OK, Now It's Winter

The area began to dig out from the first real snowstorm this winter but the snowcover isn't expected to last very long.  National Weather Service forecasters this morning said they expected temps in the 20's today, an evening dip and then steady or rising temperatures overnight as a warm low moves into the area.  The outlook through midweek is for temps warmer than average for late January.

Meanwhile area roads and streets are in pretty good shape.  The main drags and hills are fine and local arterials are mostly clear but not completely bare yet.  In the neighborhoods, snow removal's far enough along to bury some hydrants and residents might want to dig them out before the mounds go glacial.

There's finally enough snow for the Village of Algonquin's Best Snowman In Town Contest to make sense.  Photos to recreation@algonquin.org are due by March 1, however, if you've got a good one anywhere, send it to gonigam@firstelectricnewspaper.com and FEN will run it tomorrow.

In the pic:  John Wenzelman (foreground) and Chip Corbett did a little private snow removal this morning in Algonquin's Willoughby Farms subdivision.

Deputies Arrest Two For Algonquin Burglary

Sheriff Keith Nygren Friday announced the arrest of two men for allegedly burglarizing a home in Algonquin's unincorporated Haeger's Bend.  Charged are Ivan Suski, 20, of Algonquin and Tedi Vasili, 26 of Schaumburg.

The day after New Years a Zimmer Drive, resident complained to deputies that while he was away, someone broke into his home and stole electronics, jewelry, and cash.  The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division developed leads to Suski and Vasili.  They arrested Suski only three days  later but didn't take Vasili into custody until Wednesday.  Deputies said they recovered some of the loot, too.

Suski is charged with residential burglary and theft. He asked for bond reduction but didn't get it and remains in McHenry County Jail.  He's scheduled for preliminary hearing Feb. 2.  Vasili is also charged with residential burglary and theft. He's free on bond and will appear in court to set a date for preliminary hearing Thursday.

Nygren said if residents in unincorporated areas are going away for a while, they can ask the Sheriff’s Office  to run extra patrols near their residences.

Rakow Work Winds Down But It's Still A Construction Zone

Workers installed the new bike path bridge over Rakow Road above Pyott this week marking the end of major work on the upgrade project itself until Spring. ComEd and Comcast still have utility work to do before storm sewer installation resumes.  Depending on weather, the noise abatement wall at Ackman and Randall might start in the next few weeks.  However, authorities warn that even if it doesn't look like anything's going on, the construction zone speed limit and regulations on cellphones will remain in effect.

Feds, State Authorities Fight Mortage Fraud Schemes

A former Chicago lawyer was sentenced Friday to 15 years in federal prison for engaging in widespread mortgage and bankruptcy fraud schemes and authorities arrested another Chicago man Friday on state charges for similar “rescue” scams targeting financially-distressed homeowners.

Attorney Norton Helton, 50, participated in at least 102 fraudulent mortgage bailout transactions and more than a dozen fraudulent bankruptcies in 2004 and 2005, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He was ordered to pay more than $3.2 million in mandatory restitution to various lenders and financial institutions that were not repaid by the borrowers or made whole through subsequent foreclosure sales.

Helton was part of Eyes Have Not Seen (EHNS), which claimed to offer insolvent homeowners mortgage bailout services by selling their property to investors. The victim-clients were assured they could continue living in their homes rent and mortgage-free for a year while they attempted to eliminate their debt and repair their credit. The homes were, in fact, simply sold, said federal prosecutors with ENHS stripping them of their equity.

Meanwhile Attorney General Lisa Madigan Friday announced the arrest of Warren Jackson, 41, of Chicago,  charging he stole more than $350,000 in a pair of mortgage fraud operations. The first scam targeted homeowners facing foreclosure, promising to save their homes by negotiating lower mortgage payments. Madigan alleges that after collecting upfront fees, Jackson didn't do anything. In the second scheme called a “sale-leaseback”, Jackson used fronts to buy homes from distressed sellers, promising they could pay rent for a year and then buy the property back or sometimes just having them sign sale papers he told them were loan applications. In either case, the owners lost their homes and  from $70,000 to $150,000 of equity, Madigan said.

Authorities warn to beware of mortgage "repair"  fraud now so prevalent there's a federal task force to stop it.  There's info about it here: http://www.stopfraud.gov/ .

Obituaries

Grace Amaya Martinez, the daughter of Wendy and Enrique Martinez, Huntley, entered and departed life Tuesday. Visitation will be from Noon to 2 pm Sunday at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley.  Her service will be held at 2:30 pm Sunday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley.

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.

DANIEL R. TURNER, DOB: 10/21/83, 10021 PONDER PLACE, SPRING GROVE. AGGRAVATED FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE OFFICER (2 COUNTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--Wonder Lake PD

FERNANDO J. HERREJON JR., DOB: 10/15/94, 517 KRENZ AVENUE, CARY. BURGLARY.--Cary 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
January 20
0045 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WOODY WAY. SUICIDAL SUBJECT. Male, 22 years of age, made suicidal statements. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0559 HRS 2500 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. HARASSMENT. Harassment by phone. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1006 HRS 100 BLOCK OF WRIGHT DR. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Suspicious incident.
1116 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1346 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1601 HRS 343 N. RANDALL RD. (STARBUCKS) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1740 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1955 HRS 2300 BLOCK OF CLAREMONT LN. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 41 years of age, was unconscious. Transported to Woodstock Centegra Hospital.
2035 HRS 500 BLOCK OF S. ANNANDALE DR. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Unknown subject forced entry into residence. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.

Huntley Metra Service: Look For Alternatives

The Huntley Village Board peered through a glass darkly Thursday at plans to extend Metra service through the the community.  Their conclusion was to keep trying for it but to start looking at other mass transit alternatives.

Metra produced a study two years ago about running passenger service from Elgin to Marengo but didn't send it to Huntley until a few months ago. What the 108-page report boiled down to was a cost of $345 million, not counting $30 million to revamp the crossing at Route 47 and whatever it would cost for the village to build a station and minimum 13-acre parking lot.  Unanswered were questions about wetlands along the 26-mile route, too.

