Huntley Lincoln Speech Helps Mark Start Of Civil War Observance

One hundred forty people crowded Prairie Lodge's Drendel Ballroom Friday to help try to break the world record for the number of people simultaneously reading Abe Lincoln's farewell to Springfield.  Sun City Lincoln re-enactor Gary Cooney led the reading of Lincoln's one-paragraph speech.

He was one of many around the country reciting the speech at the same time that a crowd gathered at Springfield's old railroad depot to recreate the day before Lincoln's 52nd birthday in 1861 when he boarded a train for Washington to assume his pivotal presidency.  Friday's event marked the start of the nation's observance of the Civil War Sesquicentennial. (Sesqui: Latin for "one and a half"; Centennial: Latin again for "100" and "year".)

Local organizer Dottie Bobzin said the idea for the Sun City reading was just a bolt from blue one day.  "It seemed like a good thing to do," she said.

No one knows if all the people who read Lincoln's speech simultaneously set a new Guiness Book of World Records mark for that sort of thing.  The currently record stands at 223,363 but it'll be at least a couple of weeks before the Guiness people can tote up Friday's effort, according to Bobzin.

Metra Admits It Dropped (Snow) Ball

Metra officials admitted Friday they didn't do a very good job during last week's blizzard either keeping trains running on time  or telling commuters they weren't. Metra Operations Officer Bill Tupper said it was "the worst day" in his 30-year career in railroading but even so, "we didn’t get that information out to our customers soon enough.

At a Metra Board session in Chicago  Tupper blamed part of the problem on overconfidence in planning.  He said Metra put up crews in motels near route heads but in most cases Wednesday morning  roads were so bad they still couldn't reach their stations, Tupper said it didn't make much difference, though, since so many commuters couldn't get there, either. He said Metra only carried about five percent of its usual rider load for a Wednesday last week.

Pops Concert Showcases Jacobs Music Department

The performers almost outnumbered the audience at Jacobs High School's 2011 Pops Concert Friday.  That wasn't because the gym wasn't packed, rather because there were so many music students, collectively on the order of 100, playing and singing.

If you weren't there--take some Andrew Lloyd Weber and Claude-Michel Schönberg, add some Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer, wonder why the new guys need three names when the old masters got by with two, reach for some nachos from the snack stand and marvel at how good the kids are in Jacobs' Music Department. You missed a good time.

Winner of the Performing Arts Boosters' 50/50 Raffle to conduct the band ensemble in the Jacobs Fight Song was LITH's Shelli Moring. By the luck of the draw she's was not only the Mom of one of the evening's clarinetists, but a Jacobs grad herself.

In the pic: Jacobs Band Director Anthony E. Gnutek leads the Symphonic Band in the 2011 Pops Concert at Jacobs High School Friday.

Norman Rockwell Moments At LITH Daddy Daughter Dance

The Lake in the Hills Village Board room was uncustomarily festive decorated with red Japanese lanterns covered with Valentine hearts.  Most of the mostly middle-aged dads wore suits and ties and all the excited little girls wore their best new party dresses. All danced the night away at LITH Park & Recreation's Daddy Daughter Datenight Dance Friday.

Well, they danced quite vigorously until some of the dads started puffing like steam engines which, fortuitously, turned out to be when it was time for... pizza! (No fleas on Parks and Rec. They've done this before.)  Then some more dancing.  Then home to an early slumber, if not for the excited little girls, certainly for their pooped pops. 

State Treasurer Pushes Venture Capital Investment

By Diane S.W. Lee,  Illinois Statehouse News
With Wisconsin and New Jersey governors junketing through Illinois to lure businesses away, new legislation backed by the State Treasurer seeks to retain existing firms and attract new startup tech companies. A new Senate bill would authorize the Treasurer to park up to two percent of the state's portfolio in venture capital funds which  would invest money in Illinois-based tech companies.

“It is actually legislation that we’ve been trying to get passed for the past three years, and we’re thrilled that Treasurer [Dan] Rutherford has come out so strongly in support of it,” said Maura O’Hara, executive director of the Illinois Venture Capital Association, which represents about 120 venture capital and private equity firms.

The treasurer’s office invests the state's roughly $10 billion in funds. The treasurer currently is allowed to allocate up to one percent of its portfolio into technology investment. The treasurer’s office estimates at least 1,200 jobs were created from the $75 million used for technology development since 2004.

“The entire market was down to the extent that the state’s investment portfolio was lower, but we made more money off of the venture fund than we did in the general investment portfolio,” Rutherford said. “We are very risk-averse as the treasurer, but we are also looking to have the best return that we can.”

State Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge, chief sponsor of the legislation, said it is an opportunity to create technology jobs and to invest in Illinois companies “all without raising a single tax.”

“A lot of Illinois companies have grown as a result of this, and this is a way to build on that success,”  Kotowski said. The legislation passed a Senate committee unanimously, and now awaits full consideration.

You can read Diane's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5105/state-treasurer-pushes-more-venture-capital-investment/

McHenry County Indictments

A McHenry County Grand Jury returned indictments this week against the following individuals:
The charges against these defendants are merely allegations against them.  The defendants are presumed innocent of any crime until proven guilty in court.

ERIC C. STORTS, DOB:  07/25/73, LKA:  12 SUSSEX COURT, LAKE IN THE HILLS.AGGRAVATED BATTERY OF A CHILD.--LITH PD
  
ADAM BENJAMIN FELDMAN, DOB:  05/22/88, 5549 N. BROADWAY, CHICAGO. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE.--Algonquin PD

ERIK A. SNODGRASS, DOB:  07/10/87, 300 DELNOR AVENUE, ST. CHARLES. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE.--Algonquin PD

JOSEPH A. BELOW, DOB:  07/06/88, 316 E. NORTHWATER STREET, SILVER LAKE, WI. BURGLARY, CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--McHenry PD  
  
BRYAN P. SOKOLOWSKI, DOB:  09/13/88, 47 BARBERRY DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, THEFT.--Crystal Lake PD
  
LAUREL L. COLLORI, DOB:  05/30/67, 24581 BRORSON AVENUE, ROUND LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD
      
BRIAN W. ROSSMANN, DOB:  04/02/63, 104 N. BENTON STREET  APT 205A, WOODSTOCK. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY(OVER $300.)(2CTS)--Woodstock PD
              
ADAM B. FELDMAN, DOB:  05/22/88, 5549 N. BROADWAY, CHICAGO. ROBBERY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--Cary PD
  
COREY CARRILLO, DOB:  07/12/91, LKA:  217 PARK ROAD, LAKEMOOR. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE, THEFT, CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
ARTTACGO A. LUCKETT, DOB:  05/21/67, 502 PALM STREET, MCHENRY. AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, DOMESTIC BATTERY.--Island Lake PD
  
GABRIEL GARCIA, DOB:  12/03/71, 1857 PORTSMOUTH AVENUE. WESTCHESTER. THEFT, BURGLARY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE(2CTS).
WYDELL FEAZELL, DOB:  05/31/56, 3849 S. MICHIGAN AVENUE, CHICAGO. THEFT, BURGLARY, POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS.
ROGER WAYNE SEXTON, DOB:  01/10/61, 105 S. ASHLAND AVENUE, CHICAGO. THEFT, BURGLARY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE(2CTS), RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.
JOSE L. FELICIANO, DOB:  04/17/72, 446 46TH AVENUE, BELLWOOD. THEFT, BURGLARY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE(2CTS).--McHenry County Sheriff's Police

JOSHUA L. DODD, DOB:  03/19/83,    824 PLYMOUTH LANE, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE(2CTS).--McHenry PD

WILLIAM M. ZENDER, DOB:  01/10/86, 3939 MAIN STREET  APT #17, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE(2CTS), OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER, CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO REAL PROPERTY.--McHenry PD

HILARIO ZEPEDA, DOB:  10/21/78, 715 W. METZEN, HARVARD. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.
RODRIGO VAZQUEZ-ROSALES, DOB:  11/12/83, 715 W. METZEN, HARVARD. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Harvard PD


JEREMY M. CONLEY, DOB:  11/25/79, 3419 W. JOHN STREET, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office.
      
