D300 To Rehire Fired Teachers If Contract Approved

District 300's new Board President confirmed Friday that if a tentative contract with the teacher's union is approved next week the school district will call off plans cut back the school day and layoff more than a quarter of its teachers.  Anne Miller told FEN "If the contract is approved by the Union and the Board we will not have to go to the Three-Block (schedule) and we will rehire all 363 teachers."

Miller, one of the District's two negotiators, said she couldn't reveal the terms of the contract.  However, if the new contract means radical plans to save $5 million won't be needed, the inference is that the union accepted a new health insurance plan and, if not all, most of a wage freeze, at least for next year.

That doesn't mean the contract's a done deal.  Teachers' union rank and file still have to vote to accept the contract at a meeting Tuesday.  Likewise the entire Board has to approve the agreement.  There's been no announcement about that but a new "Special Work Session Meeting" appeared on the District's online Calendar Friday.  The agenda calls for approval of a one-year contract with the union, approval of a new benefit plan and recall of non-tenured and tenured teachers and administrators.

FEN was unable to contact Superintendent-elect Michael Bregy, Board Member and negotiator Joe Stevens or Union President Kolleen Hanetho about the pact or District plans Friday morning.

Bianchi Case To Write New Illinois Law

If the latest Lou Bianchi indictments do nothing else they're probably going to establish new guidelines about what a Special Prosecutor can do when he thinks he's got a hot lead.

Terry Ekl, defense counsel for the embattled McHenry County State's Attorney, asked Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw Friday to throw out the indictments against his client because the Special Prosecutors ' excuse for the investigation that led to them was so weak it never should have been started.

"An unidentified guy told an unidentified Assistant State's Attorney who told the Special Prosecutor's investigator who told the Special Prosecutor," sneered Ekl. He claimed that shouldn't have been enough for McHenry County Circuit Judge Gordon Graham to allow Henry "Skip" Tonigan and Thomas K. McQueen to expand their investigation beyond the original scope of Bianchi's supposed use of County employees to do campaign work.

In the current case, Bianchi and his chief investigator Ron Salgado are accused of giving alleged relatives and supporters who got in police trouble special treatment in prosecution and sentencing.

McGraw wanted to know if there were previous cases setting guidelines on what constituted "probable cause" for Graham to unleash Tonigan and McQueen on a new quest. Ekl said he'd looked hard to find some but couldn't since the situation was literally unprecedented. "There is no definition of what is sufficient proof," said Ekl. The standard, he said, should be the same as probable cause for issuing a search warrant.  "You wouldn't issue a search warrant on third-party hearsay, Your Honor," he said.

McQueen said the information came from a former Assistant State's Attorney who'd worked on one of the cases and that ought to be good enough.

If Ekl's right about the lack of legal standards, whatever McGraw decides in the Bianchi case  will write new law about the sort of excuse Illinois Special Prosecutor's need--or don't--to go haring off in new directions. 

Salgado's lawyer, Phil Prossnitz, attacked the charge that his client had violated the equal protection clause of the State Constitution.  "What's the protected class here?" he asked.  "Convicted criminals?"  Prossnitz argued the clause protected people from whom something had been taken, like the right to vote.  He said Salgado was accused of giving someone something extra, a lighter sentence.  Not to mention, which he did, that Salgado was just an investigator, not a prosecutor, anyway.

McQueen said Salgado should have stayed away from a case involving a relative.

McGraw arraigned Bianchi and Salgado again Friday on amended indictments charging they committed wrongdoing in their official capacities.  The original indictments were handed down before Bianchi and his secretary were acquitted of more than two dozen earlier charges of wrongdoing without even putting on a defense. In that case McGraw ruled that failing to specify they were acting officially was one of a host of legal mistakes Tonigan and McGraw made.

Bianchi waived his right to a jury trial Friday. Co-defendant Salgado had already done so.  McGraw set next Friday to clear up some pre-trial bickering and any extra housekeeping in the separate case of McHenry County Investigator Mike McCleary, charged with private use of his County car.  "I don't know if I'll have a decision then (on the motion to dismiss charges)," said McGraw, "but I might."

GOP Assail Democratic Congressional Remap

Republicans in the Illinois Congressional delegation howled Friday when Democratic legislators released their plan to redraw the state's House districts.

“Under the cover of darkness, the Democrats in Springfield proposed a new Congressional map that was drawn without any input from Republicans or any consideration for the hours of testimony offered at public hearings this spring," said all 11 Congressmen.

“This proposal appears to be little more than an attempt to undo the results of the elections held just six months ago and we will take whatever steps necessary to achieve a map that more fairly represents the people of Illinois," said the Illinois 11.

Last year's census figures dictate Illinois has to lose one of its present 19 Representatives but the lines on the new map suggest there may have been drawn with something more than that in mind. The case of Republican Congressman Don Manzullo whose current 16th District includes (albeit by a tentacle) the McHenry County parts of Algonquin, Huntley and LITH illustrates what the fuss is all about.

Founder and Co-chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus, Manzullo's represented the district including what's left of once-mighty manufacturing center Rockford since the last remap. He comfortably won yet another term last year.  However, in the new Democratic map Rockford, via a pseudopod, is supposed to become part of the 17th District.  The reconfigured 16th loops from the Wisconsin border, carefully avoiding Rockford, south through some of its former territory but then veers east on a new track until it crashes into Indiana.  Despite all that it still manages to just barely include--by about half a mile--Manzullo's home base of Egan, a suburb of metropolitan Leaf River.  Most of Manzullo's nine-year incumbent's advantage will be wiped out and if he wants still another term he'll have to introduce himself in the next election to a lot of new folks who don't know him from Adam's off ox.

The new Congressional map does manage to glue the Kane and McHenry parts of Huntley back together but Algonquin and LITH get hacked up in a completely new way.  The division between reconfigured District 14, currently held by Winfield Republican Randy Hultgren, and revised District 6, currently represented by GOP Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam of Wheaton, chops through Algonquin and LITH like a meat cleaver.  (The map whisks the 8th district that GOP Rep Joe Walsh just won entirely out from under him; now he lives in the 14th, too.)  Assuming the accuracy of the boundaries on the map the Dems posted, it doesn't just cut through neighborhoods, it actually slices through individual houses.

McHenry County GOP Chairman (and mauled Rep. on the State House map) Mike Tryon charged the planned new Congressional districts will help Democrats hang on to the seats they've got and, maybe, even win some new ones in the next decade. By Tryon's calculation, the remap pits 17 incumbent Republicans in races against each other next year. "The new map retains most of the (Democratic) Chicago legislative districts, despite the fact that a great deal of the population loss over the last ten years occurred within the City of Chicago," Tryon complained.

The Democratic Congressional remap can be viewed here but you'll need Google Earth to view it in any useful detail; the district numbers are all screwed up, by the way, so you'll have to download the adobe version, too, to make any sense of it: http://www.ilsenateredistricting.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103:how-to-access-the-adjusted-proposal&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

LITH Beach Closed Again

"Welcome to the 2011 beach season" read Friday's alert. LITH's Indian Trail Beach has been closed by the McHenry County Department of Health due to high E coli levels. Butch Haggle Beach is on an advisory level. The Beach will remain closed until the Village hear from the Health Department that bacterial levels are OK again.  Considering the weather lately it's not likely the shutdown's going to discommode very many people, anyway.

In the pic:  LITH's Indian Trail Beach.

Illinois House "Blows Up" Workers’ Compensation

By Melissa Leu, Illinois Statehouse News
The state House voted Friday to pass a measure that would dismantle the state’s workers’ compensation system. The measure would repeal the state’s Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act, and send the state’s nearly 50,000 cases to be decided in circuit courts.

The state would save between $500 million and $700 million, according to Sponsor state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion. However, opponents claimed that the plan to “blow up” the workers’ compensation system is actually a political ploy to get them to agree to a weaker set of reforms in Raoul’s plan. That one is supported by Gov. Pat Quinn and is being pushed by Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago.

