Feb. 24 For More Grafton Argument If No Agreement

"I'm sure Your Honor doesn't want to hear this but there are issues," said Grafton Township's now- Special Counsel Tom DiCianni at the start of Friday's progress check in the court battle for Grafton control.

DiCianni told Judge Michael Caldwell the issues centered on Supervisor Linda Moore's non-payment of bills and return of financial records so the Township can conduct an audit. He said he planned to offer motions about those things and Caldwell gave him until Feb. 4 to do it. The judge set Feb. 24 to hear arguments on them.

There's a chance, though, that won't be necessary, said Moore attorney John Nelson who mumbled in open court.  "We're going to try to work something out," he said out in the hall. 

DiCianni who now represents the Trustees on the Grafton Board in their mutual court battles with Moore didn't sound quite so optimistic.  "The next priority is the audit," he said.

Moore, herself, wasn't present at Friday's status check.  The anti-Moore grapevine said it was because she was afraid Caldwell would clap her in jail.  Moore who wasn't at her office Friday, either, said in an email this morning that she had a fever and didn't really need to be in court since she had Nelson to ably represent her.

"Need" Hearing, May Deadline Set For Huntley Hospital

May 10 is the tentative date for the Illinois Health Facilities and Review Board to rule on a proposed new 128-bed Centegra hospital for Huntley.  Meanwhile the Illinois Health Department this week set Feb. 16 as the date for a public hearing in Huntley about whether anyone needs it.

Centegra asked for the hearing last week. CEO Michael Eesley said in a news release, “We want to give our many supporters the opportunity to learn more about our plans and to share their enthusiasm.”  However, one Huntley official observed Friday, "This isn't a 'Rah,Rah' meeting.  It's part of an official medical process."

IDPH's meeting notice specifies that "all allegations or assertions should be relevant to the need for the proposed project." It also asks for "documentation or materials" to support comments, two copies, on 8 1/2 by 11 paper.  A Centegra release Friday about the meeting mentions the hospital's "many positive impacts on the local economy" but those don't have anything to do with the medical need for the facility.

Eesley called the southeastern corner of McHenry County 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,” he said.  He pointed in particular to nearby Sun City as "a portion of the population that could greatly benefit from it."

That might be the kind of edge Centegra needs since the Review Board, in effect, has to decide not only if the area needs a hospital but where one ought to be built if it does.  Mercy Health Systems proposed a near-identical hospital in Crystal Lake the same week Centegra asked for permission to put its facility in Huntley.  So far, Mercy hasn't asked for a public hearing.

The one on Centegra's proposal will be Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 10 am in the Huntley Village Board Room.

Centrgra's added links on its Huntley Hospital website to sign support petitions, comment on the project or write a letter of support.  You can find them here:

http://centegrahospitalhuntley.org/

In the pic:  What Centegra would like to build in the cornfield at Reed and Haligus roads.

MCC Administrative Rebuilding Continues

Mchenry County College's new Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer pronounced MCC's finances healthy this week, as long as state funding holds out.  According to a release this week MCC's State Funding has declined to only seven percent of its revenue and McHenry resident Larry West plans to lobby so it doesn't fall any further.

West's the college's first permanent Treasurer since Administrative Services VP and Treasurer Ron Ally left nearly two years ago to become Elgin Schools CFO.  His replacement,Frank Zeller only lasted a few months at which point the college split the position in two.  Ex-Blackhawk College CFO Don Wilske stepped in as acting CFO, now replaced by West, but the college still has to find an Administrative Services VP to take over for acting head Vern Manke.

As MCC’s CFO, West is responsible for overseeing all college finances, including budgeting, Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, investments, and working cash.

MCC's entire upper tier of administrators has turned over now in the wake of the resignation or ouster of former President Walt Packard almost two years ago.

In the pic: New MCC Treasurer Larry West.

LITH Sets Pre-Valentine Daddy Daughter Date Night

Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department is taking reservations for its annual Daddy Daughter Date Night Friday, Feb. 11.

The evening will begin with a meal at 5:30 pm, then an evening of pictures, crafts, and a manicure followed by dancing. (Boogie oogie oogie, till you just can't boogie no more, even if the kids can.) The event ends at 8 but the girls get a special treat bag.  Dad gets to drive.

The special night is for girls ages 4 through 11 and Dads of all ages. Cost is $35 for residents and $42 for non-residents. The fee for additional daughters is $20 for residents and $24 for non-residents. The registration deadline is Feb. 4, and there are no refunds after the deadline. The place to register is here:

https://jobs.lith.org/webtrac/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/wbar0220.html?search-name=3071

Parks and Rec warns space is limited to 45 couples and will fill quickly.

In the pic: An earlier Daddy Daughter Date Night.

Wisconsin Works To Poach Illinois Businesses

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Leaders in neighboring states have used Illinois’ recent income tax increase to try to lure businesses into moving, and Wisconsin could soon have another piece of bait in that battle: tax breaks.

A plan to forgive income taxes for two years for businesses that move to Illinois’ northern neighbor has passed through one chamber of Wisconsin’s Legislature and is now awaiting state Senate approval. The measure got overwhelming approval in Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled state Assembly, and could be passed out of the Republican-controlled state Senate as early as next week. It would then go to GOP Gov. Scott Walker, who campaigned on corporate income tax breaks.

“It’s like when you see these rental properties that might have a bunch of empty units and offers the first month’s rent free if you sign a lease with us. It’s the same concept,” Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said.

Walker has been vocal about trying to lure companies out of Illinois and into his state since the income tax hike, but at least one Wisconsin business isn’t listening. Jim Rozell owns a hotel analytics company in Glendale, WI, but plans to relocate to Chicago by the end of the year. Hotel Compete currently has five employees, but Rozell said he will likely hire 10 more people once he comes to Illinois.

Rozell said he started planning the move before taxes went up Illinois, but hearing about it didn’t deter him. “Initially one of my big deciding factors was that taxes were much lower (in Illinois). Even with your tax increase, it’s still lower than Wisconsin,” Rozell said.

