Riverside Plaza Apartment Changes Coming In Two Weeks

Developer John Breugelmans wasn't happy this week that the brick paver sidewalk around Algonquin's Riverside Plaza is taking so long to complete.  "The Route 31 side's done now.  But, look, it's been 10 days."  Nor is he happy at how long it's taking to convert what was supposed to be a lot of luxury condos into a larger number of high-end apartments.

The Algonquin Village Board approved changing Riverside Plaza to apartments on a 5-2 vote last month but most of the trustees said they didn't want any more of them than the 54 originally planned as condominiums.  Breugelmans estimated it would take 69 to satisfy the bankers he's banking on for the money to finish the long-delayed project.

The sidewalk slowed to make sure parts of it complied with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, according to Algonquin Public Works Director Bob Mitchard.  Breugelmans said negotiations with Village staff on what's necessary for the apartment conversion are going well.  However, they'll all have to be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and then by the Village Board.  About how he'll fare at those levels Breugelmans smiled and said, "we'll see."

The apartment changes are scheduled to come before the P&Z commissioners in about two weeks.

In the pic:  Masons were still edging the Riverside Plaza sidewalk fronting Route 31 in Algonquin Friday. 

LITH Rotary Donates Rockin Ribfest Funds To Local Groups

Readying for the 2012's Rockin Ribfest, the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club found they still had some money left over from last year's event.  So the group this week donated $8,250 to four other area non-profits and schools.  Rotary District Governor Carlos Frum cited the group as the best "small club" in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

LITH Rotary gave $2,500 to the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association for scholarships, $1,250 to the Lake in the Hills Senior Citizens' Group for their Christmas event, $2,150 to McHenry County PADS for sleep centers and $2,000 to District 300 for a 4th and 5th graders' trip to Springfield.

In the pic:  LITH Rotary President Jim Wales accepted an award this week from Rotary Governor Carlose Frum for events like its Rockin Ribfest and programs like that supports a fish farm to help rural Guatemalans.

First Algonquin Lunch Entertainment Hit With Younger Set

Algonquin's first Lunch Hour Entertainment Series concert at the Riverfront Park Gazebo Friday would have been a near-sellout except that there was no charge to attend in the first place.  About 60 kids and a lot of Mommies attended the event featuring folk Singer Jeanie B.  "I didn't expect so many'd be here," said pleasantly surprised Village Trustee Jim Steigert.

Two more Lunch Hour Entertainment events are scheduled.  The first July 13 will be at Towne Park; the second Aug. 3 at the Algonquin Library back patio.  Both will run from Noon to 12:45 pm.

In the pic:  Kids at Algonquin's Lunch Hour Entertainment Event Friday helped folk singer Jeanie B. perform.  This may have been the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine".  That, or a song about bubble gum.

Legislative Leaders Put Off Pension Talks Again

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Legislative leaders reportedly decided this week to take a five-week break from pension reform talks. Republicans and Democrats are deadlocked of the issue of shifting State pension costs to school districts, universities and community colleges.

Republicans say that such a shift would result in increased property taxes. Democrats say that schools, which determine the salary that their employees' pensions are based on, should pay retirement costs instead of setting the pay and passing the pension bill off to the state.
Gov. Pat Quinn, who previously called for a bill to be approved by then end of June, urged them not to drag their feet. “This is not something that you can run in place on. This is a time for action,” he said.

Democrats point to the fact that Chicago pays most of the cost for its teachers’ pensions. Quinn argued that a very gradual shift, over as many as 15 years, could be absorbed by schools without property tax increases. Republicans say that such a shift should be looked at in the overall context of school funding issues and is not necessary to enact pension reform that would begin to address the state’s estimated $85 billion unfunded liability.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/legislative-leaders-plan-to-put-off.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
June 22
1532 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & TRINITY DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. STORACI, SALVATORE, M/W 32 YEARS OF AGE, 2021 FRANTUM DR., SYCAMORE. CHARGES: Driving While License Suspended, Disobeying a Traffic Control Device, and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0345 HRS 220 N. RANDALL RD. (MORETTI’S) CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1807 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
2300 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. SUICIDAL SUBJECT. Male, 24 years of age, made suicidal statements. No transport.

Huntley History Buffs Oppose Main St. Building For Parking

Opposition arose Thursday at the Huntley Village Board meeting to a plan to turn an old Downtown building into a parking lot.  So far, there isn't any plan to actually do that, though.

Last week the Board approved buying the building at 11801 Main St.  Currently housing a gold-buying shop and a cleaning service, it's been, among other things, the village's post office and a milk depot but 120 years ago it started out as the Sawyer-Kelley grist mill.

"This building is a piece of Huntley's history and past," Donna Britton, Chairman of Huntley's Historic Preservation Commission told trustees during their public comment session.  "It would be sad to lose this to something as inane as a parking lot."

Fellow Commission member Lonnie Oldham urged the board to look at "adaptive reuse" for the bulding, instead.

However, Village Manager Dave Johnson told FEN later neither Village planners nor the Board have decided to turn the building into a parking lot yet or anything else, for that matter.  "There are no definitive plans at this point," he said.   Right now the purchase is simply to obtain control of the Downtown property while commercial prices are still tanked.

Separately, the Board approved a consultant's contract to create detailed redevelopment plans for a TIF District proposed to improve Huntley's Downtown.  One aspect of the plan would freeze property tax receipts in the TIF District (although not the taxes themselves) for 23 years for the other four taxing bodies whose boundaries include the Downtown.  Mayor Chuck Sass said confabs with D158, Huntley Park District and the Huntley Fire Protection District found no objection. However, "I think they might have some questions in the Library District," said Sass. "They're straining."

The Board hasn't approved the Downtown TIF District yet and there will be public hearings about it before it comes to a vote.

In the pic: Huntley Historic Preservation Commission Chairman Donna Britton told the Village Board the building at 11801 Main St. was owned by the same pair who operated the Marlowe Feed store.  "It would be sad to see both of those lost in the same period," she said.

New Interstate Sign Promotes Huntley Development Website

The Village of Huntley erected a huge new sign Thursday for westbound motorists on I-90 in an effort to drive more developers to the community's recently installed economic development website. The Huntley First site's designed as a one-stop-shopping info center for business planners hunting for somewhere to locate in northern Illinois.  The sign's in case any of them are in one of the 24,000 vehicles on the Tollway each day that pass the Route 47 exit.

