Marines Serve Meals, Collect Toys In Algonquin On Veterans Day

The Marine Reserve Toys For Tots program gathered $350 in donations and almost 100 toys at Algonquin's Colonial Cafe on Veterans day as active-duty Marines served meals there.

Organizers were pleased but hoped for more so Toys For Tots collection barrels will remain in the Algonquin and other Colonial Cafes until December 14. "Toys for Tots supplies most of the toys for local charities at Christmas," said Algonquin's Anna Sourile, Junior Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Marine Corps League.

In the pic:  Little Cadence Carpenter helped Dad, Norman, put the Algonquin family's toy donations in the Toys For Tots collection barrel at Colonial Cafe Friday.  "When you donate a toy to the Marines you know they're going to go where they need to go," said Mom, Kristen Carpenter.

Military Honored At ECC, MCC Center

Elgin Community College’s Military Branches United student organization paid homage to the college’s 300 veterans and others who served their country during a ceremony at ECC Friday.
“Today is a day we should be appreciative of veterans,” sid Military Branches United President Jason Crum, a Navy vet. “Together we have served and we still have everyone’s backs.”

Honor also went to veterans killed or missing in action, as group members constructed a “battlefield cross” made of combat boots, a dog tag, a mock rifle, and a helmet. A poppy wreath was placed in front of the memorial. The student organization is one several resources for veterans at ECC, named a Military Friendly School for 2012 by G.I. Jobs magazine.

Meanwhile McHenry County College’s Shah Center, McHenry, opened “Portraits of American Veterans Project” Friday. It's an exhibit of oil paintings of local American veterans with photographs and stories about the veterans told in their own words, through Dec. 18. Artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner included veterans of all ages, both men and women in her work, now 14 portraits representing veterans from WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Kosovo Conflict, Philippine Conflict, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In the pic:  Military Branches United student organization memorial to KIA and MIA's at ECC.

Huntley Jaycees Raise Funds For Area Cancer Victim

Huntley Jaycee's Annual Wheel of Meat raffle at Pinecrest Golf Club raised more than $3,500 Friday, a very respectable figure, but only a little over one tenth the amount required for a single chemotherapy treatment for Jessica Rancak, the event's sole beneficiary this year, a victim of Acute Lymphatic Leukemia.

Rancak with husband Tom and daughters Olivia and Lily appeared at the event but only briefly since she's really not supposed to be out and about.  Pediatric cancer survivor 6 year-old Teagan Haniszewski was one of those who took a turn spinning the Wheel Of Meat to benefit Rancak.

In the pic:  Huntley Jaycees' Wheel of Meat won't be the only event to help with Rancak's medical bills which already stand at $750,000.  Huntley Culvers' will host a fundraiser Nov. 28 and another's set at Buffalo Wild Wings later on.

Metra Board Approves Fare Increases, Changes

The Metra Board of Directors Friday approved the agency’s 2012 budget including across-the-board fare increases and a variety of other policy changes. The overall average increase is 25.1 percent.

Starting Feb. 1, one way tickets will increase an average of 15.7 percent across all fare zones, while 10-ride tickets will go up an average of 30 percent and monthly passes will increase an average of 29.4 percent. Reduced fare one-way tickets will increase an average of 10.3 percent, reduced fare 10-ride tickets will increase an average of 18.9 percent and reduced fare monthly passes will go up an average of 10.8 percent.  The new fare chart is attached.

Several fare polices also will change starting Feb.1. Those include:

    * One-way tickets will only be valid for 14 days, instead of a year, and they will no longer be refundable.
    * The 10-ride ticket discount will be reduced so that riders will get 10 rides for the price of nine, rather than 10 for the price of eight.
    * Young adult fares on weekends and holidays will be eliminated.

Metra’s 2012 budget includes $686.8 million for operations and a $244.1 million capital program. The fare increase will help cover a budget deficit next year due to a spike in diesel fuel prices, new federal regulations and higher insurance premiums. Proceeds from the regional transportation sales tax also have fallen short of expectations due to the moribund economy. Metra decided to stop diverting funds from its capital budget to plug holes in its operating budget, too.

New fare tables can be found here:
http://metrarail.com/content/dam/metra/documents/2012%20Budget%20Fare%20Tables.pdf

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
November 11
0248 HRS HARVEST GATE & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.  CUNDIFF, JONATHAN S., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 2255 APPLEWOOD LN., WOODSTOCK. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08,Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
1336 HRS CEDAR RIDGE DR. & ALGONQUIN RD. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPERNALIA. COX, RONALD, M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 2340 LEYDEN AVE., RIVER GROVE. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. RELEASED ON BOND.
1428 HRS 200 BLOCK OF FERRYVILLE DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, three years of age, fell and hit his head. No Transport.
1728 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Property damage only.
2127 HRS 5500 BLOCK OF DANBURY CIRCLE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 2 years of age, with a finger injury. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2244 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Sex Offender failed to register. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.

Another Grafton Suit Coming: Assessor Vs. Supervisor

Grafton Township Assessor Bill Ottley Thursday handed members of the Township Board copies of a lawsuit he said he'll file Monday against Supervisor Linda Moore.  Ottley said Moore's chronically late bill-paying now threatens to lose his phone service and his suit will ask a judge to remove her from office.

Earlier in the evening Ottley had clashed with Moore over his latest late phone bill saying he'd talked with AT&T reps.  "They said at any time they could cut off my phone," said Ottley.  "That would shut (my office) down."

Moore said the problem was in AT&T's billing department which, she maintained, keeps mixing up checks for Ottley's lines and the rest of the Township's phone service. She said it was Ottley's fault she couldn't get it straightened out.  "I cannot call AT&T because he has (his account) password-protected."

The phone bills aren't the only point of conflict, though.  The assessor's suit will complain Moore's refused to send a $3,600 downpayment check approved by the Board to begin work on some ventilation windows in the Assessor's offices.  That, too, was touched on before Ottley's lawsuit announcement.

"It's been a bill approved three different times and you refuse to pay it," complained Trustee Barb Murphy.  Moore's attorney earlier told Judge Michael Caldwell he thought Ottley's windows were a ploy to evade putting extensive remodeling out for bid.  "He misinformed the judge by saying that," charged Trustee Betty Zirk.

In other action, the Board revealed a Muslim group that wanted to build a mosque and community center on the Township's now-abandoned new offices site has withdrawn its offer.  A letter in the meeting packet dated Nov. 2 from the American Muslim Community Organization withdrew their $100,000 offer for the Haligus Road property.  That's the amount the Township paid for the property but the Board's asking $120,000 for the awkwardly-shaped plot to cover "expenses". After the meeting Trustees all said AMCO's offer was too low.  Moore said she couldn't remember what she argued for in closed session conferences earlier but Thursday she was for it.

The last distinction at Thursday's Board meeting was the presence of a Huntley Police officer.  HPD Assistant Chief Todd Fulton said Moore had requested one but he didn't know why.  Moore told FEN it was "to keep everything calm," but she wouldn't say why she thought things would be otherwise.

The Board set a workshop for the next tax levy for Nov. 21 at 7:30 pm at the Park District Rec. Center.

In the pic: Grafton Assessor Bill Ottley.

