Student Picketers And Board Member Apology Follow D300 Pinkslips

A handful of students and alums picketed at Bunker Hill and Randall Friday while students at Jacobs High school stage a sitin protesting Wednesday's District 300 Board vote to lay off more than 360 teachers next year to stave off a river of red budget ink.

Jacobs students reportedly took over their advisory period to protest and were only chivvied back to their classes with threats of suspension.  Thursday students at both Jacobs and Dundee-Crown staged short walkouts. One was even reported at Dundee Middle School.

Meanwhile Friday, Board Member Monica Clark, a victim of an overlooked open-mike, apologized for using really bad language at the raucous hearing before the layoff vote.

Clark made herself a target early in the proceedings when a student refused to stop speaking so the next person could have a turn.  "Is this the way a professional group performs?" she asked, "I don't think so." That was met with a chorus of boos from the mostly teenage audience.

Later on as Clark apparent fiddled with her cellphone a young speaker stopped himself in mid-rail to suddenly demand, "Monica Clark, will you please look at me when I'm speaking?"

There were more howls of derision in the midst of which Clark muttered to fellow-Member Karen Plaza, "I'm not going to be personally attacked by these little @#$%ers anymore."

No one, at least among seven reporters and two camera crews there, heard Clark's profane comment but it was picked up on the District's sound recording system. Nobody noticed it, however, until it had been posted to the District's website Thursday.

In fact, Clark was assailed one more time Wednesday when another boy accused her of falling asleep "because of old age or she's bored." 

"I completely regret my use of profanity at the Board meeting," Clark said in a statement Friday.  "I should have used better judgment."

In the pic:  Only two of the Bunker Hill picketers Friday were Jacobs students.  The others were graduates who said they hoped to go to college in the Fall.

MCC Board OK's 10 Percent Tuition Increase

The McHenry County College Board of Trustees Thursday unanimously approved hiking tuition $8 per credit hour.  With the school's $9 per hour "technology fee" that brings the new tuition and fees rate to $99 per credit hour effective this Fall.

“We are continuing to provide strong programs that meet the needs of the community and at the same time, maintain a fiscally responsible budget,” said MCC President Vicky Smith. “We are also keeping our commitment to avoid placing any additional burden on the taxpayers.”

The tuition hike is expected to raise about $1 million in new revenue to help offset a budget shortfall of $1.2 million. Most of the extra money's earmarked for salaries and benefits.

When the State originally set up its junior college system 45 years ago it was supposed to fund one third of community college budgets, with local taxes and students paying the other two thirds. “At MCC, state funding is currently 4.7 percent of the budget, far less than its share,” Smith said.

MCC administrators had recommended an increase of $10 per hour but some trustees thought that was too high so the Board cranked it back a little. Administrators claim the new boost will put MCC tuition and fees right in the middle of the range among the state's 39 college districts.

No, Sweety, "Pirates of Penzance" Doesn't Star Johnny Depp

Third and fourth grade students at Huntley's Leggee Elementary found out last week there's more to music than rock videos. The Leggee PTA sponsored a performance of “The Pirates of Penzance” by the Madison, WI-based group Opera For the Young.  For many of the students it was their first experience with opera.

Sixteen fourth grade students performed with the professional cast of opera singers. They worked with music teacher Mary Bell outside of class to learn their roles.  Henna Hakala, one of the pirates, said, “I never really liked opera, but now that I got to sing with real opera singers, I want to be an opera singer when I grow up!”

Student cast members included: Darcy McQueeny, Curran Rooney, Michael Benner,   Julia Coleman, Evelyn Hartmann, Mady Swanson, Karolina Talaska, Damian Phosaraj, Avery Greig, Emily Sheehan, Jenelle Alberts, Jack Moretti, Jason Peters, Sam Moore, Jacob Bellak, and Henna Hakala.

In the pic:  Some of the Leggee kids performing recently in "The Pirates of Penzance", usually classified as an operetta  since it doesn't have as many dying singers as most mainline operas.

Public Legal Notices Not Yet Online-Ready

By Diane S.W. Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
All of those public notices printed (and paid for) in the newspaper will stay put, at least for now. A bill to move public newspaper notices to local government and school district websites is stuck in House Rules Committee. That is traditionally known as a death sentence for legislation.

Chief sponsor, state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, said his proposal was meant to spark discussion. “It gave both parties, both sides of the argument, a reason to come and talk and see how they could make the notice requirements better,“ Mautino said, “while still requiring, and allowing for transparency, but possibly saving some money in the process for those that are required by the laws to report.”

Local governments and school districts must print public notices in local newspapers to announce any action using tax dollars, such as upcoming public meetings or bids for government contracts. Under the proposal, the notices would still have to publish a note in a newspaper to refer readers to a website where the public notice is posted.

But the shift could mean less money for newspapers, which have been struggling financially.
The Illinois Press Association, which represents roughly 480 newspapers statewide, opposed the measure. Josh Sharp, the association’s director of government relations, disagrees with the idea to put notices online. “That theory of how this process will work is dead,” he said.

McHenry County State Rep. Michael Tryon, agreed the plan needs to be worked on “at length” to address some concerns of the media and public interest groups. “There are lots of different types of notices that could be reshaped, reformatted and provide better information,” he said.

Tryon, a co-sponsor of the plan, said more people are turning to the Internet for news and information.“It shouldn’t be considered as an attack on the freedom of information at all,” Tryon said. “I think that the people that are working on it are trying to make it easier to access information.”

"There would still be a notice in the newspaper," said Dave Morrison, Deputy Director of Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. "But getting it onto the Internet where Google or any Web crawler that could get a hold of it might make it more accessible to the public."

You can read Diane's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5484/public-notices-not-yet-online-ready/

Obituaries

Joan C. Britz, 70, of Huntley, died suddenly Monday in Clarksville, TN. A memorial gathering for Joan will be held Saturday, June 11, from 1 pm to 4 pm at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley.

Britz was born April 12, 1940, the daughter of Joseph V. and Zola (Swick) Schuster. On September 3, 1960 she married Joseph E. Britz. She is survived by her husband, Huntley; two sons, Douglas J. Britz and wife Sherri of Bettendorf, IA, Stephen J. Britz and wife Suzy of Flower Mound, TX; six grandchildren, Stephen Jr., Joseph, Benjamin, Jessica, Jacob and Alyssa Britz, and her brother, John Schuster of Gilbert, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to American Heart Association.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
March 25
0312 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTI’S). BATTERY. NGUYEN, NATHAN B., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 3321 N. LEWIS AVE. APT 2, WAUKEGAN CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
1610 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (LITH PD). WARRANT SERVICE. LIPSCOMB, ANTHONY C., M/W 27 YEARS OF AGE, 301 WANDER WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Wanted on warrant Kane County, Failure to appear,Possession of drug paraphernalia. RELEASED ON BOND.
2246 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICKS). RETAIL THEFT. COCCORAN, CASSIDY B., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE,7400 W. HILLSIDE RD., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Retail Theft. RELEASED ON BOND.
1147 HRS 10 BLOCK OF MANCHESTER CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 12 years of age, with injury to leg. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1700 HRS 200 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. DOMESTIC. Son vs. parents. Verbal only. No priors.
1912 HRS 164 N. RANDALL RD., (NANCY’S PIZZA). DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1913 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1914 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD., (COSTCO). DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
2034 HRS 90 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, one year of age, with head injury. No transport.
2049 HRS 500 BLOCK OF DELAWARE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. son. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.

