Huntley Girl Scouts Help Local Cancer Survivor

It was almost like Christmas for little Teagan Haniszewski Friday when Huntley Daisy Scout Troop 244 pulled the wraps off a Smirthwaite Mobi - Rover Standing & Mobility Aid.  That's a snazzy walker, something the five-year old brain cancer survivor's needed for a while.

After nine surgeries, chemo and a lengthy drug coma the child still hasn't regained all her strength and mobility.  "She just wants to be with the other kids," said Huntley Mom Carly Haniszewski at a party at the Huntley Rec Center.

That's why the local Girl Scouts sold almost 2,300 boxes of Thin Mints and Tagalongs to help buy a good walker. "We were talking about helping others," said Troop Leader Dawn Guyer, "and we heard about this need in our community."  Nearly half the cookie money went to pay for the expensive walker.  What's left will help pay for Daisy field trips and badges, said Guyer.

Grandma Elaine Haniszewski said she thought the new walker would help Teagan be able to play more.  "That will build up the muscles in her legs," she said.

Agreement Reached On ECC Teachers' Contract

Both sides in the Elgin Community College contract negotiations will ratify a tentative agreement Monday after a marathon negotiating session that ran until almost dawn Thursday. What it spells out isn't known yet, though.

Bargainers began meeting in mid-October to hammer out a new pact to replace the one that ran out at the end of the year. It took 25 negotiating sessions, including 8 with a federal mediator, and a notice of intent to strike before the sides could agree.

“I think everyone involved is pleased that an agreement was reached,” said Gary Christenson, spokesperson for ECCFA. “The faculty is more than ready to return their attention to the classroom.”

“I’m thrilled to have this settled for the interest of our students," said Eleanor MacKinney, ECC Board Chair.

Of course the deal isn't done yet.  The pact has to be approved by both the Board and, especially, the teachers themselves. Money and medical benefits seemed to be the sticking points during negotiations.  A Christensen blog post said teachers would learn the contract details at a union meeting but, so far, there's been no date set for it.

Jacobs Students Use "Sticker Shock" To Combat Alcohol

Twenty one Jacobs High School students fanned out across Algonquin and Lake in the Hills Friday to distribute stickers for alcohol packages, bags, countertops refrigerator doors warning liquor establishments and shoppers that adults aren't supposed to let kids have alcohol.

The kids were part of Project Sticker Schock, a joint effort by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Jacobs Safety Initiative, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry County Underage Drinking Task Force and LITH and Algonquin PD's (whew) to  keep alcohol out of the hands (and gullets) of those under 21 years of age. The project's not aimed so much at the kids as at their folks.

"There are some parents who feel the alcohol experience is safer in the home where they can 'supervise' it," said Algonquin Sergeant Rob Salazar. In some cases Salazar said he's found parents drinking right along with the kids. In other instances he's found the parents lurking upstairs where they claimed to be unaware of what was going on in the basement.

"They don't realize they're taking on a liability if the kids get alcohol poisoning or if they have an accident (later)," Salazar said.

In the pic:  A flying squad of LITH PD Explorers checked back in with Algonquin Sergeant Rob Salazar Friday after distributing alcohol stickers to local liquor retailers. (LITH CSO Olga Maldonado went along to keep it all kosher.)  "Two of them even asked for more stickers," said Explorer Ryan Kraus. 

Marlowe Students Win Huntley Legion Essay Contest

An essay on “Celebrating America and Our Heritage” by Marlowe Middle School eighth-grader Justyna Czeczot is part of the competition at the District level now after winning first place in Huntley’s American Legion Post 673 Auxiliary local contest.

Eighth-graders Brittany O’Connor placed second, and Laura Gathman was third. Czeczot's essay will be judged amongst all other Auxiliary level first place winners.  The essay chosen as the winner of the District level will compete for a $200 cash prize at the Division/State level

In the pic:  (front, left to right) Justyna Czeczot, Brittany O’Connor, Laura Gathan and Auxilliary Essay Chairman Betty Zirk. with the Huntley American Legion. (rear, l to r).  Nate McBride, Marlowe Principal Mike Moan and Andy Goglin.

Education Reform Sails Through Senate

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
The way teachers across the state are granted tenure, laid off and fired would change under legislation passed in the Senate without opposition Friday. After months of negotiations, reform groups, teachers’ unions and administrators found common ground, and interest groups on all sides signed off on the bill.

“The reform groups, the education groups, the management groups, the legislators, we all agree that our children come first,” said Maywood Democratic Sen. Kimberly Lightford, sponsor of the bill. “We all agree that the most important effort in our negotiations is, at the end of the day, what’s best for the child in the classroom.”

Under the bill, teachers would have to receive positive evaluations during the last three years of a four-year probationary period to be granted tenure. Teachers who earn “excellent” reviews in each of their first three years would also earn tenure. Teachers with tenure who receive two unsatisfactory reviews within a seven-year period could have their teaching licenses reviewed by the state superintendent and be required to complete professional development geared toward improving their performance or face having their licenses revoked. The measure also streamlines the process for firing tenured teachers. Half of teachers’ evaluations will be based on student performance under a new system that goes into effect in 2016. Under Lightford’s bill, school districts and teachers' unions could agree to move up the implementation date of the new system to as early as 2013.

“With this bill, we’re going to ensure that the better teachers stay and the lesser teachers go,” said Palatine Republican Sen. Matt Murphy, who worked with Lightford on the negotiations.

Layoffs would no longer be decided on a “last-in-first-out” basis, but instead would be determined by qualifications and job performance. Seniority would only be used as a “tie-breaker.” Administrators would be free to hire any candidate for new positions instead of giving preference to teachers transferring within the district.

The decision to strike would remain in the hands of unions—an issue that was a contentious part of negotiations between reform groups and unions. In Chicago, three-fourths of union members would have to agree to a strike. Teachers outside of the city could still strike if half of union members agreed. The measure would lengthen negotiations before a strike and would require both sides to release their demands to the public if an impasse is reached.

“What this shows is that to have meaningful reform that will work, you have to have the unions at the table," said  said Ken Swanson, Illinois Education Association President. "You can do this through collective bargaining. You can do this through bringing the parties to the table. So Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, other states, look to Illinois. We’ll show you how to do it the right way,” Swanson said.

You can read Jamey's full report at:  http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/education-reform-sails-through-senate.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
April 15
1153 HRS CRYSTAL LAKE RD. & ACORN LN. HIT & RUN. CASTANEDA, JORGE L., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 1728 SEBASTIAN RD., WOODSTOCK CHARGES: Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Failure to Report an Accident, Failure to Yield and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
2043 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. NO VALID ILLINOIS DRIVER’S LICENSE. VARGAS JR, FERNANDO, M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 719 GRACE, ELGIN. CHARGES: No Valid Illinois Driver’s License. RELEASED ON BOND.
0621 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTIS). FOUND ARTICLE/ A driver’s license.
0653 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF BURR ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 45 years of age, feeling disoriented. No transport.
1134 HRS 700 BLOCK OF MOHICAN TRAIL. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 80 years of age, not feeling well. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
1745 HRS 500 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 84 year old, not breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1918 HRS 10 BLOCK OF DEERPATH. LOST ARTICLE. A wallet.

Grafton Board: More Work For The Judge

In a selectively-announced photo opportunity Thursday, Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore presented the Grafton Road District a $200,000 check, the first installment payment to buy back the Township Complex in Huntley.  Moore had delayed it arguing for a one-time $700,000 buyback but earlier this week a majority of voters at a Special Township Meeting rejected that.

The rest of the unusually well-attended (15 spectators) meeting was the usual Grafton bickering, cross-talk and shouting.  Almost an hour was spent going over Township bills, including $345 for a court transcript of Circuit Judge Michael Caldwell's decision and order in Moore's suit against the rest of the Board. 

