Superintendent and Forester Steve Ludwig.  "Well, this is it."

He was referring to tree trimming underway last week in the Village's Brittany Hills neighborhood.
"It's part of our cyclical program. We trim every tree every five years," said Ludwig.  "This year we'll do about 3,700 trees.  We prune them so they'll clear traffic and sidewalks and to remove storm damage."

"We have about 20,000 trees that we're responsible for," Ludwig said happily.

D300 Piano Festival Tuning Up For March Event

Registration's open now for District 300's annual Piano Festival.  Open to students grades 3 through 12 the non-competitive program showcases student talent tickling the ivories.

The entry deadline is Feb. 1.  The event itself is March 22 at Westfield Community School in Algonquin. The entry form is here:
http://www.d300.org/file/Piano%20Festival%20Packet%202011%20-%20corrected%20version.pdf

There are categories for beginner piano students and for more advanced ones, too.  The entry fee's $5 in either case.

In the pic:  FEN music critic Billy followed Piano Festival Manager Emily VanPuyenbroeck's advice Sunday--"Practice, Practice, Practice." With hardly any duress, too.

Financial and Professional Regulation

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
announced the following area disciplinary orders in the month of November.

The following individuals’ real estate salesperson licenses were placed in refuse to renew status
due to a failure to complete the required continuing education and for falsification of renewal
application:
Jamie Andrychowski, Huntley
Gerald Carlson, Huntley

Casement Mortgage Brokers, Inc., Elgin – residential mortgage license was revoked and fined $10,000 for failure to permit examination by the Department.

Stacey Matson, Elgin – clinical professional counselor license  indefinitely suspended for a minimum of one year after she engaged in an improper personal relationship with a patient.

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
January 2
0037 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALEXANDRA BLVD. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. MONTERO-PEDRAZA, HUGO, M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 1295 MERRIMACK COURTM CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No Valid Driver’s License, Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
0147 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SMALE JR, TERRANCE K., M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 28905 W SOUTH ST., CARY. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0736 HRS ALEXANDRA BLVD. & YELLOWSTONE CIRCLE. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. WESTPHAL, JEFFREY B., M/W 27 YEARS OF AGE, 1600 SKYRIDGE DR. #1, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Over .08. RELEASED ON BOND.
1446 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF FOXFIELD LN. HIT & RUN. Vehicle hit in driveway by an unknown vehicle. Property damage only.
1503 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Damage to gas tank. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2147 HRS 00 BLOCK OF TWELVE LAKES CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 3 years of age, with a concussion. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2152 HRS 200 BLOCK OF ACORN LN. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Stereo, shoes, and a gym bag were taken from a vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2206 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assisted the McHenry County Sheriffs Department with serving an order of protection.
2240 HRS 200 BLOCK OF ACORN LN. FOUND ARTICLE. Black CD case with one CD inside was found.
2244 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2331 HRS 2118 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (CEDAR RIDGE PLAZA) CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Graffiti found on the electrical boxes.
Algonquin
December 30
08:08am Pakula, Piotr K., DOB: 04/17/84, of 9220 Sally Lane Apt #G, Shiller Park, was charged with DWLS and Disobeying a Traffic Control Device.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Butterfield Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/02/11 in McHenry County.
December 31
01:10am Valdez-Cazares, Enrique, DOB: 09/16/72, of 613 Chardonnay Lane, Crystal Lake, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance and Speeding.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Rolls Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/15/11 in McHenry County.
02:47am McConnell, Jeffrey B., DOB: 07/03/90, of 2328 Paradise, Rockford, was charged with Criminal Damage to Property.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Countryside Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
17:35pm Famolaro, Hannah M., DOB: 12/13/92, of 4109 Fox Creek Drive, Crystal Lake, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/02/11 in McHenry County.  Also taken into custody during the same incident was a 15 year-old female from Crystal Lake who was also charged with Retail Theft.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 02/23/11 in Algonquin.
21:54pm Gesse, Matthew R., DOB: 01/06/87, of 615 Alexandria Court, Itasca, was charged with Interfering with the Reporting of a Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 125 S. Oakleaf Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/02/11 in McHenry County.
January 1
21:33pm Villegas, Guadalupe, DOB: 12/17/90, of 500 W. Washington Street, Harvard, was charged with DWLS.  She was taken into custody at W. Algonquin Road and Meyer Drive.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/09/11 in McHenry County.
21:45pm A 16 year-old female from Crystal Lake was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Caputo’s & Sons, 100 S. Randall Road.  She was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of her parents.
22:06pm Perez, Efren, DOB: 01/30/74, of 554 Barrett, Elgin, was charged with DUI and No Valid Driver’s License.  He was taken into custody at 125 S. Randall Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
23:58pm Escareno, Jesus U., DOB: 06/29/89, of 1492 Brownstone Court Apt #201, Mount Prospect, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Disobeying a Traffic Control Device.  He was taken into custody at S. Harrison Street and Route 62.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/02/11 in McHenry County.
January 2
Sobieski, Mark J., DOB: 04/10/58, of 591 Darlington Lane Apt #25, Crystal Lake, was charged with DUI and Failure to Yield.  He was taken into custody at Edgewood Drive and Route 31.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 02/09/11 in McHenry County.
23:35pm A 16 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody in the 100 block of S. Oakleaf.  He was Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his mother.