Here's Half The Bills For The "Not Guilty" Bianchi Case

As FEN reported Wednesday, McHenry County's cost for the so-far spectacularly failed investigation and prosecution of State's Attorney Lou Bianchi probably already run well over $400,000. Appointing Judge Gordon Graham hasn't shared any detail with the County Board of what they've been paying for.  Today about half of it is available here:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/51525696/Quest-Billing
It will probably raise some questions.

The bills, obtained from Bianchi defense attorney Terry Ekl late Thursday, come from Quest Consultants International, Oak Brook.  That's the detective firm hired by Special Prosecutors Henry "Skip" Tonigan and Thomas McQueen to do the actual investigation in the Bianchi case. How much investigation Quest did isn't clear.  A remarkable number of entries are Quest people meeting with Tonigan and/or McQueen to "discuss case updates and strategy".  How many and when is hard to tell.

For instance, Quest President Bob Scigalski lists "initial meeting with Judge Henry 'Skip' Tonigan and (computer forensics investigator) Dan Jerger" Dec. 20, 2009, at the North Barrington address of the law firm where Tonigan's of counsel.  However, Jerger lists "initial meeting with Judge Henry "skip" Tonigan and Bob Scigalski" there Dec. 30.  Scigalski's date may be a mistake, though. It's obviously out of order in the billing sequence. In any event, Scigalski billed $337.50 for the initial meeting on Dec. 20.  Jerger billed $625 for the initial meeting on Dec. 31.

Then again, maybe Jerger's date is wrong.  Jerger's bills show an "initial meeting with Tom McQueen and Bob Scigalski to discuss case background and details" at what seems to have been an ice cream parlor in Buffalo Grove Dec. 31, 2009.  However they also show "Initial meeting with Tom McQeen and Bob Scigalski to discuss case background and details," at the ice cream parlor again May 27, 2010.  Jerger billed $500 for each of the "initial meetings".

If there were too many initial meetings billed, perhaps they were offset by work that wasn't billed.  During the trial a major point of argument was whether County Administrator Pete Austin had or had not told a Quest investigator he was the one and only person in McHenry County who could allow employees to use their office PC's for personal purposes.  There is no bill shown mentioning an Austin interview.

There are a lot of Quest bills that are blanked out, though, in the list Ekl provided.

There's one other thing that's especially missing from the Quest bills, however. That would be an interview with former Bianchi secretary Amy Dalby.  It was Dalby's petition for a Special Prosecutor to investigate Bianchi that Judge Gordon Graham granted in September of 2009 even though she hadn't worked for the State's Attorney since July of 2006.  Graham told Appellate State's Attorney Charles Colburn it would be up to the Special Prosecutor he was going to appoint to figure out whether the statute of limitations had run out on the things Dalby claimed she'd seen.

Tonigan made a "hot pursuit" argument later that even if the statute had run out it didn't matter as long as Dalby information led to later crimes that could still be prosecuted.  However, Quest's bills don't show anyone ever talked to Dalby after their investigation began.  The first time her name shows up is when Scigalski and Tonigan prepped her a week before the trial opened, March 13.  A week and a day, really, if the date's correct.  March 13 was a Sunday.

In the pic:  (above) This is the picture next to the address of Quest Consultants International's "world-wide headquarters". (below) This is the building that's actually at the address listed.  

LITH 911 Backup To Switch To McHenry

The Lake in the Hills Board Thursday approved switching backup service in case the Village's 911 system goes down to the McHenry Police Department Public Safety Access Point instead of Marengo's.  The question's always been not whether but where since Marengo will officially shut down its police dispatch center at the end of next month.

Calls to 911 within the Village limits go straight to LITH PD dispatch.  If it's a cop call the desk handles dispatch right there.  If it's a fire or ambulance call it's passed on to those dispatch centers, whichever one is responsible for wherever the caller's address is located. (That's what makes the arguments in the upcoming election for spots on the Huntley Fire Protection District hard to sort out; FEN's working on it.)

If something goes wrong at LITH dispatch, as it did a month ago when a pipe burst at the station, Director of Police and Public Safety Jim Wales said, "We have a switch that we throw to route calls to the backup PSAP."  Thursday's action will change where they go to McHenry PD instead of Marengo.  When Marengo's dispatch shuts down, regular police calls will go to Lake in the Hills.

In the pic:  The other end of the calls you hear on the police scanner at LITH PD.

State High Court Rules On Drug Sniffs, Elections, ID Theft

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
It  may be a little easier for police officers in Illinois to find drugs after the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday OK'd drug sniff "set-ups". The opinion in People v. Bartelt  was one of several handed down Thursday by the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Bartelt case centers on a 2006 traffic stop in Quincy. Police officers said Cheryl Bartelt was suspected of buying methamphetamine. Officers pulled over her car, and called for a drug-sniffing dog. While they waited, officers told Bartelt to roll up her car windows and turn on her car's fans. Once the dog arrived, it alerted officers to the presence of drugs. The police searched Bartelt's car, found methamphetamine and arrested her.

Bartelt's lawyer challenged the pre-dog "set-up" of the car and got a lower court to agree that the police stepped over the line. But a divided Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, ruled that the police did not violate Bartelt's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. "The dog sniff in (this case) was not a search subject to the fourth amendment because it did not compromise any legitimate interest in privacy," Justice Lloyd Karmeier wrote for the majority of the court.

Justice Charles Freeman disagreeing wrote "there is nothing to balance (Bartelt's) right to be free from arbitrary interference by the police."

The high court did question a tool for law enforcement in another of Thursday's rulings. Claudia Madrigal, who was indicted in Kane County for using someone else's name to gain information about that person. Justice Bob Thomas wrote for the court that the law is too vague. "Doing a computer search through Google, or some other search engine, or through a social networking site such as Facebook" could violate the identity theft law, Thomas wrote.

The court on Thursday struck down the law for now, but Thomas suggested lawmakers try again.

The justices also used a Thursday opinion to weigh in on who has the ultimate power to decide Illinois' election laws. Will County's election board allowed a candidate for judge,Chris Ward, to stay on the ballot despite the fact that Ward did not live in the judicial district.  A Will County judge eventually ordered Ward off the ballot

The high court sternly reminded officials in Will County that when state law says a candidate has to live in the district they wish to represent, they have to live in that district. 

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5477/state-high-court-rules-on-drug-sniffs-election-code-and-id-theft/

Federal Budget Cuts Endanger Workforce Training Centers

By Mary J. Cristobal, Illinois Statehouse News
The state’s unemployment rate may be dropping, but federal funding for job training is dropping faster. “What we are seeing is proposed cuts and reductions in the federal budget that would severely impact job training and re-employment services at the critical time when we’re trying to put people back to work,” said Warren Ribley, director of Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, at a Thursday news conference.

The U.S. House of Representatives last month cut funding for work force development and job training under the Workforce Investment Act with approval of an appropriations bill.  But many of Illinois' Republican congressmen, now in the majority in the House, said it’s essential to make the budget cuts.