In short, what Metra in Huntley would come down to would be finding federal money.  "After Route 47 widening and the (tollway) interchange, we're going to be tapped out," said Trustee Pam Fender.  "If you want to tax our residents, no, that's not going to happen."

One alternative, said Village Manager Dave Johnson might lie in PACE proposals for bus routes on I-90. "What about a rail line down the middle of the Tollway?" asked Trustee Harry Leopold, referring to another mass transit idea that's been floated.

Both were covered at a meeting of transit planners in Elgin earlier this month: They'd probably depend on federal money, too, and it's expected to be in short supply.

In the meantime Johnson said the Village expects to sign an agreement this Spring with the McHenry County Conservation District that would help make way for Metra service if money ever becomes available.

The full Metra report can be read here, starting at page 20: http://www.huntley.il.us/documents/1.19.12Multi-agenda.pdf

In the pic:  Metra's route for possible commuter service through Huntley.

More Snow Looms For Area

National Weather Service forecasters predicted five to eight inches of snow starting late this morning with the heaviest snowfall this afternoon.  Forecasters said a band was likely to develop dumping an inch of snow per hour.  Early this morning they said "the latest guidance" suggested that might be along the 1-80 corridor and that's where radar images at 9 am showed snow developing.

Forecasters said besides the snow temperatures would be in single digits this evening which would hamper the effectiveness of salt on area roadways.

Cost Of Living Increase Sets Limit For New Tax Levies

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced Thursday its Urban Consumer Price Index rose 3 percent in 2011.  That sets the growth limit for the next round of property tax levies in McHenry and Kane counties but it's one that's double the size of the one that governed 2011 tax bills due this Spring.  Last year's CPI increase was only 1.5 percent.

Illinois' Property Tax Extension Law is loosely referred to as "the tax cap" but, in fact, it's a tax levy cap which isn't quite the same thing.  It doesn't set a bar on individual property taxes, rather, it limits the yearly increase of each taxing district's collective tax bite.  The max is 5 percent unless the CPI is less, in which case, as this year,  that's the limit. 

CPI-U is a model basket of goods and services that's supposed to measure inflation for most people.  By that measure, that same thing that cost $1 in Dec. 2010 cost $1.03 this Christmas.  Some economists argue it's not really an accurate measure of "the cost of living" but it's the one the Legislature specified for PTELL 20 years ago.

This year's expected to be one of battles over budgets and levies.  Locally, Algonquin and LITH actually cranked their levies back on 2011 taxes due this Spring and Huntley held the line.  District 158 promised it, in effect, would, too, by paying part of the levy with State Aid it never expected to receive but actually did.  McHenry County, in contrast, increased its levy to the limit and did many other taxing bodies.

Looking ahead, Thursday's CPI announcement was likely to have the greatest impact at District 300.  Budgeteers there were forecasting a $2.8 million deficit for next year but that assumed a 2.5 percent CPI increase.  Thursday's number boosts the possible levy increase 20 percent but CFO Cheryl Crates said she wasn't sure how much more money that meant.  "I've got 55 (budget) spreadsheets," she said.  "I'll know in a couple of weeks."

A history of PTELL's tax levy limits is located here: http://tax.illinois.gov/LocalGovernment/PropertyTax/CPIhistory.pdf

Wind Consortium Ponders Power Prices

The D300-led Joint Wind Consortium Thursday tried to guess what future power prices are going to be as they tried to decide whether to lock in rates for all, some or none of the District's electrical needs for the next eight years.

When plans to power the District's 28 schools with free electricity from windmills collapsed last year the consortium decided to stay together for more bargaining muscle to buy regular power.  Now the question is how much the District wants to pay Baltimore-based power supplier Constellation Energy to assume the risk of rising electric prices.  A fixed contract Thursday for all the consortium's electric bills for the next eight years would have cost about $22.5 million. The problem was, it might be even cheaper next month.  "The market today is lower than the last time we met, amazing as it is," admitted Constellation rep Steve Mischak.

Would the trend continue for the rest of the year, though? Or four years? Or eight?  D300 Building and Grounds head Dave Ulm said the gas market which fairly closely tracks electric prices looked to be close to its bottom but, even so, "I've been there and I have no appetite for locking in 100 percent."

Ryan Gatgens, Constellation's price forecaster, admitted there's a lot of uncertainty.  For instance, an unexpected new EPA rule on mercury emissions could shut down dozens of coal-fired power plants by 2015 if it holds.

Consortium panel members decided to hold off making a decision until their next meeting Feb. 7 unless prices start to spike.

In the pic:  Wholesale electricity prices are about the same as 10 years ago. Opinions differ on whether they'll stay that way.

Quinn Targets Two Facilities To Close By October

By Andrew Thomason and Stephanie Fryer, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn announced late Thursday his plan to close two state-run facilities, one that provides services for those with developmental disabilities and the other for mental health, to save the state nearly $20 million. Quinn’s plan targets the Jacksonville Developmental Center and Tinley Park Mental Health Center, claiming savings will come from transitioning 229 patients to community care.

“My administration is committed to increasing community care options and improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions,” Quinn said in a written statement.

Rita Burke is the president of Illinois League of Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled, said patients in the facilities “suffer from severe, profound mental retardation to extreme behavior disorders to medical conditions that make them very fragile. So we are disappointed that the governor would choose to balance the budget on the backs of these most vulnerable people,” Burke said.

Quinn ruffled feathers this past fall by announcing the closure of seven state-run facilities, including Tinley Park and Jacksonville. At that time, Quinn said the Legislature didn’t appropriate enough money to keep the facilities going. Quinn and the Legislature eventually agreed on a short-term deal late last year to keep the facilities running for the rest of the fiscal year.

State Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, said Quinn’s announcement is a step in the right direction, but whether it will pan out in the long term has yet to be determined. “One of the concerns when he rolled out his plan … this year was that it wasn’t really a well thought-out plan, and it was rushed,” Murphy said. “This appears to address those concerns.”

