Death Might Take Holiday, But Not Taxman

Holidays like Thanksgiving don't matter in the countdown to the deadline for property tax appeals in Algonquin Township.  They published Wednesday--and probably ought to show up in the mail by at least today--so the end of the 30-day appeal period is Dec. 23.

Algonquin Township Assessor Bob Kunz said, overall, property assessments in the Township fell about 6.5 percent for 2011.  He was quick to say, however, that some assessments actually increased and that there were pockets where they fell a lot more, too.  Those last were mainly "in Algonquin", said Kunz, "west of Hansen Road."

To file an appeal with the McHenry County Board of Review a property owner has to find comparable properties assessed lower.  Here's where to start, probably with "recent sales", but search for disparate EAV's among similar homes, too:

http://algonquin.northwoodsoft.com/display/PropertySearch.asp

Forms and rules for appeals are located here:

http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/assessments/PDFDocs/2011%20Residential%20Appeal%20Packet.pdf

The answer to any questions is probably somewhere here:

http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/Pages/index.aspx

Local Christmas Openings On Two Days This Year

Local Christmas kickoffs will be a little different this year.  Lake in the Hills' will be a day ahead of the rest and Huntley's will include a parade.

LITH's Festival of Trees celebration moves to Friday, Dec. 3,  this year with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at LITH Village Hall at 6 pm to light the 25 trees decorated and sponsored by local businesses and groups to support local food pantries.  Bring a canned or non/perishable food item along to "vote" for your favorite. Santa and the Mrs. will chat with the kids inside after the lighting.

The Algonquin Area Public Library has a tailgate Party set this Tuesday 4 to 5 pm to decorate the library's entry in the Festival of Trees contest, by  the way.  The Lib will provide the ornaments, music, cocoa and cookies.  All tailgaters have to do is bring a long a food item and the Library will give a $50 Gift Card from Steak and Shake to the family or person who donates the most.

LITH Parks & Rec also has a Letters From Santa program this year featuring a free holiday letter  to LITH kids from the right jolly old elf. To participate, send a stamped business envelope with your child’s name and address printed on it by Friday. Drop off or mail it to:

Santa Claus
c/o Lake in the Hills
Recreation Department
600 Harvest Gate
Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Huntley's Christmas On the Square celebration starts at Noon Saturday with the Kris Kringle Marekt in the Fellowship Hall at the First Congregational Church and with the Cookie Walk sponsored by the church.  Both run 'till 5 pm or, in the case of the cookie walk, until the cookies run out.

Also from Noon to 5 is the Friends of the Library Book Sale in American Legion Hall, likewise the site of free Kids Crafts sponsored by the Park District and  Classic Christmas Stories readings sponsored by Huntley Library. Both of those run to 3:30 pm.

Out in the Square there'll be free hayrides from Noon until 3:30 and up Church Street,  members of Trinity Lutheran Church will perform a live nativity during the same time period. There'll be caroling and entertainment in the (heated) Big Tent on the Square from 1 to 3 pm, too

The new Holiday Lights Parade will march at 3:30 pm  from Ol’ Timer Park to the Square where Stanta will light the Holiday tree and 4:30, then visit with kids 'till 5:30 pm.

Algonquin's celebration will begin Saturday at 4:30 pm with the Village's annual Rock on the Fox Christmas festivity at Riverfront Park until 6.  Admission is free but there'll be donation bins for nonperishable food items and unwrapped toys to be distributed by Algonquin charitable groups.  Santa will be at the event to light the Community Tree then chat with the kiddos. Following will be a second edition of the Candy Cane Hunt that proved a big hit with the small fry last year. 

In the pic:  Santa's first area appearance next weekend will be Friday at LITH Village Hall.

New Flood Insurance Ratings For County, LITH

McHenry County announced this week the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has increased the insurance class for McHenry County to a Class 8 in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

The floodplain management activities implemented by McHenry County qualifies the County and unincorporated residents for a 10 percent discount in the premium cost of flood insurance for NFIP policies issued or renewed in special flood hazard areas. This will save unincorporated McHenry County property owners over $62,000 annually.

Last month Homeland Security and FEMA increased the Village of Lake in the Hills' Insurance Class  to a Class 6 rating/ The floodplain management activities implemented by the Village qualify the Village and its residents for a 20 percent discount in the premium cost of flood insurance for NFIP policies issued or renewed in Special Flood Hazard Areas. LITH now has the best NFIP rating and the greatest flood insurance savings within McHenry County, Village officials said. Additionally, the Village is rated as one of the top 17 communities in the State for flood preparedness.

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
delayed

Local Shoppers Turn Out Early For Black Friday Sales

Lines of local Black Friday shoppers were at least as heavy this year as last at Algonquin  Commons this morning.  That actually meant a heavier turnout since more than a dozen stores joined big box chains like Target and Best Buy to open their doors at Midnight.

Property Manager Jim Pratt manning the Commons' Signup table for a $2,500 shopping spree raffle later this morning said this year's pre-dawn Black Friday turnout was a lot bigger than last year.  "Oh, certainly," said Pratt, "but I can't guess how much."

The National Retail Federation estimates 152 million people will hit stores over Black Friday weekend, up 10 percent from last year. The frenzy might even be more than that.  A spokesman noted last year's estimate was low by 50 percent.  Even so, Black Friday sales are forecast to only rise 1.6 percent this year. That's down from last year's 3.8 increase according to a survey of retail marketers by tax and consulting firm BDO.

After Black Friday comes Cyber Monday next week. That's when about 80 percent of online retailers have special promotions scheduled to start according to a survey by Shop.org, the Federation's online division. Online sales are expected to rise 12.5 percent in this years final quarter topping $50 billion for the first time.

McHenry County Unemployment Rate Drifts Higher

McHenry County's unemployment rate for October drifted .1 percent higher increasing to 8.6 percent, according to the latest report from the Illinois Department of Employment Services.  Illinois' unemployment rate remained unchanged for the month at 9.5 percent while the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics put the U.S. rate down .3 percent in October at 8.5 percent.

All of those rates are raw figures, unadjusted for seasonal variation.  Taking those swings into account, the Illinois October unemployment rate was 10.1 percent and the U.S. rate was 9.0 percent.  Adjusted numbers aren't available at the county level.

