Burglars Pose As ComEd Crew To Enter Huntley Home

Huntley Police late Friday warned residents about a group of burglars posing as utility workers.

Police said thee Hispanic men claiming to be  ComEd and Village employees and wearing clothes with reflective strips conned a resident of the 11600 block of Mill street into letting them in.  While one went into the basement with the homeowner, the other two ransacked the house and the resident's belongings. A spokesman said police weren't sure yet if the burglars actually took anything.

What should have raised a warning flag was that there weren't any ComEd or Village trucks nearby.  The resident said the burglars were driving a red pickup truck and a silver station wagon, neither, of course, bearing ComEd or Village logos.

Even a nearby utility truck turns out not to be a guarantee things are on the up and up, though.  Earlier this year ComEd reported an incident in which scammers worked a street where a real truck was located claiming it was theirs.

In the first six months of this year Com Ed spokesman Jeff Burdick reported there'd already been 12 utility worker impersonation cases in Northern Illinois.  There were only 11 in all of last year.

Burdick recommended:
    * Always ask to see ComEd photo ID before allowing a utility worker into your home or business.
    * Never pay on-site for "services."
    * Be skeptical of individuals wearing clothing with old or defaced ComEd logos.
    * When in doubt, call police or ComEd security at 800-550-6154.

In the pic:  Real ComEd service people have real ComEd trucks.  Just make sure it's theirs.

Bye Bye Borders In Algonquin, Nation

The Barnes & Noble bookselling chain emailed more than 40 million customers Friday to say that customers of the defunct Borders chain would have about two weeks to ask for their personal information to be removed from a list it purchased.

Barnes & Noble bought Borders' "intellectual assets" for $14 million Monday including a customer loyalty list called Borders Rewards.  The judge in the Borders bankruptcy was worried about shopper confidentiality so B&N promised to let Borders customers opt out of the data transfer. The list includes millions of names, email addresses, physical addresses, phone numbers and some purchase information.

The email directed customers who don't want to receive B&N spam to visit www.bn.com/borders before Oct. 15.

All that's publicly left of Borders is the company's online website and a message there says Barnes & Noble's the company that will actually ship any books purchased there.

In the pic:  A sign company worker removed a pile of really big letters from the former Borders bookstore in Algonquin Friday.

UP Crossing Open Again At Huntley's Kreutzer Road

Huntley's crossing for the Union Pacific tracks on Kreutzer Road was open for business Friday. UP had said the crossing reconstruction that began Monday might take all week but it finished on schedule despite three days of rain.

The new crossing's made from concrete instead of wood so it's not expected to deteriorate like the old one which made travelling over the tracks such an adventure in modern living.

State Losing Ground On Poverty Goals

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
A government commission seeking to cut extreme poverty in half in the state by 2015 says Illinois is moving in the opposite direction. A report released by the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty found that more than 800,000 people are living in extreme poverty in the state. That number increased by more than 200,000 since the General Assembly created the commission in 2008.

 Extreme poverty is defined as an income that is less than half of the federal poverty level. For a family of four that would mean $11,175 a year. Making up 10 percent of those who are extremely poor, children are the most represented age group. More than 12 percent of people living below the extreme poverty line have a disability that hinders their ability to work.

The recession that has pushed more residents into poverty and made things harder for those already below the poverty line has also strangled state revenues. With fewer tax dollars rolling in and much of the money from the recent tax increase going toward the state’s deficit, lawmakers made cuts to balance the budget. “The implications of substantial service cuts for those experiencing extreme poverty — many of whom rely on state-funded services in their communities to meet their basic needs — will be nothing short of devastating,” the report said. The commission’s report focused on several of the group’s recommendations from its 2010 plan. All but two of the legislative recommendations the group made last year and revisited in the report were defined as either “losing ground” or at a standstill.

You can read Jamey's full report at:  http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/state-losing-ground-on-poverty-goals.html

McHenry County Indictments

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

SEBASTIAN P. SKUTNIK, DOB:  11/17/92, 10620 RUSHMORE LANE, HUNTLEY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.--LITH PD

DARREL L. WALLS, DOB:  03/23/83, LKA:  655 HUNTINGTON COURT, ALGONQUIN. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Elgin PD

JUSTIN W. CICCARELLI, DOB:  09/18/80, 826 WHITETAIL DRIVE, MARENGO. AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY, DOMESTIC BATTERY(2CTS), UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH THE REPORTING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.--MARENGO
  
TROY W. COSS, DOB:  01/19/70, 374 HICKORY DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE. THEFT.--Crystal Lake PD
  
ANGEL J. ESPINOZA, DOB:  08/02/77, 748 PRAIRIE VIEW LANE APT 1D, WOODSTOCK. AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE(3CTS).--Woodstock PD

ANNETTE M. FREELS, DOB:  07/04/67, 4610 N. SPRING GROVE ROAD, MCHENRY. AGGRAVATED BATTERY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
ARMANDO JOEL ESQUEDA, DOB:  08/22/70, 4130 ASHCROFT AVENUE, FRESNO, CA. ARMED VIOLENCE, AGGRAVATED BATTERY, OBSTRUCTING  JUSTICE.--McHenry PD
  
RUSSELL MARTIN CARLSON, DOB:  11/09/67, 7413 PARKWOOD DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER.--McHenry  County Sheriff's Office
  
JESSICA R. MADSEN, DOB:  04/04/79, 136 FIRST AVENUE, WOODSTOCK. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
RANDALL T. ROELING, DOB:  04/17/75, 6112 OAK STREET   APT #2E, CHEMUNG. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, DOMESTIC BATTERY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

ENRIQUE ALFARO-MEZA, DOB:  07/04/79, 645 VIRGINIA ROAD   #221, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Crystal Lake PD

JEREMY D. HERRING, DOB:  02/01/81, 931 CLAY STREET   #2, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Woodstock PD
  
RYAN M. PETTERSON, DOB:  07/23/90, 31680 TALL GRASS COURT, LAKEMOOR. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry PD

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
September 30
1532 HRS 4500 ALGONQUIN RD. (7-ELEVEN) DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. KROHNE, TIMOTHY J., M/W 42 YEARS OF AGE, 10396 SAWGRASS LN., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Driving While License Revoked and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
2001 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. NO VALID DRIVER LICENSE. CASTRO, SAMUEL, M/W 43 YEARS OF AGE, 5 ASH CT., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: No Valid Drivers License and Expired Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
0707 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. DOMESTIC. Ex-wife vs. ex-husband. Verbal only. Four priors.
1438 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PRIDES RUN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 43 years of age had taken unknown amount of prescribed medication. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1718 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS PD) INTERFERENCE WITH COURT ORDERED VISITATION. Children were not brought to scheduled meeting place for visitation. Notice to Appear was sent via registered mail.