You can read the full report on this story at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7484/quinn-targets-two-il-facilities-for-closure-by-october/

Obituaries

Raymond H. Lee, 81, of Huntley died peacefully at Pepper Family Hospice Thursday. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 8 pm at the DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley, and Monday from 9:30 am  to 10:30am at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley.   A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10:30 am at the church. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

Lee was born April 13, 1930, the son of Ernest and Alice (Engel) Lee.  On May 1, 1954 he married Diana Lenore Ishkanian.  He is survived by his wife of Huntley; his son, Gregory A. (Terri) Lee of Canton, GA; his daughter, Pamela A. Lee of Lake in the Hills, and his grandchildren, Alissa and Brian Karp, and Tyler and Garrett Lee.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children ‘s Hospital.

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
January 19
2340 HRS 101 N. RANDALL RD. (DOMINICKS) RETAIL THEFT. MCKOOP, LUCAS B., M/B 20 YEARS OF AGE, 1614 LOTUS DR., ROUND LAKE. CHARGES: Retail Theft, Notice to Appear issued for Illegal Possession of Alcohol by a Minor. RELEASED ON BOND. GLOVER, JAMEL D., M/B 21 YEARS OF AGE, 34383 GOLDEN ROD CT., ROUND LAKE. CHARGES: Retail Theft. RELEASED ON BOND.
1919 HRS 2126 W. ALGONQUIN RD (CONVENIENT FOOD MART) FOLLOW UP ARREST: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. AWWAD, MOHAMMAD M., M/W 19 YEARS, OF AGE, 112 PHEASANT TRAIL, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Mob Action, Aggravated Assault and Disorderly Conduct. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0002 HRS 20 BLOCK OF WANDER WAY. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Stereo faceplate and GPS taken from unlocked vehicle.
0703 HRS 100 BLOCK OF PHEASANT TRAIL. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. U.S. Currency taken from unlocked vehicle overnight.
0727 HRS 100 BLOCK OF OAKLEAF RD. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. Theft from unlocked vehicle overnight.
1541 HRS 200 S. ANNANDALE DR. (LEROY GUY PARK) INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Suspicious white van was observed at the park.
Algonquin
January 13
18:24pm A 16 year-old male from Algonquin was charged with Theft of Services.  He was taken into custody in the area of Sunrise Lane and Washtenaw Lane.  He was formally Petitioned into Juvenile Court and then released into the custody of his mother.
21:08pm Bolger, Timothy J., DOB: 10/28/61 of 503 Summit Street #2, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant, out of McHenry County for Failure to Appear, on a DWLS charge.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $500 with a court date of 02/22/12 in McHenry County.
January 14
00:09am Gamboa, Andres J., DOB: 08/27/87, of 205 Sioux, Carpentersville, was charged with DWLS.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Longwood.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/15/12 in McHenry County.
January 15
15:27pm Allen, Kimilyn Y., DOB: 04/30/62, of 1275 McLean Boulevard #1, Elgin, was charged with DWLS and Driving in the Wrong Lane.  She was taken into custody at Randall Road and Huntington Drive.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 02/15/12 in McHenry County.
January 16
21:19pm Suslow, Dorota M., DOB: 02/06/79, of 2328 Nicholas Road, Arlington Heights, was charged with Felony Theft.  She was taken into custody at 2127 Cook Line Road.  She was transported to McHenry County Jail to await a bond hearing.
January 17
15:23pm Romanowski, Dariusz A., DOB: 05/21/84, of 1565 Matthew Drive, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS, Failure to Reduce Speed, Improper Lane Usage and Expired Registration.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 02/22/12 in McHenry County.
January 19
18:13pm Farbiak, Ashley A., DOB: 04/20/88, of 9680 Newton Drive, Huntley, was charged with Retail Theft.  She was taken into custody at Kohl’s, 734 S. Randall Road.  She was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 02/29/12 in Algonquin.

Area Police On Alert After Reported Child Abduction Attempts

Algonquin Police Wednesday said regular area patrols will work a little closer to Algonquin Middle School in the wake of  two reported child abduction attempts nearby in the past two weeks.

AMS Principal Peggy Thurow Tuesday notified parents of an incident that morning in which two Hispanic men allegedly tried to order a 13-year old girl into their unmarked white van at Teton Parkway near Glacier Parkway in Algonquin.  Thurow said it was similar to another alleged incident at nearby Flagstone Drive Jan. 3 when two Hispanics tried to get an 11-year old boy to enter their white van.  In both cases, the children ran away, Thurow's announcement said.

Algonquin Deputy Chief Steve Kyzynowksi said his patrolmen would be more prominent near the school at morning start and afternoon close.  He said nearby police departments had been alerted to the reported abduction attempts, too.  Carpentersville, Crystal Lake and Huntley police all told FEN Wednesday they've had no recent similar incidents.

LITH Director of Police and Public Safety Jim Wales, however, said Algonquin's two reports sounded like one in his village in August in which an Hispanic driver who might match one of the Algonquin descriptions tried to lure a child into his white van. "My personnel are in contact with Algonquin," he said.

The men in Tuesday's incident were reported both wearing purple sweatshirts.  One had a moustache, the other a goatee, according to authorities.

Bianchi Sues Special Prosecutors For Political "Conspiracy"

McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi Wednesday filed the civil lawsuit against Special Prosecutors forecast in this month's County Board settlement to pay $275,000 of his defense costs.  The suit seeks $15 million damages for what it charges were "politically and financially motivated criminal investigations and prosecutions."

Bianchi's secretary, Joyce Synek; chief investigator, Ron Salgado, and another investigator, Mike McCleary, all indicted along with Bianchi, were also plaintiffs in the suit against Special Prosecutors Henry C. Tonigan and Thomas McQueen; their private eye firm, Quest Consultants; its head, Robert Scigalski, and four of its investigators, Tonigan's law firm, Kelleher & Buckley, and "unknown co-conspirators."

Bianchi's suit is probably at least as much about finding those co-conspirators as it is about damages from the investigation and indictments. Those collapsed with some charges dismissed before trial, the rest ending in not guilty verdicts by a Rockford judge before he'd even heard a defense.  "We intend to use (the legal) process to get additional facts and when they are sufficient we will add others as defendants," said Bianchi attorney Terry Ekl.

