More Problems In Rockford For Bianchi Prosecution

One of the Special Prosecutors may have stumbled and one of his investigators tripped over his own testimony in hearings in Rockford Friday in the remaining Lou Bianchi misconduct cases.  Before Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw, Prosecutor Thomas McQueen undercut his own case against State's Attorney's investigator Mike McCleary and McQueen's ex-FBI investigator changed his testimony only moments after he'd given it.

McCleary defense lawyer Chris DeRango laid out a technical argument about why a misconduct charge for McCleary's personal use of a County-supplied car should be dropped since the County's rules about it aren't part of an ordinance. McQueen said they were, too, in an ordinance arguing there was no way McCleary's use of the car as his sole means of transportation for five years was OK.  There'd have to have been a written document asserting some "public benefit" from it, said McQueen, and he hadn't been able to find one.

McGraw asked for more details on that and the prosecutor replied there was a form to the County Administrator for that sort of thing.  "I was looking for a request from the McHenry County State's Attorney," to authorize McCleary said McQueen.

McGraw asked McQueen if he was sure he wanted to argue that using the car would have been OK if someone had filled out the right papers. "What is it Mr. McCleary did that he knew he shouldn't do if Mr. Bianchi was supposed to make the request?" asked the puzzled judge.

He didn't have the form, said McQueen triumphantly. No one had the form.  "Had it been produced we wouldn't have been before the Grand Jury, quite frankly," McQueen said.

With a slight lift of the eyebrows McGraw said he'd decide whether to dismiss the charge against McCleary within a week.

Turning to complaints that McQueen's been holding back evidence favorable to Bianchi, McGraw listened as defense attorneys quizzed four different investigators from PI firm Quest Consultants International about whom they'd interviewed, when they'd interviewed them and whether they'd taken and preserved any field notes.

Under questioning by Bianchi attorney Tracy Stanker, Quest investigator Patrick Hanretty said the head of a McHenry group called Pro-Life Victory PAC, Sue Serdar, told him a contribution to Bianchi's re-election campaign wasn't a passthrough of a Salvi family dontation so the State's Attorney would drop a disorderly conduct charge against Dr. Thomas Salvi.  The case is at the base of one of the two remaining favoritism charges against Bianchi.

"She told you 'it was not'?" asked Stanker.

"That is correct," said Hanretty.

Then why wasn't that in Hanretty's handwritten notes, asked Stanker?

Hanretty backpedaled saying, "If I didn't put it in my notes I don't know if it was even made."

"Less than five minutes ago you said Sue Serdar said the payment wasn't a quid pro quo," said Stanker.

"I incorrectly stated that," said Hanretty claiming he'd been confused.

"Were you confused then I asked if you told Mr. McQueen that Serdar had told you that?" asked Stanker.

"I must have," said Hanretty.

McGraw said he'd rule soon on whether Proscutors had broken the rules about sharing "good" evidence and set July 22 as a final checkdate before Bianchi's trial begins Aug. 1.

Algonquin Summer Concerts Begin Next Week

Algonquin's Summer Concert Series begins Thursday in the Village's Riverfront Park.  The Algonquin Recreation Department will sponsor the free concert series at 7:30 pm each Thursday after the Farmers' Market for the next two months.  Here's this year's lineup:

June 30: Die Musikmeisters (German)
July 7: Dooley Brothers (Irish)
July 14: The Rock Box (Alternative)
July 21: Hudson McCoy (R & B)
July 28: Pirates over 40 (Caribbean) (at Towne Park for Founders’ Days.)
August 4: HiFi Superstars (80-90’s Cover)
August 11: Hillbilly Rockstarz (Country)
August 18: HairDaze (70-90’s Cover)

For more info, visit www.algonquin.org/recreation.

ECC Project Backpack Collects For Needy Students

Elgin Community College's Project Backpack for students in need, is accepting donations of school supplies now through Aug. 1 at several area locations. Last year the program helped more than 1,300 area kids.

Here's what the project needs:
·         Folders (two pocket, solid colors only)
·         Notebooks (one subject, wide rule, solid colors only)
·         Packs of loose leaf/filler paper (150/200 count, wide rule)
·         Packages of pencils (10 count, standard No. 2, yellow wood)
·         Black pens
·         Scissors (gender neutral)
·         Glue sticks (0.21 oz.)
·         Rulers (wood or gender-neutral color)
·         Packs of crayons (24 count/Crayola preferred)
·         Gender-neutral backpacks

There are Backpack collection boxes at all District 300 schools, ECC and a number of other locations in Elgin. For more information, contact the ECC Student Life Office at 847-214-7370.

Quinn Signs Congressional Map

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Democratic-drawn map of congressional districts Friday as Republicans called it a blatant attempt to erase the gains they made in last year’s election.

“This map is fair, maintains competitiveness within congressional districts, and protects the voting rights of minority communities,” Quinn said in a prepared statement.

“This bill is a crass, partisan political move to silence the voices of Illinoisans, who last November made it very clear that they wanted to fire (former House Majority Leader) Nancy Pelosi by electing a majority Republican congressional delegation from the home state of President Obama,” Illinois Republican Party Chair Pat Brady said in his prepared statement.

John Jackson, visiting professor with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, said it comes as no surprise that Republicans on the state and national level are loudly complaining about Illinois’ map because state Democrats were able to draw it with no input from the minority party. “Illinois’ one of the few states where the Democrats are totally in charge,” Jackson said. “As far as aim toward brand new Republicans (in Congress,) it is certainly that, and that is fairly clear and expected.”

Chris Mooney, a political studies professor with the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, said that the previous map, which was drawn to protect incumbents of both parties, had more sprawling and oddly shaped districts. “They did use the map to their advantage in some creative ways. But it’s actually less gerrymandered than the last one,” Mooney said.

The entire Illinois Republican delegation--except for downstate Rep. Tim Johnson--sent out a statement Friday saying, “This map will be challenged in court."  The statement didn't say who was going to take the lead on it, though.

You can see the newly-approved Congressional Districts map here: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oBUY6dzO-I/TeVMmjbeZKI/AAAAAAAAAO8/_hfEZf0GS-0/s1600/U.S.+congmap.jpg

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/quinn-signs-congressional-map.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
June 24
1909 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF ROSEWOOD CT. WANTED ON WARRANTS/DOMESTIC. ROMERO, JAMIE C., M/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 1346 W. MAIN ST. APT 301, ST CHARLES. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Kane County, for Domestic Battery, Bond 50,000/10% Applies, Theft, Bond Amount $50,000/10% Applies, and Fraud, Bond Amount $40,000/10% Applies. Wanted on Warrant, DuPage County, for Driving Under the Influence, Bond Amount $10,000/10% applies. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal argument only. No Priors.
0021 HRS 300 BLOCK OF STEEPLECHASE WAY. ACCIDENT Vehicle vs. light pole. Property damage only.
1236 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & LAKE DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1422 HRS 9114 VIRGINIA RD. (ELITE POLLS) DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No priors.
1424 HRS 3100 BLOCK OF BANBURY LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1456 HRS 4 CEDAR RIDGE DR. (WIBICKI DENTAL) THEFT. Complainant’s wallet was stolen. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1827 HRS 0 BLOCK OF TORREY PINES CT. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1938 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2114 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS) RETAIL THEFT. Bottle of liquor was stolen. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
2317 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL) ASSAULT. One subject was verbally threatened outside of Taco Bell. FAIL TO FILE.