“I think it is an intriguing move in the ongoing legislative chess game that elected officials play on major public policy issues as if there were no consequences,” said Doug Whitley, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

Under Raoul’s plan, doctors would be paid 30 percent less for those filing workers’ compensation claims and reduce the amount of time workers can receive the maximum benefit of 66.5 percent of their average weekly salary.

Howard Peters, a lobbyist with the Illinois Hospital Association, said reducing physician pay by 30 percent is unfair.  “If you don't pay a reasonable amount, the more skilled surgeons, the more skilled physicians will not participate (and) can't afford to participate, so it has a real disadvantage to injured workers,” Peters said.

Whitley said lawmakers can’t please everyone, but completely destroying a system that can be fixed is not the answer.

“Blowing up the worker's compensation as Rep. Bradley is proposing would create chaos in the state and would send the wrong signal to everyone outside the state of Illinois,” Whitley said.

You can read Melissa's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6243/illinois-house-blows-up-workers-compensation-system/

Democratic Remap Goes To Governor

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Illinois Democrats pushed their state legislative map through both chambers Friday as Republicans decried what they say was a lack of transparency in the redistricting process.
Republicans faulted the majority party for not allowing time for the public to digest the changes made to the proposed maps. New versions of the maps were posted online after 6 p.m. Thursday.

“Where is the public supposed to go to on the final version of this map for input? … How can the general public in a transparent way have input on the final version of this map when it’s filed and we’re voting on it … hours later,” said Hutsonville Republican Rep. Roger Eddy.

Republicans said the resolutions filed in the record Friday that offer explanation for the maps came too late. “Do you think three hours is sufficient for the people who live in the state to have the foggiest notion about why you drew this map the way you did?” Sen. Dale Righter, a Charleston Republican, asked on the Senate floor.

“I think the point is that we’re providing a narrative at all.” Said Senate Sponsor Kwame Raoul. “I think we’re going well beyond what has ever been done.” Both Raoul and House Sponsor Barbara Flynn Currie argued that the Democrats’ approach to drawing the map was a historic step for transparency. “I think this has been the most transparent, the most accountable, the most open redistricting process in the history of the sate of Illinois.”

After receiving public criticism from many organizations representing minorities, Democrats bolstered the numbers of minority populations in some districts.  Josina Morita, executive director of The United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations said the number of minority majority districts increased under the proposal that passed Friday. Morita said the number of House districts where African-Americans make up more than 55 percent of the voting age population went from eight under the plan released last week to nine under the legislation passed today, and the number of Senate districts increased from two to three. Hispanic House districts with more than 65 percent of voting age population went up from four to five. Morita said the map also creates three districts where Asian-Americans have the potential for political influence.

Locally, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Huntley remain chopped to pieces.  That might diminish their influence in Springfield since each piece is less important than the whole.  Or it might increase it since more legislators will have to listen to the pieces.  In either event it will probably mean more politicians regularly sailing through the area trolling for votes.

Quinn would not comment Friday on whether he will sign the Democrats map proposal for state legislative districts. He only said that he is encouraging lawmakers to be “fair” in the redistricting process.

The revised Illinois House house map can be found here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Filhousedems.com%2Fredistricting%2F2011-maps%2FSenate_Bill_1177_Amendment_2%2Fab9Plan0520.kmz&aq=&sll=39.797399,-89.664939&sspn=0.014294,0.018132&ie=UTF8&z=7%22

The Senate Map can be accessed here but you'll need Google Earth installed to zoom in: http://www.ilsenateredistricting.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=50

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/democratic-map-on-way-to-governor.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
May 27
0005 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & PINGREE RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. MAJEWSKI, EDWARD J., M/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, 40 GREEN OAKS DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding, No Valid Drivers License, Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
0007 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & ELLIS RD. NO VALIDD RIVERS LICENSE. OBANDO-PEUGNET, CARLOS A., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 304 MCHENRY AVE., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No Valid Drivers License, and Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0314 HRS SKYRIDGE DR. & ALEXANDRA BLVD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. KELLY, BRIANNE M., F/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 416 SOUTH STREET, WEST DUNDEE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with Breath Alcohol Content Over .08, Improper Lane Usage. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1303 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MCPHEE DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1345 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. motorcycle. Property damage only.
1527 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. BURGLARY. Blue/Black Men’s Mountain Bike taken from the garage.
1713 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD. (WALGREENS). Female, 45 years of age, fell at the entrance. Transported to Good Shepherd Hospital.
2151 HRS 400 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. THEFT UNDER. Theft of a Mailbox.

D300, Teachers' Union Reach Tenative Agreement

District 300 and Lead 300, its teachers' union, announced this morning they'd reached a tentative agreement Thursday evening on a new teachers' contract for the district.  The agreement might forestall big changes in the District's secondary schools next year.

Terms of the contract haven't been disclosed and won't be, according to a joint release until they're approved by the union and the Board.  The union's scheduled to vote on it Tuesday.  The Board's not scheduled to meet until June 13 but a special meeting had been expected to be called before that, anyway.

Negotiators met Tuesday evening but said Wednesday they'd been unable to reach an accord.  Another meeting had  already been scheduled for Thursday, however.  District announcements and elliptical comments from negotiators over the past two weeks indicated disagreement centered on contract "language" rather than money.  The Board had budgeted about $5 million in "savings" next year from a new health insurance plan and a teachers' wage freeze.

If union negotiators agreed to something like that,  earlier comments by Superintendent-elect Michael Bregy indicated D300's administration would call off plans to radically revise middle and high school curricula for the coming year in place of the $5 million.

Grafton Road Commissioner Meets Self For Early Loan Payoff

Grafton Township Road Commissioner Jack Freund held a one-man meeting Thursday to approve an early payoff for part of the loan the District took out to finance now-aborted plans to build new Township Offices.

The Grafton Board OK'ed the deal at a special meeting Tuesday since Supervisor Linda Moore had presented them with a fait accompli.

The Road District meeting bordered on the absurd since there are no other members of the Road District except the Commissioner but the District's bank demanded one to make sure the early payoff was legally kosher. Road District attorney Pat Coen laughed saying "Jack officially met with himself and found no disagreement."

Once the paperwork goes through the Road District will only owe $300,000 of the original $700,000 loan.  The Township had recently entered an agreement to pay the Road District rent for the Grafton complex which the District now owns.  That was to offset the interest on the loan it took out to buy it so the early payoff means that's going to have to be redone.

Supervisor Linda Moore in her capacity as Treasurer for the Road District was unable to say how much the deal would actually save taxpayers.  When she announced the payoff plan two weeks ago she claimed it would save $235,000, however, Thursday she admitted that figure applied over the next 20 years but the Board plans to retire the whole amount in fiscal 2012.

Freund said he didn't even know the bank had approved the early pay plan until Moore told him about it.  Coen, however,said in April "(Moore's attorney John Nelson) came to me and asked why the bank wouldn't accept early payment. I didn't want to spend any more Road District money on it but I said, 'You're free to talk to them.'"

Nelson's office was closed Thursday when FEN called to ask how negotiating an early payoff of the Road District loan fit with his current role as Moore's attorney in her Circuit Court suit against all the trustees on the Grafton Board.

The Grafton Board Tuesday also approved hiring Rolling Meadows audit firm Evans, Marshall & Pease to conduct an examination of the Township's books now a year overdue.  Moore wasn't sure Thursday when the audit would actually begin but said, "They told me possibly it would be complete by the end of June.  Just a rough guess."

In the pic:  Grafton Clerk Harriet Ford made notes Thursday as Road Commissioner Jack Freund had a meeting with himself to ratify an early loan partial payoff put together by Supervisor Linda Moore (right).

Committee To Send Two Redistricting Maps To County Board

McHenry County's Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee Thursday produced what Algonquin District One Member Mark Munaretto called only half-tongue in cheek "majority and minority redistricting maps".

Four members still supported a new Board District map the Committee cobbled together in less than a couple of hours two weeks ago.  Three others supported a somewhat revised map Munaretto had whipped up that he claimed didn't cut across so many township and municipal boundaries.