Throughout the Bianchi investigation and trials Ekl charged the whole thing "poltically motivated" but never explained how or why.  Wednesday's suit, to some extent itself a political document, laid out for the first time a framework to explain four years of lurid and confusing headlines. At least from Bianchi's viewpoint, anyway.  "Bianchi frustrated political operatives in McHenry County who had obtained more favorable accommodations with the previous (State's Attorney's) administration," was the delicately-worded thrust of the narrative.

The 47-page document charged Special Prosecutors got their indictments by lying to Grand Jurors.  It also charged when Scigalski and his investigators couldn't find evidence against Bianchi and his associates they simply made some up. Bianchi's entire complaint can be read here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78694551/Bianchi-Federal-Complaint

Tonigan and McQueen couldn't be reached Wednesday to ask who's going to defend them against Bianchi's suit and who's going to pay for it.

McHenry County Dems Meet Congressional Candidates

McHenry County Democrats met their 14th Congressional District candidates and tried to recruit some campaign volunteers Wednesday at McHenry County College.  "This is our first meeting at MCC," said Party Chairman Mike Bissett.  "We'd like to get some young people in the party."

The reconfigured 14th District Covers McHenry County except for Algonquin Township. Woodstock IT guy Jonathan Farnick and Gurnee medical administrator Dennis Anderson pitched their Primary candidacies to a small crowd of Democrats heavy on union members.  Farnick said "We need more and better Democrats," in Congress.  Anderson charged the nation's neglecting safetynet programs.  "We're better people than that," he said.

Either Farnick or Anderson will find himself against Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren in November and McHenry County Dems will have at least one candidate running in every County Board District as well. No one bothered to file as a Democrat for any of the County offices in between, though.  Dems could still slate someone for County offices after the primary but if they did, the candidates would still have to gather enough petition signatures to qualify for the ballot.  "No one's contacted me," said Bissett.

Want them to?

"(Heck), yes," he said grinning.

In the pic:  Fourteenth Congressional District candidate Jonathan Farnick (above) vowed, "I won't take a dime from myself or anyone," to finance his campaign, admitting that's going to make advertising pretty difficult.  Primary opponent Dennis Anderson said he liked the idea of publicly financed campaigns.

Comptroller: State's Unpaid Bills Still Unpaid

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Even after a tax increase, Illinois has not made much progress on the total of overdue payments it still owes to vendors, medical providers and others. According to Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka’s quarterly report, the comptroller’s office had almost $4.3 billion in late bills as of December. Topinka said that number, combined with approximately $2 billion in Medicaid bills being held at state agencies and other late payments such as corporate tax refunds, brings the total backlog to about $8.5 billion.

“Even if current revenue projections hold, the backlog at (the comptroller's office) is not expected to change much from last year,” the report said. Topinka said that the bulk of new revenues from the tax increase is not being used to pay down old bills.

Kelly Kraft, spokesperson for Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget office, said growing demand for programs is sucking up revenues. “It is because of growth in demand," she said. "For instance Medicaid costs are growing at 6 percent a year. Growth rates like these are unsustainable that is why further reforms are a must.”

Perhaps the one bright spot in the comptroller's report was that Illinois has paid off all of its bills from FY 2011. However, $5.15 billion in FY 2012 revenues was used to pay down the FY 2011 bills. Topinka said this practice of kicking such a large chunk of obligations into the next fiscal year, once seen as a move to be made only during a fiscal emergency, has recently become a standard budgeting tactic. “Now it is perpetual emergency, and literally, the nonpayment of vendors is almost like a line item in the budget,” Topinka said.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/comptroller-states-stack-of-unpaid.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
January 18
0022 HRS 0 BLOCK OF OLYMPIC CT. ACCIDENT. Snow Plow vs. Fire Hydrant. Property damage only.
0101 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Female, 39 year old, made suicidal statements. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0908 HRS 460 JENNINGS DR. (RIGGSBY CONSTRUCTION) THEFT. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER
1919 HRS 2126 ALGONQUIN RD. (CONVENIENT FOOD MART) AGGRAVATED BATTERY. Complainant was struck in the face by an unknown male. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
2012 HRS 3200 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. LOST ARTICLE. Front license plate missing off of vehicle. Entered into LEADS.
Huntley
January 10
Daniel D. Wyant, age 33, of 547 Holiday Dr., Somonauk, was arrested for driving with a suspended drivers license and was cited for expired registration and driving with no insurance.  Mr. Wyant posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 24, 2012.
A theft report was taken in a parking lot in the 12300 block of Rt. 47.  The victim inadvertently left her purse in a shopping cart for over an hour.  The victim states cash was stolen from the purse.
January 12
Juan M. Cardona, age 36, of 11612 Pineway #A, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license revoked and an outstanding DuPage County warrant for possession of a controlled substance.  Mr. Cardona was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.  Mr. Cardona posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 24, 2012 and a DuPage County court date of February 13, 2012.
Jessica Marie Jamieson-Kirk, age 35, of 9333 Bristol Lane, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Ms. Kirk posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 17, 2012.
A theft report was taken at the High School.  A student stated that his iPod Touch was stolen from his back pack.
January 13
A 17 year-old female from Huntley was arrested for disorderly conduct at the High School.  The juvenile was released to her parents and will attend peer jury.
January 15
Usbaldo Rodriquez, age 26, of 7451 Dahlia Dr., Hanover Park, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Mr. Rodriquez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 24, 2012.

Kane Assessor Blames Levies, Not Assessments For Bigger Tax Bills

"Sixty seven percent of taxpayers for 2010 due in 2011 got bigger tax bills," Kane County Supervisor of Assessments told a group of Kane County residents in Geneva Tuesday.  "I expect that number to increase this year," he said.

That was the point of Kane County 9/12 Patriots' sponsoring Armstrong's tax briefing, said organizer Sean Benson.  "People get all het up about their taxes at tax time but that's too late," he said. "Now is the time to get involved to change things next year."

Armstrong said the property tax problem wasn't assessments.  "In 2010 we had a median decrease in assessments of 7.18 percent," he said.  "But median tax bills went up 2.87 percent," Armstrong said. The simple reason, he charged, was that most taxing bodies asked for more money.

Armstrong recommended watching tax levies, not individual assessments. More easily said than done, complained Sun City tax activist Allen Scot from the audience  "I've got nine taxing districts," he said. "It's virtually a full-time job," to keep tabs on all of them he complained.