McHenry County Unemployment Rate Jumps Higher

The unemployment rate surged .6 percent higher in McHenry County in May to 9.1 percent, according to the latest report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security Thursday.  The May increase wasn't completely unexpected since the report on the state's overall unemployment rate a week ago also showed an increase, the first in 16 months.

Spokesmen then said the .2 percent seasonally adjusted increase in the state's unemployment rate was the sort of random wiggle that occurs month to month. “Illinois added more than 8,000 jobs in May, continuing the long-term trend of a healing economy and reflects successful efforts to grow jobs,” said IDES Acting Director Jay Rowell.

Seasonally adjusted, Illinois' unemployment rate was 8.9 percent.  Unadjusted it was 9.0 percent, appreciably up from April's revised 8.6 percent figure.

In McHenry County the unadjusted unemployment rate was 9.1 percent in May, up a lot from a revised 8.5 percent last month.  A close look at the component numbers shows the county's overall labor force which includes the unemployed shrank by about 300 persons. However, the number of folks looking for a job increased by well over 900.

According to IDES, since January of last year when the state began to pull out of recession, Illinois has added 107,700 net new jobs. "That represents a 1.9 percent job growth, compared to the nation’s 1.4 percent," said a spokesman.

Locally the unemployment rate worsened in all four of the communities IDES breaks out in McHenry County, all showing negligible changes in the size of the workforce but increases in the number of self-reported unemployed.  The biggest proportionate increase showed in heavily blue-collar McHenry where the unemployment rate in May actually stood .1 percent higher than it did 12 months ago.

                           UNEMPLOYMENT (unadjusted)             
               REVISED    Apr 2011          PRELIMINARY May 2011               
               LABOR    UNEMPLOYED      LABOR   UNEMPLOYED      MAY 
               FORCE    NUMBER  RATE    FORCE   NUMBER    RATE  2010   
U.S. (X1000)   152,536  13,237   8.7    153,449   13,421   8.7   9.3    
ILLINOIS     6,569,973 567,441   8.6  6,590,559  592,367   9.0  10.1   

MCHENRY COUNTY 179,220  15,264   8.5    178,930   16,197   9.1  10.0    
KANE COUNTY    267,992  23,922   8.9    267,881   25,632   9.6  10.5    
LAKE COUNTY    361,863  32,030   8.9    364,116   28,473   7.8   9.5
DUPAGE COUNTY  518,614  36,260   7.0    520,246   41,490   8.0   8.7

ALGONQUIN       16,580   1,265   7.6     16,596    1,395   8.4   9.0   
LITH            16,828   1,276   7.6     16,815    1,379   8.2   9.3    
CRYSTAL LAKE    22,276   1,843   8.3     22,275    1,995   9.0   9.7    
MCHENRY         15,269   1,462   9.6     15,311    1,607  10.5  10.4   

Higher Health Insurance, Warning To Recycler At Huntley

In a brief session Thursday the Huntley Board of Trustees gave a formal OK to a new contract for health insurance for Village employees.  It's going to cost the village almost 12 percent more than the last one but Mayor Chuck Sass noted the quote before Staff began wrestling with insurance brokers was 18 percent higher.  Trustee Harry Leopold put the best face on the increase saying, "I know in the surrounding communities the increases are going up higher than ours."

Separately Huntley Village Manager Dave Johnson confirmed to FEN that the Village has sent a warning letter to wood recycler Elmer West reminding there's only three more weeks to finish knocking down the rest of the Marlowe Feed Store and clean up the location on Route 47.  Johnson said there've been a lot of complaints about the unsightly site but the demo permit doesn't end until July 13.  "If I could see some activity maybe I wouldn't be so nervous," said Johnson.

In the pic:  Recycler Elmer West pulled down some more of the "Chicago Brick"  walls in the oldest part of the Marlowe Feed Store Thursday.  He's salvaging the in-demand masonry material besides the structure's valuable old wood.

Yensen Pitches Pantry, Plaza Razzes MCDOT Plan At LITH Meeting

Ex-Trustee Paula Yensen appeared before the Lake in the Hills Village Board Thursday to urge members to spread the word to help the Grafton Township Food Pantry that serves Lake in the Hills.  Since she's now one of District 5's Members on the McHenry County Board and VP of its Transportation Committee, she ran through a quick precis of McHenry Department of Transportation projects affecting LITH, too.  That included Randall Road where she reported MCDOT is hard at work designing a Continuous Flow Intersection to unclog Randall and Algonquin Road. President Ed Plaza reminded her the LITH Board hates the idea like the plague.

"It's a plan that doesn't make a lot of sense to the people sitting here," he said. (Nor to the Algonquin Board who've also expressed considerable scepticism.)

"Then why are they still working on it?" asked Yensen.

That's what Plaza wanted to know since the Board's argued against the largely-untested scheme in public meetings.  "We've met with them privately, too," said Plaza.

Yensen promised to find out what MCDOT has in mind.

Then she handed everyone a Grafton Pantry "Wish List" for, particularly, personal grooming items and baby tackle, like diapers.  "We use money donations to buy food," said Yensen who's on the Pantry Board, "so we really need these things now  that Summer's here."

In the pic:  After reviving the argument over a novel intersection at Randall and Algonquin Roads, local County Board member Paula Yensen handed out fliers for the Grafton Pantry. Drop boxes for the Pantry this summer are at Harris Bank, Huntley, the Huntley Library and Huntley Park District, Wisted's supermarket and Lakewood Village offices, it said.

Registration Next Week For New D300 Year

It seems like school just let out and it's already time for parents to register kids for the 2011-2012 school year if they didn't do it this Spring, according to a release from District 300. Here's the schedule for next week:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (including Lakewood):

    * Monday and Tuesday, June    27-28, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (doors closed 11 am to 12:30 pm.)
    * Wednesday, June 29, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. (doors closed 4 to 5:30 pm.)
    * NOTE: Elementary schools will be closed for registration data entry on Thursday, June 30, and Friday, July 1.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS:

    * Monday and Tuesday, June 27-28, from 7 am to 3 pm. (doors closed 11 am to 12:30 pm.)
    * Wednesday, June 29, from 12 Noon to 8 pm. (doors closed from 4 to 5:30 pm.)
    * NOTE: Middle schools will be closed for registration data entry from Thursday, June 30, through Wednesday, July 6.

HIGH SCHOOLS:

    * Monday, June 27, FRESHMEN & SOPHOMORES: 7 am. to 3 pm. (doors closed 11 am to 12:30 pm.)
    * Tuesday, June 28, JUNIORS & SENIORS: 7 am to 3 pm. (doors closed 11 am to 12:30 pm.)
    * Wednesday, June 29, ANY HIGH SCHOOL GRADE LEVEL: 12 noon to 8 pm. (doors closed 4 to 5:30 pm.)
    * NOTE: High schools will be closed for registration data entry from Thursday, June 30, through Wednesday, July 6.