"We have to be very clear on what the judge said," commented Moore. Nevertheless, several bills are destined for Caldwell's bench in 10 days when the judge will hear arguments about appointing Moore attorney John Nelson to the post of Township Attorney. Among them, apparently, will be Nelson's own bills.

Trustee Betty Zirk questioned one to the Township for a 3.5-hour meeting with Moore's husband. Moore indicated it was too late to challenge it because the Board had already approved it. Zirk also challenged Nelson's hourly rate which she said was $250.  "(Moore-fired law firm) Ancel-Glink only charged us $185," she complained.  Trustee Rob LaPorta also objected. "Mr. Nelson, we're not paying you a dime for anything after tonight."

"I think your tone is offensive," replied Nelson.

Moore grilled Assessor Bill Ottley over a $29,000 payment for a specialized computer software  purchase.  "We approved that a year ago," said LaPorta.  Moore said she didn't recall it and demanded Ottley prove it offered an improvement over the old software package dating from 1997.

Moore also wanted details of a Jack Freund Road Commissioner bill.  "That's none of your business," he replied. "If you want my job, why don't you run for it?"

Turning to the Township's long-delayed 2009-10 audit, LaPorta read Nelson's previously-disclosed letter to the firm what was supposed to conduct it and its reply resigning from it.  Moore read a prepared statement charging the firm's principal wasn't a Certified Public Accountant and, besides, he wouldn't cooperate with her.  LaPorta said he'd spoken with the auditor and "(He) was never allowed to conduct the audit because of her."

"I'm considering a (court) motion to hold you in contempt for interfering in the audit," Moore told him setting off gales of audience laughter.

Moore presented two new firms she said were willing to do the job.  Trustees wanted to interview them.  "Why don't you look at their proposals and pick an auditor?" asked Moore.   "It's common practice, Linda," shot back Trustee Barb Murphy.

The date for the auditor interviews was left open.  The Board managed to set a definite date for a 2011-12 budget workshop Zirk asked for. That's scheduled for May 12.

In the pic:  Moore, left, didn't agree with Murphy's argument about what money line should be charged for the first installment payment to buy back Grafton headquarters.

Editor's note:  Trustee Zirk said Saturday she erred charging Nelson billed for a consult with Moore's husband.  She said the meeting was with another attorney whose bill Moore wants Grafton Township to pay.

Early Easter At Grafton Food Pantry

The Grafton Township Food Pantry, Huntley, handed out 200 Easter dinners and 280 kids' Easter baskets Thursday to area residents still having trouble making ends meet even as the economic picture improves.

Pantry President John Rossi said Pantry requests for help have increased in the past year as people have exhausted unemployment benefits.  "They've fallen off the Government statistics radar," he said, "but they haven't fallen off our radar."

Pantry manager Mary Hardy said the volunteer group now serves about 160 families each month, up from about 100 a year ago.

The Pantry provided Thursday's dinners but the kids' baskets were donated by Huntley's J. Miller Marketing and Walgreens.

Judge Rejects Cutting Special Prosecutors' Bills

McHenry County Judge Gordon Graham Thursday refused a County request to reduce bills from  Special Prosecutors in the so-far failed case against State's Attorney Lou Bianchi.  The ruling bodes ill for a similar request Bianchi defense attorney Terry Ekl hopes to make today along with one to fire the Prosecutors for "incompetence".

Appellate Prosecutor Charles Colburn representing the County's financial interest in the case asked Graham to cut back $169,000 in bills for Special Prosecutors Henry "Skip" Tonigan and Thomas McQueen under a statute that says fees are supposed to be in line with what the State's Attorney would normally charge in a case.  The Special Prosecutors apparently billed the County at a rate of $250 per hour which Colburn argued was nearly triple what the State's Attorney's salary works out to.  Graham told Colburn he should have said that when the Prosecutors were appointed.

Ekl will be before Graham April 28 prepared to make a similar argument on behalf of half a dozen tax-paying Bianchi supporters if Caldwell will allow them to enter the case in the first place.  If that happens he'll also ask Caldwell to fire Tonigan and McQueen for bringing 21 charges against Bianchi that the trial judge last month said were wrong on the law and unsupported by their own evidence.

Bianchi faces three more Special Prosecutors' charges in a trial set for the end of June.

DC Students Stage Les Mis This Weekend

Actors climbed over barricades and dodged tumbrels in Dundee-Crown corridors Thursday as they prepared for the opening performance of the hit French/British/Broadway musical Les Miserables. Backstage a cast of, not thousands but certainly quite a few, jostled elbows putting on stage makeup.

For those who've been in a closet for the last 25 years, Les Mis, the world's first "serious" musical, is Victor Hugo's classic tale of unjust but implacable persecution of innocence set to music.

The show, including featured Algonquin students Christina Gilligan and Lillian Reasor, continues this evening at 7 pm and Saturday also at 7 at the Dundee-Crown auditorium. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults at the door.

Senate Nixes GOP Workers’ Comp Reform, Waits For Dems'

By Diane S.W. Lee, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois lawmakers Thursday cast their first vote on legislation to overhaul the state’s workers' compensation system. They agreed something needs to be done to improve the state's business climate but it won't be the Republicans' plan.

Senators voted down Senate Bill 1349 on a 25-6 vote, with 28 lawmakers voting "present."
State Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, chief sponsor of the legislation said, “You don’t reduce costs, you don’t lower rates, without substantial reform,“ McCarter said. “You can’t put a Band-Aid on this and just hope that it gets better.”

The plan proposed to address fraud, cut medical fees, and deny compensation for job-related injuries resulting from alcohol and drug use. It also would have required employees to prove that the workplace was more than 50 percent responsible for job-related injuries or illnesses. Employers would get to choose the doctors.

McHenry County State Sen. Pamela Althoff, said the plan would have helped improve chances of keeping businesses in Illinois. “Workmans' compensation reform will allow me to have at least one tool in my box that will help me at least retain these businesses that are extraordinarily important to the viability of McHenry County,” Althoff said.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, said the No. 1 complaint among businesses is workers’ compensation costs, which he said is out of line with neighboring states. “Sen. McCarter’s bill does nothing to harm a legitimately injured worker,” Dillard said. “But it certainly helps employers who are innocent when it comes to the cost of operating in the state that has a system that is sometimes laden with fraud.”

State Sen. President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said he agreed with parts of the proposal, but said it also raised too many questions.  Cullerton said Democrats will return with a proposal in the first week of May. “We want to make sure we’ve got the support of the governor, so we can pass it,“ Cullerton said.

You can read Diane's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5743/senate-votes-down-gop-workers-comp-reform-waits-for-dems-proposal/

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
April 05
0125 HRS CARLEMONT DR. & VILLAGE RD. NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. PFISTER, MICHAEL S., M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 1479 WILLOW TREE,  CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No Valid Driver’s License and No Headlight When Required. RELEASED ON BOND.
1041 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & OAKLEAF RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. RISTAU, RACHYL L., F/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 16449 S. MUELLER CIRCLE, PLAINFIELD. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0708 HRS WILDSPRING DR. & HALIGUS RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1616 HRS 800 BLOCK OF PARC CT. HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE. Subject received threatening telephone calls. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
Algonquin
April 11
19:42am Gale, Jonathan D., DOB: 05/26/92, of 1711 Ridgefield Ave., Algonquin, was charged with DUI/Drugs, Speeding, Failure to use Signal and No Insurance. He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department. He was released after posting his Driver’s License with a court date of 5/19/11 in McHenry County.
April 14
14:23pm A 17 year-old from Algonquin was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School. He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his parents.

