Area Residents Rally For Centegra Huntley Hospital

The rush hour crowd at Algonquin and Haligus roads was small but vigorous urging motorists to honk in support for a Centegra hospital for Huntley.  It was unlikely, however, that any of the nine members of the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board who will rule on Centegra's request passed by.

The Board's already rejected requests from Centegra of a 128-bed hospital at Haligus and Reed Roads and a similarly request from Mercy Health Systems for a new hospital in Crystal Lake, both on the premise they weren't needed.  Mercy changed its request to an 83-bed facility but Centegra's asked for another hearing based on expected population growth.

CEO Michael Eesley at the rally Friday told FEN he plans to use the Review Board's own recently-update needs survey to support the request.  The survey still says there's no current need for 128 new hospital beds in the planning area roughly congruent with McHenry County but it also says there will be a need for 138 by 2018.  "The Board's projection is we won't have the hospital ready for occupancy until late 2015 or 2016 and they want to see two years' of operation," said Eesley.  "It works perfectly."

Centegra's paying for a bus for supporters to attend the Review Board hearing in Bolingbrook Wendesday.  Seats are still available on the Centegra Hospital Huntley Building Committee's bus at 847-802-7400, according to organizer Cheryl Meyers.

Festival Of Trees Voting Continues For Two More Weeks

Santa Claus and the Mrs. met a warm welcome--and not just the cocoa--as the right jolly old elf made his first area weekend appearance Friday in Lake in the Hills.  Santa threw the switch to light this year's crop of 25 decorated conifers for LITH's Festival of the Trees.

A crowd of about 300 brought food donations to "vote" for their favorite trees sponsored and decorated by local businesses and charitable organizations.   Voting via canned and packaged food goods will continue through Dec. 16 when the donations will go to local food pantries.

Santa will appear today at Huntley and Algonquin celebrations.  See schedule in story below.

In the pic:  It's hard to remember what it was like but some of the smaller kids were actually squealing with excitement as Santa pulled in to LITH Village Hall Friday to light the Festival of Trees.

ALITH Chamber Announces Scholarship Applications

The Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce Chamber Foundation announced this week it's accepting applications for it 2012 Scholarship Program for graduating 21012 high school seniors planning for college or trade school.  Two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded in May.

Applicants must be a high school senior who lives in Algonquin or Lake in the Hills or is employed by a business member of the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber. Forms to apply are available now at the Chamber Office and will be soon at Huntley High School and Jacobs High School guidance offices.  Applications can also be downloaded at www.ALChamber.com. All applications must be received in the Chamber Office by March 30.

Congressman Opposes New EPA Reg On Manure

Area Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) ths week said a proposed EPA rule to classify livestock manure as hazardous waste would heap new, costly regulations on Illinois farmers making them less competitive and opening them to huge lawsuits.

Manzullo, who raised beef cattle on his Ogle County farm for 30 years, is cosponsoring a bill to prevent the EPA from adding livestock manure to the list of substances regulated by the Superfund Law. Earlier this year EPA, after receiving a lot of protests, decided not to add milk to the list.

Prior to running for Congress, Manzullo was an attorney who represented farmers in their run-ins with the EPA and other agencies. Manzullo pointed out that the EPA already has strict procedures in place for regulating waste from large agricultural operations to protect streams and underground wells from runoff.

“It’s ridiculous to think our family farms are as dangerous as toxic waste sites, and it’s outrageous to regulate them the same way,” Manzullo said. "Classifying livestock manure as hazardous waste...would open our family farms up to huge legal liabilities and make them less productive and competitive. This is the last thing we should be doing when we are trying to help put Americans back to work.”

Police Blotters

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

Huntley Trustees Blast Dowdy Bank Building

A ho-hum request to relocate a bank drive-thru took an Occupy Wall Street turn Thursday as Huntley Trustees flayed BMO Harris Bank for failing to upgrade the regional giant's location at Route 47 and Algonquin Road.

Trustee Pam Fender said she loved the people at the facility but complained money spent to move the drive-through back from its now-abrupt connection to Algonquin Road would be a waste since, "This building needs a major renewal." Trustee John Piwko echoed the sentiment.  "The best thing that could happen to the building is a bulldozer," he said.

Trustee Harry Leopold charged it wasn't the first time trustees have complained about the dowdy facility.  "You've known about this for three years," he told Harris officials, adding even mega-retailer Walmart had been willing to listen to "little Huntley" concerns.  Only Trustee Nikko Kanakaris countered the criticism commenting, "We all could say how we'd like other people to spend their money."

"I don't know of any legal precept to require a paying citizen to change the look of a structure," complained Harris attorney Rick Cohler.

Neither did Village Attorney Mike Coppedge, so the Board bowed to strict legality but Mayor Chuck Sass added a marginal notation.  "We can highly recommend they do something with the exterior and see if they want to be a good citizen."

The Board had another quick overview of the upcoming 2012 Huntley Budget featuring an $8.5 million balanced General Fund.  Village Manager Dave Johnson said building permit revenue was likely to make a paltry 3.5 contribution to revenue, down from 18 percent in 2007.  On the other hand, he said recovering sales taxes are expected to add a extra $250,000 to Village coffers next year.

The proposed budget is located here:

http://www.huntley.il.us/documents/DRAFTFY12AnnualBudgetwebsite.pdf

The Village will hold a hearing on it Thursday Dec. 8.

In the pic:  Harris lawyer Rick Cohler argued with Huntley trustees about bank building upgrades. "What you're trying to do is legislate aesthetics," he charged.

Riverside Plaza Developer To Ask For More Time

The Algonquin Village Board will have to decide Tuesday how much more slack to cut developers of the Village's partially-completed Downtown Riverside Plaza condominium/retail project.  Thursday was the latest deadline for them to submit "reasonably acceptable" proof of financing to finish it off but Village officials said the deal developers presented wasn't locked in yet.

"They presented financing but it's not finalized," said Village Manager Bill Ganek.  "I'm going to update the Board in Executive Session," he said.

"We'll finalize it very soon," said Riverside Plaza LLC head John Breugelmans Thursday.  "It's a matter of a week or two."

Work on the project that came to be known as Tyvek Towers came to a halt in late 2008 when overextended Amcore Bank pulled the plug on construction loans.  The Village eventually filed suit to tear it down as a safety hazard but signed a settlement agreement after Breugelmans and son John P. bought the hulk earlier this year with the intention of completing it.  Repairs and brick facing came in under just under the wire but Breugelmans said banks are still reluctant to lend money for the interior even though he's already sold contracts on several units.

"We're doing better than we expected," said Breugelmans who declined to say how many of the 54 residential units he's sold.  He said sales of Riverside Plaza's retail location look promising, too.  "We are negotiating two commercial stores that would represent 50 percent of the space," he said.

D158 Board Of Ed Plans Flat Tax For 2012

The District 158 Board of Education haggled over how much to "balloon" its nominal 2012 property tax levy even though the District's real collective tax bite's expected to be essentially the same as this year's.