Huntley's economic development website is at: http://www.huntleyfirst.com/

McHenry County Unemployment Falls To 8 Percent In May

McHenry County's unemployment rate plummeted .6 percent in May to an even 8.0 percent according to Thursday's report from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).  However, more of the improvement came from a drop in people looking for work than from those who found it.  McHenry County employment rose by 783 jobs in May but 1,104 fewer residents reported they were looking for work.

The May unemployment rate in Illinois, unadjusted for seasonal fluctuation, fell .2 percent to 8.4 percent in May while the U.S. unadjusted unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent.   Illinois non-farm payroll employment edged lower by 1,800 jobs in May.  Statewide, the economy's only added 28,700 non-farm jobs in the past 12 months through May, according to IDES.

"Job gains early in the year followed by a temporary soft-patch in hiring in the Spring and Summer is to be expected given emerging trends in the national and state economy." IDES Director Jay Rowell said of the State report.

Locally, Algonquin showed an astonishing 1.1 percent unemployment rate improvement to 8.3 percent.  That was from a radically revised 9.4 percent rate in April, however, originally reported as 8.0 percent. IDES reported a similar whopping .9 percent drop in McHenry's unemployment rate to 8.4 percent.    Lake in the Hills' unemployment rate fell .3 percent to 8.2 percent while Crystal Lake's rate rose slightly in April to 8.3 percent.

                          UNEMPLOYMENT (unadjusted)             
               REVISED    Apr 2012          PRELIMINARY May 2012               
               LABOR    UNEMPLOYED      LABOR   UNEMPLOYED      May 
               FORCE    NUMBER  RATE    FORCE   NUMBER    RATE  2011   
U.S. (X1000)   153,905  11,910   7.7    154,998   12,271   7.9   8.7     
ILLINOIS     6,552,411 565,966   8.6  6,559,776  549,041   8.4   9.4   
MCHENRY COUNTY 176,107  15,160   8.6    175,876   14,146   8.0   9.5    
KANE COUNTY    275,387  24,689   9.0    275,068   23,150   8.4   9.8    
LAKE COUNTY    350,599  28,298   8.1    351,468   27,578   7.8   8.3
DUPAGE COUNTY  522,483  38,517   7.4    523,517   37,197   7.1   8.2

ALGONQUIN       19,969   1,870   9.4     19,837    1,650   8.3  10.3   
LITH            16,904   1,430   8.5     16,937    1,388   8.2   8.7    
CRYSTAL LAKE    21,935   1,795   8.2     22,062    1,824   8.3   9.5    
MCHENRY         15,428   1,429   9.3     15,363    1,296   8.4  10.8   

Quinn Ends Free Health Insurance For State Retirees

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation to end premium-free health insurance for state retirees Thursday. The state currently spends about $800 million annually on the insurance program; however, the exact savings from the new law won’t be known until a premium rate is negotiated between the state and public labor unions.

“Those who have faithfully served the state deserve access to quality health care, and insurance costs should be more balanced and based on actual retirement income,” Quinn said. “We also have a duty to taxpayers to ensure these plans are cost efficient and put Illinois on the path to fiscal stability.”

Under the former system, about 90 percent of state employees didn’t pay health insurance premiums. That created a $54 billion unfunded retiree health-care liability for the state.
 Kelly Kraft, Quinn’s budget spokeswoman, said it was still unclear what affect the legislation will have on the unfunded health-care liability.

Unlike the pensions, which have dedicated funds that are invested and used to pay costs, retiree health care is a pay-as-you-go system, draining more and more from the state’s general revenue fund.

“This bill jeopardizes affordable health care for state and university retirees. The governor saying his action ‘preserves health benefits’ is political doubletalk, and his claim that our health coverage is ‘free’ is false,” Yates said, pointing out that state retirees still pay co-pays and deductibles for health care.

You can read Andrew's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/8871/il-quinn-ends-premium-free-health-insurance-for-state-retirees/

Obituaries

Elizabeth “Bette” Zieske, 65, died Wednesday at Sherman Hospital in Elgin following a lengthy illness. A memorial gathering will be held at the home of her daughter, Dawn Rau, in Elgin from 2 to 6 pm Sunday.

Zieske was born August 30, 1946, in Chicago, the daughter of Herman “Jerry” and Mary (Dukelow) Schammert.  She married Joseph A. Zieske on September 18, 1965 in Prospect Heights. She is survived by her husband and son, Bill, both of Huntley, daughter, Dawn, and grandsons, Corey, Jeffrey, Brandon & Brett.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ronald.       

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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
June 21
1157 HRS 4581 PRINCETON LN. (PARK N SHOP FOOD) THEFT UNDER $300. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, ALGONQUIN. CHARGE: Theft Under $300. TURNED OVER TO PARENT.
1422 HRS 1000 BLOCK OF HORIZON RIDGE. WANTED ON WARRANT. MCFADDEN, DEONTE J., M/B 22 YEARS OF AGE, 218 HARVEY ST., ELGIN. CHARGE: Wanted on Warrant, Kane County Sheriff’s Office,Dangerous Drugs, Bond $35,000.00 @ 10%. RELEASED ON BOND.
1956 HRS TRINITY DR. & VIRGINIA RD. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED. PEREZ, ENRIQUE, M/W 43 YEARS OF AGE, 455 SUNSET DR.,  ELGIN. CHARGES: Driving While License Revoked, and Disobeying a Traffic Control Devise (No Left Turn). RELEASED ON BOND.
0045 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF MAPLE ST. DOMESTIC. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. Verbal only. No priors.
0900 HRS 1500 BLOCK OF MONROE ST. CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Orange spray paint graffiti in roadway. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
1120 HRS 1400 BLOCK OF JEFFERSON ST. INFORMATION FOR POLICE. Suspicious telephone calls.
1549 HRS 100 N. RANDALL RD. (WALGREENS) FRAUD. Unlawful acquisition of a prescription drug. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING DETECTIVE.
2312 HRS 400 BLOCK OF MEADOW LN. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. No priors.
2330 HRS 400 BLOCK OF MEADOW LN. DOG BITE. Officer was bitten by dog while on scene for a domestic disturbance.
Algonquin
June 18
18:22pm Gonzalez, Reynaldo A., DOB: 06/25/70, of 131 Village Creek Drive, Lake in the Hills, was charged with Battery, Disorderly Conduct and Consuming an Alcoholic Beverage on a Public Way.  He was taken into custody at 800 S. Randall Road.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.
June 20
20:10pm Massaro, Brian J., DOB: 10/11/82, of 650 Braewood Drive, Algonquin, was Wanted on a Warrant out of Kane County for Domestic Battery.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail to await transport to Kane County.
22:02pm Schiesser, Samuel G., DOB: 02/27/94, of 110 S. Oakleaf Road, Algonquin, was charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  He was taken into custody at 110 S. Oakleaf.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail, when unable to post bond.
June 21
03:25am Thorelius, Shane S., DOB: 07/04/93, of 510 Tenby Way, Algonquin, was charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  Also taken into custody during the same incident was Barruzza, Matthew R., DOB: 03/26/93, of 708 Pimlico Parkway, Sleepy Hollow, who was also charged with Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.  Both were taken into custody in the 400 block of Tenby Way.  Both were released on a Notice to Appear with a court date of 07/25/12 in Algonquin.
June 22
02:49am Smith, Sterling G., DOB: 03/19/89, of 2800 East Bridal Way, Carpentersville, was wanted on two  warrants out of Kane County, one for Failure to Appear on a Criminal Trespass to Residence charge and another for Criminal Damage to Property.  He was taken into custody at Randall Road and Algonquin Road.  He was transported to Kane County Jail when unable to post bond.