Study Finds Improvements, Declines In McHenry County Health

A farrago of area health providers and advocacy groups and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford Wednesday released the first community health survey update for McHenry County in four years.  Not surprisingly, some things got better and some got worse.

Overall and similar to a recently released national survey that found McHenry County residents were healthier than most other people in Illinois, the Community Survey concluded McHenry County residents felt healthier than the rest of Illinois folk.  While almost 40 percent said they thought their health was only "good/fair" or downright "poor", that was still better than the statewide average of 49 percent who felt sickly.

Objectively, in the last four years there've been increases, some slight and others not so, for 15 of 22 maladies, especially high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  They're the two biggies on the list.  Hypertension rose almost four percentage points and high cholesterol more than two.  Chronic back pain/disc disorders and obesity also rose, but sinus problems and asthma fell.

Leading causes of death varied by age.  Surprisingly, the leading cause for young children was congenital malformation.  From 15 to 44 it was car crashes but after that to age 65 it changed to lung cancer and heart attacks.  From 65 to 74 it became lung cancer and lower respiratory disease.  After that stroke and Alzheimers came to the fore.

Buried in the report is the peculiar age distribution in McHenry County. The largest group of residents are late-young to early midde-aged.  There's a whale of a lot of kids between 5 and 17 years old, though, and not a lot of folks at all in the 65 and over cohort.  That might help explain the healthier than the rest of Illiinois part but it also holds implications for the future.

For example another section of the report says county old folks have a tough time getting to health providers because they don't have cars and public transit's short in the area.  As baby-boomers age, it's a safe bet that's going to get worse.

Planners will be going over the report with a fine-tooth comb.  For example, there's a section that appears to say McHenry County is under-doctored compared to the rest of the U.S. but it's based on the simple ratio of physicians in McHenry County versus people who live there.  Info in the current battle between Centegra and Mercy health systems, however, shows lots of people just step over the line into Lake or Kane counties to see their doctors there.

The 2010 McHenry County Healthy Community Study can be examined here: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/health/Pages/HCS.aspx

Walleye No More, Sun City Restaurant Is Now Jameson's

Huntley's Sun City Community Association, not to mention anyone else hungry, got its sitdown restaurant back Wednesday with the opening of Jameson's Restaurant and Pub in the location of the old Walleye Grill.

The regional Jameson's Charhouse chain won the competition to operate the restaurant after the Association terminated the contract with a local restaurant group six months ago in an apparent money dispute. Jameson's Manager George Arsoniadis said, "The whole thing has been renovated, floor to ceiling.  The menu is Joe's, affordable American food."  That last refers to Joe's American Kitchen and Tavern, another Jameson's restaurant that opened a couple of months ago in Carpentersville.

"Thumbs up," said Sun City resident Larry Labeau ambling out of the restuarant after a test lunch. "Heavenly," added his replete pal Jerry Kirschner. "I particularly liked the Greek-style tilapia."  They're both SCCA directors, though, so they might be prejudiced.

"The food is fine, the service is new" said Tammy Yost visiting from Oklahoma.  "I haven't had my sandwich yet but the soup is excellent," said her Mom, Sun City resident Joy Kruto."  Great -granddaughter Lexi didn't say anything.  She was too busy with a plateful of really nice-looking fries.

In the pic:  About all that's left of Sun City's former Walleye Grill at the new Jameson's Restaurant and Pub is a bit of stained glass with a fish silhouette.

HFPD Trustee Spot Still Uncertain

The April 5 consolidated election is old news.  At least it is in most places, but not in the 55-square mile Huntley Fire Protection District.  Buried in the results last week is a race for a Board seat there that still may be up for grabs.

There isn't any doubt that incumbent trustee Bonnie Bayser returned to the Board but only 22 votes separate hopefuls Joe Mahoney (815) and Pat Conley (793).  That's enough that provisional and late absentee ballots might change the outcome. "It's terrible," said Mahoney earlier this week.  "I can't say 'thank you' to anyone or anything."

The final vote canvasses in McHenry and Kane counties aren't due until April 19 and probably won't be reported to the Fire District until April 20 or or so.  "I'm pretty sure of one thing," said District Chief Jim Saletta.  "Our newest trustee's going to be a retired Chicago firefighter," he said.  He'll probably sport an Irish surname, too.

In the pic:  HFPD candidates Joe Mahoney (left) and Pat Conley (right) still don't know for sure who won a seat on the District Board with Bonnie Bayser (middle).

Most Area Egg Hunts Set For Saturday

"Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hoppin' down the bunny trail".  (Rudolph the Rednosed Raindeer is ubiquitous at Christmas but Singing Cowboy Gene Autrey had Easter covered, too.)  Anyway, Mr.  Cottonail's going to be hoppin' a lot Saturday because that's when most of the area's Easter Egg Hunts are set.  Here's a quick rundown:

Algonquin Lake in the Hills Jaycees will have their 12th annual hunt for Special Needs kids at Algonquin's Towne Park Saturday.  It's at 10 am.  Meanwhile, also at 10 am over in Presidential Park, Algonquin's Events and Recreation Department will have its annual 10,000-egg hunt for kids to age 12.

The LITH Parks and Rec Department with Algonquin Jewel/Osco egg hunt gets off to an earlier start at the Village's Sunset Park.  The hunt there begins at 8 am Saturday. Cottontail will be there to visit with the kids and there are raffles.

In Huntley the Parks District's annual hunt is set for next Saturday. It'll be at Deicke Park at 10 am.  However, for those who can't wait, this Saturday Tom's Farm Market in Huntley will have two Easter Egg Hunts at 11 am and 2 pm.  Tickets are $5 and not only will the Easter Bunny be on hand for pics but so will Susie the Wonder Dog.

Back in Algonquin again, Light of Christ Lutheran Church will hold its fifth annual Hunt next Saturday at 1 pm.  It'll be on the site of the Church's someday new location at Sleepy Hollow Road and Longmeadow Parkway.

In the pic:  The race was on at last year's Huntley Hunt at Deicke Park.

Library Snapshot Day And Friends Of Library Sale In Algonquin

It was Snapshot Day at the Algonquin Area Public libraries Wednesday.  Part of National Library Week, the idea was to collect a day's worth of statistic data and pictures to illustrate one day's activity at the library.  For instance by mid-afternoon more than 800 patrons had passed through the doors at the Main Lib.

Had Snapshot day been today the stats might have been skewed, at least at the Eastgate Branch.  Traffic should be heavy for the Friends of the Library's book sale starting today from 4 to 8 pm. There's $10 entry fee today only (and adults only today, please).  Friday through Sunday entry's free.  Friday's hours are 4 to 8 pm again, Saturday's from 10 am to 2 pm and Sunday's are 1 to 4 pm.  Sunday the books are half-price.

In the pic:  Andrea Sanchez with daughter Sue and Eli Rangel check out some books at Algonquin Area Public Libary's Main Branch.

State Leaders Ponder Teacher Retirement Shift

by Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
A discussion is growing at the Illinois Capitol about the math in the pensions of downstate teachers. Lawmakers in Springfield and local school officials agree the numbers don't add up. But there is no agreement on how to change things.

The Teachers' Retirement System's own numbers report the system is underfunded by nearly $40 billion. Illinois' total pension liability, for five state managed retirement funds, is $77 billion. That puts the price tag for retirement for teachers outside of the city of Chicago at more than half of the state's total pension debt.

Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, is the latest to suggest the state may need to push on to local school districts more of the cost of teacher retirement. "Fifty-six percent of our pension obligations, $4.5 billion this year, goes to the Teachers Retirement System," Cullerton said. "And they're not state employees, and they don't even cover Chicago."

Chicago teachers have their own retirement fund. Taxpayers in Chicago and teachers in the city cover most of the costs for it. Cullerton said it's a valid question to wonder why the state is guaranteeing retirement benefits for "local" employees.