The good news: the District actually got the final State Aid payment which it hadn't included in last year's budget so it can apply the "found" money against construction bonds next year. That means the Board won't ask for a 1.5 percent inflation increase.  CFO Mark Altmayer said the District still has to boost the levy enough to include newly-built construction, however. Thanks to Illinois' complicated tax laws if the District doesn't ask for at least that much it won't get it automatically.

Altmayer initially spitballed a theoretical 2 percent levy increase to be on the safe side, then decided .5 percent would cover it.  Member Gentry Kevin Gentry suggested splitting the difference at 1 percent adding, "the number's nonsensical by definition."

If everything works right, next year's tax rate should be flat with this year's. "Depending on (appeals to) the Board of Review," Altmayer added.

The Board will hold a Hearing on the 2012 levy Dec. 15.

Officials Charge Stay-Put Bill Failed Of Its Own Weight

District 300 officials reaffirmed they'd like to see Sears headquarters stay where it is after Governor Pat Quinn announced Thursday the State of Ohio has offered the giant retailer $400 million to relocate there. An incentive package to keep Sears and giant trading company CME in the Chicago area didn't make it out of the legislature earlier this week.

One provision would have extended the Sears Economic Development Area that funnels property taxes, much of which would ordinarily go to D300, back to Sears.  Communications Director Allison Strupek said Wednesday the Illinois plan didn't founder on the EDA part of the bill.  "The Sears EDA piece of the bill doesn’t seem to be the sticking point," she said.

That was McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon's analysis, too.  Tryon told FEN Thursday the incentive legislation larded on too many other tax changes at once.  "Maybe they need to break the components out and vote on it one piece at a time," he said.

"We look forward to seeing how and when the General Assembly will address the other parts of this very large bill that seem to have bogged it down," said Strupek. 

Congress Could Help Illinois Collect Online Sales Taxes

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinoisans who buy the latest best-selling book as a Christmas gift on Amazon.com will pay $12.99. The same book at a local bookstore costs an extra $.81. The bookstore isn’t charging more. It’s collecting Illinois’ 6.25 percent sales tax, which online retailers without a physical presence in the state don’t have to collect.

This tax loophole is costing the cash-strapped state $170 million every year, according to an estimate from the Illinois Department of Revenue. “Our local retailers are severely hampered by the competitive advantage that retailers who don’t have a physical presence here in Illinois have over those paying property taxes, who hire people in our community, who are supporting the local little league,” David Vite, president of Illinois Retail Merchants Association, a lobbying group for retail stores in the state, said during a Thursday conference call on the issue.

A bipartisan plan in the U.S. Senate would allow states to collect sales taxes from online businesses from out of state. A state wanting to collect sales taxes from out-of-state businesses would have to provide software to retailers to assist in the collection, under the legislation. “Most small businesses in Illinois don’t want a government handout. They don’t want special treatment. They just want to be able to compete fairly,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who is co-sponsoring one bill.

Amazon.com, once a fierce opponent of online sales taxes now supports them.  "States need the freedom to make their own revenue policy choices,” Paul Misener, Amazon’s vice president for global public policy, said.

You can read Andrew's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7259/congress-could-help-states-collect-online-sales-taxes/

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
December 1
0746 HRS 6900 RAKOW RD. (RAKOW CURVE) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1212 HRS 9000 BLOCK OF TRINITY DR. LOST ARTICLE. License plate missing. Entered into LEADS.
1232 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1602 HRS HIAWATHA DR. & WILLOW ST. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Officer had Contact with a Registered Sex Offender on a Traffic Stop.
1615 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF AVALON LN. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, Residence was entered and items removed. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1957 HRS 100 BLOCK OF ELLIS RD. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. No priors.
Algonquin
November 28
16:13pm Foote, Victoria A., DOB: 04/29/90, of 314 Circle Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Domestic Battery and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.  She was taken into custody at 560 Sussex.  She was transported to McHenry County jail to await a bond hearing.
20:28pm Williams, Johnnie L., DOB: 01/15/92, of 125 Siesta, Carpentersville, and Gordon, Dekali O., DOB: 08/03/92, of 5013 W. Washington, Chicago, were both charged with Retail Theft.  They were taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  They were released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 12/28/11 in Algonquin.
November 29
00:12am Covington, William T., DOB: 04/24/61, of 38W491 Us Route 20, Elgin, was charged with DUI, DWLR, Improper Lane Usage and two counts of Aggravated DUI.  He was taken into custody at Main Street and Huntington Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
14:43pm Chencinski, Ryan T.,  DOB: 06/02/92, of 1505 Monroe Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Walmart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 01/04/12 in McHenry County.
November 30
12:09pm Vukelic, Amanda E., DOB: 07/15/89, of 909 Silverstone Drive, Carpentersville, was charged with Domestic Battery.  She was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
16:04pm A 13 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Unlawful Possession of Cannabis.  He was taken into custody at Westfield School, 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road.  He was formally Station Adjusted and then released into the custody of his grandmother.
December 1
21:17pm Cherney, Edmund R., DOB: 01/27/59, of 1748 Winaki Trail, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at McDonalds, 501 E. Algonquin Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
December 2
00:12am Lilly, John B., DOB: 10/18/52, of 1018 Maple Street, Lake in the Hills, was charged with DWLS and Failure to Dim Headlights.  He was taken into custody at Shell Gas Station, 2 N. Main Street.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 01/11/12 in McHenry County.
04:18am Bennett, Steven R., DOB: 10/17/88, of 605 Wendt Avenue, East Dundee, was charged with DUI and Speeding.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Huntley Road.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 01/11/12 in McHenry County.

Area Businessmen Worry Over Randall/Algonquin Upgrade Plans

Algonquin and Lake in the Hills businessmen were dubious after a Wednesday briefing on McHenry County Department of Transportation plans to upgrade Randall Road, especially, the Randall/Algonquin Road intersection.

MCDOT intends to revamp Randall from Rakow south to the Tollway.  A lot of the five-mile route is still flanked by cattails and cornfields, though, neither of which has much a constituency. It's the older ("30 years," said Dittrich sighing) congested commercial area around the Randall/Algonquin juncture that's giving planners fits.

The fix boils down to two choices: still more lanes to fix things but not very much or a new-fangled solution MCDOT thinks would work better. For some reason it's called a continuous flow intersection (CFI) which may be a problem in itself.  "You have to stop twice," pointed out one audience member.  "Right," said Design Manager Wally Dittrich.

The briefing was sponsored by the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce since, as Dittrich observed, "No matter what we do there's going to be changes to access.  It's just a matter of what the changes are." Mutters of consternation, for instance, met Dittrich's announcement that Stonegate Road is destined to be a right turn in/right turn out-only intersection either way.

Small groups clustered afterwards around wall maps trying to puzzle out MCDOT's recommended  access routes which, for instance, would run through two existing stores in Algonquin's River Pointe shopping center. "There's a lot of concern (for customer access)," said Kelvin W. McClinton, District Supervisor for White Castle restaurants, "especially in this tough economy."  The map is located here (zoom to at least 150%):

http://www.randallroad.info/files/info/preferredAlternative/RIS_PR_11x17CFIExhibit.pdf

"What's the position of the Villages on the CFI ?" asked one business manager who asked not to be identified.  Dittrich replied neither Algonquin nor LITH had actually taken a vote.