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-16th District, said his boss would prefer to cut every federal program by 5 percent across the board. “But the work force programs were cut more heavily in the last spending bill that came up,” Rich Carter said. “(Manzullo) voted for those cuts because we significantly need to cut spending.”

For 2011, Illinois received $21 million from the federal program. If the funding is not restored, 26 work force development boards and 113 career training centers would close, and tens of thousands of Illinoisans would lose their opportunities at retraining, according to Ribley.

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5475/federal-budget-cuts-endanger-workforce-training-centers/

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
March 24
1713 HRS RANDALL RD. & ANGELA LN. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. LOWERY, KYLE C., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE. 24 10TH AVE., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, No Proof of Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0629 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 44 years of age, having chest pains & difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1655 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 11 years of age, having head and neck pains due to a fall. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1722 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1736 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. VIOLATION OF A COURT ORDER. Male subject violated court order. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2010 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 46 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.
2100 HRS 200 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. DOMESTIC. Parents vs. Daughter. Verbal only. Three priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2121 HRS 0 BLOCK OF WRIGHT CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. Daughter. Two priors. UNFOUNDED.
2132 HRS 400 BLOCK OF STEEPLECHASE WAY. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, five years of age, having difficulty breathing. No transport.
2204 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Contact made with a registered sex offender.
Algonquin
March 21
17:05pm Stewart, Robin J., DOB: 07/08/69, of 806 Navajo Drive, Carpentersville, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Meijer’s, 400 S. Randall Road.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 04/27/11 in McHenry County.
March 22
03:43am Glover, James M., DOB: 12/26/87, of 1744 Kingston Circle, Carpentersville, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Failure to Appear on a Robbery charge.  He was taken into custody at Washington Street and Main Street.  He was transported to Kane County Jail when unable to post bond.
06:52am A 14 year-old female from Carpentersville was charged with Theft Under $300.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of her father.
March 23
01:46am Poliakon, John W., DOB: 03/03/73, of 6100 Dunrover Lakes Court, Carpentersville, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear on a Leaving the Scene of an Accident charge.  He was taken into custody at 113 Valley View Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
09:24am An 16 year-old male from Algonquin was Wanted on a Juvenile Warrant out of McHenry County for Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody in the 500 block of Flora Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
20:11pm A 16 year-old female from Round Lake Beach 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 04/27/11 in Algonquin.
23:42pm A 16 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Unlawful Use of Weapon, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Damage to Property.  He was taken into custody in the 2600 block of Williamsburg Drive.  He was Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his parents.

Students Protest But D300 Approves Huge Teacher Layoff

After 80 people trooped to the microphone to ask them not to, the District 300 Board of Education laid off 363 teachers at a Special Hearing Wednesday.  But the teachers' union president said both sides have agreed to meet and the Board president said maybe some of the teachers could be hired back "soon".

The big gym at Westfield School was again packed to capacity and beyond with about 700 people.  This time, though, more than half were students and the rest were teachers. By a show of hands only about a dozen taxpayers were there.

Almost all the speakers were students, most of them unhappy to be limited to 60 seconds' worth of comments since so many wanted to make them.

"'Mom, Dad, my school administrator changed by life,'" said one snarky Dundee-Crown debater.

"Cutting art and music is bogus," was the bottom-line verdict of another D-C student.

Slightly spooky was a warning from one Jacobs student:  "I plan to be a pediatric oncologist and I will not let you interfere."

Periodic claims to embodying "the future" drew the kind of cheers that usually follow a slam dunk.

Among the handful of adults to speak was former Board Member and April 5 candidate Susie Kopacz who said she hoped "(the Board and union) would come together immediately."  Meanwhile fellow Board hopeful Steve Fiorentino had workers stuffing election fliers under window wipers in the parking lot.

Nevertheless, the Board approved a resolutions to reorganize D300 middle and high schools by reducing the number of optional courses the District offers and, so, the teachers who teach them. The measures were expected to save $2.5 million in a 2011-12 school year budget shaping up to hemorrhage red ink.

Member Chris Stanton said that the savings didn't matter.  "Everyone wants to apply standard business logic--it doesn't fit."

Member Dave Alessio said things were moving too fast.  "I feel we need more time for these changes to be evaluated."

Time, by state statute, was what there wasn't enough of if there were going to be any teacher cuts at all, though, even with an eye to hiring some back later.  Superintendent-elect Michael Bregy spoke of laying off only 200 teachers suggesting about 140 of those laid off Wednesday might come back in August.

Board members laid the onus for that on the teachers themselves.  "I don't think the board has ever said we're  not willing to work with our unions," said Member Karen Roeckner.

Board President Joe Stevens said if negotiations went well he hoped to reverse some of the layoffs "in a week or two."

LEAD 300 President Kolleen Hanetho told FEN at least there might finally be some negotiations.  "It appears that one of the four dates that were unacceptable (to the District) has been accepted," she said.

In the pic:  One Jacobs student protesting teacher layoffs Wednesday made a pretty good point:  "If it weren't for my teachers I wouldn't be able to say this stuff."

Bianchi Verdict: No Runs, No Hits, Lots of Errors For Prosecutors

The trial of McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi ended early Wednesday when a Winnebago County Judge ruled he didn't even need to defend himself.

Judge Joseph McGraw, imported so Bianchi'd get a fair trial, found after two hours' deliberation including lunch that Special Prosecutors had utterly failed to make a case against him. He found Bianchi and his secretary, Joyce Synek, both not guilty of all 26 counts of Conspiracy, Official Misconduct, Perjury, Obstruction of Justice and Unlawful Communication With a Witness.

McGraw ruled that evidence provided by Special Prosecutors Henry "Skip" Tonigan and Thomas McQueen didn't support their charges even "considered in the light most favorable." He said most of the indictments had the law wrong right from the start, anyway.

At a news conference afterwards Bianchi said, "Day by day we prosecute defendants.  I will never forget what it's like to be falsely accused.  I will carry that to my grave."

Defense attorney Terry Ekl called McGraw's decision unprecedented.  "It doesn't work this way," he said.

On the 19 main Official Misconduct charges that Bianchi had County employees do campaign work at the office, the judge ruled that if he did it was as a candidate, not as State's attorney, so it wasn't official.  Besides, the law Prosecutors' claimed warned him that he shouldn't do it had nothing to do with County computers and salaried employees.  But even if it did, computer records didn't show when, where or by whom "political documents" were typed up in the first place.

On charges of conspiracy with Synek, McGraw found no evidence there was one and said he couldn't infer it.

On charges of perjury against Synek alone, McGraw found Prosecutors' Grand Jury questions were too ambiguous.  On an obstruction of justice charge he said there was no evidence Synek had destroyed records, but if there had been there wasn't any evidence what the records were about assuming they ever really existed.

On the remaining charge of unlawful communication with a witness, McGraw said he didn't think Bianchi tried to convince then-First Assistant State's Attorney Tom Carroll not to tell the Grand Jury the truth during a disagreement over what records he should take to answer a Grand Jury subpoena.

Ekl said McGraw's 20-minute decison boiled down to, "'You never should have brought the charges'."

Even so, the judge lectured Bianchi, indeed, all officeholders, to be careful to avoid impropriety, even the appearance of impropriety.  Especially during an election year, he said, when "they will be subjected to increased scrutiny."