In the Huntley area things aren't so simple, anyway. After his presentation, Armstrong said there's still no word on how much the Illinois Department of Revenue will reapportion 2011 taxes in the five Huntley tax districts that span Kane and McHenry counties.  Armstrong called for IDR to shift some of the tax burden from Rutland to Grafton Township taxpayers last year claiming Grafton was underassessed.  "I don't expect that for another month," he said.

The Rutland/Grafton conflict is one reason State Sen. Chris Lauzen said he plans to introduce legislation to make property assessments fairer.   "There isn't much time," to draft a fix, though, said Lauzen after the meeting.  "I've only got until Jan. 30 (for requests to the Legislative Research Bureau)."

Martians Not Coming, Maybe Developers, Though

Strange antennae in the median of Route 47 could be harbingers of Huntley's next development project. The mystery masts popped up just south of Kreutzer road late last week but Huntley officials said they weren't theirs, suggesting they might belong to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A spokesman there, though, said Tuesday the contraptions weren't IDOT's either.  He said they belong to an engineering company conducting vehicle counts "for a private party interested in developing real estate in the area."  So far, however, there are no new proposals or revived old ones on the agenda for Huntley's Zoning Board of Appeals.

ALITH Chamber Home & Business EXPO Set

Booth space is still available at the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber Home & Business EXPO & Café Jan. 28 starting at 9 am at Jacobs High School. “Whether for home or business, visitors to the expo will have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of area businesses to help plan their 2012 projects”, said Jackie Gappa, Expo Committee Chair.

Once again the EXPO will include its Cafe open to visitors to sample area restaurant cuisine.   The cafe will sample during the hours of 11 am through 3 pm. In addition to the cafe, the EXPO's demo area will host Huntley resident Jill Cataldo's “Super-couponing” workshop (RSVP 847-658-5300) and for the dog lover, Cardunal Dog Obedience Training will demonstrate techniques.  

Businesses interested in exhibiting can go to http://www.alchamber.com/pdf/Expo-Registration.pdf or call 847-658-5300.  There's description and schedule of the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber Community Expo & Cafe may also visit http://www.alchamber.com/expo.html  

Illinois Businesses Qualify For $67 Million In Hiring Credits

Illinois businesses qualified for $67 million in income tax credits after hiring peope covered through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced Tuesday. The federal incentive reduces an employer’s cost of doing business while helping those most in need gain work experience.

“This valuable program helps a business owner improve the bottom line and offers a hand up to those who want to make a better life for themselves and their family,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said.

The WOTC incentives allow business owners to keep more of their money by hiring from historically disenfranchised groups. Tax incentives range from $2,400 in one year to $9,600 over two years, depending on the new hire. The $67 million in savings represents 2011 activity that would be entered in federal tax returns in 2012.

Categories include individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; qualified military veterans; qualified ex-felons; a designated community resident who lives in a renewal zone; vocational rehabilitation referrals with a physical or mental impairment who have received vocational or employment training; summer youth employees; qualified food stamp recipient and a qualified supplemental security income beneficiary.

Obituaries

Edward R. Langen, 76, of Sun City, Huntley, died Monday morning at the Pepper Family Hospice Home in Barrington. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 pm today at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley, and from 9:30 am until Mass at 10:30 am Thursday, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntley.  Inurnment will take place later at St. Mary Cemetery, Huntley.

Langen was born December 30, 1935, in Chicago, the son of Raymond Otto and Mildred Olive (Barton) Langen.  On September 25, 1965, he married Helene G. Heiring, the couple made their home in Palatine for 34 years and moved to Huntley in 2005. He is survived by his wife of Huntley; his son, Kenneth (Jacqueline) Langen of Forest Park; his grandsons, Benjamin & William and his sisters, Teresa (Eugene) Sekowski of Villa Park & Rae Marie (Giles) Prang of Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pepper Family Hospice House, Barrington, or the St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund.

Ralph Chester Hinson,  87, of Sun City, Huntley, died Sunday at Sherman Hospital in Elgin. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Saturday at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley with visitation from 10 am until service time, followed by burial in Huntley Cemetery.

Hinson was born September 2, 1925, in Bidwell, OH, the son of Glenn and Edith (Denny) Hinson. For much of his childhood and adolescence he was reared by Thena and Vaughn Glassburn.  He and Verna Gaddo were married on October 11, 1958. In 2002 they moved to Huntley from Palatine. Hinson is survived by his daughter, Gail (Jim) Gutekanst of Lake in the Hills; grandchildren, Jimmy Musial and Kimberly Gutekanst; his brothers, Arthur (Gloria) Hinson and Virgil (Wanda) Hinson, and his sister, Mary Lou (Albert) Adkins. Also, surviving is James (Joanne) Glassburn  who was like a brother. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2007.

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
January 17
1400 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HARVEST GATE. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. PIORKOWSKI, TIMOTHY, M/W 29 YEARS OF AGE, 4695 COYOTE LAKES CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, Expired Registration and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0318 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0840 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF CHANCERY WAY. BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE. iPod taken from an unlocked vehicle.
1030 HRS 50 BLOCK OF HILLTOP DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Stepmother vs. Stepson. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1354 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. HIT & RUN. Vehicle was hit in the parking lot. Property damage only. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
Huntley
January 2
Elizabeth M. Espinoza, age 23 ,of 1977 Edmonds Ave., New Lenox, was arrested fortwo counts of DUI, and was cited for failure to signal when required.  Ms. Espinoza posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 10, 2012.
Criminal damage to vehicle reports were taken in the 10700 block of Shenandoah and the 10700 Block of Grand Canyon.  A brick was thrown through the back window of each vehicle.
A theft report was taken in the 10600 block of Wing Pointe Dr. Two landscaping bricks were stolen from the victim’s yard.
January 4
A trespassing complaint was taken at a vacant residence in the 11700 block of Pineway St.
Brian M. Ivy, age 28, of 5049 N. Ottawa Ave, Chicago, was arrested for driving while license suspended.  Mr. Ivy was released with notice to appear in McHenry County court on January 27, 2012.
Terrence J. Allen, age 27, of 4525 Crab Orchard, Hoffman Estates, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for display of expired registration.  Mr. Allen posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 17, 2012.
January 5
A theft report was taken at Huntley High School.  A student reported that his iPod touch was stolen from a classroom.
January 6
Michael D. Adler, age 19, of 27 Timber Hills, Crystal Lake, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant for failure to appear in court.  Mr. Adler posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of January 13, 2012.
Skyler L. Basselen, age 22, of 6717 Linden Ct., Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding Cook County warrant for DUI.  Mr. Basselen posted bond and was released with a Cook County court date of January 25, 2012.
January 7
Brett A. Watkins, age 44, of 249 Johnson, Hampshire, was arrested for driving with a suspended registration and was cited for driving with no insurance.  Mr. Watkins posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of January 27, 2012.
Emily A. Reinboldt, age 24, of 7131 Friisgard Vei, Waterford, WI, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for speeding.  Ms. Reinboldt posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 17, 2012.
January 8
Two criminal damage to vehicle reports were taken in the 10200 block of Fleetwood.  The back windows of two vehicles were shattered while parked in their driveways.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 10400 block of Evandale Rd.  A window screen was damaged by an egg.