"Year-over-year job growth is encouraging, especially given the challenging pace of this national recovery," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "Illinois followed the country into this recession, and if history holds true, Illinois' recovery will follow the national recovery, as well."

In McHenry County, unemployment rates in municipalities remained fell slightly or were unchanged.  Lake in the Hills' rate dropped the most with a .2 percent decrease from September's rate.  However that was due to the village's total labor force shrinking by 150 persons while the number of people looking for jobs fell disproportionately.

                           UNEMPLOYMENT (unadjusted)             
               REVISED    Sep 2011          PRELIMINARY Oct 2011               
               LABOR    UNEMPLOYED      LABOR   UNEMPLOYED      OCT 
               FORCE    NUMBER  RATE    FORCE   NUMBER    RATE  2010   
U.S. (X1000)   154,022  13,520   8.8    154,088   13,102   8.5   9.0    
ILLINOIS     6,644,447 631,685   9.5  6,618,567  630,871   9.5   9.0   

MCHENRY COUNTY 179,189  15,195   8.5    178,057   15,241   8.6   7.7    
KANE COUNTY    268,476  24,350   9.1    266,325   23,952   9.0   8.2    
LAKE COUNTY    367,507  32,901   9.0    366,718   33,376   9.1   9.2
DUPAGE COUNTY  523,554  41,089   7.8    519,358   40,357   7.8   7.2

ALGONQUIN       16,734   1,415   8.5     16,607    1,398   8.4   7.3   
LITH            16,979   1,424   8.4     16,829    1,386   8.2   7.1    
CRYSTAL LAKE    22,394   1,957   8.7     22,231    1,941   8.7   8.2    
MCHENRY         15,235   1,425   9.4     15,120    1,409   9.3   8.2   

Autism Group Has Craft/Vendor Show In LITH

Lake in the Hills' Northern Illinois Center for Autism has a craft and vendor show set just in time for holiday shopping Saturday at the Center on Cunat Court from 9 am to 3 pm.  Sixteen crafters and vendors, ranging from a portrait artist to a gourmet coffee company, will be on hand, plus a bake sale and raffle.

The Northern Illinois Center for Autism is a charitable group supporting families with autism in Northern Illinois.  Autism affects 1 out of 110 children born today and is thought to be  fastest growing developmental disability in the country.

Past Salary Info Vanishes On IL Transparency Website

By Benjamin Yount,  Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois has a limit to how much information it is willing to share with the public on its transparency website. The state’s transparency portal, created in the spring of 2010, no longer carries state employees’ salaries from 2008, 2009 and 2010.

"This last summer we went on the website looking for past salary information, and noticed it was no longer there," said Mark Cavers, a government reform policy analyst with think tank Illinois Policy Institute, or IPI. "(The state) took the extra step of taking this information down."

Illinois Statehouse News reached out to the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, or CMS, which operates the transparency website, but was not provided with an explanation. However, CMS spokeswoman Alka Nayyar did tell other media outlets that the information is available to anyone who files a Freedom of Information Act request. Cavers said having to FOIA every scrap of information defeats the purpose of having a transparency website.

McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon, who wrote the legislation to create the transparency website, said the taxpayers need information to hold Illinois’ government accountable. "The benefit of the transparency portal is that people can see (past) contracts awarded and raises that have been given. Without that historical data of state expenditures, it doesn't allow it to have its best aspect — whether that's utilized by the public or management or anyone else wanting to see that information," Tryon said.

Tryon added that if Gov. Pat Quinn's administration continues to remove public information from the website, he may look at strengthening the law.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7211/past-salary-info-no-longer-on-il-transparency-website/

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 24
1400 HRS HICKORY RD. & HAWTHORNE RD. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. GOSTELE, JACOB K., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 7409 HALIGUS RD., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Cannabis. RELEASED ON BOND.
1713 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. WANTED ON WARRANT. DORANTES, ERICK, M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 302 COUNCIL TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant out of Carpentersville Police, Failure to Appear for Resisting a Peace Officer. Bond Amount: $750.00 Full Cash. RELEASED ON BOND.
0355 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Brother vs. Brother. Verbal only. Zero priors. Male, 23 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Turkey Trotters Run, Drywallers Work For ALITH Pantry

At the signal from Puritan-clad organizer Robin Platt, over 280 runners dashed off into perfect  (not actually freezing, not even misting) weather this morning for the eighth annual Turkey Trot 5k Fun Run sponsored by Algonquin's LifeTime Fitness Run Club.  The turnout this year topped last years' by 40 runners.

So did the donations raised by the event to support the Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry. Money contributions topped last years' $2,000 total by about $100 and food donations filled 50 bins, which is to say several minivans.

Even as runners were galloping through Algonquin, a crew of volunteers from Cassidy Brothers construction company was hanging drywall at the Pantry's soon-to-be new location in Lake in the Hills.  Strawboss Ron Eck said they volunteered their Thanksgiving days so the building would be ready for a crew of volunteer tapers due onsite Tuesday.

Half A Ton O' Testicles In Huntley Signature Fest

Celebrants gobbled enough avian generative organs, half a ton of 'em, to boggle the mind Wednesday at Parkside Pub's 29th rendition of Huntley's annual Turkey Testicle Festival.  The line to get in was a block long Wednesday evening.

It was the 12th year of attendance at the festival for Valerie Castritsis visiting family in Barrington.  But while she said she was a veteran celebrant she remains a turkey testicle virgin. "I won't even smell them," she said.  "I come for the (rest of) the food, the bands and the people," said the Hilton Head, SC, resident.

In contrast to Castritsis, Huntley resident Bill Brush, an eight-year vet, said he's usually good for a cup o' testicles. He, too, though, said he really comes each year to hear the bands and watch the rest of the people.  "There's usually a lot of nuts here," he said.

Er, attending the Turkey Testicle Festival you mean?

"Yeah, what else?" he said.

In the pic:  The line into Parkside Pub's Turkey Testicle Festival stretched down Main Street to Strode's Wednesday night.  The annual event supports several local Huntley charities.