Wednesday's presentation was the first chance recently-elected LITH Trustee Russ Ruzanski had had to view the CFI in detail. His reaction afterwards was pretty typical. "I certainly like the safety aspects," said Ruzanski.  "However, from a business impact I'm not satisfied."

MCDOT plans a public hearing on Randall improvements and the Algonquin Road intersection but no date's been set for it yet.  "Late in January," said County Engineer Joe Korpalski.

In the pic:  MCDOT planners brief Algonquin and LITH businessmen on plans to revamp Randall Road.

Kane Candidates Romance Huntley Tea Party

The title of State Sen. Chris Lauzen's "State of the State" presentation to the Huntley Tea Party Wednesday at the Cosman Center summed up its content:  "If I Ran My Business Like You Run The Government, I'd Be Bankrupt."

"The (Sears/CME retention) bill last night was for $250 million," said Lauzen.  "It would take $220 million every month for the next 30 years to pay off the State pension system," he charged.

Lauzen, candidate for Kane County Board Chairman, was the headliner among a group of Kane County candidates wooing the Sun City-heavy Huntley Tea Party.  Also pitching were 9th District Board incumbent T.R. Smith,  Circuit Clerk hopeful Tom Hartwell, Auditor candidate Terry Hunt and Coroner aspirant Bob Tiballi.

Hunt and Hartwell got the big laugh of the evening when Tiballi announced he was an expert in infectious diseases and they moved their chairs down the table from him.

Cliff Surges running for the new Kane-centric 33rd State Senate District also appeared.

Incumbent County Board members Ersel Schuster and Diane Evertsen were the only McHenry County candidates to appear.  Schuster got off the first salvo in what promises to be a Texas cage match in District 6 where are least 8 candidates will vie for 4 seats.  "We have a County Board that's more liberal than conservative," she said, "but they all run as conservatives."

In the pic:  State Sen. Chris Lauzen pined for the predictable management of former Governor Jim Edgar. "The current fellow--who knows what's going on?" he wondered.

Six Local Blood Drives Set For Busy Holiday Season

Blood supplies run low in the holiday season so Heartland and Lifesource blood centers have six drives scheduled in December in Algonquin and Huntley.  "Donating blood is truly giving the 'gift of life' to another,” said Heartland VP Ann McKanna.

The first drive is today in Algonquin  from 10 am to Noon at Robinson Family Chiropractic on East Algonquin Road.

Saturday Huntley's St. Mary's Knights of Columbus will have a drive from 8 am to 12:30 pm at the church.  The K of C has an ambitious goal of 115 units Saturday.

Next will be a drive Dec. 6 from 2:30 to 6:30 pm at Algonquin's Diamond Physical Therapy. Every donor there will receive a free Jersey Mike's sub sandwich.

Dec. 11 Algonquin's St. Margaret Mary K of C will have a drive at the church Ministry Center from 7:30 am to 1 pm. The next day, Dec. 12, Huntley's Walgreens at 47 and Kreutzer will host a blood drive from 9 am to 3 pm.  Finally, Dec. 20 there'll be a drive from 9 am to 1 pm at Del Webb's Meadowview Lodge in Huntley. To set up a donation for that one, call 847-515-2078 or sign up online at www.heartlandbc.org. All donors will receive a $10 dollar Target gift card.

In the pic: Fourth Grade teacher John Betts read a tennis mag while donating blood Tuesday at the Lead 300 teachers' union blood drive at Algonquin's Westfield School.  "It's the only free reading time I really get," he said.

Sponsors Ready Festival Of Trees Entries In LITH

Expect a frenzy of decorating today in preparation for Friday's Festival Of Trees celebration and Santa welcome at LITH Village Hall.  About one third of the 25 Christmas Trees remained unadorned Wednesday afternoon.

The trees are sponsored and decorated by area businesses and community groups so celebrants can vote for their favorites with a donation for area food pantries.  LITH Parks & Rec fashion experts advise a carry-along can of beans or box of Wheaties will be a stylish accessory when greeting Santa at 6 pm at Village Hall Friday.

In the pic:  Algonquin Mom Nikki Sabadash and her kids decorated the Elgin Tilted Kilt's LITH Festival of Trees entry on behalf of the Olivia Cerone Foundation.  The Algonquin group supports childhood asthma research.

Lawmakers Want Tax Fairness, Not Spot Relief

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
If Illinois lawmakers are going to help one or two businesses in the Chicago area deal with high tax bills, some lawmakers say they should help businesses in the rest of the state as well. Tuesday night's defeat of a $325 million tax relief package for CME Group and Sears Corp. came amid complaints that all Illinois businesses — not just those with big names or big-name lobbyists — should get some help.

The tax proposal began as a means to keep the company that owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, CME Group, and Sears from following through on threats to leave the state if Illinois doesn't lessen their tax burdens. State Rep. Rich Brauer, R-Springfield, said the 99 votes in the House against the tax break package are telling. “It shows how (the January) tax increase effects businesses,” Brauer said. “But it’s not just big businesses. It’s all businesses.”

None of the 78 Republicans in Springfield voted for the 67-percent personal income tax increase or the corporate tax rate hike earlier this year. Both measures passed with only Democratic support.
 But now some Democrats at the statehouse are talking about changing Illinois’ tax code. State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, led a series of hearings during the summer aimed at finding a better system. “There needs to be comprehensive overhaul of the entire tax code,” Hutchinson said.

Some go even further than that,though. "The frustration is not just the tax code," said state Rep. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy. "Illinois simply does not have a fiscal plan."

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7250/lawmakers-want-tax-fairness-not-one-at-a-time-relief/