Synek attorney Ernest DiBenedetto said afterwards, "(Special Prosecutors) could have just had the Grand Jury issue a similar type statement."

Tonigan and McQueen tersely refused to say whether they'd drop three additional Official misconduct charges brought against Bianchi last month for allegedly giving special breaks to supposed friends and relatives.  "Those are even weaker," said Ekl.

DiBenedetto was still upset Synek had been charged at all.  "For a person who cooperated to be put in the middle of whatever's going on in this county...It's sad."

In the pic:  McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi and defense lawyer Terry Ekl were optimistic about Wednesday's verdict even before they heard it.

Bianchi Defense Promises Details On Prosecutors' Bills

McHenry County Board members wondering what they've been paying for in the so-far failed investigation and prosecution of  State's Attorney Lou Bianchi may see some details soon they've so far been denied.

After a news conference Wednesday on the heels of  Bianchi's directed verdict of "Not Guilty" on all charges, defense attorney Terry Ekl turned to leave but wasn't fast enough to avoid  a small mob of reporters with more questions.  He began to fulminate about the quality of a Special Prosecutors' computer investigator's report.

"He just ran it against some search words. For that he charged $250 an hour."

$250 an hour?, asked FEN.

"Yeah, that's what (PI firm Quest Consultants International) charged.  You can look at the bill."

We can't look at the bill.

"You wouldn't believe it.  Nickie Owens (former McHenry County State's Attorney Criminal Chief). Two investigators went to Decatur to ask her if she'd ever worked on Lou's campaign.  They billed 17 hours. If that's all they wanted to know they could have just picked up a telephone.  That would have cost, what, 30 cents?"

Is there other stuff like that?

"Sure."

Could we see it?

"I'll email it to all of you."

Apparently Ekl had already released some recent Quest billing information to Cal Skinner for his McHenry County Blog.  You can see that here:

http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2011/03/23/total-bill-for-special-prosecutors-investigating-firm-225000/

By Ekl's calculation Quest has charged McHenry County $225,000 for investigative work through Monday.

Quinn Floats New Borrowing

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn Wednesday pitched more short-term borrowing to help Illinois bring in federal dollars, but the plan is still being formed.

Quinn told reporters in Chicago he wants to borrow about $2 billion to capture a temporarily higher rate of federal matching dollars for the Medicaid program. The state must reimburse certain Medicaid providers on a set schedule, so Quinn wants to borrow, in part to help the state keep up with its Medicaid bills.

According to Kelly Kraft, spokeswoman for Quinn’s budget office, the governor actually wants to borrow $1.75 billion. The larger portion of the money, $1 billion, would go to the state’s employee health insurance.  The rest of the money, $750 million, would be used to pay Medicaid providers. Quinn said without his plan, the state could lose out on $175 million in federal matching funds.

"We pay a lot of taxes from our state to the federal government. We’re entitled to money back. And if we don’t meet the deadline, we won’t get it,” he said at a Chicago news conference.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/quinn-floats-new-borrowing.html

Obituaries

Robert Eugene Felton, 66, of Elgin died Monday at his home. A memorial gathering will be held from 3 to 5 pm Saturday with a 4 pm Service of Remembrance at DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley.

Felton was born July 12, 1944, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the son of Myrtle and Robert Felton. He married Susan Chase in 1969. Felton is survived by his wife of Elgin; his son Robert (Tonya) Felton of LITH; his daughter, Lisa Felton (Heather Lindmeier) of Goodyear, AZ, and his grandchildren, Cierra, Vinney and Kayla Felton, and his sister, Marlene Miller of Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Thomas Felton.

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
March 23
0046 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 5 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0845 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TERRAMERE LN. FRAUD. Unlawful use of a Debit Card. TURNED OVER TO DOVER, DELAWARE POLICE.
1632 HRS 200 BLOCK OF ELLIS RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 64 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1736 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2037 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF COYOTE LAKES CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 79 years of age, with a high temperature. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
March 22
0035 HRS 0 BLOCK OF SIERRA CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 41 years of age, not feeling well. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0824 HRS 300 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Currency was taken from an unlocked vehicle overnight.
TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0927 HRS 211 RANDALL RD., (STEAK N SHAKE). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Subject being harassed. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1600 HRS 600 BLOCK OF GRACE DR. THEFT. A bicycle was stolen. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1652 HRS 10920 REED RD., (HANNA MARTIN SCHOOL). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Battery. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1725 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. DECEPTIVE PRACTICE. Complainant sold a truck and received a fraudulent check as payment.
1815 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 86 years of age, with a high fever. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1915 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Son. Verbal only. One prior.
2014 HRS 1107 PATTON AVE., (SKATE PARK). FOUND ARTICLE. A silver scooter was found. Entered into evidence.
Algonquin
March 18
12:07pm King, Robert Edward, DOB: 08/06/92, of 611 Grace Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Theft Under $300.  He was taken into custody at TJ Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 04/27/11 in Algonquin.
18:31pm Broederdorf, Anthony D., DOB: 02/22/92, of 1301 Cardinal Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Resisting Arrest.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant, out of McHenry County for Theft.  He was taken into custody at Route 31 and Huntington Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
20:40pm Campobasso, Peter J., DOB: 05/27/68, of 1730 Tanglewood Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 1730 Tanglewood.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
23:45pm Aberilla, Sergei J., DOB: 09/19/71, of 437 Danbury Drive, Carol Stream, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Ryan Parkway.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 04/27/11 in McHenry County.
March 19
01:44am Rodriguez-Hernandez, Jeff, DOB: 01/19/93, of 151 Charleston Lane, Gilberts, was charged with Speeding, Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor and Zero Tolerance.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Circle Drive.  He was released after posting $150 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 04/27/11 in McHenry County.
March 20
00:38am Adan, Luis Jr., DOB: 07/26/89, of 1007 N. Jefferson Street, Harvard, was charged with DWLS, No Seat Belt and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Main Street.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 04/27/11 in McHenry County.
16:44pm Haas, Susanne K., DOB: 10/09/57, of 600 E. Chicago Street, Elgin, was charged with DWLS.  She was taken into custody at Randall Road and Corporate Parkway.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 04/20/11 in McHenry County.
Huntley
March 14
Kyle S. Singleton, age 24, of 14N510 Oliver Dr., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and possession of a suspended drivers license and was cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle and display of an expired registration. Mr. Singleton posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 15, 2011.
March 15
Amanda L Roberts, age 25, of 600 Water St #1B, Dundee, was arrested for driving while license suspended, possession of a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Ms. Roberts posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 15, 2011.
A criminal damage to property report was taken at Huntley High School.  An interior door was damaged.
Juan C. Duran, age 35, of 330 Ball, Elgin, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and was cited for displaying an expired registration sticker and no proof of insurance.
March 18
A theft report was taken at a construction site near the intersection of Rt. 47 and Mill St.  Sewer caps and sewer frames were stolen.
Raymond Caprice Davis, age 38, of 7538 S. Rhodes Ave. #1-D, Chicago, was arrested for fraudulent use of an insurance card and was cited for improper signal and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Davis posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 15, 2011.
A business sign was reported stolen from the intersection of Joan and Rt. 47.
March 19
A theft of cash was reported.  The victim states that she is unsure if the cash was stolen in Huntley or Lake in the Hills.
Eric D. Hunt, age 30, of 9 Middlefield Ct., Lake in the Hills, was arrested on two counts of battery and an outstanding McHenry County warrant.  Mr. Hunt was transported to McHenry County jail.
Timothy L. Hamblin, age 26, of 11024 Quail Ridge Ct. #9, Cincinnati, OH, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for loud exhaust.  Mr. Hamblin posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 15, 2011.
Matthew S. Zeis, age 18, of 8930 Disbrow, Huntley, was arrested for consumption of alcohol by a minor and was cited for driving in the wrong lane and driving with no tail lights.
A burglary from motor vehicle report was taken at a business in the 11800 block of Rt. 47.  Tools and electronics were stolen from the vehicle.
March 20
Randy N. McLaughlin, age 56, of 2240 Applewood Ln, Woodstock, was arrested for DUI and 2 counts of leaving the scene of an accident and was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper lane use and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.  Mr. McLaughlin posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of April 15, 2011.