"I understand you want to bring Algonquin back together but you just screw everything else up," charged District 6 Member Ersel Schuster.

In the map the Committee provisionally OK'ed May 12 Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Huntley were chopped into several sections and Munaretto's map only succeeded in gluing them back together to a limited extent.

Munaretto complained Schuster was really just trying to protect what remains of her own district.

"And I shouldn't do that?" she shot back.

District 3 Member Nick Provenzano claimed part of the problem with the first draft was that it anticipated presumed future municipal growth. "The challenge is everyone's filling out their border areas."

However, only he, Munaretto and District 3 Member Kathy Bargen-Schmidt voted against approving the first draft map.  As a compromise the Committee agreed to send Munaretto's map to the County Board, too. Provenzano said both would probably be "an object of ridicule" once all 24 members started messing around with the County's political Scrabble board

The first-draft map the Committee approved is here: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/Documents/McHenry%20County%20Board%20Districts%20Proposed%20Map%20-%205-12-11.pdf

Munaretto's proposal for the Board map is here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/56455109/McHenry-County-Redistricting-Alternative-Map-5-26-11

Rockford Diocese Ends State Foster Care, Adoption

The Rockford Diocese announced Thursday during a press conference that its Catholic Charities offices would no longer offer state-funded adoption and foster care services because of the State's new Civil Unions Act.

Spokesmen said the agency was forced to end its contracts with the State of Illinois for the services because of the Legislature wouldn't pass an amendment to allow Catholic Charities to refer unmarried, cohabiting couples--same-sex or opposite sex--to other agencies in order not to violate Catholic teachings.

"The law of our land has always guaranteed its people freedom of religion. Denying this exemption to faith-based agencies leads one to believe that our lawmakers prefer laws that guarantee freedom from religion," said Penny Wiegert, Diocesan Director of Communication.

Catholic Charities in the Rockford Diocese handles about 350 foster family and adoption cases in 11 counties including McHenry and Kane with a state budget of $7.5 million. Ending State-contracted adoption and foster care services by the Diocese will put 58 workers out on the street and close four offices.

Spokesmen said private adoption services in the Diocese would still be available.

In the pic: The Catholic Charities office in McHenry will be one of three to remain open.

Huntley Formally Nixes Giant Wireless Tower

The Huntley Village Board Thursday formally and unanimously turned down a plan for a giant wireless tower in the middle of the village.  It was clear at a Committee of the Whole meeting last week no one thought it belonged there and no one had changed his mind in the interim, even though the attorney for SBA Towers brought along a stenotypist again to record the proceedings.

Technically, the Board didn't reject the 175-foot tower itself proposed for the railroad tracks near the Dean plant.  Rather, the Board refused to grant exceptions SBA had requested to village standards that otherwise don't allow it to go there in the first place.

The Board did OK a huge inflatable advertising figure to publicize the grand opening of General RV near the tollway in a couple of weeks.  Trustee John Piwko had earlier warned that even though the thing would be tied down, "the wind will pick it up and blow it to Chicago."  New guy on the Board Nick Hanson didn't like it either but the pair were outvoted.

In the pic:  A wireless tower SBA owns in Alabama. 

HazMat Spill At Jacobs High School

Units from the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District, the Huntley District and the Carpentersville Fire Department converged on Jacobs High School just before the start of final exams Thursday after a chemical spill.

ALFPD Battalion Chief John Greene said staff had already cleaned up between roughly a pint and less than a quart of the disinfectant and preservative formaldehyde. "Due to the isolated area the spill occurred in and minimal amount spilled there was no need to evacuate the building," said Greene in a release.

District 300 posted no information about the incident and Communications Director Allison Strupek could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon. However, she was quoted in another publication saying,“Formaldehyde is not hazardous. It’s not dangerous."

In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies the compound as a probable carcinogen and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets a short-term exposure standard to the chemical of 2 ppm over 15 minutes.

Two school district personnel were transported to an area hospital for evaluation, according to Green, who said their conditions were not considered life threatening.

Illinois Pension Reform Moving Forward

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
State employees currently on the job would either pay more or see reduced pension benefits under a plan in the Illinois Legislature. “I don’t think anybody in this room — whether you’re for this bill or against this bill — would disagree with the fact that our (pension) systems are in very, very, poor shape,” state House Minority Leader Tom Cross said Thursday during a House Personnel and Pensions Committee hearing.

Pensions stand to become the biggest consumer of state tax dollars if the system is not changed to provide upward of $80 billion in benefits it currently cannot pay, according to proponents of the plan. “Every time a dollar leaves the Legislature and goes over to the pension systems, that’s a dollar not available for education, for social-service programs, for whatever else the Legislature chooses to appropriate the spending of money,” Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said.

The plan would stop the unfunded liability from continuing to grow, allowing the state to get to 85 percent to 90 percent funded liability by 2045, Cross said. He is co-sponsoring the plan with Madigan and said the state would take responsibility for the current $80 billion unfunded liability through a long-term plan of increased pension payments by the state.

The measure creates a menu of three options: employees hired before Jan. 1 could keep their current benefits but would be asked to contribute the more annually; all employees could move to the benefits package created for people hired after Jan. 2, which means working longer to get a pension, the second most expensive option; and lastly any employee could move to a 401(k) style, defined contribution package, the cheapest option. A tiered system would go into effect for most employees beginning July 1, 2012.

If no action is taken on the pension systems, 61 percent of the state’s tax income revenue would go to pay for benefits, said Tom Johnson, president of the Taxpayer Federation of Illinois, a proponent of containing government spending.

You can read Andrew's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6225/pension-reform-moving-forward-in-illinois/

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
May 26
0226 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SHUTTY, LUCAS J., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 2202 W. FERNVIEW LANE, MCHENRY. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving while License Revoked, Speeding, No Valid Insurance. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
2013 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. MCCALLUM, CHRISTOPHER D., M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 1380 CUNAT CT. 1B, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1033 HRS 3900 BLOCK OF PEARTREE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 57 years of age, weak and disoriented. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1035 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LAUREL VALLEY CT. TELEPHONE HARASSMENT. Telephone harassment.
1209 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF BURR ST. VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION. Possible violation occurred in Cary. Referred to Cary Police.
1419 HRS 00 BLOCK OF LITCHFIELD CT. DOMESTIC. Aunt vs. niece. Verbal only. No priors.
1547 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 16 years of age, having possible seizure. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
Algonquin
May 25
12:02pm A 14 year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with Theft.  He was taken into custody at Westfield School, 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road.  He was referred to the Tri Area Court For Teens and then released into the custody of his mother.
15:04pm A 17 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 06/29/11, in Algonquin.
May 26
17:40pm Machut, Daniel P., DOB: 12/29/68, of 5705 Meadowhill, Johnsburg, was charged with DWLS, No insurance and Vehicle Registration Suspended. He was taken into custody at Bunker Hill Dr. and Sherman Dr. He was released on a Personal Recognizance bond with a court date of 6/29/11 in McHenry County.

"We've Tried" Says County Planner On Algonquin Complaint

McHenry County's chief planner Wednesday disputed a charge by Algonquin's President that the County had failed to address complaints about the seedy unincorporated area at Algonquin and Pyott roads.  McHenry County Planning and Development Director Dennis Sandquist said the County's done as much as it can about the area with what it's got to work with.

"In the past two years I've driven through the area twice with (Village Manager Bill) Ganek and (Community Development Director Russ) Farnum," said Sandquist.  "We've had inspectors go through the area to find violations and work with businesses to correct them," he said.  The basic problem, according to Sandquist, is that even when everything's up to County snuff, that's not the same as being up to Algonquin's.

Algonquin President John Schmitt complained Tuesday about the orphan 10-block business and residential area during a discussion of a Village beautification plan.  "People think it's in Algonquin and it isn't part of Algonquin," groused Schmitt. In fact, some people think it's part of Lake in the Hills and the unsightly area's been the subject of Village discussions there, too.