TATIANA J. KASZYNSKI, DOB:  05/23/90, 4307 SHAMROCK LANE  #1B, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry PD

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
February 11
0740 HRS MILLER RD. & LITCHFIELD LN. ACCIDENT Vehicle hit a snow bank. Property damage only.
1623 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WALNUT GROVE CT. CHECK ON WELL BEING. Check on well being for children left home alone.
1815 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.

Grafton Close To Unwinding Dead Office Deal

Ten months after Grafton Township electors voted to unwind the real estate deal that was supposed to help finance the court-aborted plan for new Township offices,  the Board gave initial approval Thursday to a plan to do it.  Support wasn't unanimous, however.  Trustee Gerry McMahon abstained and Supervisor Linda Moore voted against it.

When Circuit Judge Michael Caldwell scotched Board plans to build new Township Offices it left the Township Road District holding the bag for a loan that would have helped pay for them and a deed to the actual Township Offices and Road District garage on Vine Street.  At last year's Annual Township Meeting voters chose for the Board to give the loan money back to the Road District and take back the Township complex but constant conflict between Moore and the rest of the Board's delayed things until now.

Under the agreement drafted by Road District attorney Pat Coen, the Township would pay the purchase money back to the Road District in three installments over three years; $200,000 this fiscal year, $200,000 the next and $300,000 the following year.  Meanwhile the Township would pay the District $2,600 rent each month on the Township Offices to cover the Road District's interest on the loan it took out to buy the  complex from the Township.  When the loan's finally paid off the deed goes to the Township and the Road District gets a 20-year lease on the Township Garage paid for by the District's doing Township grounds maintenance.  Just to be on the safe side, Road Comissioner Jack Freund will hand the deed to the complex to a disinterested third party to hold until and turn over to the Township when the loan's paid off.

"I suggest Jim Kelly," said Trustee Gerry McMahon, "because I trust Jim Kelly for this kind of work."  That was fine with the rest of the trustees even though the Board canned Kelly as Township Attorney two years ago.

Moore still didn't like the plan.  Previously she'd argued it would be cheaper to pay the deal off in one $700,000 chunk.   This time she attacked it legalistically claiming the Board couldn't authorize the leaseback agreement to the Road District.  "Only the electors have the ability to lease property for the Township," she said. However, since the Annual Meeting resolution directed the leaseback and terms no one paid much attention.

In other action Thursday, trustees combed through bills Moore submitted for payment to sort out the ones they didn't like.  A new one was a $5,000 charge for attorney Richard Cowan whom she'd consulted when the Board censured her and who eventually sent her to John Nelson who sued the trustees for her.  The Board wouldn't approve that bill.

Neither initially would they approve a bill for accountant Ketchmark, Ltd., for payroll tax returns.  "I do the taxes for three different corporations," said Trustee Betty Zirk.  "I know how to do them.  I don't know why Linda doesn't," she said.

However, the Board finally decided since Ketchmark had already done the taxes they'd better pay for it. This once. "This has to stop," Trustee Rob LaPorta complained.  "She has to begin doing it on her own."

In the pic:  Attorney Pat Coen (left)  explained the agreement he'd drafted for Road Commissioner Jack Freund (right) to sell the Vine Street complex back to the Township.

No Accord, Conflicting Motions Filed in Grafton Battle

Although both sides read from them Thursday evening, neither Grafton Township trustees nor Supervisor Linda Moore directly mentioned dueling motions filed earlier this week in the cases that were supposed to straighten out lines of authority in Grafton government.  Both filings ask for orders to pay bills, but different ones.

The trustees ask McHenry County Judge Michael Caldwell to enforce his preliminary injunction of Dec. 10. They want him to order Moore to pay bills they've approved, notably a $20,000 one for computer experts Forensicon to figure out what happened to the Township's computer financial records when they went missing a year ago.

They also ask Caldwell to order Moore to give them remote access to the financial records which she has brought back to the Township but only on a flash drive jacked into a laptop computer at the Township Offices, according to the motion.

Trustees want Caldwell to order Moore to use the IT company they like to service Township computers instead of "one of her General Assistance employees".

Especially, trustees want the Judge to order Moore to allow an audit of Township financial records by the firm the Board selected, Brown & Co. of Woodstock. They claim in the filing she won't even talk to the auditor.

In discussion at Thursday's meeting Trustee Rob LaPorta charged Brown's tried repeatedly to call Moore recently and she won't pick up the phone.  Moore said Brown doesn't want the job, anyway, based on a letter the firm sent her in November.

The motion asks Caldwell to find Moore in contempt for any or all of the allegations.

Moore's filing asks for a clarification of his opinion and order. It wants Caldwell to tell trustees to approve all the bills she submits as long as "they are reasonably related to Township business." Even if they don't like them.

She asks Caldwell to order payment of $5,000 in attorney's fees for lawyer Richard Cowan for "pre-litigation attorney's fees incurred...in (Moore's) official capacity" for advising her when the Board censured her late in 2009.

More also wants Caldwell to order payment of a bunch of bills from bookkeeping service Ketchmark for "computer work necessary to comply with this court's order".  Based on Thursday's wrangling this involved repeated installs of the Quickbook bookkeeping program on Township computers.

There's a hearing scheduled for the judge to sort it all out Feb. 24.

Big Money In LITH Arbor Day Poster Contest

The Village of Lake in the Hills is hosting an Arbor Day poster contest.  The contest is open to Lake in the Hills kids ages nine through eleven.  The theme for 2011 will be:  Trees are Terrific...from Acorn to Oak.
(Kind of a pun there if you think about it.)

There are rules, of course. One poster per contestant. No copyrighted characters, TV figures or photographs. Poster or drawing paper no smaller than 8 ½” x 11” or larger than 11” x 17”. Hand drawn. Spelling counts. Signed by the contestant in the lower right hand corner, both names.

The winning poster will be displayed at the Public Works Open House in May and first and second prizes will more than defray the cost of the crayons.  First gets a $150 savings bond, second a $100 version.

Mail to or drop off the posters at the Village of Lake in the Hills Public Works Department.   The entry deadline's April 1st.

In the pic:  LITH's Arbor Day celebration last year. 