Tryon: Defining Moment Coming To Legislature

State Rep. Mike Tryon figures 2011 will be "a defining moment for Illinois."  Not the old Legislature's final session full of flashy bills but the next Legislature's new sessions when lawmakers will hammer out a solution to the state's financial woes.  Or not.

"I got a call yesterday about if I'd vote for medical cannabis," said Tryon in a FEN interview late last week.  Pot for patients is just one "hot button bill" set for the lame duck session starting Monday.  Abolishing the death penalty's another.  "There's 30 members leaving," said Tryon.  "They'll tend to vote a little more freely than if they had to regard what their districts want," he observed.

"(House Speaker Mike) Madigan will bring out all the bills that are so divisive while (Democrats) still have a bigger edge," said Tryon.

It's after the new Legislature begins Jan. 12 that Tryon sees the real battle coming.  "It's going to define if we can go forward and be competitive or just maintain all the spending priorities that we have today," said Tryon who's focused more on the state's outgo than income. "The Governor's (proposed) one percent (income tax increase) doesn't do much for the deficit.  What are you going to do two years from now then you run out of money (again)?" Tryon asked.

That's not to say Tryon's given up opposing a tax increase.  Later he warns that a 1 percent boost in personal income tax probably carries with it a 1.5 percent increase in the corporate income tax.  "That'll help bring a lot of new businesses and jobs to Illinois," he scoffed.

Tryon sees lots of problems with the State's budget but views its pension systems funding as the 800-pound gorilla.  "There's no way for the State to cover (an estimated underfunding of) $80 billion.  That's $25,000 per household," said Tryon raising his voice practically a whole decibel, the equivalent to a shriek for most other people.  "How do you raise taxes for that?"

After a digression on whether the State can legally welsh on its pension promises Tryon admitted the State's going to have to find more money somewhere.  "There needs to be a revenue solution," he said.  "You can't get it out of cuts."  He's got a couple of money sources in mind.

One is to sell some state assets. That worked for Chicago for a while until it ran out of things to sell.  The other would probably ignite a political firestorm, though. That's to start taxing pensions.

"The people who don't participate are the people who created the problem," said Tryon. "So we tax anything above $24,000," he said. "There's (retired school) Superintendants getting $200,000 pensions a year.  That's $2 billion.  We're halfway to solving the problem."

Halfway is a long way from fixed, though.  Back on the spending side again Tryon sees the State's Medicaid program, now roughly one third of outlays, as a candidate for reform.  He listed several procedural changes that could bring costs back down but said the main change was tightening eligilibility.  "We can't keep it at 400 percent of the poverty level," said Tryon.  The solution he believes is, "Anybody at 165 percent (the federal minimum) has to pay more than they're paying now."

Mostly, though, Tryon said he believes the Governor and the Legislature have to get serious about solving the State's money problems.  "In the past two years we've had budgets that were cynically, knowingly irreconcilable," he said. "You can't make outlays shrink if government expands."