Obituaries

Eleanor Ruth Buchsbaum, 90, of Huntley, formerly of Florida, died peacefully Monday.  A Memorial service will start at 11 am, Saturday at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home. Huntley.  The family will greet friends there from 10 am until the time of  the service.
 
Buchsbaum was born December 1,  1920, in Chicago, the daughter of Pasqualle and Argia (Luccahsi) Li Castro.  She first married David Franz, who died in 1997.  Later she married Alex Buchsbaum. She is survived by her children, Mary Lou (Lyle) Emory of Huntley and John Franz of Bakersfield, CA; grandchildren,  Christa, Cynnde, David and Deanna, and great grandchildren, Brett, Lucas, Erin, Ryane , Autumn, Austin, and Ashlee.  She is also survived by her brother, Lou Li Castro of Glen Ellen,IL. Buchsbaum was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands and by her sister, Rosie, and brothers, Joe, John and Frank.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army.

Retailers Hope For Strong Holiday Sales

Somehow in the last 20 or 30 years the Saturnalia of holiday shopping has expanded fill a full month starting on "Black Friday" the day after Thanksgiving.  That's not enough for many retailers, though, who two years ago began pushing the start to Midnight Thanksgiving Day. This year the mammoth Walmart chain, one-upped everyone else announcing a 10 pm Thanksgiving Day open.

On the other hand, Walmart's show-stopper highlighted the increasingly surreal aspect of the competition, since most of its stores including the ones in Algonquin and Huntley aren't going to close today in the first place.

In any event, retailers are sweating the 2011 Holiday Season when about 34 percent of shoppers plan to buy stuff on Black Friday, up from 31 percent last year, according to a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers.  By one estimate Friday, all by itself, could count for 10 percent of retail sales in November and something like 5 percent of sales for the whole season.

Local shopping centers are trying hard to draw holiday buyers. Most of the stores in the Huntley Outlet Center will open at 12 pm for the center's Midnight Madness Thanksgiving Weekend Sale.  However, a handful of stores will open at 10 pm Thanksgiving day, a la Walmart.

Algonquin Commons, as usual,  will hold its Day After Thanksgiving promotion starting with a 6 am giveaway of 1,500 tote bags and gift cards worth up to $500 to the first 1,500 customers--no purchase necessary.

Not only are retailers wondering how much stock they'll sell this holiday season, they're also wondering how much profit they'll make on it.  Analysts are pretty sure 2011 will be the first year smart phones equipped with comparison shopping apps will have a measurable impact on sales  They're just not sure what the impact's going to be.

In the pic: This was a Black Friday commentary event in Oregon. Michael Holdne photo.

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 23
0734 HRS BUNKER HILL DR. & RANDALL RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. CONDON, NICHOLAS W., M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 2610 LAUREN LN., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended and Expired Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
0410 HRS 162 N. RANDALL RD. (CIGARETTES DEPOT) FOLLOW-UP ARREST: DOMESTIC BATTERY. WATSON, LAUREN B., F/W 48 YEARS OF AGE,
119 HILLTOP DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two counts of Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1201 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. MAYERHOFER, MICHAEL G., M/W 52 YEARS OF AGE, 431 WINSLOW WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0315 HRS 00 BLOCK OF HASTINGS CT. DOMESTIC. Male vs. female. Verbal only. No priors.
0549 HRS 5600 BLOCK OF SAVOY DR. HIT & RUN. Mailbox and tree struck by unknown vehicle.
0619 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF HALFMOON GATE. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 18 months of age, having an allergic reaction. No transport.
1112 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD. (COSTCO) ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Property damage only.
1538 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WHITE PINE CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. Six priors. Female, 46 years of age, had a seizure. (Not domestic related.) Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1558 HRS 148 N. RANDALL RD. (HAIR CUTTERY) ACCIDENT Two vehicles. Property damage only.

Algonquin Peparing To Ban Synthetic Marijuana Sales

A Lake in the Hills couple pleaded with the Algonquin Board to ban the sale of "synthetic marijuana" in the Village to protect kids and the broader public.  Village officials told them they're already working on an ordinance.

Joe and Lauri Watson asked the Board to stop the sale of K2, Spice and other brands and mixtures claiming to produce a marijuana-like but perfectly legal high.  "This is sold as incense," said Joe Watson holding up a container of stuff that looked like oregano, "only they asked me if I wanted rolling papers."

"My daughter was in the emergency room in June because of this," said Lauri Watson.

K2 and Spice brands and more than two dozen imitators claim to be blends of legal herbs that replicate the effects of marijuana.  Researchers say most of them are just some kind of plant material laced with laboratory elaborations on tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in real pot.

Watson told FEN later that pseudo-grass with names like Spicylicious, Bad 2 the Bone and Zombie World are sold in at least five Algonquin stores, maybe more.  "Some places it's sold under the counter.  You have to ask for it," he said.

Village officials said they're aware of the problem and trying to stop it.  "Our police and legal departments are already at work drafting our ordinance," said Village Manager Bill Ganek.  "You'll see something very soon," added Board President John Schmitt.

Synthetic marijuana's been nominally illegal in Illinois since the beginning of the year but authorities worry  manufacturers are still a step ahead of them.  The synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 used to be the most common ones in the designer dope but now new chemical variations like JWH-250, JWH-081 and CP47,497 are popping up.

Ganek said Algonquin Chief Russ Laine is working with State officials to beef up Illinois' synthetic marijuana law but "they work at a different pace than what we need."

Schmitt said Aurora where a 19-year old high on "potpouri" died when he crashed his car into a house has a new synthetic marijuana ordinance that Algonquin's eyeing closely.

In other action the Algonquin Board became one the last villages in McHenry County to climb aboard Illinois' electric power aggregation bandwagon. Trustees gave initial approval for a referendum in March to ask if the Village should start a plan that's supposed to lower residents' electric bills.

In the pics:  (above) Joe and Lauri Watson and friend Carolyn Huebner warned the Algonquin Board "our kids are in danger" from synthetic marijuana. (below) Joe Watson said he found pseudo-reefer at two stores in Carpentersville, too.

