Who Controls the Content of TV and Radio, Parents or the FCC?

In the 1978 case of FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, the Supreme Court held that, because over-the-air broadcast media is like an "unwanted intruder" in the home that is uniquely accessible to children, the FCC has a role in maintaining the cleanliness of the transmissions. Because of these unique characteristics, the regulation of broadcast media was held to a lesser constitutional standard than other types of media.

That ruling was largely based on the technology of the time: three channels, little cable, and no VCRs, much less Internet, DVDs, and satellite TV. Since that time, the FCC has regulated broadcasts under that lower constitutional standard, including fining stations for so-called "fleeting expletives" uttered by celebrities on live TV shows.
 
Believing that Pacifica had been obviated by technological change, Cato has joined forces on an amicus curiae brief (PDF) with a wide range of groups advocating freedom in technology policy to underscore for the Court just how different the world is today from 1978.
 
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case on January 9.

Words of Wisdom

"If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? 

The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws -- the first growing out of the last."

 --Alexander Hamilton

New Member Of McHenry County State's Attorney Office

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, is pleased to announce that  David  Christopher Mellem has joined the McHenry County  State’s Attorney’s Office as an assistant state’s attorney.

 

David Christopher Mellem graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School in May of 2011.  

While in law school, David was the Executive Editor of the Michigan Journal of Race and Law. David’s past legal experience includes working as a legal intern for the   Federal   Trade Commission in the Bureau of Consumer Protection and working as a student attorney for the Washtenaw County Public Defender in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Prior to his joining the State’s Attorney’s Office, David was employed by the City of Chicago in its Department of Law.  David will be assigned to the Civil Division of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Manzullo Upsets His Primary Opponent

Oregon, IL – Following the Illinois Conservatives’ endorsement of Congressman Don Manzullo, Congressman Adam Kinzinger, Manzullo’s primary opponent, made an attempt to downplay not only the endorsement, but the group itself.

“It is important to note that that the Illinois Conservatives Facebook Group is run by a 20 year old from Congressman Manzullo’s home county and is not an influential voice within the Republican electorate,” a statement issued by Kinzinger’s staff said.

The Illinois Conservatives reject the claims that their endorsements are not influential, citing their previous endorsees as possible evidence.

“I believe Lennie Jarratt, John Bambenek, Michael Harn, Jason Plummer, Don Manzullo, and other conservatives would disagree that our endorsement means nothing,” Illinois Conservatives President Zach Oltmanns said. “If we are not influential then why has [Congressman Kinzinger] spent the last couple days attacking us?”

The statement from Kinzinger’s camp also suggested that the group was falsely claiming to have endorsed the Congressman in 2010. Oltmanns said this is not quite the truth.

“We tried to endorse him in the general election in 2010 but just like most of the tea party groups are numerous calls were not returned by Kinzinger,” Oltmanns said.

The Illinois Conservatives are also disappointed that Kinzinger, at 33 years old, would have such harsh words for a group that consists of a lot of young members.

“We are very disappointed to see a sitting congressman go after our group like this,” Illinois Conservatives Vice President Andrew Spitzer said. “Especially when he started in politics when he was only 20 years old and our group prides ourselves in getting young people involved in politics. But obviously our endorsement was important to him. Although he must be disappointed, I am sad to see that he took a negative way towards a group with so many young members.”

In addition to staying on the defensive against Kinzinger’s remarks, the Illinois Conservatives would also like to thank the many Tea Party groups who have come to their aid and defense in the recent days.

The Illinois Conservatives, a leading conservative grassroots organization in Illinois, believe in conservative ideologies and supports political candidates who share in those beliefs for the betterment of the State of Illinois.

Note: Congressman Manzullo will not be representing voters in McHenry County after the March 20 Primary. That is not to say he will not receive the nomination for the 16th District. It is just that the 16th District no longer will cover McHenry County following the redistricting we have been presented.

Mother Nature Provides Educational Opportunities

Here’s a fun outdoor field trip opportunity to get those restless, wiggly, cabin-fever students out of their desks for a few hours.

McHenry County Conservation District offers free elementary school field trips for the annual Festival of the Sugar Maples, at Coral Woods Conservation Area, 7400 Somerset, Marengo.

Field trips are offered daily, Feb. 27 – March 2 and March 5 – 9 for students in Grades 2-5. Teachers are invited to set up a 1¼ hour educational tour of the history, making and production of pure McHenry County maple syrup!