D300 Board To Vote On Reorganization, More Layoffs Tonight

The District 300 Board will hold another special hearing this evening to vote on a plan that would lay off another 360 teachers for the coming school year.  That was the most extreme option the Board closely chose at a special work session Tuesday to deal with the District's deteriorating finances.

A crowd of about 650, more than half of them teachers, filled the big gym at Algonquin's Westfield School as the Board mulled choosing between the status quo, going halfway or biting the proverbial bullet.  All the options were more complicated than they sounded.

For instance, the status quo would probably run something like an $8.5 million deficit for the year but only if the State really paid all the money it's supposed to.  Finance Officer Cheryl Crates said she's been assured by the State Board of Education that's not going to happen and said the deficit would probably really run $21 million.

"Then why are we using your best-case scenario?" asked Member Monica Clark.  Crates' reply was, essentially, because those are the numbers the Board chose to use a while ago.

Up for vote tonight will be a plan to "reorganize" middle and high schools mostly by cutting back elective courses. Those are the ones the State Board doesn't absolutely require for high school graduation, like Mandarin Chinese or Cooking.  Superintendent-elect Michael Bregy said the District's heavy on those and they're all that's left to cut. 

"There is a fear we will not be providing our kids what other districts are doing to get their students in college," he said.  But D300's way ahead of the School Code and neighboring districts at the moment, according to a Bregy survey.  In fact, he said, right now, "We are forcing students to take classes outside their areas of interest."

The reorganization would be mind mind-bendingly complex, partly because of its very nature but partly because of State Statute.  For instance, a vote has to come tonight so if the plan's approved there's enough time to hand out pink slips by the legal deadline.  The practical problem is, teachers aren't fungible. Above all is seniority but administrators can't slot an English teacher into a math class just because he's got more time with the District. 

"There's no way we could operate with a reduction of 363 people," said Bregy. Yes, they'd all be laid off but after the dust cleared most would be hired back.  The estimate is the real cuts would range from 50 to 175, depending on how much money showed up by August.

"There is a fear class sizes will get higher," said Bregy. "We've already done that," he said.  "It's maxxed out."

Even though the idea is to make changes in the middle schools and high schools, there'd be layoffs in the elementary schools, too, in what Bregy called a "bump-down." 

Outraged students, teary parents and dedicated teachers all took the microphone for more than an hour Tuesday arguing against any cutbacks.  About 200 Dundee-Crown students walked out of their advisory classes for a short protest rally Tuesday and Communications Director Allison Strupek said at two unidentified schools, "Some teachers shared the news they thought they would be let go and encouraged their students to attend the meeting to share their thoughts."

LEAD 300 teacher's union President Kolleen Hanetho shared hers vehemently Tuesday, claiming district negotiators have refused to meet.  "We've heard about concessions," she fumed, "but we have yet to hear what we're supposed to concede."

A PowerPoint presentation on the reorganization and cuts is located here:

http://www.d300.org/files/Middle%20and%20High%20School%20Reorganization%20Options%203-22-2011%20Presentation.pdf

A hearing and Board vote on the reorganization and layoffs is set for 7 pm this evening, again at the Westfield gym.

In the pic:  Algonquin Mom Betty Schoenherr with two kids at Dundee-Crown chastised the D300 Board Tuesday, "You made many promises at the last referendum and many didn't come to be."

Bianchi Office Manager Calls Political Files Backups, Mistakes

McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi's defense Tuesday was that "political" files found on his secretaries' computers were incidental, left over and not done on County time, anyway.  Bianchi's on trial for Official Misconduct an Conspiracy over the files.

The documents, many involving Festa Italiana, Bianchi's annual election fundraiser, were found on hard drives taken from the computers of former secretary Amy Dalby and current one, Joyce Synek who's also on trial for Conspiracy.

The first 40 minutes of Tuesday's session went to testimony from computer forensic investigator Keith Chval whom Bianchi called in to pull the drive from Dalby's computer back in October, 2007, when it became obvious inside office info was leaking to the other side in the GOP Primary.  Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen said it proved Bianchi was trying to cover up wrongdoing.  Defense attorney Terry Ekl said it didn't and didn't have anything to do with the charges against Bianchi, anyway.  Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw threw it all out.

McQueen's computer forensics expert, Daniel Jerger, said he found 206 political files on hard drives from confiscated from the State's Attorney's Office in January last year.  Most of them, he said were in a folder marked "JAS", Synek's initials, set not to show on the normal file list and tucked away in a Windows operating system uninstall file. Some had been in a folder named "Buddy" but it didn't exist anymore.  McQueen led him through a series of documents listing Bianchi supporters, contacts and fundraising form letters and the dates of creation for each one.

Ekl rattled Jerger, though, when he got him to admit he didn't know how many files had actually been on the hard drives in the first place.  The best Jerger could come up with was the drives could hold 80 gigabytes of data each.

Jerger admitted to Ekl that since the "last modified" times on some of the files were earlier than the "created" ones, they probably weren't really typed up when the computer records said, just copied to the computers then.

Jerger was further rattled when Ekl got him to admit he didn't know the County IT department had run antivirus programs on the hard drives shortly before he'd pulled them.  He said he'd found computer viruses on the drives but nobody'd told him about the antivirus regime. Ekl asked if antivirus programs didn't move files around and delete them?  Jerger said maybe sometimes but mostly not.

McQueen called State's Attorney's Office Manager and long-time Bianchi employee Karen Rhodes to the stand to testify under a promise of immunity from prosecution.  But Rhodes said a lot of the files may have been backup files she'd copied at the office from her laptop but later removed as "inappropriate" after the Dalby flap heated up.  Why had she put them on the office PC, asked McQueen?  Rhodes said "my laptop was kind of unstable."

Rhodes said some of the political emails Jerger found were just common mistakes.  One was from a hopeful salesman who sent it to Bianchi's office email instead of the campaign one.  One was from Rhodes in her campaign capacity to Bianchi's office email because she hit it accidentally.

Tuesday's testimony closed early because McQueen's next witness will be former McHenry County Criminal Division head Nichole Owens coming up from Decatur where she's now a Macon County prosecutor. She's expected to take the stand today.