Freezing Rain Called Unlikely Today

National Weather Service forecasters dropped a fairyland and bumper-car warning of freezing rain from their outlook this morning for the simple reason that, "surface temperatures remain well above freezing."  They kept the part about rain turning to snow, though. 

The latest forecast still calls for one to three inches of wet snow becoming dryer drifting snow with fairly high wind by this evening. Then it's supposed to get cold, maybe single-digit cold tonight and tomorrow.

All of that's fairly standard for this time of year but the polar jet stream is still writhing like a snake and weathermen see temps in the 40's probably returning late this weekend.

Resources For People In Need Focus Of Forum

Volunteers or staff members from human services, civic, and faith-based organizations will gather for the 2012 People in Need Forum from 8 am to 12:30 pm Jan. 28 at McHenry County College.  The forum connects participants to community resources and important information for those in need.

Highlights will include educational sessions to help resolve care-receiver issues, plus exhibit booths of community, social service, and government agencies in McHenry County who will provide information about available resources on such timely issues as utility assistance, food stamps, health care, job search and career training assistance, transportation options, homelessness, affordable housing, debt management, domestic violence, legal matters, and veterans’ affairs.

“It is an amazing opportunity for community members to go to one place and to learn about many of the services available to help people throughout the county,” said Lori Baker, director of Marketing and Development for Family Service & Community Mental Health Center for McHenry County.

The People in Need Forum is sponsored by the McHenry County College Center for Non-Profit Leadership and includes more than 20 other supporting organizations who have generously given staff time and materials. The presenting sponsor new for 2012 is the McHenry County Community Foundation.

Admission is free. New for 2012, thanks to the McHenry County Community Foundation, is that the resource directory will also be available on a flash drive. Registration is available online and questions can be answered at www.mchenry.edu/peopleinneed, or by calling Bev Thomas at (815) 479-7792.

Historical Society Seeks Area Tool Collectors

The McHenry County Historical Society's planning to put a little more zip into its October 2012 Cider Fest celebration. This year's 35th recap of rural life including barn building and cider making will highlight old tools.

Yes, Johnny, once upon a time, hard as it is to believe, there was no such thing as Lith Ion-powered drills and saws.  All folks had, poor souls, was NiCads.  Back in Great-Grandpa's time they had something even more barbaric called extension cords.  But way before that, back at the very dawn of Time, tools were powered from a source even more primitive.  They called it a "muscle".  (Environmentally  friendly it was, though.)

Museum Administrator Nancy Fike is searching for area tool collectors who would like to participate in the Cider Fest  by displaying their early American tools. Interested collectors should contact her at the museum at 815-923-2267 or online at info@mchsonline.org.

Human Services Spending Restored In Budget Deal

By Ashley Griffin, Illinois Issues
A legislative compromise will keep some State institutions open through the current fiscal year. Buried in it, however,  the Illinois General Assembly also approved more spending for some human services programs. With all eyes on a plan to halt state facility closures and avert 1,900 layoffs, the General Assembly quietly restored millions to some human services programs statewide.

Teen Parent Services, which helps low-income parents younger than 20 receive their GEDs and offers parent training classes,  received $1.4 million under the measure.“Redeploy Illinois,” a program designed to provide services to youth 13 to 18 years old who are in the juvenile system and are at high risk of being committed to the Department of Corrections, received $2.4 million.

 to help provide rental assistance, utility assistance and supportive services to individuals and families who are at risk of being evicted or entering foreclosure on their homes.“I think there’s a lot of cold people in the street in the winter months, and homeless families have it the worst. … At the end of the day, it didn’t make a whole lot of sense to make an inhuman line item to cut the program,” said Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, a Democrat from Chicago.

Although some legislators pushed for the increase in spending for human services, a recent budget projection from Quinn revealed the state plans to spend $507 million more than it will take in during the current fiscal year. The state is also set to hit $7 billion in overdue bills to vendors — including human service providers — by the end of FY 2012.

While Feigenholtz acknowledges that FY 2012 was a difficult budget year, she said the state must address the backlog of bills, and she predicted that the next budget could possibly send major cuts to human services. “We have to start paying our bills and stop spending,”  Feigenholtz said. “As bad as last year was, it may be a walk in the park compared to this year's budget.”

You can read Ashley's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/human-services-restored-as-part-of.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
January 16
0318 HRS 100 BLOCK OF POLARIS DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. SEGURA, ALEJANDRO, M/W 36 YEARS OF AGE, 810 E. SHADY WAY, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS. CHARGES: Two Counts of Domestic Battery. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1352 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & BRAEMAR PKWY. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. JUARCQUI-LANDA, DAVID D., M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 2120 ALGONQUIN RD., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, No Valid Registration and Expired Registration. RELEASED ON BOND.
1823 HRS 4511 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (CVS PHARMACY) HIT & RUN. Vehicle struck in the parking lot. Property damage only.
2128 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. son. Verbal only. No priors.
2310 HRS 200 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. wife. Verbal only. One prior.