Attorney To Advise County On Bianchi Bill Offer

McHenry County States's Attorney Lou Bianchi confirmed Thursday that a Lake County Assistant State's Attorney has been appointed to advise the County Board about a deal to pay his legal bills in this Summer's failed prosecutions.  "I can't give advice to the County about paying  for my own defense," he said.

The lack of legal counsel to the County has been said to be the main impediment to considering an offer crafted by Bianchi defense attorney Terry Ekl to have McHenry County pay a big part of what are supposed to be about $500,000 in legal bills. Most of that is reportedly to be reimbursed later if Ekl prevails in lawsuits against Special Prosecutors who indicted Bianchi and three associates but failed to make anything at all stick at trial.

There's been no official announcement about the arrangement but the new appointment of counsel logically confirms there's one on the table as FEN and the Crystal Lake Northwest Herald reported last week.

The Ekl offer is supposed to include bills for attorney Ernie Di Benedetto who defended Bianchi Secretary Joyce Synek, likewise acquitted.

Phil Prossnitz who defended Bianchi Chief Investigator Ron Salgado against a charge that was dismissed said he wants the County to pay his and attorney Tom Popovich's bills. too. "I literally am faxing a statement right now to (County Board Chairman) Ken Koehler," he said Thursday.  "We cut our rate to $125 per hour.  That's $25 more than you'd pay to change your tires," he said. Prossnitz said the bills only total around $9,000.

Koehler couldn't be reached Thursday.  Neither could Chris De Rango, lawyer for State's Attorney Investigator Mike McCleary whose case also was dismissed before trial.

Regarding Bianchi case bills the County's definitely on the hook for, Illinois Appellate State's Attorney Prosecutor Charles Colburn said Thursday he might be in court again as early as next week to try again to appeal an order to pay the bills of the Special Prosecutors themselves. Those add up to over $300,000 but there's known to be another $100,000 worth of investigator charges in the case not to mention bills for the Prosecutors' time in the trials, that, if yet presented, haven't been ordered paid.

In the pic:  Bianchi campaigning.

One More Farmers' Market Set For Algonquin Harvest Day Festival

Thursday saw this year's last Algonquin Farmers' Market in Riverside Park.  It won't be the last chance for fresh produce, though.  That'll come next Saturday at The Downtown Algonquin Partnership's Old Time Country Harvest Day Festival.

The Festival includes the Farmers' Market, Craft Fair, kids' games, a costume parade, Algonquin's Historic Cemetery Walk, all centered on the Village parking lot at Washington & Harrison Street.

Here's the schedule:

http://www.downtownalgonquin.org/harvest%20day%202011.htm

In the pic:  Fox River Grove's Nancy Leonardi bought a watermelon and some corn at the KAP Farms stand Thursday at Algonquin's Farmers' Market.

Construction Crawl Business Promo Coming To Huntley

The Village of Huntley and the Huntley Chamber of Commerce are scheduling a Route 47 Construction Crawl and Open House next Friday Night from 5 to 7 pm to visit and support local Huntley businesses impacted by the Route 47 Widening Project.

Business Development Coordinator Margo Griffin admitted the "crawl" part was a bit of a play on words.  "It's just to remind people of all the wonderful businesses in Huntley," she said.

The Construction Crawl is a traipse from Huntley business to Huntley business in search of specials, bargains and door prizes. "There's nothing to purchase," said Griffin who then rephrased things to emphasize that there's actually lots of swell stuff, just tons of it, to purchase in Huntley but buying it isn't mandatory for Crawlers next Friday.

Here's a list of all the Construction Crawl businesses, specials and prizes:

http://www.huntley.il.us/documents/Rt47ConstructionCrawl2011-asof9-28-11.pdf

Fermilab Tevatron Collider Shuts Down Today

At 2pm today the top research engineer at Fermilab will push a button to send the Tevatron's last particle beam crashing into a solid metal block ending 26 years of high energy research there into what makes things, everything, tick.

At its most mundane, shutting down the Tevatron will cost the area about 100 really hi-tech jobs.  At its most exalted, it means some other researchers will find the Higgs Boson particle, the one that's supposed to explain why matter has mass. Or they won't. The Tevatron couldn't.  (Unless it did and it's still buried in data yet to be analyzed.)

The U.S. Energy Department turned down $35 million per year for three years to keep the 1-mile diameter machine whirling so now the cutting edge of high energy particle experimentation  will shift from  Batavia to the more powerful CERN Large Hadron Collider near Geneva (the one in Switzerland).  Research at Fermilab will change to high intensity physics, at least if the money, a lot of it, turns up to fund plans.

Smashing subatomic particles together in the Tevatron brought discovery of the sorts things that might eventually lead to rayguns and antigravity belts.  Or, considering that it's basic research into the area where reality and possibility start to blur together, it could even lead to a good five-cent cigar someday.

In the pic:  A time-lapse shot of the Tevatron Collider.

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
September 29
1601 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & CRYSTAL LAKE RD. POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. MARVEL, CHRISTOPHER J., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 49 WISCONSIN ST., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Defective Windshield. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
HOLLOWELL, JENNIFER L., F/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 316 HARVEST GATE LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Unlawful Possession of Cannabis less than 2.5 grams. RELEASED ON BOND.
1943 HRS CEDAR RIDGE DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CIRILO-MEDINA, JOSE, M/H 29 YEARS OF AGE, 7 SYCAMORE ST., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
2347 HRS 100 BLOCK OF BRIDLEWOOD CIRCLE.FOLLOW-UP ARREST: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FRAUDULENT ID CARD. PEARSON, MATTHEW E., M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 10865 WHEATLANDS WAY, HUNTLEY. CHARGE: Unlawful Possession of a Fraudulent ID Card. RELEASED ON BOND.
0735 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0944 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE) CHILD ABUSE. Child abuse investigation. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1721 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE) ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Reporting Officer assisted McHenry County Crisis.
Algonquin
September 29
16:31pm A 15 year-old female from Lake in the Hills was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Meijer’s, 400 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 10/26/11 in Algonquin.