Another No Show In "Hidden" Garbage Truck Case

No one appeared in Mchenry County Circuit Court for Sunset Cartage in the Lake in the Hills hidden garbage trucks case Thursday.  It was the second no-show in the case and Judge James Cowlin wasn't pleased.

"There's a lot of charges here," he said. "I don't want to start handing out fines without knowing the facts," said the judge. "What is this?"

"Garbage trucks parked where they weren't allowed to be, your Honor," replied LITH Township Attorney Tim Clifton.  A dozen long-haul garbage trucks parked in a Lake in the Hills gravel pit in July, according to LITH PD.

"I'm going to issue a summons for 30 days," said Cowlin.  Now the date for a Sunset plea in the case will be March 10.

Backers Would Pump Economy With Higher Minimum Wage

By Mary J. Cristobal, Illinois Statehouse News
More cash in the pockets of Illinois residents would lead to more spending. At least that’s what labor union and community organizations said during a Thursday news conference to support a bill that would increase the state’s minimum wage to more than $10 per hour within four years.

An increased minimum wage could stimulate the economy, said Ron P. Baiman, an economist from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. “We really have to redirect a lot of income toward people who will spend it — if you want to keep your economy going, if you want it to grow,” Baiman said.

Minimum wage workers are not only teenagers trying to make pocket money. Seventy percent of minimum wage workers are heads of households, Baiman said. As of Jan. 1, Illinois has the third highest minimum wage in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The minimum wage is $8.25 per hour, which was increased from $8 July 1. Under the bill that rate would increase by 50 cents an hour plus inflation each year. By 2014, Illinois’ minimum wage would climb to $10.65. After that, the rate would be annually adjusted to keep up with the cost of living.

"Workers have to be included in discussions as we move forward working on the business climate," said bill sponsor State Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester).

Rob Karr, a lobbyist for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said far from being a stimulus measure, raising the minimum wage would be a job killer.  “(Employers) can’t go and print more money, they can’t levy additional taxes, they can’t pass much in terms of price increasing because the consumers can’t afford it. So they really only have two choices — you lay people off, or you close your business.”

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5106/increasing-minimum-wage-good-for-workers-bad-for-businesses-2/

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
February 10
1630 HRS REED RD. & NORTHBRIDGE DR. WANTED ON WARRANT. CHAMBERS, MARK A., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 9322 BRISTOL LN., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County for Crimes Against Persons. Bond Amount: $4,000, 10% Applies. Wanted on Warrant, Kane County for Failure to Appear for Shoplifting. Bond Amount: $500 Full Cash. Wanted on Warrant, Kane County for Possession of Alcohol by a Minor. Bond Amount: $500 Full Cash. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0419 HRS 2400 BLOCK OF STANTON CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 49 years of age, with low blood sugar. No transport.
1118 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF AVALON LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1230 HRS 211 N. RANDALL RD., (STEAK N SHAKE). ACCIDENT/ Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1715 HRS REED RD. & NORTHBRIDGE DR. ACCIDENT. Delayed from 020211. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1857 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1901 HRS 50 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. THEFT. Items were removed from the residence. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2040 HRS 2500 BLOCK OF FAIRFAX LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 72 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
February 8
15:11pm A 16 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Unlawful Storage of a Weapon on School Grounds and TWO counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his father.
16:04pm A 17 year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S Randall Road.  He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his parents.
17:10pm Kerley, Dwayne L., DOB: 05/07/84, of 719 State Street, Marengo, was charged with DWLS and No Seat Belt.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of Cook County for Failure to Appear on a DWLS charge.  He was taken into custody at Loren Drive and Boyer Road.  He was released after posting $150 on the Algonquin charges with a court date of 03/09/11 in McHenry County and after posting $300 on the Cook County Warrant with a court date of 03/21/11 in Cook County.
19:29pm Durrenberger, David B., DOB: 04/08/86, of 13 Millbrook Court, Algonquin, was charged with Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and County Line Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 03/30/11 in Algonquin.
February 9
18:53pm A 17 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Battery and Theft.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was transported to the Kane County Juvenile Detention Center to await a bond hearing.
February 10
09:59am Ramirez, Joshua J., DOB: 11/30/89, of 1545 Walnut Creek, Elgin, was charged with DWLS and No Seat Belt.  He was taken into custody at River Road and Wood Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 03/16/11 in McHenry County.
February 11
04:51am Miller, Emily E., DOB: 03/20/87, of 332 Summit Street, Algonquin, was charged with DUI, DUI Over, Improper Lane Usage and Expired Registration.  She was taken into custody at Lincoln Street and Schuett Street.  She was released after posting $100 and her Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 03/23/11 in McHenry County.
Huntley
January 31
Antwon D. Hawkins, age 18, of 1570 Millbrook, Algonquin, was arrested on an outstanding Kane County warrant for domestic battery.  Mr. Hawkins was transported to McHenry County Jail.
February 3
Corey M. Quirk, age 22, of 13664 Winterberry, Huntley, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.  Mr. Quick was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond.
February 5
David K. Waters, age 29, of 7182 Rock Nation, Dixon, was arrested for driving while license suspended, unlawful possession of a suspended drivers license and unlawful use of a weapon.  Mr. Waters posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 1, 2011.
February 6
Michael D. Turner, age 18, 11609 Daniel Ln. #C, Huntley, was arrested on 2 counts of domestic battery.  Mr. Turner was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.

Request For Sheriff's Special Prosecutor Still Open

Thirteen months after ex-deputy Zane Seipler asked for a Special Prosecutor to investigate the McHenry County Sheriff's office, there's still no firm decision.  Wednesday in a ruling based on legal procedure Judge Thomas Meyer refused to change his conclusion that the State's Attorney's Office could handle an investigation but allowed Seipler more time to complain that it wouldn't.

"I'm troubled," Meyer said, by the revelation first reported in FEN that it's the choice of the State's Attorney always to defend the Sheriff in court even though, legally, it could investigate or prosecute him, too.  Assistant State's Attorney Don Leist claimed he'd made that clear in previous arguments but Meyer said, "I didn't think you were stating policy."

Meyer said he'd stand by his ruling that there was no inherent conflict of interest in the State's Attorney's investigating claims of wrongdoing in the Sheriff's office. However, he gave Seipler attorney, Blake Horowitz, two weeks to add to the complaint that by standard operating procedure it didn't intend to.

State's Attorney Lou Bianchi Wednesday declined to explain the point of all the argument about whether his office could investigate the Sheriff if it never intended to do it in the first place.  "We'll address that in our written answer (later)," he said.

A hearing on the latest amended request to investigate the Sheriff's office was tentatively set for March 10. 

Board Sets Public Hearing For Competing CL Hospital

The stage was finally set this week for a pair of dueling public hearings on which of two competing area hospital proposals will survive.  One hearing for a 128-bed Centegra hospital in Huntley had already been set for next week.  Monday the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board set March 18 for a hearing on a nearly identical 128-bed Mercy hospital in Crystal Lake.

"We'll be there in opposition," said Centegra spokesman Kim Kubiak.  So, likely, will be Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington, which filed a request for the Mercy hearing the same day as Centegra.