More Hearings On Sears EDA Before Special Session Vote

Two committee hearings next week and a third the week after are scheduled on a bill that could cost District 300 about $8 million it thinks it ought to get.  The Legislature failed Thursday to act on an incentive package to keep retail giant Sears and trading monolith CME from moving out of Chicago. D300's fate is tied to it.  A special session's now planned to start Nov. 29, reset from Nov. 21.

Continuation of the Sears Economic Development Area is contained in the package for Sears including an increase in the District's share of property taxes from it to about $6 million.  That's double what it gets now but far less than the $14 million numbers crunchers figure it would get if the EDA runs out at the end of next year.

Students from D300 testified before the House Revenue & Finance Committee Thursday but the main spotlight was on where the state can find about $600 Million to keep Sears and CME from folding their tents.  The bill calls for finagling Illinois' tax code to let Sears and CME keep more money. That only begs the question of where to find more revenue to replace what the State's willing to give up.

D300 and the Sears EDA tax rebate plan are tied together in three different bills.  One which would have given the District nothing more than it gets now seems sidetracked in the Senate.  Another giving the district more missed a vote Thursday.  What appears to be the main bill giving D300 a bigger EDA share has a deadline of Nov. 30.

Huntley To Look At Broadband Hookup At New Interchange

Huntley planners proposed adding a fiber optic interconnection at the Route 47/I-90 interchange to keep the village in the race for future development.  The proposal came during Thursday's annual review of the Village's 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, a measure to put next year's bricks and mortar budget in a long-view context.

Village Manager Dave Johnson told trustees there's already a fiber optic trunk running along the 1-90 right of way and putting in a connection to it would be a good idea before the new full interchange gets built over it.  Next year's draft budget has $100,000 slotted in to plan for the hookup.

The connection would allow a heavy-duty fiber optic line to run up the the Village's industrial park to serve engineering firms, tech manufacturers and call centers that might site there.  Johnson said digital infrastructure's reached a point at which that kind of service is no longer a clincher to attract new business.  However, he said, "We're pretty certain a lack of access will eliminate us for consideration."

Johnson said there are a lot of details to work out, like, with whom, exactly, to interconnect.  District 300 might be one likely choice, he said.  D300's in the process of hooking up all of its schools to a high-speed broadband network and it's recruiting municipalities in southeastern McHenry and northeastern Kane counties to tie in with it.

Huntley's capital plans and expected costs for the next five years are outlined here:

http://www.huntley.il.us/documents/11-10-11VBmeetingwebsitepacket.pdf

In other action the Board gave a final OK to put a referendum question on aggregating village residents' electric bills on the March ballot.  Johnson promised lots of information before then to explain the proposal which holds forth the prospect for lower power costs.

In the pic: Orange, aqua and yellow are usually civilian fiber optic cables. Slate and green are specifically military types in this unidentified broadband installation.

Whooping Cough Doubles In McHenry County, More Cases Locally

The McHenry County Department of Health announced Thursday the county's whooping cough outbreak more than doubled in six days to a new total of 79.  About half remain concentrated in the Fox River Grove/Cary area but it's spreading in Crystal Lake and new outbreaks appeared in Woodstock and McHenry.  Four new cases were confirmed in the Huntley/Lake in the Hills area bringing the total for those villages and Algonquin to six.

The underlying problem is that baby shots against whooping cough wear off around puberty.  Without a booster there's no protection and the disease is easily communicable.  Info about symptoms and treatment is here:

http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/

MCDH has another walk-in vaccine clinic set next Wednesday at its Crystal Lake headquarters (http://www.mcdh.info/) but the vaccine's supposed to be readily available from pharmacies and family physicians.

McHenry County’s last significant pertussis outbreak was in 2004 when ther were 191 cases.

In the pic:  Whooping cough bacteria through a microscope.

Judge Rules Sheriff Brutality Suit Can Go Ahead

A Federal judge Thursday threw out parts of a civil suit against the McHenry County Sheriff's office charging deputies brutalized an elderly couple but he left most of it to go forward to trial.

Jerome and Carla Pavlin claim deputies smashed through the door of their Nunda Township home in 2008 to arrest their son and when the parents, then 81 and 66, remonstrated,  began beating Jerome and shoved Carla into a countertop injuring her.  Deputies said the pair attacked them but the State's Attorney's office declined to prosecute their charges.

Thursday Federal Judge Frederick J. Kapala ruled against Sheriff's motions to throw out claims of unlawful entry, excessive force and conspiracy.  He did toss some charges of unlawful arrest, some others about excessive force and a claim that some of the deputies should have stopped the other deputies.

Quinn Hopes To Slow Facility Closures

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to close seven state facilities may soon be put on hold, but layoff notices have already gone out to some workers.

Members of the General Assembly are in talks with Quinn about shifting funds to avoid the looming closures, which Quinn had planned to implement in the closing months of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. Kelly Kraft, Quinn’s budget spokesperson, said she expects an agreement to be reached when lawmakers return for an additional session beginning on November 29. The House announced last night plans to return to the Capitol later this month to work on a business friendly tax incentive plan that didn’t gel during the time frame that legislative leaders set for the General Assembly's fall veto session.

But Quinn has not backed away from the idea of closing state institutions. The new plan calls for the shuttering up to four centers for the developmentally disabled and at least two mental health centers.

Kraft said the money to keep the facilities open would likely come from Quinn’s budget vetoes, which stand because they did not come up for a vote this week, and transfers from special funds — the same funds targeted by Senate Democrats as a revenue source during their failed attempt to add spending to the budget shortly after it passed. She said federal Medicaid dollars might also be tapped.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability voted to keep all seven  facilities open. Though many members said they thought some facilities should be closed, they objected to Quinn’s rushed timeline. Republican legislators, including House Majority Leader Tom Cross, have accused Quinn of targeting facilities in Republican districts. These opponents called on the governor to slow down the process and put all state facilities on the table.

“There’s a right way to close these places and a wrong way to do it, and I thought this was the wrong way,” said Rep. Kevin McCarthy, an Orland Park Democrat.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/quinn-hopes-to-slow-facility-closures.html

Obituaries

Albert J. Litwin, 92, of Huntley, died Wednesday, at Hospice of Northeastern Illinois. A memorial service will be held Sunday at 1 pm, at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Litwin was born April 7, 1919, in Detroit, the son of Samuel and Lillian (Segal) Litwin. He married Dorothy Sapero on April 1, 1951. He is survived by his wife of Huntley; his four sons, Jim (Doris) Litwin of Buffalo Grove, Doug Litwin of San Francisco, CA, Sandy Litwin of Des Plaines and Marty (Karin) Litwin of Algonquin, and by his grandchildren, Kendall, Brian, Matthew, Laura, Emily and Ben.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Huntley Community Radio.