Authorities Still Mum In Deputy's Minor Sex Assault Case

A week after a McHenry County Sheriff's Deputy turned himself in on 10 charges of predatory criminal sexual assault, there's still little information available and rumors are rife.  Some court records in the Gregory Pyle case are sealed or redacted because the alleged victim or victims are minors while investigators refuse to comment about unconfirmed reports.  Only one rumor can be laid to rest.

Pyle posted $20,000 against $200,000 bail last Sunday morning on the charges.  The only fully open record since was his request Wednesday for a new judge.  The case is due before Judge Sharon Prather Jan. 27, but Pyle's motion said, "the defendant feels he will not receive a fair and impartial trial" from her and asked for someone else.  No reason was specified.

There was also an order entered in the case Wednesday.  It's believed to be an order of protection for the victim or victims but it's sealed so no one outside the case can see the contents.

Pyle was at large for about 29 hours after a State Police spokesman said the initial complaint against him was reported to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.  There's a widespread rumor that he tossed a personal computer into a pond during the period but that police retrieved it.  "I can't comment on that," said State's Attorney Criminal Chief Mike Combs.  Neither could ISP spokesman Monique Bond. They especially couldn't comment on how police knew where to look for the computer, if indeed, there was one.  "This is still early in a criminal investigation," said Bond.

Troubling is the address Pyle listed on his bail ticket.  It's not his home residence in Crystal Lake.  In fact, the Woodstock address shown doesn't exist but the number is the same as the number of the home of another McHenry County deputy and the street listed is the same as the one that house would be on if it faced the other way.  Assuming that's the one meant, what's troubling is that an Illinois State trooper is alleged to be rooming with that deputy.  Combs couldn't comment.  Bond said she had no knowledge.

Another oddity, however, appears to be coincidence.   McHenry County Circuit Judge Mark R. Gerhardt set what some observers called a low bond for Pyle.  Conspiracy theorists pointed to Gerhard's having once been an associate attorney in the law offices of Mark Gummerson, personal attorney to Sheriff Keith Nygren in Zane Seipler's request for a Special Prosecutor to investigate the Sheriff.  McHenry County Court Administrator Dan Wallis told FEN Friday it was just the luck of the draw, though. There's a regular rotation of Associate Judges for out-of-hours legal requests, said  Wallis, and it just happened to be Gerhardt's turn that weekend, his shift having started at Noon Jan. 6.

In the pic:  Gregory Pyle.

Area Policemen Honored By County Chiefs Association

The McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association this weekend awarded the first of what's intended to be an annual Annual McHenry County Officer of the Year award to a Woodstock Police Officer.  Adam Schraw won the award Saturday for pulling a hairpin from the throat of a dying baby.

Eleven other officers, including six from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office were nominated.  Huntley officer Brett Kinney was nominated for grappling with a suicidal woman atop a two-story roof.  Huntley Officer Patrick Callahan was nominated for holding the weight of a rolled-over SUV off the driver's chest until more help arrived.  Algonquin Sergeant Brett Wisnauski was nominated for work in Algonquin and elsewhere in McHenry County to end domestic violence.

New Whooping Cough Cases Abating In McHenry County

McHenry County Health Department officials aren't ready to declare the area's whooping cough outbreak over yet, but said Friday reports are encouraging.  The number of new cases last week only rose by 4 to a new total of 277. "It's not over yet," said spokesman Deborah Quackenbush, "but the decrease in the cases is a positive sign."

Health officials had hoped that schools' Christmas Break would help short-circuit new infections of pertussis, the medical name for whooping cough.  They're not sure that happened said Quackenbush because, "it could be up to 21 days before people exhibit symptoms."  Break started Dec. 24 and Friday was day 21.

Quackenbush said 4 new cases last week was good compared to the 20 to 30 per week that had been coming in but said that was still a high number compared to the 9 reported in McHenry County during  2010.  She still recommended pertussis vaccines and lots of hand washing to protect children under the age of one who haven't had their shots yet.

In the pic:  Baby shots for whooping cough "wear out" so MCDH recommends booster shots for "tweens".

IL Economy Struggles

Editor's Note: This is the second story in a two-part series on the state of Illinois after a year of higher personal and corporate income taxes.

By Andrew Thomason and Anthony Brino,  Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois Republican lawmakers and businesses blame the state' struggling economic recovery on income tax increases, but recent indicators suggest other factors at play, too. Since Illinois increased its corporate income tax by 46 percent from 4.8 percent to 7 percent this past year, several expected changes occurred but some unexpected ones happened, too.

For instance, the number of limited liability companies and corporations registered with the state actually increased, from 71,449 in fiscal 2010 to 73,130 in fiscal 2011, according to the Illinois Secretary of State. The number of non-farming jobs increased by 1 percent, from 5.6 million in 2010 to 5.7 million in 2011, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. But the state unemployment rate increased from 9 percent last January to 10 percent in November, the latest figure available.

“To get the unemployment rate down, you don’t just have to create new jobs, you have to create enough jobs to absorb the number of people coming into the job market,” said Fred Giertz, an economist with the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "When unemployed people give up looking for jobs, they are no longer counted in unemployment figures. As the economy slowly improves and those people once again start looking for work, they can inflate the unemployment rate," Giertz said.

As far as higher taxes are concerned, Giertz pointed to the state’s fiscal health. Raising income taxes would have been a huge blow to businesses, if the state’s finances were healthy and robust, but since the state was on the verge of financial collapse, raising taxes wasn’t the worst decision.

“To be honest, if you are really in a hard-hit industry, you’re probably operating at a loss and so you haven’t felt the impact,” said Todd Maisch, vice president of government relations for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

Giertz comes down between the claims of the business community that the state has lost a year of job creation and the Quinn administration’s claims that the income tax saved the state from certain doom. “Illinois was in a really bad situation a year ago, and it’s still in a really bad situation now,” Giertz said. “It’s been kind of a wash.”

You can read the full report on this story at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7461/il-economy-struggles-from-mix-of-factors-some-surprising/

Obituaries

Josephine M. Trembus, 90, died peacefully Sunday at Sherman Hospital. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home, Huntley. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 am Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church-10703 Dundee Rd, Huntley.   Burial will be in St. Adalbert Cemetery.

