Huntley Man Found Guilty Of First Degree Murder Of Girlfriend

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that 45 year old Robert Signorile, formerly of Huntley, was found guilty of the offense of First Degree Murder.  The Defendant was arrested after his girlfriend, Michelle Mathieu, was found badly bruised and unconscious in the home in Huntley that they shared.  Aside from being unconscious, Michelle had three fractured ribs, a fractured vertebra, and a subdural hematoma.  Michelle was rushed to Sherman Hospital in Elgin for emergency surgery, however, succumbed to her injuries a few days later.  The Defendant claimed that Michelle’s injuries were caused by her falling.   Evidence at trial showed that the Defendant had an extensive history of abusing Michelle and treating physicians testified Michelle’s injuries were consistent with a physical assault.  This case was investigated by Detective Keane, Detective Willard, and Sergeant Hooten.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally and Robert Zalud.

Words Of Wisdom

"No people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffusd and Virtue is preservd. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders."

--Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, 1775

McHenry County FY13 Budget Reduced

At their Tuesday, November 19 evening meeting, the McHenry County Board adopted their budget for Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14), which will begin on December 1, 2013.  Highlights of the proposed FY14 Budget are noted below.

In developing the FY14 Budget, McHenry County maintained the professional, conservative approach to budgeting that earned a Aaa bond rating from Moody’s Investor Services.  McHenry County is one of only three counties in Illinois (also Lake & DuPage) to have earned in this distinction.

The McHenry County Board directed staff not to capture the allowable inflationary growth in the property tax extension.  The County is collecting $1.35 million less than is allowable under tax cap law.

The proposed FY14 Budget is $247,944,198.  This compares to the current FY13 Budget which was approved at $252,079,699.

 In developing the FY14 Budget, the County is responding to a revenue environment that continues to be challenging with a corresponding control on expenses.

There are no dramatic cuts to services, but as in recent years, there are thorough adjustments in almost all areas of County Government.

The FY14 Budget maintains compensation parity between union and non-union employees.

Through an active management of the employee roster, there again fewer positions budgeted for in FY14 then were budgeted for in FY13.  The employee roster has been decreased by over 85 employees over the past four years.

With the FY14 Budget, the County will continue toward progress on its 2013-15 Strategic Plan including, enhanced ordinance clarity, communication and citizen input, evaluation of all services, developing a “pro-business” perception, as well as infrastructure and facilities management improvements.

A copy of the approved McHenry County FY14 Budget can be viewed in the County Administration Office and will be available on the County website (www.co.mchenry.il.us) when it is in its final format. For more information, pleasecontact Adam Lehmann at 815-334-0309 or aflehmann@co.mchenry.il.us.

Words Of Wisdom

"No people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffusd and Virtue is preservd. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders."

--Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, 1775

Health Insurance Information Provided

Assistance for residents to learn more about health insurance options

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will host an informational session for residents to learn more about health insurance options through the Affordable Care Act. A trained counselor will be on-hand Wednesday, November 20, at 7pm, at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, in McHenry. For more information or to make an appointment with an In-Person Counselor to enroll for coverage, call MCDH at 815-334-4510 or online at www.mcdh.info to select a convenient time and location.

Enroll McHenry County is a partnership between MCDH and the following organizations.

Advocate Good Shepherd	630-402-1951,	224-622-3144
Centegra Health System	815-759-4988,	815-334-3997
Family Health Partnership Clinic	815-276-1843
Families ETC	815-308-0861
McHenry Community Health Ctr	847-608-6063
Pioneer Center for Human Svs	815-690-1459

“Get Covered Illinois” – the Official Health Insurance Marketplace – offers a new way for Illinois residents to find the health coverage they need. Individuals, families and business owners can also access information online www.GetCoveredIllinois.gov or contact the State Call Center at 800-318-2596 or TTY 1-855-889-4325.

Special Brush Collection Thursday, November 21 For Crystal Lake

As a result of the storm on Sunday, November 17, 2013, which caused fallen branches and tree damage, the Public Works Department will conduct a special brush collection on Thursday, November 21, 2013.  Residents should have any brush that they wish to be collected as a result of the wind storm moved to the parkway area in front of their home no later than Wednesday night, November 20^th, to ensure that it will be collected on Thursday.  All brush must be less than 6” in diameter and no more than six feet in length. 