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
November 10
1141 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD. (RAKOW CURVE) DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CAMP, DAVID J., M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE. 1237 FERNLEAF DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, Use of a Wireless Device While In a Construction Zone. RELEASED ON BOND
0120 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 29 years of age, possibly having a seizure. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1051 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) THEFT. Delayed. Purse was taken.
1052 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) THEFT. Delayed. Cell phone was taken.
1759 HRS 200 BLOCK OF STICKLEY LN. DOMESTIC Mother vs. Son. Verbal only. No priors.
2143 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 38 years of age, having chest and stomach pains. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
November 7
20:35pm A 17 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Criminal Damage to Property.  He was taken into custody in the 2600 block of Williamsburg Drive.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his grandmother.
22:04pm Baxin-Polito, Felipe, DOB: 05/26/65, of 1510 Meghan Avenue, Algonquin, was Wanted on an Immigration Warrant.  He was taken into custody at Gourmet House, 1740 E. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await pick up by Immigration Services.
November 9
15:40pm Schriner, Marty L., DOB: 02/11/87, and Pestka, Paige E., DOB: 02/21/91, both of 300 Paulina Unit B, Crystal Lake, were charged with Retail Theft.  Both were taken into custody at Walmart 1410 S. Randall Road.  Both were released after posting $150 with a court date of 12/14/11 in McHenry County.
23:15pm Aguirre, Michael, DOB: 05/23/86, of 701 Evergreen Court, Algonquin, was charged with three Counts of Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 701 Evergreen Court.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
November 10
13:50pm Sylvester, Ronald G., DOB: 11/20/63, of 8000 W. Badura, Las Vegas, NV, was Wanted on a Warrant out of DuPage County for Failure to Appear on a Possession of Cannabis charge.  He was also Wanted on a Warrant out of Cook County for Dangerous Drugs.  He was picked up by DuPage County when unable to post bond.

Sears EDA Plan Likely To Go To Special Session

A plan to let District 300 have double the money it looked like it might get when the Legislature's veto session began Tuesday remained attached Wednesday to a larger bill to keep Sears and trading markets giant CME headquartered in Illinois. However, that plan has so much opposition legislative leaders are calling for an extra session before Thanksgiving to deal with it.

Sears and, more importantly, CME which pays about 6 percent of yearly Illinois corporate income taxes, have threatened to move out of the state if it doesn't give them some breaks.  However, Wednesday CME's chairman backed off a Thursday deadline for action after some legislators balked at financing the breaks by taking back a general tax break for companies that add new equipment. "This is giving big business a break at the expense of small businesses," said McHenry County Republican State Rep. Mike Tryon Wednesday.

Meanwhile District 300 officials Wednesday tried to figure out where plans to renew the Sears Economic Development Area were going.  Heading into this week's three-day veto session a stand-alone EDA amendment called for the District to lose an extra $11 million it figures it ought to get if the Sears District expires on schedule.  The Sears/CME package includes an extra $3 million for the District if the EDA's renewed which D300 officials have said is at least a step in the right direction.  However, late Tuesday basically the same package popped up in yet another bill.  In a release Wednesday District officials didn't actually charge skullduggery but said, "No one has explained why there are two competing bills that essentially try to do the same things."

McHenry County State Sen. Pam Althoff Wednesday pulled her name as sponsor off the bill into which the mystery amendment was inserted by Chicago Heights Sen. Toi Hutchinson. Elgin Senator Mike Noland introduced an amendment Wednesday to cancel Hutchinson's amendment.

Tryon's summation Wednesday was, "I don't think anything's going to happen tomorrow," on the Sears/CME package or the EDA renewal.  But a while later he qualified that saying, "unless it does".

In the pic:  District 300's fortunes are currently tied to those of Chicago trading giant CME.

Lawyers To Ask Bianchi If He Can Investigate Nygren

Judge Thomas Meyer agreed Wednesday to allow ex-McHenry County Deputy Zane Seipler's lawyer to take a sworn statement from State's Attorney Lou Bianchi in his quest for a Special Prosecutor for Sheriff Keith Nygren.

Attorney Blake Horwitz made the request after Special Counsel for the State's Attorney, William Caldwell, had nothing to say to the judge about whether Bianchi was legally "unavailable" to investigate the Sheriff.

"Reading the transcript...we got the impression you had satisfied that question," said Caldwell.

"I have not ruled that the State's Attorney is unable to attend," said Meyer who, 22 months after Seipler called for a Special Prosecutor, has settled almost nothing in the case except that he doesn't have to decide if there's evidence a crime's been committed.

"If it is established (Bianchi) is able to attend (to the investigation) everything else is irrelevant," said Meyer.

Horwitz, admitting he was frustrated, said, in essence, why don't we ask him?

Meyer thought that was a good idea but set the next hearing date for Dec. 22. By that time the law everyone's been arguing about may have changed.  McHenry County State Reps Mike Tryon and Jack Franks' bill to rein in Special Prosecutors passed the House Wednesday and, among other things, it sets a lot of new rules about appointing them when the State's Attorney can't take a case.

In the pic: State's Attorney Lou Bianchi

Algonquin Township Assessments Coming Soon

Assessor Bob Kunz told the Algonquin Township Board Wednesday he'd sent this year's property assessments to Woodstock earlier that day.  "I'm exhausted," said Kunz who reported, overall, assessments were down about 6.5 percent but still have to be equalized at the County before they're published and sent out.

The rest of Wednesday's meeting included fulmination about a recent Better Government Association investigation claiming Cook County townships, particularly Road Districts, waste taxpayer money.

"What they didn't say," fumed Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, "Is that 50 percent of the money goes to the municipalities.  In our case that's over $ 1 million that we never see."

Trustee Dan Shea observed townships in Cook County don't have much to do with McHenry County, anyway.  "In some (McHenry County) townships the whole the road district is a guy--and another guy to help him," he said.

Huntley Fire Victim Identified

The Kane County Coroners Office late Wednesday released the identity of the man found dead in a Sun City fire Friday.  Coroner's deputies said they identified the body of James Horn from dental records and have sent forensic samples to a toxicology lab for screening.

James W. Horn, according to public records, was the owner of the home badly damaged by the fire still being investigated by the Huntley Fire Protection District and the State Fire Marshall.

Wednesday's release didn't say whether the gross autopsy indicated Horn died before or during the fire.  Deputy Coroner Karen Engh said that wouldn't be available until a report from the Coroner's forensic pathologist.

House Approves Plan To Pay Regional Superintendents

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
School officials who have worked for months without pay are one step closer to getting a paycheck.
The Illinois House Wednesday approved a Senate bill to pay regional school superintendents out of a local revenue stream. The administrators have not received pay since Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed the funding for their salaries last summer. However, many have continued to work.

The legislation's sponsor, Rep. Frank Mautino, a Spring Valley Democrat, called the situation “an embarrassment to the state of Illinois, and it needs to be corrected.” The bill would allow for regional superintendents to be paid for one year, including back pay from the time they have worked without compensation, out of personal property replacement tax revenues, money that goes to local governments.

Mautino said that the plan would cost about $13 million but representatives of local governments say the real issue is not the price tag, it’s about the state shifting the cost of an office created by the legislature onto them. Joe McCoy, legislative director for the Illinois Municipal League, said there is concern that some lawmakers are starting to view money from the personal property replacement tax as a “slush fund of the state of Illinois.

The deadline has passed for lawmakers to override Quinn’s veto, so the bill appears to be the superintendents’ only hope. But some opponents said the General Assembly should not swoop in to fix a problem that Quinn created. "I don’t know how many times we’re going to have to keep cleaning up the mess that our governor is making,” said McHenry County Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat. McHenry County doesn't have to worry about back pay for its Regional Superintendent, though. It doesn't have one since the winner of the last election refused to take office as the pay fiasco loomed.