But Alton School District 11 Superintendent David Elson said teachers and administrators may be local workers, but they are working as part of Illinois' education system. "Education is a state function. If it is not a state function, then why does the state tell local schools what to do?" Elson asked. "Teachers and principals are local employees, but only because the state says that's the way it will be."

Elson scoffs at the notion that Illinois leaders want to pay less into teachers' pensions. "How can the state pay less? They still owe us $3.8 million, or close to that … Lawmakers are the ones who shorted the pension system to begin with," the superintendent said .

House GOP leader Tom Cross said he is not taking sides on the specifics of the teachers' retirement plan. But he was quick to say that if Illinois does not do something soon, a lot of people may lose their pensions.

"If you're a teacher, you've made your contribution every paycheck," Cross said. "You've done nothing wrong. But if we let this go, and if we put our heads in the sand and don't address it now, it will only get worse. We will not be able to sustain the system we have."

But right now the talk of pension changes, or a shift in payments, is just that — talk. Lawmakers have not introduced legislation and no one is saying if they expect a vote this spring.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5731/state-leaders-talk-about-shifting-teacher-retirement-costs/

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
April 13
1004 HRS 00 BLOCK OF NEWBURY CT. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. MCCOLLUM, JANINE D., F/W 40 YEARS OF AGE, 3631 CHADWICK LN LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
0306 HRS 00 BLOCK OF FARMINGTON CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 42 years of age, having difficulty breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0440 HRS 500 BLOCK OF PAWNEE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 49 years of age, having chest pain. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1249 HRS 00 BLOCK OF DEER CREEK CT. FRAUD. Items missing from bank account. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1330 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1658 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH PD). POSSESSION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OF A PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1822 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 35 years of age, with flu-like symptoms. Transported to Sherman Memorial.
1847 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF MONROE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 20 years of age, needing evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1551 HRS 200 BLOCK OF INDIAN TRAIL. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Jewelry was removed from the residence. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2002 HRS 9625 HALIGUS RD. (MARLOWE SCHOOL). THEFT. iPod was stolen. Article entered into LEADS. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
2058 HRS REED RD. & ANNANDALE DR. HIT AND RUN. Motorcycle vs. unknown vehicle. Unknown vehicle left. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2129 HRS 200 BLOCK OF OAKLEAF RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 58 years of age, possibly having a stroke. Transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center.

Grafton Turns Down Controversial Land Payoff

The tide may have turned in fractious Grafton Township Tuesday as voter electors firmly rejected a measure to immediately pay back a complicated and controversial land deal.  A Township Meeting crowd seemed persuaded that court battles have probably left the Township without enough money to do it.

The vote came in a Special Township Meeting that became the de facto Annual Township meeting, the official one immediately following reduced to an afterthought.  Called by petitioners, the Special Meeting was supposed to OK a measure to buy back the Township complex from the Grafton Road District for $700,000 within 60 days.  The original sale had been part of a plan for a new $3.5 million Township headquarters that split Grafton apart three years ago. After it was scotched in court, last year's Annual Meeting ordered the deal "unwound" but didn't say how fast.  Locked in a court battle with Supervisor Linda Moore, Trustees finally came up with a deal to buy the complex back on a three-year installment plan. That left the Road District still paying interest on the loan it took out to buy the complex originally, however. That's what Monday's "pay it off now" measure was supposed to eliminate.

"If that happened in one fell swoop there's no reason it can't be undone in one fell swoop," summed up petition organizer Danny Ziller.

Huntley resident Dawn Burt, opened debate with what she said was a very good reason: undoing the deal now would leave the Township with a grand total of $17,000 in cash according to figures she said she'd FOIA'ed Tuesday afternoon.  "You're now proposing to take every penny in this township," she charged.

There'd be more money coming soon, though, Huntley resident Tammy Leuth told the crowd. "Come the end of June the first installment of property tax is due," .

That wouldn't be soon enough, argued Trustee Betty Zirk. "We're going to be very short," she said.  "We're going to have to get a tax anticipation warrant (loan) for three months."

There were only about 250 residents at the Special Meeting, roughly one third the number at last year's Annual meeting directing the land and money deal be undone.  After a year of wrangling electors may have been exhausted or perhaps the passion of many had faded. In any case, throughout Tuesday's debate ran the practical question of how much money the Township actually has left since the books haven't been audited for two years. "Why hasn't there been an audit?" was a frequent call from the bleachers.

"Any of us who are businesmen don't run our businesses that way," said Sun City resident Tom Fox to cheers.  "We shouldn't ramrod this if there hasn't been a CPA-conducted audit."

As it happened,  one Lake in the Hills man in the crowd was a CPA.  Even accepting Moore's financial figures, he said, if the Road District loan were paid off now the Township's money "burn rate" for regular operation meant "by the end of the year, December, January, February at best, the Township is out of money again."

Resident Don Bond charged massive Grafton legal bills were the reason,  all the fault of trustees.  "How can we stop them paying more legal fees?" he complained.

"Every (lawsuit) has been initiated by Linda Moore or a group allied with her," shot back Trustee Barb Murphy.

"The trustees had to pay for their defense," charged LITH resident Don Drzal.  "I would like to ask Mrs. Moore to please stop."

The clock was ticking and it was already five minutes past time to start the regular Annual Township meeting when a vote finally came. It was 140 to 128 against immediate payoff.

About two thirds of the crowd wandered off before  Township Clerk Harriet Ford could open the brief official Grafton Annual Meeting commenting, "This is like 'Groundhog Day.'" There were a few recriminations, then everyone else went home.

Tuesday's vote marked a clear defeat for Moore who'd pushed the payoff plan in Board meetings and included a memo supporting it in a packet handed out to voters as they filed in.  Her only comment after the vote was, "We move on".

In the pic:  Elector voters picked resident Jim Kearns to moderate Tuesday's Grafton Special Township Meeting, the same as last year's Annual Meeting.

Agreement Reached To Finish Algonquin's Riverside Square

After another closed-door meeting Tuesday the Algonquin Board finally OK'ed a settlement with the new owner of the unfinished Riverside Square condo and retail development decaying in the village's old Downtown.  The Village promised to drop its suit to tear the project down if developer Riverside Plaza, North Barrington, will finish it as first planned.

“Time is of the essence, and the Village remains committed to ensuring that significant progress is made in a very short period of time,” said Village President John Schmitt.

The project, 54 high-end condominiums and 4 to 8 stores, ground to a halt when the real estate bubble burst. It's remained exposed and unfinished for the past two and a half years.  Five weeks ago the father and son team, John and J. P. Breugelmans, hammered together a deal with construction companies who'd been left out in the cold and bought the project.

Friday a McHenry County Judge ruled they couldn't call in their own experts to testify in the Village's lawsuit that the present shambles wasn't a safety hazard. According to one informed source, the two sides were pretty close to a settlement, anyway, though.

Developers weren't at Tuesday's meeting but in a Village release, John Breugelmans said, “The structure is very solid and we’re inspecting all facets thoroughly to repair or replace anything that is required.”

The agreement calls for extensive work to complete the outside of the eyesore by late summer, then a series of deadlines until the inside of the building's done, too.  In case everything falls apart again, though, the whole thing's backed this time by a Riverside Plaza letter of credit the Village can tap get a default judgement and an order to raze whatever's left.

Schmitt said,  “I believe everyone in the Village would like to see regular and methodical progress on the completion of that building, and if that does not occur, there are appropriate safeguards in place to protect the Village and its taxpayers."

Breugelmans said he "hoped" to see "major progress on this building in time for Founders Day (sic)."  This year Algonquin Founders' Days start July 28.