Grafton Assessor Files Suit Against Supervisor

Grafton Assessor Bill Ottley Tuesday filed suit in McHenry County Circuit Court Tuesday against Township Supervisor Linda Moore to make her pay his bills. Ottley warned last week he planned to do it but said he held off to give her a chance to comply.  "We told her we'd sue her and nothing happened," said Ottley.

Ottley's complaining AT&T might cut off phone service to the Assessor's Office because Moore didn't pay all of his October phone bill and because she hasn't paid several other Assessor's bills approved by the Township Board, either.

The suit asks a judge to order Moore to pay them, levy a fine on her and remove her from office.  The judge assigned to the case, however, is Michael T. Caldwell who's been hearing Moore's suit against the rest of the Grafton Board and their countercomplaint against her.

There doesn't seem to be any rush on Ottley's complaint.  A return on a summons to Moore isn't set until Dec. 13 and a scheduling conference in the case won't be until March 20.

In the pic:  Grafton Assessor Bill Ottley (standing) complains Supervisor Linda Moore (left) won't pay his bills after the Township Board approves them.

Continuous Flow Intersection, Take Three, Set For Next Week

The McHenry County Department of Transportation will hold an information session on the agency's controversial continuous flow intersection proposal to solve the problems at Randall and Algonquin Road.  The event's set next Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce in LITH from 8:30 to 9 am followed by an Open House  until 10:30.

The presentation's supposed to highlight modifications and enhancements for access to commercial areas at the intersection, one of the big objections to the plan when it was presented to the LITH and Algonquin boards more than 18 months ago.  After repeated presentations and conferences, the latest reading is the LITH Board's still unanimously against the proposal while Algonquin's is about half and half.

MCDOT has a public hearing about the CFI planned in January but the date hasn't been set yet.

"Businesses and property owners located in and around the intersection are strongly encouraged to attend," the session according to a release from Chamber President Sandy Oslance.  The info session is RSVP so people who'd like to be at that should call 847-658-5300 or email info@ALChamber.com for a reservation.

In the pic:  An artist's concept of a Continuous Flow Intersection like the one proposed for Randall and Algonquin roads.

Study: Illinois No Longer Model For Higher Education

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
A new study found that Illinois’ higher education system, once one of the best in the country, has lost substantial ground. The study found that between 1998 and 2008, there was a 10 percent drop in the number of high school graduates who enroll in college within four years of graduation and an 8.5 percent decline in the number of students who enroll in college directly after graduating.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Research on Higher Education also found many factors that could lead to a college degree becoming less affordable in the state. “From 1999 to 2009, median family income in Illinois fell by 7 [percent] in constant dollars while tuition increased by 100 [percent] at public four-year universities and by 38 [percent] at public two-year colleges. At the same time, state support for need-based grants dropped from $1,036 to $745 per undergraduate full-time student, a decline of 28 [percent.]”

The study also found racial disparities among Illinois college students.

George Reid, executive director of the Illinois State Board of Education, said that the study is outdated. “My take on that study is that it might have been accurate two or three years ago, but it definitely does not characterize higher education in Illinois today.”

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/study-illinois-is-no-longer-model-for.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 22
1926 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD. (RAKOW CURVE) IMPROPER USE OF REGISTRATION. TANNER, SHARON J., F/W 38 YEARS OF AGE, 165 DARTMOOR,  CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Improper Use of Registration, Expired Registration, Registration Suspended for Mandatory Insurance Violation and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0821 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
0959 HRS 4500 WEST ALGONQUIN RD. (7-Eleven) FRAUD. Unauthorized use of a credit card.
1231 HRS 4000 BLOCK OF BORDEAUX DRIVE. FOUND ARTICLE. Cannabis. ENTERED INTO EVIDENCE.
1639 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. Subject called victim which is a Violation of the Order of Protection.
1645 HRS PRINCETON LN. & ALBRECHT RD. FOUND ARTICLE. A bicycle was located and entered into evidence.
1657 HRS MILLER RD. & HERON DR. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1715 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1745 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS) HIT & RUN. Complainant’s vehicle was struck in the parking lot.
Algonquin
November 21
23:18pm Brunke, Frank R., DOB: 03/30/73, of 216 Birch Lane, St. Charles, was charged with DWLR, DUI and Improper Lane Usage.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Grandview Court.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 12/28/11 in McHenry County.
November 22
11:30am Huebner, Robert L., DOB: 06/11/65, of 1221 Lowe Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of McHenry County for Unlawful Failure to Register – Sex Offender.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $1000 with a court date of 12/15/11 in McHenry County.
13:52pm Ditommaso, Ryan D., DOB: 12/23/92, of 3871 Willow View Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Target, 750 S. Randall Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 12/28/11 in Algonquin.
15:41pm Sarinana, David, DOB: 01/10/87, of 113 Plum Street, Elgin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and Improper Left  Turn.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Meyer Drive.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 12/28/11, in McHenry County.
21:24pm Baker, Darwin L., DOB: 04/09/67, of 205 Sandbloom Road Unit #1, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant, out of McHenry County for Unlawful Residence of a Child Sex Offender.  He was taken into custody at 205 Sandbloom Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond. 
Huntley
November 15
Victor Cortez, age 26, of 10806 Coral St., Huntley,was charged for driving with no valid driver’s license and was cited for loud muffler, and failure to notify the Secretary of State of an address change.  Mr. Cortez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 16, 2011.
November 17
Jathen C. Allen, age 31, of 2303 Lucille, Rockford, was arrested on an outstanding Winnebago County warrant for failure to appear in court.  Mr. Allen posted bond and was released with a Winnebego County court date of December 5, 2011.
November 18
Jaroslaw Slowik, age 29, of 7841 Normandy, Burbank, IL, was arrested on an outstanding Cook County warrant and was cited for no registration light and no insurance.  Mr. Slowik was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond.
Rosalava Cazales, age 25, of 3816 Main St, McHenry, was arrested for driving with no valid driver’s license and was cited for driving with unsafe equipment.  Ms. Cazales posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of December 16, 2011.
A 16 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with possession of tobacco by a minor at the high school.
Brian D. Eisenhauer, age 18, of 10727 Midwest Ave., Huntley, was arrested on two counts of domestic  battery.  Mr. Eisenhauer was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
November 19
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 12300 block of Rt. 47.  A handicap parking placard was stolen from the vehicle.
November 20
Vincent R. Thorgersen, age 35, of 225 Panama, Hampshire, was arrested on an outstanding Kane County warrant for contempt of court.  Mr. Thorgersen posted bond and was released with a Kane County court date of December 7, 2011.
Elvis C. Kavanaugh, age 41, of 10188 Hanover, Huntley, was arrested on two counts of domestic battery.  Mr. Kavenaugh was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
A theft report was taken in the 10400 block of Church St.  Jewelry was reported stolen from a residence.

