LITH PD Synthetic Drug Session Set

The Lake in the Hills Police Department will host a presentation about synthetic drugs at 6 pm Feb. 28 at the Departments Safety Education Center on Crystal Lake Road.  Mostly for parents or concerned citizens, it will outline the evolution of laws about bathtub versions of illegal recreational drugs, their availability and their effects, intended and otherwise.

Sale or possession of pseudo-cocaine, sold as "bathsalts", became a felony in Illinois last year and sale of possession of synthetic marijuana, sold as "incense", joined it this year.  However, a quick Internet search easily locates a nickle bag ($19.99) of "50-state legal" herbs and extracts promising "to produce a mild relaxing aroma while still packing a punch".

Fore more info on LITH PD's synthetic drug presentation, call the Community Relations Division at 847-658-5676.

In the pic:  Synthetic marijuana packages are often marked "not for human consumption" which, if it isn't, raises some interesting questions.

D300 Honors Music Students

The District 300 Board of Education and administrators this week honored area middle school and high school students who performed at the IMEA regional and state Music Festivals.

At Algonquin Middle School were (Concert Band) Brittany Chally and Sara Kuczynski; (Jazz Band) Luke Stilwell; (Orchestra) Deniz Namik and (Chorus) Brooke Kittle, Alexandra Murarus and Althea Roggenbuck.

From Westfield Community School were (Concert Band & Jazz Band) Kevin Derby;
(Concert Band) Alexandra Kontos; (Orchestra) Megan Dickey and (Choir) Cristelle Escalante, Liam Fitch, Liz Foster, Nicole Frantik, Lucy Laubenstein, Julia Levy, Tiger Shi and Teagan Sullivan.

All-State Musicians from Jacobs were (All-State Chorus) Christina Cummins and Airin Virgilio;
(Honors Chorus) James Fletcher and Andrew Martinez and (Orchestra) Elisah VandenBussche.

All-Staters at Dundee-Crown included (Jazz Band) Bill and Steve Kidera; (Honors Chorus) Linnea Bettcher, Chloe Boelter, Tessa Dettman and David Nellessen and (Orchestra) Chris Mendez.

Return With Us Now To Those Thrilling Days Of Yesteryear

Nostalgic for the 80's?  (This is known in the trade as a rhetorical question.)  Then the Huntley High School Fine Arts Boosters have a cure March 18 with a fundraising concert by the Chicago Spazmatics to support fine arts programming at the high school.

“We’re hoping to fill the performing arts center so we can all party like its 1999!” said Fine Arts Boosters President Cheryl Meyer, harking to a kinder gentler era when groups like INXS, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Devo vied for the musical hearts and minds of throngs of fickle fans.

Tickets for the 3:30 pm show are on sale at http://www.huntleyfinearts.com/Huntley_Fine_Arts_Boosters/Home.html through the “Spazmatics Concert” link. Premium seats are $20 each and mezzanine level seats are $15. Proceeds will be used to improve HHS students’ access to fine arts in the areas of art, band, choir, dance, speech and theatre.

Illinois Lottery Retailers Decry Online Plans

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Convenience store owners and other Illinois retailers are worried that a plan to sell lottery tickets online would cut into their profits and possibly lead to layoffs. Following a decision by the U.S. Justice Department that allows for Internet lottery ticket sales, the state is moving forward with a pilot program to sell tickets for the Lotto and Mega Millions games online.

The General Assembly approved the plan in 2009 as a founding source for the state’s capital construction program. Michael Jones, the superintendent of the lottery, said he expects Internet ticket sales to begin this spring, and he hopes to add Powerball ticket to online sales.But retailers who sell such tickets are concerned that online sales will hurt their businesses.

Bill Fleischli of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association and the Illinois Association of Convenience Stores said during a news conference Friday that online lottery sales could result in 4,000 to 8,000 lost jobs. “And that would affect every county and every city in the state of Illinois,” Fleischli said. He added that lost jobs would mean a reduction in income tax revenues, and lost sales would cut into sales tax revenues.

Jones said that the online program would reach 300,000 to 500,000 Illinois residents who do not play the lottery now. “Our research suggested that it would attract a significant number of new players. ... There’s substantial revenue to be made for the state.”

Fleischli raised concerns about the state being able to confirm the age of online buyers. “Our trained associates have been the gatekeepers for the lottery at preventing youth access because the lottery is an adult product." Fleischli said he and others representing retailers plan to met with Jones next week to discuss their concerns.


You can read Jamey's full report at:  http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/lottery-retailers-say-online-sales-will.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
February 17
1427 HRS 1111 PYOTT RD. (LARSEN ISLAND) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL/INJURY ACCIDENT. HOKANSON, LEA ANN, F/W 27 YEARS OF AGE, 1050 MEGHAN AVE., ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage. RELEASED ON BOND.
1936 HRS 5400 BLOCK OF WHITMORE WAY. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. GIBSON, PATRICK T., M/W 42 YEARS OF AGE, 5464 WHITMORE WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Damage to Vehicle, Disorderly Conduct. RELEASED ON BOND.
0943 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1757 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. Three vehicles. Male, 40 years of age, with a neck injury. Transported to Woodstock Hospital.
1851 HRS RAKOW RD. & PINGREE RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1911 HRS 300 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY. Served an Order of Protection for outside agency.
2041 HRS 251 N. RANDALL RD. (APPLEBEE’S) DOMESTIC. Father vs. Daughters. Verbal only. No priors.
Algonquin
February 13
13:14pm Serafin, Alexander P., DOB: 11/22/94, of 2307 Loop Road, Algonquin, was charged with Residential Burglary.  He was taken into custody at Sleepy Hollow Road and Longmeadow Parkway.  He was transported to Kane County Jail to await a bond hearing.
16:59pm A 17 year-old female from Lake in the Hills and a 16 year-old female from Huntley were both charged with Retail Theft.  They were taken into custody at T J Maxx, 832 S. Randall Road.  They were both formally Station Adjusted and then released into the custody of their parents.
February 14
18:45pm Dominguez, Manuel A., DOB: 04/06/61, of 419 Gail Court, Belvidere, was charged with DWLS and Following Too Closely.  He was taken into custody at Algonquin Road and Frank Road.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 03/21/12 in McHenry County.
23:45pm Murphy, Daniel J., DOB: 08/15/77, of 126 S. Harrison Street, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS, Improper Lane Usage and No Proof of Insurance.  He was taken into custody at 126 S Harrison Street.  He was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 03/21/12 in McHenry County.
February 16
19:35pm Mayfield, Staci D., DOB: 04/16/74. of 1520 Manhatas Trail, Algonquin, was charged with DWLS.  She was taken into custody at Route 62 and Countryside Drive.  She was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond with a court date of 03/21/12 in McHenry County.