With big billboards, a tattoo parlor and a discount liquor store, the area is actually an island of unincorporated McHenry County surrounded by the two villages. The problem is that McHenry County's regulations aren't as strict as Algonquin's or LITH's.  They're not meant to be.  "Lots of people live in the country just because they don't want to put up with all the restrictions of living in the city," said Sandquist.

Mostly the County's regulations work fine out in rural areas.  It's just that the neighborhood Schmitt complained about isn't. "There are (other islands) in the County and we get complaints about those, too," he said.  "We probably spend more time on this one than the others, though," said Sandquist. "That's probably because Algonquin complains about it more."

Indeed, said Sandquist, it's not even a problem peculiar to McHenry County. "This is really a problem all over the Chicago collar counties," he said.  "Over the past 40 years development's passed by a lot of places," he said. "I don't think anyone's found a solution to it yet."

In the pic:  This raucus island of unincorporated McHenry County stands out in contrast to its more genteel surroundings of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills.  

Nygren Claims No Racial Profiling At Sheriff's Office

According to reports today in the Crystal Lake Northwest Herald and Arlington Heights Daily Herald, McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren told reporters Wednesday his department's internal review found no racial profiling by County Deputies in handing out traffic tickets.

The newspaper accounts agree Nygren provided information showing that over a 3-year period 4 deputies "routinely" mismarked Hispanic surnamed drivers as white and 16 others often didn't bother to fill out race data even though State law requires it.  The Northwest Herald story included figures that might arguably support the thesis that Hispanics were ticketed more often proportionate to their population.

The six-month review came in the midst of the federal civil-rights case of ex-Deputy Zane Seipler who's charged he was fired for complaining about racial profiling at the Sheriff's Office.

The First Electric Newspaper is unable to report more about the story since it wasn't notified Nygren had called a news conference.  FEN was struck from the Sheriff's news list more than a year ago and remains so even though he recently added AOL's online compendia of blogs and local news releases to it.

FEN is currently trying to break loose merely the official reason the Sheriff's Office placed on administrative and now medical leave a deputy who reportedly has sworn Nygren told him to kill two people, ran an illegal alien ring and was involved in a bribery scheme. 

Another Retailer Joins Randall Recovery

Workers Wednesday swarmed over the latest store to join the Randall Corridor recovery.  rue 21 (no capital R on rue, please) will open today in the Algonquin Commons shopping and dining destination.

rue 21 (sic) Regional Manager Ernie Schluter toting around a ladder said the new Algonquin shop's the latest in a 695-store chain that offers fashions and accessories for young guys and young girls at value prices.  The chain's website says "rue" is French for "street" and "21" is "the age everyone wants to be".  C'est vrai?

Schluter said he'd have the store gleaming for its opening his morning "just in time for our big sale for Memorial Day."

In the pic: A crew of window washers Wednesday about to give new retailer rue 21 the Windex treatment to get ready for its open today at Algonquin Commons.

Downtown Algonquin Ramping Up, Too

Downtown Algonquin's newest restaurant had such a "soft" open this week that it may have invented a new category, the "stealth" opening.  Even so Downtown Dogs 'n' More partner Omar Razvi said Wednesday the place has been so busy he'd just signed a lease extension to 2018.

"When I moved here the first thing I wanted was a sandwich only everything downtown was closed between two and six," he said.

Not anymore.  Downtown Dogs on Main just below Algonquin has (wait for it) hot dogs of various descriptions but also hamburgers, sandwiches, the usual sides, cones and shakes and drinks, eat-in or takeout.  Hours are Friday through Saturday 10:30 am to 1 am, Sunday through Thursday 10:30 am to 10 pm.

In the pic:  Mike Cole slathers up a "dog" as Jami Dehlin takes another counter order Algonquin's Downtown Dogs 'n' More Wednesday.

Penny Pancakes At Colonial Cafe This Year Support Food Pantry

Next Thursday Algonquin's Colonial Cafe will hold its annual Penny Pancake Day fundraiser.  This time it's to support the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry.

From 7 am to  10 pm Thursday, June 2,  the Food Pantry will have volunteers at Colonial to accept donations for the group's Capital Campaign Fund. The group hopes to refurbish a new building for the Pantry and Organizers hope to raise at least $500 at the restaurant where pancakes will cost a penny each with the purchase of a beverage.

In the pic:  Last year's Colonial Penny Pancake day supported the Carter Kettner Foundation.

Lawmaker Rolling Dice Again With Gambling Expansion

By Mary J. Cristobal, Illinois Statehouse News
Some of the big names in Illinois politics are all in, and the state might get lucky this year with another gambling expansion measure.

State Rep. Lou Lang, who has introduced similar bills in the past, is putting his cards on the table — again. Under his new proposal, five casinos would be built, one each in Danville, Rockford, Park City, somewhere in south suburbs and then the city of Chicago. Ten riverboats would expand and horse-race tracks around Chicago would have allow slot machines.

“It’s not about gambling; it’s about economic development and job creation,” said the Democrat from Skokie.

Former state Rep. Bob Molaro, who represents the horse-racing industry, said Lang’s bill has a 50-50 chance of passing, because “the time is now,” and Illinois needs that extra influx of revenue. “You’re talking about an extra $400 (million) to $500 million just from (a) Chicago (casino) going to the state treasury, education or debt relief — and that’s something that we can’t pass up,” Molaro said.

However, existing casinos are concerned about competition with additional slot machines at race tracks, said Tom Swoik, executive director of Illinois Casino Gaming Association. "The gambling industry has been down, so why would you create more venues? You’re not creating more gamblers," Swoik said.

But State Rep. Keith Farnham, D-Elgin, is not sold on the gambling expansion.“It would have an effect on the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, which is very important to our community,” he said. “It helps us through the Grand Victoria Foundation, (which) funds social services in our community, so I’d have a problem with that.”

You can read Mary's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6177/lawmaker-rolling-the-dice-again-with-gambling-expansion-measure-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
May 25
2042 HRS JENNINGS DR. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED.  HERNANDEZ, JOSE G., M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 172 COOLSTONE BEND, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Revoked, No Safety Sticker on Trailer. RELEASED ON BOND.
0219 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 47 years of age, breathing but unconscious. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0646 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Driver side window broken.
0719 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Rock thrown through the car window. Check book was taken.
1038 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE). SEX OFFENSE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1038 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. IPod taken from an unsecured vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1058 HRS 900 BLOCK OF WINDSTONE CT. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Wallet taken from unsecured vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1340 HRS 500 BLOCK OF MOHICAN TRAIL. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Laptop taken from unsecured vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1440 HRS PYOTT RD. & OAK ST. INJURY ACCIDENT. Car vs. Pole. Female, 55 years of age, was transported to Sherman Hospital for a chest injury.
1515 HRS 900 BLOCK VIEWPONT DR. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Money, credit cards, and a GPS unit were taken from an unlocked vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1905 HRS PYOTT RD. & RAKOW RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2148 HRS INDIAN TRAIL & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two Vehicles. Property damage only.
2327 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF HILLSBORO LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. Wife. FAIL TO FILE.

Algonquin President Assails Downscale County Neighborhood

A smoldering conflict between Algonquin and McHenry County over a seedy unincorporated area within the village flared anew Tuesday at the Village Board's Committee of the whole meeting. The nameless neighborhood South of Pyott on Algonquin Road has been a sore point before.

Senior Planner Katie Parkhurst was winding up a Powerpoint on a conceptual ("If we ever get any money") beautification plan to improve the Village's look and image.  She mentioned cleaning up "blighted areas" which in Algonquin mostly means places that still have power poles and overhead lines.  The phrase struck a different chord with Village President John Schmitt, though.

"I know (Village Manager) Bill (Ganek) doesn't want me to say this," said Schmitt as Ganek sitting next to him tried not to look it, "but there's an area on Algonquin Road near Pyott that I'd like to see improved.  It's not in Algonquin but people think it's in Algonquin."