Grafton Boosts Property Levy 1.5 percent For 2012

The Grafton Board boosted next year's Township tax levy 1.5 percent Monday, calling for $1,070,637 in 2012 tax collections.  The rate of increase doesn't factor in $78 million in Grafton new construction. Otherwise it would be a 2.2 percent rise, according to Trustees' figures. State law limited the maximum increase to 2.7 percent this year, not counting new construction.

Trustee Betty Zirk did most of the number massaging for the Board prefacing her calculations saying, "We haven't got the audit yet--for two  years we haven't got the audit--so we don't really know where we stand."

Earlier Monday Supervisor Linda Moore said she didn't know when the audit of the Grafton books would be done or why it still isn't.  The Board saw a draft report for the 2009-10 year more than two months ago but nothing since.

Overall, Zirk said she tipped an extra $15,000 into next year's tax levy because "I feel we should have a little comfort zone."

Moore was the only one who voted against it.  She said Grafton ought to emulate local villages where Algonquin's already cut its levy for next year, LITH plans to and Huntley intends to hold steady.   Trustees variously and all at once said there was no comparison; those are municipalities, they said, and the Township is...a township.

The Board also passed a $769,187 levy for the Grafton Road District, up from last year's $744,392. That, too, was in the face of Moore opposition.

Based on figures published in an area Internet blog, Moore charged Grafton's Road District "has the second highest cost per mile in McHenry County."

"That's wrong," shot back Highway Commissioner Jack Freund.  "Their numbers are wrong."

"It's off by $1 million," laughed Trustee Rob Laporta.

"Oh, well, $1 million here, $1 million there, it's only money," grumped Assessor Bill Ottley.

Aside from higher prices for gas and asphalt,  Freund said he had to ask for the biggest increase the law would allow so the Road District can continue to receive motor fuel tax money, lost a couple of years ago thanks to a change in the law. "Otherwise someone else will get it."  He said he estimated the MFT money was worth another $30,000 to $40,000 to maintain Grafton roads.

In the pic: "The taxpayers can't support an increase in taxes," Grafton Supervisor Linda Moore told the rest of the Board.

New Holiday Lights Parade Added To Huntley Festivities

Huntley Public Works elves began to decorate Dhamer Square Monday getting ready for the Village's afternoon-long Christmas kickoff events Dec. 3 including a new Holiday Lights Parade.

The new parade will amble from Ol’ Timer Park south on Church Street to Main Street to Woodstock Street, then turn right to go north and disperse. Most likely folks will drift over to the Square. That's where Santa will arrive to caroling, free hot chocolate and the lighting of the holiday tree.

The parade will also feature first and second-place awards for best-themed floats, best-overall floats the most over-the-top floats.

The deadline for entry in Huntley's new Holiday Lights Parade is Nov. 30.  The entry form's here:

http://www.huntley.il.us/documents/ChristmasOnTheSquareInfo11-1-11.pdf

In the pic:  Huntley's Bob Olson, Buck Weiss and John Klason began decorating Dhamer Square for  Christmas just like Santa would if Santa had a cherry picker.

Whooping Cough Still Spreading In McHenry County

The McHenry County Department of Health warned Monday that Thanksgiving family celebrations will offer lots of opportunity for whooping cough to spread to adults.  So far it's been mostly limited to kids with cases reported in 29 schools so far.  Eleven new cases were confirmed over the weekend bringing the number so far to 121.

So far there are no particular outbreaks in Kane County, according to the Kane County Health Department.

MCDH urged residents to take precautions to protect family members through prevention (mouth covering and lots of hand washing), vaccination and complying with physician treatment regime.  That last is a five-day treatment that includes staying home from school even if the victim feels better.

MCDH has scheduled its fourth walk-in pertussis (Whooping cough) vaccination clinic for Thursday, December 1, from 11 am to 1 pm at McHenry County College in the Commons area. Dominick’s pharmacies and primary care physicians also offer the vaccine.

Illinois Needs $1 Billion More For FY13 Budget

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Every new dollar Illinois brings in next year will likely go toward public employee pensions.

Gov. Pat Quinn's budget planners are counting on Illinois' economy to grow by about 3 percent next year, generating roughly $1 billion in new tax revenue. The state's operating budget, which was $33.2 billion this year, is expected to be just slightly more than $34 billion next year. But the state's pensions costs alone are expected to grow by $1 billion. A report released last week from the state's retirement systems said Illinois' pension payment will jump from $4.9 billion in the current budget to $5.9 billion for fiscal 2013.

Illinois' Medicaid costs also are expected to grow next year. Lawmakers earmarked nearly $7 billion in the 2012 state budget. Legislators will be asking for $490 million more in fiscal 2013.

Quinn's budget director, David Vaught, said in May that $1 billion in overall growth is "not outlandish." Vaught said that $1 billion could come from growing the state's economy or just growing the tax base.

But unemployment rose after that. The most recent unemployment report, for October, shows the jobless rate at 10 percent in Illinois. Greg Rivara, spokesman for the state Department of Employment Security, said while the unemployment rate did tick up, Illinois has added thousands of jobs. But the benefit of those new jobs is not being seen. The October report from the Illinois Department of Revenue shows tax growth for the state is still tied to January's income tax increase. The October report also shows that state revenue is slightly behind expectations at this point.