D158 To Receive Suprise $40 Million To Build Schools Already Done

The District 158 Board of Education was jubilant but also dubious at Thursday's announcement of a $39.4 million grant from the Illinois Capital Development Board.  The reason for the scepticism was it was money that was supposed to pay for about half the cost of building the District's Square Barn Campus and Marlowe School back in 2005.  "I'll feel better when it's in our hands," said Superintendent John Burkey.

The grants are supposed to come out of funds from Governor Pat Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now program.  Thursday's announcement of $623 million worth of school awards claimed it would create 4,000 construction jobs around the state. Few will probably be in the Huntley area, though.

The District asked for the money, awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, in 2002.  Unfortunately, the Capital Development Board stopped handing out funds the next year when the Legislature failed to pass a new Capital Bill.  In fact, it never did again, except for one in 2009 which concentrated on roads. A lot of school districts put their plans on a shelf but D158 couldn't and issued bonds to finance the construction all by itself.

There've been rumblings for several months that the money might finally come through this year but Thursday's announcement was still unexpected.  "We never thought we'd see this," said Burkey.

Now it's going to be up to the Board to figure out what to do with the State's largesse.  "We're going to use the majority of it abating bonds for our taxpayers," said Burkey.  The question will be, how much?  Payments on the bonds to build Square Barn and Marlowe were structured to increase as they matured on the premise that new construction in the Huntley area would spread the load out over more and more people leaving individual tax bills flat.  The national housing collapse put paid to that idea but there's still a bulge of kids marching up the D158 educational pipeline. Administrators project Huntley High will hit 3,000 enrollment within five years.

D158's is the fourth largest Capital Board award to school districts after Chicago, and two in Southern Illinois.  Burkey said there's already a taskforce in place looking at the District's future bricks and mortar needs.

In the pic:  A $39 million State Capital grant won't create many new jobs to build  D158's Square Barn campus completed six years ago.

Huntley To Join County, Municipalities In Uber Aggregation Plan

The Huntley Village Board Thursday gave initial approval to joining a group of municipalities and McHenry County to create a super electrical aggregator to lower power bills.  The measure's similar to one to which Algonquin gave preliminary approval Tuesday, both on the assumption residents will pass referenda for in March for local power aggregation plans.

Voters in both villages and Lake in the Hills will face ballot questions asking if each municipality should set up a program to bargain with Alternate Residential Energy Suppliers for better prices than they get now from Exelon.  The ARES are stuffing individual mailboxes right now with offers of "up to 20 percent" savings but the idea behind the referenda is if lots of people band together they can do even better than that.

If that's the case, though, reasons the McHenry County Council of Governments, bundling together all the presumable municipal aggregation plans ought to create some real bargaining muscle.  Hence, the group is creating the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium (NIGEAC, pronounced "Nye-Geek") even before the municipal measures pass.  The rush, according to MCCOG's pointman in the effort, Anna Biconic Moeller, is that, "There are over 300 communities (in Illinois) who are going to have this referendum and our consultants tell us the first ones ready will get the best prices."

Besides bulking up bargaining leverage, Biconic Moeller said bundling the County and municipalities' power plans together will avoid inventing the wheel 13 separate times.  "This is going to save money in terms of administrative and legal expenses with all of us doing it at once," she said.

The plan is for NIGEAC to hire power broker and consulting firm Independent Energy Consultants, Aurora, OH, to wrestle with the state's 55 new power companies on pricing while McHenry County's Administrator handles the paperwork.  Biconic Moeller would be the interface between NIGEAC and the group's members.

Surges Seeks Area Support In State Senate Race

It was pizza and backslapping Thursday at Moretti's Restaurant in Lake in the Hills as Gilberts insurance man Cliff Surges sought support for his bid to be the Republican candidate for the 33rd State Senate District  including western Algonquin, LITH and Huntley in March.  He's in a battle for the spot with Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay.

Surges said he was pleased with Thursday's new Kent Gaffney bill to roll back last year's 67 percent State income tax increase, a major point in his campaign.  "How many more jobs can we lose," he asked, "before we wise up and put it back?"

In the pic: State Senate candidate Cliff Surges sought support and money Thursday at a funraiser in Lake in the Hills Thursday.  Here he makes nice with Huntley Tea Party organizer Peg Mulhall.

New Huntley Street Lights To Stay On 24/7 Initially

Huntley's new antiquey-looking street lights on Route 47 lit this week and they're going to stay that way for quite a while.  "We know they're on," said Mayor Chuck Sass at the Village's Board meeting Thursday.  "Don't call."  The plan is to keep the 94 new lights going 'round the clock for the next month.  The new lights are a type that requires an initial "burn in" to work right, according to Huntley officials. 

Tax Break Allows For Layoffs Announced For Sears HQ

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
One company benefiting from December tax breaks brokered to keep jobs in the state announced layoffs Thursday. Sears told Crain’s Chicago Business that the company plans to lay off 100 people from various departments at the company’s headquarters in Hoffman Estates.

The announcement came only two months after the General Assembly approved a tax break geared toward keeping the company from moving away. The tax credit given to Sears is worth $150 million over 10 years.

“Regarding the legislation passed last fall, this has no impact whatsoever on that measure," said Kimberly Freely, a spokeswoman for Sears Holdings Corp. in a prepared statement. "We are well above the minimum headcount requirements for … the new legislation — 4,250 — which takes effect in 2013. We have about 6,100 people currently working in our HQ.” Freely did not comment on whether the company plans additional job cuts in the future.

“Obviously we’re not happy with this news. We’re not happy when any corporation cuts jobs,” said Brooke Anderson, a spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn. But, Anderson said, without the tax cut, Sears might have left the state taking all of its more than 6,000 jobs with it.

“The only thing surprising about (the layoff) announcement is that anyone is surprised,” said McHenry County Democratic State Rep. Jack Franks. “If you’re going to help job creators, you ought to actually help job creators. Sears is not a job creator. Sears is the great terminator.” Franks wants a panel to look at future business incentives.

Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, echoed Anderson’s claim that the tax deal may have prevented a much larger job loss that would have occurred if Sears had left the state. She said, “Sears hasn't violated the agreement, but their recent decision doesn't encourage good faith. If they do not fulfill their obligations in the future, the tax benefit will become void.”

You can ready Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/sears-tax-break-allows-for-layoffs.html

Obituaries

Elmer Monson, 89, most recently of Huntley, IL, formerly of DeKalb died Monday. A memorial service will be held 11 am, Saturday, Feb. 25, at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, Huntley.  The family will greet friends from 10 am until the time of the service.