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 30
0137 HRS MCHENRY AVE. & BUCKINGHAM DR. WANTED ON WARRANT. KRAS, TAYLOR M., M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 34 MCHENRY AVE., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant Kane County for Failure to Appear for Driving While License Suspended. Bond Amount is
$500 full cash. RELEASED ON BOND.
0437 HRS HARVEST GATE & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. JIMINEZ, BERNARDO, M/W 22 YEARS OF AGE, 4212 S. MOZART, CHICAGO. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, No Valid Drivers License, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Over .08, No Insurance, No Seatbelt. RELEASED ON BOND.
0024 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF W. ALGONQUIN RD. DOMESTIC. Verbal only between boyfriend and girlfriend. No priors.
0932 HRS 2800 BLOCK OF SORREL ROW. ANIMAL COMPLAINT. Owner bitten by her dog. Animal control notified.
1909 HRS 5600 BLOCK OF WILDSPRING DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Complainant had a subject call asking for money owed.
November 29
2353 HRS 101 PYOTT RD. (MOBIL) DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. LANDRY, CHERYL A., F/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 113 VILLAGE CREEK DR., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Registration Suspended for Mandatory Insurance Violation, Wanted on Warrant McHenry County for Failure to Appear for Suspended Registration. Bond Amount $5000, 10% applies. RELEASED ON BOND.
1132 HRS OAK ST. & ASH ST. DRIVING COMPLAINT. Car passed a school bus. UNFOUNDED.
1543 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WARWICK LN. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Suspicious auto in the area.
1715 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS PD) ORDINANCE VIOLATION/ Compliance checks.
1835 HRS 4500 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (7-ELEVEN) ORDINANCE VIOLATION. Tobacco compliance violation.
1905 HRS 241 N. RANDALL RD. (WHITE CASTLE) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
Huntley
November 21
A theft report was taken in the 10800 block of Grand Canyon.  An iPhone was taken from the residence.
A theft report was taken in the area of Pheasant Ridge and Cold Spring Drive.  A holiday wreath was stolen from a stone  pillar.
November 22
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 13200 block of Cold Springs.  Two mailboxes were knocked off the post and dented.
A criminal damage to property report was taken at Walmart, 12300 Rt 47.  Unknown subjected poured liquid laundry soap on the pegboard causing damage.
A theft report was taken a Walmart, 12300 Rt 47.  Battery cores were reported stolen.
A burglary to motor vehicle report was taken in the 11700 block of Woodcreek Drive.  A GPS was stolen from the unlocked vehicle.
November 24
A criminal damage to report was taken in the 11800 block of Coral Street.  A grill was reported damage.
November 25
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 13900 block of Westmore.  Two mailboxes were knocked off the post.
Matthew A. Dybeck, age 27, of 1203 Patton, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia and was cited for improper lane usage.  He posted bond and was released with a McHenry County Court date of December 16, 2011.
November 26
Fredrick F. Meyer, age 48, of 12958 Penefield, Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant.  Mr. Meyer was transported to McHenry County Jail.
Debra J. Florek, age 55, of 323 Ben Brook, Poplar Grove, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and was cited for driving under the influence of alcohol over .08, driving in the wrong lane, uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration.  Ms. Florek was released on a personal recognizance with a McHenry County Court date of December 16, 2011.
November 27
A burglary report was taken at Wilsons Leather, 11800 Factory Shops Suite 400.  Numerous items were reported stolen.
2011  Kyle R. Wightman, age 21, of 10710 Pebble, Huntley, and Viktor Milkovik, age 18, of 11717 Davey Apt. A, Huntley,were arrested for theft.  Mr. Wightman was transported to McHenry County Jail and given a McHenry County Court date of December 16, 2011.  Mr. Milkovik posted bond and was released with a McHenry County Court date of December 16, 2011.
Monique Cobb, age 33, of 10236 Princeton, Chicago, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for no rear registration light and uninsured motor vehicle.  Ms. Cobb was released on a personal recognizance with a McHenry County Court date of December 16, 2011.

Stay-Put Deal, Sears EDA Extension Crash In Springfield

Illinois lawmakers failed to agree Tuesday on a plan to renew the Sears Economic Development Area and increase District 300's share of taxes from it.  It was attached to a larger State incentive plan to keep Sears and trading giant CME Group from leaving the State but the House overwhelmingly rejected the package.

Over the past couple of weeks District 300 had hammered out a renewal compromise boosting its share of property taxes from the EDA in Hoffman Estates to about $6 million. Right now the cash-strapped district only gets about $3 million but if the EDA expires on schedule next year that would jump to around $14 million.

Action on the plan was in Senate Tuesday where attention focused on the rest of a package to keep Sears and CME from leaving for more business-friendly climes.  The Senate passed a $100 million tax break deal for the pair but the House nixed it 99 to 8. A slightly different House version of the deal, the one D300's been working on, was largely ignored.

"The good news--relatively speaking--is we don't have any reason to believe that the agreement that was finalized (Tuesday) regarding the Sears EDA will change," said A D300 news release Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, the pressure is on the Legislature and the Governor to come up with something to keep Sears and CME from decamping. And soon.  A Sears statement said the company wanted a deal by the end of the year. CME didn't put out a release but its chief said early this month the company wanted to make a decision last week.  Legislators could return for another session after the holidays but no date was set or even mentioned Tuesday.

House Republicans charged there wasn't enough in the incentive bill for smaller companies. Senate Democrats, meanwhile, said they wouldn't give up on boosting tax credits for the working poor. Both of those and the Sears/CME stay-put package all would offset huge state income tax increases  enacted this year.  Some legislators in both chambers Tuesday said the simplest solution to everything was just to cancel them. 

LITH Women Sentenced In Minor Prostitution Case

Two Lake in the Hills residents, Kari Knox, 38, and Antwanette Atkins, 44, were each sentenced Tuesday to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Both had been found guilty in August of Involuntary Servitude of a Minor.

During the trial evidence showed that New Years Eve two years ago Knox and Atkins arranged for a 14 year-old Kansas girl to engage in prostitution. Knox photographed the girl in various poses and uploaded the photographs to the Internet, provided clothing for the victim to wear and drove her to two suburban locations to engage in sex acts. Atkins posed with the girl in some of the photos, talked with her about how to tell if men were police officers and took phone calls to obtain addresses for the men responding to the Internet posting.

Jones and Atkins roommate, 54 year-old Donald R. Jones, charged with involuntary servitude of a minor, juvenile pimping and a number of child pornography offenses in the case is next due in McHenry County Circuit Court Dec. 12.

The minor girl has been returned to Kansas.

In the pic: Knox (above) and Atkins.

Funeral Friday For DC PE Teacher

Visitation will be Friday for a popular Dundee-Crown High School PE teacher who died suddenly and unexpectedly Monday evening at his Sleepy Hollow home.  Jerry was samples was 63 when he died of an apparent heart attack. The Samples Family will be receiving friends Friday evening, from 3 pm until memorial funeral services at 7 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Dundee.

Samples was born in Hazard, KY., Jan. 9, 1948, the son of the late Charles and Velma (nee Watts) Samples. He a 1966 graduate of Dundee Community High School. In 1972, he graduated from NIU and joined the Marine Corps where he was a first lieutenant.  In 1999, Samples began a career in education, earning his master's degree in physical education from NIU in 2002.

Survivors include his wife, Sue; their children, Matt (Dawn) Samples of Crystal Lake and Amy Samples of Sleepy Hollow; three granddaughters, Desiree, Brooke and Autumn, and his sisters, Debbie Samples and Mary Lou (Tim) LaFranchi. He was preceded in death by his parents and his "adoptive father," Jack Widener.

Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Sheriff's Deputies Bust Huntley Drinking Party

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced Monday that Saturday Deputies responded to a vacant house in the 6400 block of Suttondale Lane in unincorporated Huntley for an underage drinking party.

The Sheriff’s deputies’ investigation resulted in numerous citations issued to juveniles that were drinking alcohol at the party. Ten juveniles were issued Notices to Appear and were released to their parents. The hosting juvenile was not present when the deputies arrived, but his parents were notified of the party, according to the Sheriff's release, and the youth will be processed through the juvenile system. The owner of the party house was out of state, according to the Sheriff's release.