Kelly Kraft, Quinn's budget spokeswoman, said the administration will conduct a status check next month.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7201/illinois-needs-1-billion-more-for-fy13-budget/

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 21
1859 HRS 200 BLOCK OF PLUM ST. FOLLOW UP ARREST: HARASSMENT THROUGH ELECTRONIC DEVICE. JUVENILE, F/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Harassment through electronic device. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0037 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. Vehicle was keyed. FAIL TO FILE.
1523 HRS 311 N. RANDALL RD. (KERASOTES THEATRES) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 10 years of age, fainted. No transport.
1606 HRS 101 PYOTT RD. (BUCKY’S) ACCIDENT/ Vehicle vs. Fuel Pump. Property damage only.
1617 HRS 500 BLOCK OF DELAWARE DR. ORDINANCE VIOLATION. Ordinance Violation.
1715 HRS 700 BLOCK OF PARC CT. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. No priors.
1825 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. son. Six priors. Male, 52 years of age, having flu-like symptoms. Transported to Woodstock Hospital. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.

Department Of Revenue To "Re-Apportion" Rutland, Grafton Taxes

Predicting what property taxes are going to be like around Huntley next year got even more complicated as the Illinois Department of Revenue confirmed last week that it will re-apportion the tax burden between Rutland and Grafton taxpayers in the five districts that overlap the two townships.

"I've never heard of this being done," said Grafton Assessor Bill Ottley.  McHenry County Kathie Schultz said sometimes taxes in McHenry County districts overlapping with Cook County have to be re-apportioned but, "I can't remember it ever happening anywhere else in the County."

Rutland taxpayers, especially those in School District 158, complained bitterly this year that their property taxes were too high compared to Grafton's so Kane County Supervisor of Assessments Mark Armstrong asked the Department of Revenue to fix things.  IDOR spokesman Sue Hofer confirmed Wednesday that the Department had accepted Armstrong's petition but declined to provide details of how it was going to work.

However, Huntley Finance Director Jennifer Chernak told Trustees considering the Village's 2012 levy Thursday that IDOR's preliminary figures for the Village of Huntley called for a 3 percent reductions on the Rutland side and a 3 percent increase on the Grafton one.

IDOR Statistical Researcher Brad Kriener Friday confirmed that estimate but said he didn't have numbers worked up yet for District 158, Huntley Fire Protection District, Huntley Park District and Huntley Area Public Library District.  Kriener said he hoped to have numbers for those prepared by the end of the month.  He said the apportionments between the two townships in each district would be based on 2010 evaluations.

IDOR's re-apportionment adds another layer of property tax "adjustments" in the five border-straddling taxing districts.  Ottley said the first adjuster, the McHenry County Board of Review isn't halfway through the 1,780 property tax appeals filed from Grafton Township yet.  "But if they keep going like they have...the average reduction will be 16.5 percent," Ottley said.

Women's League Thanksgiving Baskets Reach New High

Three hundred seventeen area families will have a full Thanksgiving dinner thanks to Sunday's Lake In The Hills Women's League's annual Thanksgiving Food Basket project.  It was the League's 25th, the biggest yet, setting a milestone the group preferred not to see. "It shows where's a lot more people unemployed out there than anyone thinks," said one volunteer. Last year the League only distributed 291 baskets.

One hundred baskets were delivered to area homes by 30 driver-volunteers.  Other volunteers, mostly students, lugged the rest outside at LITH Village Hall for loading into recipient trunks.
"The kids are really wonderful," said volunteer Mom Anne Regal, directing traffic to the curb.  "Even the little kids are helping."

Local Woman Named Rhodes Scholar

A 2008 Jacobs High School grad was one of 32 U.S. college students named this weekend as Rhodes Scholars, one of the most coveted honors in the world of higher education.  Alexis Brown, daughter of  Algonquin's Lynn and Russ Brown, will pursue a master of studies in English language and literature at the University of Oxford,  the second-oldest surviving university in the world,  the oldest in the part that speaks English.

The honor was announced late Saturday after Brown completed regional interviews in Chicago. "We congratulate Alexis on winning the most prestigious of all higher education honors," says Interim Chancellor David Ward. "In her, we see the makings of a gifted scholar who will be an effective voice for the humanities within academia and beyond."

Brown, now finishing her senior year at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, will spend two to three years at Oxford. The scholarship, valued at approximately $50,000 per year on average, was founded there in 1902 by British diamond baron Cecil Rhodes, and is the oldest international study program in the world.

In the pic: Alexis Brown

Lanes Open But Speed Limit To Stay On Huntley Route 47

The good news is that all the new lanes through Huntley are finally open in the village's Route 47 widening project.  The bad news is it's not really all done so construction speed limits will remain in effect.

Illinois Department of Transportation officials granted the contractor an extension until next to finish construction. Crews will be working throughout the Winter phase and into the Spring to finish work on street lights, traffic control signals, landscaping, concrete work and final punch list items.

Huntley Village Manager Dave Johnson said IDOT planned to keep the construction speed limits in place until the work's finished.

A village release noted that part of the new and improved Route 47 includes non-mountable medians that restrict left turns onto 47 in in some places.  It called particular attention to the Huntley Shopping Center (Wisted’s, Ace, McHenry Savings, etc.) and the left turn lane at Kenneth which allows drivers from the north to access the center, and the access point at Joan Avenue which will allows shoppers leaving the center to gain access to southbound 47.

Illinois’ Promise To Pay Not A Guarantee

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois’ fiscal woes are becoming a hard lesson in the difference between a promise to pay and a guarantee. The state constitution does not automatically force Illinois to pay workers, vendors, Medicaid providers and even elected officials — particularly once “subject to appropriation” language is applied. Gov. Pat Quinn used the “subject to appropriation” line when he vetoed money for the regional superintendents from the fiscal 2012 state budget and announced plans to close seven state facilities.

Illinois has not yet run out of money, but is suffering. Tax increases in January helped close Illinois’ structural deficit, when the state does not have enough money to cover day-to-day expenses. But the Civic Foundation, a Chicago-based nonpartisan policy watchdog organization, said Illinois will still be looking at an $8-billion deficit by the end of June 2012.

“If the pension system goes broke, or the state can’t afford to pay anyone’s salary, that isn’t something that anybody at (the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention) anticipated,” said Kent Redfield, a political science professor at University of Illinois. “It wasn’t even thought of, philosophically, when the U.S. Constitution was created.”