He was referring to the area south of Algonquin Road between roughly Marie and Scotty avenues. Never annexed into the village ("We couldn't afford it now"), the neighborhood's characterized by such distinctly un-Algonquin features as a big elevated billboard, auto repair shops not in the best repair themselves and a tattoo parlor.  Unincorporated, its regulation falls by default to McHenry County.

"We've talked to the County about this before and they told us to 'Get Sc@#$ed'," charged Schmitt. "That's not what they really said but that's what it amounted to."

"(McHenry County) doesn't have the same standards that we do," complained Schmitt.

"What I'd like to do is put up some signs there saying 'You are leaving Algonquin' and 'Welcome back to Algonquin' so everyone would know it doesn't belong to us."

By then Ganek had given up trying to keep a straight face.  "We can put up a billboard," he suggested.

"That would be legal there," agreed Schmitt bitterly. "Our residents think we're dropping the ball."

Some other Trustees agreed the area was unsightly but Trustee Jim Steigert chairing the meeting didn't see the gripes leading anywhere.  "I think there's a legitimate concern here but unless there's new blight going into it, it sounds like further discussion is premature," he decreed.

In other business, the Board spent a long time deciding if it was worth $1,350 for a consultant to figure out if there's even a remote chance Algonquin can ever get any Lake Michigan water.  That was the line item charge in a proposed $85,000 contract for a new master water plan to replace the Village's badly outdated one.  "Thirteen hundred dollars would buy a lot of (beautification) flowers," observed Trustee Brian Dianis drily.  Trustees finally decided to bet on what most acknowledged was a long shot.

The Board also OK'ed $20,000 worth of no-bid repairs to the Village's Well 8, atop $16,000 already spent to pull the pump to see why output was falling.  Utilities Superintendent Andy Warmus said the pump and well turned out to be worse than expected so the choice was to bite the bullet to get them back online in about three weeks or slog through protracted bidding.  "That could take several months," he said.

In the pic:  Algonquin President John Schmitt complained about a downscale area "in" the village but not part "of" it.

Meet Set On Property Tax Bills But Only For Sun City

Kane County officials will try to explain to property owners why the tax bills they just got went up so much this time but, so far, they'll only do it for Sun City residents.

There are contradictory accounts of who first came up with the idea but Kane County Treasurer David Rickert, Supervisor of Assessments Mark Armstrong and County Clerk's tax rate calculator Susan Ericson are all scheduled to appear at the Drendel Ballroom June 18 from 9 to 11 am to meet with Sun City taxpayers only. "What we'll do is talk about the assessment process," said Rickert Tuesday.  "I also think there'll be some disclosure about getting exemptions."

The Sun City Community Association's meeting announcement reports the confab was called to explore "any available options for those affected."  However, Rickert said as far as the taxes due this year are concerned, there aren't any.  "They're done," he said.

What the tax flap in Huntley really boils down to is a perceived disparity in home assessments between Rutland Township in Kane County and next-door Grafton Township in McHenry.  Rickert said he wasn't sure if Rutland Assessor Janet Siers would be at the meeting or if anyone from McHenry County would appear, either.  He said Armstrong was organizing things on Kane County's side.

Neither Armstrong nor Siers could be reached Tuesday afternoon, however.  McHenry County officials said they'd been contacted about the meeting but never actually asked to appear.

Kane Remap Gives Algonquin, Huntley Louder Voices In Geneva

The Kane County Board Tuesday claimed to be the first metropolitan county to finish its redistricting process,  Two weeks ago the Board chopped its membership from 26 seats to 24.  With only three dissenting,  the Board Monday evening approved new boundaries for the ones that were left.

“We invited participation from the public and every draft map produced by the Board was posted on the Internet for review," said Kathy Hurlbut who chaired Kane's Redistricting Task Force.  "This was a far cry from the process we have seen in other jurisdictions,”

The new map will probably create a couple of games of political musical chairs, particularly in Elgin, but in the north end of the Kane the process ended up concentrating input to Geneva from both Algonquin and Huntley.

Thanks to development in the past 10 years Algonquin resident Maggie Auger's 23rd District shrank geographically to include very little except the Kane County part of her village. "They took away my part of Sleepy Hollow and West Dundee," said Auger.  "I was the voice for Algonquin and now I'll still be the voice for Algonquin on the Board," she said.

Burlington resident T.R. Smith's former 25th District ended up whacked in half thanks to the past decade's growth in northern Kane.  What's left is renamed the 9th District including the South half of Huntley along with Pingree Grove and Hampshire.  "I'm still the biggest geographic district," said Smith, "and Sun City's where most of the people are."

"That's OK." said Smith.  "I usually vote for what they want and against what they don't want, anyway. They don't want me to vote for very much."

Meanwhile the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee's scheduled to vote on a new Board map for McHenry County Thursday.  So far, it's the same one the Committee came up with a couple of weeks ago.  Only a handful of residents appeared at a public hearing about it in Woodstock last week.  You can see the map with District numbers marked in now here:
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/MtgDocs/201105/052611lia/6_1attach.pdf

In the pic:  The north end of Kane County's new County Board map.  The full version's at: http://www.countyofkane.org/Documents/County%20Board/Redistricting/AdoptedFinalMapCountyPrecinctPopulationMapColorRamp.pdf

Huntley Library To Close Next Week For Improvements

The Huntley Are Public Library will be closed Monday for Memorial Day, but it won't open again until Saturday June 4 for renovations.  

While it's closed next week some computers and shelving will be relocated and upright, easier-to-browse DVD shelving's will be installed.  To get patrons through the hiatus,  checkout periods for non-new DVDs will be extended to two weeks and everyone's encouraged to borrow more than six through the end of the week.

The closing's set so the Library will be back in business and better in time for the start of Summer Vacation.  D158's last school day is June 7.

ICC OK's ComEd Rate Hike.

The Illinois Commerce Commission Tuesday voted to allow ComEd to begin collecting about $156 million more revenue through new delivery rates. That's a rougly 7.5 percent increase but the Commission cut more than $170 million from the company’s original request.

The new delivery rates are expected to increase a typical single family residential customer’s bill by an average of about 3.1 percent or $37.80 a year, according to ICC calculations. The Citizens Utility Board, major commercial and industrial groups and the Illinois Attorney General all opposed the increase.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan said, " We not only opposed ComEd’s rate hike request, but presented evidence showing that ComEd’s current rates should be lowered instead of increased."

A CUB spokesman said, "As Illinois consumers get gouged at the pump and prepare for yet another expensive summer air-conditioning season, this is the worst possible time for a rate hike." The group said it plans to appeal the rate increase.