Forms for registration can be downloaded here: http://www.d300.org/parents/registration

(Click the links in the upper left for info on fees and physicals, too.)

Illinois Rushing To Erase $1.8 Billion Medicaid Backlog

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois is on track to pay nearly $2 billion in Medicaid bills by the end of June. Lawmakers Wednesday approved a plan to delay a $365 million payment into Illinois' rainy day fund, and  use that money to pay some of the billions of dollars Illinois owes to Medicaid providers.

Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka said the state is racing to maximize a federal Medicaid match that expires at the end of the month. Illinois is getting 57 cents on the dollar for qualifying Medicaid bills that it pays this month. Starting in July, that rate falls back to the normal 50 cents on the dollar. Maximizing the $365 million, Topinka said, should allow her to pay $1.85 billion in Medicaid bills by June 30. She estimates Illinois could receive an extra $90 million to $100 million from the federal government.

"The Medicaid match did not solve all of our problems, but is sure as heck helped," said Topinka. "And come the 30th of June, we lose that help, and we'll be out there on our own."

State Rep Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale, said Illinois used a similar move two years ago to pay even more Medicaid bills, but paying down the backlog of bills is not solving Illinois' problem. "What worries me is the amount of money we're still spending on Medicare," said Bellock.

Other bills have been piling up, said Topinka, who added that more than 120,000 unpaid bills are sitting in the Comptroller's Office. Topinka said the other people who do business with the state, from providing food for prisons to social service providers, have been waiting for months for a check. Topinka said Illinois now owes $3.9 billion to people who do business with the state. She estimates that by the end of December, Illinois could owe between $6 billion and $7 billion.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6463/illinois-racing-to-erase-1-8b-in-medicaid-bills-in-june/

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
June 23
2354 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD. (WALGREENS) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. CAPACI, BRIAN, M/W 44 YEARS OF AGE, 10306 BRIGHTON LANE, HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage, Failure to Signal, Improper Turn at an Intersection. RELEASED ON BOND.
0142 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY/ Mother vs. Son. Three priors. FAIL TO FILE.0309 HRS 241 N. RANDALL RD. (WHITE CASTLE) DRUG INVESTIGATION/ Male, 24 years of age, possible overdose. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1414 HRS 400 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL LAKE RD. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
1640 HRS 20 BLOCK OF SIERRA CT. DOMESTIC. Roommate vs. Roommate. Verbal only. No priors.
1943 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 9 years of age, with a head, neck, and back injury. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
2246 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) ASSAULT. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
Algonquin
June 20
21:24pm Ladick, Joseph M., DOB: 09/28/92, of 8 White Chapel Lane, Algonquin, was charged with Possession of Alcohol by a Minor  and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was taken into custody at 1950 Cloverdale Lane.  He was released after posting  $150 with a court date of 07/21/11 in Kane County.
June 21
01:02am A 17 year-old male from West Dundee was charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor and Resisting a Peace Officer.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released on a Notice to Appear, with a court date of 07/27/11, in Algonquin.
01:46am Lang, Holly S., DOB: not listed, 1551 Seminole Road, Algonquin, was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Give  Information, Failure to Give Notice of Accident and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.  She was taken into custody at 1551 Seminole Road.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 07/20/11 in McHenry County.
09:30am Masuekama, Didier M., DOB: 12/12/82 of 1622 Mark Street #5, Elgin, was charged with DWLS & Possession of a Suspended Driver’s License.  He was taken into custody at Route 31 and Hayes Road.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 07/27/11 in McHenry County.
June 22
16:36pm Becker, Gerald J., DOB: 05/10/63, of 8450 Watson Circle, Lakewood, was charged with DWLS, No Seat Belt and Suspended Registration.  He was taken into custody at Stonegate Road and Huntington Drive.  He was released after posting $300 with a court date of 07/27/11 in McHenry County.
18:07pm A 14 year-old female from Lakewood was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 07/27/11 in Algonquin.
June 24
01:01am Imburgia, Dianna Lynn, DOB: 01/05/69, of 410 N. Gifford Street, Elgin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear on a No Valid Driver’s License charge.  She was also charged with No Valid Driver’s License.  She was taken into custody at County Line Road and Randall Road.  She was released after posting $375 on the McHenry County Warrant with a court date of 07/21/11 and after posting $150 on the Algonquin charge with a court date of 07/20/11 both in McHenry County.

Sun City Association Ends Rental To Church

In a meeting closed to the press Wednesday the Sun City Community Association Board told members it had decided not to let a new church group continue using Sun City's Meadowview Lodge for worship services.

SCCA Executive Director Bill Pennock specifically asked if reporter Pete Gonigam was present, then threw him out of Drendel Ballroom saying the meeting was "only for Association members."  The move ensured any account would be based on second-hand information rather than direct observation.

According to residents afterwards, Board Members told about 300 people they'd decided that July 10 will be the last Sunday service at the Lodge for Community Christian Church.  The announcement was met with applause followed by 15 minutes of residents acclaiming or denigrating the decision. Then everyone went home.

Pennock and Board Chairman Bill Zilletti refused to say anything about the meeting afterwards.

CCC Pastor Perry Martin said he didn't know where his congregation would be able to meet now.
"We're looking at our options," he said.  "I've got to talk with the church leadership to see what they want."

Martin had been holding services in his home but when the church signed a three-month lease for Sunday morning services at the Lodge earlier this year, some Sun City homeowners became upset.

Resident Ben Hall said the problem wasn't the church itself but its preemption of the facility for things like meetings and family reunions.  "The people didn't want it rented out," he said.

Homeowner Bonnie Glaubke said the argument was really about the SCCA Board itself.  "We weren't asked what we wanted," she said.  "How hard would it have been to ask people about that?"

In the pic: SCCA guardians also barred the Trib from entering Wednesday's meeting banishing Community Christian Church from Sun City's Meadowview Lodge.

New D300 Budget Almost Balanced--On Paper

Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates told the District 300 Finance Committee Wednesday that terms of a new teachers' contract would put the District's budget only $15,000 in the hole for the 2011-12 school year as long as the State pays its bills.  Since that isn't likely to happen, she said,  the coming year's probably going to see a multi-million dollar shortfall.

"We're not out of the woods until the State gets current (on aid to schools) and it can't get current," Crates said.  She told Committee members Illinois is already $10 million behind on aid it was supposed to pay the District for the current schoolyear ending next week.  Money for Drivers' Ed is closest to current and that's only at 75 percent, Crates said.  "We haven't gotten anything for bilingual education."

Crates said by the most recent figures,  District enrollment will be up by 624 extra students next year.  Meanwhile, she said, even after the District rehires all the teachers it laid off before the new contract was approved, there'll be 19 fewer in the classrooms when kids come back from vacation.

Woman Asks Court To Stop Ex From Paying To Kill Her

An unusual civil complaint filed Wednesday in McHenry County Circuit Court claims a former McHenry County businessman in prison for trying to kill his wife is still trying to have her killed and wants the court to prevent him from paying anyone to do it.

Bull Valley chemicals entrepreneur Billy J. Cox is serving a 20-year sentence at Dixon Correctional Center for attempted murder and aggravated domestic abuse in the bludgeoning and near-asphyxiation of his wife Carolyn in 2004.  Now a domestic violence speaker, the remarried Carolyn Mahoney claimed Wednesday that Illinois Department of Corrections Department officials have told her Cox has tried to recruit at least two inmates to kill her.