Monson was born in Irwin, IA, the last of ten children of Ephriam and Mollie Monson. He is survived by his wife,Alice; sons, Mark (Mary) and Paul (Joy Fulton), and grandchildren, William and Matthew. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Andrew.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Shepherd of the Prairie Church.


Christopher T. Barr, 37, of Huntley, died Sunday, in Minneapolis. A memorial visitation will be held from 1 to 5 pm Saturday with a Service of Remembrance at 4 pm at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service,, Huntley.  Burial will be in Huntley Cemetery.

Barr was born Sept. 27, 1974, in Arlington Heights. He is survived by Barbara Golec and their children, Deidra, Alexandria, Christian and Mickalei all at home in Huntley; his mother, Majorie Barr of Elk Grove Village; his father, John Barr of Michigan; his brother, David (Darlene) Darush of Pennsylvania, and his sisters, Allison (Kevin) Brda of Elk Grove Village and Melissa Mulroy of North Carolina.  He was preceded in death by his brother, John Barr.


Gordon K. Simonsen of Huntley, formerly of Michigan City, died Tuesday at Evanston Hospital, Evanston. Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of the service at 11 am today at Trinity Lutheran Church, Huntley.  Burial will be in Huntley Cemetery.

Simonsen was born Nov. 13, 1922, in Marshfield, WI to Rev. Otto C. and Edith N. (Jackisch) Simonsen.  He married Mary Joan Pyle on Aug. 31, 1947, in Kewanee. He is survived by his wife in Huntley; daughter, Holly (Frank) Candella; sons, Rodney (Leah) Simonsen and Todd (Maria) Simonsen; stepchildren, David Rodriguez and Amina McIntyre, and grandchildren, Allison Klocke, Jonathan Klocke, Carolyn Klocke, Kaitlyn Simonsen, Stacia Simonsen, and Jami Simonsen.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries of Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN, or donor’s choice.

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
February 16
2256 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & RUTH RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. PALOMAR, DAVID L., M/W 33 YEARS OF AGE, 744 LEAH LN. APT 2, WOODSTOCK. CHARGES: Driving while License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
1611 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LITH POLICE DEPARTMENT) FOLLOW-UP ARRESTS: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. GARCIA, GAGE P., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 784 POINTE DR., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1819 HRS 400 BLOCK OF E. OAK ST. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT. GERMAIN, GEORGE, M/W 52 YEARS OF AGE, 404 E. OAK ST., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Criminal Sexual Assault and Criminal Sexual Abuse. TRANSPORTED TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
1829 HRS 20 BLOCK OF MILLER RD. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Mother vs. Daughter. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.

D300 Finance Committee Wrings Out More Savings

The District 300 Board Finance Committee Wednesday sweated out what they hoped would be about $70,000 worth of savings out of the school district's expenses and approved a recommendation not to increase tuition fees for the 2012-13 school year.

Bond expert Liz Hennessy from William Blair and Company said that current interest rates are so low the spread between taxable and tax-exempt bonds isn't an issue for a big investor prepared to purchase $8 million of Tax Anticipation Warrants the District will need to briefly fill a hole in its cashflow this Spring.  Selling to an IRS-qualified "sophisticated investor" would save about $25,000 in up-front issuance fees even after higher interest rates were netted out, Hennessy reported.

A new Information Technologies plan to route print jobs to copy machines instead of printers and set the output defaults to black and white duplex would save another $46,000 per year according to a department report.  A color page on a printer costs the district nine cents per page, it found, while a black and white one off a copier only costs about one third of a penney.

Director of Finance Meriann Besonen said projections for the coming year don't call for an increase in fees for the District's tution programs like pre-kindergarten.  Even though they haven't been upped since 2005-6, she said, a survey of other area districts found D300 was still "right in the middle".

Committee Chairman Chris Stanton narrowed down Monday's Board reservation over the  Joint Wind Consortium's contract to purchase electricity for the next eight years to two questions.  First, is the power company willing to swap the contract over to the individual school districts who make up the Consortium?  Second, does the Consortium, organized to take advantage of wind energy, need to hire an attorney to find out what else it can do?  District CFO and Consortium CEO Cheryl Crates said she'd find out.

In the pic: Summing up the two-year history of the Wind Consortium which wound up signing a "brown energy" electric contract, Cheryl Crates (center) reported, "I'm exhausted. I don't ever want to get creative again."

Algonquin Water Leak Restricts Main Street Traffic

Northbound Route 31 traffic was forced over into the southbound turn lane as Algonquin crews fought to stanch a leak in an eight-inch water main at Main and Filip streets Wednesday afternoon.
Underground Utilities Foreman Gary Hallaert said his team managed to stop the leak while homes only experienced a slight drop in water pressure.  The bigger problem, he said, would be making a permanent report on the hole they had to drill to reach the leak.  In the middle of February, "Now we've got to find an asphalt plant that's open," he said.

"Beauty And The Beast" Will Be Jacobs HS Production

Final rehearsals start Monday for next weekend's Jacobs High School giant production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  Over one hundred students will be in the cast, crew and orchestra for the production.

It's the stage version of the full-length animated feature about feisty Belle (Senior Anna Taylor) and the prince-turned-hideous Beast (Sophomore Colin Bokowy). There will be three performances, Feb. 24 and 25 at 7 pm and Feb. 26 at 2 pm. General seating is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.  Tickets will be available at the door or in advance at www.jacobsmusic.eventbrite.com .

Critics Charge IL Ag Chief Chosen For Tax Hike Vote

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is once again fighting charges from critics that he is rewarding a supporter of last year's income tax increase with a cushy state government job. Quinn Wednesday named Bob Flider as director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  Flider lost his 2010 re-election bid but voted for Quinn's 67 percent income tax increase in the 2011 lame duck session before the new General Assembly was sworn in.

State Rep. Adam Brown, R-Decatur, who defeated Flider in the 2010 election, said, "It looks like, from my vantage point, that he is accepting a position with state government for turning his back on his constituents."

Flider insisted that his vote for the tax increases had nothing to do with his new post in the Quinn administration. "The governor and I never once had a discussion about a tax increase, or anything associated with a tax increase and this position," said Flider.

However, Brown said Flider has never been a farmer or even worked in agriculture. Flider began his career as a newspaper reporter in Charleston, and most recently worked with the nonprofit Connected Illinois, which advocates for broadband Internet access.  "It's a slap in the face to my background because I am a fifth-generation family farmer," Brown said.