Quinn’s office has been working to counter claims by Walker and opponents of the tax increase in Illinois that employers will flee the state now. Earlier in the week it was announced that  Evraz Inc., a steel company, will locate its North American headquarters to Chicago, bringing with it 70 jobs. And Quinn’s office sent out a release Friday afternoon announcing that Becker Iron & Metal, a scrap metal company, would be moving from Missouri to Illinois, bringing with it 40 jobs.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4977/wisconsin-works-to-poach-illinois-businesses/

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 21
0811 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. WANTED ON WARRANT. GARCIA, JACOB F., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 2781 MELBOURNE LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant, Kane County, Failure to Appear, Possession of Marijuana, $750 Full Cash. RELEASED ON BOND.
1335 HRS 30 BLOCK HILLTOP DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. STEVENS, DANIEL M., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 1210 BURR ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Over .08 and Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
1827 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). INTERFERENCE WITH COURT ORDER. BAILEY, TANYA A., F/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 219 LOCUST ST., MARENGO. VISITATION CHARGES: Notice to Appear for Interference with a Court Ordered Visitation. NOTICE TO APPEAR.
0703 HRS 800 BLOCK OF JESSIE RD. HIT & RUN. Vehicle hit a light pole then left. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1024 HRS PINGREE RD. & RAKOW RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1157 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HAZELWOOD CT. MISSING ADULT. Male, 40 years of age, has not been home since Monday. Entered into LEADS. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1215 HRS 2500 FAIRFAX LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 72 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1313 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. SUICIDAL SUBJECT. Male, 50 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Alexian Brothers Hospital.
1319 HRS 4900 BLOCK OF PRINCETON LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 38 years of age, vomiting blood. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1509 HRS FRANK RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 33 years of age difficulty breathing. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1548 HRS 100 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Delayed from 012011, son struck mother. 2 priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1905 HRS 4500 BLOCK OF MACKINAC ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 82 years of age feeling ill. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1945 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD., (AMC THEATERS). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Male, 11 years of age fabricated a story.
1946 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 85 years of age not feeling well. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2043 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Basement window of residence was damaged. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.

No Bids, New Player Revealed For Riverside Square

More than two years after construction stopped, Algonquin's decrepit Riverside Square now isn't  worth $1.25 million.  That was the minimum qualifying bid in a court-ordered auction to be held Thursday but no one submitted even that much.

Only two buyers showed up for the auction despite as many as 30 who expressed initial interest, according to the building's receiver.   Plote, Inc., Hoffman Estates, submitted a bid below the minimum but VP Dan Shepard wouldn't say how far below.  John Breugelmans from Lakeland Asset Management, Des Plaines, didn't bid at all.  Judge Michael Caldwell set the next court date for March 3 to see if  the two dozen claimants against Riverside Square can agree to a new even lower opening auction price.

However, a visibly disappointed Village Manager, Bill Ganek, said Algonquin would continue next Friday to try to get another circuit court judge to order the half-finished building torn down. "The property remains unsafe as it is and we haven't seen any action to change that," he said.  Algonquin Village Attorney Kelly Cahill said Algonquin had to go to court last week for an emergency order to have the building's owner, Harris Bank, board up all the windows FEN first reported broken in October.

Besides the bankruptcy court, the two circuit courts, all the stiffed contractors, the bank and the village, another Riverside Square player was revealed Thursday, one who might decide to throw in the towel. "(Harris) is going to sit down with the FDIC representatives next week to see where this is going," said attorney Scott Koenig.  He said the meeting would try to determine if Riverside Square "still has value and is a viable asset."

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation got involved when it forced the sale of Riverside Square's original failing lender, Amcore Bank, to Harris last April.  When that happened Harris confirmed it had taken over the moribund luxury condo project in Algonquin, but Koenig's comments Thursday indicated FDIC must have retained some sort of interest or control.

Koenig wouldn't talk about that to reporters and a Harris spokesman declined to comment Thursday citing "confidentiality."  FEN was unable to contact FDIC spokesmen in Washington or the Chicago regional office Thursday.

In the pic: Bankruptcy receiver Mike Kayman told the court his "read" was that Algonquin would like to have Riverside Square finished and paying taxes but that outcome literally isn't looking very good.

Robinson Tells At-Risk Students "It's About Choices"

Algonquin Argonauts Head Coach (and, oh, yeah, ex-Bears wide receiver) Marcus Robinson drew a little energy Thursday from the upcoming playoff to try to show at-risk students at Dundee-Crown High School there's still a chance for them to make "the right choices".

Robinson met with three groups of (male) students in the school's C.A.R.E. mentorship program. "I came from the projects," Robinson told the kids.  "In fact my address was 250 Project Drive," he said.  "My dad was a heroin addict who left when I was four."

"I had that background," said Robinson.  "Guess what?  I had the opportunity to change it.  It's about the choices you make."

Afterward one youth thanked him for coming, then suddenly hugged the startled youth role model.

LITH Skate Rinks Ready Again

If nothing else good comes out of the cold snap, at least Lake in the Hills had a chance to rebuild the skating rinks at Sunset and Stoneybrook Parks Thursday.  The January Thaw rain over New Years' Day washed the earlier versions away.

Jerry Marsh at LITH Public works explained it's not just a matter of flooding a court since they're crowned for drainage.  "That would take a huge amount of water," he said.  Instead Department workers spray thin coats of water over the frozen pads until they have enough laminations for a good skating surface.

In the pic:  Kym Griffiths and Jeff Raup from LITH Public Works building up the rink at Stoneybrook Thursday morning.  They said they planned to do Sunset in the afternoon.

Overdue Bills Still Bedevil Illinois

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
The state’s stack of unpaid bills will soon double despite an income tax increase, according to state Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. “By the time we get through four years from now and all of this and what they’re able to spend, we will probably have a debt of $12 billion of unpaid bills that have yet to be dealt with,” the Riverside Republican said.