Mahoney's asking the court to prevent Cox from paying anyone for anything until a judge looks the transaction over.  She's also asking the Court to stop Cox's attorney, Mark Gummerson, from selling any of his property or paying anyone for him without a court OK.

Gummerson didn't return a call seeking comment.  Mahoney's attorney Robert Hanlon couldn't be reached.  Lee County Circuit Court doesn't have public remote case access but a search of news reports found no new criminal charges have been grought against Cox.

In the pic: Carolyn Mahoney on a victims' website reports "half my face is metal" after being beaten with what prosecutors called "a baseball bat-like" instrument.

Manzullo Shows Nobel Burmese Dissident Testimony

District 16  U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) Wednesday showed one of the first statements by Nobel Peace Prize winner and democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi since her prison release by Burma’s repressive military regime six months ago.

Suu Kyi testified on videotape about her country's recent sham elections and current conditions before Manzullo's House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.  The Congressman posted the testimony to YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ6uzoc_G-c

Manzullo's been concerned for several years about Burma, also known as Myanmar, because it has a lousy human rights record and the governing military junta's becoming chummy with China.

In the pic:  Nobel Burmese dissident Aung San Suu Kyi.

Lawmakers OK Construction Money In One-Day Session

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Illinois lawmakers voted Wednesday to ensure that construction projects including Huntley's Route 47 widening and Algonquin's Route 31 Bypass will continue as planned, but one legislative leader says budget work is not complete.

A bill for construction spending passed through both chambers in a matter of hours.  Senate Democrats agreed to back off the $430 million of spending for education and human services that they'd tacked on causing gridlock over its approval. But Senate President John Cullerton said that debate on the budget isn’t over.

“There’s a number of problems with the House budget that the House is aware of, that we’re aware of, where there are under-appropriations of things that need to be appropriated,” Cullerton said. He said the House approved less money in areas such as state aid for schools and Medicaid without making other needed tweaks such as rate changes. “What will happen is, they’ll get paid the same amount of money that they would normally get paid because the formula didn’t get changed. And then sometime late in the fiscal year … they would then run out of money,” Cullerton said.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross said the House budget does not need fixing.  “It’s a pretty good budget. Is it a perfect budget? No. Is it a budget that could have had more reforms? Yes. Perhaps more cuts? Yes. But it’s a very good starting point,” Cross said on the House floor.

Then Senate also approved a plan to extend reductions to the per diem payments lawmakers get for session days, as well as a cut to their travel reimbursement rates. If Quinn signs the bill, lawmakers would have to take 12 furlough days next fiscal year and forgo a cost-of-living salary increase.

You can read Jamey's full report here: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/construction-funds-approved-as.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
June 22
0928 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & LAKEWOOD RD. ACCIDENT. Truck vs. Stoplight. Property damage only.
1027 HRS 2200 HARNISH DR. (ALGONQUIN POLICE) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1220 HRS INDIAN TRAIL & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1453 HRS 500 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. Wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1514 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2233 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. DOMESTIC. Father vs. Son. Verbal only. No priors.
Huntley
June 13
Laura L. Borek, age 36, of 11260 Devon Ct., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license revoked and possession of a suspended license and was cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Ms. Borek posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 22, 2011.
A forgery report was taken at a business in the 11700 block of Rt. 47.  A counterfeit $100 bill was found.
June 15
Anthony J. Turacek, age 64, of 10449 Evendale, Huntley, was charged with disorderly conduct.  Mr. Turacek was released with a notice to appear in McHenry County Court on July 11, 2011.
June 16
Serefino Gonzalez, age 19, of 11706 Kenneth Ave. #2, Huntley, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.
Brandon A. Rapp, age 25, of 785 Prarieview Ct, Woodstock, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle and display of an expired registration.  Mr. Rapp posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 15, 2011.
June 17
A theft report was taken at a business in the 14000 block of Auto Mall Dr.  Landscaping materials were stolen.
June 18
Linda G. Cohodes, age 59, of 11837 Borhart Dr., Huntley, was arrested for violation of an order of protection.  Ms. Cohodes was transported to McHenry County Jail to await bond call.
An attempted residential burglary report was taken in the 12700 block of Golf View.  No entry was made to the residence.
June 19
A criminal damage to property report was taken at a business in the 11100 block of Church St.  A window was  reported damaged.
Jose L. Hernandez, age 24, of 1501 N. Garland Rd, Wauconda, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and was cited for display of expire registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.  Mr. Hernandez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 15, 2011.
A criminal trespass to vehicle report was taken in the 11000 block of N. Myrtle.

McHenry County Board OK's New 10-Year Political Map

Sheriff's deputies cordoned off a McHenry County Board member's pickup truck in case it blew up and a storm knocked out power to the County Administration building but the really bizarre events of Tuesday evening's Board meeting involved a two-hour debate about an apple orchard followed by another half-hour's recriminations over a raise for Conservation District workers members didn't like. Only then did a groggy County Board approve a new District map apportioning political power for the next 10 years.

The map, required to reflect recent census increases, was the same one the Board's Legislative Committee approved almost two months ago after an hour's work on a consultant's proposal. It looked a lot like the old one but cut apart Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Huntley like a Benihana steak. Member Anna May Miller, Cary, tried to amend it Tuesday to give District 1  back some lost precincts. "Algonquin Township had nothing to do with the growth," she charged. When other members complained that would unbalance the remaining districts, she called for adoption of the so-called "alternative map" drafted last month by Member Marc Munaretto, Algonquin, which included the changes she wanted and compensating ones to other districts.

That set off another round of arguments over whether a meeting last month about Munaretto's map violated the State Open Meetings Law.  Even though the State's Attorney's Office ruled it didn't,  Member Donna Kurtz, Crystal Lake, called it "shocking" and a "flirtation" with violation.

A voice vote showed little support for Munaretto's map and the roll call vote for the "approved map" was 18 to 4 to adopt it.  You can view the new map here: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/gis/Pages/CtyBoardReDist.aspx

The cordoned truck belonged to Union Member Randy Donley who'd found what turned out to be a signal flare and decided to turn it over to the Sheriff before the meeting began. Deputies weren't sure what it was, though. They thought it looked kind of pipe-bombish and, lacking their own bomb squad, they called in the one from Kane County to get rid of it.

The apple orchard on Route 176 between Woodstock and Marengo wanted a bunch of zoning changes to expand some of its agri-tourism activities, something favored in the abstract in the County's recently-adopted 2030 plan.  Acrimonious debate involving traffic, booze, noise, and how much retailing is too much retailing finally yielded an OK with more than a dozen extra conditions. There also seemed to be a dawning awareness that when Board members talk about promoting "agri-tourism"  they're not all thinking of the same thing.

A two percent salary increase was cooked into the new budget for the County Conservation District which the Board had to approve Tuesday or have the District shut down next week.  Members were upset that it conflicted with their own decision not to give raises to County non-union workers this year.  The District's operations manager said his Board might not have included raises in the budget they put together in April only the County Board didn't decide against County raises until this month.