Local Kidney Transplant Fund Now At $2,000

Impromptu transplant fundraiser (story below) Denise Golema has a quick website up now to help raise money for a pair of Huntley kidney transplant operations. It's at http://youngfamilyfundraiser.weebly.com/ 

Golema said Tuesday the fundraiser she threw together in five days raised $1,000 Sunday.  With $500 already donated and $500 from 20 percent of sales at Kosta's restaurant, Algonquin, where the event was held, the transplant fund now stands at $2,000.

Public Records Law Could See Restrictions

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
The Illinois Legislature might make the state’s Freedom of Information Act less open. A measure moving through the state Senate would restrict some records a little more than a year after sweeping changes in the law made it easier for the public to access public records through Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act.

“I think a lot of the changes that are being proposed right now are premature at best,” said Josh Sharp of the Illinois Press Association. “And a lot of them are just not at all in the public’s interest.”

Charging more to reproduce public records and expanding the definition of what is off limits are both included the new bill. But what especially concerns opponents of the measure is the creation of “vexatious” FOIA requests. Simply put, the legislation would make it harder for people who are deemed annoying for the sake of being annoying, to get records. “It’s like pornography; you recognize it when you see it, recognizing it as someone coming for no apparent purpose,” said McHenry County State Sen. Pamela Althoff, a co-sponsor of the plan.

The legislation states that member of the public who makes more than 48 open records requests to a single public body during the course of a year are put on a list. Government bodies are given 21 days to reply to requests by people on that list. "There are people that do, and everyone recognizes them," said Althoff, "take advantage of any law, regardless of whether it’s the Freedom of Information Act or whatever.”

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office has generally advocated for easier access to records, and calls the changes a step backward for open government. "Over the course of this (legislative) session, we have expressed serious concerns about any attempt to roll back provisions that were designed to strengthen the Freedom of Information (Act) to increase government transparency and accountability," said Natalie Bauer, a spokeswoman for the attorney general.

Althoff said she is planning a meeting with all people interested in FOIA and the implications of the proposed law to discuss possible changes. But, she said, major changes aren’t likely.

You can read Andy's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5709/public-records-law-could-see-restrictions-2/

Leaders: Compromise Key For Workers’ Comp

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
 There is plenty of agreement that Illinois’ workers’ compensation system needs to be, and likely will be, changed this year. But a compromise that will accomplish that remains elusive.
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce brought its members to the Illinois Capitol Tuesday to hear from top legislative leaders on workers’ comp, and to pressure rank-and-file lawmakers toward a deal. But instead the business leaders got a message on cooperation and balance.

Gov Pat Quinn said he’s all in on the idea of revamping Illinois’ workers’ comp system. His plan would target some of the mechanics of how injured works file claims, and who decide the validity of those claims. Quinn said term limits for Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, and tougher ethical standards are no-brainers. He said things won’t be as easy when it comes to reworking fees for doctors or proving that an injured worker was injured in the workplace. “We cannot allow those who maybe had an injury that didn’t involve the workplace to get compensation for that,” the governor said.

But Doug Whitley, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, said that is a long way from that to a tougher level of proof business leaders are crying-out for when workers claim a workplace injury. He said  said Illinois must get tough and require workers' compensation claims be tied directly to workplace accidents. “In Illinois there is too much of an incentive to pursue a workers’ comp claim as opposed to simple medical relief and satisfaction,” said
Whitley.

Quinn said. "But nobody is going to get scalped in our reform. Maybe some folks will get a haircut, but no one will get scalped.” Quinn’s plan has not been introduced as legislation. He did not answer questions from the Chamber audience or the media Tuesday.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5710/leaders-compromise-key-for-workers-comp/

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
April 12
2201 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & SCOTTY AVE. NO VALID ILLINOIS LICENSE/WANTED ON WARRANT. ARMENTA-PELAYO, YENNY, F/W 29 YEARS OF AGE, 476 MARGARET TERRACE, CARY. CHARGES: No Valid Illinois License and Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
DIAZ-BAHENA, CIPRIANO, M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 476 MARGARET TERRACE, CARY. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant out of Cook County for Traffic Offense, No Bond on this warrant and Wanted on Warrant out Of McHenry County for Failure to Appear on Traffic Offense, Bond set at $20,000/10% applies. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0307 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF WATERBURY PLACE. ASSIST AMBULANCE Female, 80 years of age, having heart problems. No transport.
0810 HRS 5900 BLOCK OF GRAFTON FARM. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Broken windows on building.
0845 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Delayed verbal only. Eight priors.
0955 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ADAMS ST. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. son. Verbal only. No priors.
1211 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF BURR ST. OTHER PUBLIC. Resident turned in old ammunition.
1305 HRS 200 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. DOMESTIC. Son vs. parents. Verbal only. No priors.
1323 HRS 100 BLOCK OF LAKE ST. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. daughter. Verbal only. No priors.
1325 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. ASSIST OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT. Assist McHenry County Sheriffs Department with serving an Order of Protection.
1545 HRS 201 LAKEWOOD RD. (LEROY GUY PARK). BATTERY Male subject vs. male subject. FAIL TO FILE.
1716 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS). THEFT. Items were stolen from Dominick and Offenders left. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
2128 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Son vs. parents. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2153 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF SPRUCE ST. DOMESTIC. Ex-husband vs. ex-wife. Verbal only. No priors.

D300 Option: Longer, Fewer Classes, Lower Grad Requirement

D300 administrators revealed the first of three options to reorganize the District's middle and high school curricula Monday.  Generally making fewer classes longer, the amount it could save would  range between $4.3 million and $8.2 million, according to Superintendent-elect Michael Bregy.

The District faces a flood of mostly State-generated red ink so Bregy said the first possible revamp plan focused on saving money.  Two more proposals will come before the Board of Education in its next two sessions. They "might be revenue neutral or cost a little more," according to Bregy.

The choice for middle school grades 6, 7 and 8 seems comparatively simple in a regime described by Assistant Superintendent-to-be for Middle Schools, Kara Vicente.  The current (mostly) nine-period 6-hour and 45 minute day would change to an eight-period 6-hour and 25 minute day.  Squeezed out would be "exploratory  programming" or, depending on students' current choices, the college-encouragement AVID program or year-round Spanish.  Also lost would be teacher time during the school day to have confabs with each other about kids having problems. Band, choir and orchestra choices would stay.

High schools is where the decision tree options start turning into a thicket.  Right now, according to Assistant Superintendent-to be for High Schools Ben Churchill, the high schools run what's called a 4x4 Block Schedule.  That involves four 85-minute classes each day in four terms per school year, total instruction time five hours and 40 minutes a day plus a short "advisory period", sort of like the old homeroom.

The change would be to a three-block schedule featuring classes 100 minutes long with no advisory period for four terms per school year.  That would work out to six hours' instruction each day but only 12 possible classes each school year instead of the current 16.  The change would pull the number of credits a student could earn in four years down from 32 to 24, two less than the minimum to graduate right now. The new minimum would be 22.

Churchill said a survey "comparing apples to apples"  would put the D300's new requirements a little lower than Huntley and Crystal Lake districts' instead of considerably higher now.

The plan would only drop the minimum number of student-choice electives from 9.5 credits to 7.5 but it would cut in half the number of specialized courses college-bound students could take if they maxed their loads. "It doesn't take courses out of the course catalogue," said Churchill.  The kids could still pick whatever they wanted, but not so many of them.

How much the restructuring would save depends, first on how many laid-off teachers the District calls back in August, second on how much they'll be paid under a new contract yet to be negotiated.  Right now about one quarter of the District's teachers receive $1.2 million in "overload" pay for extra students per class.  That pay feeds into another loop that boosts pension contributions about $250,000 per year right now, maybe a lot more  later, according to Bregy.