Topinka said her office is now working on getting last August’s bills paid. A plan to issue $8.75 billion in bonds to get social services, hospitals and others the money they are due was introduced at the same time as the tax increase, but the measure did not pass. State Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, has reintroduced the bill in the new Legislature as Senate Bill 3. Democrats, who were the only ones to vote for the tax hike, said borrowing is essential to relieving the state’s financial distress.

Shortly after the income tax increase passed the state House of Representatives, House Republican Leader Tom Cross said his caucus would be willing to consider voting for borrowing, but not without some concessions. “We’ll look at it to pay our vendors, but we’re going to look at it a different way. It might be a smaller amount, we might say you’ve got to cut somewhere else, we might say you have to look at (workers’ compensation), I don’t know what else we might say,” Cross said.

While the Legislature works on the borrowing, Topinka said she is trying to make it so she can pay bills incrementally. Currently, any receipt given to the state has to be paid in full, which has caused a lot of problems, according to Topinka. “If the Legislature would allow us to pay at least some of it, then at least we can get, especially with smaller businesses, who might be holding on by their fingertips, we will get them something in an orderly, predictable fashion,” she said.

Some is better than none, said Mike Heath, executive director for Good Samaritan House Ministries, a soup kitchen, food pantry and shelter assistance service in the southern Illinois city of Carbondale. “If you don’t know at all when it’s coming, that’s not a good thing because you can’t plan ahead. If you’ve got a date knowing you’re going to get part of it, that’s better from a budget point of view than knowing nothing,” Heath said.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4967/old-overdue-bills-still-an-issue-for-illinois/

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 20
0124 HRS ROUTE 47 & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. DECKMANN, NICHOLAS W., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 450 ELM STREET, SYCAMORE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08 and Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1337 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & RANDALL RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. VIVERO, JOSE, M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 55 HILLTOP DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant Dupage County Sheriff, Failure to Appear for Driving Under the Influence, bond amount $ 8,000
10% applies, Driving While License Revoked and Disobeying a Traffic Control Device. RELEASED ON BOND.
0855 HRS 4500 BLOCK OF HERON DR. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. son. Verbal only. No priors.
1352 HRS 250 N. RANDALL, (COSTCO). DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1701 HRS 200 BLOCK OF BOULDER DR. HIT & RUN. Vehicle struck mailbox and left.
2046 HRS 0 BLOCK OF TURNBERRY CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 24 years of age had taken unknown amount of pills. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
Algonquin
January 17
00:13am Habich, Stacey E., DOB: 09/20/82, of 1238 N. Green Street, McHenry, was charged with DUI, Improper Lane Usage and Unsafe Tires.  She was taken into custody at Highland Avenue and Route 62.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 02/23/11 in McHenry County.
07:43am Moreno, Pedro R., DOB: 09/08/91, of 1621 Cumberland Parkway, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 1621 Cumberland Parkway.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
16:11pm Ward, Stacy M., DOB: 12/23/56, of 515 Harper Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/23/11 in McHenry County.
January 18
16:37pm Mitchell, Stacy M., DOB: 08/01/72, of 10413 Wilmette Avenue, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery and Resisting Arrest.  She was taken into custody at McDonald’s, 500 E. Algonquin Road.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
19:53pm Lanners, Michael T, DOB: 11/29/71, of 9912 Captains Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Cook County for Contempt of Court.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $1000, with a court date of 02/09/11 in Cook County.
22:46pm A 17 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody in the 1400 block of Greenridge Avenue.  He was Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his mother.
23:53pm Rhonish, Kyle S., DOB: 08/11/88, of 1104 Maple Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DUI, DUI Over and No Headlights.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 03/02/11 in McHenry County.
January 19
19:31pm Gillette, Trent A., DOB: 03/27/68, of 307 Hiawatha Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLS and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Huntington Drive.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 02/23/11 in McHenry County.
January 20
00:18am Thibeau, Matthew J., DOB: 12/02/57, of 1749 Bluestem Lane, Glenview, was charged with DUI, DUI Over and Improper Lane Usage.  He was taken into custody at Hansen Road and Sandpiper Road.  He was released after posting $300 with a court date of 02/23/11 in McHenry County.
03:53am Meiners, James I., DOB: 05/23/83, of 728 Liberty Street, West Dundee, was charged with DUI, DUI Over, Speeding and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at Huntley Road and S. Randall Road.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 02/23/11 in McHenry County.
15:17pm Rodriguez, Elizabeth, DOB: 12/13/91, of 15 Arrowhead Drive Apt #19, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS and No Proof of  Insurance.  She was also Wanted on a Warrant, out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear, on a DWLS charge.  She was taken into custody at Sandbloom Road and Souwanas Trail.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
Huntley
January 11
A theft report was taken at the high school.  A student reported that his iPhone was stolen out of his unlocked gym locker.
Jose J. Correa-Mendez, age 35, of 1431 Liberty, Aurora, IL was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and no valid safety test and was cited for driving with no proof of insurance.  Mr. Correa-Mendez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County Court date of February 4, 2011.
January 13
Christina R. Pavone, age 32, of 10830 Winge Pointe Dr., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and driving while registration suspended and was cited for failure to signal when required.  Ms. Pavone posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of January 28, 2011.
A 14 year-old male was arrested for battery.  The juvenile was released to his parents and will attend peer jury.
2011  A 14 year-old male was arrested for disorderly conduct.  The juvenile was released to his parents and will attend peer jury.
January 14
Vidail Florian, age 27, of 1482 Meyer St, Elgin, was arrested for driving with no valid driver’s license and was cited for failure to signal when required.  Mr. Florian posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 18, 2011.
Four criminal damage to vehicle reports were taken.  All vehicles had their windows broken. The incidents took place in the 10100 block of Dunhill, 10900 block of Fairbluff Dr., and the 10700 and 10600 blocks of Midwest Dr.
January 15
Jason A. Smith, age 29, of 878 Suzanne Ln., Elgin, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for registration suspended for non-insurance.  Mr. Smith posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 25, 2011.
Maria Veronica Gallardo-Ramirez, age 26, of 267 Willowbrook #1d, Woodstock, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Ms. Gallardo-Ramirez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 18, 2011.