Editors Note:  The McHenry County Sheriff's Office sends releases in timely fashion to news outlets including an Internet news aggregator but requires FEN to wait until they are posted to the Sheriff's website several days later.

Prisons, Mental Facilities Saved; Quinn Friendlier On Budget

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois' seven endangered prisons and mental health facilities will stay open for at least the next six months after lawmakers Tuesday gave Gov. Pat Quinn the power to shift nearly $300 million inside the state budget. Lawmakers also said they sent the governor a clear message: not to threaten to close state facilities to get what he wants from the state budget.

Lawmakers on Tuesday approved this new spending authority for Quinn. The House approved it with a 92-20 vote and the Senate with a 50-5 vote. The money, which was taken from Illinois' regional superintendents, school transportation accounts and the Medicaid budget by delaying payment on more Medicaid bills, will keep the seven sites open through the end of June.

Lawmakers and statehouse insiders have criticized Quinn for introducing a budget plan, then walking away from the budget-making process. University of Illinois at Springfield political science professor Kent Redfield agreed. "I think it's a fair criticism to say Gov. Quinn was absent from the budget-making process last year," Redfield said.

State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, who helped write the Democratic spending plan last spring, said that won't happen again. "I think the governor will be more engaged, earlier on," Mautino said. "I think the governor is going to be more active, because next year's budget is going to be more difficult than this year."

You can read Benjamin's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7235/prisons-mental-facilities-saved-quinn-friendlier-on-budget/

Obituaries

John Joseph Miceli Sr., 71, of Marengo died Sunday at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. Visitation will be today from 4 to 8 pm at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home Huntley. Miceli's grandchildren will lead the Rosary following the visitation. Visitation will continue from 9 am Thursday until a Funeral Mass celebration at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church Huntley.

Miceli was born in Chicago, Dec. 16, 1939, the son of the late Joseph and Eleanor (Sirmarco) Miceli. He married Sandra Salemi, on June 6, 1964, in Chicago. He is survived by his wife; children, John Jr. (Barbara) and Joseph (Juli) Miceli and Serena (Thomas) Herr, and nine grandchildren, John III, Katie, Michael, Sarah, Grace, Jess, Joseph Jr., Madelyn and Mia. He also is survived by his mother and his brother, Loring Richard (Carmen) Miceli. He was preceded in death by his father and brother, Richard Scott.

The family thanks all of the wonderful health care professionals who have assisted with John’s care, especially Dr. Clayton Malaker, in the years following his liver transplant.  Our greatest love and gratitude is extended to the young and courageous organ donor, Jess, and his family who gave selflessly so that John and others could live. Not a minute of this precious gift of life was wasted.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Huntley Building Fund.

Alberta L. Youssi, 90, formerly of Huntley, died Sataurday at the King Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge, following a lengthy illness. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 pm Friday at the DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service,, Huntley, and from 9:30 am until Mass is celebrated at 10:30 am on Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley.  Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

Youssi was born August 23, 1921, in Morris, Illinois, the daughter of Albert and Bertha (Osmonson)  Saloga.  She married Dale J. Youssi on October 15, 1944. She is survived by her sons, Michael (Margaret) Youssi of Peoria, John (Jennifer) Youssi of Gilberts, Robert (Roxanne) Youssi of Fallbrook, CA; her step-daughter, Diane (Lowell) Long on Monmouth and eight grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband; an infant son; three brothers, Ray, Ed & Melvin and two sisters, Lillian & Marjorie.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the King Bruwaert House, Burr Ridge, or St. Thomas Hospice, Hinsdale.

Police Blotters

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

D300 Accepts Sears Compromise "Reluctantly"

After what was reported as sometimes sharp exchanges with legislators Monday,  District 300 officials announced they were "reluctantly satisfied" with a renewal of the Sears Economic Development Area that would bring the struggling school district another $3 million per year in revenue.  If the EDA weren't renewed,  District experts think the figure would be $14 million.

"While we have achieved huge progress over the past few months, make no mistake that the end result was a huge compromise," said District Superintendent Michael Bregy.

Bregy fenced with House Revenue Committee Chairman and bill co-sponsor John Bradley and officials from Sears host-village Hoffman Estates to funnel more property tax rebate money to Sears so the EDA could close out before the end of the planned 15-year extension.  Sears officials, threatening to leave Illinois, claim they spent $200 million to build the company's headquarters in the EDA but have only gotten $75 million out of it.

The latest compromise would roughly double the money the straitened school district receives from Sears property taxes, currently about $3 million per year.  Hoffman Estates would still get $5 million to administer the EDA but a new restriction would prevent it from using any EDA money to pay off bonds for the Village's foundering Sears Centre. Furthermore the EDA would have to submit to an audit to federal standards, not just a Sears or Hoffman Estates signoff.

School officials said in a release, "Sears could realistically be repaid within 10 to 12 years."  They estimated the District might eventually get "an additional $30 million to $50 million," if the EDA ended early.

None of the latest conditions is on paper yet and some may not be. "These understandings will be reconfirmed during House debate (Tuesday) to become part of the official record, which will serve as legal evidence," said a pointed District release.

Even if everyone agrees to what everyone thinks they've agreed to,  the EDA deal isn't assured, though.  It's packaged with a larger plan of State incentives to keep Sears and trading exchange giant CME from moving out of Illinois and both legislative leaders and the Governor don't like parts of it very much. (See story below.)  The deadline for passage is supposed to be Wednesday.

In the pic:  District 300 Superintendent Michael Bregy testifying in Springfield Monday.

Cue Wm. Tell Overture: Candidates Start Races

Monday was the first day for candidates to file nominating petitions for the Illinois March Primary.  In McHenry County that meant Republicans since no Democrats showed up and it meant mostly incumbents since challengers often wait until the last day to skip the chancy crush for the top ballot spot in favor of the almost-as-good bottom position.

In the newly-redrawn 33rd Senate District covering western Algonquin and Grafton townships and northeastern Kane County,  Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughey, St. Charles, and Cliff Surges, Gilberts, put their petitions in. Incumbent Mike Tryon,Crystal Lake, filed in the associated 66th House District including most of Grafton, Algonquin and Dundee townships.  Republican Deputy House Leader Tim Schmitz, Batavia, filed for the other associated district, the 65th, including southern Grafton and Rutland Townships.

Incumbent Ken Gaffney, Lake Barrington, and challenger David McSweeney, Barrington Hills, both filed Monday for the House 52nd which includes east Algonquin Township.

In McHenry County races,  Auditor Pam Palmer, Union, filed for Auditor; Circuit Clerk Kathy Keefe, Woodstock, filed for Circuit Clerk; Recorder Phyllis Walters filed for Recorder and State's Attorney Lou Bianchi filed for State's Attorney.  Algonquin's Anne Majewski filed for the Coroner's post which incumbent Marlene Lantz won't be seeking.