In the pic: Projectors and drop-down screens weren't hooked up to the backup generator so staff had to lug in paper maps while the McHenry County Board argued over boundaries for new districts for the next 10 years.

Power Being Restored After Tuesday Storms

Violent storms that hit the Chicago area with heavy rain and high winds mostly spared southeastern McHenry County.  A limited tour of the area found a lot of leaves torn off trees but not too many downed branches.

Commonwealth Edison this morning reported only a few hundred homes were still without power in the area.  Throughout the Chicago area about 250,000 homes went dark Tuesday evening after storms road through shutting down OHare and Midway and some commuter lines. Even though winds were estimated up to 80 miles per hour in some western suburbs no one reported any tornado sightings to the National Weather Service.

Power wasn't restored to FEN's hi-tech media center until about 4 am this morning.  It took  half an hour to coax the newspaper's traumatized computer out from under the blanket where it had been hiding. Then something went wrong at FEN's webhost so nobody can post pictures (except via an obscure workaround).
All of which proves when it rains, it pours.


In the pic:  A lot of homes were still without power this morning in the closer-in suburbs.

Deadline Looms For Windmill Consortium

The mainly District 300 School Wind Consortium Board Tuesday raced to put together a slippery package of agreements to build a $50 million windfarm in downstate Edgar County.  The Consortium only has six more months to put assemble a land, generators, hookups to the power grid and financing before key federal stimulus money to pay for a lot of the project expires.

Consortium CEO and D300 CFO Cheryl Crates said Tuesday she thought everything would come together by mid-August.  That's well past what the deadline the project's bond house has said it needs, though. The latest wrinkle Tuesday was the possibility that Kane County would throw some free money into the windmill kitty.

The Consortium Board kicked FEN out of a closed session about all the contracts but Kane County Executive Planner Karen Miller was allowed to sit in.  She's in charge of the Kane County 2040 Energy Plan that aims to reduce electricity consumption there in the next 30 years. The Consortium's windfarm is only supposed to offset District 300's energy bills with money from its own generators but Miller's in charge of a $300,000 grant to support alternative energy.

"She called us," said Crates.  "The grant money might be a way for Kane County to help on the project."

In the pic:  A map of where the juice goes in Kane County according to its new 2040 Energy Plan.  You can read it here: http://www.countyofkane.org/Documents/ARRA/Energy%20Efficiency%20and%20Conservation/Kane%20County%202040%20Energy%20Plan/Draft%20Kane%20County%202040%20Energy%20Plan%20Powerpoint%20Presentation.pdf  

Budget Criticized For Unpaid Bills Delay

By Benjamin Yount Illinois Statehouse News
The Illinois Policy Institute nonprofit research center Tuesday delivered a strong rebuke to the yet-to-be-signed state budget lawmakers approved in May. Collin Hitt, IPI's senior director of government affair, said lawmakers are selling the budget as a balanced spending plan because they are not counting $1.1 billion in unpaid bills that are being pushed into 2013.

"Thirty-four point three (billion dollars) in, $34.3 (billion) out means you retire almost no debt," said Hitt.  Quinn's budget spokeswoman, Kelly Kraft, agreed. "The budget does not contain substantive reductions but rather pushes off over a billion dollars of Medicaid bills into the next fiscal year," said Kraft. "These bills will not go away and will have to be paid."
 
Hitt and the IPI insist Illinois should cut the $33.2 billion budget to less than $28 billion. "Illinois cannot stay on the path of what it is actually spending forever," said Hitt.

Hitt said major savings, with price tags in the billions, only could be found by cutting Medicaid and pensions. Kraft said the governor is willing to look at those cuts, but only if lawmakers are willing to follow.

State Rep. David Harris, R-Elk Grove, who helped craft the new budget, said lawmakers didn't support Quinns' cuts because the people affected by those cuts asked to be spared.  "We delayed payments rather than cut the Medicaid reimbursement rate because providers could not afford to get less," said Harris. "Nobody likes (to be paid late), but everybody can live with it."

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6448/budget-criticized-for-pushing-unpaid-bills-into-uncertain-future/

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
June 21
1553 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & MARIE AVE. NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. YHA, ROMAN J., M/W 34 YEARS OF AGE, 5236 S. RICHMOND, CHICAGO. CHARGES: No Valid Illinois Drivers License and Disregarded Traffic Control Device. RELEASED ON BOND.
0529 HRS 00 BLOCK OF MARGATE CT. FOUND ARTICLE. A boy's Blue Mongoose bicycle in the parkway. Entered into evidence.
1010 HRS 2265 ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTONS) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1426 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1444 HRS RANDALL RD. & VILLAGE RD. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. guardrail. Property damage only.
1858 HRS 3700 BLOCK OF CHADWICK LN. DOMESTIC. Aunt vs. nephew. Verbal argument only. No priors.
June 20
2109 HRS 00 BLOCK OF W. ACORN LN. UNLAWFUL RESIDENCY OF A CHILD SEX OFFENDER. JONES, JOHN A., M/W 79 YEARS OF AGE, 1 W. ACORN LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Unlawful Residency of a Child Sex Offender. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1011 HRS 1200 HEARTLAND GATE. (KC PARK) FOUND ARTICLE. Mountain bicycle. Entered into Evidence.
1420 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MESA DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1454 HRS 108 N. RANDALL RD. (O’REILLY AUTO PARTS) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.

Mental Health Board OK's Loans For Beleaguered Providers

The McHenry County Mental Health Board Monday voted to put two of the county's largest service providers on life support until the State can pay its bills even though there's a chance the Board will be left holding the bag if and when it does.

Despite the "balanced" budget passed by the Legislature last month, the State's so far behind paying its bills that on a cashflow basis McHenry County's Family Services and Community Mental Health Center is busted and Pioneer Center for Human Services is heading that way.  Meanwhile the Mental Health Board still has money on hand so members voted Monday for what amounted to up to seven months' worth of payday loans even though no one's sure when payday's going to be.  "We've got to provide the services," said outgoing Treasurer and Harvard banker Lee Ellis.

The loans are supposed to be secured by the State payments but Board Attorney Frank Gosser warned that might not be as tight as it sounds. Since the agencies owe money on commercial loans, too, so whenever the state pays up, the Mental Health Board might find itself at the back of a long payout line.  "There is a good chance that (bank) line of credit would take a super-priority," he said.

The State's 9 months behind paying contract bills to Family Services, and 5 to 6 months late at Pioneer Center, according to Board Executive Director Sandy Lewis. Besides the contract money the State's way behind on Medicaid payments to Family Alliance, too, and the Board voted to front that as well.  All together, the two agencies may need as much as $1.3 million, according to Lewis's figures and  three smaller providers may need another $220,000.

Member and Algonquin Cop Brett Wisnauski was especially worried about the Medicaid money.  "I'm skeptical the State will pay 100 percent of Medicaid services. Ever," he said.

County Board Liaison Mary Donner was more concerned about whether the Mental Health Board had enough money to go around, in the first place.  "If everybody decided they wanted help, do we have it?"

"Nope," was Ellis's terse answer.

Well, then what?

"We'd have to ask the County Board," said Lewis.