Deputy's Sheriff Charges: "No Prosecutive Merit"

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office released a letter from the FBI Wednesday discounting a deputy's charges against Sheriff Keith Nygren.  The letter from the head of the agency's Chicago office said, "none of the information provided...was determined to have prosecutive merit."

Deputy Scott Milliman in a deposition partially revealed two weeks ago claimed that Nygren told him to kill two people, that the Sheriff and a crony run an illegal alien railroad into McHenry County and that attorneys settled County criminal cases with Nygren bribes.

The FBI letter was a response to a request from the Sheriff's office for information about Milliman's charges.  Undersheriff Andy Zinke made the request Dec. 3 and said Wednesday he received the response dated Jan. 4 "last week."  Zinke said he couldn't talk about Milliman or his allegations but wasn't allowed to say why. Milliman, placed on administrative leave Dec. 23, told FEN he, too, was unable to comment right now since the deposition isn't finished yet.

Milliman's claims figure in two different Nygren court cases.  Their existence was first revealed Dec. 15 in the federal civil rights case of another deputy, Zane Seipler, who claims he was fired for complaining about racial profiling in Sheriff's Office arrests.  The deposition was also cited in Seipler's Circuit Court case asking for a special prosecutor to investigate Nygren.

No one except attorneys and the Sheriff have seen the allegations the FBI discounted.  The court reporting service that recorded Milliman's statement told FEN no one could have a copy without a release from all parties to the federal suit.  However, Jan. 6 the Crystal Lake Northwest Herald showed it had obtained a copy publishing a column ridiculing it.  Three days later it ran a news story summarizing the 200-page document but didn't publish any of the statement itself.

Nygren defense attorney in the federal case, James Sotos, said he didn't plan to give the FBI letter to the judge there.  "Milliman's statements never made any sense, anyway," he said.  McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Don Leist who defended Nygren in the Circuit Court case couldn't be reached Wednesday. Seipler's attorney in both cases, Blake Horwitz, said he was unable to comment on the FBI letter since he hadn't seen it yet.

The letter ends saying, "The federal Privacy Act prohibits me from relaying the substance of the information provided by Deputy Milliman." The Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits government release of information without the consent of the person the information's about.  There are 12 exceptions to that, however.  One is a request for "civil or criminal law enforcement activity."

The FBI letter can be read here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/47240365/FBI-Letter

D300 Budget Cuts Sharpened At Finance Committee Meet

The Board of Education Finance Committee discussed revisions to District 300's draft 2011-12 budget Wednesday but said they still didn't know if a 67 percent increase in Illinois' income tax rate would help them dig out of a projected $8.3 million deficit.

A week after the measure passed there's been no word from Springfield on the tax hike's impact on State aid to education.  "I don't think they have a plan," said Board Member Chris Stanton.

State funds provide about one quarter of District 300's yearly revenue and with the school year half over the State's paid nothing of what it owes so far, around $9 million.  Member Dave Alessio was hopeful that will change now.  "They'll look like fools if they pass the increase and then don't pay the bills."

How much money the District can expect from the State next year is the main area of uncertainty in the new budget, according to Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates.  Last week the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics announced the cost of living rose 1.5 percent in 2010. That sets the cap on any increase in property taxes due next year.  Likewise, Crates said, she's pretty sure how many students the District's going to have.  "We just got our enrollment projections done today," she said.  "I'm already figuring out how many teachers we're going to need."

What they'll teach is going to be one of the big questions the Board will face.  Crates' latest revision of the budget hitlist puts cuts in elective course costs at a minimum of $250,000, and as high as $2.5 million if the District can't win a wage and benefit freeze in coming teacher contract negotiations.  "What that'll be is the minimum State requirement for graduation," summed up Alessio.

The full Board of Education meets Monday to review the latest version of proposed budget reductions and perhaps to change the schedule of meetings about them, too.  Board President Joe Stevens said he thought suggestions from the public ought to come before the Finance Committee does its final review but the deadline for a new budget will remain Feb. 28.

Separately, the Board announced Wednesday that the next meeting and the ones from now on will move to Algonquin's Westfield School.  The announcement said the boardroom at District headquarters in Carpentersville is too small for the crowds that have been turning up lately.

LITH Carryout Restaurant Goes Sitdown

The game of business musical chairs along the Randall corridor will continue next week when  Chen's King Wok restaurant on the east side of Randall in Lake in the Hills closes and Chen Chinese Cuisine opens right across the road Wednesday.

"King Wok was mostly carryout," said owner Ming Chen.  "Here (formerly a Baker's Square restaurant) there's seating for 140 people."

Besides an updated oriental decor at the new restaurant Chen said he plans to expand his menu for a more contemporary flair.  "We're going to add lettuce wrap appetizers," he said.  "We're going to have more fish including Szechuan fish.  We're going to add Pad Thai noodles, too."

Chen said the new restaurant would have a "soft open" before getting up to full speed.  Right now he said he's recruiting a wait staff for the new sitdown operation.

In the pic:  Ming Chen plans the final details to open Chen's Chinese Cuisine in LITH next week.

Area Congressmen Oppose Obamacare, Set Town Hall Meet

U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo and Joe Walsh who represent McHenry County were among the entire Republican block of the House who with three Democrats voted to repeal Obamacare yesterday.
The measure goes to the Senate now where Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised he won't even let it get to a vote.