County To Withdraw Harassment Motion Against Deputy, Lawyer

McHenry County Special Assistant State's Attorney William Caldwell said Wednesday he'll withdraw a motion "by July 10 or the next time I'm in court" asking Judge Thomas Meyer to make Deputy Zane Seipler and his attorney pay the County's cost in a two-year fight against a Special Prosecutor to investigate the Sheriff.

"This is done and over with," said County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. It was he who told Caldwell to seek legal sanctions against Seipler and his lawyer, Blake Horwitz, claiming Seipler's request for a Special Prosecutor to investigate Keith Nygren was only harassment of a man who had taken away his job and defeated him in the Sheriff's primary election.

Caldwell said Meyer in chamber conferences with him and Horwitz Monday said the claim might have some merit except for State's Attorney Lou Bianchi's letter last year asserting he had a conflict of interest conducting an investigation himself.  "The judge indicated he would probably rule against us," said Caldwell who so advised Koehler.

The Board Chairman said he could read the writing on the wall.  "Obviously, we could continue the case and then we could appeal it but that would be expensive," he said. "It's not worth it."

Meyer never ruled on whether there was any reason to believe Seipler's charges about Nygren wrongdoing.  Two months ago he decided that Bianchi didn't have a conflict of interest so the decision on that and whether to investigate was up to him.

Meanwhile, since Seipler filed his request for a Special Prosecutor he's been restored to duty in the Sheriff's Office after a legal battle that almost went all the way to the State Supreme Court.  His federal case charging Nygren fired him for complaining about racial profiling in the Sheriff's office is still pending, however.

In the pic:   Judge Thomas Meyer

Southern California Eating Comes To Algonquin

Algonquin's' latest entrant in the restaurant sweepstakes is LA Cafe newly-opened last week in Prestwicke Plaza at Algonquin and Square Barn roads.

The "LA" part, explained owner Clemente Teran, is as in L.A., Los Angeles, not la Paris.  Teran used to live in Southern California and thought some of the cuisine there would sell well here.  "There's the salads (Santa Fe with beans, California with fruit) and a lot of the sandwiches there include avocado and bacon," said Teran.  "It's Mexican.  No one's doing that here."

LA Cafe's in the former Tapas Aromas restaurant location.  Teran, who lives in Island Lake, said that was what brought him to Algonquin.  "I had this real estate guy and he said 'I know where there's a restaurant empty and full-equipped," said Teran.

Neighborhood resident Terri Calomino was having a Mexican Omelette for brunch Tuesday.  "The chorizo is fantastic," she said.  Pal Karrie Nork was working her way through a Garden Omelette.  "I've already eaten most of the vegetables and they're very good," she said.  The pair said it was their first trip to LA Cafe.  "It won't be our last," added Calomino.

LA Cafe's open for breakfast and lunch but not dinner, Teran said.

In the pic:  LA Cafe owner Clemente Teran takes care of business while some guests sample Southern California dishes.

D300 Advertises For Computer Lease Plan In Savings Move

The District 300 Board Finance Committee Wednesday reviewed a plan to spread out the cost of "new" computers and monitors which are being shipped for installation this Summer.  A legal ad requesting three-year lease proposals was published Wednesday morning.

The full Board approved buying used but refurbished equipment to replace 1,100 aggressively obsolete computers and 600 similarly elderly monitors.  That slashed the $1.4 million cost of upgrades to only about $400,000.  The lease plan is to avoid taking the hit all at once.  D300 Tech Chief Eric Willard said the big question was how much interest leasing companies will want.  The last time the District did a similar lease it cost 6 percent Willard said but now rates are at historic lows. "We can do much better than that," he said.

How much better?

"I don't want to say. I don't want to give (vendors) a target to shoot at," said Willard.

In the pic:  Besides a computer lease plan the D300 Finance Committee also reviewed a list of budget priorities for the coming year.  "I'm glad to see (lowering) class size is as at the top of the wish list," said Member Dave Alessio.

Southern Illinois Lawmakers Protest Prison Closures

By Jayette Bolinski, Illinois Statehouse News
Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision this week to close prisons in southern lllinois could flip a traditionally blue area of the state to the GOP, outraged Democratic lawmakers said Wednesday. State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said Democrats five years from now will be able to point to Quinn’s actions this week as the reason Republicans gained political control in southern Illinois.

“When you’re doing something like this to southern Illinois, you’re not helping any Democrat, to be honest with you,” said Phelps. Lawmakers and labor leaders said they were shocked Tuesday afternoon by news that Quinn wants to proceed with the closures, even though the Legislature included money for the facilities in the budget it approved at the end of May.

Phelps noted the two southern Illinois counties Quinn won in the 2010 election were Alexander and Jackson, each of which have a correctional facility slated for closure. “Alexander County is the poorest county in the state. You’re going to take away their biggest employer?” Phelps said.