Special Prosecutors' Bill Probably Over $400,000 Now

Tuesday testimony in the Bianchi trial raised the County's bill for the Special Prosecutors, at least unofficially, another $100,000.  While cross-examining the prosecution's computer expert from PI firm Quest International, defense attorney Terry Ekl said Quest's bills as of Monday totaled "in excess of $225,000."

Special Prosecutor Henry "Skip" Tonigan's submitted bills including Quest's that add up to $312,000.  However, they only run to the end of the end of November and those Quest charges only added up to about $120,000.   Adding another $100,000 to Tonigan's November total drives would drive the cost for the Special Prosecutors past $400,000.

Ekl  called Quest head Robert Scigalski  for impromptu testimony on a legal technicality Tuesday. That was easy to do since he'd been sitting in a corner of the courtroom all day.  Monday when FEN asked Scigalaski why he was there he replied, "no comment" and ducked back into the courtroom.  Tuesday when FEN asked Tonigan why Scigalski was there, the former judge muttered "He's our investigator" and walked out of the courtroom.

In the pic:  Ex FBI agent and Special Prosecutors' investigator Robert Scigalski.

Illinois High Court Hears Cases On Public Money, Teen Drinking

By Ben Yount,  Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois' Supreme Court justices are being asked to decide two different cases that center on unspoken promises and what happens when those promises aren't kept.

ABATE of Illinois v Giannoulias, brought by the state's largest group of motorcycle riders, challenges fund sweeps used under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to balance the state budget. The case of Bell v Hutsell is a continuation of the court fight between the parents of a young man who died after drinking at a house party and the Lake County couple who hosted that party back in 2006. The state's high court heard oral arguments Tuesday on both cases.

ABATE is challenging whether the state can take money paid by motorcycle owners, to be used for motorcycle safety classes, and lump it together with other state money to pay the bills. "The deal was, with the state of Illinois, they'd take a certain amount of that money and put it into a cycle rider safety training fund," Taylor said, "outside of the state treasury, in a trust, to be used for that specific purpose.

Justice Rita Garman boiled the case down to a simple question. Is it that "anytime money is collected it becomes public funds?" she asked.

The high court also listened to arguments about a civil lawsuit stemming from a deadly 2006 crash.  The parents of 18-year-old Daniel Bell sued Sara and Jeffrey Hutsell after a jury convicted the couple of endangering the life of a child and attempting to obstruct justice for lying to police officers the night of the crash

"There's [nothing] alleged that the Hutsell's had some sort of duty to follow Mr. Bell," said their lawyer, David Ryan

But Bell's lawyer, Jeff Deutschman, said he cannot believe the Hutsell's can be convicted of a crime but not be held accountable in a civil court for the death. "They did know that Danny Bell was drunk," Deutschman said. "They did know that Danny Bell was leaving when he was intoxicated."

The justices focused their questions to both attorneys on the legal definition of a "social host" and what it may mean for others who serve alcohol or allow people to drink in their homes.

The Supreme Court is not saying when an opinion will be released in either case.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5447/illinois-high-court-hears-cases-on-public-money-teen-drinking/

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.
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Algonquin
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Dalby, Carroll Testify In Day One Of Bianchi Trial

After a flurry of technical arguments about evidence, the Official Misconduct trial of McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi got underway Monday when Amy Dalby, Bianchi's former secretary and the woman who arguably started the whole thing, took the stand.

Dalby, now a Masters candidate at NIU, testified Bianchi had her maintain political files, write political letters on office stationery and run political errands for him at the State's Attorney's Office from June, 2005, until she left for school in July, 2006.

"During the day or off-premises?" asked Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen.  "During the day," Dalby replied.

She said she was worried that was illegal since her former supervisor, then-Assistant State's Attorney Kristen Foley, told her it was and suggested she keep copies of it.  She said when she left she copied a huge file of office documents  to a flash drive to transfer to the computer of her replacement, Joyce Synek.  Then because she was scared she'd get in trouble, she said, she kept the flash drive to give to authorities.

Dalby admitted she didn't do that for a year, though, instead copying the files to her own laptop computer, then trying to give copies to the Arlington Heights Daily Herald. She said she gave the flash drive itself to the campaign manager of Bianchi's Primary opponent Dan Regna.

Bianchi defense attorney Terry Ekl sneered that Dalby didn't seem very scared she'd get in trouble.  "In the summer of 2007 you asked to return (to the State's Attorney's Office) to work there?" he asked.

"Yes," said Dalby.

"Rejected, you turned the documents over to (Regna supporter) Kristen Foley," charged Ekl.

"Yes."

Ekl led Dalby through a series of time estimates to do "six (political) letters that took five minutes or less--under 45 minutes total?"

"Yes."

Former First Assistant State's Attorney and Bianchi right-hand-man Tom Carroll was Monday's other main witness.  Special Prosecutor Henry "Skip" Tonigan had Carroll describe the State's Attorney's "Management Team", Carroll, Office Manager Karen Rhodes, then Criminal Chief, now  Associate Judge Robert Beaderstadt, and Chief Investigator Ron Salgado.  Carroll said the Team met regularly to keep the State's Attorney's Office operating efficiently.  He said the same people largely constituted the Lou Bianchi re-election campaign and they would discuss that, too.

Tonigan led Carroll through an interminable list of exhibits of mostly newspaper campaign questionnaires he'd worked on, each one, "'At your office?', 'Yes,' 'During normal business hours?', 'Yes.'"

Later under Ekl questioning Carroll said most of the meetings were at lunchtime, though.

Questioning Carroll, Tonigan blundered into an example of a point Ekl had harped on in pre-trial hearings, the claim that there's no sharp division between official business and politics in elected office.  Carroll recounted a meeting he'd attended between Bianchi and County Board Chairman Ken Koehler.

"We had matters to deal with for the County," said Carroll.  Then, "(Bianchi) asked for an endorsement.  He got it."

One of the secondary charges against Bianchi is improper communication with Carroll when Tonigan's Grand Jury subpoenaed him to bring along any political material he had.  Bianchi clearly spoke with Carroll beforehand about what he should take.

Carroll told Tonigan it was a matter of interpretation, Bianchi arguing against some material.  "He said 'If you  take these documents over, it's going to be perceived they're political documents.'"

"It was very tense.  Mr. Bianchi was tense.  I was tense.  It was not a pleasant afternoon."

Ekl tore into Carroll on cross-examination suggesting he had an angle in the subpoenaed records dispute. He asked if Carroll hadn't told a friend he hoped Bianchi would resign so Carroll could be appointed to replace him.

"I said something like that," Carroll admitted.

Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw mostly kept the case moving Monday, tangle-footing only at the start when he announced at Salgado's 9 am arraignment that no one would allowed to enter the courtroom while it was in session.  Bianchi's case wasn't scheduled to start until 10 but McGraw began hearing motions early and didn't break until 10:45 so the Chicago Tribune, McHenry County Blog and FEN were excluded from the proceedings for as much as an hour and a half.

Special D300 Work Session To Consider School "Reorganization"

The District 300 Board of Education will meet in special session at 7 pm this evening at Westfield School.  The Board's set to formalize the layoffs of non-tenured and tenured teachers and administrators approved at last Monday's Board meeting but also on the agenda is a review of the District's options for "reorganization" of middle schools and high schools. 