Union President Kolleen Hanetho said the plan was too much too fast.  "I don't believe that there's enough time to put this plan in effect in time for August," she said. "Three months isn't enough."

It might not even be three months, according to Board President Joe Stevens who said Churchill's "drop dead" date last week  to adopt a new plan, May 9, wasn't really right.  "As time goes on we'll have to set a date," he said.  "But we're not there yet."

A summary of Monday's proposal is available here:
http://www.d300.org/files/April%2011%202011%20Secondary%20Reorganization%20Options.pdf

In the pic:  The last shot for this edition of D300's Board.  Defeated member Monica Clark didn't attend.  Two new members will join in two weeks.

E-Waste Event Set Saturday At Living Waters Lutheran

With Saturday's Living Waters Lutheran Church E-Waste event Saturday there's another chance for area residents to pitch their old computers and electronic doodads into the recycling stream instead of a landfill.

The Men's Ministry at Living Waters on the Crystal Lake side of Miller Road will take in  computers, laptops, monitors and TV's Saturday from 9 am to Noon. You don't have to be a  member to dispose of E-waste at the church event. Nevertheless, it's worth considering the good stuff is winnowed out while the bad stuff's consigned to a place underground. (The symbolism breaks down when you get to electric devices that won't be accepted at all: microwaves and other non-electronic items like stereo speakers, room fans and lamps.)

There's no cost to drop off E-Waste at the Church event but dropping off a non-perishable food item for area food pantries would be a nice way to say "thanks". Questions? Contact Deb Martin at debmartin04@comcast.net.

In the pic: Where does this stuff come from?  Last week Grafton Township's E-Waste event gathered 24 tons of formerly hi-tech drek.

State Redistricting Hearings Scheduled

McHenry County legislators and members of the Special House Committee on Redistricting will be in Marengo on Saturday for a meeting on the decennial congressional and state legislative remapping process.

The events at Marengo High School at 10 am hosted by state Rep. Jack D. Franks, Rep. Mike Tryon and Sen. Pam Althoff Civic groups, community organizations, elected officials, minority groups, organizations serving seniors and the disabled, and many others have been invited to offer input and suggestions on how legislative boundaries should be drawn.

A little closer will be a similar event in Elgin next Monday at 4 pm at the Centre of Elgin, hosted by State Rep. Keith Farnham.

Farnhams and Franks are Democrats and Tryon and Althoff are Republicans but they're all pointing people to the same redistricting website. It's an interesting one if you decode the URL: www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting/

In the pic:  Jostling for advantage in redistricting goes back a long way.  The Gerrymander cartoon dates from 1812.

Last Call For Artists for Algonquin's Outdoor Exhibition

The deadline's Saturday for artists to join the salon for the Algonquin Public Arts Commission's fourth annual Art on the Fox fine art show. The event's June 18 and 19 in  Riverfront Park but exhibitor applications have to be in by Saturday.

Art on the Fox is about original design and execution (preferably with an on-the-spot demo) in a variety of media, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, glass, and photography. Info and applications can be downloaded at: http://www.algonquin.org/egov/docs/1293459564_122161.pdf .

In the pic:  The second day of Art on the Fox last year gave a whole new dimension to the term "watercolors".

Advocates Push Back Against Smart Grid Electric Rates

Illinois Statehouse News
With hearings this week there are new cries from Springfield about the possibility that electric bills going up for rate payers across Illinois. The state’s major power companies, Commonwealth Edison Co., known as ComEd, and Ameren Services, are pushing for legislation that the companies say will allow for a newer, better electric grid.

ComEd’s Val Jenson said the Smart Grid may cost some people more, but counters there are a lot of people who could save through modernization and efficiency upgrades. “Do we know everything about how customers would change their behavior if they had smart meters and the options they provide? No,” Jenson said. “But we do know the longer we wait, the longer low-use customers will subsidize high-use customers.”

Ameren and ComEd are considering spending $3.6 billion on electric grid upgrades if lawmakers give them the OK. The utilities say Ameren’s downstate electric customers will likely pay little more than an extra $5 a year, while ComEd says its customers can expect a $36 a year bump on their power bills.

But watchdogs are worried about the prices and the approach. Dean Clough with AARP in Illinois said the proposed law would lock in profits for ComEd and Ameren and stick customers with the bill. The legislation “puts the risk on consumers and businesses while the utilities can go on a technology shopping binge,” Clough said. “Illinois consumers and business simply cannot afford for automatic rate increase and guaranteed profits for utility companies to be put into Illinois law,” he said.

The first of many votes on the legislation could come this week. Once that happens the Illinois House may have just a few days to decide whether to send the proposal to the Illinois Senate for further consideration.

You can read the full report of this story at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5672/advocates-push-back-against-smart-grid/

State Finances Still On Shaky Ground

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Despite the passage of an income tax increase, Illinois lawmakers still have work to do to steer the state to stable financial footing. The backlog of unpaid bills has remained “near or above record highs,” according to Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka’s report for the third quarter of the fiscal year—the first quarterly report she has issued since taking office.

In fact, at $4.515 billion, the backlog is greater than it was at this time last year when the total of unpaid bills was $4.496 billion. Topinka said if the trend continues, the state might not be able to pay off its late bills for this fiscal year before the August deadline.

Topinka said money from the income tax increase is just starting to come into the state’s coffers. The state saw a revenue increase of 7 percent over the last quarter. Some of the money came from one-time sources, such as the tax amnesty program and the selling of bonds against money the state was awarded in a national settlement with tobacco companies. Sales tax revenues increased 8 percent, but $164 million out of the $414 million in sales tax revenues were brought in through the tax amnesty program. As stimulus funds dried up, federal revenues dropped $745 million, or 15 percent, over the third quarter. “While the state took action to increase its immediate cash flow, its fiscal standing remains precarious,” Topinka said.

Sen. John Sullivan, a Rushville Democrat, has been calling on Topinka to release a current total for the backlog of overdue bills. “The next step is to say…how much of that is 60 days past due, how much is 90 days, how much is 120 days, and so on and so forth,” Sullivan said

Sullivan said borrowing the amount the state would need to trim the late payments down to a 30- or 60-day cycle could be an alternative to Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed $8.75 billion in borrowing to pay off all the state’s overdue obligations at once.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/state-finances-still-not-on-solid.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
April 11
0408 HRS 20 BLOCK OF W. PHEASANT TRAIL. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. CURRIE, COLIN C., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 3 MEDINAH CT. LAKE IN THE HILLS, CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
WEINE, EDWARD Q., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 137 CHATSWORTH CIRCLE, SCHAUMBURG. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
BOOKER, TYLER R., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 26 W. PHEASANT TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, Hosting an Underage Drinking Party. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
CUSHING, JACLYN M., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 26 W. PHEASANT TRAIL LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
KAIKIS, ZACHARY J., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 7340 GRANDVIEW CT., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol.NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0851 HRS ANNANDALE DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BARCKLAY, JOSHUA A., M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 1203 W. NE SHORE DR., MCHENRY. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1654 HRS 4500 W, ALGONQUIN RD. (7 ELEVEN). WANTED ON WARRANT. CREDE, STEPHEN T., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 840 PARC CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant out of Mercer County Sheriff’s Office for Failure to Appear. Bond set at $2,000.00, 10% applies. RELEASED ON BOND
1942 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF STARWOOD PASS. DOMESTIC BATTERY. PASSIAS, KAREN L., F/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, 1175 STARWOOD PASS, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0355 HRS 0 BLOCK OF HADDON CT. ASSIST AMBULANC. Male, 16 years of age, having difficulty breathing. No transport.
0644 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD. (RAKOW CURVE). ACCIDENT. Four vehicles. Property damage only.
0910 HRS 10005 S. ROUTE 31 (MATERIAL SERVICES). THEFT. Theft of Copper.
1025 HRS 2450 ALGONQUIN RD. (BANK OF AMERICA). THEFT. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1559 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF POPLAR ST. THEFT. Bike taken from the front porch.
1817 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF DECATUR AVE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 66 years of age, possible stroke. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
Algonquin
April 8
7:58pm Two 16 year-old females from Algonquin were charged with Retail Theft.  They were taken into custody at 400 S. Randall Road.  Both females were released with a court date of 5/23/11 in Algonquin, then released to their parents.
8:54pm Mitchell, Kyle A., DOB: 04/30/87, of 510 E. Washington Street, Delavan, WI, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Cook County for Failure to Appear on a DWLS charge.  He was taken into custody at 501 E. Algonquin Road.  He was released after posting $300 with a court date of 04/ 29/11 in Rolling Meadows.
April 9
4:56pm Beseke, Cheryl A., DOB: 08/10/61, of 6248 W. Roscoe Street, Chicago, was charged with Hit and Run, No Insurance, Failure to Give Information/Render Aid, Improper Turn and Reckless Driving.  She was taken into custody at 2390 E. Algonquin Road.  She was released after posting her Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 05/18/11 in McHenry County.
April 10
3:45am Blumenthal, David B., DOB: 03/25/88, of 1100 Burr Street, Lake In The Hills, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for a Retail Theft charge.  He was taken into custody at 2200 Harnish Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 04/27/11 in McHenry County.