In addition, the City will also open the brush drop-off site at Wastewater Treatment Plant #2, located at Coventry Lane and Dartmoor Drive, on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Residents may drop-off brush and yard waste material that occurred due to wind damage from the recent storm event.

Questions regarding the special brush collection may be directed to the Crystal Lake Streets Division at (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019.

Quitters Always Win

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) joins the American Cancer Society (ACS) in recognizing November 21 as the “Great American Smokeout”.  The ACS states tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — nearly 1 in every 5 adults.  One in 3 cancer deaths are attributed to smoking.  Another 8.6 million people live with serious illnesses caused by smoking.  

Began in the late 1970s, the “Great American Smokeout” has helped fuel new laws and save countless lives. On this day, smokers will take an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Research shows that smokers are most successful in kicking the habit when they have support such as smoking cessation hotlines, counseling, nicotine replacement products and quit smoking classes.

Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done.  According to U.S. Surgeon General’s Office, the effects of quitting begin almost immediately and improve over time—

·        after 20 minutes – heart rate and blood pressure drop

·        after 12 hours – carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal

·        after 2 weeks to 3 months – circulation improves, lung function increases

·        after 1 year – risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s

·        5 years – Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder are cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker. Stroke risk can fall to that of a non-smoker after 2-5 years.

·        10 years – the risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking. The risk of cancer of the larynx and pancreas decreases.

·        15 years – the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.

To get help kicking the tobacco habit, call MCDH at 815-334-4510 or the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-Quit-YES.

Diabetes And Cholesterol Screening

Appointments still available for Nov 20 screening

Appointments are still available for the diabetes and cholesterol screening as part of National Diabetes Month.  Appointments are required for the Wednesday, November 20 screening, which is being held from 6am-9am, at Alden-Hebron High School, 9604 Illinois Street.  Please call 815-334-4536; the cost is $35.    

The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure with cardiovascular and diabetes prevention education.    

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports another 79 million adults have pre-diabetes, a condition that increases their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.  If left undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and even death.

The American Diabetes Association states medical expenses attributable to diabetes in Illinois total $8.98 billion.  Risk factors include age, family history, women who had had gestational diabetes, lack of physical activity, being overweight and tobacco use. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing weight and by being more physically active. Symptoms may include increased thirst, increased hunger, blurred vision, fatigue, increased urination or slow healing sores. 

Get the facts about diabetes. Visit the American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/?loc=GlobalNavDB for more information.

“Working to prevent disease and promote health and safety for all people of McHenry County since 1966.”

Help With All Those Fallen Branches

As a result of the storm on Sunday, November 17, 2013, which caused fallen branches and tree damage, the Public Works Department will conduct a special brush collection on Thursday, November 21, 2013.  Residents should have any brush that they wish to be collected as a result of the wind storm moved to the parkway area in front of their home no later than Wednesday night, November 20th, to ensure that it will be collected on Thursday.  All brush must be less than 6” in diameter and no more than six feet in length. 

In addition, the City will also open the brush drop-off site at Wastewater Treatment Plant #2, located at Coventry Lane and Dartmoor Drive, on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Residents may drop-off brush and yard waste material that occurred due to wind damage from the recent storm event.

Questions regarding the special brush collection may be directed to the Crystal Lake Streets Division at (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019. 

Virginia Road - Route 31 Park and Ride Opens Tuesday

 
The Virginia Road Park and Ride Lot was engineered and constructed using 100% federal funding through the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program administered by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the Illinois Department of Transportation.  As the first Park and Ride lot in McHenry County, the Virginia Road park and Ride Lot will serve residents for years to come.It will be officially open following a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Tuesday morning.

Background Information

The purpose of the 105 space parking lot is to offer area residents a place where they can meet up with other people who want to car pool to areas such as the major employment centers in places like Schaumburg and Chicago.  For years, areas residents have been using roadsides and shopping center parking lots to fulfill this need.  This parking lot offers a convenient, secure, lighted location to leave vehicles while people are car pooling. 

The park and ride lot also offers a bike rack to accommodate those users who may want to access the park and ride lot via the shared-use path which is planned to connect the Prairie Trail parking lot near the Village of Algonquin Public Works facility to the existing shared use-path in front of the Crystal Lake Wal-Mart at Illinois Route 31 and Rakow Road.  By encouraging car pooling, we can help ease congestion on our area roadways by getting more vehicles off of the road, which in turn helps improve air quality.