He's even willing to give his own party some of the blame. "If there was a serious effort to reduce the budget 10 percent that would be achievable," said Tryon. "To tell you the truth there's not a lot of push on the Republican side to make cuts."

That, Tryon thinks, is going to change soon.  "I can't help it," he said. "There's no more money."

New Year Means New Illinois Laws

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
In a brand new year Illinois residents can no longer give unlimited amounts of cash to political candidates, get high on fake marijuana or buy a pet monkey. These changes, along with nearly 200 other laws, kicked in at the stroke of midnight Friday.

Campaign money
Sometimes referred to as the “wild west” of campaign financing, Illinois’ political donation landscape is supposed to be tamer now. Individuals will be limited to giving a candidate $5,000 per election cycle, and businesses, unions, and political action committees to $10,000, under a new law.

Candidates will have more responsibility under the new law, too.  They must file twice as many campaign expenditure and contribution reports  – every three months instead of every six – under the new regime. Also, candidates must make public all donations of more than $1,000 within five business days, or within two business days if the money comes in a month before an election.

Elections
After pushing the primary election back to February in 2008 to help Barack Obama beat his Democratic rivals, the state has now returned the election to the Tuesday in March in even numbered years.

During the next gubernatorial race, voters will cast ballots for governor and lieutenant governor the same way they do for president and vice president, as a team. This change came after Scott Lee Cohen came out of nowhere to win the Democratic lieutenant governor nomination, only to bow out after allegations of past drug abuse and domestic violence surfaced, and run for governor as an independent. 

Sexting
Generally, the law is playing catch up with technology. Such is the case with the trend of sending sexually graphic photos or video of oneself to someone by cell phone or e-mail. This is a trend that is especially popular among younger people. Prior to the passage of a new law, prosecutors could only seek felony child pornography charges against minors caught “sexting,” something most prosecutors were hesitant to do.

In the new year, minors caught sexting can instead be taken to juvenile court to determine if they qualify for court supervision. Minors could be ordered into counseling or other similar services, as well as given community service, in place of being charged with a felony.

Primate Pets
Even though monkeys haven't appeared in pet store windows for years, it has still been legal for a person to keep a primate as a pet. In order to protect the animals, as well as the owners, the legislature approved a plan to outlaw having primate pets, except for properly designated entities like zoos.

“Most people simply cannot provide an appropriate environment for these highly intelligent and social creatures … You can’t provide what a primate needs in a basement or a bedroom,” said Michael Markariam, chief operating officer for the Human Society of the United States.

Synthetic Dope
Illinois residents will have one fewer way to get high in 2011. Two synthetic forms of marijuana, formerly readily available, are now banned. Called K2, Spice, or Blaze, the drug is a manufactured form of THC, the altered-state inducing chemical in marijuana, and is generally sold as incense. However, people smoke it like they would pot. The drug is currently illegal in 15 other states, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency put a year-long ban on K2 while it performs a study of the drug’s effects.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4796/a-new-year-means-new-laws-for-illinois-residents/

In the pic: First they outlaw pet monkeys.  What's next, X-ray glasses?  Not that anyone needs them with sexting.

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
January 01
0201 HRS 700 BLOCK OF ELDERBERRY CT. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. MCBRIDE, ANTHONY R., M/B 21 YEARS OF AGE, 4290 BARHARBOR DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Obstructing a Peace Officer, Aggravated Assault, Speeding, Failure to Signal, Failure to Yield Turning Left, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
1509 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF HERON DR. FOLLOW-UP REPORT: DOMESTIC BATTERY. Delayed information to supplement this incident which was dated 12/30/10.
0413 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF RONAN DR. DOMESTIC. Brother vs. sister. Verbal only.  No priors.
1149 HRS 500 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. Mailbox. Property damage only.
1230 HRS 200 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. STRUCTURE FIRE. Assisted the Fire Department with a structure fire.
1359 HRS 3900 BLOCK OF BLACKBERRY DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. One prior.
1624 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HALFMOON GATE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 55 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2200 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assisted the Algonquin Police Department on a retail theft.