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
May 24
2141 HRS 10 STANTON CT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. NELSON, ROSS K., M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 10 STANTON CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0929 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD. (COSTCO). DECEPTIVE PRACTICE/ Report Taken.
1127 HRS 00 BLOCK OF CLARK AVE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Subject’s vehicle was scratched along the driver’s side. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1843 HRS 208 N. RANDALL RD. (BLOCKBUSTER). ACCIDENT. Two Vehicles. Property Damage Only.
2052 HRS 1300 BLOCK CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. No Priors. FAIL TO FILE.
Huntley
May 16
Denae T. Hintze, age 22, of 1388 Acorn Ct., Dundee, was charged with failure to notify police of a property damage accident and was cited for improper lane use.  Ms. Hintze posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of June 24, 2011.
A bicycle was reported stolen out of an unlocked garage in the 11800 block of  Cape Cod Ln.
May 17
An iPod Touch was reported stolen in the 12300 block of Bartlet Ct.
A 17 year-old male from Huntley was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.  The juvenile was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
Officers responded to a theft call at a business in the 12300 block of Rt. 47.  The victim states that someone stole her iPhone from her shopping cart.
May 18
An attempted burglary to business report was taken in the 10700 block of  Dundee Rd.  The glass on the front door was shattered.
Alfredo Arriaga, age 19, of 5523 Danbury Circle, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was charged with displaying a false insurance card and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Arriaga posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of June 17, 2011.
Kurt R. Quaglia, age 21, of 103 W. 19th St, Chicago Heights, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for loud muffler.  Mr. Quaglia was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond.
Ann M. Miller, age 39, of 1569 Rolling Hills, Crystal Lake, was arrested for attempted theft.  Ms. Miller posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 15, 2011.
A residential burglary report was taken in the 12000 block of Stonewater Crossing.  Unknown subjects forced entry to the home and stole cash and jewelry.
May 19
Sarah Ndagire, age 25, of 1965 Shelia #310, Woodstock, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Ms. Ndagire was assigned a McHenry County court date of June 17, 2011 and was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond.
A criminal trespass report was taken at a garage in the 11700 block of Woodcreek Dr.
May 20
Three juveniles were charged with possession of tobacco by a minor at the High School.  All juveniles were released with a McHenry County court date of June 13, 2011.
Sabrina B. Kleist, age 32 of 7500 Elmhurst Rd. #72, Des Plaines, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was charged with using a cell phone in a construction area and driving an uninsured motor vehicle.  Ms. Kleist posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of June 10, 2011.
Dawn M. Ludtke, age 39, of 665 Bode Rd., Hoffman Estates, was arrested for driving while license suspended and possession of a suspended license and was cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration.  Ms. Ludtke posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of June 24, 2011.
A disorderly conduct report was taken in the 10200 block of Cindy Jo Dr.
A forgery report was taken at a bank in the 12100 block of Regency Square Parkway.  Counterfeit currency was found.
May 21
Louis Zapeda, age 29, of 12 Pine, Carpentersville, was arrested for resisting a peace officer.  Mr. Zapeda posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of  June 24, 2011.
William Gomez, age 25, of 10418 Scott Dr., Huntley, was arrested on two counts of domestic battery.  Mr. Gomez was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond call.
May 22
A fraud report was taken in the 11100 block of Victoria Lane.  A counterfeit check was cashed against the victim’s checking account.
Russell Palermo, age 45, of 11313 Douglas St, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for disregarding a traffic control device. Mr. Palermo posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 1, 2011.

D300 Board, Teachers "Close" As Deadline Nears For Schoolday Cuts

Monday's meeting of the District 300 Board of Education produced little heat over contract negotiations with its teachers' union.  Neither did comments shed much light, other than to announce an unexpected negotiating session this evening in addition to one already set for Thursday.

D300's Board and Administration want roughly $5 million savings on health insurance and teacher salaries costs.  Although no one's publicly said getting that's a quid pro quo, previous presentations have made it clear that a new health savings plan and an effective wage freeze are the keys to preventing major middle and high school curriculum changes that even the administration admits would represent a step backwards.

"We are close," said Board President and one of its negotiators, Anne Miller.  However, she said, "We're not $83,000 close," an apparent reference to reports last week claiming that was the difference separating the two sides.

Miller confirmed a statement last week by Superintendent-Elect Michael Bregy that the deadline for schoolday cutbacks is coming soon.  "We are holding off on making the decision," she said,  "We are hoping we don't have to do that."

Neither side's been very forthcoming about what negotiations are hung up on but comments from both indicate they're closer on money than on contract language.  D300 releases have twice referred to "flexibility to reorganize schools and assign teachers based on enrollment and student needs." No one's said what that means but it sounds like the argument's about working conditions.

"As is every contract," said Miller.

OK, then work rules like on a factory floor.

Miller didn't have a direct response there and teacher's union President Kolleen Hanetho still  won't say specifically what her side's balking at, either.

Algonquin Mom Monica O'Neal speaking for a bunch of Dundee-Crown parents who waged a letter campaign last week told the Board changing the curriculum would be "devastating" and leave kids "unprepared for life after secondary school."

Bregy said the District's gotten so many emails from O'Neal's group and others that "We can't even keep up with them."

"We hear you loud and clear," he said.

In the pic:  A group of Dundee-Crown parents stood up at Monday's District 300 Board meeting to show their opposition to changing school schedules if teachers won't agree to changes the Board wants.

Latest Randall Restaurant Opens: Georgia's In Algonquin

Maximum seating capacity at Georgia's Resaurant and Pancake House is 211 according to the sign behind Manager Harry Kulubis's register.  He didn't make that Monday, Georgia's first day of business at the old IHOP location on Randall Road in Algonquin.  "Maybe next Monday," said Kulubis.  "The Memorial Day holiday ought to be pretty busy."

Georgia's was originally scheduled to open last week but Kulubis put it off to make sure everything was just right Monday.  That's how he said it worked even though, with nothing but an "open" sign on the roof to announce the first day, "the rush was big. We definitely had a morning rush."

Kulubis's family ran a restaurant (called "The Restaurant") at Harlem and Irving for 20 years but left it when popular taste changed from "food" to "fuel".  Kulubis said when niece Georgia (yes, Virginia, there is a Georgia) was born three years ago everyone thought it was time to try to sell good food again.  Eggs at Georgia's are organic. The syrup's Vermont maple. The chocolate milk's made from hot fudge.  "This is a family restaurant with family food," said Kulubis.

Georgia's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.  If you stop in, keep an eye out for a cute three year-old brunette, likely carrying a fistful of crayons.  Her name's Georgia.

In the pic:  Harry Kulubis and waitstaffer Melissa Janis work through the table checks Monday afternoon at Algonquin's new Georgia's Restaurant and Pancake House.

Top Students Honored At HHS Awards Night

With 470 seniors graduating this year, there were so many students to honor at Monday's Huntley High School Awards night there wasn't time for everyone to troop up for a moment in the spotlight onstage.  "We have a lot of talent and a lot of skills in many areas," said Principal Dave Johnson.

One group that was called onstage was the 22 graduates who pulled 4.0 grade averages or better.  That last's a pretty good trick since 4.0 is straight A's but Johnson noted honors and advanced placement classes earn extra points so some of the kids really did do better than a straight A average.

That's the kind of attitude that helps earn college scholarships.  Johnson pointed to a list  saying "There's over $1.5 million in scholarships on this page alone.  And those are just the ones they've told us about."

In the pic:  Graduating students with straight A's (or better) filled the stage at HHS's Senior Awards Night presentation Monday.

Opens Coming For Algonquin, Huntley Farmers' Markets

Farmers' Markets in Algonquin and Huntley will both open this week marking the start of the gardening and good local eating season.

Algonquin's Downtown Partnership Farmer's Market will be earliest out of the gate.  Once again as last year, the Market will be Thursdays from 2 to 7 pm so shoppers won't have to make a choice between it and other area markets on the weekend.  This year, though, Algonquin's Farmer's Market will up stakes from the municipal parking lot at South Harrison and Washington to a new venue near the bandshell at Riverfront Park on North Harrison.  Organizer Gabarielle Reego said "that's so it will fit with the (Village of) Algonquin's Summer Concert Series." The concerts will be Thursdays at 7 pm starting June 30. Reego said there's already as many vendors signed up as last year and she expects more to join as plants and veggies come in season.

Huntley's Farmers' Market opens Saturday at its customary Coral Street location at Dhamer Square from 8 am to 2 pm.  Boss Barb Read said she's added more vendors to last year's roster, too.  She warned Saturday's open will probably be light on fresh fruits and vegetables "because we're locally grown."  Plenty of breads and pickles and preserves, though, she said.  There should be a lot seedlings, too.  Saturday's opening theme for Huntley's Farmers' Market is "Plant Your Garden."

State Treasurer Says ‘No’ To More Debt

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois' Treasurer can't stop lawmakers from borrowing billions to pay the state's backlog of unpaid bills, but he can make it more expensive — and that's exactly what Dan Rutherford says  he plans to do.

Monday Rutherford said he cannot support adding to Illinois burgeoning debt. The first-term Republican Treasurer released his own report that states Illinois' total debt would cost every household in the state $42,000. Rutherford arrived at the number by adding Illinois' $140 billion in unfunded pension and health-care liabilities, the state's $45 billion bond debt, and the nearly $8 billion in unpaid bills.