In other action the Board picked Don Larson for President again, Ellis as the new Vice President, outgoing VP Connee Meschini for Secretary and Member Sam Tenuto for new Treasurer.

Lewis told members the Mental Health Board's $4 million headquarters expansion is running behind schedule but should be caught up by mid-July.

In the pic: (above) Mental Health Board Attorney Frank Gosser told President Don Larson and Director Sandy Lewis it might be possible to work out a deal to split any State money that comes in to Family Services and Pioneer Center but he wasn't optimistic.  (below)  Walls panels are due onsite next week for the Mental Health Board's HQ expansion in Crystal Lake.

Editor's Note: The following statement was received Thursday from Laurie Bivona, Director of Marketing, Pioneer Center for Human Services: "We are financially sound and still have reserves to rely upon. This misconception has come from a survey the Mental Health Board sent organizations asking if, in the future, they would approach them should they have a need for assistance in funding. We responded that yes, we would potentially look to them as allies and a source of assistance SHOULD the need arise. But, as our organizations stands right now we are secure and strong in our position of serving the community. We are not in danger of closing or looking for outside assistance in paying our bills."

Judge Orders All Bianchi Case Investigators To Appear

The Judge in the Lou Bianchi Official Misconduct case Monday ordered all of the Special Prosecutors' investigators to come to court in Rockford Friday to tell if they found anything good about the McHenry County State's Attorney and turn over any field notes if they did.

In what's called "discovery" in criminal cases the prosecution's supposed to give the defense anything "which tends to negate the guilt of the accused as to the offense charged or which would tend to reduce his punishment".  Before Bianchis' first trial ending in acquittal for using employees to do campaign work on County time and now heading into the second one alleging he gave sweeheart deals to relatives and supporters, Bianchi defense attorney Terry Ekl's complained prosecutors have been hiding the good stuff.  Special Prosecutor Thomas McQueen's maintained he's turned over everything there is on paper.

Ekl claims he's found at least one instance in which an investigator from Quest Consultants International found favorable evidence but left it out of his report.  Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw was convinced enough to call in all of the Quest investigators for questioning. McGraw's order said he took the unusual step "due to the fact that Quest apparent(ly) operates with some degree of autonomy."

In the pic: Quest Consultants' President Bob Scigalski.

LITH Summer Concert Adds Dining To Musical Menu

Lake in the Hills Parks &  Recreation's notching up the effort to turn its Summer Concert Series into "Little Ravinia".  This year besides the free music, the concerts will offer al fresco dining on food and beverages from village restaurants.

The first event's Saturday at the amphitheater behind LITH Village Hall and starting at 6 pm the People for Parks Foundation will sell concertgoers comestibles and beverages from Jersey Mikes and Papa Saverio’s. The concert starts at 7 featuring Bopology a Rat-Pack tribute and Swing Era band.

Two other concerts are scheduled this Summer. July 23 Billy Croft & the 5 Alarm Band
will take the  the stage with music from current and legendary country rock musicians.
Three weeks later, August 13, LITH's homegrown band No Left Turn will appear performing hits from the days of their youth by Tom Petty, the Stones, and Bad Company and probably others, if they can still remember the lyrics.

At all three events, in case of inclement weather, the the show will go on, just in the Village Hall multipurpose room.

In the pic:  Chicago's Bopology appears to be the Swiss Army knife of jazz--a self-described Frank Sinatra group featuring the big band sounds of Duke Ellington.

Centegra: "Speed Dating" To Pick A Doctor

Centegra Healthy System will host its first "speed dating" event to match community members and Centegra Primary Care doctors next Tuesday. Two sessions are scheduled in the Del Webb conference room. The first one takes place from 11:30 am to Noon. The second session runs from 12:30 to 1 pm.

Physicians of internal medicine, geriatrics and chiropractic care will be available to answer any questions about their philosophy, operations and personal interests.   “Primary care is very much about the relationship between the patient and the physician, so this is a great opportunity for someone to meet their perfect doctor,” said Pasquale Bernardi, vice president of Centegra Primary Care.

The medical matchmaking event's free. So's a boxed lunch served at 12:30 p.m. The number to call to register is 877-CENTEGRA.

Eyes Turn To Senate As Wednesday Session Nears

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
The Illinois Senate will be busy Wednesday with the eyes of lawmakers watching them in the Capitol. "Once you open the doors, anything could happen," said State Rep. Kevin McCarthy, D-Orland Park. Lawmakers are returning to reauthorize Illinois' $31 billion construction plan.  McCarthy said he expects lawmakers to vote on a few issues that have been lingering since the end of the Spring session last month.

Illinois lawmakers are expected to vote to cut their own pay and accept 12 furlough days.  It would be the third consecutive year that lawmakers have approved a pay reduction.  State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said, "It's more symbolic to me. If you are going to ask public employees to take furlough days, then the General Assembly should be doing the same thing," Bomke said. Bomke said the legislative pay cut could save about $500,000 next year. Illinois' deficit is close to $9 billion.

Quinn is ready to try again with legislation that would limit union participation for a number of mid-level and managers at some state agencies. He said Monday that he is still pro-union, but he wants to have the power to manage his administration. "I fervently support the right to bargain, the right to form a union," said Quinn. "But at the same time, there have to be some positions in government that are management positions." According to the governor's office, 95 percent of the state employees are union members.

The return to Springfield is for regular, not special, session. Had Quinn called a special session, it would have cost taxpayers nearly $50,000 a day with all lawmakers in attendance.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6435/eyes-turn-to-senate-as-wednesday-session-nears/

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
delayed--FEN schedule conflict

Autopsy Today On Algonquin Boating Victim

An autopsy is expected today on an Algonquin man killed when his boat crashed on the Fox River before dawn Sunday morning.

Rescuers from the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District were called to the spot about a half mile below Haegers Bend when residents heard the southbound cabin boat slam into one of the private piers on the east bank.  Rescuers found the boat capsized on a second pier and the body of 45 year-old Michael Cherbak in the water nearby.

Illinois Conservation Police said they didn't know yet how the accident occurred.

Officials weren't sure if the dead man was the same Michael Cherbak who was facing charges of selling drugs to undercover officers from the North Central Narcotics Task Force in Algonquin last year.  Circuit Clerk's records show a number of driving charges against that man dating back to 1997  and two charges involving boats,  one for operating a boat under the influence of alcohol in 2002.

There were 102 reportable boating accidents on Illinois waters last year according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources figures.  They involved in injuries and 16 fatalities.

LITH Fun Ride Draws Regional Bicyclists

What's a Fathers' Day without a nice bike ride to dramatize LITH's more than seven miles of asphalt paths and five miles of on-road bike routes"

"I'm the leader," LITH Parks & Rec Director Trudy Wakeman told about a dozen cyclists before they set out from Sunset Park for the Huntley Lib, a rehydrating drink and a ride back.

"Can we ride fast?" asked one eager youngster.

"I'm the leader," replied Wakeman.

In the pic:  Amber Schuch and her McHenry family rendezvoused with Dad Mark Keppler from Geneseo for Sunday's Parks & Rec. bike ride through Lake in the Hills.