A Senate committee approved the bill Wednesday evening, and supporters expect it to come up for a floor vote in that chamber today.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/house-approves-plan-to-pay-school.html

Gaming Expansion, Other Issues Still Stalled

by Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
A revamped version of a gaming expansion package, failed to pass Wednesday in the Illinois House. Sponsor Skokie Democratic Rep. Lou Lang said Tuesday that he was seeking a veto-proof majority, but the bill failed to gain even the simple majority needed to move it over to the Senate.

Lang said the new bill was a better version of a gaming package that lawmakers approved last spring. “This bill provides less gaming and more oversight,” said Lang. But in the end, the sticking point was allowing horse racing tracks to have slot machines. Quinn is opposed but Lang and Waukegan Democratic Sen. Terry Link, the gaming point man in his chamber, say a gambling expansion cannot pass in the legislature without them. “We’ll get to the bottom of it and figure out if we can find the necessary votes to pass it by tomorrow,” said Lang.

Other issues could bleed into extra session days. House Minority Leader Tom Cross has yet to call his plan to reduce pension benefits for workers hired before reduced benefits kicked in this year. The deadline has passed to override Quinn’s budget vetoes, which include a cut to Medicaid reimbursements for hospitals and an unpopular cut to funding for school transportation. Without a corresponding rate cut, the Medicaid reduction would essentially push bills into next fiscal year. The vetoes stand, so lawmakers may look to make budget tweaks in the near future.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/house-plans-additional-session-to.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
November 09
1530 HRS 4300 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. LYDON, MARK P., M/W 45 YEARS OF AGE, 4300 BARHARBOR DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS, CHARGE: Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL
0450 HRS ROUTE 47 & ACKMAN RD. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. deer. Property damage only.
0809 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1024 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1450 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF PYOTT RD. THEFT. Of a License Plate. Entered into LEADS.
1525 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles.  Male, 23 years of age, with back pain. Transported toSherman Hospital.
1528 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1629 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1634 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HANSON RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
time NL MILLER RD. & LITCHFIELD LN. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. tree. Property damage only.
November 8
2028 HRS 900 BLOCK OF MESA DR. WANTED ON WARRANT. JOHNSTON, KELLY ANN, F/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 970 MESA DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS.  CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant out of McHenry County for Family Offense, bond is set at $1,500.00 / 10% applies. RELEASED ON BOND.
0204 HRS 10 BLOCK OF ROYAL OAK CT. FOLLOW UP ARREST: DOMESTIC BATTERY. CHMIELOWIEC, ERIC C., M/W 43 YEARS OF AGE, 13 ROYAL OAK CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0207 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF BURR ST. SUICIDAL SUBJECT. Male, 29 years of age feeling depressed. No transport.
0640 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Property damage only.
1455 HRS 100 BLOCK OF ACORN RD. BATTERY. Juvenile was battered by babysitter’s mother.  PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING DETECTIVE.
1507 HRS 0 BLOCK OF BIRCHWOOD CT. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 9 years of age fell and injured her back. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1534 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Vehicle was entered between 110411 and 110811. A purse was removed. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS
1708 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. INJURY ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Female, 39 years of age with a neck injury. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Huntley
October 31
Margaret M. Przeklasa, age 43, of 12291 Glazier St, Huntley, IL was arrested on an outstanding Whiteside County warrant for  failure to appear in court.  Ms. Przeklasa posted bond and was released with a Whiteside County court date of November 23, 2011.
A violation of order of protection report was taken in the 11700 block ofWoodcreek Dr.
November 1
Three criminal damage to property reports were taken.  Mail boxes were damaged in the 12400 block of Carmel Lane and the 12500 block of Pheasant Ridge.
Brock J. Reynolds, age 24, 4373 Rolling Hills, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for Possession of Cannabis and was cited for texting while driving and no drivers license on person.  Mr. Reynolds posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 9, 2011.
Ryan C. Cervantes-Thilgen, age 35, of 5N733 Castle Dr., St. Charles, was arrested for DUI and was cited for improper lane usage and transportation of open alcohol.
Mr. Cervantes-Thilgen posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of November 18, 2011.
Alicia N. Norman, age 28, of 10601 Nantucket, Huntley,  was arrested on two counts of domestic battery.  Ms. Norman was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
November 2
An iPod Touch was reported stolen at the High School by a student.  The student states the iPod was stolen out of her back pocket.
Jesse Gonzalez, age 21, of 566 Walnut Ave., Elgin, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Mr. Gonzalez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 16, 2011.
Jodi S. Schultz, age 45, of 11614 Algonquin Rd, Huntley, was arrested for theft.  Ms. Schultz was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
Walter H. Tanner, age 44, of 10411 Church St. 3C, Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding DuPage County warrant for contempt of court.  Mr. Tanner was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond.
November 3
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11600 block of 2nd St.  Two mailboxes were damaged.
Lobelia Xochihua, age 35, of 10700 Wing Point, Huntley, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Ms. Xochihua posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 16, 2011.
November 4
William J. Kindall, age 20, of 1009 Wedgewood Dr., Crystal Lake, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.  Mr. Kindall posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 23, 2011.  In the same incident Joseph A. Beausang, age 18, of 899 Camelot Dr., Crystal Lake, was arrested for unlawful delivery of cannabis and unlawful possession of cannabis and was cited for speeding.  Mr. Beausang was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
A theft report was taken in the 12900 block of Cold Springs Dr. Solar powered lights and a solar powered mole repeller were stolen from the yard of a residence.
November 6
Tina M. Hanson, age 40, of 10815 Church St, Huntley, was arrested for 2 counts of domestic battery.  Ms. Hanson was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.

Pressure Mounts On Lawmakers For Sears, CME Stay-Put Package

Maneuvering in Springfield Tuesday held out hope that District 300 may come out of a Sears Economic Development Area renewal with more than it has now, although still less than the $14 million it thinks it ought to have.

Plans to extend a property tax rebate on Sears headquarters for another 15 years are now tied with the same bill that would give Sears and Chicago exchanges owner CME breaks on State income taxes so they won't move out of Illinois.  Another bill to renew the property tax rebate plan would have left District 300 with no more revenue than it gets now, about $3 million per year.  The new bill would double that to about $6 million.

Superintendent Michael Bregy, Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates, and D300 parent Kathleen Burley told  the House Revenue and Finance Committee Tuesday evening the latest plan still gives too much money to Sears' host village Hoffman Estates for running the plan, about $5 million per year.

Legislators attention, however, was more on the State subsidies and how to pay for them.  The proposed Sears and CME breaks, estimated at about $600 million to start, depend on "de-coupling" the State income tax from a temporary federal instant asset depreciation schedule.  Some lawmakers didn't see that as a very dependable funding source.

When legislators began to talk about postponing a decision on the package until a Special Session later on, Terrence Duffy, CME's executive chairman put the pressure on saying the financial giant needed an answer now.  Sears upped the pressure, too, revealing it has a relocation offer from another state in its pocket worth $400 million.  A third-hand (at least) source says it's from Michigan.

If CME won't wait, legislators have only today and tomorrow to get something through both chambers but whether that will include the Sears EDA is still an open question.  Yesterday saw yet another amendment about the EDA tacked on to yet another unrelated bill.  That one seems to separate the EDA again from any State subsidies.  Parents' support group Advance 300 reported they talked to the original bill sponsors and Chicago Democratic Senator John Mulroe promptly pulled his name off it.