The entire length of the field trip is held outdoors along a one-mile stretch of wooded nature trail.

Students will have a unique opportunity to learn the fascinating history of maple sugaring and the evolution of the sap collection process. They will then visit the evaporator house to see how sap is transformed into syrup and get a taste of pure Coral Woods maple syrup.

Students can then bring their families back for the free public tours offered on the weekends of March 3-4 and 10-11 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Teachers can call Prairieview Education Center at 815-479-5779 by February 10 to set up their field trips. 

Congressman Manzullo Remarks On Jobs Report

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) issued the following statement this morning in response to the December jobs report. The Labor Department reported that 200,000 jobs were created in December and the national unemployment rate dropped to 8.5 percent, although the Illinois unemployment rate is at 10 percent.

STATEMENT:
“It’s great to see some people returning to work, but we must do much more to strengthen our economy and help employers create even more jobs. There are still too many Americans who want to work but can’t find jobs.  My American Jobs Agenda would go a long way to help our employers expand and create jobs.

“The uncertainty our employers face over their tax liabilities and health care costs continues to discourage job creation. Congress needs to stop the short-term economic fixes and pass a long-term budget that will give our employers the confidence they need to expand and create jobs. Furthermore, the Senate needs to stop stalling and act on the 25 jobs bills the House has approved that the Senate continues to ignore.”

How Important Are Fungi? Environmental Defenders of McHenry County Hosting Those With Answers

McHenry County Conservation District, Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC, and MCC present, Fungi Discovered: What We Know & How Important They Are, Thursday,  January. 26,  from 7–8:30 p.m. at McHenry County College, Conference Center, 8900 US Hwy 14,  Crystal Lake.

Dr. Patrick Leacock, Adjunct Curator in Mycology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, will present the importance of fungi and their diversity in McHenry County and the greater Chicago Region.

The second half of the presentation will feature a 30-minute video of the 2011 Bioneers Conference presentation by Paul Stamets, whose talk will focus on key mushroom species that can lead to greater sustainability and better health.

For 14 years Leacock has been documenting the macro-fungi of the Chicago Region, visiting many preserves of woodland, savanna, and prairie. This past year, Leacock explored 10 natural areas in McHenry County, documenting about 200 species of fungi. Long-term plot studies have recorded species diversity and abundance in relation to restoration and the impacts of nitrogen pollution in oak woodlands. Patrick obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He is scientific advisor for the Illinois Mycological Association.

Paul Stamets has written six seminal mushroom-related books, including “Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms”, “The Mushroom Cultivator”, “Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World”, “Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World”, and many articles and scholarly papers.

Stamets has his own medicinal and gourmet mushroom business, and has received numerous environmental awards from Bioneers, National Geographic, Adventure’s Magazine’s Green-O-vator and the Argosy Foundation’s E-chievement awards.

For more information contact Laurie Ryan lryan@mccdistrict.org; 815-678-4532 or Pat Dieckhoff pdieckhoff@mchenry.edu or 815-479-7817

Government At Work

FRIDAY JANUARY 6 –

8:15 A.M. – Public Health and Human Resources Committee, McHenry County Board, meeting in the County Board Conference Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

A couple of appointments for two commissions are to be considered. One is an interview of Kevin Sarnwick for the Senior Services Grant Commission. A second one is the appointment of Mary Reid for the Senior Services Grant Commission.

The Committee is to consider a resolution accepting a Modification to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant and authorize an appropriation to the McHenry County Workforce Network FY 2012 Budget.

A second resolution is for acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant

A third resolution is for the acceptance of a modification of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant of $58,897 to provide Case Management for the Trade & Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act customers.

This funding is going to the McHenry County Workforce Network and is to be used to provide Case Management for the dislocated workers from Intermatic, Allstate, Caps Visual, Panasonic, Precision Dormer, Quad Graphics/World Color and Wells Manufacturing M=Dura-Bard Division who reside in McHenry County.

The County is being awarded $58,897 which will be used to provide case management for the dislocated workers from the above-mentioned companies.

The Workforce Network has been notified they will be receiving an additional $7,816 for a $134,097 Economic Opportunity Grant previously award.

Bids are being considered for solid waste removal for several unincorporated areas including Covered Bridge Area, The Manor and f ox Lake Vista area.

Bids were received from Waste Management, Lakes Disposal, MDC Environmental, Groot Industries, and Prairieland Disposal & Recycling.