But there is a difference between what Illinois must do, and what Illinois should do according to Jim Nowlan, a fellow at the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs. “Illinois may not have a Constitutional obligation, but the state certainly has a moral obligation to pay its bills,” Nowlan said.

Brad Hahn, spokesman for Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, said the state is months behind in payments to schools, Medicaid providers and state vendors. “As of (last week), the state has 162,934 unpaid vouchers totaling $3.525 billion, dating back to July 8, 2011,” Hahn said. Hahn was quick to say that before Illinois pays its bills, it covers Illinois’ $3-billion in payroll to the state’s 50,000 employees.

Redfield said Illinois would have to go bankrupt, or worse, for the state to miss payroll.


You can read Benjamin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7186/illinois-promise-to-pay-not-a-guarantee/

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 20
0059 HRS ALBRECHT RD. & MILLER RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. KAMEES, RICHARD D., M/W 56 YEARS OF AGE, 240 WRIGHT 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, Speeding 40 mph Over the Limit, Speeding, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0911 HRS 4500 BLOCK OF BARHARBOR DR. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO RESIDENCE. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Criminal Trespass to Residence, Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by Minor. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED. RELEASED TO PARENT. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Criminal Trespass to Residence. TRI AREA COURT FOR TEENS. RELEASED TO PARENT. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Criminal Trespass to Residence. TRI AREA COURT FOR TEENS. RELEASED TO PARENT. JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Trespass to Residence. JUVENILE, F/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Trespass to Residence. TRI AREA COURT FOR TEENS. RELEASED TO PARENT.
1938 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICK’S) RETAIL THEFT/WANTED ON WARRANT. DECICCO, SUSANNE D., F/W 29 YEARS OF AGE, 415 N. SANTA BARBARA DR., MCHENRY. CHARGES: Retail Theft, Wanted on Two Warrants out of Missouri, One Felony with a cash bond only of $25,000.00, the Other cash bond only of $500.00. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance,Possession of Hypodermic Needles. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0103 HRS 0 BLOCK OF CRYSTAL DOWNS CT. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Female, 40 years of age, suicide attempt by pills. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0405 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) BATTERY Male vs. Male. FAIL TO FILE.
0502 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. Deer. Property damage only.
1153 HRS 300 BLOCK OF OAKLEAF RD. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 92 years of age, fell and injured her head. Transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
1539 HRS 4400 BLOCK OF ROLLING HILLS DR. Male, 18 months of age, vomiting. No transport.
1656 HRS 162 N. RANDALL RD. (CIGARETTES DEPOT) DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mom vs. Daughter. No priors. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1717 HRS 9451 ACKMAN RD. (HILLS FOOD & LIQUOR) ACCIDENT. Two Vehicles. Property damage only.
Algonquin
November 18
15:57pm Boyko, Nicole, DOB: 09/03/90, of 610 Gaslight Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Walmart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 12/28/11 in Algonquin.
November 19
00:45am Greene, Carson G., Jr., DOB: 09/16/78 of 90 Bright Oaks Circle, Cary, was charged with DUI, DUI Over, No Proof of Insurance and Disregarding Traffic Control Light.  He was taken into custody at Main Street and Huntington Drive.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 12/28/11 in McHenry County.
14:22pm Herrera, Anthony J., DOB: 02/12/79, of 202 Northwest Highway, Fox River Grove, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at 2 N. Main Street.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 01/04/12 in McHenry County.

Compare And Contrast: Two Different Tax Levies

The McHenry County Board and Algonquin Village Board both approved tax levies on the same evening this week.  The County's featured a 1.5 percent increase.  The Village's,  a 1.1 percent decrease. How'd that happen?

Both have budgets expected to be buoyed by recovering sales taxes but the County has some new expenses Algonquin doesn't.  Most notable is a mandate to pay for two new Circuit Court Judges.  And staff.  And somewhere to put them all. The County's also going to pay off bonds for its Valley Hi nursing home early and rebuild more roads next year.  The $256 million County budget's due to rise abut $11 million, the property tax levy about $1 million.

Algonquin's levy in one way is actually riskier than the County's since the Board is predicting expenditures much further ahead.  "Our fiscal year doesn't begin until April," observed Village Manager Bill Ganek.

Likewise there's still an element of uncertainty in what might be called Algonquin's "Village For Hire" revenue initiatives.  In the past year Algonquin's signed agreements to do vehicle maintenance for the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District and the Village of Pingree Grove, provide IT services to the Fire District and Huntley PD and do building inspections for Carpentersville.  Without much of an historical base to work with, the best guestimate is that those will bring in at least $50,000 worth or new revenue. The figure approaches 1 percent of the Village's new $5.5 million property tax levy.

Algonquin's budgeting process accommodates a certain amount of uncertainty, anyway.  Comes crunch time next year,  Ganek said administrators start with revenue estimates, then subtract out what it takes to keep the village flying just above stall speed.  Most of what's left is the "constraint" and it's up to each department head to work out how to use it.

How are "constraints" set in what's likely to be an $18 million plus budget?

"That's where the art is," grinned Ganek.  

Tons Of Tannenbaums For Algonquin Lions

"This is snow," insisted one Algonquin Lion blinking light rain from his eyes as he toted another  tree off the truck Saturday to set up the Lions' Christmas Tree lot at Algonquin State Bank on North Randall.

Sales Director Tim Toomey said the group will be ready to start selling 175 Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving.  Prices will range from $50 to $90.  "Better make that $100," said Toomey.  "I think there's a couple of 10-footers in there."  Wreaths will run from $20 to $40.

Proceeds will support the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry and Lions' charities. Hours at the lot will be 9 am to 6 pm next Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  After that they'll be from 5:30 to 9 pm weekdays and 9 am to to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday until the trees are gone.

LITH Mom Honors Veterans For Tenth Year

Michelle Weyer's tenth annual "Thank You Luncheon" for vets Saturday obviously missed Veterans Day again.  "It's always a few days before or a few days after," said the Lake in the Hills Mom, "but it's important to say thank you."