Both hearings are expected to produce a welter of conflicting data over where a hospital should be located to serve southeastern McHenry County.  The wild card, however, may turn out to be "underserved" residents in northeastern Kane County.  As a letter of support expected to be approved tonight by the Lake in the Hills Board observes, "two of the three planning areas in Illinois with identified hospital bed shortages would be served by Centegra Hospital-Huntley."  Both Centegra's and Mercy's applications list the proposed hospitals as being in "Health Planning Area 10".  That's basically McHenry County.  However Centegra's hospital would be only a stone's throw from Health Planning area 11, the north part of Kane County and a smidgen of western Cook.

Kubiak said Centegra's numbers will prove the Huntley proposal's the better one.  "We didn't go into this saying, 'We don't want to build a hospital in Crystal Lake.'  The need was in southern McHenry County and northern Kane."

On the other hand, considering northern Kane will probably bring Sherman Hospital in Elgin into the fray.  Officials at the new 256-bed hospital there have said a hospital in Huntley would cut in on their turf.

While the public hearings on the two competing hospital proposals will be held a month apart, the Review Board's decisions on their applications are now both tentatively set for May 10.

In the pic: The State Health Facilities and Services Review Board planning area borders slash through the Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Huntley region.

More Auditions Tonight For Huntley Ed Foundation Showcase

This evening will see the second round of auditions for the Huntley Education Foundation's fourth
annual variety showcase.  The show takes place in the Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 6.

Wednesday's auditions were booked solid. To sign up for this evening's from 6 to 8:30 pm at the high school, email Kim Skaja at kskaja158@foxvalley.net or call 815-923-8810. "We are especially seeking unusual acts", said Skaja.

In the pic:  Lots of singers came to Huntley Education Foundation's audition Wednesday.  One was Marlowe Eighth grader Bailey Kiley with a kind of Rock Blues number.

Feds May Help Pay For Blizzard Snow Operations

Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller told trustees Wednesday "We used a lot of fuel and had a lot of overtime" in last week's blizzard but the federal government might pay for some of it.

"Hopefully, we'll recap some of the expenses," he said if the Federal Emergency Management Agency certifies McHenry County a disaster area.  "The Governor's already has," said Miller but the feds haven't decided yet.  Miller said he didn't know exactly how much the road district spent on the Blizzard.  "We're getting that ready for the County now," he said.  Any federal disaster relief for Algonquin Township or any other local governments would be channeled through there first, said Miller.

Federal money, at least in potential, was also at stake as trustees approved joining the County's Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.  Most McHenry County municipalities are going through the process now.  "What does this commit us to?" asked Trustee Linda Lance.  The short answer was, pretty much nothing except some paperwork.  "It allows us to get an extra five percent in mitigation funds if any become available," said Miller.

Since one of the natural hazards that might be mitigated was flooding, Supervisor Dianne Klemm asked if there was a danger of that when the blizzard snow melts.  "If it melts all at once we could see some, yes," said Miller.  "It could get ugly," he said, adding that his "weather guy" predicts a good chance of several 40-degree days next week.

In the pic:  "The worst Algonquin Township road was better than the best one in Cary," (where he lives) groused Trustee Joe Powalowski.  Highway Commissioner Miller said "beet juice" to prevent snow from sticking had a lot to do with it.

LITH College Student Charged With Flashing

Crystal Lake Police have charged a LITH college student with flashing two middle-aged women and scaring a third with a "suggestive remark" over the past two months.  Twenty one year-old Anthony M. Andrea, 2830 Briarcliff Ln., Lake in the Hills, was arrested at McHenry County College after the most recent incident Monday.

According to police  Andrea said something lewd to a Crystal Lake woman walking her dog Dec. 1.  Then Jan. 25 he exposed himself to another Crystal Lake lady, they said.  Monday, according to police, he exposed himself to a third who took down his license plate number and called the cops.

Andrea's charged with two counts of public indecency, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.  He's due in Circuit Court March 1 after posting bond for release Monday.

Senate Moves To Close Appointments Loopholes

By Melissa Leu, Illinois Statehouse News
After failing to confirm top gubernatorial appointees in the last legislative session, lawmakers are looking to prevent a string of government employees from working without proper authorization. A Senate panel Wednesday approved a bill barring future holdover appointees and acting appointees from serving without confirmation after 30 days.

Some of Gov. Pat Quinn’s previous appointees have been serving for up to two years without confirmation. Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken was appointed in March 2009 and was among the appointments that were considered questionable after the new General Assembly was seated last month.

Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, called Monken's designation "controversial" because of his lack of law enforcement experience, but said the Legislature didn't toss the appointment since it was one of the first appointments Quinn made after taking over the governorship from ousted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Monken continues to serve under a temporary appointment.

“We don't have a problem with the governor. He's going to start filling out his cabinet,” said Cullerton, who is leading the reform effort. “It's just that we need to have this bill passed as well — to make sure it doesn't leave a loophole in the law.”

We have a system in place," said state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon. "If the governor is not going to make sure that the Senate is allowed to play its constitutional role in advice and consent, then the Senate needs to step up to the plate and put a little bit more pressure on him," Righter said.


You can read Melissa's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5100/senate-moves-to-close-loopholes-for-governor-appointments-2/

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
February 9
0933 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 76 years of age, unable to walk. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
1545 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. Complainant advised her ex-boyfriend violated an order of protection. UNFOUNDED.
1923 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 56 years of age, possible broken leg. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1952 HRS 300 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. BURGLARY. $100 U.S. currency taken from residence. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.

One Week Later--Still Digging Out

Even as the Algonquin Board met Tuesday in the session postponed when the blizzard hit last week, Public Works crews were still trying to get rid of all the snow it left behind.

Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine gave them a pat on the back for the job on the blizzard itself.  "Even with our (low-slung Dodge) Chargers we were able to get around as long as we were on Village streets," he said.  "The County and the State roads, those were impassable."

Department Director Bob Mitchard said cleanup's been slow on all the village cul-de-sacs that can't be cleared with a pass or two of a standard plow. They have to be literally dug out.  "That's been the biggest problem," said Mitchard, "It always is."

"I think the residents understand," said Trustee Jim Steigert.

"Some do,"  Mitchard sighed.

In the pic:  Algonquin payloaders and dump trucks were out Tuesday night cutting down mountains of piled up snow so drivers don't have to enter an intersection to see if it's safe to enter the intersection.

Faith Community Pantry To "Stock The Shelves" Sunday

Sunday will be "Stock the Shelves" day at the area's "other pantry", the Faith Community Church Food Pantry at the church off Algonquin Road in Huntley.

The highlighted donation item for February is canned fruits and vegetables, but food donations of any kind are welcome, according to Pantry spokesmen. Donations can be brought to church Sunday or from 9 am to 2 pm Monday through Thursday.

The requested item for March, by the way, is laundry detergent and for April it's breakfast cereal.  Just in case there's a deal somewhere.

In the pic:  Sorting and toting at Faith Community Church Food Pantry comes before volunteers "Stock the Shelves".

Coppers' Motorcycle Club Offers Scholarships

There's still three weeks left for students to apply for a scholarship from the area's cop motorcycle club, Iron Justice of McHenry County. “Iron Justice has always been committed to giving back to the community that we serve” said club member and LITH PD Sergeant Eric Decker. “This is one of the reasons we do fund raising events and host gatherings is to promote charitable causes like this.”