The lowest responsible bidder was determined to be Prairieland disposal & Recycling with quarterly prices of $66.72 for 95 gallon refuse toter; $63.64 for 66-gallon toter and 61.32 for a 35 gallon toter.

Severe Weather Spotters Class

McHenry County Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with McHenry County College and the National Weather Service are presenting:

 SEVERE WEATHER SPOTTERS CLASS

The date is Thursday, February 9 and there is a choice of afternoon session 1 PM – 3:30 PM or evening 7 PM – 9:30 PM

The location is the McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

There is no registration fee and guest speakers will include David Christensen, Director of the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency. He will discuss the procedures that are implemented at the McHenry County Government Center.

The second speaker is Jim Allsopp, of the National Weather Service. Who will discuss the nature of severe weather systems, the do’s and don’ts during severe weather, how to report severe weather to the National Weather Service, and the role of the National Weather Service.

Register @ http://mcemaevents.com and complete the form, or contact

McHenry County Emergency Management Agency

815/338-6400

Monday through Friday – 8 AM to 4:30 PM

Woodstock Resident Refuses To Obey Eviction Order

Hugh McGinley of Woodstock was convicted of Criminal Trespass to a Residence following a January 3 jury trial.

McHenry County State’s Attorney, Louis A. Bianchi, explains that according to evidence revealed at trial, deputies from the sheriff’s department responded to a trespassing complaint at 10403 Arabian Trail. The owner of the residence advised police that McGinley, a former tenant, had been evicted in September 2010 illegally moved back inside the home.

According to evidence, McGinley had changed the locks on the residence and placed no trespassing signs on the home. He further told the deputies that all McHenry County judges were not doing their job correctly and needed to be arrested. He claimed that he was a “sovereign citizen” and that the members of the jury were not his peers.

Additionally, he asserted a right to remain in the home and claimed that he was not bound to obey the court order which evicted him.

The case was investigated by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Maggie Tracz and Randi Freese.

Words of Wisdom

"No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America."

--George Washington

United Postal Services Plans To Move Sorting Operations To Wisconsin

The United States Postal Services plans to shut down sorting operations in Rockford and move all the jobs to Madison, Wisconsin. The would end overnight mail service to residents in the eight counties starting with zip codes 610 and 611

Congressman Don Manzullo, R-16^th – reports that the Postal Services is hosting a public meeting on this matter Thursday, January 5, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Best Western Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center, 7801 E. State Street, Rockford

This planned move would send about 200 local jobs to Madison and delay mail service by 2 to 3 days to homes and businesses in the eight counties Rockford currently serves, including Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, JoDavies, Carroll, Whiteside, Ogle and Lee.

This processing center is consistently rated among the most efficient centers in the nation, and Rockford workers provide excellent overnight delivery service to their customers.

Manzullo explains, “We are well aware the Postal Service is facing difficult times, but closing one of the nation’s most efficient sorting centers in Rockford and delaying mail delivery to northern Illinois would be a terrible mistake.

Manzullo is urging residents in zip codes 610 and 611 to attend Thursday night’s meeting to let the Postal Service officials know how much they appreciate the excellent service.

Congressman Manzullo is working with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) to keep the jobs and overnight delivery service in northern Illinois. Manzullo, Durbin and Kirk met with Postmaster General Pat Donahoe on November 1 to share their concerns with the potential move of operations to Wisconsin and the damage it would cause to northern Illinois

Sovereign Citizenship Did Not Prevent A Jury Conviction

McHenry County State’s Attorney Louis A. Bianchi, announces that Hugh McGinley of Woodstock was convicted of Criminal Trespass to a Residence following a January 3, 2011 jury trial. 

The evidence at trial revealed that on June 15, 2011 deputies from the sheriff’s department responded to a trespassing complaint at 10403 Arabian Trail, Woodstock. The owner of the residence advised police that Hugh McGinley, a former tenant who had been evicted in September 2010, illegally moved back inside the home.

The evidence further revealed that McGinley had changed the locks on the residence and placed no trespassing signs on the home. He further told the deputies that all McHenry County judges were not doing their job correctly and needed to be arrested. He claimed that he was a “sovereign citizen” and that the members of the jury were not his peers. He also asserted a right to remain in the home and claimed that he was not bound to obey the court order which evicted him.

This case was investigated by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Maggie Tracz and Randi Freese.

Words of Wisdom

"If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws -- the first growing out of the last."