Hoffman Estates Claims FOIA Loophole In Sears EDA Requests

When new restrictions to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act became law in January critics warned they'd lead to trouble. Now they have in the battle over renewal of the Sears Economic Development area. With the clock ticking toward an October vote, Hoffman Estates officials are delaying information requests from four District 300 parents about the EDA.  A Village attorney said it's because they're part of a presumed group of D300 parents interested in the EDA.

Under the new FOIA amendments, ordinary requests have to be answered in five working days.  Except for holidays that's the same as it was before.  But lawmakers carved out an exception for what civil lawyers officially call "vexatious litigants", colloquially,  "cranks" or worse.  The Freedom of Information act calls them "Recurrent Requesters."  If a person makes too many FOIA requests too often, the new law gives officials an extra 16 working days, almost three calendar weeks, to come up with a response.  That goes for requests from groups, too, only the new provision doesn't define what's a group.

"We want to know what they're doing with the money for the EDA," said requester and Algonquin attorney Nancy Zettler using a collective pronoun.  "We want to know what they're going to do with it in the future," she said.  "Nobody has checked up on this in 20 years."

The EDA gives property taxes on Sears headquarters in Hoffman Estates back to Sears.  It's due to run out at the end of next year and Sears has threatened to leave if it isn't renewed. With an EDA extension, the taxes will revert to normal, the bulk, about $14 million per year, going to School District 300. "(Because of the EDA) we've had to raise our own taxes several times in the last 20 years to educate our kids," said Zettler.

Hoffman Estates is the paymaster for the EDA money so that's where Zettler and the others sent their information requests. Individually they weren't recurrent requesters.  But Assistant Corporate Counsel Patti Cross thought when the group of requests crossed her desk they looked like a request from a group that would trigger the exception. "They looked like persons with a common purpose," she said.  So she devised a series of tests to infer a group's existence.   Among other things, they all wanted info about the EDA.  Likewise, "Except for the (specific request) paragraphs the letters were identical word for word," said Cross. "Two of them even used the same FEDEX/Kinkos (delivery service) within a couple of hours of each other."

Zettler said classifying her and the others as a group was by no means QED. She admitted she and fellow Algonquin resident Leslie Russo used to be members of Advance 300, a loose pro-tax referendum group five years ago but moribund until recently. However, she said she only met the other two within the past month. "We're really just four taxpaying parents," she said.

Cross said, absent a legal definition, they looked like a group to her, adding that, anyway, she hadn't denied the requests for information, just delayed them.  "We had eight department heads working on this yesterday," she said.  "I'm working my little fingers to the bone," said Cross, to dig out the voluminous material the parents requested.

Even so, the extra time Cross claimed stretches the deadline for Hoffman Estates to produce info on the EDA out to Oct. 13.  That's only two weeks before the Legislature reconvenes with a vote on its extension expected.

In the pic:  Sears Holdings headquarters in Hoffman Estates.  

Clouds But No Rain For Huntley Homecoming Parade

There were more than a few raincoats and bumbershoots in evidence Wednesday but the clouds held back and Huntley High's 2011 Homecoming parade went off without a hitch.

This year's Homecoming theme is "The Sweetest Thing" and for the Raiders Friday the sweetest thing would be another victory on the gridiron.  They'll take on the Jacobs Golden Eagles in Huntley's Homecoming game Friday at 7:15 pm.

Miss Illinois Promotes Safe Driving At MCC

Huntley's favorite daughter, Miss Illinois Hannah Smith, an MCC alumna, stopped off to will speak to students, staff, faculty, and community members about distracted driving Wednesday.
She's touring Illinois promoting a State Farm Insurance safe-driving initiative in conjunction with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

After her reign as Miss Illinois, Smith will attend Northern Illinois University to major in dance performance and business. She said she plans to open a dance studio and be an advocate for her students to implement a healthy, nutritious lifestyle.

In the pic:  MCC alum Hanna Smith with College Pres Vicky Smith who only happens to share the same last name with her.

DOJ Grant Announced For New McHenry County Drug Court

McHenry County's Twenty Second Judicial Circuit announced Wednesday the U.S. Department of Justice awarded a $300,000 grant to help run the McHenry County Drug Court due to start up Dec. 1.

The State-mandated specialty court for hard-core drug abusers is supposed to reduce other crimes. According to studies, drug users commit a disproportionate share of other criminal activity so the reasoning is if the rigors of the Drug Court can get them to quit using they'll quit committing things like robberies and burglaries, too. Recreational users will continue to be handled in the normal court system.

The Court's supposed to be self-supporting from increased fees and fines but that doesn't include the cost for extra probation. Court Administrator Dan Wallis before the announcement said the DOJ grant will cover that for three years and might let the County save enough to hire new probation officers when it runs out.

Wallis told the County Board earlier this month he once was sceptical about drug courts but after 12 years of watching them he's changed his mind.  He cited a biker chick rehabilitated through a drug court like the one McHenry County will have.  "She finished school," he said. "Now she's a good mother and she's a probation officer."

In the pic:  McHenry County Court Administrator Dan Wallis earlier this month told the County Board Drug Courts are a good thing.  "They work," he said.

Illinois Prison Closing Could Prompt Lawsuits

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Closing the Logan Correctional Center, one of seven targeted for shuttering, may save Illinois taxpayers $9 million in the short term, but potential lawsuits resulting from overcrowding and civil rights violations could burden the state financially in the long term.

The loss of almost 2,000 beds at the Lincoln facility would force Illinois to squeeze 48,743 inmates into 49,030 beds at the state's 27 prisons, leaving only 287 beds left statewide.
Guards, advocates and the state Department of Corrections, say the limited space would create a difficult and dangerous situation with few beds are available for new inmates and others who need to be separated from the general prison population.

Randy Hellmann, shift supervisor for Pinckneyville Correctional Center in Pinckneyville, said "With today's population, and the low number of staff in these facilities, this is the making of disaster," said Hellmann. "You have an opportunity here for inmates to take over certain parts of the facility."