Meanwhile Manzullo, Walsh and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk will hold a town hall meeting in Crystal Lake Saturday focused on cutting spending,  reducing the deficit and putting Americans back to work.
The open meeting's set from 2 to 3:30 pm Saturday in the Conference Center at McHenry County College. Doors will open at 1:30 pm on the east side entrance to the building. The closest parking lot is Lot B.

Joining the three Congressional members will be Dr. Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute. Each of the Members and Dr. Biggs will give a short presentation and then do a Q and A with the audience.

Illinois Lottery Picks Management, Worries Gambling Foes

By Mary J. Cristobal, Illinois Statehouse News
Northstar Lottery Group is the big winner in the Illinois Lottery. Beginning in July, Chicago-based Northstar Lottery Group will manage the state's lottery games under a 10-year management contract. And by 2016, five years into the contract, Northstar estimates it will generate $5 billion in revenue for the Illinois Lottery. The lottery raked in $2.2 billion in 2010.

Northstar Lottery Group was chosen over Camelot Group, the firm that manages the national lottery in the United Kingdom. The partnership was inked on Tuesday. Lottery spokeswoman Susan Hofer said Gov. Pat Quinn chose Northstar because the company  projected the most revenue.

Carolyn Grisko, a spokeswoman for Northstar, said the firm wants to revitalize the Illinois Lottery brand by developing new online games, refreshing in-store merchandise and expanding retail outlets. With 73 percent of the state's lottery players older than 45, according to a study, Northstar sees an “opportunity to expand customer base and attract younger players,” according to its business proposal.

But aggressive marketing tactics trouble some anti-gambling advocates. “We’re concerned about underage gambling because you’ll only have to be 18 years old to gamble on the lottery,” said Anita Bedell, executive director of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems. “We’re also concerned about people who are vulnerable people who don’t have much money who will be enticed to spend more money gambling at a time when the economy is in such bad shape. And the role of the government in this – of promoting gambling – is distressing.”

Northstar's selection now will allow the Attorney General's Office to look into McHenry County State Rep. Jack Franks' charges the Quinn Administration manipulated the selection process so the company would come out on top and that Northstar has a conflict of interest managing the lottery since the three company's that comprise it already have contacts as lottery vendors.  Franks made the complaints four months ago but an AG spokesman told FEN last month there wasn't any point to looking into the matter unless Northstar got the contract.


You can read Mary's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4958/illinois-lottery-picks-management-firm-worries-anti-gambling-advocates/

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 19
0837 HRS 9625 HALIGUS RD., (MARLOWE MIDDLE SCHOOL). WANTED ON WARRANT. DECESARE, PAULA, F/W 35 YEARS OF AGE, 9406 LINDER AVE., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant McHenry Sherriff, Failure to Appear Probation Violation/Driving Under the Influence, $5000 @ 10% Expired Drivers License. RELEASED ON BOND.
1728 HRS OAKLEAF RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BERNAU, RHONDA B., F/W 47 YEARS OF AGE, 604 HURON TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, Driving with a Suspended registration, and no proof of valid insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0925 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF SULLIVAN PASS. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 78 years of age, feeling weak. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1035 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD., (TACO BELL). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 19 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1431 HRS 400 BLOCK OF S. ANNANDALE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Sister vs. sister. Eight Priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1637 HRS 0 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2056 HRS 2100 BLOCK OF DAYBREAK DR. DOMESTIC. BATTERY Husband vs. wife. FAIL TO FILE.
2338 HRS 400 BLOCK OF OAK ST. DOMESTIC. Father vs. daughter. Verbal only. One prior.

Board Plans For Riverside Square Sale--Probably

The Village of Algonquin Board raced through a ho-hum agenda Tuesday and then scurried into closed session to discuss "pending litigation."  Which pending litigation wasn't disclosed but a good bet was on the Village's suit to tear down Riverside Square and what to do with it if the moldering Downtown condo complex sells at bankruptcy auction tomorrow.

Trustees and Village staff were closed-mouthed when they came back but reading between the lines of their elliptical comments the conclusion was probably "it depends."  Riverside Square was supposed to be 54 upscale condominiums and at least 4 similarly tony retail shops but the concept was hatched at the height of the real estate bubble and doesn't seem very likely now.  The questions are what would a buyer want to do with the half-finished and decaying project, what would the Board accept and how much longer will they wait for it?  The answers depend on whether there's a buyer at all.

Riverside Square was tipped into bankruptcy over two years ago and last year the Village ran out of patience declaring it in violation of eight different village ordinances and a safety hazard. Later Algonquin went to Circuit Court requesting an order to tear the structure down since no one was trying to fix it.

The minimum bid on the project is $1.25 million and at that price even in a stalled housing market there seems to be some level of interest.  Last night, for instance, someone in the Chicago area read every story FEN's ever written about Riverside Square.

While trustees wouldn't talk about litigation they were happy to chat about rain barrels and composters.  They're for them and the Village is going to sell them in partnership with the McHenry County Land Conservancy.  The Conservancy will do the electronic paperwork on each sale (http://www.conservemc.org/RainbarrelsNEW.htm ) but residents can pick them up in the village instead of driving to Woodstock and back.  There's a small profit to the Village on the things and Manager Bill Ganek said that would go to help pay for Algonquin's ECO Committee.

In the pic:  Algonquin Trustee Debby Sosine impersonates Betty Furness to convince fellow trustee Jerry Glogowski his life isn't complete without an eco-friendly 50-gallon rain barrel.

Salvation Army Donations Up: "No Cutbacks"

"We are ecstatic," said McHenry County Salvation Army Major John Price Tuesday. "We do not have to make any cutbacks this year."

The 2010 Christmas season broke a local tradition. For the first time in 29 years no one dropped a one-ounce goldpiece in a McHenry County Salvation Army kettle but Price said the group managed to top its fundraising goal for the season, anyway.  The bar was set at $400,000, a 6 percent increase over 2009 and Price reported local donations totaled $400,576.  Probably more, since that doesn't include online giving and cellphone text donations yet to be calculated.  "This was the first year we had texting," Price said.