State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said Quinn does not care about southern Illinois. “I don’t even know why he comes past I-80 anymore,” he said.

You can read Jayette's full report at: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/8848/il-southern-illinois-lawmakers-say-prison-closures-will-affect-elections/

In the pic: Southern Illinois Democrats gathered Wednesday to deride Governor Pat Quinn's decision to close downstate prisons.

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
June 20
0526 HRS ROUTE 31 & RAKOW RD. WANTED ON WARRANT. LOPEZ, JARRETT L., M/W 26 YEARS OF AGE, 1420 WINDSOR CIRCLE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, McHenry County Sheriff, Failure to Appear, Driving While License Revoked $8,000 @ 10%. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL.
0741 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & TRINITY DR. WANTED ON WARRANT. DELAGADO, JOSE, M/W 35 YEARS OF AGE, 46 SPARROW RD., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: Wanted on Warrant, Carpentersville PD, Failure to Appear, Possession of a Firearm, without a FOID card $500 full
Cash Bond, Driving While License Suspended, Disregarding a Traffic Control Device, and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
1701 HRS ROUTE 31 & VIRGINIA RD. NO VALID ILLINOIS LICENSE. LOYA, FERNANDO, M/W 41 YEARS OF AGE, 2126 MORNINGSIDE CIRCLE, CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: No Valid Illinois License, Disregard a Traffic Control Device and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0945 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF IMPRESSIONS DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend. One Prior. FAIL TO FILE.
1528 HRS 00 BLOCK OF WOODLAND RD. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY. Assist Schaumburg Police with a warrant service.
1637 HRS 3000 BLOCK IMPRESSIONS DR. THEFT. Theft of items from residence.
1844 HRS 3000 BLOCK OF BALDWIN LN. FOUND PROPERTY. Purse. Entered into evidence.

Judge Offers "Suggestion" In Latest Sheriff's Prosecutor Fight

McHenry County Judge Thomas Meyer Tuesday offered a "suggestion" to attorneys arguing about who should foot the legal bills for two years' squabbling over whether to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate Sheriff Keith Nygren.  However, only Meyer, Special Assisant States Attorney for the County's purse William Caldwell  and lawyer Blake Horwitz who filed the original Prosecutor request know what the suggestion is and none of them was saying.

"I'm going to take it to the County," said Caldwell who, pressed for a specific name, said "I talk to a lot of people." Be that as it may, both Caldwell and County Board Chairman Ken Koehler have said it was Koehler alone who directed Caldwell to ask the judge to order McHenry County Deputy Zane Seipler and Horwitz to pay the County's expenses in the Special Prosecutor argument.  Koehler confirmed Tuesday that "(Caldwell's) going to put something in writing and send it to me. That's all I know."

Two months ago Meyer finally decided State's Attorney Lou Bianchi could investigate Seipler's allegations of Nygren misconduct if he wanted to so there was no need for a Special Prosecutor.  But three weeks ago Caldwell filed a motion for sanctions against Seipler and  Horwitz charging their request for one was only harassment of the Sheriff.  Horwitz in turn, Tuesday asked the judge to dismiss Caldwell's motion for being manifestly without merit.  That's when Meyer called both into two-minute sessions in chambers to offer his "suggestion".

Whatever it was, Meyer told everyone to come back July 10.

Lane Closures Expected On Route 62 Bridge At Algonquin

Commuters over Algonquin's Route 62 bridge over the Fox River can expect lane closures there as early as today.  IDOT warning signs about "roadwork" appeared Tuesday and Village officials had almost as much trouble figuring out what it was as FEN did when the IDOT-supplied number for the project's Resident Engineer was reported "out of service".

Algonquin Public Works Director Bob Mitchard said Tuesday the work consists of bridge deck sealing.  It's part of an IDOT contract for "various routes" in Cook, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties starting today.  IDOT rules limit lane closures to off-peak commuter hours.  Peak hours are defined as 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm.  According to Algonquin officials, the project's only supposed to last one day.

Algonquin To Settle Lawsuit With 800-Number Lawyer

The Algonquin Board spent almost an hour in closed session Tuesday before approving a settlement agreement with an 800-number personal injury law firm that wanted to comb through the Village's traffic accident reports last year.  "We've agreed to a method of releasing the reports," said Village Attorney Kelly Cahill.

Village officials were reluctant to say why they demurred from providing Milwaukee-based Hausmann-McNally SC with full police reports including names, addresses and phone numbers of people in local accidents. A FEN search of Illinois and Wisconsin records found little about the multi-state firm recently except self-promotion. However, in 2002, records show its head, Charles J. Hausmann, pleaded guilty to interstate mail and wire fraud in a kickback scheme with a chiropractor. He later lost his Wisconsin law license for a year over the matter.

What appeared to be similar Hausmann-McNally lawsuits against Marengo and Libertyville were closed out last month circuit clerks' records show.

In other action Tuesday, the Board formally approved awarding a contract for more road rehabilitation in the Village's Spring Creek neighborhood.  Work's underway in one area and now will begin in the rest thanks to last month's postponement of roadwork in the Indian Grove neighborhood until next year.

Algonquin Eastgate Library Remains Closed

There was still no estimate Tuesday on when Algonquin's Eastgate Library would reopen.  As temps soared into the mid-90's, Algonquin Area Public Library officials closed it down Monday because the building's air conditioning system went on the fritz over the weekend. The word hadn't spread Tuesday some sweaty patrons were disappointed to find all they could do was put books into the return hopper. 

According to a Library spokesman all meetings and Library programs at Eastgate are canceled until AC techs get things running again.  Eastgate patrons with "holds" on library materials will notified to pick them up at the Main Library on Harnish Drive when after they're transferred over there.

State Group Pushes For Healthcare Exchange No Matter What

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
A band of health-care advocates and small businesses are calling for Gov. Pat Quinn to create a statewide health insurance exchange in Illinois, regardless of how the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the national law. “We wished he would have done it two weeks ago," said Jim Duffett, executive director for the Campaign for Better Health Care, a group that lobbies for cheaper, more accessible health care.

The high court is looking at whether parts or all of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are unconstitutional, and is set to announce its decision by month's end.