John Maki, president of the Illinois chapter of the John Howard Association, one of the nation's largest prisoner advocacy groups, said if Logan closes Illinois could find itself in the same situation as California where the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the state to start releasing inmates because of overcrowding. "This will certainly...invite legal challenges," Maki said. "It seems obvious that this violates the 8th Amendment dealing with cruel and unusual punishment, and invites a human rights case."

Governor Pat Quinn has blamed prison shutdowns on lawmakers for sending him a $33.2 billion state budget when he wanted one closer to $36 billion. "With the budget that was passed, clearly reductions are needed in the Department of Corrections," said State Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, who shepherded the DOC budget through the Senate. "Many difficult and painful options are thus on the table."

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6898/illinois-prisons-at-bursting-point-if-logan-closes/

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
September 28
0316 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. WATT, JASON B., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 361 WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Leaving the  Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Failure to Give Aid or Information, Driving while License Revoked, No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1540 HRS PATTON AVE. & MILLER RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. MORALES, ARMANDO, M/W 28 YEARS OF AGE, 4013 W. KANE AVE. APT C, MCHENRY.  CHARGES: Defective Windshield, No Insurance, Driving While License Suspended, Wanted on Warrant out of McHenry County For Domestic Battery: No Bond, Wanted on Warrant out of Elgin For Failure to Appear on Traffic Offenses: Bond $4000 10% Applies, Wanted on Three Warrants out of Kane County, all for Driving While License Suspended: Bond $2000 10% applies x 2, Bond for One $350 Full Cash. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1703 HRS CUNAT CT. & OAK ST. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. LYNCH, DASHAWN M., M/B 23 YEARS OF AGE, 1213 FLEETWOOD DR., ELGIN. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended and Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
1129 HRS 4400 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR CT. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1906 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WALTER CT. ASSIST FIRE. Assisted the Algonquin Fire Department with a bench fire.

Committee Passes Buck On 1.5 Percent County Tax Hike

The McHenry County Board's Finance and Audit Committee wrestled Tuesday over whether to support a plan to increase the County tax levy 1.5 percent for the coming year.  That's the max State law will allow next year and County Administrator Pete Austin's said he needs it to balance the coming budget. The Committee didn't turn it down but they didn't support it a lot, either.

"Maybe we don't need to take the 1.5 percent," suggested Wonder Lake District 4 Member John Hammerand who led the opposition. "Maybe we can get by with less," again pointing to money for things like economic development and tourism that might be cut.

Austin said if you added up all the "optional" expenses everyone's mentioned they still only come to $500,000 and the County's facing a $1.9 million shortfall.  "(The levy increase) is a nearly unnoticeable impact on the taxpayer.  But on the budget its a massive impact."

There's actually another $1 million worth of revenue shortfall in Austin's budget projections but that's supposed to be filled with a raid on the County's savings from previous years.
Hammerand didn't like that, either, arguing once again for paying off existing bonds to save on interest.

Finance chief Ralph Sarbaugh said that would be too fast.  "(You should be) slowly drawing down reserves, not one big hit.  Otherwise, it's 'Oh, no, we're in (Tax Anticipation Warrants) again," he said.

Committee chairman, Lakewood's Scott Breeden, District 2, pushed for a consensus recommending the full 1.5 percent levy increase but it didn't fly.  After another go-round  Crystal Lake's Mary Donner, District 3, finally suggested merely recommending a "levy increase of some sort" and that did.

In the pic:  McHenry County's Finance and Audit Committee didn't turn down a tax levy increase Tuesday but neither could members agree on how big one should be.

Algonquin To Cut Tax Levy 1.1 Percent

Contrary to the emerging trend, the Algonquin Village Board Tuesday gave a preliminary thumbs up to scaling the Village's tax levy back 1.1 percent for next year.

Village Manager Bill Ganek said he was peering through a pretty long economic telescope since Algonquin's fiscal year doesn't start until March 1 but since sales taxes have rebounded somewhat "we think we can do that."

"We've asked for zero dollars increase in the last three years," said Ganek.  "Now we're trying to make a little stronger statement."

Ganek said part of the key was arrangements to do fleet maintenance, IT support and building inspections for other government agencies.  "We think that's a start toward where we're heading," he said.

In other business the Board passed along new looser owner rules in the Village's age-restricted Grand Reserve subdivision.  Residents in the subdivision would still have to be 55 or over but  the actual homeowners wouldn't.  Community Development Director Russ Farnum said the change would put the largely unbuilt and 25 percent-unbought project on the same footing as other age-restricted communities like Sun City.

The Board also approved drafting an ordinance to support D300's efforts to get a say on the Sears Economic Development Area whose continuance might cost its schools $14 million per year. "We can't let them just roll it through the rubber stamp downstate," said Trustee Bob Smith.

Gun Law Draws Large Crowd To Huntley Tea Party Meet

Even though Huntley Police Chief John Perkins "couldn't be here", Huntley PD cruisers buzzed the Cosman Center parking lot regularly Tuesday evening. There were about 125 Tea Party members inside listening to  speakers on the right to carry a concealed gun.

Tea Party star and Congressman Joe Walsh running for a seat in the reconfigured 14th District including Huntley set the tone.  “(Illinois is) an embarrassment,” Walsh said. “We are the last state standing when it comes to concealed carry."

State Rep. Mike Tryon running for a spot in the new-morphed 66th District is co-sponsor of a bill to allow concealed carry in Illinois.  He said the problem isn't guns, it's gun violence.

On the other side was gun-victims advocate Bill Jenkins, a Northfield performing arts professor whose teen-aged son was shot to death in a fast-food stickup in 1997.  He told the audience guns didn't reduce crime.  That brought some heckling and catcalls from the audience.

Walsh came back to raise the spectre of Operation Fast and Furious in which the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms let firearms be shipped across the border to drug cartel thugs in Mexico. It didn't have much to do with concealed carry but Walsh blamed it on Obama's Attorney General and that seemed to be enough.

In the pic:  Probably the biggest Huntley Tea Party gathering yet listened to the pros and cons Tuesday of walking around with a gun in your pocket.

McHenry County Undersheriff Sets Up Campaign Committee

Undersheriff Andy Zinke confirmed Tuesday he'll run for McHenry County Sheriff in 2014 after ex-Green Party Sheriff's candidate Gus Philpott revealed on his Woodstock Advocate blog the official registration of his campaign committee that morning.

