New Powers For FBI

According to information published in a recent issue of The New York Times, "The Federal Bureau of Investigation is giving significant new powers to its roughly 14,000 agents, allowing them more leeway to search databases, go through household trash or use surveillance teams to scrutinize the lives of people who have attracted their attention.

The F.B.I. soon plans to issue a new edition of its manual, called the "Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide," according to an official who has worked on the draft document and several others who have been briefed on its contents. The new rules add to several measures taken over the past decade to give agents more latitude as they search for signs of criminal or terrorist activity. The F.B.I. recently briefed several privacy advocates about the coming changes. Among them, Michael German, a former F.B.I. agent who is now a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, argued that it was unwise to further ease restrictions on agents’ power to use potentially intrusive techniques, especially if they lacked a firm reason to suspect someone of wrongdoing."

This is information provided by Civil Liberties, Legal Research

Beach Closings Reported By McHenry County Health Department

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 36 licensed beaches on Thursday, June 23.  Two beaches are closed due to high bacteria levels –

Indian Trails Beach, Woods Creek Lake, Lake in the Hills (re-sampled today, results Saturday, June 25)

Lehman’s Beach, Lehman’s Lakeside Resort, in Marengo (re-sampling Monday, June 27, results Wednesday, June 29). 

Lake Killarney East, Lake Killarney, is on advisory and will be re-sampled Wednesday, June 29.   

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To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 13 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality.  Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found.  The Department recommends refraining from swimming at least 2-3 days after heavy rainfall. 

Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities.  Beaches that require an advisory or closing are posted with signs by the Department.  All beach water results and locations are readily available at the Department’s webpage at http://www.mcdh.info/ or by calling (815) 334-4585.

Governor Quinn Signs Illinois Democratic Redistricting Map

Illinois House Republicans have a different view:

“We are disappointed that Governor Quinn chose to sign into law this flawed map, thereby proving that his actions do not match his rhetoric.  Despite his expressed desire for ‘openness and fairness,’ Governor Quinn instead rewarded his Democrat allies by approving this highly partisan map that tears apart communities and disrespects the will of Illinois voters as expressed in last fall’s election.

“Governor Quinn said that a fair redistricting process required hearings.  Yet the map was unveiled on a Friday and passed the following Monday, with no hearings.  Governor Quinn said that the way in which district lines are drawn contributes to the success of our democracy.  Yet the map he approved seeks to reverse the results of a democratic election.  Governor Quinn advocated for a fair and open process.  Instead, he has guaranteed an unfair and closed one.

“This map will be challenged in court, and we do not expect to comment further on a matter that now will be the subject of litigation.  As we have said before, we do not believe this map will stand.”

Rep. Judy Biggert (Il-13)                Rep. Peter Roskam (Il-6)

Rep. Robert Dold (Il-10)                 Rep. Bobby Schilling (Il-17)

Rep. Randy Hultgren (Il-14)           Rep. Aaron Schock (Il-18)

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Il-11)           Rep. John Shimkus (Il-19)

Rep. Don Manzullo (Il-16)               Rep. Joe Walsh (Il-8)

Words of Wisdom

"The fundamental source of all your errors, sophisms and false reasonings is a total ignorance of the natural rights of mankind. Were you once to become acquainted with these, you could never entertain a thought, that all men are not, by nature, entitled to a parity of privileges. You would be convinced, that natural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator to the whole human race, and that civil liberty is founded in that; and cannot be wrested from any people, without the most manifest violation of justice." --Alexander Hamilton, The Farmer Refuted, 1775

Zoning Matters and Three Oaks Admitting Fees On Council Agenda Tonight

Crystal Lake City Council is meeting this evening at 7:30 in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 100 West Woodstock Street.

A number of land use matters are on the agenda including a final planned Unit Development Amendment to allow a single story quick serve drive-through restaurant at 4812 Northwest Highway. This is for Chick-fil-A.

Cal Elite Kids at 825 Munshaw Lane is seeking a land use variation to allow a physical fitness facility for dance and gymnastic instruction as well as a commercial daycare-school use. This is in a Manufacturing district.