County Youth Sports Association Looks For Fast (Pitch) Women

McHenry County Youth Sports Association is “Looking for a few Good Fast Pitch Women” The group is putting together a team of District 155 graduates who played fast pitch softball in high school and/or college to compete against the King and His Court in an exhibition game, part of the 19th Annual MCYSA International Baseball Championships July 29 though August 7 in Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Cary and Woodstock.

The King and his Court are the Harlem Globetrotters of the softball world taking on full teams with only four superannuated and jet-lagged players. D155 distaff fast pitch softball grads who'd like to try to show them up should Contact MCYSA at Jack@MCYSASPORTS.org. 

The game Aug. 2  will also be a fundraiser for the MCYSA Justin Schroeder Memorial Scholarship Program which awards $4,000.00 per year to local student/athletes to further their post-high school educations. Tickets will be $3 at the Lippold Park gate.

In the pic:  A blindfolded pitcher?  C'mon, you KNOW that's gonna be fun.

McHenry County Reports Year's First Rabid Bat

Just as it's not Spring until the first robin, it's not really Summer until the first rabid bat of the year.   Now it's Summer. McHenry County Department of Health found the County's first rabid bat last week dead in a Woodstock gutter.

This year, seven counties (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Macon, Peoria, Will and Winnebago) have already reported rabid bats.  However, MCDH spokesman Debora Quackenbush warned rabies is common in skunks, raccoons and foxes and other wild animals and can be found in cats, dogs and livestock if they're not vaccinated.

A rabies fact sheet is available at the Illinois Dept of Public Health website here: www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbrabies.htm.

Generally, according to Quackenbush, a bat doing batty things in the daytime (they're night creatures, remember), or in a place where bats aren't usually seen (your home, a swimming pool, on the lawn) or that can't  fly is more likely than others to be rabid.  If you've got one of those, call McHenry County Animal Control should be immediately at 815-459-6222.

McHenry County led the State last year with 22 rabid bats out of a  statewide total of 117.

In the pic:  A little brown bat, probably the most likely species encountered in McHenry County.  

Emergency Agency Says Radios Make Sense of Warnings

The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency reminded residents today that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emergency alert weather radios and handy things to have during an emergency, it might be several days before vital services are restored.

The latest models of NWR receivers feature automatic “turn-on” capability to receive alerts when issued.  Life-saving messages now target to a specific area, like a county or portion of a state and NOAA Weather Radio receivers have an option to remain silent until a weather alert is issued.

The reminder's part of MCEMA's plan to try to coordinate emergency information in McHenry County.  According to a presentation last week by the agency's new Director Dave Christensen, there's no County standard for when to sound a warning siren or what it means when a village sets one off.  "It's supposed to warn to take shelter," said Christensen.  "What's the first thing people do when the siren goes off?  They go outside to see why."  Christensen said the weather radios would help residents make sense of things when a warning sounds.

Besides weather info, the radios also broadcast warning and post-event information for hazards including earthquakes, chemical releases or oil spills and public safety messages.

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
June 19
0343 HRS PYOTT RD. & RAKOW RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. KNAUF, PATRICK R., M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 4021 W. LILLIAN ST., MCHENRY. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding, and No Insurance.
1206 HRS HILLTOP DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. One vehicle. Property damage only.
1537 HRS 0 BLOCK OF WOODLAND RD. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Subject with questions in reference to eviction notices and orders of protection.
1546 HRS 20 BLOCK OF LINCOLN ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 51 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1700 HRS POLARIS RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1745 HRS 600 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR. FOUND ARTICLE. A woman’s mountain bike.
2043 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Ex-wife vs. Ex-husband. Verbal only. One prior.
Algonquin
June 17
13:45pm Houghton, Kevin A., DOB: 02/10/77, of 1320 Washington Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Sale of Alcohol to a Minor.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 07/27/11 in Algonquin.
16:36pm Jagielski, Brian K., DOB: 05/06/81, of 1514 N. Harrison Street, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant, out of McHenry County for Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at Main Street and W. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
17:24pm Escobedo, Carlos, DOB: 02/28/78, of 4002 Berkshire Court, Carpentersville, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, No Proof of Insurance and Disregarding a Traffic Control Device.  He was taken into custody at Main Street and Edward Street.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 07/20/11 in McHenry County.
19:30pm Bakewell, James S., DOB: 02/22/66, of 4328 Friar Tuck, Buford, GA, was charged with Aggravated Battery.  He was taken into custody in the 400 block of S. Randall Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
June 18
23:44pm Cady, Rhonda L., DOB: 12/05/64, of 708 N. Hawk Street, Palatine, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, Disobeying Stop Sign and No Proof of Insurance.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 07/27/11 in McHenry County.
June 19
01:29am Lopez, Marco A., DOB: 12/20/72, of 614 LaSalle Street, Aurora, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Route 31.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 07/19/11 in McHenry County.

No Mea Culpas, Just Them-a Culpas At Sun City Tax Meet

Sun City homeowners packed the Drendel Ballroom Saturday to hear officials explain what went wrong to blast their property taxes through the roof.  The answer was almost everything but especially Grafton Township Assessor Bill Ottley's sending an astonishing 9,000-plus assessments to the McHenry County Review Board for "adjustment"--down.

That shifted more of the collective tax burden for five trans-county taxing districts, particularly School District 158, from the McHenry side of the border onto taxpayers in Kane. Kane County Supervisor of Assessments Mark Armstrong told the Drendel audience he'd sent a request to the Illinois Department of Revenue Friday to put things back they way they should have been but no one applauded.

Armstrong claimed he had no idea why Ottley decided to change Grafton assessments on a wholesale scale.  However, Ottley, who wasn't at Saturday's meeting, earlier in the week told a delegation of its sponsors he did it to bring the rest of Grafton assessments in line with reductions the McHenry County Review Board had been handing out.

Armstrong and State Sen. Chris Lauszen whose 25th District includes heavily-impacted Rutland Township both charged McHenry County's been marking assessment values to depressed current sales instead of the much-higher three-year average everyone else uses.

McHenry County Assessor Bob Ross said there wasn't anything he could do about that since the Review Board really isn't under his control or, indeed, the control of anyone in McHenry County.

At the State level all the Department of Revenue could do was slap what amounted to a 3.5 percent surcharge on all of McHenry County's tax bills. Kane Treasurer Dave Reichert said that just made things worse since he'd already sent out Kane's tax bills so Rutland homeowners ended up paying more than they should have. Reichert said this year's extra taxes would  be subtracted from next year's tax bills but that didn't satisfy resident Rosemary Welc.  "I'll bet we don't get the interest on it," she complained afterwards.

Homeowners trickled steadily out of the information-dense meeting almost from the start muttering about manure and smoke infiltration of the nether anatomy.  Resident Steve Fornek stayed the course but complained the whole property tax process was overly-complicated.  "You know who made it that way?  The lawyers and accountants," he said.

Unmentioned at Saturday's meeting is a chance Tuesday for the McHenry County Board to weigh in on the assessment mess. That's when they're set to vote on Spring Grove's Cliff Houghton as a permanent member of the Board of Review.  There's a spot open since former Board Chairman Robin Brunschon left to become DeKalb County Chief County Assessment Officer three weeks ago.

Algonquin Art On The Fox Goes Into Day Two Today

Forty artists, artisans, photographers and sculptors lined the strand at Riverfront Park Saturday and they'll be there today, too, for Algonquin's fourth annual Art On the Fox exhibition.