Zinke's the number two man in the Sheriff's Office behind long-time incumbent Keith Nygren.  Nygren's term isn't up until 2014 so there was lots of speculation about why Zinke created a  committee so far in advance of the next election.  Actual information was mostly absent, however.  The Crystal Lake Northwest Herald managed to reach Nygren who merely said he intended to serve his full term.

The only solid bit of information at the moment is the address of "Citizens to Elect Zinke". That's 850 S IL Route 31, Crystal Lake, the address of Rita Corporation. The company's "a leading supplier of specialty chemicals to the personal care industry" but Mike Mahon, Nygren's Democratic foe last year, revealed RITA has been, by a factor of three, the biggest contributor to past Nygren campaigns.  President of the firm is Brian Goode who's been on the Sheriff's Merit Commission for the last nine years.

In the pic:  Sheriff Keith Nygren (left) and Undersheriff Andy Zinke a couple of months ago.

Union Asks State To Slow Closures

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
A union representing public employees is asking lawmakers to slow down on their timeline to consider the closure of several state facilities. According to Gov. Pat Quinn, the budget passed by lawmakers falls $313.5 million short of paying for state operations so his proposed solution includes closing seven state facilities and laying off about 1,900 employees, which he said will save the state about $54.8 million.

But Henry Bayer, executive director of the Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said the schedule for hearings before the legislature's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, which will make recommendations on the proposed closures, would discourage input from the public. “[T]he administration is intent on implementing these closures as quickly as possible with as little public scrutiny as possible," he said.

A statement from AFSCME says that scheduling a hearing on the Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford for next Wednesday — giving the public a week of notice — as  well as scheduling another hearing on the Murphysboro Youth Center in Carbondale on a weekday morning makes it difficult for concerned citizens from the community and employees of the facilities to attend.
AFSCME is asking that hearings be held on nights or weekends with two weeks notice and in the same municipality as the facilities being considered for closure.

Hinsdale Republican Rep. Patricia Bellock, a COGFA co-chair, said scheduling decisions are based solely on the logistics of trying to get as many COGFA members to a hearing as possible. "The whole reason we are having theses hearings is so that people can have public comments,” she said.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/union-asks-state-to-slow-down-on.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
September 27
1524 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD. (RAKOW CURVE) DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. ACEVEDO, FELIPE, M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 3530 BUCKBOARD DR., ALGONQUIN. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
2332 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. OROZCO-LOPEZ, LINO, M/W 50 YEARS OF AGE, 1276 IVY LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No Valid Driver’s License, Cracked Taillight. RELEASED ON BOND.
1216 HRS 8465 PYOTT RD. (APPROVED COMFORT) FOLLOW-UP ARREST: TRESPASS. MARTIN, DANIEL A., M/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, 7 PEBBLE BEACH CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Trespassing. RELEASED ON BOND.
0616 HRS RANDALL RD & VILLAGE RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1528 HRS RANDALL RD & POLARIS DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1732 HRS 800 BLOCK OF DOGWOOD LN. DOMESTIC Ex-husband vs. Ex-wife. Verbal only. No priors.
Huntley
September 19
Juan P. Rueda, age 35, of 1204 Corley Dr., Elgin, was arrested for DUI, DUI blood alcohol content over .08, driving with no valid drivers license and was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol.  Mr. Rueda posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 14, 2011.
A theft report was taken at Huntley High School.  A student reported that her iPod Nano and her calculator were stolen from her locker between September 14 and 16, 2011.
Mr. James R. Pedersen, age 45, of 9768 Dalton, Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant for failure to appear in court.  Mr. Pederson posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 17, 2011.
September 20
Amanda L. Crawford, age 33, of 14411 Kishwaukee Valley Rd., Woodstock, was arrested for driving with no valid driver’s license and was cited for improper lane use.   Ms. Crawford posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 21, 2011.  In the same incident Margaret E. Dore, age 40, of 7610 Hancock St, Wonder Lake, was charged with possession of cannabis.  Ms. Dore was released with a McHenry County court date of October 31, 2011.
September 21
Alexandria A. Feller, age 30, of 14040 Red Hills, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license revoked and was cited for improper lane use.  Ms. Feller posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 28, 2011.
September 22
Alexandria A. Feller, age 30 of 14040 Red Hills, Huntley, IL was arrested for driving while license revoked and was cited for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.  Ms. Feller posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of October 28, 2011.
September 23
A retail theft report was taken at a store in the 10400 block of Rt. 47.
September 24
Randy S. Roewer, age 30, 1821 Butterfield Rd., Woodstock, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for improper lane use and using an electronic communication device while driving.  Mr. Roewer posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of November 4, 2011.
September 25
Criminal damage to vehicle reports were taken in the 10600 block of Matthew St., 11600 block of 2nd St. and the 11600 block of Douglas.  The vehicles' outside mirrors were damaged.
Robert E. Durbin, age 19, of 1743 Newbridge Circle, Elgin, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for defective muffler.  Mr. Durbin posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of November 4, 2011.

D300 Board OK's More Expensive Eight-Period Day

The District 300 Board of Education Monday approved a new eight-period new high school class schedule expected to cost $500,000 to $750,000 more per year than the current one.  Superintendent Michael Bregy said if the money to pay for it doesn't materialize, the District might have to cut back to a seven-period one for the 2013-14 year.

Bregy said students would learn more with the short classes every day instead of ones twice as long every other day but the switch will probably force hiring anywhere from 6 to 14 new teachers.  Exactly how many and how much they'll cost is an open question, he said.  "The classes are driven by student requests," he said.

Whatever the price to replace "block scheduling", Bregy said the District could cover it with savings from convincing teachers cheaper Health Spending Accounts were better than expensive health insurance and from funds the State was suppose to pay the District four years ago for new school buildings.  "We're waiting for Governor Quinn to sign off on the money," he said.

The contingent nature of the financing worried at least two Board members.  "I am very concerned about the numbers," said Member Karen Roeckner. "It'd be very difficult to say we need to spend these dollars if we don't have the money."

Member Joe Stevens was more apocalyptic.  "The whole world has (spent money it didn't have) and we're on the verge of economic collapse," he said, calling Bregy's financial presentation "woefully inadequate."  Nevertheless, Stevens went along with the new plan telling Bregy, "I'm taking you at your word."