 --Alexander Hamilton

Short Crystal Lake Council Meeting

A very short Crystal Lake City Council meeting took place Tuesday evening. In a little more than a half hour the business of the Council was completed.

It was also being observed by a Scout Troop.

In addition to approving minutes of December 20, 2011 Council meeting, and approving accounts payable, only a few other matters were on the agenda.

A number of items, as approved on the Consent Agenda, include:

• Knights of Columbus Council #3880 request for a Temporary Liquor License for two upcoming events—the Polish Dinner being held January 14 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Oak Street Church Community Center, 451 W. Terra Cotta Avenue;
• St. Patrick's Dinner on March 17 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. held at the Oak Street Church Community Center 
• A Special Use Permit Amendment to allow illuminated wall signage around a canopy;

• Ordinance for traffic control at various uncontrolled intersections
• Special Use Permit Amendment to allow illuminated wall signage around a canopy at Shell Gas/Circle K Convenience Stations;
• Ten intersections will have partially stop-controlled traffic. This is for one approach only. Although rules of the road would apply for vehicular right-of-way, staff recommended that the placement of stop control on the minor approach so it would be consistent with driver expectations in urban areas and current driver control practices.
• The locations Include:
• Rebecca Street approach only at McCullom Street
• Rebecca Street approach only at Rebecca Street at Main Street
• Park Boulevard approach only at Park Boulevard at View Street.
• Hilkert Court approach only at Hilkert Court at Hastings Avenue
• Lake Court approach only, at Lake Court at Leonard Parkway.
• Park Lane approach only at Park Lane at Leonard Parkway
• Eastbound Lakeside Avenue approach at Lakeside Avenue at Country Club Road
• Southbound Lakeside Avenue approach only at Lakeside Avenue at Country club Road
• First Court approach only at First Court at Uteg Street
• Second Court approach only at Second Court at Uteg Street.

Traffic control is being implemented at various intersections in the Mistwood Subdivision. Included are:

• Westbound Silk Oak Lane at Terra Cotta Road
• Southbound Savannah Lane a Silk Oak Lane
• Westbound Silk Oak Lane at the northerly Mistwood Lane intersections
• Westbound Silk Oak Lane at the southerly Mistwood Lane intersection
• Eastbound Silk Oak Lane at Mistwood Lane
• Southbound Mistwood Lane at Silk Oak Lane.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is being granted a Temporary Easement on City property for the improvements to take place to Route 14 from West Lake Shore Drive in Woodstock to Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake.

This improvement is to add lanes in both directions to improve traffic flow as well as safety. IDOT needs to acquire right-of-way and easements from property owners in the project area including the City.

Short Crystal Lake City Council Meeting Tonight

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

The short agenda indicates the Council is to consider the following:

A Temporary Liquor License request of the Knights of Columbus,

A Special Use Permit Amendments to allow illuminated wall signage around the canopy of several Shell Gas Stations located at 681 Terra Cotta, 280 N. Route 31 and 220 W. Virginia Street.

Bid awards for the purchase of rock salt, and an award for a service agreement for sanitary sewer lining service.

The Council is also to consider the execution of a document to grant an easement for City property to the Illinois Department of transportation for the U.S. Route 14 improvement.

Words of Wisdom

"No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America."

--George Washington

Government At Work

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

8:30 A.M.  Finance and Audit Committee of McHenry County Board –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Several matters are to be considered so they may be approved by the full County Board when it meets at 9:00 a.m.

One resolution authorizes an emergency appropriation to the County Coroner’s Special Fund for the Fiscal Year 2011 budget. It has been determined that an additional $7,000 will be needed due to the continuing number of autopsies required because of unexplained deaths.

A second matter is the approve a supplemental construction engineering services agreement and appropriate fund for the Walkup Road Project for an amount of $1,329,909 added to the Early Start Up Agreement bringing the total contract for engineering to $1,379,571.

The committee is also to consider a Resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation in the maintenance/child support collection fund for FY2011 budget and is seeking approval of a $12,500 emergency appropriation for personnel.

9:00 A.M. – McHenry County Board –

Meeting in the County Board Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Under new and unfinished business, a resolution is being presented authorizing execution of a settlement agreement with Louis Bianchi, Joyce Synek and their attorneys relating to three cases involving them. The information is not included in the Board packet so no further details are available at this time.

Two financial matters are being presented for County Board approval including a resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation to the County Coroners Special fund and another resolution authorizing an appropriation in the Maintenance/Child Support Collection Fund for FY2011 budget.