The club's offering two $250 scholarships to McHenry County students who are dependents of law enforcement officers or officers themselves.  That includes full-time or part-time municipal, county, or federal sworn or conservation and correction officers so it covers more people than it sounds like.

The deadline for application's March 1.  To get an app to fill out, send an email to IJMCMcHenry@gmail.com or call Andrew Thomas at (815) 260-3721.

Economist Tells Illinois Lawmakers "Sell Local"

By Mary J. Cristobal, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois should become a manufacturing leader in the Midwest but shouldn't rely  on other states to buy its goods. That’s one of the strategies presented Tuesday by economist Geoffrey J.D. Hewings of the University of Illinois to a rare joint House and Senate committee meeting.

“If you look at supply chains for major industries, we’ll see that the state borders are becoming very, very, fuzzy,” said Hewings, head of UI's economics department and director of the Real Economics Applications Laboratory. “For example, if we look at the Ford motor companies, the supply chain of Illinois produces goes to Ford plants outside our state is much larger than the supply chain that goes to the Torrence Avenue (Ford) plant in Chicago.”

Hewings said Illinois is "very dependent" on the rest of the Midwest for buying its manufactured goods, when businesses in the state should be top-rate customers. With the domino effect of economics — no business expansion means no new jobs, which push people out of state, which lowers spending in Illinois — he said the state must look to its own business base first.

Beyond that, he said, building trust in government is paramount. If businesses are to expand, taxpayers need to see the state taking care of its fiscal crisis, he said. According to Hewings, the state needs a website that shows the its progress in paying down debt.

But state Reps Barbara Currie, D-Chicago, and David Harris, R-Mount Prospect, said voters would not turn to the Web for that information. Currie said such websites might be an interest to the media but not "regular people".

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5078/economist-presents-money-solutions-to-illinois-lawmakers/

In the pic:  Building a Ford on  Torrence Ave.

Manzullo Recruiting For Manufacturing Caucus

Sixteenth District Representative Don Manzullo said Tuesday more than 70 members of the new 112th Congress have already joined the House Manufacturing Caucus, a bipartisan group he and Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan head.

Republican Manzullo said “Even though Congressman Ryan and I have sometimes voted differently on issues affecting our nation’s trade policies, we agree that U.S. manufacturing is still under siege at home and abroad and we have come together to champion the necessity for a strong manufacturing sector in America."

Manzullo'd know since his district includes the beleaguered Rockford manufacturing area.  Even in seemingly suburban/rural McHenry County almost 600 companies manufactured $5.3 billion worth of stuff (a lot of it fabricated metal products) according to the most recent economic census survey.

Ryan said, “In addition to organizing national manufacturing interests, the caucus will hold meetings and roundtable discussions in Congress and around the country to highlight the importance of manufacturing in America.”

Manufacturers face unbalanced global competition, inadequate enforcement of trade laws, rising costs and limited availability of capital, according to Manzullo. The Manufacturing Caucus plans discussions with industry experts and hopes to spur job creation in manufacturing and associated industries, he said.

Obituaries

(Florence) Jean Crawford, 75, of Huntley died recently. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 8 pm at DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley.  A funeral service will be 11 am Saturday at the First Congregational Church, Huntley. Burial will take place in Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park Cemetery in Willow Springs.

Crawford and her twin brother John were born Jan. 2, 1936 in Chicago to Maurizio and Maria DeSando. She married Jack Crawford who preceded her in death in 1998.  She is survived by her brother, John (Fran) DeSando of Lemont; her sister, Yolanda Whittington of Tinley Park; her daughters, Linda Williams of Hampshire,  Patty (Dave) Buck of Hampshire and grandsons, Max and Mason Williams and Anthony and Austin Buck.

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
February 8
1012 HRS PYOTT RD. & MCPHEE DR. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. SANCHEZ-GARCIA, FILEMON, M/W 39 YEARS OF AGE, 80 BIRCH ST., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGE: No Valid Driver’s License. RELEASED ON BOND.
0049 HRS 200 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 32 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0609 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD., (RAKOW CURVE). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1005 HRS MILLER RD. & BOULDER DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Damage to gate.
1259 HRS 3900 BLOCK OF HONEYMOON RIDGE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 5 years of age, having an asthma attack. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1304 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Contact with a registered sex offender.
1309 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & ANNANDALE DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Vehicle was damaged by unknown offender. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1540 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH POLICE). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Information received about criminal activity in the village. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1639 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF FAIRFAX LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 36 years of age, with shortness of breath. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1739 HRS 70 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 19 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Saint Alexius Hospital.
1837 HRS 0 BLOCK OF ASBURY CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 54 years of age, with a severe nose bleed. No transport.

Legal Filing Claims Deputy Sent To Psychiatrist

The Illinois Attorney General's Office Monday told the McHenry County Sheriff's Office it had better come up with a good excuse for denying FEN's request for the reason a deputy was put on administrative leave.  Coincidentally, a Rockford District Court brief FEN obtained Monday claims the reason was the Sheriff's office ordered him to have his head examined after he alleged corruption in the department.

The Sheriff's Office admitted last month that veteran Deputy Scott Milliman was put on leave after his sworn claims became known of Sheriff's murder orders, trafficking in illegal aliens and bribery.  It withheld the reason for the leave, though, claiming it was part of an investigative file and the file itself was exempt from the State's Freedom of Information Act.  FEN appealed and in a letter Monday the AG told MCSO to provide a detailed explanation of how admitting why Milliman's on leave would do any harm.

In a rebuttal brief filed a week ago in the federal case of another McHenry County deputy, attorney Blake Horowitz charged "Deputy Milliman has been sent for a psychiatric evaluation immediately after he disclosed the information in his deposition."  In fact Milliman's leave began the day McHenry County Blog publisher Cal Skinner got his hands on a hearsay court description of Milliman's allegations.

Hearsay is all anyone except regional newspaper the Northwest Herald knows about Milliman's charges. Horowitz wants someone punished for releasing his testimony to the newspaper since it was supposed to be sealed and still remains unavailable to other media.

Even so, details continue to dribble out.  In the latest filing Horowitz revealed Milliman charged an MCSO sergeant returned physically abused children ("shackled to cement bricks and beaten") to their home "where two McHenry County employees resided." According to Horowitz' filing, Nygren told Milliman if he testified about that he "would squash Milliman like a f@#%ing grape."

Milliman's testimony has been in the case of ex-deputy Zane Seipler who says he was fired for complaining about racial profiling at the Sheriff's Office.  Horowitz claims the Sheriff's Office has withheld information about that, too, and wants punishment handed down there as well.

The Sheriff's Office has until Feb. 16 to justify withholding the reason for Milliman's being placed on leave.

Board May Ask Court: "Are You Ever Going To Finish?"

The McHenry County Board will have a chance, perhaps as early as next week, to decide if it wants to try to rein in the bills from the Special Prosecutor investigating State's Attorney Lou Bianchi.  The Board's Law and Justice Committee Monday unanimously passed along a resolution asking the McHenry County Circuit Court for a "clarification" of the Bianchi investigation order which so far has cost the County $221,000 with more invoices still to come.