Donations to Army kettles actually fell about four percent but mail donations more than made up the difference rising more than 25 percent.  And even though none of the kettles revealed a one-ounce gold coin, Price said donors dropped in two smaller ones and a silverpiece as well.

"We are thoroughly humbled by the tremendous giving of the people of McHenry County," said Price. "we take this trust very seriously, to care for those in need as best we can.

In the pic: Kettle donations were down for the 2010 holiday season but total donations to the McHenry County Salvation Army increased.

Huntley Businessman Supports Grafton Pantry

"Everyone remembers food pantries over the holidays," said Huntley businessman Robert Jakubowich explaining a recent $1,500 donation of gift cards to the Grafton Township Food Pantry. "I thought it would be a nice thing to do to kick off the New Year.”

Jakubowich donated the gift cards to be used at the businesses at his Route 47 and Kreutzer Road  shopping center:  Walgreens, Verizon, Papa Saverios Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Hair Cuttery, River Point Dental and H&R Block.   “I believed gift cards were a good way to support the local businesses and those in the community that are in need," said Jakubowich. 

Pantry spokesman Harriet Ford said he was probably right. “A client who had recently lost her job was the recipient of a gift card for Hair Cuttery," said Ford.  "She stopped back in to show us her new style and proudly announced that she would be interviewing for a new position the following week."

AG Warns Of Online Playoff Ticket Scams

Attorney General Lisa Madigan Tuesday warned fans buying  Bears playoff tickets to investigate online ticket sellers. Madigan said fake ticket scams usually surface during high-demand special events like Sunday’s game.

“Football fans need to be careful if they buy tickets online,” Attorney General Madigan said. “Don’t get so caught up in the excitement of the playoffs that you wind up the victim of a con artist cheating you out of a lot of money.”

Madigan offered these tips on special-event ticket sales:

Find out whether the broker is a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (www.natb.org) and the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).

Find out if the broker's registered with Illinois Secretary of State’s Index Department in Springfield. State brokers have to maintain a rebate fund.

Don't pay cash for tickets, especially to a stranger. Consumers should deal only with a seller who accepts credit card payments or other secure payment methods. Don't buy if the website isn't secure. Consumers should also be wary of online escrow sites, especially those recommended by a seller.

Big capital letters: NEVER wire any payment to a seller for any reason.

If you've been scammed, Madigan has  hotlines--800-386-5438 and 800-243-0618 or you can file a consumer complaint by downloading a form at http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/conscomp.pdf

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 18
0713 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. JUVENILE, F/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two counts of Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
0932 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & FRANK RD. NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. AUSTEN, CHRISTOPHER M., M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 5501 CHANTILLY CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving with a Cancelled Drivers License, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1536 HRS MILLER RD. & PATTON AVE. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BOSNICK, JOSEPH A., M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 9406 LINDER AVE., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGE: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0934 HRS 200 BLOCK OF HAWTHORNE RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 79 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1358 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 47 years of age, with flu like symptoms.  Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1402 HRS 158 N. RANDALL,  (CURRENCY EXCHANGE). DECEPTIVE PRACTICES PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1843 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 55 years of age, disoriented.No Transport.

Steel Clogs Algonquin Afternoon Rush

Traffic was snarled Monday afternoon at routes 31 and 62 when a trailer loaded with steel uncoupled from a semi-tractor's fifth wheel  and dropped onto the street.

Naturally there was still plenty of snow and slush on the ground with freezing rain still falling making the wait for the wrecker a long one.  "I came down from Wisconsin," said the trucker.  "I know it was pinned then,"  he said.

"Holiday" Snow Has Equivocal Budget Impact

Monday's snow pushed some street and highway departments closer to the end of their budgets for the season.  It depended on whether Monday was a holiday or not.

For instance, "We don't celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday," said Algonquin Streets Superintendent Al Mozola, so it was just a regular day with regular overtime there.

"It was supposed to be a holiday," said Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller, accenting "supposed".  Monday's snow meant holiday pay plus time and a half overtime there, just like Christmas.

"It snowed on Christmas and the next week if the rain had been snow that would have been bad," Miller said.  "We've had about 15 events (this season) but most of them have been like a quarter-inch. They've been more of a pain than a problem."

Miller said his "weather guy" figures the rest of the winter will be fairly dry.

Singers, Players Sought For Legion Baseball

Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231 is looking for vocalists to sing the National Anthem before Legion baseball games and other civic functions.

That's difficult enough since singers agree the Star Spangled Banner with a one and a half octave range is a bear to sing in the first place.  The thing is, the Legionnaires want it sung "straight", too.  "Please keep in mind we are traditionalists and expect our National Anthem to be sung in the same manner," said a release.  Translation: No Keshia Cole song stylings, thank you.

Legion baseball runs from May to September and other events occur throughout the year.  Singers who'd like to help open them can call Legionnaires John White at (847) 366-2022.  Legion members would like to interview singer candidates before the end of the school year.

The Legion's also signing up players for the 2011 season. Those aged 14 to 16 can join the Junior
League and players 17 to 19, the Senior League.

Junior League candidates call Mike Peltier at (847) 854-4919. Senior League, call Sonny Furtak at (847) 854-2356.

Judges Needed For D300 Science Fair

District 300 needs judges for its upcoming 54th Annual District 300 Robert E. Hart Science Fair Feb. 17 at Jacobs High School. The Fair includes experiments by students from D300's three high schools including Jacobs and Dundee-Crown as well as the winning projects from the four middle schools science fairs including Algonquin's and Westfield's.

Judges don't need to be expert in any particular science or, indeed, in any science at all, but they should be interested in talking with the students about their projects and helping to judge their efforts.

The signup form is here: http://www.d300.org/files/Science%20Fair%20-%20Judge%20registration%20form.doc

The deadline to register as a judge is next Thursday, Jan. 27.