The Board hasn't yet that there will be a reorganization for the 2011-12 school year.  In fact, they decided they didn't want to earlier this month but then decided to reconsider it.  There hasn't been much detail so far but, broadly, the reorganization would involve cutting back non-required "elective" courses for students.

Redistricting Hearings Coming

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Next week, Illinois residents will be given their first chance to voice their opinion about how the lines on Illinois’ political map will shift, though their voices might not carry as far as they hope.

The hearing,to be held in Chicago, will be the first of five throughout the state. Hearings are meant to be opportunities for residents and interest groups to tell legislators any concerns or desires they have regarding redistricting.

Sen. Kwame Raoul is the chair of the redistricting committee and says he hopes people understand how much their input can influence the process. “I think one of the things people have to realize about these hearings is they’ll all be hearings of record,” Raoul, D-Chicago, said. “So they’ll be providing information from different geographic areas that will be of value and that could be utilized by proponents and opponents of whatever end map is proposed.”

Republican Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine also is on the redistricting committee. Looking forward to next week, Murphy said he hopes the hearings will bring what has typically been a backroom process out into the foyer. “There are significant ramifications for power in drawing the legislative map,” Murphy said. “And if history is any guide, ‘to the victor goes the spoils.’ I just hope we are starting to move past that, though, because I don’t think that is what the people want this process to be.”

However, for the first time since the current Constitution was adopted in 1970, one party — in the case the Democrats — controls the Senate, the House of Representatives and the governor’s office, making it possible to concoct a map without any input from the GOP.

“It’s going to be behind closed doors more than normal, and there will be less in the media about it. There will be less of an extended process,” said  Christopher Mooney, political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Republican Sen. Kirk Dillard of Westmont, who also is on the redistricting committee, said he doesn’t have much faith that Democrats will take GOP input “seriously.” He said, however, that he does hope the majority party will listen to what the people have to say.

You can read Andrew's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5436/redistricting-hearings-coming-to-a-town-near-you-2/

State Budget Main Issue At Halfway Point

By Melissa Leu, Illinois Statehouse News
The 97th General Assembly has about two months before they depart for summer break, but any proposals that legislators want to take immediate effect must be passed before May 31 or else it will require a three-fifths vote from both houses. At the top of everyone’s agenda is figuring out how to deal with the state’s fiscal situation.

“Everywhere I’ve traveled, people are coming up to me discussing, ‘What’s going on with the budget? Why can’t the state manage its budget, manage its finances? Why can’t they get their house into order?’” said Westmont Republican State Rep. Patricia Bellock.

Senate Republicans unveiled a plan last week to cut $6.7 billion from Gov. Pat Quinn’s original budget plan. The governor’s projected budget currently weighs in at $35.4 billion.

Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said he has seen a trend of people advocating for spending cuts by the end of the year, but noticed that it hasn’t been reflected in the actions of a few lawmakers. “We have legislators introducing so many bills that are spending more money — starting new programs, expanding programs — knowing that there is no money in the budget to pay for them,” Syverson said.

David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, said that it’s still too early to pass any judgment on the Legislature’s performance. “Much of what's gone on so far has been posturing, has been opening offers for later negotiations,” Yepsen said.

Any real progress, especially in regards to the budget, must come from top leadership, said Syverson. “Many of these resolutions do not have enough teeth to it to really become law,” Syverson said. “It's really more important that we look at what are the key pieces of legislation that are able to pass, and which ones have the deepest affect on the most amount of people.”

Syverson said he anticipates more debate on legislation regarding gaming and the state's capital plan.

You can read Melissa's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5435/state-budget-still-main-issue-at-halfway-point-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
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Huntley Village, Fire Candidates Speak At Women Voters' Forum

Rain dripping through the Rec Center roof into a wastebasket competed for attention with candidates for the Huntley Village and Fire Protection District boards at a Sunday forum organized by local sparkplug Pam Fender and the League of Women Voters.

Board candidates, incumbent and hopeful, showed considerable unanimity in what they hoped to do for Huntley in the next four years: finish 47, get the I90 interchange started and done, recruit new business to 47, Downtown and, come to think of it, the Outlet Mall, and help developers hang on until the world gets right again. They all tacitly assumed it will someday.

Hopeful and professional planner Rosa DeMaertelaere recited a list of things the village ought to push for as long as your arm.  Incumbent and multiple restaurateur Niko Kanakaris grumbled that most of it depended on Route 47 development.  "When the road warrants it, we'll get the money.  You can't do it ahead of time."

Case in point, Huntley's Home Depot.  "They own the land, they've built the infrastructure," said incumbent Harry Leopold.  "They're not there."

Give 'em time, said hopeful and local contractor Nick Hanson.  "With Route 47 widening it's almost inevitable that businesses will come."

Hopeful and Chairman of the Jaycees was specific about what he wanted to see:  "A gas station north of Reed Road."

There seemed consensus that there isn't much to be done about the Huntley Post Office.  The Village has done everything but offer to give the Postal Service a new one and there probably isn't enough money to do that.

Incumbent Jay Kadakia brought the house down with a cheerfully frank claim.  "I've done a great job as far as I'm concerned," he said.

The six are vying for three seats on the Village Board.

Over on the Fire District side, seven people want one of two seats in contest there.  Former 911 system consultant Sean Smith is the one charging HFPD's 911 system isn't good enough.  Hopeful Dave Veith said it's way better than the fire phone system the District used when he was chief. Incumbent Trustee and ex-Chicago Battalion Chief said it was simple: "You can have a dispatch center in Huntley or another fire station.  'Cause that's what it comes to."

Smith said trustees are paid too much, too, and he'd voluntarily refuse two thirds of what he claimed was $300 per meeting pay.

Incumbent Bonnie Bayser and hopefuls Terry Hora and Patrick Conley also spoke.  Hopeful Jerry Bergquist wasn't in attendance.

In the pic:  (Left to right) Harry Leopold, Nick Hanson, Niko Kanakaris, Jay Kadakia, Rosa DeMaertelaere and J.R. Westberg take their forum instructions from the League of Women Voters' Carol Schoengart.

Bianchi Trial Starts Today

Almost three and a half years after charges first surfaced in a regional newspaper column that McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi was using County money to pay for poltical expenses, trial begins today today on charges involving that.

The original allegation during a bitter Primary contest was that Bianchi was using County money to pay for campaign candy. It was soon replaced by a claim he was having his secretary type up campaign records at the office. That's what the current trial for Conspiracy and Official Misconduct is about only it involves a different secretary. The first one pleaded guilty to copying State's Attorney computer records after an $80,000 investigation. The current case is probably more controversial involving another Special Prosecutors' investigation that's cost more than $320,000 with the bills still not all in.

The trial before imported Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw is expected to last all week. Based on information Bianchi's attorney has asked for from the Special Prosecutor, Bianchi may offer a remarkably unexpected defense.

In the pic:  McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi.

Feds OK Aid For Last Month's Blizzard

McHenry County and County municipalities could receive as much as $1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Blizzard of '11.  Federal disaster aid was OK'ed late last week to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm and snowstorm from January 31 to February 3.