Alexander Leigh Center for Autism, 620 N. Route 31 is seeking a land use variation to allow an educational service elementary or secondary school as a special use in an Office zoning district.

BP McDonald’s, 7615 Route 176 is seeking annexation and a public hearing is slated. They are seeking rezoning from B-IV County to W UD Watershed Planned Unit Development upon annexation. A Special Use Permit is also requested to allow a gasoline station and fast food restaurant with a drive-through. They are also seeking a Class “13” liquor license.

Consideration is to be given to Non-Resident Business and Non Resident Property Owner Admission fees for Three Oaks Recreation Area.

Hot Topic of Redistricting Before County Board This Evening

Possibly one of the hottest issues to be considered in meetings taking place this evening is a Resolution Designating the number of Board Members and Adopting the McHenry County Redistricting Map.

Many committee meetings have been held on this topic and there were, as expected, disagreements as to what should or should not be changed from prior district boundaries.

There are still to be six districts with four County Board members in each. This is to be in effect from December 2012 to December 2021. The proposed map will be on display at this evenings meeting.  It has also been on display on the County website

There was some heated discussion in the meetings of the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee regarding the redistricting. From the beginning it was decided to keep the same number of county board districts. Some of the precincts may be somewhat changed.

A map of the proposed districts which will be voted on will be on display at the County Board meeting this evening.

A consultant was retained to help the Board work on redistricting. Also assisting in this project was a consultant retained by the County Board. Also helpful has been the GIS department and possibly above all is the County Clerk who has worked on many of these redistricting events over the years. This year computers have been used in place of individuals using adding machines to keep the numbers in the districts approximately equal.

Go here http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/Documents/McHenry%20County%20Redistricting%20Approved%20Map%20-%205-26-11.pdf

For what has been approved and going to the Board this evening.

District 155 Board Meets This Evening

7:30—p.m. --Meets in the Center for Education,

One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake

The agenda calls for student recognition as one of the first items.

The Board is revising the Board Policy and is presenting the second reading on remuneration of Guidance Personnel.

The usual list of resignation, retirement, dismissal or non-renewal of personnel will be considered. It should be noted that this does not mean all are personnel are leaving the district. Many of these are personnel who have served in part-time coaching or other duties in addition to teaching. Many others are being employed for the coming school year.

An appointment of a Treasurer will also be handled by the Board .

McHenry County Board Meets This Evening

7:00 p.m.—McHenry County Board—meeting in the County Board Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Under special recognitions, a proclamation is being presented recognizing Jack Schmidt for 50 years of Service to the Spring Grove Fire Protection District, and several young men are being recognized for attaining Eagle Scout. These include Thomas Slater, Mathew Schollhammer, Andrew Domoto and Craig Kirchoff.

Under Special Presentations, the artwork of a county artist will be presented, and, a presentation on a rain garden by American Water is also to be presented.

Five zoning matters are being presented the board for approval including those in the Townships of Greenwood, McHenry, Seneca, Rile and Nunda. All are being presented for approval by the Board.

A number of resolutions are being presented for the Board approval dealing with finance and audit matters. In addition to a Worker’s Compensation Claim Settlement, a budget line item transfer is being requested in the Law Library budget to purchase technology for the judges of the 22^nd Circuit.

Another resolution is to authorize the reclassification of a position in the Law Library; adoption of a resolution approving the McHenry County Conservation District Budget; approval of a transfer of $1,894 from medical supplies to IMRF in the Health Department’s budget. This is to provide vaccines to eligible children in the county. McHenry County is one of approximately 25 Health Care Providers that provide vaccines for low income and or no or underinsured residents. The cost of the vaccine is free from the State; however, providers may charge a service fee.

Approval is being requested for a resolution authorizing acceptance of $50,202 Mosquito Vector Prevention Grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health. This grant is possible due to a $1 surcharge placed o new tires sales state wide. Distribution by IDPH is based on a formula that considers a three-year history of past performance with grant standards, surveillance results, number of west nile case and population.