Flider is the latest in a string of lawmakers who voted for the 2011 tax increase and later found new jobs in state government. Quinn nominated former state Rep. Careen Gordon, D-Morris, to an $86,000-a-year job as a lawyer with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, but she later took an $84,000-a-year job as a lawyer with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, after the state Senate would not approve her nomination.  The Governor also found a spot in his administration for former state Rep. Mike Smith, D-Canton, who ended up as an appointed trustee, earning more than $93,000 a year with the state's Education Labor Relations Board.

David Morrison, director of the good government watchdog group, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, warned against reading too much into the appointments. "There has always been a revolving door between the Legislature and the executive branch. It is tough to say what event starts that door moving around," he said.

You can read Ben's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7663/old-criticisms-resurface-for-new-illinois-agriculture-chief/

In the pic: New Illnois Agriculture head Robert Flider.

Obituaries

Harry Brick Watts, 82, of Sun City, Huntley, died Tuesday. A memorial visitation will be held from Noon to 2:30 pm Sunday, immediately followed by a Service of Remembrance at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral & Cremation Service, Huntley.  Burial will take place later in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines.

Watts was born September 25, 1929, in Covington, VA, the son of Harry L. and Helen R. (Hull) Watts. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, of Huntley; son, Edward Watts of Florida; stepdaughter, Janice (Craig) Freund of Huntley; stepsons, John (Judi) Boyer of Antioch and Jim Boyer of Barrington,; sister, Alma Watts of Iron Gates, VA, and many grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund, Huntley.

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
February 15
0959 HRS 10 BLOCK OF RIVIERA CT. IDENTITY THEFT. Turned over to Melbourne, Australia Police.
2106 HRS 600 BLOCK OF DAVID ST. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Female, 17 years of age, overdosed on pills. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Algonquin Gives First OK To New Light Of Christ Church

The Algonquin Village Board Tuesday gave preliminary approval to plans for a new Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Algonquin at Sleepy Hollow Road and Longmeadow Parkway.  The 31,000 square-foot church on 23 acres of land would replace the congregation's current church on north Hanson Road.

The new church would close off a connection between Creeks Crossing Drive and Richmond Lane that's never been built but Community Development Director Russ Farnum said the Church would grant an easement for a bicycle/pedestrian path through the site.  Richmond would debouch onto Longmeadow and an exit from the Church would feed into that, something Trustee Brian Dianis  recalled was a matter of concern at earlier public hearings.  Farnum said one way or another, "There would always be new traffic in this area."

Even with final approval expected next week, the start of construction on the new church is indefinite.  It all depends on selling the present facility and Pastor Kendall Koenig said the  market's about as strong for used churches as it is for any other sort of real estate.  "Make us an offer," he invited hopefully.

In the pic:  Architects said a new Light of Christ Lutheran Church won't look so imposing from Sleepy Hollow Road because the land slopes to the east and the rear part will be dug into the grade.

Crossing Gate Glitch Snarls Huntley Traffic

A malfunction in the crossing gates and traffic lights at Route 47 and Main Street and Huntley had traffic tied up intermittently for almost two hours Tuesday.  The gates came down for no apparent reason about 1 pm and even after a Union Pacific track man raised them, stoplights turned the intersection into an impromptu four-way stop until the railroad control box could be cleared at about 2:30.  Union Pacific officials couldn't be reached to find out what set the problem off.

McHenry County State's Attorney Sues Latin Kings Street Gang

The McHenry County State's Attorney's Office announced Tuesday it's seeking injunctions against the Latin Kings street gang and five alleged members in Harvard.  The lawsuit was actually filed last Friday but, "We served (notice on) the individuals," said State's Attorney Civil Chief and gang specialist Donna Kelly.  She said it had to be done that way since, "(The Latin Kings) are certainly not a legal entity."

The suit on behalf of the City of Harvard seeks to keep five men with gang records dating back as much as 10 years from "standing, sitting, walking, driving, gathering or appearing anywhere in public view" with each other or another "known Latin King gang member". They're not supposed to make gang hand gestures, shout gang slogans or even show gang tattoos in public, either.  In fact, the suit even asks a judge to keep them from being outside at night without a good excuse.  Kelly said the prohibitions are all allowed by the Illinois Street Gang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act passed 20 years ago but rarely used since.

DuPage County officials credit a suit in 1999 with helping quell an outbreak of gang activity in Aurora at the time. A more recent instance was a suit by ex-McHenry County Civil Chief, now Boone County State's Attorney, Michelle Courier, 18 months ago.  It won injunctions against two dozen alleged Latin Kings in nearby Belvidere and a $15,000 judgement. That was the the first time an Illinois court had ever assessed damages against a gang. The Harvard suit hopes to do even better, asking for $50,000.

Kane County has a similar lawsuit going right now against gang members in Elgin but four men there are fighting it.  The admit they used to be gangbangers but say they aren't anymore since they got religion.  They claim their civil rights will be violated if they can't come close enough to current gang members to try to get them to see the light, too.

In the pic: A typical Latin Kings tattoo from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement files.

PAC Challenges State Campaign Contribution Limits

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Campaign contribution limits in Illinois are being tested in federal court only a year after being enacted. Personal PAC, a political action committee that lobbies for pro-choice candidates, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago against the Illinois State Board of Elections saying limits on contributions to political action committees violate the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

“All we’re asking is that we play on a level playing field and not have to run campaigns with one arm tied behind our backs,” said Terry Cosgrove, president of Personal PAC. State law limits giving to PACs at $10,000 for individuals, $20,000 for corporations and unions, and $50,000 for other PACs and candidates’ political committees. Until last year, Illinois had no limits on campaign contributions. Cosgrove said his organization missed out on about $100,000 in donations during 2011 because of the state’s contribution limits. The lawsuit also alleges that Personal PAC has a check donation worth $17,688.26 that will be void by May 23 if the state's law stands.

Kent Redfield, a political science professor at University of Illinois at Springfield, wrote the book on campaign financing in Illinois, at least one of them. He's the author of, “Money Counts: How Dollars Dominate Illinois Politics and What We Can Do About It.”

“Limiting me from giving only $10,000 to Personal PAC doesn’t limit my ability to make independent expenditures. I can make $1 million of independent expenditures.  And so what we’re talking about is do I have an unlimited right to give to a group?” Redfield said.

The majority of PACs in Illinois give to candidates in the hope of gaining access to them once they are in the General Assembly, Redfield said. But for groups that lobby on controversial issues like abortion, their giving is more targeted at getting people on their side elected to office. Redfield said that reasoning likely is why the lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction against the contribution limits and was filed before the March 20 primary.

