Correctional Facilities Mutual Aid Network

According to a report from McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren, significant progress has been made to establish a mutual aid network for correctional facilities similar to the one currently in place for law enforcement through the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS)

Adding a correctional component to ILEAS will provide Sheriff’s Offices and Correctional Administrators throughout the state the resources they will need in the event of an emergency within their facilities. “Disasters involving correctional facilities require a unique set of resources and skill sets, and it just makes sense to share those resources with one another,” said Sheriff Nygren. “It’s a resource that you hope you’ll never have to use, but have to plan for nonetheless.”

Officials from the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility met this past week with representatives from surrounding counties to discuss the status of the project and the next steps. Other than a minimal amount of administrative time to keep resources up to date, there are no costs for agencies to participate.

 “We’ve had many positive responses from other agencies who agree that this is a significant step forward in the area of correctional emergency management.” Deputy Chief Patrick Firman and Undersheriff Andrew Zinke are assigned as the project coordinators to work with the Correction and Law Enforcement components.

A Look Ahead To Warmer Days

President's Golf Classic 2013
July 15, 2013 @ noon 
It’s early in the year, but thinking ahead to warmer days and fun on the links, here is an opportunity for enjoyment and helping a local group.

Mark your calendar for the Annual President's Golf Classic 2013!

Raue Center is proud to partner with Bull Valley Golf Club this year to host a spectacular afternoon on the links to support our mission to bring the arts to all in our community! .

For more details see BROCHURE.

Words Of Wisdom

"It is necessary for every American, with becoming energy to endeavor to stop the dissemination of principles evidently destructive of the cause for which they have bled. It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people to do this, and to rescue and save their civil and religious rights from the outstretched arm of tyranny, which may appear under any mode or form of government." --Mercy Warren, History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution, 1805

Tennis Scholarships Available At Crystal Lake Park District Racket Club

The Racket Club, a Crystal Lake Park District facility, is pleased to announce tennis scholarship opportunities through the Walter S. Herrick, Sr. Memorial Fund for youth and teens between the ages of 10-16.

Walt Herrick Sr. was one of the founding fathers of The Racket Club and he was a dedicated proponent of tennis in the local community. Though Mr. Herrick is no longer with us, other local luminaries including The Racket Club co-founder Jack Thomas, former club manager Walt Herrick, Jr. and longtime club member Denis Morimoto continue to advocate his mission by raising money for tennis lesson scholarships at The Racket Club.

Scholarships awarded by the Walter S. Herrick, Sr. Memorial Fund are based on a broad range of factors including dedication, academics, attitude, service, financial situation and current level of tennis achievement.

For more details or obtain an application by mail call

Conni Stinek at 847-658-5688, ext. 15,

email cstinek@crystallakeparks.org

Rob Laue at 847-658-5688, ext. 14

email rlaue@crystallakeparks.org

Applications should be returned to Conni Stinek at The Racket Club, mailing address of The Racket Club, c/o Crystal Lake Park District, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

The Racket Club, located at 9101 South Route 31, one mile south of Rakow Road in Algonquin, is one of Illinois’ finest indoor/outdoor tennis facilities. The Crystal Lake Park District operates The Racket Club as a self-supporting membership facility.

The club features: nine cushioned indoor hard courts with excellent indirect lighting, four hard and three fast-dry clay outdoor courts, a beautiful clubhouse, practice lane with ball machine, lounge and viewing area, locker rooms and a fully stocked tennis pro shop.

In addition, The Racket Club has complete year-round tennis programs offering permanent and open court time seven days a week, lesson programs for all ages and abilities, certified professionals, activities for adult and juniors, and competitive travel leagues. Visit the club online at www.theracketclub.org for photos and additional information.

Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day, the feast day of St. Valentine, a priest and physician who was martyred about AD 270 in Rome. The tradition of exchanging greetings of love on Valentine's Day is based on the legend that Valentine had signed a letter to his jailer's daughter, with whom he had fallen in love, “from your Valentine.

Words Of Wisdom

"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it."

--Patrick Henry

Theft Of Services

The economy must be really rotten!

Advertising now is automatically sent without even requesting it. And if you don't want it, well tough.

The only advertising Towncrier has done is usually for the local organizations and that is the way we would like to keep it. However, various companies send their ads to advertising agencies who distribute them to various locations. They suddenly show up on websites without making a request for permission to do so. And above all without offering remuneration for carrying the ads. That, in our view, is theft of services.

So if ads are showing up, keep in mind who are the thieves.

Economy To Be Discussed Tonight By President Obama

When President Obama discusses the economy in his State of the Union Address tonight, he will be dealing with an area in which the American public gives him relatively low performance ratings.

The same thing applies to immigration, energy policy, guns, and taxes. On all of those issues, more Americans disapprove than approve of the job Obama is doing, according to a new Gallup Poll.

Gallup found that President Obama is heading into his fourth State of the Union address Tuesday night with an overall job approval rating of around 50 percent. But in eight of the nine specific areas measured, more Americans disapprove than approve of the job he's doing.