Algonquin watercolorist Anne Marie Cina was pleased at clement opening for the Village's two-day.  That was in contrast to Schaumburg's Prairie Arts Festival three weeks ago when rain put a definite damper on art-lover turnout.  "About all we could do was stay in our tents," she said.

Photographer Rick Sgrow came to Algonquin's exhibition from Oregon (the Illinois village not the state) for a change of scenery. He said he was tired of seeing "the same faces" at art festivals in the neck of the woods he usually frequents.  "Most of them are at parks," he said, "but the river here with the boats and ducks--this is nice."

Eight Teens Arrested In LITH Afternoon Punchup

With the temp at 92 in the shade and the sun beating down Saturday afternoon it should have been too hot for trouble. Even so, a brick thrown at a car at Pheasant Trail and Wander Way in Lake in the Hills set off a brawl that ended up with two teenagers in McHenry County Jail, one in the Kane County Juvenile Center and five others arrested and released.

Supervising Officer Joe Simms said the fight started after one group of teens at the intersection threw the brick at a passing car full of some other teens.  Those piled out, exchanged punches with the first bunch and then fled again when they heard a LITH PD siren approaching. Simms said they didn't get far before police pulled them over, though.

Sorting through the mess, police ended up charging eight people among both groups, two of them girls, with Reckless Conduct and Mob Action.  They were 18 year-old Sean Mara, Algonquin, and 18 year-old Derek Bush of LITH sent to McHenry County; 18 year-old Megan Bencal and 19 year-old Nicholas Creatore, both of LITH, released on bond; a 16 year-old boy from Crystal Lake, sent to Kane County Juvenile Detention Center, and a 17-year old Algonquin girl, a 17 year-old Crystal Lake boy and a 15 year-old LITH youth all released to their parents.

Simms said the brawl didn't result in any serious injuries.  He said while police were trying to figure out who did what to whom they found a baseball bat but concluded it hadn't been used during the fight.

Ag Industry Pushes Quinn To Sign Gaming Bill

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Illinois agricultural groups are calling on Gov. Pat Quinn to sign the massive gaming expansion plan approved by the General Assembly, but Quinn does not have the option to do anything with the bill yet.

Besides five new casinos in the state the bill would allow horse-racing tracks including the state fairgrounds in Springfield to install slot machines.  Margaret Vaughn, government affairs director for the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs said with other provisions the plan would mean about $25 million in annual funding for agricultural, historic and conservation programs in the state

The money for county fairs is used to reimburse the fairs for prizes they give out for livestock and agricultural exhibits and contests. “Any of the money that the county fairs receives from the state … it’s not going to entertainment or concessions. It’s going right back into the community to encourage the youth to continue into agricultural careers,” Vaughn said.

Sheryl King, director of the Equine Sciences program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, said that the horse racing industry in Illinois needs the money, too. “Some of you may not know that Illinois used to be a pre-eminent racing state. It has lost that pre-eminence over the past decade.”

The governor can’t do anything with the legislation yet. After the bill passed in his chamber, Senate President John Cullerton pulled a procedural move to stall sending the bill to Quinn’s desk. When he finally gets it, Quinn could veto the bill outright, sign it as is or use an amendatory veto to try and cut out the parts he does not like.  Quinn has said he does not approve of allowing slots at the state fairgrounds, calling the fairgrounds a “family place.”

Chris Boyster, Sangamon County Board member from Springfield, said slots at the fairgrounds would give the Springfield area an economic boost. He added that the fairgrounds need the money the slots could bring in for improvements. “We shouldn’t have to wait to a catastrophic electrical failure at the fairgrounds to fix the fairgrounds.”

You can read Jamey's full report at:  http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/ag-industry-pushes-for-quinn-to-sign.html

McHenry County Indictments

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

RANDY P. WITT, DOB:  09/13/81, 8414 RUSSELL ROAD, CARY. THEFT.--Cary PD

ROBERT L. BACCI, DOB:  04/20/70, 567 SOMERSET LANE  #1, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER.--Crystal Lake PD
   
FAITH M. SORENSEN, DOB:  01/25/92, 535 MAPLE STREET, MARENGO. THEFT.--Marengo PD
   
JOSEPH J. SZPAK, DOB:  02/18/67, 302 RIDGELAND AVENUE, WOODSTOCK. AGGRAVATED STALKING(2CTS), STALKING(2CTS), UNLAWFUL VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION (SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE)(7CTS).--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
   
JEREMIAH B. PEDERSEN, DOB:  04/21/83, 105 MAPLE, WOODSTOCK. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, THEFT, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

EDGAR M. ALONSO, DOB: 03/29/90,    233 UTEG STREET #5, CRYSTAL LAKE.
ALEXIS MIRON, DOB: 10/12/85, 605 ELSINOOR LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE
ANDRES CORREA-PEDROZA, DOB: 04/07/89, 7515 MANOR ROAD, CRYSTAL LAKE.
FROYLAN M. ALONSO, DOB: 09/16/87, 233 UTEG STREET, #5, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY(3CTS), MOB ACTION(3CTS)--Crystal Lake PD
       
MAXIMILLIANO M. RAMIREZ, DOB: 10/14/90m 500 W. WASHINGTON STREET, HARVARD. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FRAUDULENT IDENTIFICATION CARD, THEFT (UNDER $500).--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
   

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
June 18
0222 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. YBARRA, CRISTINA M., F/W 29 YEARS OF AGE, 302 LAKE GILLIAN WAY, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding, and Transporting Open Alcohol.
RELEASED ON BOND.
0530 HRS VIEWPOINT DR. & PYOTT RD. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. BERGERON, SEAN C., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 5747 BREEZELAND RD., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
1039 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (POLICE DEPT) WANTED ON WARRANT.  JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry Co., Battery, No Bond. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1455 HRS WANDER WAY & PHEASANT TRAIL. RECKLESS CONDUCT/MOB ACTION. BENCAL, MEGAN, F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 411 PLUM ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct and Mob Action. RELEASED ON BOND.
CREATORE, NICHOLAS A., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 1067 VIEWPOINT DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct and Mob Action. RELEASED ON BOND.
MARA, SEAN A., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 1341 SURREY CT., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct and Mob Action. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL
BUSH, DEREK B., M/B 18 YEARS OF AGE, 14 WALNUT DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct and Mob Action. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct and Mob Action. TRANSPORTED TO KANE COUNTY DETENTION.
JUVENILE, F/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct and Mob Action. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct and Mob Action. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
JUVENILE, M/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Reckless Conduct and Mob Action. RELEASED TO PARENTS.
0322 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF VIEWPOINT DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. A mailbox.
1044 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & BLACKHAWK DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1110 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF BURR ST. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assisted the Building Department with a code violation. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED.
1248 HRS FRANK RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. bicycle. Property damage only.
1713 HRS 500 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. ACCIDENT. Vehicle backed into a parked vehicle. Property damage only.
1849 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HERON CT. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Items removed from unsecured vehicle. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATION.
1901 HRS 200 BLOCK OF STICKLEY LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal argument only. One prior.