You can read Andrew's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7647/il-campaign-contribution-limits-challenged-2/

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
February 14
2020 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE R. (LAKE IN THE HILLS PD) FOLLOW UP ARREST: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL/INJURY ACCIDENT. CARDOSO, NOE,  M/H 36 YEARS OF AGE, 621 VIRGINIA, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, No Valid Illinois License, Improper Lane Usage, No Seat Belt and Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle. RELEASED ON BOND.
0930 HRS 600 HARVEST GATE. (Village Hall) ASSIST OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. Assisted Village Hall with the service of a 5-day notice.
1124 HRS 300 BLOCK OF WINDERMER WAY. SEX ASSAULT. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1705 HRS PYOTT RD. & E. OAK ST. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
Huntley
February 6
Jason B. Sirt, age 22, of 11612 #A Daniel Lane, Huntley, was arrested on two Huntley Police Department warrants for theft and was cited for operating a motor vehicle with no insurance.  Mr. Sirt posted bond and was released with McHenry County court dates of February 23, and February 27, 2012.
A 15 year-old male from Huntley was arrested for criminal damage to property.  The juvenile was released to his mother and will attend peer jury.
Sergio Carachure, age 22, of 11195 Douglas Ave., Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant for failure to appear in court.  Mr. Carachure posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 23, 2012.
Heather L Gibson, age 21, of 9913 Glen Lane, Union, was arrested for DUI and was cited for display of expired registration.  Ms. Gibson posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 24, 2012.
February 7
Humberto Hernandez-Alvarado, age 36, of 801 Joanne, Harvard, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license and was cited for driving with no red tail lights.  Mr. Hernandez-Alvarado posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 24, 2012.
Hamidulla Rishad Abdullah, age 26, of 505 Oak St, Joliet, was arrested on a Department of Corrections failure to appear in court warrant for a parole violation, a Coles County failure to appear in court for resisting a peace officer and an Effingham County warrant for stalking.  Mr. Abdullah was transported to McHenry County jail.
February 9
Diane M. Prinner, age 55, of 11509 Douglas Ave. #330, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for failure to notify Secretary of State of an address change.  Ms. Prinner posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 16, 2012.
A residential burglary report was taken in the 12400 block of W. Pheasant Ridge Dr.  Jewelry was reported stolen.
Kurt R. Dybeck, age 48, and Matthew A. Dybeck, age 27, both of 1203 Patton Ave., Lake in the Hills, were arrested for battery.  Both subjects posted bond and were released with a McHenry County court date of March 2, 2012.
February 10
A tampering with a vehicle report was taken in the 11700 block of Niagra Lane.  The victim stated that oil was poured on her vehicle’s tires.
A 17 year-old male and a 16 year-old male both from Huntley, were charged with battery.  Both juveniles were released with a March 26, 2012 McHenry County court date.
February 12
Brett W. Kleckner, age 20, of 2220 Aurora, Pingree Grove, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and was cited for driving with a malfunctioning registration lamp.  Mr. Kleckner posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 5, 2012.

New D300 Power Plan: Right Result, Wrong Way?

The District 300 Board of Education may be heading for a showdown over a Joint Wind Consortium that was supposed to explore the feasibility of electric bill savings from windmills but ended up signing a long-term electricity contract without specific Board approval.

District Chief Financial Officer and Wind Consortium Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Crates told the Board Monday the new contract doesn't accomplish the project's original goal of eliminating power costs with wind but would still save a lot of money on the District's $3 million annual electric bill--even if it opts to buy more expensive "green" electricity later on.

Board Member Joe Stevens, on whose watch as Board President the Consortium began, didn't criticize that outcome. Indeed, he said it was what the District probably would have done if the Consortium had given it the chance. "If you look at the origin, it was created for one purpose only.  This is not it," said Stevens.

Current Board President Anne Miller seemed to have doubts about the wind group's power contract, too.  "The Wind Consortium negotiated for energy that was not provided by wind turbines," she said.

The Consortium, including two smaller school districts but 80 percent-owned by D300, was created in 2009 to see if there was a way to power schools with "free" wind energy.  After two years,  three plans and $85,000 in lawyers and consultants fees, it turned out there wasn't.  As the last plan began to collapse, however, Constellation New Energy, D300's current power company, offered the Consortium an eight-year power delivery and purchase plan that Dave Ulm, Supervisor of Facilities and Energy Management, calculated would save the District $300,000 per year. "A four-year contract was the best we could ever do before," he said.

Stevens wasn't sure signing a contract so far out was a good idea, either, though.  "I don't think any of us are likely to be here on the Board in eight years," he said.

Miller asked Crates to see if there's a way to unwind the Consortium and what difference, if any, it would make if it did go away.

Separately the Board approved a new $26 million three-year bus contract with Durham School Services.  Director of Transportation Donna Bordsen reported the new pact would save $400,000 per year shifting fleet maintenance to Durham and as much as $500,000 per year when the company replaces all of the buses the District currently owns.

In the pic:  Algonquin Member Joe Stevens told the D300 Board Monday, "I'm very uncomfortable with (the Joint School Wind Consortium) operating and serving independently."

Huntley PD Offers Free "No Solicitation" Notices

The Village of Huntley advised residents Monday to put up "No Solcitation" stickers and call the cops if door-to-door salesmen get to be a bother.

A Huntly e-news release said the PD's been fielding complaints about business soliciting.  "Unfortunately, the police cannot do much to prevent solicitors from approaching a home or business unless they post a "no solicitation" sign or sticker on their front door," the release advised. The good news: The Police Department offers the stickers for free and residents are encouraged to stop by and pick one up.

"If you have a sticker displayed and a solicitor attempts to contact you, do not answer the door," Huntley officials advise. "If you do answer the door, draw their attention to the posted no soliciting sign and ask them to leave. If they refuse call the police."  In fact even if you don't have a sticker but feel harassed, call the police, is the word from Huntley.

Residents can call Deputy Chief Todd Fulton for more info if they need it.  His number's 847-515-5311.

"Such A Pretty Face Should Be Dressed In Lace (Oo, Oo-Oo-Oo Oo)"

The fifth annual My Sister’s Dress Project is gathering new and almost-new formal gowns and accessories to prep for proms and benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County.  Now through next Friday there'll be collection sites set up at, among other locations, American Community Bank, Huntley, and the Student Life Office at McHenry County College.

Organizers will sell the frocks at the group's annual dress sale at MCC from 10 am to 2 pm March 4. Last year My Sister's Dress collected about 740 gowns to help students at high schools in the region, including Jacobs, D-C and Huntley, go to the prom without going broke.  Funds from the sales support Big Brothers/Big Sisters of McHenry County.