In only one category -- national defense -- did Obama's approval rating (53 percent) exceed his disapproval rating (44 percent).

The Gallup poll shows that Obama's lowest approval rating is 31 percent, for his handling of the federal budget deficit. Only 39 percent approve of the way he's handling the economy. And the economy is expected to be a main topic of discussion Tuesday night.

Obama's Job Approval on 9 Issues:
National defense - 53% Approve, 44% Disapprove 
Foreign affairs - 46% Approve, 48% Disapprove
Immigration - 46% Approve, 48% Disapprove
Energy policy - 44% Approve, 46% Disapprove
Gun policy - 42% Approve, 54% Disapprove
Taxes - 41% Approve, 57% Disapprove
the economy - 39% Approve, 60% Disapprove
Middle East: Israelis/Palestinians - 36% Approve, 55% Disapprove
The federal budget deficit - 31% Approve, 65% Disapprove

Gallup noted that Obama finds himself in a situation similar to the one he was in one year ago, with a job approval rating at roughly the 50 percent level, and approval ratings on issues very similar to where they are now.

The Gallup Poll is based on telephone interviews conducted Feb. 7-10, 2013, with a random sample of 1,015 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. (From CNS News.com)

Words Of Wisdom

"Spek seldom, but to important subjects, except such as particularly relate to your constituents,
"Speak seldom, but to important subjects, except such as particularly relate to your constituents, and, in the former case, make yourself perfectly master of the subject."

--George Washington, Public Speaking, 1787

Government At Work

Tuesday, February 12--

 Lincoln’s Birthday

McHenry County Buildings will be open, however, the Courts are closed.

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Human Resources Committee –

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

A presentation is scheduled to be provided for the Committee regarding Step Tables in Union Contracts.

The Committee is also to consider approving a Workers’ Compensation Claim.

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Public Health and Human Services Committee—

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

The Committee is to interview seven individuals seeking appointment to the County Mental Health Board.

5:00 p.m. – High School District 155, Board Operations Committee –

Meeting in the Center for Education, One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake.

The Committee is to consider Crystal Lake South High School Press Box/Bleachers as well as any other matters that may come before the Committee.

6:00 p.m. – High School District 155 Board Finance Committee –

Meeting in the Center for Education, One South Virginia Road, Crystal Lake.

7:00 p.m. – Automation Committee of Crystal Lake Public Library Board-

Meeting in the Library Director’s Office, at the Crystal Lake Public Library

Tuesday, February 12

7:00 p.m. Lakewood Village Board –

Meeting in Turnberry Country Club, 9600 Turnberry Trail, Lakewood.

In addition to handling the necessary matters of paying bills and approving financial statements, the Board will consider a request for approval of a Lake Use Permit from the Crystal Lake Rowing Club for Rowing Events of the Greater Chicago Juniors Rowing Championship Regatta on May 4, a Scrimmage on April 13 and May 11. The request is also being made that the Board waive fees for visiting Rowing Clubs. .

The Board is also being requested to approve a Lake Event permit for the City of Crystal Lake Fireworks Show on Sunday, July 7 with a Rain Date of Sunday, July 14.

A number of items are also listed for discussion including a motion to approve a mutual general release among PFG Golf and PNC Equipment Finance and the Village pertaining to a Golf Cart Lease.

Also a motion is being presented for the Board consideration to approve an Ordinance authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental Agreement with Northern Illinois Governmental Energy Cooperative.

Also, a motion is to be considered for approval regarding Professional Land Surveying Proposal from Heritage Land Consultants, LLC for an amount of $4,000.

Another motion for consideration is an amendment to the Architectural Review Requirements in the Lakewood Municipal Code Regarding Windows.

Chili Open Golf Classic Cancelled

The 2013 Crystal Lake Park District Chili Open Golf Classic scheduled for Saturday,
February 16 on Crystal Lake has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

 Ice conditions continue to deteriorate making it unsafe to complete any course preparations.  Any registered golfers will receive a full refund. 

For more information contact Connie Cooke at (815) 459-0680 ext. 213.  

Private Investigator Classes At MCC

Do you possess honesty, an inquisitive mind and a knack for solving problems? Consider a career as a private investigator and enroll in a training program offered by McHenry County College. The next Introduction to Private Investigation course takes place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. beginning February 21 through April 11 at the Shah Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry.

Taught by a working licensed private detective, participants will learn how to locate lost loved ones, investigate fraud, interview witnesses to cases and how to work in an undercover operation.

This class fulfills the training requirements mandated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for obtaining the Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC). The PERC is necessary for anyone interested in pursuing this exciting, challenging profession.  All course materials are included in the course fee of $209.

To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588 and reference class ID: QCJ C01 002. For more information regarding the private eye training, contact Ruth Kormanak at        (815) 479-7879.  

Your Federal Government At Work

The Social Security Administration Inspector General has found that 4,317 people were able to obtain two Social Security numbers — even though none of them were American citizens.

