McHenry County Blog

Friends of the little girl who was killed riding her bicycle on Crystal Lake’s West End following her older brother across North Avenue have sent up a fund to help her family cover funeral and other expenses. What they have sent me you see below:

The families of West Elementary School have set up a memorial fund in honor of Rachel Miller and to help the Miller family.

West Elementary School on a snowy day.

Rachel, a 7-year-old Crystal Lake resident who had just finished first grade at West Elementary, died Friday from injuries she suffered when her bicycle collided with a car.

Rachael Miller

She was trying to cross North Avenue near Millard Avenue in Crystal Lake about 7 a.m. Wednesday when the bicycle she was riding struck the side of a 2004 Acura TL that was traveling east on North Avenue. 

The driver was not ticketed, and police say no charges appear likely.

A Rachel Miller Memorial Fund has been established at First National Bank of McHenry, and donations will be accepted until June 30.

Checks made out to the Miller Family may be sent to First National Bank of McHenry, P.O. Box 338, McHenry, IL 60051.

For information, call 815-385-5400.

Her obituary follows:

Rachel Therese Miller, 7, of Crystal Lake passed away Friday June 10, 2011 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. She was born November 13, 2003 in Barrington, Illinois to Jerry and Christine Miller. She attended school at West Elementary in Crystal Lake and just finished 1st grade. She was very active and participated in Tae Kwon Do at Ha’s Tae Kwon Do Academy.
She is exceptionally generous, very affectionate, and was very proud of her family. Rachel was always happy to see everyone and enjoyed sharing her artwork and loved being with her brother and sister.

She is survived by her parents Jerry and Christine Miller, brother Alan Miller, sister Heather Miller, paternal grandparents Ginger & Al Miller-Strom, maternal grandparents Rory M (Debra) Hunter and Mary T (Tom) Cooper, Uncles Charles Hunter, Troy Strom, Aunt Casey Hunter, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A memorial visitation will be held from 12:00 -7:00 pm with a memorial service at 2:00 pm on Saturday June 18th at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave. Crystal Lake.

Donations to the family may be made through West Elementary in Crystal Lake, The General Store by West Beach in Crystal Lake or Ha’s Tae Kwon Do Academy in Algonquin. Additional donation are being given to Lutheran General in Park Ridge on behalf of Rachel Miller.

Little Girl Bicyclist Succumb to Accident Injuries

The first photograph taken of the Flight for Life helicopter at Crystal Lake's West School was at 7:59 Wednesday morning.

I wrote about the large number of police and fire department vehicles speeding past our home on Lake Avenue in Lakewood on Wednesday morning before 8.

The next shot shows the rescue vehicle, as well as the helicopter. The time stamp shows 8:12.

The Crystal Lake Police Department put out a press release revealed that an 8-year old girl had been hit by a car as she tried to cross the continuation of Lake Avenue, which is called North Avenue on the West End.

Third picture is a big fuzzy but shows the time to be 8:18.

Today word has reached me that the little girl died of her injuries.

The helicopter is ready to take off at8:19.

Because of the nature of the source, I shall not reveal her name.

And it's on the way to Park Ridge.

Also today, a friend of McHenry County Blog sent six photos of the Flight for Life helicopter that took the little girl from West Elementary School to to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.

The helicopter is gaining altitude by8:19.

I presume her injuries were so severe that a Level One Trauma Unit was required for her to have a chance of survival.

At this point about all anyone can do is pray for her family and friends, especially her older brother, whom she was following across the street, her family and friends, plus the car driver, who was not issued a ticket.

My mother had a similar accident at the intersection of Lake and McHenry Avenues.

An ice cream truck was stopped on the east side of McHenry Avenue and a child rode out from behind it right into my mother’s car.

While not as severely injured, I can attest to the guilt she felt, even though she could have done nothing to avoid the accident.

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The little girl’s name is Rachael Miller. You can learn how you can help her family financially here.

I awoke to Crystal Lake after Crystal Lake Police car speeding noisily past our Lake Avenue home.  Then I think it was a fire engine, also with siren blaring, headed for whatever had happened.

We had the windows open in the partially accomplished home that the temperature would decrease over night.

Where the 8-year old bicyclist got hit by a car.