The law requires states to create health-care exchanges for people to compare and buy insurance by Nov. 12, or accept a federal model. Legislation in the General Assembly to create such an exchange stalled this spring as the Supreme Court debated the health-care law.  Illinois has already received $32.7 million from the federal government to establish the exchange, and it is unclear what would happen to that money if the national law is overturned.

The Campaign for Better Health Care and a coalition of small businesses are lobbying for a health-care exchange funded by the insurance companies. Their plan would also allow people to negotiate rates with insurance companies. "The Illinois General Assembly failed this past session to enact legislation to establish an Illinois marketplace, or insurance exchange. It is time for action and leadership,” said said David Whitaker, chair of the Health Committee for the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce.

You can read Andrew's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/8839/il-group-pushes-for-health-care-exchange-regardless-of-ruling/

In the pic:  A recent report claims half of small businesses support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Police Blotters

The filing of charges is not proof of guilt. A defendant charged is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lake in the Hills
June 19
1537 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & TRINITY DR. NO VALID ILLINOIS LICENSE. MARTINEZ, REGULO, M/W 25 YEARS OF AGE, 636 COVENTRY LN., CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: No Valid Illinois License, Disobeying Traffic Control Device, and No Insurance. RELEASED ON BOND.
0026 HRS 1200 BLOCK OF HEARTLAND GATE. FOUND ARTICLE. Razor Chrome Scooter. Entered into evidence.
1159 HRS 700 BLOCK OF WILLOW ST. DOMESTIC. Sister vs. sister. Verbal only. No priors.
1333 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1811 HRS 100 BLOCK OF HICKORY RD. DOMESTIC BATTERY. Husband struck wife. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1829 HRS 400 BLOCK OF HARVEST GATE. ATTEMPT SUICIDE. Female, 13 years of age, took large amount of pills. Transported to Sherman Hospital.
Huntley
June 4
Natalie J. Grieshaber, age 34, of 11119 Lincoln St, Huntley,was arrested for failure to report damage after striking an unattended vehicle.  Ms. Grieshaber posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 20, 2012.
June 5
Tuyen M. Witt, age 42, of 1354 Cunat Ct., Lake in the Hills, was arrested for violation of an order of protection.  Ms. Witt was transported to Kane County jail to await bond call.
A theft report was taken in the 12700 block of Brookside.  A multi-colored LED yard ornament was stolen from the yard.
June 6
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 10600 block of Church St.  A wooden swing set was burned.
June 7
Daryl L. McGehee, age 22, of 10428 Centennial Ave., Huntley,  was arrested for driving while license revoked.  Mr. McGehee posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 20, 2012.  In the same incident Amber Lynn Gehrke, age 22, of 10813 Church St, Huntley, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of hypodermic syringe/needles.  Ms. Gehrke posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 13, 2012.
June 8
Amanda L. Ohlbach, age 23, of 6407 Ridgeview Dr., Huntley, was arrested for driving while license suspended and possession of a suspended driver’s license and was cited for driving with no insurance and failure to signal.  Ms. Ohlbach posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 27, 2012.
A burglary report was taken in the 11200 block of Grove St.  Cash and electronics were stolen.
A theft report was taken in the 13300 block of Longmeadow.  The victim states gas was stolen from his car's gas tank while parked in his garage.
June 9
Michael T. Jaminski, age 46, of 11620 Manda Dr., Huntley, was arrested for DUI and DUI blood alcohol over .08 and was cited for disobeying a traffic control device and driving the wrong way on a one way street.  Mr. Jaminski posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 6, 2012.
Carlos K. Borba, age 20, of 16 Robin Rd., Carpentersville, was arrested for driving while license suspended and was cited for loud exhaust.  Mr. Borba posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 6, 2012.
June 11
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11500 block of Grove St.  An outdoor light fixture was damaged.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11600 block of Gayle Ct.  A street light was damaged.
June 13
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11600 block of Gayle Ct.  An outdoor light fixture was damaged.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 12200 block of Lois Ln.  A fence was cut.
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 11300 block of Douglas St.  Solar yard lights were damaged.
June 14
A theft report was taken at a residence in the 10700 block of Great Plaines.  A skate board was stolen.
June 16
Brian S. Halvorsen, Jr., age 19, of 4225 Larkspur, Lake in the Hills, was arrested for possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.  Mr. Halvorsen was transported to McHenry County jail to await bond call.
Christine M. Perez, age 49, of 329 Orange St., Elgin, was arrested for driving while license revoked, improper use of registration, and an outstanding Kane County warrant for failure to appear.  Ms. Perez posted bond and was released with a McHenry County court date of July 27, 2012 and a Kane County court date of July 13, 2012.
June 17
A criminal damage to property report was taken in the 10700 block of Church St.  A fence was damaged.

Most Stay With Electric Aggregation In Huntley

Only a comparative handful of residents decided to "Opt Out" of Huntley's new municipal electric aggregation plan according to Anna Biconic-Moeller, spokesman for the Northern Illinois Governmental Aggregation Consortium Monday. NIGEAC will run the plan for Huntley and other mostly McHenry County Municipalities.  Biconic Moeller said only 436 residents decided to stay with ComEd's standard State-purchased electric power. 

Still unknown is how many residents who've already signed up with other Alternative Residential Electic Suppliers will "Opt In" to Huntley's program.  The letters for that went in the mail after the "Opt Out" letters.  Huntley has an estimated 10,500 residences.

Huntley and NIGEAC are ahead of most other municipalities to authorized municipal aggregation programs in referenda in March.  Elgin, for example, didn't choose a supplier until last week. "We're getting a lot of inquiries for copies of our agreements with (Huntley power supplier) Direct Energy," she said.  "I guess they want to see what's possible." NIGEAC came up with a plan for power with supplier Direct Energy at 4.169 cents per KWH versus 7.722 cents through ComEd's State supply.  The agreement also allows residents to "Opt Out" of the NIGEAC/Huntley program  at no charge any time something comes along that looks better.

Only a few residents turned down the deal in other municipalities NIGEAC serves.  In Woodstock only 284 opted out; in Ringwood 351; in Lakewood 16 and in Genoa 50.

Biconic Moeller said Huntley residents can expect to see one more bill at the old rates before the new aggregation rates kick in.