After almost a year's probing Special Prosecutor Henry "Skip" Tonigan's Grand Jury indicted Bianchi for conspiracy and official misconduct for allegedly having his secretaries do campaign work on County time.  Following a never-traced Grand Jury leak last month, however, Tonigan confirmed he's still investigating other alleged Bianchi wrongdoing only he won't say what.  Meanwhile he hasn't sent the County any bills for work since last August.

All of that has some County Board members worried about the County budget.  "People came to me as Chairman of Law and Justice," said District 3 Member Nick Provenzano, McHenry.  "With (Board) Chairman (Ken) Koehler we felt it was important to open communications with the Court."

In what may or may not be a tendentious preamble,  Monday's resolution worries about the cost of "an open-ended investigation of the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office unrelated to the allegations in the (original) petition and pending prosecution."  In decisions last month the Winnebago County Judge overseeing the Bianchi case ruled everything Tonigan's done since he was appointed has been OK.  What he didn't say was that Tonigan's appointment itself was OK and part of his opinion might be read to invite such a challenge.

After ritual obeisance to judicial power, Monday's resolution ends asking, "that the orders appointing the Special Prosecutor be clarified to delineate the scope of the authority as to subject matter and duration."

Since the County's normal legal counsel, the State's Attorney's Office, couldn't very well draft the resolution, Provanzano said it was written by what amounts to a Special Counsel about the Special Prosecutor, an unnamed attorney "unrelated and non-conflicted."

Where'd you find one of those in McHenry County?

"Who said it was from McHenry County?" Koehler asked.

FEN looked elsewhere several months ago when Board Members started having kittens over how much the Bianchi investigation had already cost. Law schools seemed like an impartial place to ask whether the Board had any authority over it. Unfortunately, most of the ones in Illinois don't bother to teach Illinois law.  Of the nine in the state, only two reported courses on State law and at those only three professors claimed expertise on the balance of power between Circuit Courts and County Boards.

All three agreed, however, that judges don't have a blank check claim against County coffers.  They just weren't sure what the limit was.  The simplest suggestion came from one professor who said the Board could use its budgetary authority to set a maximum figure for the Bianchi investigation, then let the Court figure out how to spend it.

Koehler said Monday's resolution didn't need to go through any other committees before consideration by the full Board.  Its next meeting is a week from today.

In the pic:  The McHenry County Law and Justice Committee didn't spend a lot of time debating whether to ask if there's an end somewhere to the Bianchi investigation.

Snowflake Festival Set Sunday In Huntley

Huntley Jaycees and the Park District will hold a first-time ever Snowflake Festival Sunday form 1 to 3 pm at the REC Center Gym and in Deicke Park.

From 1 to 2:45pm the Snowflake Festival will feature sled building.  They'd better be built sturdy because from 2:45 to 3 there'll be a sled contest. Meanwhile, from 1 to 3 pm the Huntley Penguins snowmobile club will be on hand but they'll have some old-fashioned competition from horse drawn wagon rides at the same time. The winter festival will also include carnival games with winter themes mechanical “Reindeer”, Free Spirit Siberian Husky dog rescues, and winter- themed flip Books.

For more info call 847-669-3180,

MCC Sets New Record With Slight Enrollment Increase

McHenry County College officials Monday reported another semester of record enrollment with slightly more students than last spring.

According to the College’s Spring 2011 tenth-day enrollment report, 7,411 students are enrolled for spring semester, up from 7,381 last spring and 27 percent higher than 2006. These numbers include Adult Education students. Spring semester enrollment is slightly more than Fall enrollment, which totaled 7,392, a 35.8 percent increase since Fall of 2005.

Officials said many enrolees are students planning to transfer to a four-year university later on but some  are young and adult students pursuing training for new careers or to bolster their current jobs.

Another area with increased enrollment is dual credit courses, according to an MCC spokesman. Those are geared for high school students who come to MCC during their regular school day to earn credit toward high school graduation requirements and college credit at MCC.

Child Care Advocates Fight $100 Million Cuts

By Mary J. Cristobal, Illinois Statehouse News
Child care advocates are cringing at the idea of cuts aimed at the Illinois Department of Human Services, especially since a new 67 percent personal income tax hike was supposed to stave off budget cuts.

With a little more than four months left in the current fiscal year 2011 budget, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget is considering cutting $70 million to $100 million from the child care budget, according to advocate Maria Whalen. She's the president and CEO of Illinois Action for Children, an organization that “focuses on supporting and improving lives for working families and their children.”

“As we look at the budget hole that exists right now, every single dime of the solution is coming out of the Department of Human Services,” Whalen said. “And this means further cuts to developmental disabled, to the poorest of the poor, to basic human service needs, and of course it means drastic cuts to the child care program in our state."

But a spokeswoman for the Governor's Office of Management and Budget says the proposed cuts aren't new — they are simply part of the current year's budget process. "The Illinois Department of Human Services is continuing to implement reductions that were made by the governor and the last General Assembly in the current year’s appropriations," according to Kelly Kraft.

The governor reportedly has been asking social service providers to lobby lawmakers for passage of $8.75 million in bonds primarily to help pay off a backlog of bills to social service providers and other vendors.

State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) said that no services, agencies or groups are immune to budget cuts. “Given the financial situation that we face, I don’t believe that there’s any area within the budget that will not be looked at for potential cuts,” Brady said.

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5064/child-care-advocates-fight-back-against-cuts-nearing-100-million/

Obituaries

John O’Hara, 76, of Lakewood, died at home Sunday. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley with visitation from 9:30 am until the time of the Mass. Entombment will be in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery.

O'Hara was born January 15, 1935, in Chicago, the son of Patrick and Catherine (Preston) O’Hara. In 1955 he married Antoinette Tamburello. He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Terri O’Hara of Santa Monica, CA; his son, John A. O’Hara (Anne) of Lakewood,; and by two grandchildren, Anthony and Alexandra. He is also survived by his sister, Sadie Kryzak (Frank) of Elgin. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and two brothers.

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
February 7
0015 HRS MCHENRY AVE. & RANDALL RD., NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. DOMINGUEZ, AURELIO, M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 243 TERRA COTTA LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No valid drivers license, expired registration and no insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0337 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & HILLTOP DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BENSON, KYLE J., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 948 WATERFORD CUT ST., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, disregarding a stop sign & failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. RELEASED ON BOND.
1106 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GRANT AVE. WANTED ON WARRANT. VOLIN, ADAM C., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 3 GRANT AVE., LAKE IN THE HILLS.
CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant out of McHenry County for Probation Violation - Driving under the Influence Bond $5,000, 10% applies. RELEASED ON BOND.
0519 HRS 300 BLOCK OF CLEAR SKY TRAIL. REPORT FOR INSURANCE. Broken water pipe inside the residence.
0754 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
0756 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. One vehicle; roll-over. Property damage only.
0927 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). FOUND PROPERTY. Watch, placed in evidence.
1404 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. ASSIST MCHENRY COUNTY SHERIFFS. Assist to McHenry County Sheriff's Office.
1743 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Four vehicles. Property damage only.
2144 HRS 100 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 64 years of age being combative about taking medication. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.