Grafton Township: Now Dueling Town Meetings

For most McHenry County Townships Tuesday's Annual Meetings will be short and sweet.  Grafton Township, in effect, has two, though. They promise to be protracted and bitter and, depending on the outcomes, legally dubious as well.

On paper at least,  the regular Annual Town Meeting, 7 pm at HHS, looks like a quiet one; financial reports and authorizing the sale of some surplus office gear.  "Old Business" and "Public Comment" hold the promise of fireworks, though.  It probably depends on what happens at the Special Town Meeting an hour earlier, 6 pm,  at the same place.  A group of residents called it to force the lump-sum sale of the Township complex from the Road District back to the Township for $700,000 with a 60-day deadline for completion.

Highly compressed: The Grafton Board under former Supervisor John Rossi sold the Township complex to the Road District to help pay the $3.5 million cost of new offices.  A judge ruled the new offices weren't properly authorized, Rossi lost the next election to Linda Moore and the new office idea crashed and burned.  Last year's Annual Town Meeting voted to "unwind" the complex sale but didn't say how soon.  The Board decided to take three years claiming protracted legal battles have emptied Township coffers. That's not fast enough say some people.

"All we want to do," said Special Meeting organizer Danny Ziller Saturday, "is to put everything back to what it was before John Rossi started the situation."  However, in litigious Grafton Township, Ziller said the group didn't have an attorney draft or even check over the resolution they want to vote on.  "We took last year's resolution to base it off of," he said.

In all the cutting and pasting some problems may have crept in. For instance, a section to punish anyone who doesn't sell the complex within 60 days claims to draw its authority from a  part of the Township Code that actually talks about "the sufficiency of all fences".
 
The big problem lies in the procedure to actually sell the complex, though. It says the sale will result from declaring the complex "surplus property".  An FEN search of the Township Code finds that, absent a certified property appraisal, the only mention of surplus real estate is  "for purposes of donating the property to a historical society or other not-for-profit corporation."

"Oh, Gee," said Ziller.

FEN asked Moore if she'd run the Special Meeting petition past the Township Attorney.  "We don't have a Township Attorney," she said.

Well, how about John Nelson, Moore's personal attorney, whom she's currently petitioning the Court to have appointed Township Attorney?

"I sent him a copy after I got it," said Moore. However, "It's not his place to say anything," said Moore.

Meanwhile Ziller said he'd see if there was a way to amend the Special Meeting resolution.

In the pic:  Both sides in the Grafton dispute are sending out calls to attend the Special Township Meeting Tuesday.  Above is postcard from "Residents of Grafton Township" who called it.  Below is a flier from "Taking Back Grafton Township" who oppose it.

Chicago Race Hampers LITH Run Through Hills

Sunday's 12th Annual Run Through the Hills saw only 500 runners turn out to course through the Village's center section under sunny skies and balmy temps.  Last year when the weather was beastly the event drew almost 750 entrants.  What gives?  Mark it up to competition.  Sunday was also the running of Chicago's 32nd Shamrock Shuffle.  That event drew more than 32,000 runners.

LITH's Mark Rotundo took first place in the Run Through the Hills 10K leg with a time of 35:53.5.  Holly Ochs from Milwaukee was the first woman only 3:26.1 behind him.

 In the 5k race, Cary's Cale Fick was first among the men and Samantha Staples from Crystal Lake led on the distaff side.  Results for both the 10k and 5k races, overall and by age division, are posted here:

http://www.racetime.info/new_page_1.htm

After the race many of the runners tottered over to LITH Village Hall for a pancakes and sausage breakfast cooked up by LITH Rotary.

Huntley Mom Raises Funds Fast For Stranger's Kidney Transplant

Twenty six local businesses stepped up to help put on a fundraiser at Kosta's restaurant in Algonquin Sunday for a new Huntley Mom who needs an expensive kidney transplant.  More remarkable was the fact that the event's organizer didn't even hear about the transplant until last Tuesday.

Denise Golema is herself a transplant recipient.  Once terminally diabetic, she's alive thanks to a pancreas transplant from a cadaver two years ago.  Two years to the day Sunday, in fact.  "I was feeling 'survivor's guilt'," she said. "It was heavy on my heart."

Tuesday, though, she happened to strike up a conversation with a third Mom, Laura Young, who'd just hired on where Golema works.  Young mentioned her daughter, Jeanna Casper, to whom she's going to donate a kidney next month. It's an incredibly expensive procedure since it involves two major operations, one on the donor and one on the donee.

"I met Laura and I realized that was what God wanted me to do," said Golema.

OK. But did He say to do it in only five days?

"It's amazing," said Young.  "I couldn't believe it, to get it together this quickly," she said. "It's a miracle.

In fact, Golema admitted she's actually been running ahead of herself.  She's still got to set up a 501c organization to take care of the money and put up a website to help raise lots more of it.  She said he plans to work on that this week and not just for Jeanna Casper, either. While she was organizing the fundraiser for Casper Sunday, Golema said,  "I've run into three more people having transplants."

In the pic:  Denise Golema (green shirt) put together this big kidney transplant fundraiser in Algonquin in only five days. 

Education Reform Plan Could Come This Week

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Plans to revise teachers' collective bargaining rights may be ready to go before the Senate sometime this week according to the chamber's Education Reform head. A day of meetings late last week didn't quite produce a plan everyone could agree on.

Changes to the firing and layoff processes and tenure have been ironed out, according to Illinois Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood. She said the sticking point now is collective bargaining, the ability for teachers' unions to negotiate items such as pay and benefits. “Collective bargaining by rights of union groups, that law hasn’t been touched since it was enacted (in 1983) and we’re really wanting them to do something that they haven’t had to do,” Lightford said.

Plans floated in December would limit teachers’ ability to strike. Without the ability to strike at will, teachers would lose a lot of power at the negotiating table, unions say.
For their part, the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union have been pushing their own reform plan that revolves around performance-based evaluations of teachers and principals, but doesn’t change collective bargaining.

Illinois Education Association Executive Director Audrey Soglin told Illinois Statehouse News last week that her organization didn’t plan to offer any compromises or changes to a collective bargaining system it views as working the way it was designed to.