More info's available from Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County at 815-385-3855 or email LITH's Emily Smith at mysistersdress@gmail.com .

In the pic:  Shoppers examining last year's donations to My Sister's Dress at MCC.

IL Workers Face Challenge To Keep Up With Manufacturing

By Anthony Brino, Illinois Statehouse News
David Del Castillo is the kind of skilled worker manufacturing companies say desperately want, but cannot find. “Companies are literally starving for qualified workers,” said Tucker Kennedy, spokesman for the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center, a nonprofit offering advice, training and technical expertise to Illinois manufacturers.

Del Castillo worked on an assembly line at the Knapheide Manufacturing Co. in Quincy for five years, until the economic downturn caused the company to lay off 185 employees in April, 2009. After earning an associate’s degree in advanced manufacturing, Del Castillo returned to Knapheide  and has doubled his income and responsibilities.

“It’s neat, because it’s doing a lot of logistics, computer programming and chemistry, like testing anti-rust paint,” said Del Castillo, a former Marine and father of two teenage boys. He said in his previous job at Knapheide, he just put together parts of the truck bodies as they came by on an assembly line.

Driven by advanced technology and globalization, manufacturing in the United States has evolved and is “vastly different today than it was even 20 years ago,” Kennedy said. “It’s much more of a computer-aided, collaborative process that requires math and science as well as good communication," he said.

During the past decade or so, the Illinois government hasn’t really encouraged young people to consider industrial trades, said State Rep. Jill Tracy, R-Quincy. “I think we’ve missed that niche, but community colleges have picked up what we missed,” Tracy said.

You can read Anthony's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7640/647000-jobless-in-il-but-not-all-fit-for-manufacturing-companies-say/

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
February 13
0748 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF BURR ST. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. HIRSIMAKI, CHRISTOPHER B., M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 1534 PLYMOUTH CIRCLE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
2301 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. HALLOWELL, WILLIAM M., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 2735 BAYVIEW CIRCLE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGES: Two Counts Burglary from Motor Vehicle and Three Counts Criminal Trespass to Motor Vehicle.
2303 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE. See above arrest.
2303 HRS 400 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE. See above arrest.
2303 HRS 400 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO MOTOR VEHICLE. See above arrest.
2303 HRS 300 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. BURGLARY FROM MOTOR VEHICLE. See above arrest.
1023 HRS ACORN LN. & RANDALL RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicle accident. Property damage only.
1607 HRS 900 CYNTHIA LANE. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Suspicious vehicle in the area.
1539 HRS 2700 BLOCK OF MELBOURNE LN. HIT & RUN. Subject's vehicle hit by unknown vehicle.
1651 HRS 100 BLOCK OF COOL STONE BEND. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. Verbal only. One prior.
1735 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. FOUND ARTICLE. Ladder in the roadway. Placed into evidence.
1758 HRS RANDALL RD. & ALGONQUIN RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
Huntley
January 30
Neil M. Millburger, age 35, of 1266 Silk Oak Ln., Bartlett, was arrested for driving while license revoked and was cited for no front plate and driving with no insurance.  Mr. Millburger posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 24, 2012.
Krystina M. Macknight, age 25, of 8307 N. Route. 47, Huntley, was arrested for possession of a fraudulent insurance card and was cited for driving with no insurance and driving with expired registration.  Ms. Macknight posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of February 24, 2012.
A theft report was taken at Huntley High School.  A student reported that her cell phone was stolen from her back pack.
Brian A. Winter, age 36, of 40W537 Barko Parkway, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license revoked and was cited for failure to signal.  Mr. Winter posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 16, 2012.
Lisa M. Franklin, age 29, of 42W244 W. Plank, Hampshire, was arrested for driving while license suspended and possession of a suspended license and was cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.  Ms. Franklin posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 16, 2012.
January 31
Four burglary to motor vehicle reports were taken at a business parking lot in the 11300 block of Main St.  The victims reported that cash, debit cards and electronics were stolen.
A criminal damage to property report was taken at a business in the 2300 block of Route 47.  A computer screen was damaged at a kiosk.
Edward C. Rader, age 38, of 10888 Harry Rd. Huntley, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cannabis, driving with a suspended license and was cited for registration suspended no insurance.  Mr. Rader posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 16, 2012.
February 1
Michael V. Pascazio, age 25, of 10716 Pebble, Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and possession of an expired drivers license and was cited for expired registration.  Mr. Pascazio posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 9, 2012.
A 17 year-old male from Huntley was arrested on two counts of battery at the High School.  The juvenile was released to his parents and will be petitioned into juvenile court.
February 2
A 17 year-old male from Lake in the Hills was charged with disorderly conduct at the High School.  The juvenile was released to his parents with a McHenry County court date of March 12, 2012.
Amy L. Drews, age 32, of 12268 W. River View Ct., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license revoked and was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving without lights when required.
A criminal defacement report was taken at a business in the 10900 block of Route 47.  Graffiti was painted on the back of a building.
A theft report was taken in 10900 block of Route 47.  A for sale sign was stolen.
February 3
A theft report was taken at Huntley High School.  A student stated that his iPod Touch was stolen from his back pack.
February 4
A fraudulent use of a credit card report was taken.  The victim states that her credit card was used fraudulently at a business in the 13200 block of Route 47.
A criminal trespass report was taken at a vacant house in the 10500 block of Wheatlands Way.
A fraud report was taken in the 12900 block of Tall Grass.  The victim of the scam states that he cashed a fraudulent check and sent money to an individual in California.
February 5
Michael M. Monahan, age 47, of 10024 Thornton Way, Huntley, was arrested on two counts of domestic battery.  Mr. Monahan was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
A criminal damage to property report was taken at a residence in the 10500 block of Casselberry North.  The subject tried to pry open the garage door.
Eric C. Montgomery, age 29, of 11021 Bayou Ct., Huntley, was arrested on an outstanding McHenry County warrant for failure to McHenry County court date of March 9, 2012.
Felix Fernandez-Marquez, age 21, of 1213 Riverside, McHenry, was arrested for driving with no valid drivers license.  Mr. Marquez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of March 2, 2012.

Voters' Guide To Where They Live (So To Speak)

Residents could request absentee ballots for the March Primary Election starting last week and early voting begins in two weeks,  so it's probably time for voters to start figuring out where they live, at least political divisionwise.  Between Congressional, State and County Board redistricting, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Huntley are chopped up like a Teppanyanki entree after the chef's been out on a bender.  Here are detailed maps, mostly at the McHenry County Clerk's site, but some from Kane, too (some take a while to download):

County Board District One includes most of Algonquin down to County Line Road (or the county line where that road isn't) and a smidgen of LITH from the Spring Lake Farms neighborhood east. The Kane County part of Algonquin is District 23 .