Quinn Still Reviewing Death Penalty

Gov. Pat Quinn  Friday said he would decide the fate of inmates now on death row when he reaches a decision on whether to sign legislation abolishing the death penalty.  That's a change from his commitment to one of the measure's chief sponsors, State Sen. Pam Althoff.  "He said he'd sign it," she told FEN.

After a long and often-emotional debate, lawmakers narrowly approved the abolition measure during the lame-duck session last month. Supporters pointed to multiple death row exonerations, while opponents argued the threat of capital punishment can force confessions from alleged killers. Quinn has 60 days to veto legislation after it hit his desk or it becomes law without his signature. The abolition bill went to Quinn Jan. 18.

Althoff was the measure's chief co-sponsor in the Senate, a seemingly-strange position for a legislator from conservative McHenry County.  Althoff said she arrived at it from a financial rather than a moral standpoint, however.  "I started to change my opinion when I started to read how expensive it was," she said.

Even though no one's been executed in Illinois since Ripper Crew killer Andrew Kokoraleis 12 years ago, "(death row inmates) sit in their cells and file endless appeals," said Althoff.  "It costs us gazillions of dollars."

That's because the State has a fund to pay for all those appeals.  The price tag was about $20 million last year which Althoff views as money wasted since in fact, "We're not putting anyone to death."

Just before his term expired eight years ago Governor George Ryan commuted the death sentences of 167 convicted killers.  Only 15 people have been sentenced to death since then and even they won't be executed unless a moratorium Ryan put in place in 2000 is lifted.  In practice it's unlikely anything would happen even then. The company that makes one of the drugs used in Illinois lethal injections says it can't make any more and switching to another one would probably be almost impossible. California's been trying for the last four and so far it's gotten nowhere.

"Just say they have life without parole," is Althoff's recommendation although she qualified that adding "I'm not opposed to reconsidering legislation inlcluding special types of crime that deserve the death penalty."

That might be what finally happens. Kent Redfield, a professor of political studies at the University of Illinois-Springfield, observed Friday that "(Quinn's) in a bit of a box." The Governor personally supports the death penalty but he's a Democrat and the death penalty abolition bill reached his desk from a Democrat-controlled Legislature.

Ironically the new more Republican Legislature might be Quinn's only escape from a personal bind, according to Redfield. Quinn could sign the abolition and then ask the newly elected, Legislature to craft a more narrowly defined death penalty. “That seems to be the only kind of out he has right now,” said Redfield.

More on this story can be found at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5054/quinn-to-consider-death-row-inmates-in-decision-on-death-penalty-abolition/

In the pic:  The death gurney used in Illinois' last execution in 1999.

'Boarders Grab Air At Raging Buffalo Competition

Algonquin's Raging Buffalo Snowboard/Ski Park hosted round three of the USASA snowboard halfpipe regionals Sunday.  The final round's at the park in three weeks with the winners advancing to the national championships in Colorado in April.  Sunday's competition drew snowboarders from all over the central Midwest.

In the pic:  Going for big air here was HP Junior (16-17) points leader James Wilson.  He 'boards out of Highland Park.

Newest Church Cuts Ribbon In Algonquin

Lead Pastor Dave Rudin cut the ribbon Sunday for the grand opening of what is by FEN's count the 25th church in Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Huntley.  "It's a different church," said Rudin. "It meets in a bowling alley.  In the bar." Lifeline Christian Church has in fact been holding services since October at  Brunswick Zone XL in Algonquin.

It calls itself "an independent, non-denominational, Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church." Whatever that means, Rudin's message Sunday was definitely evangelical. "If everyone (in the area) were all going to their churches there would still be 75 to 80 percent that were not involved in any church," he said. He said he hopes to change that.

Lifeline's Grand Opening will continue through February.

In the pic:  Lifeline Christian Church saw about 50 people in attendance Sunday, not counting kids.  There were an awful lot of kids not to count.

Local Girl In Superbowl Pregame Show

Superbowl XLV's barnburner didn't include any area athletes on the gridiron and the Black Eyed Peas don't hail from McHenry County but even so there was still one local connection to the media extravaganza.  You had to look closely and maybe hit the magnify button on the remote at just the right spot but it was there.

One of the Texas Christian Horned Frog (really) marching band members in the pregame show was sophomore Abby Moore from Huntley.  She's the daughter of Linda and David Moore and sent along this pic from just before the band went on the air.

Ruling Could Mean Bumpy Road For Construction Plans

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
An appellate court ruling that found unconstitutional the legislation funding the state’s capital construction plan could send lawmakers scrambling after a new capital plan and bring future state borrowing under even more scrutiny.  The legislation provides the funding for Huntley's Route 47 widening and Algonquin's Route 31 Western Bypass.

While some legislators have said the solution will be as easy as breaking up the components into separate bills and passing them, experts agree that finding the needed support could be challenging in a new legislature with a new political climate. David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, said new Republican lawmakers in both chambers could present a problem to those who want to see a similar plan passed again. “Even though this is a capital bill … you still are going to ask people to vote on video poker, which is controversial, (and) to raise liquor taxes. Any kind of revenue thing is more difficult in the environment.”

He added that the recent income tax increase could be a factor because it has focused public attention — and frustration — on taxes.“Some of those Republicans (who supported the bill when it passed) are no longer in the legislature. … We’ve had a 2010 election in which the Tea Party movement has dominated the Republican Party. The Republican Party is solidly anti-tax. I don’t think any Republican … in the legislature would find it very easy to vote for any tax increase right now.”

Yepsen predicted that the Supreme Court will reject the appellate court’s opinion, which he said came as a surprise. He said the court's granting the states request for a hold may indicate how the court will rule. “If they were really upset about it, why did they put a hold on it? Why did they grant this stay?”

Yepsen said no matter how the Supreme Court rules, any Illinois plan that involves borrowing will come under some added scrutiny in the future. “It could cause some heartburn when the state wants to borrow.”

This means the proposed plan to borrow $8.75 billion to pay down the state's backlog of bills, as well as other borrowing proposals, could be the subject of added scrutiny in the coming months of legislative session. “This is likely to give the jitters at least for a few years,” said Yepsen.