In the pic:  D300 middle schoolers bussed to watch Tuesday's legislative maneuvers wore highly identifiable red shirts in the galleries.

LITH Tax Levy To Decrease, Too

Lake in the Hills is on track to become the second local village to decrease its tax levy for the coming year.  Algonquin trustees last month cranked back that village's total property tax bite by 1.1 percent.  Tuesday LITH Trustees gave initial approval to scale their village property tax request back 1.2 percent from last year.

LITH Finance Director Pete Stefan said pension fund actuaries aren't demanding as much money from the village as they when the stock market crashed.  Village Administrator Jerry Sagona said sales tax revenue is beginning to improve again, too.  Mostly he said the decrease was because, "We are cognizant of what goes on outside the friendly confines of Village Hall."

The Board's expected to give an official OK to a $5,560,260 levy against 2011 property taxes Thursday.

In other action, the Board gave a first OK to a March referendum question about whether to set up a village power aggregation plan to lower residents' electric bills.  Another of many proposals popping up around McHenry County, the plan would lump LITH residents together to negotiate lower electric rates from power generating companies.  "I believe there are only two referendums that have failed on this topic," said Sagona.

The referendum question, too, is expected to receive official approval Thursday.

LITH Historical Society President Bob Spooner told trustees his group only needs to raise about $2,500 more to move the historic one-room Ford School out of the way of the wrecking ball in Algonquin back to its original location in LITH's Ford School Park.  Village President Ed Plaza said since the matter wasn't on the agenda the Board couldn't officially do anything Tuesday but promised a letter of support from the village would be forthcoming.

Plaza closed out the meeting with a report of a meeting Monday with McHenry County planners to reiterate his personal opposition to the so-called Continuous Flow Intersection proposed for Randall and Algonquin roads.  The CFI's been stirring a little bit lately with plans afoot for a local expedition to go look at one in operation near St. Louis.

Plaza said he told McHenry County Division of Transportation and County Board members the CFI would devastate LITH business and was an unproven solution to an unproved problem.  "I don't see this in Schaumburg; I don't see this in Naperville," he said, where traffic congestion's even worse.

Plaza reported the planners' response was that they were going to hold a hearing about the CFI.  Probably in January.

Tax Levy Cap Bill Killed In House

Rural McHenry County State Rep. Jack Franks' popular and populist plan to stanch property tax increases went down in flames in Springfield Tuesday.  The House voted 73 to 34 to kill the measure that would have prevented a tax increase if the value of all the homes in a tax district fell.

State Representative Kent Gaffney (R-Lake Barrington), a co-sponsor said he was disappointed. “Some of my constituents had their property tax bills go up as much as 15 or 20 percent," he said. "To me, it is completely unfair for people to be paying higher property taxes when their property values are declining.” However, while Franks' bill would have capped districts' collective tax bites, it didn't touch their tax rates and that's the number that, multiplied against each assessment, determines individual tax bills.

Even so, political pros thought there was enough support that Reps would vote to send the bill along to the Senate where it could lie around until Spring.  Now the pundits believe taxing bodies, especially schools, lobbied legislators hard the last couple of weeks to get rid of the measure entirely.

Area Reps Franks, Gaffney and Mike Tryon voted for the bill.

In the pic: Jack Franks

Pension Changes Still Up In The Air

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
A bill to overhaul pensions benefits for state workers was approved by a House committee Tuesday evening, but the measure’s future remains uncertain.

The bill would reduce retirement benefits for workers hired before a new benefits system took effect in January. If the measure becomes law and survives court challenges vowed by unions, employees hired under the old system would be allowed to keep all the benefits they earned until the law goes into effect. After the law kicked in, they would have to pay more to keep their current or so-called tier one benefits, switch to the so-called second tier that contains workers since January with reduced benefits and a later retirements, or move their money to a savings plan similar to a 401(k).

“Without reform, we must either watch as pension contributions crowd out all other state services … or accept responsibility for allowing the pension funds to fail,” said Tyrone Fahner, president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, one of the driving forces behind the pension reform push.

 However, union officials argued that changes to benefits for employees hired under the old plan are unconstitutional. “Whether it was corporate tax breaks or new programs — for decades these tax breaks and these programs have been paid for in part by putting off or ignoring pension payments due to these good workers," said Michael Carrigan, Illinois AFL-CIO president.

After the hearing, House Minority Leader Tom Cross declined to comment on his next move. He claimed in the first week of veto session that he has 30 Republican “yes” votes for the plan and said it was up to bill co-sponsor House Speaker Michael Madigan to supply 30 Democratic supporters and call the bill for a floor vote. When asked yesterday when he planned to call the measure, Madigan replied that the bill belongs to Cross. Senate President John Cullerton has said that he believes that the bill is unconstitutional, but he said he would allow it to come for a vote in his chamber if it passes in the House.

You can read Jamey's full report at:  http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/pension-changes-still-up-in-air.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
moretocome

Debate Today On Sears EDA "Compromise" For D300

District 300's battle against renewing the Sears Economic Development Area property tax rebate will add another front this morning as the Illinois Senate Revenue and Finance Committee examines a new EDA proposal.

Chicago Democratic State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, House Majority leader, added the provision to an unrelated bill about collecting housing authority rents which represents a compromise of sorts. The measure would give District 300 double the money it gets right now but less than half the $14 million the school district says it ought to get if the EDA is allowed to expire on schedule. Under the Currie proposal D300 would only get about $6 million dollars per year but there's a clawback provision to recover the rest if Sears decides to move from its Hoffman Estates Headquarters in the next 5 years. Sears has said it might do that if the EDA isn't extended and if Illinois doesn't come up with other unspecified sweeteners.

In a statement released early Monday evening, Superintendent Michael Bregy charged Curries' legislation, "might as well be renamed the 'Hoffman Estates EDA' bill."  The amendment parcels out $5 million per year of EDA money to Sears' host village, the same as it's getting now according to this year's budget. However, it also includes a provision that would let the EDA buy and run Hoffman Estates' money-losing Sears Center.  Hoffman Estates officials have reportedly claimed that part of the bill's just about an old fire station.  Bregy charged if that's the case, the legislation ought to say so.

After the statement's release the D300 Board met Monday evening in special session to discuss "litigation". Based on audio leaking through the closed doors from a video hookup to Bregy, CFO Cheryl Crates and an unnamed attorney in Springfield, what they actually talked about was the  "Sears" "EDA" extension for "15 years". Board President Anne Miller declined to comment about the 45-minute session afterwards although by the muffled sounds coming through the doors she was at one point pretty adamant about something.

Board Members Steve Farentino and Dave Alessio said they planned to go to Springfield this morning to buttonhole legislators.  Member Chris Stanton sounded as if he was already there Monday evening.

There's still no official word on what Illinois itself is willing to give Sears to stay.  Reports Friday spoke of a $15 million tax credit from Sears employee state income taxes but no legislation's been filed yet. The struggling retail giant announced the day before that its marketing chief will leave the company in January "to pursue other interests". He's been on the job for just over a year.

Busloads of D300 middle schoolers are scheduled to be in Springfield today, Wednesday and Thursday, the final days of this year's Veto Session, to “observe and participate in the legislative process.”  The District has asked them to wear red shirts while they sit in the House and Senate galleries.