The County Board is being requested to authorize the purchase of a corrections transportation van and a corrections transportation squad car. State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Grant funds are being used for this purpose. The $60,000 expenditure is covered by the State Criminal Alien assistance Program Grant Fund, obtained as reimbursement for housing criminal aliens in the McHenry County Correctional facility. The funds are restricted to uses for correctional facility expenses only.

Authorization is being requested by the Sheriff’s Office for the expenditure of $96,858 for the purchase of a key control system and security cameras for the County Correctional Facility. Bids were obtained for the installation of the equipment which is to also include installation, along with three days of training and all hardware and software components along with a two-year warranty.

The system is expected to secure all keys as well as keep track of usage of the keys in and out of the box by employees. In addition, the jail is requesting approval to purchase twelve security cameras that will eliminate “blind spot” areas and will increase security in the jail.

The County Board is being requested to accept a $37,665 grant from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System to expand primary emergency operation center capabilities and is in force until March 31, 2012.

Clifton A. Houghton, of Spring Grove, is to be appointed to the McHenry County Board of Review replacing Robin Brunschon, who resigned. Mr. Houghton has served as an Antioch Township Assessor for seven years until 1997 and since then has served as an alternate Board of Review member in Lake and McHenry Counties since 1998. He will serve the unexpired term through May 31, 2012.

A number of Personnel Policy Manual Changes are being presented to the County Board for approval .

Two groups are being presented for approval to clean up the trash left by others along the county roadways. St. John’s Little Blessings L.C and Pride in Education Foundation are being presented for approval to clean up North Union Road from Kunde Road to Route 176 and Kishwaukee Valley Road from Hobe Road to Rose Farm Road.
 
Improving Rakow Road involves the purchase and demolition structures along the south side of the road to allow for the improvements to be constructed.  The demolition of buildings and restoration of the building site along the south side of the road is involved. Bids were received for the necessary work with a contract to be awarded to Impactor, Inc. of Schaumburg in the amount of $6,500.

A couple ordinances are being presented. One is for review, Setting the Duties and Responsibilities of the Office of County Administrator.

The other Ordinance is for action on the adoption of prevailing wage rates.

Crystal Lake Park Board Meeting This Evening

The Crystal Lake Park Board is meeting in a Special Session this afternoon at 5:30 at Veterans Acres Park, Walkup Avenue
 The meeting topic is the America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta Foundation’s request for permission to hold the 27th Annual America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta taking place on Sunday June 26. The request encompasses a number of items: use of the Main Beach gymnasium on Friday through Sunday to setup and take down race course equipment during time periods from 7:00 a.m. prior to races beginning at noon; use of Main Beach parking lot and grass; closing of the boat launch from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday) 6-25) to allow for Regatta boat registration. Admission is requested to be $3 per person with a $15 cap for family admission for all, resident and non-resident (waiving of non-resident fees); permission to allow major sponsors to setup displays/tables on the day of the event.

Other boat launch traffic is requested to be directed to West Beach for the 4.5 hour period of the race,

Words of Wisdom

"The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power

" --Alexander Hamilton, The Farmer Refuted, 1775

New McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney

McHenry County State’s Attorney’s office is welcoming Jessica Drahos as the newest Assistant State’s Attorney.

State’s Attorney Louis A. Bianchi, in making the announcement that Jessica Drahos has joined the staff as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Civil Division. Ms. Drahos is a graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a Masters’ Degree in Public Health Epidemiology and the University of Illinois College of Law with a Juris Doctorate.

Prior to joining the McHenry County State’s Attorneys’ Office, she served as a Prosecutorial Fellow for the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor in Elgin drafting appellate briefs. Ms. Drahos also worked as a Legal Extern for the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and Champaign County CASA. Other work experience involved employment by the University of Illinois at Chicago as a Medical Education Program Coordinator and maternal Fetal Medicine Division Coordinator.

Culinary Lessons on Growing and Using Herbs

Have you ever eaten a snapdragon?  Learn how to grow edible flowers in your kitchen or grow your own herbs to use in cooking with two unique workshops offered by McHenry County College’s Continuing Education Department.