Stakeholder Group Inspects Woods Creek Watershed

Woods Creek Watershed stakeholders Monday toured the nine square miles of streams, lakes, wetlands, upland prairies, savannas, and woodlands controlled by Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake and the Crystal Lake Park District.  They're helping to develop a plan to clean up the water that drains from the watershed into Crystal Creek and, finally, into the Fox River.

Algonquin Assistant Public Works Director Michele Zimmerman said drafting a plan's important for two reasons.  First, "You need to have a plan in place to apply for (federal cleanup) grants from the EPA," Zimmerman said.  More important said Zimmerman, Algonquin where Crystal Creek debouches into the Fox, needs to have a minimum five-point plan in place soon to comply with EPA pollution regulations.  "The EPA doesn't have standards (for pollution) yet but you have to have a plan in place to reduce them," said Zimmerman.  "It's kind of complicated," she added.

In the pic:  Woods Creek Watershed stakeholders stopped at Lake in the Hills Fen Monday to get a sense of what things were like before settlers changed the area with axes and plows.

Huntley Surveys Residents About Village PD

Is "Officer Friendly" really friendly in Huntley?  And if he is, how good is he at dealing with village crime, anyway?  Those are the sorts of questions to which Huntley PD would like some answers, hence, a new Community Survey about the Police Department added to the Village of Huntley website late last week.

The survey is located here:

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e611o0y3h3dj4mpa/a01o3h3mxwr2o/questions


According to a cover invitation from chief John Perkins, the results of the survey won't be published and will be used for internal purposes only.  The survey's anonymous, however, if residents have a specific gripe, the instructions over the comment box allow entering a name and daytime phone number so the PD can see what the trouble is. 

No Middle Ground In Pension Talks

By Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues
Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Monday to add a level of oversight to the state’s pension systems, but little progress was evident in negotiations over comprehensive pension reform. Quinn signed a bill which creates the position of a state actuary within the auditor general’s office. The actuary will review estimates that each pension system makes about its returns on investments.

At Monday's news conference, Quinn leaned hard on Republicans to accept a cost shift that would ultimately result in school districts paying the retirement costs for their employees. “We need to kind of close that discussion so we can put that final plan into the bill,” Quinn said. Quinn said a shift that is phased in would not result in property tax increases. “If you phase in that requirement of having to pay for their future retirement costs say over 12 years to 15 years, there is, I think, to my mind an imperceptible impact on property taxes. There is no impact on property taxes. And that’s just a fact.”

Republicans say the shift to local districts would result in property tax increases across the state as cash strapped schools try to find the money to cover the costs. “The cost shift is not an integral part of this pension reform discussion," said Patty Schuh, a spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno.  "We have $60 billion to $80 billion in pension savings, true savings, on the table, and we ought to be capturing those savings and making the reforms that are necessary. Then at the appropriate time, we can have the discussion on school funding."

Another meeting between Quinn and legislative leaders is scheduled Thursday.

You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/no-middle-ground-found-in-pension-talks.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
June 18
0029 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & HILLTOP DR. CURFEW. JUVENILE, M/W 16 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Curfew Violation, Notice to Appear Issued. RELEASED TO PARENT
2316 HRS 680 NORMANDY LN. (NORMANDY PARK) POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. KOZELL, CHRISTOPHER A.,  M/W 20 YEARS OF AGE, 310 WINDERMERE WAY, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis less than 2.5 grams. RELEASED ON BOND
1922 HRS 1115 CRYSTAL LAKE RD. (LAKE IN THE HILLS PD) FOLLOW UP ARREST: THEFT. GONZALEZ, NIKKO R., M/W 19 YEARS OF AGE, 5421 CROSSVIEW LN., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Theft. RELEASED ON BOND.
1801 HRS 228 INDIAN TRAIL (INDIAN TRAIL BEACH) HIT & RUN. Vehicle was struck and offender left.
1830 HRS 5200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET PARK) ASSIST AMBULANCE. Male, 10 years of age laceration to head. No transport.
2153 HRS 1300 BLOCK OF WASHINGTON ST. ATTEMPT SUICIDE. Male, 27 years of age attempted suicide by taking pills. Transported to Sherman Hospital.

Algonquin Bypass Low Bid $20 Million Under Estimate

The contract to build Algonquin's Route 31 Western Bypass will likely be awarded within six weeks after Chicago contractor, F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen, submitted the low bid among 13 for the project Friday.  Paschen Neilsen's $33,346,673.91 bid was almost $20 million less than IDOT's estimate for construction last year.

The contract calls for building more than two miles of four-lane divided highway from Huntingon Drive to north of Cary Road, a bridge over Crystal Creek and a diamond interchange with Algonquin Road east of the Algonquin Post Office.  Both IDOT and the construction company have up to 45 days from Friday to review the bid and, respectively, accept it or withdraw it, according to IDOT spokesman Guy Tridgell.  If either side runs out the full period it would push the construction start into August. Completion isn't expected until September, 2014.

Separately but related to the Bypass, Klasen Road at Route 31 is scheduled to close next Monday  for about two months for reconstruction. A marked detour will be provided using Cary-Algonquin Road.

In the pic:  It's not evident from below but Janesville grading company Ryan Central has done a lot of leveling in the past month at the top of the bluff above the Algonquin Bypass interchange site.

Three Injured In Haegers Bend River Accident

Rescuers from the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District aided at least three injured personal watercraft riders on the Fox River in unincorporated Algonquin after a clash with a boat near Haeger's Bend late Sunday afternoon.

Passing boaters called in reports of the accident and first-arriving crews were on the scene within five minutes according to Battalion Chief John Knebl.  He said nearby boaters had already pulled all of the watercraft occupants out of the water and begun to administer first aid

A total of three riders from the personal watercraft were transported to Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington for what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries, Knebl reported. The Mchenry County Sheriff Marine Unit is investigating the accident.  FEN was unable to contact the Marine Unit this morning. 

Another Mobile Food Pantry Visit Scheduled Saturday

The Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills, in partnership with the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry will be host another visit by the Community Mobile Food Pantry on Saturday from from 11am to 1pm at the Springbrook Community Church, in Huntley  Anyone in need of food is welcome, according to Rotarians.  It's the second Mobile Food Pantry visit to Springbrook this year, made possible with funds raised at LITH Rotary's Rockin Ribfest the latest edition of which, is coming up in three weeks, July 5 to July 8.