In the pic:  "Don't worry, Mr. Twain, this experiment is safe as houses," said Nikola Tesla.  "I'll just stand back here."  

Tax Hike Brings No Money To Illinois Cities

By Mary J. Cristobal, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois' income tax hike is expected to generate billions of new dollars for the state, but some Illinois mayors are upset they won’t be getting bigger slices of the pie.

Under the new plan, the state would gain more than $6 billion annually from the individual tax rate increase from 3 percent to 5 percent and the corporate rate increase from 4.8 percent to 7 percent. The increase is set to expire in four years. Illinois has a special fund that benefits local cities. In the past 15 years, cities have been receiving 10 percent of the state’s income tax revenue. But when the state income tax goes up, cities will not get a cut of the new money.

Tom Hoechst, mayor of Alton, e-mailed lawmakers before they voted on the bill to remind them that cities are part of the state revenue too. “[Illinois] is helping everyone else, why not cities?” Hoechst said. “No one is suffering worse than the cities.”

If cities were to get bigger slices as the state pie gets bigger, the local government fund would have received an extra $2.9 billion, according to a study by the Illinois Municipal League.

While some city leaders are worried about payroll and infrastructure others are concerned about losing their businesses to bordering states. Dennis Pauley, mayor of Rock Island, said his city — located on the Iowa border — will not lose any money from the state funding, but is worried that businesses would pack their bags and move next door because of the corporate income tax increase.

Hoechst has a similar situation, since Alton sits across the Mississippi River from Missouri.
“We are creating a very anti-business climate in this state,” he said.

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/4942/tax-hike-brings-no-money-more-problems-to-illinois-cities/

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 17
0121 HRS 600 BLOCK OF MASON LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Christmas deer decorations damaged. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS/
1011 HRS MILLER RD. & LITCHFIELD LN. HIT & RUN. Suspect vehicle hit fire hydrant then left. Property damage only.
1107 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). DECEPTION. PENDING INVESTIGATIONS.
1353 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1529 HRS 3900 BLOCK OF PEARTREE DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1620 HRS 0 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 70 years of age difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1622 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF ASH ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 77 years of age passing out. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1611 HRS 310 N. RANDALL RD., (CHASE BANK). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2209 HRS 400 BLOCK OF ANNANDALE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father pushed daughter. 5 priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1554 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORRETTIS). Delayed from 011611. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.

Foreclosures Hit New High In 2010 In McHenry County

Foreclosure filings in 2010 in McHenry County topped the previous year by almost one third according to the latest report from the McHenry County Circuit Clerk's Office.  Filings during the year soared to 3,635, up from 2,746 in 2009.

Foreclosures began to take off in the middle of 2006 but really began to rocket in 2007 according to the Circuit Clerk's report.

The most recent monthly report from Internet real estate data site RealtyTrac.com shows McHenry with largest number of foreclosure filings in December, followed by, in order, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, Algonquin and Woodstock.

Another real estate data site, Trulia.com, claims there are 3,972 foreclosed homes listed on the McHenry County real estate market right now. That's in the four percent range.  Census estimates put McHenry County owner-occupied housing at 96,500 homes altogether.

Area Gun Dealers Tout Personal Screening

Entrants at the McHenry County Gun Show at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn Sunday said they saw no falloff in attendance due to the Tucson massacre that left six dead a week before.

No photos of the show were allowed, though, for instance of the S&W race gun everybody wanted to examine.  Nickle-plated with a telescopic sight and underbarrel recoil counterweight, the automatic tagged at $500 would probably be hell on paper and steel range targets.  It was about as unobtrusive as a waffle iron, though.

There are legal restrictions on who can buy a firearm but Woodstock gun dealer Bob Zimmerman said the last line of defense against people like Jared Lee Loughner stand behind the counter at gunshops.  "I've had crazy people come in and I've turned them down," he said.

Arms trainer Rick Pere, Round Lake, echoed that.  "I've had people in my certification course and after a day I've said, 'You know, you don't really need a gun.' I won't certify them.  I won't  do it."

Zimmerman's working on a plan for a database of people who might be troubled and perhaps should be barred from owning a handgun. Such a list could add First Amendment problems to Second Amendment issues but,  "We need something so you can check people out," he said.

In the pic:  A few long guns going back to the shop after the McHenry County Gun Show Sunday.

Huntley "Streetlamp" Looking At Encore Show

The Saturday, Jan. 29, Under the Streetlamp show by the cast of Jersey Boys is sold out but Huntley High Fine Arts Boosters' said they could schedule a Sunday show if enough people want it.

The Chicago show cast has been featured on Broadway and in films, The Tonight Show, The Primetime Emmies and The Oprah Winfrey Show and will be backed by an orchestra of world-class jazz musicians.

Due to the overwhelming response to the Saturday show, the HHS Fine Arts Boosters hope to add a Sunday matinee show. If enough interest is generated, Under The Streetlamp will also perform at 3 pm at the PAC on Sunday, Jan. 30. Tickets will be $40 and $60 for premium seating.

To reserve tickets, call Kim Skaja at Kskaja158@foxvalley.net or 815-923-8810 or fill out the reservation form here:

http://www.underthestreetlamphuntley.com/Reservations.html 

Elgin Derailment Causes Metra Delay

Metra reports its Milwaukee District/West Line trains will run about 20 minutes late this morning thanks to a derailment Sunday.  The trains delayed while crews perform track repairs at the derailment site will be morning inbound trains 2222 and 2226 and outbound trains 2201 and 2203.

Eight freight cars carrying cable and cornstarch of a 71-car westbound train jumped the Canadian Pacific tracks near the Elgin sewerage plant Sunday afternoon damaging the rails. A CP spokesman said the cause of the derailment wasn't known yet.  