Bregy said there were probably other ways to pay for the eight-period day if things don't work out.  He cited stripping the gold plate from Drivers Ed, eliminating PE for kids who play team sports and "flexible scheduling" for students who only want to meet minimum graduation requirements.

If the new schedule still doesn't work, Bregy said the District could always cut back some more.  "It would be easier to go from an eight-period day to a seven period day than from a block (schedule) to a seven-period day," he said.

The Board passed gave its final OK Monday to a $191 million budget to run the District for the current school year. On paper receipts come up $500,000 short in the new budget but they include $31 million in State Aid that members individually doubt since the State still owes the District $4.9 million in aid for the last school year which ended three months ago.

The final 2011-12 budget and analysis is here starting at page 108: http://www.d300.org/files/Web%20Board%20Packet.pdf

One money source the Board has its heart set on protecting is $14 million per year in property tax on the Sears headquarters when the Economic Development Area rebate plan expires in 2014.  The Board scheduled a Special Meeting next Tuesday to pass a resolution against extending it and an informational forum at Westfield Middle School Oct. 13 to explain why.

In the pic:  D300 Superintendent Michael Bregy said even though next year's school day will be 11 minutes longer, "We will not have to change (bus) pickup times in the morning."

Run For The Bear Cancer Fundraiser At Eastview Sunday

There's still time for runners to sign up for Sunday's Run For the Bear along the Fox River starting and ending at Algonquin's Eastview Elementary.  It's the 17th edition of the 5K/10k walk/run for adults or children to support pediatric cancer victims and their families and research.  The walk/run starts at 8 am.

Here's where to start the signup:

https://www.active.com/login.cfm?eventId=1942980&returnTo=https%3A%2
%2Fwww.active.com%2Fregister%2Findex.cfm%3FEVENT_ID%3D1942980%26CHECKSSO%3D0&CFID=75109731&CFTOKEN=96887557

The "Bear" of the Run For the Bear was Algonquin eight-year old Barrett Krupa who succumbed to Wilm's Tumor in 1993.  The national Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation that sponsors the local run and other events and programs was named in his honor.

In the pic:  Young Barret "Bear" Krupa.

Meet Me In St. Louis Coming To Huntley

The Theatre Company of Sun City will present the stage version of the 1944 blockbuster musical film Meet Me in St. Louis at the Drendel Ballroom at Del Webb, Huntley Oct. 10, 12 and 19.

The Judy Garland spectacular included "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", the American Film Institute's 26th and 76th-ranked songs in the top 100 from movie musicals.  They're both in the Theatre Company's version set from 9 am to 2 pm Oct. 10; and 9 am to noon Oct. 12 and 19. 

All seats are reserved with tickets $15 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under.  Call 847/515-8545 OR 847/515-1583 to get 'em.

Tax Hike Not Enough To End Illinois Debt

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Adam Andrzejewski says he's not surprised by a new report showing that Illinois remains in a fiscal black hole despite a 67-percent personal income tax increase approved by the Legislature earlier this year. "The state of Illinois needs to do three things" Andrzejewski said. "That is cut spending, cut spending, and cut spending," said the former gubernatorial candidate and good government advocate.

Lawrence Msall, president of the Chicago based Civic Federation, which bills itself as a nonpartisan research group that focuses on improvements in government efficiency and tax policy, agreed with Andrzejewski. Msall said the report his group released Monday is not designed to tell Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers how to do solve the state's financial problems

"It's a bad financial situation in Illinois. And the tax increase was not enough to solve the problem," Msall said. " There needs to be significant reductions in the (state's) operating costs. That can only be achieved by the state getting its arms around the pension liability problem."

State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said he agrees there is a need for pension reform, but worries that reforms could lead to more budget trickery. "The problem with pension reform, the real savings would not be for a number of years, said Syverson.  "The fear is that Democrat leaders would take those savings and try and take those savings out of this year's payments. That is what got us into this situation."

Kelly Kraft, a spokeswoman for Quinn's budget office, said the tax increases that passed in January were not designed to solve all of the state's budget woes. "Approximately $3 billion was generated from the income tax increase for FY11," Kraft said, "an increase that has helped the state begin to address the decades of fiscal mismanagement that have taken place. But, due to large underfunding of the pension and group insurance systems, more reforms are needed to return our state to sound financial footing."

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6882/tax-hike-not-enough-to-pull-illinois-out-of-debt/http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6882/tax-hike-not-enough-to-pull-illinois-out-of-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
September 26
0134 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & LAKEWOOD RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL/HIT & RUN. THURLWELL, BRIAN E., M/W 40 YEARS OF AGE. 2818 IMPRESSIONS DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Give Aid or Information, Failure to Reduce Speed. RELEASED ON BOND.
1219 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Lost purse.

McHenry County Foreclosure Filings Down, Auctions Down More

Fewer McHenry County foreclosed homes ended up on the auction block in the first half of this year according to a report released for the weekend by the non-profit Chicago-based Woodstock Institute.  But that may just be the result of the Circuit Court processing foreclosures faster than anywhere else in the Chicago area, though.

In most of the County's in the Chicago region analysts thought the drop in foreclosure auctions was because the system's gummed up.  However, by the Institute's tally, McHenry County foreclosure filings in the first half of this year fell almost 12 percent from the same period in 2010 while the number of homes auctioned off, fell 31 percent.  McHenry County now has the shortest foreclosure process time in the six-county Chicago region so the numbers might reflect working off a case backlog faster than anywhere else instead of either a clogged court system or an improvement in the economy.

Nationally, the number of new foreclosure filings has fallen in the past year while processing time has risen. Both are thought to be the result of last year's robo-signing scandal in which banks cut corners on paperwork.

“A prolonged foreclosure process cuts both ways," said Sarah Duda, Senior Research and Project Associate at Woodstock Institute. “It means that vacant homes in foreclosure have more time to become blighted and destabilize neighborhoods. If a family is still in the home, however, the longer process could give them more time to negotiate a solution with their loan servicer.”

As far as accommodations go, the Woodstock Institute doesn't track them. However, since it takes about a year from filing to auction, using figures in the Institute's latest report, only about one in every four McHenry County foreclosures filed in last year's first half went all the way to auction this year.  Ominously, however, investors weren't very interested in them when they did.  The mortgaging banks ended up owning more than 95 percent of auction properties, according to the Institute report, the highest rate in the Chicago region.