Editor's note:  The Sears tax credit turned out to be embodied in Currie's bill, too, but phrased  in generic terms.

Appeals Period Now Counting For Rutland, Starting Soon In Dundee

Kane County Rutland Township homeowners have until December 6 to find a good reason to appeal their 2011 property assessments.  The numbers were published in the Elgin Courier News Sunday so the 30-day clock is ticking.  Kane County Supervisor of Assessments Mark Armstrong said Monday Dundee Township assessments would be published next Tuesday, so the deadline there will be Dec. 15.

Armstrong reported Rutland assessments collectively fell 6.14 percent from 2010.  He emphasized that doesn't necessarily mean each homeowner's assessment went down that much, though.  "That's in the aggregate," he said.

If a Rutland owner hasn't received his assessment yet it can be found here:

http://www.co.kane.il.us/TaxAssessment/

Rules and forms for Kane County appeals are located here:

http://www.co.kane.il.us/soa/Appeal.htm

LITH Legion Marine Party, Turkey Raffle, Vets' Luncheon Scheduled

The Lake in the Hills American Legion has two big events coming up this week and another to follow next week.

Thursday Post 1231 will mark the U.s. Marine Corps' 236th anniversary Thursday with a "Birthday Party" open to the public from 6 to 10 10:30 pm. A $15 fee for a buffet and chance at door prizes will support the Marine Reserve's Toys For Tots collection and a toting along a new toy wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

Saturday the Legion will hold its annual Turkey (not to mention ham, duck, bacon, etc.) Raffle starting at 7 pm.  That's open to the public, too.

If Friday, Veteran's Day seems strangely empty, that's because next Saturday, Nov. 19, will mark the 10th Annual Veteran's Thank You Luncheon at the Legion Hall.  Vets will assemble at 11:30 at Lake in the Hills PD for an escort to the Legion Hall.  That event's RSVP, though. Contact Michelle at Mweyers1965@gmail.com or 847-513-1058 with your branch, year of discharge, name, rank and the number who'll be coming.

Plenty Of Work Heading Into End Of Veto Session

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
When lawmakers return to Springfield today to wrap up their veto session this week, borrowing to pay off the state’s backlog of overdue bills will probably be on the table along with several items of unfinished business from the session two weeks ago.

A new plan from Gov. Pat Quinn to borrow $4.5 billion to pay down some of the state’s overdue bills could surface this week. Quinn pitched an $8.75 billion borrowing plan in his fiscal year 2012 budget proposal, but it never gained traction. House Minority Leader Tom Cross said the idea of a smaller borrowing package came up in leader’s meetings last week and that Quinn voiced interest in engaging in some horse trading — Republican votes on a borrowing plan for his support of a business friendly tax incentive package.

Lawmakers will likely consider a second incarnation of a tax incentive package meant to keep large businesses in the state. Senate President John Cullerton sponsored a plan to offer a tax cut to the CME Group, which owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, to keep it from moving out of state. A revamped plan could offer relief to Sears, which has also threatened an exit, as well as some generally business friendly sweeteners, such as an extension of a research and development tax credit.

House Speaker Michael Madigan pitched a resolution that would allow the legislature to get involved in bargaining union contracts.Under the plan, both chambers would agree to put a spending cap on how much the governor can offer public employee unions in wage increases under a new contract. Traditionally, the legislature has not been at the forefront of contract negotiations. But lawmakers became frustrated with Quinn after he promised no public union employee layoffs through the end of the current fiscal year. Quinn has since gone back on that promise by backing a plan for layoffs and facility closures.

Legislators may also consider a pivotal component of the federal health care reform law. Illinois is working to set up its own insurance exchange, an online marketplace meant to drive down the cost of insurance policies by encouraging competition. The major sticking point is who will be eligible to sit on the board. Advocacy groups want insurance industry insiders barred from holding any voting power, because they could potentially profit from board decisions. Representatives of the industry say their hands-on expertise is needed on the board to shape an exchange that works well in practice.

Supporters of a gaming expansion package are still looking for a plan that can pass in the legislature and get Quinn’s support. Last week, Quinn said that he was not engaged in negotiations on gaming. He said passing an expansion is not one of his priorities, but he is “open minded” about the concept.  More than half — 57 percent — of respondents in the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute survey said they backed expanded gambling as a way to bring in more state revenue.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/plenty-on-table-heading-into-last-week.html

Obituaries

Edwin Barnard, 82, of Lake Zurich, died Tuesday, November 1 at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington following a lengthy illness. Private family burial will be held in Ohio at a later date.

Barnard was born February 28, 1929, in Akron, Ohio the son of Lowell K. and Bonnie (Brake) Barnard.  He is survived by his children, Janet Fleece; Patti Rabb; Jackie Gard; Lowell Barnard and Paula Meyers, and by a longtime friend, Dee Dallas of Huntley.


Carmen Gonzalez, 91, of Lake In The Hills, died Saturday, at Centegra Hospital in Woodstock following a short illness.  Visitation will be held from to to 9 pm Wednesday at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley.

Among survivors is her daughter, Valentina Gonzalez.

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
November 7
1749 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. FOLLOW UP ARREST: DOMESTIC BATTERY. WALASZEK, BERNADETTA I., F/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 6 WANDER WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0159 HRS 3100 BLOCK OF MONTROSE DR. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Complainant’s vehicle was dented and keyed.
0717 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1108 HRS 300 BLOCK OF PLUM ST. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Son. Verbal only. No priors.
2022 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & MARIE AVE. WARRANT ATTEMPT. Male subject was (electronically fingerprinted) and cleared of any charges.

ALITH Food Pantry Raises Funds For Move Soon

Well over 100 people turned out for the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry fundraiser at Boulder Ridge Country Club Sunday.  The dinner/dance and raffles to help finance the Pantry's move to new Pyott Road digs garnered about $14,000 according to organizers. The separate raffle for a snazzy scooter to help speed the move cleared about $6,000.

In addition to donations from local Lions and Rotary clubs, there was an unexpected one Sunday from the United Brotherhood Of Carpenters And Joiners Of America.  Members of the McHenry County local have been doing a lot of the remodeling at the pole barn on LITH's Larsen farm where the Pantry will relocate.  They even kicked in $500 of their own cash.  But but the union's regional reps thought the pantry remodel sounded like such a good idea they matched that donation with one of their own on behalf of 81 Illinois counties.

"We had a three year horizon to get this up and running," Pantry Manager told the crowd of Pantry supporters.  "Now we're looking at a couple of months.  It's amazing."

Marines To "Serve" For Toys For Tots Drive

Veteran’s Day Friday Marines will be serving in an entirely new way--dinner from 5 to 7 pm at Algonquin's Colonial Cafe & Ice Cream and the chain's six other Fox Valley locations. It's to support the Marine Corps Reserve's annual Toys For Tots program.

“We’re also encouraging guests to bring new unwrapped toys. In return, Colonial will give guests a $1 coupon for each toy they bring…good toward food they purchase at Colonial,” said Clinton Anderson, Colonial director of operations. The toys collected through the Marine drive primarily go to area children.  LITH's Hearts of Gold group, for instance, receives all of their toys from the Toys For Tots program.