County Board District Two includes most of Lake in the Hills from about Exner Marsh and a little bit of eastern Algonquin up by Cary Algonquin Road.

County Board District Five includes the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Lake in the Hills and Huntley east of 47 and north of Kreutzer.

County Board District Six includes Huntley west of route 47, above the county line, of course. The Kane County part of Huntley is District 25.

State Senate Districts are a little easier.  There's the 33rd and the 26th .

State Representative Districts get a little trickier. There are 52, 66 and  65 .

There are only two Congressional Districts to worry about, the 14th and 6th .

Huntley Foundation Raises Funds For Pediatric Brain Cancer Victims

When six year-old Carter Kettner died of inoperable pediatric brain cancer two years ago, parents Joe and Cinnamon of Huntley vowed to start a foundation in his memory to help other kids and their families battle the life-threatening condition.  Their charitable foundation is named Cancer Kiss My Cooley and its intended first annual gala, set for March 3, is seeking support, especially live auction and silent auction items for the event.

Sponsorships are still sought as well for the formal attire dinner and dance at the foundation's first KISS IT Gala at 6:30 pm at the Seville in Streamwood.  In fact, a block of hotel rooms have been set aside at Hyatt Place Chicago/Hoffman Estates for attendees.  Live music will feature Blonde on Board and The Pete Fleming Orchestra.

Tickets, sponsorships and reservations are all available here:

http://www.cancerkissmycooley.org/news.php

Donations by check to "Cancer Kiss My Cooley" can be sent to the foundation at P.O. Box 746 Huntley IL, 60142.

In the pic:  Carter Kettner with Dad, Joe, at the day in his honor in Huntley.

Cotton Wool Subs For Vanishing Snow At Huntley Snowflake Fest

Warm sun and above-freezing temps paradoxically damped enthusiasm Sunday for Huntley's Second Annual Snowflake Festival at the Park District, even though the village's Senior Citizen Club donated $500 to help push it over the top.  Those who attended had a good time, though.  Here eight year-old Jacob Fiandalo tried his luck staying aboard the rare one-horned (?) bucking cyber-reindeer.

State College Chiefs Back Quinn For More Student Aid Money

By Benjamin Yount, Illinois Statehouse News
College and university presidents support Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to offer more grants to low-income students.  The Governor last week tried to shore up support for his State of the State pledge to increase funding for the Monetary Assistance Program whcih that awards grants to students whose parents earn on average no more than $35,000 a year.

However, Quinn's office is not commenting on how much funding the governor will be requesting, or from where that money will come. "Details of the governor's plan will come Feb. 22 during the budget speech," said Kelly Kraft, Quinn's budget spokeswoman.

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale President Glenn Poshard said after the meeting Wednesday that Quinn's proposal will help keep thousands of students enrolled in a college or university. "We have a large number of low-income students at SIU," Poshard said. "The governor has assured us that he will go all out for the MAP grant, and we were all very appreciative of that."

Late state aid payments are one of the factors driving up the cost of college, said Robin Steans, executive director of the education advocacy group Advance Illinois. "One reason that Illinois is so unaffordable is because the state has shifted the burden of funding colleges and universities," Steans said.

Al Bowman, president of Illinois State University in Normal, said schools in Illinois are not the only ones to see students who need more financial assistance. "Nationally, funding for public higher education is at a 25-year low … And we've got some tough times ahead of us," Bowman said.

You can read Ben's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7616/il-college-chiefs-back-quinn-call-for-more-map-money/

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
February 12
0140 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. INJURY ACCIDENT. One vehicle. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0237 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF GENEVA LN. DOMESTIC. Future Mother-in-Law vs. Future Daughter-in-Law. Verbal only. No priors.
0304 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) BATTERY. Male vs. Male. FAIL TO FILE.
0308 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) BATTERY. Male vs. Male. UNFOUNDED.
0537 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF CUNAT CT. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assisted Bartlett Police.
0926 HRS 400 BLOCK OF VILLAGE CREEK DR. ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 19 months of age, injury to head from a fall. No transport.
Algonquin
February 11
01:26am Proebstle, Alexander J., DOB: 11/22/90, of 6 Hithergreen Court, Algonquin, was charge with DWLR and Speeding.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Huntley Road.  He was released after posting $150 with a court date of 03/14/12 in McHenry County.
17:52pm Tsymbala, Vladimir, DOB: 02/03/50, of 6049 W. Berenice Avenue, Chicago, was charged with DUI.  He was taken into custody at Route 62 and Route 31.  He was released after posting $100 and his Illinois Driver’s License with a court date of 03/14/12 in McHenry County.

Rep. Race: Gaffney, McSweeney, Rowe Together Live On Stage

About 30 voters braved the cold Saturday to hear three Republican candidates for 52nd District State Representative at an MCC forum sponsored by McHenry County Young Republicans and the college's Political Theory and Debate Club.  For the March Primary the district will include eastern parts of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills.

Appointed incumbent Kent Gaffney, businessman Dave McSweeney and businesswoman Daneille Rowe, all from one or another of the Barringtons, were all in favor of lowering taxes and spending but the  one-minute answer format didn't allow for a lot of detail.  McSweeney, rattling off responses like a machine gun, twice managed to plug a proposal for a 20 percent income tax exemption for small businesses, however.  Rowe said she thought every new piece of legislation ought to carry a price tag so Legislators would know how much they were voting to spend.

Gaffney, former GOP ex-Republican Caucus budget director, plugged his actual experience in Springfield as much as he could.  On the current budget he said, "We (Republicans) asked, 'How much revenue is coming in?' and said, "Let's spend less.'I've done that."

Gaffney may have hurt himself refusing to state a position on abortion, though.  He said the question was "socially divisive" and his campaign was focused on fixing the state's finances. But a few minutes later he proudly reported, "one of the first bills I signed on to" was a socially divisive concealed carry gun law.  Still later he said he wasn't for gay marriage.

McSweeney and Rowe both said they were, with qualifications, against abortion, for guns and against gay marriage.

Rowe stumbled when she failed to even recognize a question about support for direct election of the Chairman of the McHenry County Board.  Thanks to County Democractic Rep. Jack Franks' bill, it's nominally a State issue.  At the County level, however, it's another internal GOP power struggle since only 2 of the Board's 24 members are Democrats.  Rowe said she'd have to research it.  Gaffney and McSweeney were both fine with the idea.