All 24 McHenry County Board slots will be up for election next year thanks to redistricting.  Here's the list of those who filed Monday (four seats per district):

District 1 (Algonquin, some of LITH)
*Yvonne M. Barnes,Cary #
*Anna May Miller, Cary #
  Robert "Bob" Bless, Fox River Grove #

District 2 (most of LITH)
*James L. Heisler, Crystal Lake #
*Carolyn Schofield, Crystal Lake
  Kenneth (Ken) D. Koehler, Crystal Lake #

District 3
*Mary R. Alger, Crystal Lake
*Mary L. Donner, Crystal Lake #
*Joseph (Joe) Gottemoller, Crystal Lake
*Mary McClellan, Holiday Hills
*Linda (Lyn) Orphal, Crystal Lake
*Nick Provenzano, McHenry #

District 4
*John D. Hammerand, Wonder Lake #
*Sandra Fay Salgado, McHenry #
*Edward Varga, Richmond
  Robert "Bob" M Martens, Sr., Spring Grove

District 5 (some of LITH, lots of Huntley)
John P. Jung, Jr., Woodstock #
Tina R. Hill, Woodstock #

District 6 (West Huntley)
*Diane F. Evertsen, Harvard #
*Shawn Green, Union
*David LaGue, Marengo
*Mary T. McCann, Woodstock #
*Ersel C. Schuster, Woodstock #
*Rachel Elizabeth Smith, Wonder Lake
  Michele R. Aavang, Woodstock

*8 am filing--ballot position by lottery; # incumbent

For Kane County Board, incumbent Republican Maggie Auger was the only candidate to file for the 23rd District including Algonquin and incumbent Republican Thomas (T.R,) Smith was the only one to file for the 9th including Huntley.

In the pic:  County Clerk Kathie Schultz told a couple of dozen McHenry County political hopefuls how to file their nominating petitions properly Monday morning.

Accused Algonquin Lawyer's License Suspended

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission confirmed Monday it's placed an interim suspension on the law license of Algonquin Attorney Jason W. Smiekel.  Deputy Administrator James J. Grogan said that's standard practice when an attorney is charged with a crime, in Smiekel's  instance, trying to arrange a murder-for-hire.

Smiekel was indicted in August for allegedly using his cell phone and car while he tried to get several people to kill a former client who was his girlfriend's former boyfriend. Most of the people he allegedly tried to hire turned out to be Federal informants or agents, however.

Smiekel's suspension is somewhat theoretical since he's still in custody awaiting trial set to begin Dec. 16.  Grogan said if he's acquitted, Smiekel can petition to have his license reinstated.

Scaled Back Tax Break Plan Emerges

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
A $250-million makeshift combination of tax breaks for businesses and tax relief for the low- to moderate-income families is positioned to come up for a vote in the Illinois House today or Wednesday. The Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee  Monday approved a trimmed down version of an earlier plan aimed at calming some of the state’s biggest businesses upset over a big corporate income tax rate hike this year.

The tax breaks will be funded by letting a provision in the tax code expire on Dec. 31. That provision allows a business to claim a tax credit for the full depreciation of a capital investment, like equipment, all at once instead of over the lifetime of the investment. That will give the state upward of $250 million more in tax revenue annually, making the tax breaks a wash on paper, said state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, who is sponsoring the legislation in the Illinois House.

CME Group, which owns the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and national retail company Sears Corp. have threatened to leave the state, if the Legislature doesn’t make the cost of doing business in the state cheaper. They  spawned the original push to make tax changes before Dec. 31. State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, compared the threats to assault with a deadly weapon. “We’re here today, because there are two companies in the state of Illinois that are essentially holding a gun to our heads,” Currie said.

Under the current House proposal, CME Group still would see annual tax savings of about $85 million, the single largest benefit outlined in the package. Sears would get a tax break of $15 million annually over the next decade, as long as it keeps its headquarters and at least 4,250 employees in Hoffman Estates.

Bradley said nothing prevents another large business from threatening to leave. "We haven’t come up with a good solution for that yet. Part of the problem is that as long as other states do the same thing, were going to continue to have a problem,” Bradley said.

Small- and medium-sized businesses will get some tax relief in the package. hey could claim up to $100,000 in a tax credits if expenses outstrip revenue during a tax year. The ability to claim the credits was suspended temporarily at the same time the income tax was increased to help the state deal with its troubled finances.

Beyond businesses, there’s an attempt to offer some tax relief to individuals whose personal income taxes jumped by 66 percent in January. The state’s earned income tax credit for low- to moderate-income families would go from 5 percent of federal earned income tax credit to 7.5 percent under the plan. That translates into a maximum tax credit ranging from $283 to $424.50. Additionally, the standard tax deduction for individuals would go from $2,000 to $2,050.

David Vaught, director of Gov. Pat Quinn’s Office of Management and Budget, said Quinn supports the spirit of the measure, but he wants more tax relief for individual taxpayers before signing any legislation.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7215/scaled-back-tax-break-plan-emerges/

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 28
0013 HRS SQUARE BARN & ALGONQUIN RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SCHUSTER, JESSICA ASHLEY, F/W 24 YEARS OF AGE,
12539 WINFIELD SCOTT BLVD., ORLANDO, FL. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Speeding. RELEASED ON BOND.
0512 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTON’S) DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. SPEAR, JIMMY STEVEN, M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 11609 DANIEL LN., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Expired Registration, Registration Suspended for Mandatory Insurance, No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1120 HRS 8711 PYOTT RD. (REDI-WELD MFG.) THEFT. Trailer with snow removal equipment taken. LEADS entry made for trailer. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1120 HRS 8711 PYOTT RD. (REDI-WELD MFG.) BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. Paint and Saws taken from an unlocked tool box. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1120 HRS 8711 PYOTT RD. (REDI-WELD MFG.) THEFT. Two Gradings taken from the secure lot. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1935 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF CHANCERY WAY. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. garage door. Property damage only.

D300 Calls New Sears Deal "Money Grab"

Just before time ran out Sunday, supporters filed new compromise legislation to renew the Sears property tax rebate so the company won't move out of Illinois. By one new provision, the first $350,000 in taxes each year would pay to defend lawsuits from anyone who doesn't like it. That would probably include School District 300 officials who charged Sunday evening it wasn't the deal they made 10 days ago.

"The rug has once again been pulled out from under 21,000 students at the last minute," said District Superintendent Michael Bregy in a written statement.

Provisions extending the Sears Economic Development Area for another 15 years was part of a broad new amendment that includes other incentives for Sears and for trading exchanges giant CME, which has also threatened to move somewhere else. The measure also adds a new tax break for the state's vital live theatre industry.

If the Sears EDA expires next year at the end of a 23-year run, D300 figures the district would recover about $14 million in yearly property taxes that now go back to Sears and headquarters host village Hoffman Estates.  Under the new renewal plan, the school district would only get $6 million while Hoffman Estates would get $5 million and Sears would get whatever was left. Separately Sears is supposed to get a $250 million credit against income taxes.

The school district's most incensed about Hoffman Estate's struggling Sears Center. An earlier version of the EDA legislation would have allowed the village to sell the money pit to the EDA.  The new one prohibits that but Bregy charged it doesn't stop the village from using EDA money to pay off the building's bonds instead.

McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon said Sunday afternoon he hadn't read the new amendment yet but added, "If Hoffman Estates wants a convention center they should pass taxes to support it like Rosemont."