The event began with a 30-car siren-and-lights motorcade with Warriors' Watch motorcycle escort from LITH PD to the village's American Legion Post for a home-cooked luncheon prepared by Weyer's family, including 17 year-old daughter, Emily.

The vets who served from WWII to present conflicts, gave a round of applause when Weyer announced Emily hopes to join the Marines soon.  Emily, who sang the National Anthem at the luncheon, said she'd visit the recruiting office, "hopefully next week." 

Leggee PTA Crafts Fair Supports Student Activities

Early holiday shoppers flocked to the PTA's Holiday Craft Fair at Huntley's Elementary School Saturday.  "We've had a lot of people coming in the door," said President Kate Darnall.  "They're coming out with bags."

The Craft Fair with 60 exhibitors is one of Leggee PTA's events to raise money to support student activities at the school like field trips, PE and arts programs and educational presentations.  "We pay for all the assemblies for the kids," said Darnall.

Thanksgiving Travel Expected To Rise This Year

Illinois Thanksgiving travelers will number 2.23 million, a 3.8 percent increase from 2010, according to Chicago-based AAA motor club.  That's in the face of gas prices will still higher than 2010. In Illinois the average cost of an unleaded gallon of gasoline was $3.50 this past week.

“This is the first significant increase in any holiday travel this year,” said Brad Roeber, regional president of AAA. “Memorial Day travel was statistically flat while Independence Day and Labor Day travel experienced decreases of 2.5 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.”

“As consumers weigh the fear of economic uncertainty and the desire to create lasting family memories this holiday, more Americans are expected to choose family and friends over frugality,” said Roeber

Automobile travel, increasing four percent, will remain the dominant mode of transportation, according to AAA projections. Approximately 38.2 million people (90 percent of holiday travelers) plan to take to the nation’s roadways this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a four percent increase compared to Thanksgiving 2010 when auto travelers totaled 36.8 million.

Almost 3.4 million leisure travelers (eight percent of holiday travelers) will fly, a 1.8 percent increase from 2010. According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, Thanksgiving airfares are expected to be 20 percent higher than last year with an average lowest round-trip rate of $212 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. The combination of higher fares and lower availability of seats is expected to limit air travel growth this holiday to less than half of total traveler growth.  

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.

BRADLEY M. WEST, DOB:  11/13/86, 284 CHERRYWOOD DRIVE, PALATINE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGE.--LITH PD

MEGAN L. GATLIN, DOB:  02/15/91, 18 LINCOLN STREET, LAKE IN THE HILLS. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--Crystal Lake PD

DEBORAH A. OLANDER, DOB:  01/17/63, 671 SILK OAK LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE(2CTS), DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED (SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE).--LITH PD

SHERRI M. HEAD, DOB: 06/07/74, 312 OAKLEAF ROAD, LAKE IN THE HILLS. FORGERY (3 COUNTS).--Crystal Lake PD

KARI A. SMITH, DOB:  04/24/90, 22160 W. ROUTE 22, LAKE ZURICH. AGGRAVATED UNLAWFUL USE OF WEAPONS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.
PAUL D. WEST, DOB:  12/08/75. 22160 W. ROUTE 22, LAKE ZURICH. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF WEAPONS BY FELON, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD
  
DEANNA L. MCMAHON, DOB:  09/18/74, 2005 SUNSET AVENUE, MCHENRY. RETAIL THEFT. McHenry PD

WENDY B. FREE, DOB:  07/29/67, 1817 W. OAKLEAF DRIVE, MCHENRY. FORGERY, MAKING A FALSE INSURANCE CARD.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

BRADLEE D. MCDOW, DOB:  10/02/84, 8923 WOODY LANE, WONDER LAKE. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.---McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
MICHAEL A. DAVIDSON, DOB:  04/14/91, 10720 ROUTE 173, HEBRON. AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE(2CTS)--Hebron PD
  
SCOTT T. KOIVISTO, DOB:  03/28/94, 3108 W. BULL VALLEY ROAD, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD

JENNIFER L. MATLICK, DOB:  10/26/80, 4003 LILLIAN STREET  APT F, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry PD

JEREMY M. HALGREN, DOB:  08/18/84, 722 MCHENRY AVENUE, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--Crystal Lake PD
      
RYAN M. RAPP, DOB: 07/06/81, 358 LAKE AVENUE, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE(2CTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A HYPODERMIC SYRINGE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--North Central Narcotics Task Force
  
JEROME D. MC COY, DOB:  12/01/80, 1793 JAMESTOWN CIRCLE, HOFFMAN ESTATES. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF A LOOK ALIKE SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A LOOK ALIKE SUBSTANCE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
ANTHONY R. GOZA, DOB:  12/24/89, 5209 W. GREENBRIER DRIVE, MCHENRY. THEFT(5CTS).--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
SETH M. ELLETT, DOB: 05/16/90, 104 WEST RAILROAD STREET APT. D, MARENGO. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT (2 COUNTS), DOMESTIC BATTERY (2 COUNTS).--Marengo PD
  
TYLER WILLIAM TOPOR, DOB: 10/20/93, 20613 STATELINE ROAD, HARVARD. BURGLARY, CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO A RESIDENCE.--Harvard 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 19
0056 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. ZDUN, GABRIELA, F/W 35 YEARS OF AGE, 1175 PRIDES RUN, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol,Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Improper Lane Usage, Improper Turn at Intersection, Failure to Give Signal, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
0350 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICK’S) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BARM, EDWARD, M/W 24 YEARS OF AGE, 1580 SHEFFIELD DR., ELGIN. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Disobeying a Traffic Control Device. RELEASED ON BOND.
0106 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. SUICIDAL SUBJECT. Male, 18 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0647 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal Only. No priors.
0922 HRS 4000 BLOCK OF HERON DR. HIT AND RUN. Unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle.
1158 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1419 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC. Room mate vs. Room mate. Verbal only. No priors.
1535 HRS 600 HARVEST GATE. (VILLAGE HALL) FOUND ARTICLE. Keys.
1609 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. ACCIDENT. Two Vehicles. Property damage only.
2315 HRS 300 BLOCK OF COUNCIL TRAIL. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband vs. Wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
2322 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. No priors.