The evening's moment of near-levity came on a left-field audience question about whether they'd support teaching Islamic belief in grade schools.  All three candidates briefly assumed a deer in the headlights look, then said they really hadn't given it much thought.

In the pic:  Kent Gaffney, Dave McSweeney and Danielle Rowe vied for 52nd District voters at a McHenryMCC Saturday. County Young Republicans forum at

LITH Claims Discrepencies In CFI Study Numbers

Lake In the Hills hammered away again  against a controversial Continuous Flow Interesction at Randall and Algonquin Road. The McHenry County Division of Transportation held a hearing last month on the largely-untested CFI as the solution to traffic congestion at the critical intersection in Lake in the Hills and Algonquin.  However, Village Administrator Jerry Sagona told the Board this week that traffic numbers don't add up.  In some cases literally.

Sagona said the latest traffic study numbers have changed from ones submitted in 2008, especially the ones for cars that would be controlled by the CFI.   "There are significant unexplained changes to left turn data by the end of the process," said Sagona.  The 2012 numbers show lots more northbound cars turning west and southbound cars turning east than in 2008 while the rest of the numbers are all about the same.

The LITH Board is worried about MCDOT's plans for the intersection since over a quarter of its storefront businesses are located near the intersection, including five of its ten biggest employers.

Sagona called for the Randall Road Community Advisory Council to reconvene to examine the traffic data again and listen to the Village's objections.

In the pic:  Lake in the Hills claims it's found discrepencies in MCDOT's traffic numbers at the Randall/Algonquin Intersection.

The Ghost Of Christmas Past

The giant mountain of Christmas trees at the Algonquin Township complex is now a smaller (albeit still pretty good-sized) mountain of pine mulch after being run through the Road District's tub grinder late in the week.  The whole place smells like the Great Northwoods right now.

When the crocuses start popping up, residents can stop by for all the mulch they want,  24 hours a day 7 days a week.  The Township Complex and its recyclling center is on Route 14 about a mile east of Route 31.  There'll probably be a mountain of deciduous wood mulch by that time, too.

Details Unclear On Quinn's Infrastructure Plans

By Ashley Griffin, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn announced new infrastructure projects during his State of State address last week, but so far his plans are short on details. One plan that Quinn announced was a $6 million competition to build ultra-high speed broadband networks across Illinois neighborhoods.  According to a statement from the governor’s office, the $6 million is actually not new spending. The money would come from funding included in the 2009 capital construction bill for information technology and broadband infrastructure.

However, House Speaker Michael Madigan warned during an appearance at Elmhurst College in January that there will not be enough money for all the spending laid out in the capital bill because the revenue projections the bill was based on have not proved true.

Quinn also called for water infrastructure investments, such as replacing broken water mains, upgrading sewers and building sewage treatment plants though his Illinois Jobs Agenda for 2012.
“Clean Water is the lifeblood of our people and our communities,”  Quinn said. “But many Illinois residents are living with aging water mains that are nearly 100 years old.”

“Water systems run under the ground. For most people, it’s out of sight, out of mind, but in fact, those systems do need to have added investment,” said Doug Whitley, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “The Illinois Chamber is willing to step up and be a partner on many of the themes that were in the State of the State message.”

“At a minimum — as we just went through the numbers very quickly — he has advocated spending an additional $500 million dollars. We don’t have any money. All these things sound good, but we can't afford them. I think that’s what disturbing,” said House Minority Leader Tom Cross.

You can read Ashley's full report at:  http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/community-groups-wait-for-details-on.html

McHenry County Indictments

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

TANYA J. EMERY, DOB:  07/05/83, 474 LINN AVENUE, CRYSTAL LAKE. RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, RESISTING A PEACE OFFICER(2CTS).--Crystal Lake PD

DANIEL T. HAWKINS, DOB:  01/11/92, 1794 SOMMERFIELD LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. BURGLARY, THEFT.--Crystal Lake PD
  
FRANCISCO PACHECO, DOB:  09/13/91, 1329 TEAKWOOD LANE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.--Crystal Lake PD
  
VINCENT P. NETT, DOB:  03/29/59, HOMELESS. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, CRIMINAL TRESPASS TO REAL PROPERTY.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
JOSEPH A. KRYC, DOB:  01/09/76,    4911 PYNDALE DRIVE, MCHENRY. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY(3CTS), ATTEMPT RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, BURGLARY.--McHenry PD
  
FRANCISCO MORALES, DOB:  04/12/83, 697 LAKE AVENUE, WOODSTOCK. RETAIL THEFT.--McHenry PD
  
BENJAMIN C. SCHALK, DOB:  08/12/84, 8011 MAPLEWOOD DRIVE, WONDER LAKE. AGGRAVATED BATTERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.--McHenry PD

PAUL J. SNYDER, DOB:  07/02/93, 551 W. MAIN STREET, CARY. THEFT.--Cary PD

ADRIAN SEPULVEDA, DOB:  05/19/88, 818 ROUTE 176, MCHENRY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office
  
DANNY R. HAMPTON, DOB:  04/20/62, 298 GREENVIEW DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--McHenry PD
  
CHARLES D. HESTRUP, DOB:  04/23/59, LKA:  284 N. ASHLAND AVENUE, PALATINE. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

LEO D. CASIMIRO, DOB: 11/03/75, 116 ADOBE CIRCLE, CARPENTERSVILLE. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.--Cary PD

TERRENCE M. GORDON, DOB: 05/22/58, 5605 GREENVIEW ROAD, OAKWOOD HILLS. POSSESSION OF A FIREARM WITHOUT REQUISITE FIREARM OWNER’S IDENTIFICATION CARD (4 COUNTS), POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION WITHOUT REQUISITE FIREARM OWNER’S IDENTIFICTION CARD (11 COUNTS).--Oakwood Hills 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
February 11
0823 HRS LAKEWOOD RD. & MILLER RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. MALEK, NIKOLAS, M/W 31 YEARS OF AGE, 5508 CHANTILLY CIRCLE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Driving While License Revoked, Operating Motor Vehicle with Revoked Registration, Improper Use of Registration, No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0104 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF BRIARFIELD LN. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. 62 priors.
0211 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) AMBULANCE ASSIST. Female, 25 years of age, unconscious but breathing. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
0503 HRS 800 BLOCK OF JESSIE RD. HIT & RUN. Parked vehicle struck by an unknown vehicle. Property damage only. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
0845 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BARTON CREEK DR. MISSING JUVENILE. Male juvenile, 14 years of age. Juvenile returned home.
1040 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.