Toys For Tots collection barrels will remain in Colonial Cafes until December 14. Another Toys for Tots dropoff location is JA Frate on Pyott Road in Crystal Lake.  The company's also supporting Operation Support Our Troops America with collections for "comfort packages" for guys and gals overseas set this Saturday and the next from 9 am to 3 pm. Info about that's here:

http://www.osotamerica.org/

In the pic: Active duty Aurora recruiter Sgt. Isidro Morales got in a little practice serving guests at a Colonial Cafe recently to promote the Marine Reserve's Toys For Tots program.

Snowmobile Operators Course Offered By MCSO

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office will host two IDNR Snowmobile Safety Certification Courses, one Sunday, and another December 10.  Both are from 8 am to 4:30 pm for children 12 and older and for those who don't have a valid driver's license. Snowmobilers need the course certificate to legally operate a snowmobile unless they have a driver's license.

The IDNR Snowmobile Safety Certification Courses cover maintenance and repair of snowmobiles, proper and safe operation, history of snowmobiling, first aid, protection of the environment, and the state laws. Persons completing the minimum eight hours of instruction and successfully completing the final examination will receive a State of Illinois Certificate of Competency and a graduate patch

The course will take place at the McHenry County Government Center, Woodstock, in the McHenry County Sheriff's Office Training Division. Please pre-register with Cathy Hardt at (815)334-4739 or    cdhardt@co.mchenry.il.us .

In the pic:  Dashing through the snow late one Sunday afternoon in semi-rural McHenry County.

Poll: Illinois Voters Want Reform

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Illinois voters support a variety of reforms to state government, ranging from tweaks to campaign finance rules to term limits for elected officials according to SIU's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute survey last week of 1,000 registered voters — part of the Institute’s annual poll.

The most popular reform was legislative term limits, with 75 percent saying they support no more than five consecutive two-year terms for state representatives and three consecutive four-year terms for state senators. David Yepsen, director of the institute, said,  “There’s all kinds of reasons why term limits are a bad idea, but voters are so fed up and so exasperated.”

Respondents also backed several campaign finance reform measures, including changes to the rules for judges:

    * 61.4 percent favored limiting the amount of money that party leaders can give to other candidates.
    * 71.4 percent supported limiting the amount of money that people can contribute for judicial races.
    * 53.6 percent backed giving judicial candidates public funding for their campaigns.

Charles Leonard, visiting professor and polling director for the institute, said judicial reform might be low hanging fruit for legislators because they could institute a change that does not apply to their own branch of government.

Voters who responded to the poll also supported reworking the way Illinois redraws its legislative maps after  the census. About 65 percent of respondents said they were in favor of having a commission independent from the legislature  draw the map. Yepsen said another effort to put a new method on the ballot as a constitutional amendment could be successful, but it would take a lot of money and professional organization. “A ballot initiative in a state this size takes a level of sophistication that a bunch of well-meaning volunteers just simply can’t do.”

Leonard noted that only about 15 percent of voters think the state is headed in the right direction. “I think there’s some potential for this dissatisfaction to coalesce around an issue.”

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/poll-illinois-voters-have-appetite-for.html

Professional Regulation

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced that the Directors of Professional Regulation signed the following disciplinary orders in the month of September:

Raphael Kamner, Lake in the Hills – real estate appraiser license fined $250 and must complete approved course for the violation of the terms of Consent Administrative Supervision.

Kase Mortgage Banc, Inc., Elgin – residential mortgage license was revoked and fined $25,000 for engaging in loan modification activities with consumers under an inactive license which were the subject of a consumer complaint.

Latino Americano Promotions, Elgin – ceased and desisted from conducting unlicensed mortgage loan modification relief services with consumers and was fined $25,000.

Robert Musolino, McHenry – pharmacist license  permanently revoked due to conviction of a criminal act that requires registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act.

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
November 6
0235 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) BATTERY HANSEN, MATTHEW R., M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 10678 LONE STAR WAY, HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Two counts of Battery. RELEASED ON BOND.
0048 HRS 2500 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. Three priors.
0355 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) BATTERY. Male vs. Male. FAIL TO FILE.
0722 HRS 600 BLOCK OF GRACE DR. HIT & RUN. Vehicle hit a mailbox then left.
1235 HRS 100 BLOCK OF DEERPATH. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Damaged door on a vacant house.
1332 HRS 3800 BLOCK OF WILLOW VIEW DR. INFORMATION FO RPOLICE. Questions ABOUT obtaining an order of protection.
1758 HRS ROUTE 47 & ACKMAN RD. ACCIDENT. Car vs. deer. Property damage only.
1924 HRS 0 BLOCK OF JOSEPH CT. ATTEMPT SUICIDE. Female, 18 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
2310 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF MAPLE ST. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 46 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Algonquin
November 4
08:50am DelGhingaro, Deena M., DOB: 06/09/93, of 333 Eastgate Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Possession of Cannabis.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 12/28/11 in Algonquin.
10:12am Gatz, Randall A., DOB: 02/05/74, of 2053 Peachtree Lane, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery.  He was taken into custody at 2053 Peachtree.  He was transported to Kane County Jail to await a bond hearing.
18:51pm A 15 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at County Line Road and Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 12/28/11 in Algonquin.
November 5
10:10am Salas, Matilde H., DOB: 03/22/63, of 1863 Endicott Circle, Carpentersville, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License.  She was taken into custody at Route 62 and Eastgate.  She was released after posting $150 with a court date of 12/07/11 in McHenry County.

North Lanes On 47 Expected To Open This Week

The end of Route 47 widening is more or less in sight. Tuesday most lanes on Route 47 between Mill Street and Huntley's southern limits opened and if the Weatherman doesn't have a fit, lanes to the north are expected to open sometime this week, according to Village officials.

The north area still has to be striped and, while the south part already has been, there are still construction barriers in there making for the kind of driving decisions where lots of practice playing Donkey Kong comes in handy.

"Please remain alert as you drive through the construction zone as new lanes will continue to open up at the north end of the project," reads the latest advisory.

In the pic:  Cruising south was easy on south 47 late last week.  Northward was jammed up while crews worked on the berms.

Huntley Wheel Of Meat To Help Cancer Patient

Friday's annual Huntley Jaycee's Wheel of Meat event will be a little different this year.  Funds raised willl be devoted to help one individual. She's Jessica Rancak, 30 year-old mother of two and wife of Huntley mortgage broker Tom Rancak. She's battling Acute Lymphatic Leukemia.

With no insurance to cover what's expected to be $1.5 million in medical bills, the Jaycees need to sell a lot of tickets ($1 each, 6 for $5 or 15 for $10) for a chance at a turkey, ham or roast  spun off from the whirling Wheel Of Meat.  The event's at Pinecrest Golf Club, Huntley, this year from 7 to 10 pm.  There's still time to donate meat or gift certificates for the raffle. Contact Lori Nichols at 847-542-0230 to do it.

Two weeks later, Nov. 28, Huntley Culvers will donate 10 percent of each order with a coupon to help with Rancak's medical bills.  The coupon's here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/71798703/JessicaCulversFlyer110111

At least two other local fundraisers to help raise money for Rancak's treatments are reported in the works.  Meanwhile, cash donations can be made to the "Hearts for Jessica" account at any Castle Bank.

In the pic:  (below) Jessica Rancak and daughters.