The Treasurer said lawmakers must cut spending and live within their means in order for Illinois to pay off the debt. "You can't borrow anymore money," said Rutherford. "And if I need to send letters to the rating companies to tell them the treasurer of Illinois is opposed to any more borrowing, I'll go ahead and do that." Rutherford said alerting national rating agencies and bond houses could make it more expensive for Illinois to borrow. He said hopes that step would give lawmakers pause before asking for a billion dollars.

Lawrence Msall, president of the Civic Federation in Chicago, said unless Sullivan and other lawmakers cut state spending, all the borrowing in the world won't erase the backlog. "By borrowing instead of cutting, lawmakers are ensuring that there will be that much less to spend on schools and health care in the future," Msall said.

Rutherford said he is not trying to issue threats or ultimatums with his anti-borrowing message; rather he wants lawmakers to know he is serious about ending the state's "borrowing addiction."

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6144/state-treasurer-says-no-to-more-debt/

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
May 23
1501 HRS 00 BLOCK OF EAST OAK ST. DRIVING WHILE ZEMBA, LAURA A.., F/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, LICENSE SUSPENDED 117 COLLEGE ST., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, Failure to Notify Secretary of State of Address and Name Change & Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
1659 HRS INDUSTIAL DR. & PYOTT RD. POSSESSION OF CANNABIS/NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. GIBSON, CONNOR L., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 1756 SOMERFIELD LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No Valid Drivers License, Possession of Cannabis, Improper Lane Usage and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
2128 HRS HANSON RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS. AYALA-SILVA, ALFONSO, M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 134 MARY LN., CARY. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Failure to Signal, Disregard Traffic Signal, Possession of Cannabis Under 2.5 Grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. RELEASED ON BOND.
JUVENILE, F/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, CARY. CHARGE: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. Notice To Appear Issued. RELEASED TO PARENT.
JUVENILE,  F/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, CARY. CHARGE: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor Notice To Appear Issued. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0918 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
0926 HRS 600 BLOCK OF DAVID ST. LOST ARTICLE. License plate.  License plate entered into LEADS.
1751 HRS PYOTT RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female, 30 years of age, transported to Sherman Hospital.
2203 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 50 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

"Extreme Delays" Expected At Huntley 47 Construction

Construction crews laid down about .7 miles of new pavement on the east side of Route 47 in Huntley last week.  Paving this week's headed north from Mill Street toward Main and village officials warn to watch for single lane shutdowns and "extreme delays".

Expect "lengthy delays", too, at Main and 47.  Crews are scheduled to excavate east Main this week.

Several side streets off 47 will remain closed. To the south, through traffic on Dean Street east of Route 47 will stay closed for the next two weeks.  That traffic's supposed to detour to Mill Street. Access to Centegra, Castle Bank and Reicher Goerdt property will still be available via Dean off 47 but it's confusing so stay sharp. To the north, Borden Street is closed off at Route 47.

IDOT crews will continue working on sanitary sewers and watermains on the east side of Route 47 between Main and Kenneth. Driveways may be blocked temporarily as they cross.  Expect delays here, too.

Lighting crews installed bases for new traffic lights at 47 and Reed Road but the standards still haven't been erected.  New street lights on the west side of 47 from Algonquin up to Reed are expected to go in this week.

In the pic:  Traffic snarls only seem interminable as work to widen Route 47 in Huntley continues.  This Gomaco trimmer seemed to block traffic for hours Thursday as it lumbered to a new location.  Objectively, it was only about five minutes.

Study Due To Improve Woods Creek Watershed With Native Plants

Biologists from Applied Ecological Associates planted native grasses and sedges Friday along an unnamed Woods Creek tributary in Algonquin's Grand Reserve Subdivision.  Woods Creek will probably see a lot more restoration in coming years with the start of a Woods Creek Watershed study expected to start soon to decide where native plants ought to go.

The Village of Algonquin won a $60,000 grant for the study from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and as soon as all the watershed governments OK a collective $29,000 in local match money, biologists will comb the area for the spots where native vegetation can help make Woods Creek less yucky.

"Where the creek enters the Fox is listed as '303D' (by the Illinois EPA)," said Algonquin Assistant Public Works Director Michelle Zimmerman.  "That's the most impaired you can be."

The problem, Zimmerman explained, isn't industrial dumping like the kind that caused the Cuyahoga River to catch fire 40 years ago.  It's runoff from residential areas after a rain.  "It picks up leaks from cars, (lawn) fertilizer and (garden) pesticides," said Zimmerman. "It's one of the biggest surface water pollutants we have environmentally," she said.

The good news is plants naturally break down a lot of the pollutants.  The bad news is the kind that predominate in the watershed right now aren't very good at it.  Farming and housing development have pushed out the natural cover that, oddly enough, would be.

"(Lawn) grass is almost worthless for this kind of pollution," said Zimmerman.  "It's got root systems that go down about an inch.  Native plants have root systems that go down a foot or 15 inches.  That's very good for cleaning the water." The upcoming study will determine where the native plants need to go the most to clean up Woods Creek.

Woods Creek probably won't be the only area to see re-establishment of native ground cover.  It's a hot area of urban planning these days.  In fact Applied Ecological just opened a branch office in Huntley to help the company stay on top of the curve.

In the pic:  Tanya Beuter from Applied Ecological Associates planted Switch and Fox grasses last week in Algonquin's Grand Reserve subdivision.

"High Quality" Algonquin Perserve Shows Off Native Species

LITH naturalist Al Wilson led a band of residents through Dundee Township's Fromm Nature Preserve in Algonquin Sunday.  Once mostly farm fields, the 66-acre area including rare streamside habitat has received ecological restoration and improvements to repair severe erosion, increase groundwater infiltration and improve water quality.

Wilson said he set the tour Sunday so people could see Cream Wild Indigo blooming.  That's a plant that's uncommon in the state, except at high quality sites.  "A few years ago  they thought it was extinct in Kane County," said Wilson.  "Well, it's all over the place here."

The main entrance to the Fromm Preserve is off Wynnfield Drive at the wooden fence before Notting Hill Lane.  However, if you hang a left on Lawndale, the stub of Eastmoore Lane is effectively a small off-street parking lot and there's an entrance there, too.

In the pic:  Cream Wild Indigo is one of the earliest-blooming native plants in Illinois. Not that you'd be likely to see it without a visit to Dundee Township's Fromm Nature Preserve.

Commons Touch A Truck Event Draws Hundreds To Big Machines

Algonquin Fire Protection District's new 100-foot extension ladder towered over the second annual Algonquin Commons Tough A Truck event Sunday. The kid-magnet event included full-sized Tonka favorites like an ambulance, a security command vehicle, a dump truck, an ATV, a Bob Cat, a front end loader and a couple of monster two trucks.

The free event collected a small truckload of donations for the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry, too.

In the pic: Young Gavin Gonzales could hardly wait to climb in the cab of a giant end loader at Algonquin Commons Touch A Truck event Sunday. "I'd like to get up there and pretend I'm driving it, too," said Grandpa Ray Bogdanowski, momentarily escaped from the LITH Village Boardroom.

Human Services Weigh Options Facing Funding Cuts

By Diane S.W. Lee. Illinois Statehouse News
Facing as much as $412 million in State budget cuts, human service providers are looking toward other funding sources and making internal cuts to maintain their services for low-income families and the elderly and disabled.

Governor Pat Quinn's proposed budget zeros out the Illinois Cares Rx program to save the state $107 million and the Circuit Breaker program to save $24.2 million, both of which help seniors and people with disabilities. The former fills in the financial gaps left by the Medicare program, while the latter provides property tax grants, license plate discounts and prescription drug assistance. The House's final draft restored the Circuit Breaker program, but the Senate did not. Both chambers restored funding to Illinois Cares Rx at 50 percent.