“We identified 4,317 instances where the Numident record of two SSNs assigned to noncitizens contained matching first, middle, and last names; dates and places of birth; gender; and fathers’ and mothers’ names,” the Inspector General (IG) reported.

Numident stands for Numerical Identification System and is the master file of applications for Social Security numbers.

The errors occurred between 1981 and 2011 because the SSA did not cross-check the names of the people applying for an additional Social Security number.

“In each case, SSA had not cross-referred the records, indicating that SSA either was not aware it assigned two SSNs to the same noncitizen or it believed the number-holders were not actually the same person.”

The IG launched an audit after a noncitizen was convicted of defrauding the government out of $55,000 in Social Security and federal housing payments by using two Social Security numbers. The IG report said: “The individual concealed her earnings by obtaining and using two SSNs, one for employment purposes and the other to obtain low-income benefits through the Department of Housing and Urban Development and SSA.”

The IG found 514 cases where noncitizens had reported work under both numbers, making them appear eligible to receive twice as much in federal benefits. In 80 of those cases, at least 10 years of earnings had been reported under both numbers.

Incredibly, most multiple cards were issued by the same office. In nearly half of those cases, the second card was issued less than a week after the first card, including 251 on the same day, despite the use of duplicate information.

In 58 cases, the SSA issued two cards despite the fact that both applications contained the same Alien Registration Number (ARN), the identifier issued to noncitizens.

“SSA controls designed to prevent issuance of multiple SSNs to noncitizens have been effective at preventing these occurrences, and the number of such cases has declined significantly over the past 30 years,” the report concluded. “However, SSA’s records indicated that, on occasion, the controls did not prevent the unauthorized issuance of multiple SSNs to noncitizens.

“Noncitizens who obtain multiple SSNs have used, or could use, the SSNs to defraud federal benefit programs.”

Words Of Wisdom

"If, then, the control of the people over the organs of their government be the measure of its republicanism, and I confess I know no other measure, it must be agreed that our governments have much less of republicanism than ought to have been expected; in other words, that the people have less regular control over their agents, than their rights and their interests require."

 --Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Taylor, 1816

McHenry County Residents Participate In DC Environmental Rally

A large crowd is expected to visit the National Mall in Washington, DC for a rally at noon on February 17. This event is sponsored by the Sierra Club.350.org, and the Hip-Hop Caucus. The idea behind the event is to tell President Obama to move forward on climate and reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. This is expected to be the largest climate rally in U.S. history.

Climate scientists note that the hottest year on record – 2012 – has left its disastrous mark, crippling drought, devastating wildfires, and Hurricane Sandy. All these have brought the need for prompt action home to the American people. An important step in putting the United States on the path to addressing the climate crisis is for President Obama to reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County plan to be a part of the group. The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501©(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment.

The group provides community residents with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.

Registration At Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks For Spring Session

The Crystal Lake Park District is now accepting registration for the spring session (March 18-April 24, 7-9 pm at Grand Oaks Recreation Center) of Hapkido classes. Hapkido is the Korean art of self-defense. Hap-Ki Do means the coordination (HAP) of mental and physical power (KI) developed through the study of the method and philosophy (DO) of this martial art style.

What distinguishes Hapkido from other traditional martial art styles is that Hapkido is both an Art of Self-Defense and an Art of Discipline. While other martial art styles emphasize punching and kicking techniques, Hapkido primarily emphasizes the subduing of an opponent with minimal strength.

The application of Hapkido skills do not result in any injury to an opponent or to self. Traditional martial art techniques; i.e., kicks, punches, forms, and blocks are taught. Heavy emphasis is placed on the use of KI.

Crystal Lake Park District Hapkido classes are taught by Harriet Johnson (second degree black belt in Hapkido) and Ken Ostergard (first degree black belt in Hapkido).

Hapkido classes are open to participants ages 6 years and older of all ability levels.  Class fees are $62 for non-residents and $47 for park district residents. All Crystal Lake Park District Hapkido classes take place at Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake.

Register online at www.crystallakeparks.org or in person at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake. For further information contact Connie Cooke at (815) 459-0680 ext. 213.

Government At Work

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11 –

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Management Services Committee –

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

 New Business to be considered by the Committee includes;

• Resolution Authorizing Entering into a Contract with Midland Paper for the Purchase of Copy Paper for McHenry County Government
• Resolution Authorizing Workers' Compensation Claim Settlement No. 10-6100-11
• Overview of County Sharepoint Site

Other business includes:

• County Board Rules - Continued Review
• McHenry County Mobile Application continued discussion
• Guest Writer Guidelines for County Newsletter continued discussion

 9:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Finance and Audit Committee –

Meeting is cancelled

7:00 p.m. Crystal Lake Library Board –

Joint meeting the Finance and Public Relations Committees –

Meeting in the Library Directors Office of the Public Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

Words Of Wisdom

"A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species."

 --James Madison, Essay on Property, 1792