The Woodstock Institute report can be found here (it dowloads to file): http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WoodstockInstitute/d83d4d5e47/39bfe534cc/98c5d209ce

In the graph:  Foreclosure Auctions fell generally across the Chicago region in this year's first half.

Toys For Tots Holds Local Cycle Run From LITH

Bands of bikers roared off from the Lake in the Hills American Legion Post Sunday for a Kane/McHenry County loop in the area Toys for Tots Kickoff Benefit Motorcycle Run. The event,  was hosted by the Fox Valley Children’s Organization and the U.S Marine Corps Reserve Air Control Group 48 to gather toys for underprivileged children this Christmas.

The local Toys For Tots run is distinct from the giant Toys for Tots motorcycle event in Chicago in November.  They're both under the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation but Sunday's local event didn't carry the near the risk of hypothermia that Chicago's will.  If you missed the one and can't make the other, the Foundation accepts donations online, too, here:

http://www.toysfortots.org/donate/default.asp

Outlet Store, New Restaurant Readying for Randall

Two new Algonquin businesses are preparing to join the Randall retail corridor resurgence, both in Algonquin Commons. Sears Apparel Outlet Store hopes to open in two Weeks and Nikko's Lodge is shooting for a couple of months.

Sears Apparel Outlet will feature out of season and overstock women's and children's apparel, according to Assistant Manager Kathy Cardelli.  "Prices will be great," she said.  "Tops for $5, $8 sweaters, $10 pants." Oct. 8 is the hoped-for opening in what was formerly Barret's video store and, briefly, a men's haberdasher.

Meanwhile McHenry County's answer to Rich Melman, Huntley's Niko Kanakaris, is gutting the former Barley House (nee Claddagh Pub) to make way for another Nikko's Lodge restaurant.  Kanakaris is already a partner in the Thirsty Whale sports bar and grill in the Commons, not to mention half a dozen other restaurants in the area.

Also on the Algonquin Commons horizon is another shoe store and a popcorn shop.  Shorter term, the new Ross Dress For Less store is supposed to open Oct. 8, too.

In the pics:  (above) Paula Portis and Kathy Cardelli, Assistant Managers sort stock getting ready to open a new Sears Apparel Outlet store in Algonquin Commons.  (below)  Dave Cesario's Lakeshore Group is pulling the interior from the defunct Barley House to make was for a new Niko's Lodge.

Lawmakers Weighing Health Care Concerns

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
During down time between the spring legislative session and the fall veto session, Illinois lawmakers are fretting over looming health care issues. A working group led by Chicago Democratic Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, who heads the House Human Services Budgeting Committee, is looking for ways to cut Medicaid costs.

The budget approved by the committee, which went on to be approved by the legislature, pushes millions in Medicaid costs into Fiscal Year 2013. According to Feigenholtz, the overall Medicaid budget — which is spread out over several state agencies — is slated to lose $765 million in federal stimulus funding in FY 2012. “In FY 13, when we come look at our Medicaid numbers, we’re all going to faint. We’re all going to faint,” she said when her committee was crafting the human services budget this spring.

Meanwhile another group of House members has been working through the summer to prepare for the creation of Illinois’ insurance exchange, which the state must have in place by 2014 under the new federal health care reform law. The group heard testimony from Wakely Consulting, a firm that specializes in implementation of the new federal reforms. Representatives from the firm told lawmakers that the exchange, which is funded by the federal government, would carry a price tag of about $92 million to get up and running. Most of the money would go toward technology costs.

Illinois Department of Insurance reports released last project that the exchange will cut the number of uninsured residents by almost half. The report predicts that the percentage of uninsured Illinoisans will go from 12 percent in 2011 to 7 percent in 2012. The department estimates that 1.4 million Illinoisans will purchase insurance plans through the exchange.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/lawmakers-weighing-health-care-concerns.html

Obituaries

Frank Murach, 83, of Huntley, died Saturday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at  10:30 am next Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley,  with visitation from 9:00 am until the time of Mass.  Burial will be at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery.

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
September 25
0117 HRS FRANK RD. & PEARTREE DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. JOURON, JEFFREY J., M/W 30 YEARS OF AGE, 1825 NASHVILLE LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
0120 HRS PYOTT RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BARKER, MERRILL L., M/W 64 YEARS OF AGE, 11 BRAEBURN LANE, BARRINGTON HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving With a BAC Over .08, Improper Lane Usage, and Improper Turn at an Intersection. RELEASED ON BOND.
0400 HRS 600 BLOCK OF ANDERSON DR. ILLEGAL CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR. JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor and Curfew Violation. RELEASED TO PARENT.
1021 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & MILLER RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. BAUGUS, ANTHONY A., M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 621 HARRISON STREET, ELGIN. CHARGES: Wanted On Warrant: Carol Stream Police Department For Aggravated Driving Under the Influence. Bond: $50,000 at 10%. TURNED OVER TO CAROL STREAM PD.
2150 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF CROSSVIEW LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. ELTVEDT, KEVIN F., M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 5429 CROSSVIEW LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0145 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WESTMINSTER CT. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. One prior.
1427 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & CRYSTAL LAKE RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. A female, 40 years of age, had a back injury. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1507 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. HIT & RUN. Three vehicle accident. Property damage only. A silver colored Honda struck a black Nissan, which then struck a Pontiac. Offending vehicle fled.
1854 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 14 years of age, not feeling well. No transport.
Algonquin
September 23
15:55pm Welninski, Diane M., DOB: 07/27/64, of 540 Nantucket Way, Island Lake, was charged with Theft.  She was taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 11/02/11 in McHenry County.
15:31pm Dade, Tacarra Y., DOB: 03/10/88, of 7644 Emerald Avenue, Chicago, was charged with Felony Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Dominick’s, 101 N Randall Road.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
17:42pm Wilson, Charles J., DOB: 10/25/66, of 5222 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, was charged with Felony Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at the Lake in the Hills Police Department.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
September 24
18:56pm Schau, Ryan P., DOB: 02/11/93, of 1030 Grayhawk Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft and Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody at Meijer, 400 S. Randall Road.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 11/02/11 in McHenry County.
21:27pm A 15 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody at Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 10/26/11 in Algonquin.
September 25
09:16am A 14 year-old female from East Chicago was charged with Battery.  She was taken into custody in the 600 block of Gaslight Drive.  She was Formally Station Adjusted and then released into the custody of a guardian per her mother’s request.
13:45pm Tom, William D., DOB: 05/30/45, of 15809 McGuire Road, Woodstock, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Caputo’s, 100 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 10/26/11 in Algonquin.
23:27pm Hernandez, Ricardo J., DOB: 06/10/80, of 519 W. Highland Avenue, Elgin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Disregarding a Traffic Control Signal.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Route 25.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 10/26/11 in McHenry County.
September 26
01:15am Rugg, Carmella A., DOB: 03/27/85, of 260 N. Annandale Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DUI.  She was taken into custody in the 1700 block of S. Randall Road.  She was released after posting $100 and her Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 10/19/11 in McHenry County.