In McHenry, Kane and Kendall counties Senior Services Associates Inc. provides more than 26,000 seniors i with information and assistance to apply for programs like Illinois Cares Rx, said Bonnie Schradel, associate director of southern region. “We're going to have to be very creative, and find different agencies and providers that will be willing to donate gift cards for medications, so we can help our seniors,” Schradel said. “But that is going to be a very limited pool of money.”

In addition to the nearly 33 percent in state funding it receives toward its more than $4.7 million total annual budget, Senior Services Associates Inc. collects money from businesses, local governments and charities like United Way, said executive director Bette Schoenholtz, who handles finances. Without state funding, the nonprofit is expecting to reduce office supplies and housekeeping positions as well as seek emergency funding from local governments, Schoenholtz said.

Quinn's proposed budget zeros out crisis nurseries funding by $318,700. The state cut $106,200 from crisis nurseries in fiscal year 2011. Both chambers restored $100,000 to crisis nurseries in their final budget drafts. But independent organizations, like United Way, are limited as well, said David Barber, executive director of United Way of Greater McHenry County. “We can't raise enough money to cover the shortfall from the state,” he said.

The organization partners with 26 agencies in McHenry County, including Senior Services Associates Inc., which received $42,480 for fiscal year 2011. Barber said every agency is seeking more money, which is becoming more challenging. “For some of the agencies, it is a Catch-22, because the state is reducing their funding or delaying funding on some of the services that they provide,” he said. “Then in turn, the agencies come to the United Way or do their own independent fundraising. And in an economy that we currently have, it is very difficult to do.”

In the end, Quinn's plan may not be the state's final 2012 spending plan, but a combination of House and Senate budgets. Final funding reductions to human services won't be known until sometime in June, after the budget is approved. “Right now, we have a fiscal challenge,” said Kelly Kraft, spokeswoman for Quinn's Office of Management and Budget. “There is not enough money to go around for every single program. The tough decisions have to be made.”

You can read Dianne's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6085/human-services-weigh-options-in-face-of-funding-cuts/

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
May 22
0213 HRS 260 N. RANDALL RD. (COSTCO). DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SINGLETARY III, JOHN E., M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 1009 WINDSOR DRIVE, SHOREWOOD. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis under 2.5 Grams. RELEASED ON BOND.
0556 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF BRIARCLIFF LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 36 years of age, with a back injury. Transported to Woodstock Centegra Hospital.
0904 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF LARKSPUR LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No priors.
1055 HRS 4800 BLOCK OF HIGHWOOD LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Information given to the Reporting Officer.
1218 HRS 149 HILLTOP DR. (LEBAHN HAIN HOUSE) FOUND ARTICLE. Cellular phone.
1319 HRS 4600 BLOCK OF COURNTEY DR. ASSIST FIRE. Assisted Fire Department with a grass fire.
1440 HRS 250 N. RANDALL. (COSTCO). LOST ARTICLE. Wallet.
1449 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. 2 Vehicles. Property damage only.
2006 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. DOMESTIC. Brother vs. brother. Verbal only. No Priors.
2140 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF W. ALGONQUIN RD. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. No Priors.  FAIL TO FILE.
2200 HRS 300 BLOCK OF SIOUX TRAIL. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors
2238 HRS 00 BLOCK OF GLASCOW CT. HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE. Subject receiving threatening telephone calls.
Algonquin
May 20
08:09am Frushour, Michael A., DOB: 01/17/59, of 901 Gerald Avenue, South Elgin, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody in the 200 block of Main Street.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Failure to Appear on a DWLS charge.  He was released after posting $150 on the Algonquin charge with a court date of 06/22/11 in McHenry and after posting $500 on the Kane County Warrant with a court date of 07/11/11 in Kane County.
15:50pm Deering, Charles A., DOB: 08/05/88, of 120 LaFox River Drive, Algonquin, was charged with DWLR.  He was taken into custody at Washington Street and Harrison Street.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Failure to Appear on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge and a Warrant out of DuPage County for Failure to Appear on a No Valid Driver’s License charge.  He was released after posting $150 on the Algonquin charge with a court date of 06/22/11 in McHenry County and after posting $500 on the Kane County Warrant with a court date of 06/08/11 in Kane.  He also posted $550 on the DuPage County Warrant and was given a court date of 06/23/11 in DuPage County.
22:17pm Krawec, Cristie L., DOB: 10/13/81, of 170 Lake Drive South, Algonquin, was charged with Criminal Trespass to Residence.  She was taken into custody at 170 Lake Drive South.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 06/23/11 in Kane County.
May 21
15:34pm A 16 year-old male from St. Charles was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  He was formally Station Adjusted and then released into the custody of his parents.
May 22
13:33pm Duran, Mayra I., DOB: 12/23/79, of 574 Darlington Lane Apt #14, Crystal Lake, was charged with DWLS.  She was taken into custody at Main Street and Division Street.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 06/29/11 in McHenry County.
22:50pm Romanowski, Marco A., DOB: 12/12/78, of 9503 1st Avenue, Cary, was charged with Theft Under $300.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 06/29/11 in McHenry County.

LITH Airport, Young Eagles Rally Draws Large Crowd

More than 30 local kids got a taste of the wild blue yonder Saturday at Lake in the Hills Airport's Open House and Young Eagles Rally.  Technically the sky was grey but the ceiling wasn't so low that pilots from LITH EAA Chapter 790 couldn't give youngsters a taste of what it's like to fly in a small aircraft. 

The next Young Eagles Rally at the Airport will be June 18 with others scheduled once a month through October.

In the pic: LITH's Civil Air Patrol cadets helped out at Saturday's Young Eagles Rally as youthful role models since highly-skilled Penny and semi-inept Clipper King, wards of dauntless pilot Sky King, aren't in (or on) the air any more.

New Booklet For Algonquin Historic Tours Released

The Algonquin Historic Commission marked publication of its Old Town Algonquin Walking Tour booklet with--yep, a walking tour of Algonquin's Old Town District Saturday.  Commission Chairman Jeff Jolitz took history buffs on a jaunt back to the days when, for example, the Algonquin bowling team was champion of McHenry County.

"The were called the Eagles," said Jolitz.  "History repeats itself."

The Historic Commission's been putting the booklet for self-guided village walking tours for several months now.  It includes 39 sites with period pictures and their histories, all keyed to a map of the Old Town District.  For info on the brochure, contact Ben Mason, Village Planner at (847) 658-4184.

No Powdered Eggs At LITH Legion Armed Forces Day Breakfast

Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231 celebrated Armed Forces Day Saturday a breakfast for WWII vets.  Armed Forces Day, consolidating Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, was created about the same time the Department of Defense consolidated the services.  (Armed Forces Day covers the Coast Guard, too, although that's not under DOD in peacetime.)

In the pic:  Legionnaire Tim Kohl serves up some bacon to Tom (vet's son) and Halina Burgess at Post 1231's Armed Forces Day breakfast.

Algonquin Rotary To Bring "Streetlamp" at Jacobs

The Algonquin Lake in the Hills Rotary Club is bringing the fundraising musical show Under the Streetlamp to Jacobs Auditorium next month, June 18, at 7 pm.  The show featuring cast members from the original and Chicago productions of  Jersey Boys will benefit Rotary's scholarship program.

Michael Ingersol who played Four Seasons bass and arranger Nick Masi in the Tony award-winning show put Under the Streetlamp together after Jersey Boys closed. “Giving back is every bit as important as the music itself,” said Ingersol.  The show recently passed the $2 million mark in charitable contributions raised. That includes $22,000 for the Huntley Fine Arts Boosters in January.

The program includes a raft of golden-oldie hits and show biz reminiscences from Ingersol and
Michael Cunio, Christopher Kale Jones, and Shonn Wiley. “The irony is that the four of us met playing a band and essentially, became a band,” said Ingersoll.

Tickets are available online at: http://algonquinlithrotary.com/?page_id=70

A post-show cast reception at Port Edward’s restaurant in Algonquin is an additional $50 to attend.  Phone 847 809-8508 for post show cast reception tickets only.