The EDA deal is only a sidebar to a larger package of incentives to keep Sears and CME from moving out of Illinois in the wake of a 37 percent corporate income tax hike this year.  The trick will lie in financing it.  The latest legislation does it by rolling back a state version of the IRS's instant depreciation on new business equipment.  Critics claim the federal allowance is only good for this year and, besides, it's a dirty trick on businesses who've already bought new machinery.

The latest Sears amendment to a bill that started out as a technical change to the State Income Tax Act supersedes one introduced three weeks ago.  Special Session hearings on that were scheduled before the Revenue and Finance Committee this afternoon.  Meanwhile the Rules Committee will try to figure out what to do with the new amendment before a final vote deadline for the bill runs out Wednesday.

In a heads-up message Sunday evening D300 Communications Director Allison Strupek said officials expected protesters to turn out today at both Sears Headquarters and the Sears store at Dundee's Springhill Mall.

Supporters Plan Rally Before, Bus To Huntley Hospital Hearing

With 10 days to go before a crucial State hearing on a new hospital in Huntley, promoters are trying to dramatize support for the plan even though a State report last week said it wasn't needed and would hurt existing hospitals.

The Village of Huntley announced a rally Friday to support the 128-bed $230 million Centegra Health System hospital proposed for Haligus and Reed roads. The rally's set for 3:30 to 6:30 pm at Centegra's Health Bridge facility at Haligus and Algonquin roads.  Cocoa, snacks and "green glow necklaces" for the kids are promised.

Supporters are also recruiting riders for a bus to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board hearing in Bolingbrook next Wednesday, Dec. 7.  That's where and when the state will make a final decision on both Centegra's proposal and a competing plan for a now-smaller Mercy Health Systems hospital proposed for Crystal Lake.

The Board rejected both hospitals earlier this Summer but both groups hope to convince Members they were wrong the first time. That's likely to be an uphill fight, though, since an updated staff report revealed last week found that "there are existing hospitals within 30 and 45 minutes currently operating below the State Board’s target occupancy...which may result in an unnecessary duplication of service."

On the other hand, the conclusion's somewhat at odds with other parts of the report that find the planning area needs 83 new hospital beds right now and 138 by 2018. If the Board approved Centegra Huntley,  the hospital wouldn't go online until late 2016.

The Dec. 7 bus to the Bolingbrook hearing will pick up riders in Sun City at 7 am and others at Centegra Healthbridge Huntley at 7:15 with a return around 5 pm.  The phone for reservations on the Centegra Hospital Huntley Building Committee's bus is 847-802-7400.

In the pic:  Yard signs in Huntley's Georgian Place this weekend showed plenty of support for a Centegra Huntley hospital.

Cookie Sale, Giving Tree Set For Huntley Animal House Shelter

Oh, the harried Holiday season.  Who has time these days to bake those festive Christmas cookies we all pigged out on in the happy days of our youths?  Supporters of Huntley's Animal House, that's who, with cookie sales scheduled at the shelter the next three Fridays from 11 am to 7 pm.

And while too many cooks spoil the broth, too many cookie bakers is just the right number.  Contact Marlene Sweeney at AHSMarlene@gmail.com to volunteer.

The Cookie Sale is part of Animal House's Giving Tree Celebration to support the no-kill pet shelter.  The Giving Tree will have ornaments with a photo of all the dogs and cats there who need help.  The Giving Tree Celebrations will run Saturdays from Noon to 3 pm and Sundays from 3 pm to 6 pm at the shelter through Dec. 18.

State Education Board Posts Rules For Teacher Evaluations

The Illinois State Board of Education last week posted for comment new rules for school districts to evaluate teachers and administrators.

Starting September 2012, all teachers, principals and assistant principals will have to be rated and the principals/assistant principals ratings will depend on how students are doing. The same thing will apply to some teachers in Chicago in 2012 and every teacher in the state by 2016. "Student growth"  will count for at least 25 percent of the evaluation for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 years, then at least 30 percent starting in September 2014.

State Board officials pointed to a recent study by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research showing a direct connection between teachers who scored highest and student growth. It also found students in the study with the lowest growth were in classrooms led by teachers who scored lower.

The complete text of the proposed rules (Part 50 Evaluation of Certified Employees) and a place for public comment are at http://www.isbe.net/rules/proposed/default.htm.

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 27
0222 HRS RAKOW RD. & PYOTT RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. JAIMES, MARCO A, M/W 21 YEARS OF AGE, 694 DARLINGTON LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Speeding in a Construction Zone. RELEASED ON BOND.
0244 HRS RAKOW RD. & VIRGINIA RD. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. DIEDRICH, DAVID J., M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 1709 HIGHWAY VIEW AVE., MCHENRY. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol with a Breath Alcohol Content over .08, Speeding in a Construction Zone. RELEASED ON BOND.
0327 HRS 241 N. RANDALL RD. (WHITE CASTLE) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. VERVYNCK, SYDNEY NICOLE, F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 5805 HAWTHORN LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Disobeying a Traffic Control Device, No Headlights when Required, Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. RELEASED ON BOND.
0334 HRS RAKOW RD. & PINGREE RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED.  MENDEZ, ADOLFO, M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 417 BURBANK, WOODSTOCK. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Failure to Appear for a Traffic Offense. Bond Amount: $5,000 at 10%. Driving while License Suspended, Defective Windshield, No Valid Insurance. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
2141 HRS OAKLEAF RD. & WOODY WAY. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. LEHR, MICHAEL L., M/W 47 YEARS OF AGE, 5 ACORN LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Resisting a Peace Officer, Aggravated Assault, Improper Lane Usage. Transported to Sherman Hospital for an evaluation. RELEASED ON BOND.
2324 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & CRYSTAL LAKE RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BRICE, GILBERT W., M/W 27 YEARS OF AGE, 5069 LINDEN RD., ROCKFORD. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Expired Registration, Defective Windshield, No Valid Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0410 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 24 years of age, highly intoxicated. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
1030 HRS 700 BLOCK OF MOHICAN TRAIL. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. Son. No priors. FAIL TO FILE. Male, 23 years of age, needing to be detoxified. Transported to St. Alexian Brothers Hospital.
1534 HRS 260 N. RANDALL RD. (COSTCO) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
Algonquin
November 23
16:02pm A 16 year-old male from Lake in the Hills and a 17 year-old male from Algonquin were both charged with Retail Theft.  Both were taken into custody at Walmart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  Both were released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 12/28/11 in Algonquin.
19:25pm Romero, Luis D., DOB: 01/28/93, of 1040 Perry Drive, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft.  He was taken into custody at Walmart, 1410 S. Randall Road.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 12/28/11 in McHenry County.
November 25
22:05pm A 17 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with Unlawful Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody at W. Algonquin Road and Crystal Lake Road.  He was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 12/28/11 in Algonquin.
November 26
03:40am Almanza, Fabian, DOB: 12/17/84, of 505 Waco Lane, Carpentersville, was charged with DUI, DUI Over, Improper Lane Usage and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at Lake Drive South and W. Algonquin Road.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 01/04/12 in McHenry County.
12:25pm Kielbasa, Carolita R., DOB: 01/10/72, of 209 Biltmore Court, Martinez, GA, was charged with DWLS.  She was taken into custody at Route 62 and Eastgate Drive.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 12/28/11 in McHenry County.
November 27
00:21am A 16 year-old male from Carpentersville was charged with No Valid Driver’s License, Curfew Violation and No Seat Belt.  He was taken into custody at Main Street and Huntington Drive.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 12/28/11 in McHenry County.
00:35am Cervantes-Escobedo, Martin, DOB: 01/31/88, of 1650 Maple Street, Elgin, was charged with No Valid Driver’s License and No Seat Belt.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Main Street.  He was released after posting $150, with a court date of 12/28/11 in McHenry County.
00:41am Ortiz, Mauricio, DOB: 06/21/91, of 493 Addison Street, Elgin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Failure to Appear on a Possession of Marijuana charge.  He was taken into custody at Huntington Drive and Main Street.  He was released after posting $500 with a court date of 12/14/11 in Kane County.
01:58am Nelson, Hans W., DOB: 10/05/70, of 40 East Chicago Avenue Unit #377, Chicago, was charged with DUI, Improper Lane Usage, Suspended Registration and Expired Registration.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Main Street.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 01/04/12 in McHenry County.