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 16
2023 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). WANTED ON WARRANT. PEREZ, ANTHONY M., M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 480 WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant for Failure to Appear for Traffic Violation, bond amount is $3,000 / 10% applies. RELEASED ON BOND.
1041 HRS 00 BLOCK OF VALHALLA CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 90 years of age, pale and not responsive. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
2046 HRS 4900 BLOCK OF PRINCETON LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Exterior lights were damaged as well as garage door. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2058 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF WATERFORD LN. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Flower pot was damaged as well as the garage door. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
Algonquin
January 14
10:30am A 16 year-old female from Carpentersville was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  She was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  She was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of her grandparents.
January 16
04:01am Feldman, Adam B., DOB: 05/22/88, of 5549 N. Broadway, Chicago, and Billyboy, Robert Lee, DOB: 12/03/68, of 5309 N. Winthrop, Chicago, were both charged with Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle.  Both were taken into custody at La Fox River Drive and Madison Street.  Both were transported to McHenry County Jail, to await a bond hearing January 17.
January 17
00:13am Habich, Stacey E., DOB: 09/20/82, of 1238 N. Green Street, McHenry, was charged with DUI, Improper Lane Usage and Unsafe Tires.  She was taken into custody at Highland Avenue and Route 62.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 02/23/11 in McHenry County.

Pond Hockey: The Most Fun With (Warm) Clothes On

The puck shot off the rink into the snow Saturday morning at Woods Creek Lake and the referee (/linesman/scorekeeper) called it dead against the white team.  One of the whites thought it came off a black stick, though. He argued the call vehemently and at length.  Finally the ref appealed to the ultimate authority: "C'mon," he called, "it's Pond Hockey."

The ref had a point. Pond Hockey's sort of the winter equivalent to sandlot baseball. You rarely, for instance, see Jonathan Toews' feet shoot out from under him while he's waiting for the opening whistle but, judging by the play Saturday, it's not an uncommon occurrence in Pond Hockey.

The event was another experiment in roll-your-own fun from the Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department. On its face, the only real mistake anyone made was underestimating the number of teams that wanted to sign up to play.  Entry was limited to just 12 teams but tourney organizer Trevor Bosack reported he fielded 48 other inquiries.  "We could have had 24 (teams), no problem," he said.

That wasn't quite right, either, though.  Twenty four teams would have overwhelmed facilities at Indian Trail Beach. Village Administrator Jerry Sagona said Saturday, "Look at the parking lot.  We're packed." 

Then a speculative look came into his eyes and he wandered off muttering about the Hain House and shuttle buses so the inside line on LITH Pond Hockey would be to look for a Second Annual Tournament next year. Only bigger.

AAYO Ball Signup Busy Saturday

A steady stream of kids and parents poured into Algonquin's Westfield Community School Saturday to sign up for Algonquin Area Youth Organization baseball and softball. 

AAYO offers online signups but a lot of parents prefer to do it face to face if they want to pay cash or need to talk to a coach about which group to join if their kid's birthday is in the middle of the season.

Online registration is at: http://www.active.com/baseball-league/algonquin-il/algonquin-baseball-and-softball-2011

AAYO offers 11 different programs and according to the latest report only the Mustang group (age 2 to 9) is full up.

Hire In The Hills Program Boosted Again

The Village of Lake in the Hills is inviting local businesses once again to participate in the "Hire in the Hills" program.  Similar to the Village's "Shop Lake in the Hills" program to promote local retail purchasing, "Hire in the Hills" gives local businesses a free opportunity to list their open employment positions on the Village's website.
 
To submit an open employment listing, simply email sandrews@lith.org the following:
1)  Company Name
2)  Position Title
3) Contact Information and Position Description in the form of a .pdf document or URL web address that can be linked to from the Village's website.

Job postings must be for open positions within Lake in the Hills or bordering communities.  The listings will be posted for 30 days or until they're reported filled.

Job seekers can read the listings here: http://www.lith.org/hireinthehills.html

Controversial Budgeting Reforms On Governor's Desk

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
In the furor over the State's new income tax increase few noticed  the Legislature passed a bill to change how state government does its budgeting. Under the measure, the state would be required to pay its debt obligations and annual required pension payments before allocating general revenue funds to any other area of the budget. Spending also could not exceed projected revenues for the year.

Under the plan passed two weeks ago, a number of grants administered by state agencies would be suspended as of July 1, 2012, unless the General Assembly enacts legislation to keep them in place. After 2012, legislators would have to approve grants every five years to keep them from expiring. The bill also would require the governor to name an advisory board to help him create an annual list of budget priorities.

“We are looking here at major budget reform — a way to control our spending, a way to get our pension payments made and our debt obligations before we divide up the budget,” said Rep. Carol Sente, the House sponsor of the bill.

Perhaps the most controversial section of the bill would prevent any executive officer from entering into a labor contract that would extend past his or her elected term. Union opponents said contract negotiations can take as long as two years, which could mean that they could potentially start talks with one governor and then reach an agreement with another.

The bill comes on the heels of a controversial deal that Quinn made with Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) near the end of his first term while he was campaigning for election. Sente said the legislation is a direct reaction to that deal, although Senate sponsor Sen. Dan Kotowski, a Park Ridge Democrat, said it's not. He characterized the provision as a sensible budgeting decision that would prevent a governor from locking a future administration into a pricey union contract.

A spokesperson for the governor said he planned to review the bill. It is unlikely, however, that he would approve it with a provision that limits his negotiating powers with unions.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/controversial-budgeting-refroms-head-to.html

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
January 15
0834 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF MCKENZIE DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Rear window of residence was damaged. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1028 HRS 400 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. BATTERY. Male vs. male. Male, 52 years of age, back pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY OFFICER.
1139 HRS 3600 BLOCK OF SONOMA CIRCLE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Rear window of vehicle was damaged. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1823 HRS 9162 TRINITY DR., (TRINITY ACADEMY). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 5 years of age, possible broken arm. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2056 HRS 3100 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 83 years of age, fell down the stairs. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
2109 HRS PYOTT RD SOUTH OF RAKOW RD. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. deer.