The following summer classes are available:

Incredible Edible Flowers                                                                 

This workshop will show you how to get started or expand your existing herb garden.  You’ll get lots of recipes including Lemon Verbena Cake with Lemon Honey Butter Sauce, Lavender Shortbread Cookies and Garlic Rosemary Cheese, plus lots of information on how to use your herb garden. This class meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19 at MCC in room D154.  Cost is $35. Use course ID: NCU S70 007 when registering.

Step Outside the Herb Box                                                                

Making your own infused oils and vinegars with easy-to-grow herbs from your garden is a great way to add flavor to food and be healthier too.  You’ll also learn how to make an herbal eye pillow that can help reduce tension, ease a headache or help with meditation.  Growing herbs is easy, fun and you may uncover some creative culinary talents to spice up your life. This class meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28 at MCC in room D154. Cost is $35.  Use course ID: NCU S69 006 when registering.

To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588.  For more information, call Tracy Berry at (815) 455-8758 or Dori Smith at (815) 455-8559.

MCC Committee Meeting This Evening--Cancelled

The McHenry County College Board of Trustees Evaluation and Policies Committee meeting scheduled to take place at 6:30 this evening in the College Board room has been cancelled.

Discussion On Global Environmental Ethics This Evening

Join the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at McHenry County College in a discussion on Moral Ground: A Discussion of Global Environmental Ethics” at 7 this evening in the MCC Conference Center, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake.

Learn how climate destabilization and environmental degradation are not only scientific and technological issues, but fundamentally moral issues as well.

Kathleen Dean Moore, co-editor of “Moral Ground; Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril,” will lead the discussion of this book that features testimony from 80 world leaders’ thoughts and religious beliefs concerning the environment.

Co-sponsors include seven faith communities, five environmental groups, and the League of Women Voters of McHenry County. Local faith-based groups and environmental groups will display information about other public events. This event is one of a series of town hall meetings and lectures being held across the country.

“Genesis states that the beauty and wonder of creation is placed in the care of humanity to use, protect and preserve,” said the Rev. John Dillon of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church. “We need to do a better job,” he said.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted. The MCC Culinary Management program students will provide desserts for participants. A book signing will follow the discussion.

For more information, call the Environmental Defenders at (815) 338-0393 or Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC at (815) 479-7817. To see a complete list of the Moral Ground co-sponsors, go to http://www.mcdef.org/ or www.mchenry.edu/recycling. More information about Moral Ground is available at http://www.moralground.org/.  

Government At Work Monday, June 20

6:00 p.m.– Family Service & Community Mental Health Center, 4100 Veterans Parkway, McHenry.

Note the change of location due to the remodeling of the Center building on Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

The agenda list a couple presentations including the Family Service and Community Mental Health Center and Family CARE Evaluation and Presentation.

The Board President‘s report includes several items for information purposes and one for action, -- The election of officers.

Director Sandy Lewis is slated to provide an update report on the new building in addition to reports on the Community Youth Service and Support Needs Assessment; and Family CARE National Evaluation Outcomes Report.

Treasurer Lee Ellis is to provide the Board with reports for the period ending May 31, 2011 as well as a fee for service report and a cash flow projection/cash flow update

A number of items are listed for the consent agenda involving primarily financial reports including a motion to rescind a Merit Increase effective June 2011.

6:30 p.m. –McHenry County College Board of Trustees Evaluation and Policies Committee  meeting in the College Board room of the College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake, will hear a report from the Internal Board Review Policy Committee.

7:00 p.m.—School District 47 Board of Education, meeting in the C.O.R.E., 300 Commerce Drive, Crystal Lake.

The Board is expected to consider a number of reports being presented including a report on Hannah Beardsley School, approval of West School Principal, staff recognitions, as well as the monthly financial reports.

A listing of items listed for board discussion include a number of employment resignation/retirement s, leaves of absence TJA personnel, approval of superintendent contract, approval of the Service Employee International Union –SEIU-contract.