McHenry County Plane Crash Kills Four Indiana Residents

Investigators combed through the shattered wreckage of a light plane that crashed on a farm near McHenry County College Saturday morning taking the lives of four people.   Federal Aviation officials said it might be as much as year, though, before they could say why it happened.

The aircraft, owned by a Marion, IN, flying club, crashed in a field near Route 14 and Ridgefield Road at about 10:30 am Saturday.  McHenry County Undersheriff Andy Zinke said the names of the victims wouldn't be released by the Coroner's Office until Monday. However,  Indiana TV stations and newspapers Saturday identified three of them as a Marion businessman, a member of the flying club, and his two daughters, one returning to college in Wheaton after Thanksgiving break.  The fourth victim was identified as a friend of one of the girls.

The four-seat Cirrus SR20 was the first production general aviation aircraft built with a parachute to lower the aircraft after loss of control or structural failure.  The parachute was found draped over a tree at the crash site Saturday but residents who first arrived at the crash said none of the victims survived the initial impact.

In the pic:  The airplane in which four people died in a McHenry County crash Saturday was composite-constructed of reinforced plastic resins.

Algonquin Scouts Tote Trees To Raise Funds

Mist turning later to rain dampened the first day of sales at Perry's Christmas Tree lot behind the gas station at Algonquin and Randall Roads.  That was sorry news for Scouts from Algonquin's Troop 151 who, for the eighth straight year will help sell the trees to support activities like campouts and other events.

"This is our biggest fundraiser of the year," said Alex Reinbrecht who turned out Saturday to man his post even though he was pretty sure he was fighting a case of bronchitis.

Lot owner Steve Perry was philosophical.  "The weather really affects sales but it'll probably even out later on," he said.  "We'll be here 'till at least Dec. 21," he added.

In the pic:  Troop 151 Scouts Alex Reinbrecht and Lucas Beineman sprucing things up Saturday at Perry's Christmas tree lot in Algonquin. 

Diabetic Seizure May Have Caused Algonquin Crash

Algonquin police guarded Classic Glass art glass studio in the Fox River Center on South Main until someone could be found to secure the store after a car smashed through its front Saturday evening.

An official report remained unavailable this morning but according to unofficial accounts Saturday, the accident occurred when the vehicle's elderly driver suffered what may have been a diabetic seizure.  Eyewitnesses said he wasn't badly injured the the crash.

Autism Fundraiser Helps Many Area Families

Lake in the Hills' Northern Illinois Center for Autism's craft and vendor show was a success for the charitable group that supports families with autism in Northern Illinois. "Every dollar that we raise goes back to the community," said organizer Amy Hebel.

Fellow-organizer Annette Stoner estimated the Center currently supports 600 area families which include someone afflicted with an autism spectrum disorders.

No Solution Yet To McHenry County School Super Problem

"We've been to (the Illinois State Board of Education) three times," to solve McHenry County's Superintendent of Schools problem, said County Administrator Peter Austin last week.  "We expect to meet with them again," he added.

Governor Pat Quinn's signature two weeks ago  on a bill to fund salaries solved the Regional Superintendents problem for most counties but not for McHenry.  Quinn himself created the problem striking the money to pay for the 44 positions this Spring from the State's budget.  In the Veto Session earlier this month  the Legislature caved to Quinn pressure and raided funds from the State's Personal Property Replacement Tax, all of which heretofore had gone to local taxing districts.

While the new measure's probably enough to keep most of the rest of the Regional Supers from jumping ship, it doesn't do much for McHenry County since it doesn't have anyone in the post in the first place.  Superintendent-elect Joe Williams saw the funding fiasco coming and declined to take the job. Austin said McHenry County's faced with two problems finding a someone to appoint as a replacement.

First, the new appropriation was only for one year, so, "The position's only funded for the end of June," said Austin.  In other words, the issue isn't really solved, it's just been postponed for a few months. That means McHenry County's spot is still pretty unattractive to anyone with more than a six-month career plan.

"What you could find most likely is a temporary superintendent," said Austin but that's turning out to be pretty tough, too, since there are so many qualifications for the post.  Among them, an appointee has to be a Republican since that's what Williams was; has to hold one of a number of supervisor's certificates; has to have taught for at least four years and has to have taught or supervised two of the last four years.

"Probably the best solution would be someone who's retired," said Austin but that's not awfully likely, either. The law says an educator drawing a pension from the Teacher's Retirement System isn't allowed to take Superintendent's pay, too.

"We're meeting with the State Board to try to work around (the restrictions)," said Austin.

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 26
0246 HRS SPRINGLAKE DR. & MILLER RD.POSSESSION OF A STOLEN VEHICLE. CHLOSTA, HUBERT A., M/W 23 YEARS OF AGE, 9458 BAY COLONY APT 25, DES PLAINES. CHARGES: DUI Drugs, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
GARCIA, GAGE PAUL, M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 412 CUTTERS MILL LN., SCHAUMBURG. CHARGES: Possession of Cannabis. RELEASED ON BOND.
ZAVASNIK, NATALIE S., F/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 3 SWINFORD CT., BOLINGBROOK. CHARGES: Theft, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Hypodermic Needles. RELEASED ON BOND.
0332 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) BATTERY Male vs. Female. FAIL TO FILE.
1343 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1851 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Granddaughter vs. Grandmother. No Priors. Female, 13 years of age, needing an evaluation. Transported to Sherman Hospital. FAIL TO FILE.
November 25
0309 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. DOMESTIC Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. One prior.
1050 HRS 300 BLOCK OF MEADOW LN. ACCIDENT. Delayed. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1153 HRS 1020 ALGONQUIN RD. (LITH FIRE DEPT) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Female, 26 years of age, not conscious, but breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.