You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/ruling-could-mean-bumpy-road-for.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
February 6
0310 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. GRIFFITH, RORY J., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 15428 W. 147TH ST., HOMER GLEN. CHARGES: Failure to use traffic signal, improper lane usage,  Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content Greater Than .08. RELEASED ON BOND.
1232 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HALFMOON GATE. DOMESTIC BATTERY. LOSARDO, LISA D., F/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, 1179 HALFMOON GATE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0157 HRS 00 BLOCK OF ACORN LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0337 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). BATTERY. Driving altercation became physical in parking lot. FAIL TO FILE.
1005 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife; verbal only. No priors. Male, transported to Sherman Hospital for an evaluation.
1524 HRS 100 BLOCK OF NORTHLIGHT PASS. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 59 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2002 HRS 400 BLOCK OF GRACE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Wife vs. husband. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2033 HRS RAKOW RD & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Car vs. deer.
2145 HRS 00 BLOCK OF CROFTON CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 41 years of age, abdominal and leg pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
2250 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 65 years of age, difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
February 4
13:14pm Lugo, Lauren E., DOB: 06/21/89, of 1108 Heavens Gate, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Retail Theft & Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  She was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 03/30/11 in Algonquin.
February 5
15:09pm Fisher, Russell L., DOB: 06/19/57, of 225 Highland Avenue, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant, out of Cook County for DWLS/DWLR.  He was taken into custody at Butera, 1400 E. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await pick up by Cook County after posting $150 on the Algonquin charges with a court date of 03/16/11 in McHenry County.
February 6
02:49am Sivila, Sandra, DOB: 01/09/69, of 4760 Highwood Lane, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLR, No Proof of Insurance and Failure to Signal Lane Change.  She was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Talaga Drive.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 03/09/11 in McHenry County.
16:30pm Richert, Lisa M., DOB: 05/20/68, of 11730 Niagra lane, Huntley, 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 03/16/11 in McHenry County.
18:02pm Pestka, Paige E., DOB: 02/21/91 of 300 Pauline Avenue Apt #B, Crystal Lake, 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 03/30/11 in Algonquin.

Snow Accumulation May Set Record--Hooray?

With over an inch of snow accumulated already this morning the 2010-11 snow season bids fair (so to speak) to become the fourth consecutive season with 50 inches or more of snow. That would set a record for the number of consecutive snow seasons reaching the 50-inch mark.

The week's blizzard officially measured at O'Hare contributed 20.2 inches to the overall total of 47.5 inches of snow this winter season. That leaves only 2.5 inches needed to break the record, roughly what the National Weather Service is predicting for the area.

The snow totals for the seasons leading up to the 2010-2011:

    * 2007-2008: 60.3 inches
    * 2008-2009: 52.7 inches
    * 2009-2010: 54.2 inches

That sounds like a lot but there's is still a way to go to exceed Chicago's record for greatest accumulated snowfall. The figure was 89.7 inches during the 1978-1979 season.

That's only for the 100 or so years with reliable records, of course.  There was probably a really monster snow accumulation in northern Illinois somewhere along 1805-15.  That's when, according to the native Indians, the snow was so deep buffalo all starved to death because they couldn't reach forage.  The story seemed to fit pretty well with the huge piles of bones settlers found scattered across the northern Illinois plains.

These days the average snow fall from autumn through spring is 38.0 inches.  Not counting the last 10 years, of course.

In the pic:  NWS radar at 7 am this morning.

Special Olympics Skaters Get Moment In Spotlight

Local Special Olympics figure skaters got to show their stuff Saturday despite cancellation of this week's Special Olympic Winter Games due to snow.

Eleven year-old Abby Stanton from LITH and 20 year-old Kayla Barnard were two of the five area qualifiers for the canceled competition in Galena who ran through their routines at the Crystal Ice House in Crystal Lake.

Seventeen-year veteran skating coach Zane Shropshire, Algonquin, said her skaters probably performed at what would be level one, a beginner's rank on an absolute scale. "But to do their routines properly all by themselves,  that's really beautiful," she said.

About two dozen supporters watched the routines from the Ice House grandstands Saturday.  Then everyone trooped into the lobby for presentation of unofficial trophies and cupcakes.  And the kids got their names and pictures in the newspaper just the way they would have even if the Galena competition hadn't been scratched.

In the pic:  (above) Kayla Barnard doing a turn. (below) Abby Stanton in a pose.

MUDD Runners Stymied By Snow

With all the snow on the ground pity the poor woodland creatures.  Creatures like members of the McHenry (County) Ultrarunner Dudes and and Dudettes, for instance, who were forced to run in Algonquin streets Saturday to get in shape for upcoming events.

"We tried the woods this morning but the snow was too deep," said ultrarunner Robin Platt who's tuning up for a 100-miler soon.  With him was Steve Cohn getting ready for a 50-mile event.  Also in the little group was Brandi Henry.  She wasn't training for anything, she said, she just felt like running for a few hours but not alone.

"We've got a Facebook page," said Platt, not even panting after only 30 seconds at rest.  And so they do in case anyone else is interested in running through what will surely be when the snow melts, "M.U.D.D.":

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128175220555000&v=wall&viewas=0&ref=mf  

In the pic:  MUDDers Robin Platt, Brandi Henry and Steve Cohn usually abjure street running.

Recovery Dollars To Be Sought For Blizzard Cleanup

By Diane S.W. Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
More than 2,800 of the state’s snowplow drivers clocked in upwards of 14,000 hours of overtime to clear snow-covered roads during this week's blizzard. Now the recovery effort begins, according to Joseph Klinger, interim director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

Individual counties may seek federal assistance for the snow emergency, but they must meet three requirements, Klinger said. Counties must first meet “near record snowfall,” defined as 10 percent of the record, he said. “Our preliminary data indicates a large portion of the northern half of Illinois may actually meet that threshold, but those numbers must be confirmed by the National Weather Service later this month,” Klinger said.

In addition, the state must reach $16.1 million in eligible costs related to snow removal, which includes mobilizing the National Guard and equipment fees, he said. Finally, each county that qualifies must also meet a $3.27 per capita threshold for snow removal during the 48-hour period, he said.

Governor Pat Quinn called to duty more than 500 Illinois National Guard troops to assist the Illinois State Police with attempts to dig out more than 200 snowed-in drivers statewide.
Other state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Transportation, combined their efforts with police and troops to rescue more than 4,000 stranded drivers, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

About 1,629 IDOT snowplow trucks cleared 16,500 miles of highway during the winter storm, according to a news release. But IDOT snowplows had trouble clearing snow-covered roads due to snowdrifts and stranded drivers.

You can read Diane's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5052/blizzard-clean-up-ends-recovery-dollars-sought/

Obituaries

Brian D. Logan, 34, of Huntley formerly of Chicago,died at Sherman Hospital in Elgin following a lengthy illness. A visitation will be held from 2 until 9 pm Tuesday with a 7 pm Service of Remembrance on at DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley.

Logan was born February 11, 1976 in Chicago, the son of Timothy T. and JoAnne C. (Kruty) Logan.
He is survived by his daughter, Mya Zehnder of England; his mother, JoAnne (Daniel Zamora) Logan of Huntley; his father, Timothy (Catherine) Logan of Rolling Meadows; his sisters, Jody (Matt) Meyer of Crystal Lake, Jamie Logan of Huntley; his step-brother, Victor Tolemy of Rolling Meadows; his step-sister, Jennifer Tolemy of Itasca,and his grandmother, Nancy Kruty of Huntley. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas and Jean Logan and John Kruty.

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
February 5
0641 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HUNTERS PATH. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. Complainant was receiving calls from ex-husband. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1210 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF CLAREMONT LANE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 11 years of age, cut his finger. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
1316 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 75 years of age, confused. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
1356 HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DRIVE. LOST ARTICLE. Missing/Lost license plate. ENTERED INTO LEADS.
1959 HRS 2000 BLOCK OF BRITTANY BEND. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. One prior.
2015 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. ACCIDENT. Vehicle backed into a parked car.
2015 HRS 270 N. RANDALL RD., (CHEN CUISINE). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 30 years of age, slipped and fell. Transported to Sherman Hospital.