The other major player in changes to education in Illinois is Stand for Children, an education reform group that gained recognition last year in Illinois when it poured money into elections around the state. It has been a loud voice in calling for revamping teacher tenure and the power of teacher unions. Much like the unions, though, Stand for Children was tight lipped about the ongoing talks.


You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5651/education-reform-plan-could-come-next-week/

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
April 10
0132 HRS HEARTLAND GATE & NORTHLIGHT PASS. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BITZER, SHAWN G., M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE,
409 PRIDES RUN, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Content over .08, Improper Lane Use. RELEASED ON BOND.
0220 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL). DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. ZELLER, JOHN A., M/W 37 YEARS OF AGE, 8 KURT CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0431 HRS 241 N. RANDALL RD. (WHITE CASTLE). BATTERY/CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. JUNGMANN, CARL A., M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 316 S. CRYSTAL LAKE RD, MCHENRY. CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Property. RELEASED ON BOND.
DAMANI, ASIF S., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 1520 FARM HILL DR., ALGONQUIN, CHARGES: Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
1643 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICK’S). RETAIL THEFT. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Retail Theft under $300.00. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0403 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD., (MORETTIS). CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Driver side rear passenger window was damaged. FAIL TO FILE.
1021 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF MONROE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 67 years of age, having chest pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1541 HRS RAKOW RD. & PINGREE RD. ACCIDENT. Two Vehicles. Property Damage Only.
1634 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH POLICE). ASSIST AMBULANCE Male, 15 years of age, with a fishing hook stuck in his arm. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
received late

Huntley 47 Widening Ramps Up

Widening of Route 47 in Huntley's expected to be back in full swing in the coming week with crews working on different parts of the project from Dean Street all the way north to Kenneth.

IDOT Construction workers will be ripping out old pavement on the east side of 47 between Dean north to Main Street. IDOT plans to keep access open to Dean Street, Mill Street, and Main Street while the old road is trucked off.  Meanwhile, other contractors will begin working on sanitary sewers and watermains on the east side of 47 between Main north to Kenneth. Some of the driveways may be blocked in the process but IDOT spokesman promise it won't be for any longer than workers can help.

Monday, if the weather's right, still other workers will be pavement striping on Main Street and Algonquin Road west of Route 47, and on Kreutzer Road. That'll slow up traffic, too.

The most up to date info on what's happening on 47 in Huntley is always supposed to be at:
http://www.huntley.il.us/Route47Widening.asp

Grafton Residents Cast Off Tons Of E-Waste

Grafton Township's E-Waste Event saw a steady stream of cars and trucks full of defunct or obsolete computer and Video gear Saturday.  Supervisor Linda Moore and Trustee Barb Murphy
honchoed a crew of Huntley Lions volunteers and workers from COM 2 Recycling, Carol Stream, to unload, sort and pack up the electronic castoffs for later recovery.  That way spooky stuff like lead and cobalt won't bleed into the environment and more expensive rare earths won't have to be imported from China.  One farmer surveyed and scene and said, "At least there's some stuff I won't find in the ditch."

Afghanistan Soldier Honored At LITH American Legion

Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231 reverberated to the thunder of another area serviceman's homecoming Saturday as Warriors Watch motorcycle riders escorted a Cary soldier back home. Army Spc. Mark Simmons returned from a year's tour in Afghanistan where he said, "everyone made it out safe."  Simmons's enlistment is up in January and he said he might re-up if the Army has enough room for him. Otherwise, he said, he has his eye on becoming a cop.

Something New For Football: ArgoFest

The Pop Warner League Algonquin Argonauts tried something new Saturday at C'ville's Liberty School. It was called ArgoFest.  Mostly if was fun for the kids with stuff like inflatable playhouse slides from Ed's Rental and Pump it Up and hair styling (for the Argonaut Cheeleaders) by Sharkey's Hair.  But the event also included speed and agility drills and a registration boot for kids who hadn't signed up yet.

All the forms for Argonaut registration can be found here: http://www.algonquinargonautsfootball.com/downloads.php

In the pic:  Eight year-old Daniel Monahan from Huntley dreams of future gridiron glory as Argonauts Pres. Bob Mamrot explains the program to Mom Julie.

GOP Budgeteer: This Year Is Different

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
The differences between Illinois' 2011 budget and the still-to-be crafted 2012 budget are becoming more apparent each day. Lawmakers in the House and Senate are working on their own versions of a spending plan, complete with revenue projections and line-by-line appropriations. It's not clear which chamber will set the final total for a state budget, and that may not become clear for a while.

This week, Senate Republicans said they are hoping to work with the Democrats who control the upper chamber in Springfield to figure out how to spend a little more than $34 billion. The House budget figure is just above $33 billion. Gov. Pat Quinn wants to spend $35 billion next year.

Senate GOP budget point man State Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, said just having a conversation about spending and different numbers is a break from the past. "This process feels a little different," he said. "We've got some new players involved from years past, so I don't know that the past is predictive of how this year is going to go."

Lawmakers have sent Quinn lump sum budgets in each of the past two years. The governor has then decided where to spend the money, and more to the point, where not to spend the money.

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, is leading the revenue process in the House. He said lawmakers and the governor need to know how this year's budget process is different.

"I want people to understand that I am serious about revenue projections and the appropriation process," he said.

Lawmakers have scheduled a spring break for later this month.  The House and Senate are due to return to the Capitol, at least five days a week, through May as legislators push toward a budget agreement.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/5649/gop-budgeteer-this-year-is-different/

Obituaries

Lillian Emma Goranson, 83, of Huntley died peacefully Sunday at Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, Woodstock. Private services were held and burial was at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights.

Goranson was born January 9, 1928, in Chicago, the daughter of Knut and Edna Anderson. She married Ernst Goranson in 1951. She is survived by her husband of Huntley; two daughters, Denise (Wally) Krasicki of Prospect Heights, and Gale (Mark) Leidolf of Lakemoor; two granddaughters, Michelle and Nicole, and her sister, Elaine Schaffer. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Kristine, and brother, Bernie.

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
April 09
0401 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. ARRIAGA, YVETTE V., F/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 5523 DANBURY CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Use, Uninsured Motor Vehicle, No Driver’s License on Person. RELEASED ON BOND.
1802 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CANAVERAL-CAMACHO, JULIO A., M/W 27 YEARS OF AGE, 385 BERKSHIRE ST., CRYSTAL LAKE. Charges: Driving while License Suspended, Violation of a Motorcycle Classification License, Driving with Suspended Registration for not having Proof of Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
2055 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BAKER, ERIC J., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 1408 SKYRIDGE DR. UNIT C, CRYSTAL LAKE. Charge: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
2150 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICKS). RETAIL THEFT. ZEVIK, ERIC J., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 436 CLUB CIRCLE, BELVIDERE.
Charges: Retail Theft under $300, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving while License Suspended, Attempt Obstructing a Peace Officer. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0852 HRS PYOTT RD. & JESSIE RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. deer. Female, 70 years of age, hit her head. No transport.
0954 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. VISITATION INTERFERENCE. Possible visitation interference. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1230 HRS 201 LAKEWOOD RD., (LEROY GUY PARK). ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, nine years of age, having difficulty breathing. No transport.
1325 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD., (POLICE DEPT). ASSIST OTHER POLICE AGENCY. Assisted the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department with serving an order of protection.
1833 HRS 9100 BLOCK OF TRINITY DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 31 years of age, fell and lost feeling to his extremities. No transport.
2256 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD., (WALGREENS). INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Child left unattended. TURNED OVER TO DCFS.
2301 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICKS). RETAIL THEFT. Male took a bag of poppy seeds, and returned to pay. FAIL TO FILE
2322 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICKS) INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Officer had contact with a registered sex offender.