In the pic:  Saturday's Mobile Food Pantry visit won't be as chilly as this one at Springbrook in April.

Local Fliers To Serve Breakfast At LITH Airport Sunday

Fliers in LITH Airport-based EAA Chapter 790 will serve an all-you-can eat pancake breakfast (buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, coffee, and orange juice) Sunday from 8 am until Noon at the Airport. The pancake breakfast is a fundraiser for the EAA Chapter 790 Scholarship program and Young Eagles programs. Indeed, breakfast diners can sign up kids aged 8 to 17 for a free Young Eagles airplane ride to learn first-hand about aviation and aeronautics. Cost for the breakfast will be adults $7, kids (12 and Under) $4.

Medicaid Reform Skips Contract Procedures

By Andrew Thomason, Illinois Statehouse News
A $120 million cost-cutting measure in the recently passed Medicaid savings package skirts the normal bidding process meant to find the best deal for taxpayers. Gov. Pat Quinn signed a $1.6 billion Medicaid savings plan last week that would, among other things, kick ineligible Medicaid recipients out of the health-care program. The legislation allows the state to hire an outside vendor for the eligibility checks, and to skip Illinois purchasing law timelines and procedures in the process.

Bypassing the standard procedure for accepting bids allows the state to award a contract without considering costs. Normally, sealed bids on contracts are submitted to the state and the contract is awarded to the lowest bidder that meets all requirements of the contract, a process that can take more than a year. State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, helped negotiate the legislation. She said it came down to money, which taxpayers are losing every month the state goes without hiring a company to check eligibility.

Mike Claffey, a spokesman for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, said the savings from the accelerated timeframe for taxpayers will be significant, but the department didn’t yet have a number. “We think bringing the contractor on board would be cost effective, and going through the normal procurement process would be very time consuming,” Claffey said.

Critics point to a list of State contract corruption, some merely alleged but others proven or admitted, in the past decade.

You can read Andrew's full report at:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/8807/il-medicaid-reform-skips-the-norm-for-awarding-contract/

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
June 17
1337 HRS VIRGINIA RD. & TRINITY DR. NO VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. GARCIA, REGINO G., M/W 29 YEARS OF AGE, 1964 CHEROKEE RD., CARPENTERSVILLE. CHARGES: No Valid Driver’s License, Disregarded Traffic Control Device. RELEASED ON BOND.
1537 HRS RANDALL RD. & BUNKER HILL DR. DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. ERBER, JAMES L., M/W 64 YEARS OF AGE, 4730 COYOTE LAKES, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGE: Driving While License Suspended. RELEASED ON BOND.
2107 HRS GREENSHIRE CIRCLE & HALIGUS RD. POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. WRIGHT, LONDON D., M/B 22 YEARS OF AGE, 12 SUSSEX CT., LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Unlawful Possession of Cannabis. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL. ROBSON, ALEXANDER J., M/W 18 YEARS OF AGE, 9921 BEDFORD DR., HUNTLEY. CHARGES: Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. TURNED OVER TO MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Unlawful Possession of Cannabis. RELEASED TO PARENT. JUVENILE, M/W 17 YEARS OF AGE, LAKE IN THE HILLS. CHARGES: Unlawful Possession of Cannabis. RELEASED TO PARENT.
0357 HRS 2600 BLOCK OF STANTON CIRCLE. DOMESTIC. Husband vs. Wife. Verbal only. One prior.
1007 HRS ALGONQUIN RD. & PYOTT RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1246 HRS 9358 VIRGINIA RD. (GAME TIME SPORTS) ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1716 HRS 10 BLOCK OF WOODLAND RD. FRAUD. Husband forged a check in his wife’s name. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1727 HRS 3500 BLOCK OF SANDSTONE CT. TRESPASS. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
1934 HRS 600 BLOCK OF WEDGEWOOD CIRCLE. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. Forced entry was made to the residence and an HP Laptop computer was stolen. TURNED OVER TO INVESTIGATIONS.
2042 HRS 400 BLOCK OF MEADOW LN. DOMESTIC BATTERY. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
Algonquin
June 16
09:12am Chonko, James W., DOB: 06/26/89, of 109 S. Main Street, Algonquin, was charged with Retail Theft and Battery.  He was taken into custody at the Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Drive.  He was transported to McHenry County Jail when unable to post bond.

Gardeners To Produce Produce At ALITH Food Pantry

Gardeners at the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry were only able to save a dozen seedlings from a couple of overstock flats donated this week by an area store. That still meant 12 more tomato plants to add to the beans, lettuce, cabbage, eggplant and other veggies in the Pantry's extensive vegetable gardens.

"I don't think there's another food pantry in Illinois that has anything like this," said Pantry Manager Sal Maggio.  With volunteers caring for 15 raised beds at the side and big grade bed behind the Pantry's new site at LITH"s Larsen Farm on Pyott Road, "There's nobody in northern Illinois," Maggio said.

Long-time LITH gardener Laurie Selpien was the sparkplug behind the Pantry's vegetable gardens which fellow-volunteer Joe Klemencic estimates will produce enough produce for 80 families.  That sounds like a lot but the way things are shaping up it will probably be only half what will be needed. Maggio said the Pantry's helping feed about 800 people per month at  the moment and the number's  growing.

"Each month there'll be 5 or 10 we don't see anymore," said Pantry supervisor Kay Boyer. "we'll hear, 'Oh, they found a job,'" she said. "But we'll see 10 or 15 new people over that month, too."

In the pic:  Volunteers worked organics into the soil Saturday in the new garden beds at the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry.

Relay For Life At Huntley Raises $45,000 To Fight Cancer

Almost 225 cancer survivors and supporters raised just over $45,000 by the time this year's Northern Fox Valley Relay For Life ended at Huntley's Deicke Park early Saturday morning.
"We had 11 new teams this year," said organizer Tiffany Scerbicke.

New at the event this year was a sort of low-tech light show.  Hillside luminaria that spelled out "hope" in the dusk were rearranged to form the word "cure" by the time relay members had completed their first circuit of the course.  "Everybody liked that," Scerbicke said.

In the pic:  Each year cancer survivors at the Northern Fox Valley Relay For Life release balloons to prove there is a way to beat the disease.