Most Illinois counties were only granted aid for a two-day period but McHenry and Boone qualified for three days' worth. The County and municipalities spent about $1.6 million on plows and salt and overtime during the blizzard.  FEMA programs are supposed to pay at least 75 percent of that.  Although the money comes from federal coffers, it's funneled through the State so it may be a while before it shows up.

Obituaries

Donald C. Depowski, 60, of Huntley died, Saturday after a lengthy illness. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley.

Depowski was born July 9, 1950, the son of Chester and Norma (Lessman) Depowski. He married Linda Phillips in 1978.  After she died in 2006, on October 22, 2008, he married Marianne L. Golly. He is survived by his of Huntley; his father, Chester Depowski of Lady Lake, FL; his three daughters, Tiffany Depowski of Woodstock, Samantha  Depowski of Chicago and Hillary Sinopoli of Huntle; his brother, Brian (Elizabeth) Depowski of Woodstock, and  by his three granddaughters, Brooke, Bridget and Brianna. He was preceded in death by his first wife Linda, mother Norma, brother Alan and his sister, Debbie.


Judith J. Brosnan, 64, of Sun City, Huntley died Saturday at Sherman Hospital in Elgin. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 am Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley, with visitation after 9 am at the church. Burial will be at a later date in St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles.

Brosnan was born April 10, 1946, in Chicago, the daughter of Patrick J. and Eleanor L. (Zujewski) Brosnan. Judith is survived by her brothers, Daniel (Eileen) Brosnan of Glen Ellyn, and Daryl S. (Mary Jo) Brosnan of Clearwater,FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Susan.

Memorials in her name may be made to a local domestic violence shelter.

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
March 20
031911/2337 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF ALEXANDRIA DR. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT. ZEIS, MATTHEW S., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 8930 DISBROW ST., HUNTLEY.  CHARGES: Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Criminal Damage to Property. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY.
0258 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & LAKEWOOD RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. STAEHLER, RYAN M., M/W 29 YEARS OF AGE, 801 BUTTONWOOD CT., MARENGO. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Expired Registration and No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0040 HRS 500 BLOCK OF SEMINOLE TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 48 years of age, having a seizure. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
0113 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (THORNTONS GAS). DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only.
0146 HRS 1200 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0401 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD., (TACO BELL). BATTERY. Male vs. male. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0511 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 79 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
0903 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINDERMERE WAY. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Vehicle’s dashboard damaged overnight. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0904 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. THEFT. Eight blue reflective markers taken from property. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1131 HRS 800 BLOCK OF JESSIE RD. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Report for insurance.
1631 HRS 2450 W. ALGONQUIN RD., (BANK OF AMERICA). AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. Complainant had a knife pulled out on him on 031911. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2233 HRS REED RD. & NORTHBRIDGE DR. ASSIST POLICE. Officer assisted Huntley with a Hit & Run. TURNED OVER TO HUNTLEY.
Algonquin
delayed--FEN early departure

Huntley Route 47 Widening Resumes Monday

Construction work to widen Route 47 in Huntley officially resumes Monday when crews start ripping out curbs, sidewalks, driveways, and topsoil just just north of Main Street and heading north. A release from the Village reports driveways may be blocked temporarily as work crews cross but only for a little while.

There's a lot of other work coming up besides the widening itself.  For instance, Tuesday
Mill Street east of 47 to Dean St. will be closed for the day to allow crews to work on the watermain.

As last year, the most up-to-the-minute info available at any given time will be here:

http://www.huntley.il.us/Route47Widening.asp

The resumption of widening work means 47 will be a construction zone again.  Recall that now there's a law that makes talking or texting on cell phones illegal in construction zones.  Tickets can be handed out for it. And have been.

Another reminder:  It's not a good idea to ride a bicycle through the construction zone. That seems self-evident but, on the basis of two encounters last season, apparently it's not.

In the pic:  Except for the snow and cold snap last month, work at least associated with widening Route 47 never really ended.  For instance, installing the sewer lift station at 47 and Main will be winding up Monday at the same time that road construction officially resumes.

Legion Texas Hold 'Em Benefits Vets

It was Texas Hold 'Em night at the Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231 Saturday, sponsored by the Sons of the Legion Squadron to raise funds for charities to help vets.

The game, featuring four bets instead of two, was supposedly invented in Robstown, TX, in 1906 (at least that's what the Texas Legislature claims).  Nobody much cared until the Binion brothers stuck it in the middle of their self-proclaimed "World Series of Poker" in Vegas in the early 70's.  Even so it wasn't until the 80's when cable TV's voracious appetite for programming put poker tourneys on the tube that the game really took off.  There was an added boost fairly recently from the Internet.

If you play poker you probably know all this. FEN doesn't and didn't.  You live and you learn.

Sun City Consumer Showcase Coming Up

Sun City's Homeowners' Association Spring Consumer Showcase is Thursday at Prairie Lodge from 10 am to 6 pm.  You don't have to be a Sun City homeowner to get in free, though, to visit visit over 100 exhibits filled with ideas on home improvement, landscaping, insurance, financial planning, real estate, travel, medical, home care and stuff variously described as "lifestyle enhancement" and "general well-being".  Aromatherapy for pets?  Wind-powered acupuncture?  It's never predictable.

All in one day in one place is the consumer showcase slogan. There'll be drawings for valuable door prizes throughout the day and winners don't have to be there during the drawings to win.

Ready For Concealed Carry? Not So Fast

By Diane S.W. Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Even though supporters believe this is the year concealed carry will become law, it may take at least a year more before Illinois residents can pack a pistol.

The proposal to allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms in public has passed an important House committee, but there are lots of other hurdles to jump before people can start applying for permits, which would take six months to a year at the earliest, according to Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association.

“The (Illinois) State Police have to keep a file of everybody who has a concealed carry permit, and so does the sheriff by his county,“ Pearson said. “And so all those mechanisms have to be set up. The instructors have to be qualified. The videotapes have to be made. There is a lot of work that goes into setting this up, so it is going to take a while to do this.”

Under the proposal, applicants would need to waive their privacy and confidentiality rights and take an oath that they will not join a “criminal street gang.” Applicants would also need to pay $100 to complete eight hours of classroom instruction on handgun safety and pass a written exam and live-fire training exercises.

Right now the debate about guns has shifted to an Attorney General Lisa Madigan ruling that the names of firearms owners ought to be released to the Associated Press.  There's a temporary court order against that at at the moment and a Peoria lawmaker's introduced a bill to make it permanent.


You can read Diane's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5298/ready-to-pack-a-concealed-handgun-not-so-fast/

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
March 19
1853HRS 100 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR.FOLLOW-UP REPORT: THEFT UNDER $300 Theft of a Miter Saw. (DELAYED) Occurred on 031511 between 1540 and 1610 hours. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
0124 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Ex boyfriend vs. ex girlfriend. No Priors. FAIL TO FILE.
0224 HRS 11 BLOCK OF WALNUT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 56 years of age, incoherent. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0313 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF GENEVA LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 25 years of age, back pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
0750 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF PATTON RD. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. Two priors.
1028 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1052 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & ANNANDALE DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1315 HRS 339 N. RANDALL RD., (COLDSTONE CREAMERY). ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1413 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1943 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD., (AMC THEATRES). ACCIDENT. Two Vehicles. Property Damage Only.