Under transportation matters, approval of the County Board is being sought for a number of resolutions to provide for construction engineering services for Walkup Road;

An intergovernmental agreement between the County and Pace suburban Bus for McRide Transit Services in 2012;

Resolution for acquisition of Right-of-Way for highway purposes for Hill Road Township Bridge over Nippersink Creek;

Resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Crystal Lake for engineering and Construction for South Main Street/Pyott Road Intersection Project.

Funding for supplemental construction engineering services for Walkup Road is being presented for approval. The total cost is set at $1,329,909.

The County Board is also to consider approving an intergovernmental Agreement between the County of McHenry and Pace Suburban Bus for MCRide Transit Services in 2012.

An intergovernmental agreement with the State of Illinois is being presented for County Board approval for the Hill Road Township Bridge with a sum of $62,213 being appropriated for the project.

The County Board is also to consider approval of an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Crystal Lake for engineering and construction for the South Main Street/Pyott Road intersection project.  The County is appropriating $177,000 for Phase II engineering and $88,000 for right of way professional services.

Words of Wisdom

"[The Constitution ought to be the standard of construction for the laws, and ... wherever there is an evident opposition, the laws ought to give place to the Constitution." –

Alexander Hamilton

Congressman Manzullo Continues In A New Sixteenth District

The Bureau-LaSalle Tea Party will welcome Congressman Don Manzullo to its meeting on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Congressman Manzullo was first elected in1992 and has been a Conservative mainstay winning reelection since and will this year be challenged by Adam Kinzinger.

Manzullo has an enviable voting score from the American Conservative Union; has been the recipient of numerous awards from the National Federation of Independent Business; the United States Chamber of Commerce and many others while building an outstanding record championing good policies; economic growth; fiscal responsibility; a commonsense approach to legislation and much more.

The meeting will be at The Elks Lodge (800 E. Walnut St., Oglesby IL).
Doors open at 6:30; meeting begins at 7:00.

This is open to the general public and will provide a great opportunity to learn what this Congressman stands for.

Note: Congressman Manzullo still represents the 16^th Congressional District. However, the redistricting maneuvers took McHenry County out of the 16^th District. 

Monday As A Holiday

In observance of the New Year’s Day Holiday, Crystal Lake refuse and recycling collection on Monday will be delayed one day.

Also in observance of this holiday, government offices are closed.

This also applies to McHenry County offices as well, and in all probability other municipalities as well.

A New Year's Present From Mother Nature

Apparently we are in line to receive a New Year’s present from Mother Nature--

Low pressure will continue to strengthen as it moves from Lower Michigan into Quebec tonight. The pressure gradient will remain tight on the back side of this low, and combined with much colder air. Westerly winds will remain strong this afternoon and evening. These strong winds will begin to slowly diminish tonight.

Areas Affected:

Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake(I)l-Ogle-Lee-DeKalb-Kane-DuPage-Cook-LaSalle-Kendall-Grundy-Will-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford,-Lake(IN)-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton--

Including the cities of Rockford, Belvidere, Woodstock, Waukegan, Dixon, DeKalb, Aurora, Wheaton, Chicago, Ottawa, Oswego, Morris, Joliet, Kankakee, Pontiac, Watseka, Paxton, Gary, Valparaiso, Morocco, Rensselaer, Fowler.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

1135 AM CST
.Wind Advisory Remains In Effect Until Midnight CST /1 AM EST/Tonight.
* Timing -- Strong Winds Will Continue Through Tonight.

*West Winds Averaging Around 35 MPH Will Be Gusting Up To 45 MPH.

A Few Gusts Around 55 MPH Are Possible.

*Impacts-- smaller tree limbs and power lines may be blown down.
Light weight or unsecured objects can be blown away.

Driving will be difficult -- especially north- south-oriented roads.

High profile vehicles like full size vans, buses and semi-trailers especially if empty or carrying a light load can be prone to being tipped by the higher wind gusts.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions.
A wind advisory means that sustained winds of 30 to 39 MPH or gusts between 45 & 57 MPH are likely. Winds this strong can cause minor property damage unless precautions are taken.

Driving may be difficult especially in high profile vehicles. Motorists should be alert & use caution.

Words of Wisdom

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever."

--Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1781

Thoughts For A Happy New Year

The Optimist Creed
Promise Yourself. . .
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your Optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.