Algonquin Schedules Lunch Hour Entertainment Series

Friday will see the start of Algonquin's new Lunch Hour Entertainment Series, a sort of brownbag movable feast (literally).  Residents bring lunch and a blanket and the Village will provide the free entertainment from Noon to 12:45 pm in three Friday events "for the young and young at heart."

Friday's first fete will be at Riverfront Park Gazebo featuring Evanston singer-songwriter Jeanie B. July 13, magician Ken Schultz will appear at the second event at Towne Park. The series will wind up August 3 at the Algonquin Library back patio with a performance by magician/storyteller Steve Beno.

In the pic:  Folk singer Jeanie B. (Bonansinga) headlines the first of Algonquin's New Lunch Hour Entertainment Series.

New Law Bans "Fill The Boot" Bans

Governor Pat Quinn Friday signed a new law that makes it easier for public safety officers to raise money for charity. The new law ensures that counties or municipalities allow police officers and firefighters to collect charitable donations from motorists as they work along the roadside.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Mulroe (D-Chicago) and Rep. Donald L. Moffitt (R-Galesburg), was an initiative of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois. A number of communities have passed bans prohibiting firefighters and police officers from collecting charitable donations along roadways, citing safety concerns. Under the new law, police, firefighters and other public safety officials cannot be denied permits from municipalities or counties to collect donations in their communities and along roads, provided certain requirements are met.

“Illinois firefighters have supported important organizations like the MDA for decades by filling their boots with donations that save lives,” Sen. Mulroe said.

Illinois would be the 6th state in the nation to pass a law such as this one, following Florida, Nebraska, Texas, California, and North Carolina. The law takes effect immediately.

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.

STEPHANIE R. BIRN, DOB:  03/23/1989, 2716 73RD STREET, KENOSHA, WI. FORGERY.--Algonquin PD

JAMIE A. FISH, DOB:  06/26/1974, 10611 N. CHURCH STREET, HUNTLEY. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A HYPODERMIC SYRINGE.--Huntley PD

TERA MARIE GOLIK, DOB: 04/12/80, 1022 PERSHING ROAD, WAUCONDA. RETAIL THEFT (OVER $300).--Island Lake PD
  
EDNA E. MORRISON, DOB: 01/28/77, 15315 US ROUTE 14, WOODSTOCK. FORGERY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.  AMANDA C. SUMAN,   DOB: 6/13/77, 15215 US ROUTE 14, WOODSTOCK. FORGERY, THEFT.--Crystal Lake PD

CHRISTOPHER M. KNIGHT, DOB: 04/03/90, 410 LEAH LANE, WOODSTOCK. AGGRAVATED BATTERY.--Crystal Lake PD
  
WILLIAM ALAN EFFLANDT, DOB: 04/09/62, 1250 SAGEBRUSCH, CARY. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY (OVER $300), DOMESTIC BATTERY (TWO COUNTS).--Prairie Grove PD

ERNESTO REYNOZA, DOB:  06/20/1982, 811 PORTEN ROAD, MCHENRY. OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE (TWO COUNTS), CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR.--Island Lake

EDWARD M. LEWANDOWSKI, DOB:  04/11/1063, HOMELESS. AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY, UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT (FOUR COUNTS), DOMESTIC BATTERY (THREE COUNTS).--McHenry County Sheriff's Office

MICHAEL A. MALINOWSKI, DOB:  05/26/1989, 508 W. ROOSEVELT STREET, HARVARD. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.--Harvard PD
  
ANTHONY JAYNE, DOB:  12/25/1957, 11813 LUCAS ROAD, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY A  FELON (TWO COUNTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM AMMUNITION BY A FELON (TWO COUNTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CANNABIS SATIVA PLANTS, ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT (FIVE COUNTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM WITHOUT FOID (TWO COUNTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM  AMMUNITION WITHOUT FOID (TWO COUNTS),  UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. ARTHUR JOHNSON, DOB:  07/31/1955, 11813 LUCAS ROAD, WOODSTOCK. ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT (SIX COUNTS).--McHenry County Sheriff's Office.
  
RYAN C. RASKEY, DOB:  10/13/1980, 222 TRYON STREET, WOODSTOCK. UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A CHURCH (TWO COUNTS), UNLAWFUL DELIVERY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (TWO COUNTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (TWO COUNTS).-- McHenry County Sheriff's Office

JOSE VALENCIA, DOB:  04/02/1973, 3326 HUNTINGTON LANE, ISLAND LAKE. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DELIVER, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (TWO COUNTS), UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA (TWO COUNTS).--Island Lake 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
June 16
0044 HRS 251 N. RANDALL RD. (APPLEBEE’S) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. BEHNING, HENRY G. III, M/W 57 YEARS OF AGE, 1509 GLACIER CIRCLE, CRYSTAL LAKE. CHARGES: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Improper Turning at Intersection. RELEASED ON BOND.
0222 HRS 400 BLOCK OF WINSLOW WAY. SUICIDE ATTEMPT. Female subject, 41 years of age, threatening suicide. Transported to Woodstock Memorial Hospital.
0356 HRS 300 BLOCK OF TECUMSEH TRAIL. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. Fire extinguisher set off inside the building. PENDING INVESTIGATION BY REPORTING OFFICER.
0758 HRS RANDALL RD. & MILLER RD. ACCIDENT. Two vehicles. Property damage only.
1047 HRS RANDALL RD. & ACORN LN. ACCIDENT. Vehicle vs. deer. Property damage only.
1104 HRS 250 N. RANDALL RD. (COSTCO) HIT & RUN. Vehicle backed into another vehicle and left. Property damage only.
1330 HRS 9200 MILLER RD. (SUNSET SKATE PARK) CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT. Blue marker graffiti found on the sidewalk, a bathroom wall and a ramp at the skate park.
1528 HRS 2450 W. ALGONQUIN ROAD. (BANK OF AMERICA) DECEPTION. PENDING INVESTIGATION.
1618 HRS 500 BLOCK OF BARTON CREEK DR. DOMESTIC BATTERY.  Brother vs. sister. No priors. FAIL TO FILE.
1833 HRS 5300 BLOCK OF LANSBURY CIRCLE. BATTERY. Female vs female. FAIL TO FILE.