Strong Start For Huntley Fallfest 2011

Today's the final day for Huntley's annual Fallfest celebration.  The first two days went well.  Chairman Bryant Haniszewski said Friday "went very well considering the weather--probably a little better than last year.  The carnival is busy and and the rest looks pretty crowded right now."

Besides the Fallfest Committee a lot of other groups joined in to help make the event run smoothly, said Haniszewski. "It's just like our slogan 'Where The Community Comes Together,'" he said.  "I think that's happening right here."

 "We've come a long way from one day to three days with the carnival," said Haniszewski.

In the pics:  (above) New this year at Huntley's Fallfest is bowling with pumpkins, although this youngster's bowling style was more in the cricket vein. (below) Attendance was heavy at the local Craft and Home Business Show at Fallfest.  

Busy Day For Grafton E-Waste Recycling, Shredding

Three McHenry County Board Members helped handle the heavy flow of cars and trucks at Saturday's Grafton Township E-Waste Recycling and Records Shredding event.

"They were a lot of people waiting their turn," said District 5 Member John Jung.  "They were lined up all up the road," he said.

"Many people said they were thankful there was a place to drop off their electronics," said District 6 Member Diane Evertsen, "so they didn't go to the landfill or gather dust in the basement."

"This is what townships are about," said District 6 Member Ersel Schuster, "serving the community.  This is local government at its best."

COM2 Recycling Solutions, Carol Stream, hauled off more than six pallets worth of duff and outdated Grafton Township electronics including monitors and TV's.  Beaver Shredding, Willow Springs, ground up five tons of papers.  Residents brought more formerly vital documents but 10,000 pounds was all the mobile shredder had room for.

Freestanding Branch Opens For USBank In Algonquin

Balloons filled the lobby, Stan Mikita scribbled autographs in an alcove and there was a free car out in the parking lot Saturday at the grand opening of USBank's new Algonquin branch.  It marked fifth-largest commercial bank U.S. Bancorp's attempt to grab a larger slice of the area's financial pie.

The new Algonquin USBank is in Amcore's old building on Randall Road and Harnish.  The structure went to 16th-ranked BMO Harris Bank when Amcore collapsed but the Chicago giant already had a branch just a stone's throw up the road.  USBank, meanwhile, only had a couple of counters in the local Meijer Store.

The new USBank branch actually opened its doors to customers a couple of weeks ago but Saturday was the day for official hoopla. By one count, there are now more banks than bars in Algonquin.

Local Painter Honored At D300 Art Fair

Professional and semi-pro Midwest artists took top honors at the District 300 Education Foundation's Juried Art Fair in Algonquin Commons Saturday.  But 2007 Jacobs grad Kris French was proud to earn one of the honorable mentions. She's a Fine Arts major at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, working in oils who said, "This the first Arts Fair I've been in."

The Arts Fair is also the dropoff site for the Education Foundation's drive to collect musical instruments for middle-school bands.  "We've had a guitar, a recorder and two trombones are coming," said Diane Magerko, organizer.  "Oh, and a piano and an organ.  We have to check if we can use those."

In the pic:  Algonquin painter Kris French cited Takashi Murikami as an influence on her work as District 300 Ed Foundation's Diane Magerko handed her the only local Honorable Mention ribbon at this year's Juried Art Fair.

Hopeful NFL'ers Fill The Air At LITH Parks & Rec Competition

Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department capped a Day of Play at LeRoy Guy Park Saturday with its annual Punt, Pass & Kick Competition. It's actually part of a national skills program for boys and girls aged 6 to 15, the oldest of the NFL's Youth Football programs.  "We had a girl who made it to (the state competition) at Soldier Field a little while ago," said Parks & Rec tapeman for the day Trevor Bosack.

In the pic:  Nine-year old Kyle Koelblinger toed the old (synthetic these days) pigskin Saturday for a chance to go on the sectionals in the Punt, Pass and Kick Competition.

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
September 24
0339 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTIS) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. CASTILLO, JUAN, M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 4014 BERKSHIRE CT., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0747 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. KUKULSKI III, EDWARD, M/W 48 YEARS OF AGE, 280 INDIAN TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1132 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. WOJCIECHOWSKI, JAMES C., M/W 49 YEARS OF AGE, 212 ROCHESTER RD., POPLAR GROVE. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Boone County, for Failure to Appear for Domestic Battery Bodily Harm, Bond Full Cash $725. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1711 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. INJURY ACCIDENT/DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SMITH, STEVEN T., M/W 51 YEARS OF AGE, 19 CLARK AVE., LAKE IN THE HILLS, CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, Failure to Give Aid, Failure to Give Information, Failure to Notify, Operating a Vehicle with Blood Alcohol over .08, Disregard Traffic Control Device, Violation of Drivers License Restrictions, and Brake Equipment Violation. RELEASED ON BOND. Female, 64 years of age, transported to Sherman Hospital.
2053 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD., (DOMINICKS) RETAIL THEFT. SUTTER, KYLE J., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 11185 DOUGLAS AVE., HUNTLEY.
CHARGE: Retail Theft, Battery, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. RELEASED ON BOND.
1028 HRS 5000 BLOCK OF PRINCETON LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1217 HRS 0 BLOCK OF BIRCHWOOD CT. DOMESTIC. Step-mother vs. Step-son. No priors. Verbal only.
1326 HRS HILLTOP DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Female, 19 years of age, neck pain. Transported to Woodstock Memorial.
1657 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR DR. MISSING JUVENILE. Male, 14 years of age, left the residence on 092311 at 1700 hrs. Juvenile returned home.