Trembus was born May 13, 1921, in Chicago, the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Szot) Rembacz.  She married Raymond J. Trembus on August 31, 1940. She is survived by her children, Eileen Salvaggio of Carpentersville, Raymond(Patricia) Trembus of Addison, TX, Joyce Griffin of Laurel, MT, and Claudia Trembus of Palm Springs, CA, and her grandchildren, Michael (Alice), Elizabeth and Jenna Ray. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Lillian and Estelle, and her brother Mitchell.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Judes Children Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association or the St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain, SD.

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
January 15
0132 HRS 100 BLOCK OF BOULDER DR. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. SIEGGREEN, BRIAN G., M/W 47 YEARS OF AGE, 720 MASON LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.  RELEASED ON BOND.
1043 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF MONROE ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1117 HRS 2900 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Male, 16 year of age, attempted to commit suicide. Transported to Centegra Hospital.
1119 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Car struck median. Property damage only.
1130 HRS 250 N. RANDALL. (COSTCO) LOST ARTICLE. Wallet.
1403 HRS 2265 W. ALGONQUIN RD. (THORNTON’S GAS) DISORDERLY CONDUCT. Complainant was alarmed and disturbed by the male’s actions. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1441 HRS 900 BLOCK OF CYNTHIA LN. DOMESTIC. Mother vs. Daughter. Verbal only. No priors.
1445 HRS MILLER RD. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Four vehicles. Property damage only.

Hannah Smith Comes Close In Miss America

Huntley TV viewers--at least the ones who weren't watching Tim Tebow--were probably disappointed Saturday night. Huntley resident Hannah Smith, Miss Illinois, made the semi-finalist list in the Miss America competition in Las Vegas but judges eventually picked Miss Wisconsin to be the 2012 pageant queen.

Nineteen year-old Smith, who intends to be a dance and business student at NIU, advanced to the top 10 group but was excluded from the top five after the talent competition.

Smith was Miss Huntley and Miss McHenry County in 2009 and Miss Windy City in 2010 before being crowned Miss Illinois last year.

In the pic: Hannah Smith in the evening gown part of the Miss America pageant.

Algonquin Marine Patrols In Afghanistan

This week's furor over a video of Marines micturating on Taliban cadavers in Afghanistan drew attention away from the main military effort to secure that chaotic country.  A 19 year-old Algonquin native is part of it.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. William Campe is a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and Algonquin, Ill. He's part of an Afghan National Army and Marines team trying to convince villagers in the Garmsir District of Helmand province to enroll in an ID program to screen for Taliban.

In the pic:  About two weeks ago Campe was on patrol other Marines and ANA soldiers searching for bad guys.

Poker Tourney Set For Animal House Shelter

Huntley's Animal House will have a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament Saturday at the Huntley American Legion Hall to support the no-kill pet shelter.  The tourney features cash payouts up to $1,000 if all the seats are sold  but organizers say space is limited.  There's a 50/50 raffle, too.  Registration's at  5:30 pm Saturday but online registration's available here (click donation selection down to the tournament):

https://ahshelter.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/260948/Default.aspx

Animal House Shelter rescues abused and neglected dogs and cats and rehabilitates them mentally abd physically in order to place them with the best new family.

IL Temporary Tax Increases May Not Be

Editor's Note: This is the first story in a two-part series on the state of Illinois after a year of higher personal and corporate income taxes.

By Andrew Thomason and Anthony Brino, Illinois Statehouse News
Some form of the temporary income tax increase is expected to become permanent, according to several Illinois government experts. The General Assembly approved raising the individual income tax rate by 67 percent and corporate income tax rate by 46 percent during a lame-duck session one year ago.

Proponents said the increases were needed to close a budget deficit that at one time approached $15 billion. Opponents said a tax increase would be a damper on the businesses who employed taxpayers, hurting Illinois’ economy. One year later, Governor Quinn’s budget office projects that the state will run a deficit of $507 million this fiscal year and an even larger deficit of $818 million in fiscal 2015, when the majority of income tax increases are set to expire, and he has not identified how to balance that budget.

J. Fred Giertz is an economist with the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and puts out a monthly index of the state’s fiscal health. “Even with the tax increase, they haven’t gotten the budget under control,” Giertz said. “I don’t think the state has the political will to make spending cuts, so they’ll probably end up keeping the tax.”

Mike Lawrence is a longtime statehouse observer who worked for Gov. Jim Edgar’s administration in the 1990s. Lawrence predicted that even if the current income tax increase disappears at the end of 2014, some kind of tax increase will take its place. “That revenue is going to have to be replaced and augmented, so we’re going to see higher taxes to deal with this fiscal situation. At the same time, we’ve got to see some rather dramatic steps taken in the area of pension and high growth spending areas, such as health care,” Lawrence said.

To extend the income tax increase would require another vote by the Legislature and signature by Quinn. Last year’s increase was passed with just Democratic votes, and the overwhelming majority of Republicans have vowed to fight an extension. Whether the political will exists to keep a tax increase that costs the average household almost $1,000 a year has yet to be seen. Kelly Kraft, Quinn’s budget spokeswoman, declined to say whether Quinn would pursue making the increase permanent. “We will have a governor’s election, which will debate this issue,” Kraft said.

You can read the full report on this story at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7454/il-temporary-tax-increases-may-not-be-so-temporary/

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
January 14
0331 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. CHENCINSKI, RYAN T., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 1515 MONROE ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful Possession of Hypodermic Syringe or Needle. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL
0555 HRS 0 BLOCK OF LITCHFIELD CT. FOLLOW-UP ARREST: BURGLARY. JUVENILE, F/W 15 YEARS OF AGE, HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Curfew violation. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0854 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two-vehicle accident. Property damage only.
1429 HRS 231 N. RANDALL RD. (TACO BELL) INFORMATION FOR POLICE. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1430 HRS 900 BLOCK OF WINDSTONE CT. REPORT FOR INSURANCE. Sparks in the dryer at residence.
1737 HRS 800 BLOCK OF BRANDT. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Father vs. Son. One prior. FAIL TO FILE.
2327 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. DOMESTIC. Husband vs Wife. One prior.
2341 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. ACCIDENT WITH INJURY. Two vehicles, no transport.