LITH Small Business Legislation Seminar Coming

With all the legislative changes occurring, it can be difficult to identify which ones pertain to and affect your small business. Hence, Lake in the Hills' Small Business Legislation Seminar on  Taxes, healthcare and insurance changes Thursday from Noon to 1 pm.

Financial advisor Jeff Meyer, tax expert Laura Mraz and attorney Jay Kaufman will be lead the discussion about healthcare legislation, both passed and reversed, tax changes and 1099 vs. W-2 reporting.

The seminar including box lunch is $10.00.  Call Shannon Andrews at (847) 860-7412 to reserve a seat.

Questions Linger For State Health Insurance Exchange

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with legislation to create an online health insurance exchange despite not knowing who will pay its nearly $89 million price tag. “We want people to be able to log on, type in their information, be told, ‘This is what you qualify for,’ and then be able to buy it,” said state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley.

Mautino is the sponsor for legislation that would create the online marketplace with a governing board and framework to pay for the exchange. Each state must have a fully operational health insurance exchange by 2014, according to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. However, the law requires Illinois lawmakers to create an exchange by June 2012, so the state can test the exchange model by 2013. If Illinois does not meet the June, the federal government will impose its own insurance exchange on the state.

Mautino, who heads the legislative committee charged with creating the exchange,said he wants a vote as soon as possible. “We need to have a governing board, a list of their duties and a way to pay for the exchanges in place before next spring,” Mautino said. “That way we can apply for federal money to build the exchanges.”

The central question facing Illinois lawmakers is who will pay to run the health insurance exchange after 2014. The federal government is only providing millions in one-time, use-it-or-lose-it, grant money to set up the high-tech electronic insurance exchange. A study released in September by the Boston-based consulting firm the Wakely Group estimates Illinois’ yearly operation costs somewhere between $57 million and $89 million. Mautino’s legislation would impose an assessment, or a dedicated use fee, on insurers to pay for the online marketplace.

In addition to meeting federal deadlines, Illinois is rushing to secure federal dollars.
Mautino said $59 million for implementation of the exchange and another $94 million for computer and technology infrastructure will be made available in March. Mike Claffey, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services, said the agency’s computers “date to the 1970s and are very antiquated.”

You can read Benjamin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7098/time-critical-questions-linger-for-illinois-health-insurance-exchange/

Obituaries

Daniel Richard Solomon, Jr., 37, of Lake in the Hills, died Wednesday in Morton Grove. A visitation will be held  Monday from 3 to 9 pm at DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley.  A wake service will be held at 8 pm.

Solomon is survived by his parents, Daniel and Ethel Solomon, and sisters, Danielle (Howard) Rau and Karen (Joe) Males.

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.

EDDIE L. JONES, DOB:  11/07/69, 577 W. 66TH STREET, CHICAGO. RETAIL THEFT.
MARISSA M. YOUNG, DOB:  08/24/93, 1104 W. 112TH STREET, CHICAGO. RETAIL THEFT, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--LITH PD

MICHAEL F. LUCAS, DOB:  09/09/47, 694 AUBURN, CRYSTAL LAKE.
MATHEW R. LUCAS, DOB:  12/04/81, 694 AUBURN, CRYSTAL LAKE. BURGLARY, THEFT.--Huntley PD
  
JAMES A. THOMPSON, DOB:  12/06/70, 107 S. WATERFORD, ROUND LAKE. HARASSMENT OF A WITNESS.--Huntley PD

DAVID L. DUGGAN, DOB:  10/27/75, 4376 MCCLURE COURT, GURNEE. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, THEFT.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
ALYSSA M. ROSIAN, DOB:  08/25/92, 4405 E. WONDER LAKE DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. THEFT(OVER $500.), THEFT(UNDER $500.)--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
CHRISTOPHER R. BROWN, DOB:  03/27/85, 534 W. GRANT HIGHWAY, MARENGO. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER, CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
CHRISTOPHER K. FUNK, DOB:  07/15/83, 424 EUGENE COURT, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER, CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO REAL PROPERTY.--Crystal Lake PD
  
ASHLEY R. KETTLESON, DOB:  12/31/78, 485 LINN AVENUE, CRYSTAL LAKE. VEHICLE ACCIDENT INVOLVING DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURIES.--Crystal Lake PD

BERNARDO C. SILLER, DOB:  04/09/66, 355 MCHENRY AVENUE, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL PRESENCE WITHIN A SCHOOL ZONE.--Crystal Lake PD
  
BERNARDO C. SILLER, DOB:  04/09/66, 355 MCHENRY AVENUE, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER.--Crystal Lake PD
  
JONATHON LOPEZ GONZALEZ, DOB:  04/11/90, 7511 HEMLOCK STREET, CRYSTAL LAKE. BURGLARY TO A MOTOR VEHICLE, THEFT.--Crystal Lake PD
  
MATTHEW R. OLSON, DOB:  04/10/87, 5409 GREENVIEW ROAD, OAKWOOD HILLS. CRIMINAL DAMAGE  TO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED PROPERTY, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER.--Fox River Grove PD

JESSE T. KISSANE, DOB:  10/03/86, 5807 WOODLAND DRIVE, MCHENRY.
SAMANTHA E. BREX, DOB:  11/17/87, 5807 WOODLAND DRIVE, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL PRODUCTION OF CANNABIS SATIVA PLANTS.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
NICHOLAS R. COSMANO, DOB:  07/24/85, 7203 OWL WAY, CARY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL PRODUCTION OF CANNABIS SATIVA PLANT, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
MARY ANN ELEAZAR, DOB:  12/21/69, 4520 HILLTOP DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry PD

JASON F. CHRISTENSEN, DOB; 11/14/81, 300 CHURCH STREET. HARVARD. AGGRAVATED BATTERY (3 COUNTS).--Harvard PD
  
KRYSTAL M. CAHA, DOB: 06/02/90, 3905 W. MAPLE AVENUE. MCHENRY. RETAIL THEFT (OVER $300).--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
November 5
0200 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD.DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. MOEN, MICHAEL J., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 6433 BRIDGE RD., MADISON, WI. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Speeding in a Construction Zone. RELEASED ON BOND.
0804 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF ADAMS STREET. WANTED ON WARRANT. BUTTON, KRISTEN, F/W 21 YEARS OF AGE. 1515 ADAMS ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted On Warrant United States Military, No Bond, Military Desertion. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL
1537 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD. (COSTCO) RETAIL THEFT. GAFKA, HEATHER J., F/W 37 YEARS OF AGE, 141 VILLAGE CREEK DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Retail Theft, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. RELEASED ON BOND. JUVENILE, F/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS, CHARGE: Retail Theft. RELEASED TO A GUARDIAN.
0340 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) BATTERY. Male vs. Male. UNFOUNDED.
1013 HRS 70 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. FOUND ARTICLE. Red Road Master bicycle located in front yard. Entered into evidence.
1418 HRS 320 N. RANDALL RD. (ARBY’S RESTAURANT) THEFT. Money taken from bank deposit. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1837 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE) INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Contact with a registered sex offender.
1907 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Wife vs. Husband. No Priors. Female, 23 years of age, transported to Sherman Hospital for evaluation.
2025 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & CEDAR RIDGE. INJURY ACCIDENT. Car vs. deer. Female, 43 years of age, with a neck injury. Transported to Sherman Hospital.