The Crystal Lake Police have issued the following press release telling why:

On Wednesday, June 8th, 2011 at 7:35 am, Crystal Lake Police and Fire Rescue Departments responded to the area of North and Millard Avenues to the scene of a motor vehicle crash.

Upon arrival, emergency crews determined that one vehicle and one bicyclist had been involved.

It has been determined that a 2004 Acura TL, operated by Bradley A. Harding (39) of Lakewood had been traveling eastbound on North Avenue in the area of Millard Avenue when a bicycle, operated by an eight (8) year old, female juvenile, attempted to cross North Avenue while traveling southbound across the roadway.

The bicyclist collided with the vehicle within the eastbound lane, resulting in the bicycle impacting the driver side front quarter panel.

The juvenile was flown from the scene by helicopter to Lutheran General Hospital, in Park Ridge, where she is listed in critical condition.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident reported no injuries on scene.

The driver has cooperated with the police investigation which remains ongoing.

No citations have been issued or arrests made as a result of this accident at present.

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The little girl’s name is Rachael Miller. Learn how to help her family pay for funeral and medical expenses here. “>here.

Being a senior Republican in a Republican Congress must be fun.

I ran across Congressman Don Manzullo’s pursing a line of questioning about the use of foreign aid in Africa a couple of weeks ago.

Don Manzullo holding up explanation sheet on the solar bicycle financed by foreign aid.

You might say he was vociferous.

“Why are the U.S. taxpayers going to buy a solar-powered bicycle? How is that going to help out the world?”

Say what?

It’s on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) web site.

$100,000 went toward development of the “E-bike” — “practical, scalable, pollution-free mobile transportation.”

“I don’t know any American who can afford to buy a solar-power bicycle themselves,” the 16th District Congressman said. “This is a waste of taxpayers dollars, and the sooner you guys wake up and understand that, the better off you are going to be.”

Supporting research into technologies that can help the developing world, don’t you know?

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Another source picked up on this exchange from the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing:

“But there were also spontaneous exchanges that carried some grit, as when Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) slammed USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures grant program for funding a U.S. entrepreneur’s efforts to sell solar-powered bikes in Africa, and Shah countered that his agency was helping U.S. businesses invest abroad.

“’Don’t use the word invest, use the word spend!’ Manzullo said.”

A family out for a ride in Lakewood on their bikes.

Biking on Meridian Street in Lakewood.

A souped up car taking off from the stop sign doing from Crystal Lake’s Main Beach stop sign down Dole Avenue.

"Vroooom," went the green hot rod as its driver looked into my camera's lens.

Lakewood Village Trustee Ken Santowski has made it a practice to send emails about his take on village affairs. His latest missive follows:

Friends Neighbors and fellow residents,

Ken Santowski

Unfortunately the August 10th board meeting was canceled. We only had the August 24th meeting, and as you can tell I am very much behind in my updates. I have been working an extraordinary amount of hours (7 days a week) for one of my customers. Of course they are in the wind turbine business. The rest of my customers are down tremendously as is the rest of the companies in America. I apologize for this delay.

There were several items on this agenda up for discussion.

The first major one was an approval for the next phase of engineering for the proposed Huntley road bike path.

Unfortunately (and I had thought) Crystal Lake had  decided to pass on paying for part of the bike path.

With the engineering costs and the villages match, the village of Lakewood now has to pay the entire $247,000 (estimated)  portion of the bike paths estimated $994,000.00 cost.

CMAQ-CMAP portion would be $647,000 if given final approval.

As you know I have been against this bike path since the beginning, but only for economic reasons.

Now that CL has decided to let us pay for the whole project that money will be taken out of the Park and Rec fund, aka Redtail fund.

My concern is that we will lower that fund (which was at 1M and change) to a point where we might not be able to build the kind of clubhouse that will bring in the type of revenue (sales tax) that we need to meet the payments once the building is built.

Many residents, who want the clubhouse built first and foremost, have expressed this opinion to me  and others.

As a newly indoctrinated bike rider I would love to see more paths and trails, but in the “real business” world that I am from, we spend the money on things that are “needed” first, then “wanted” 2nd.

Julie Richardson questioned weather this project would set a precedent with CL. If we can spend our own money to build this bike path, then what is to stop them from thinking that way in the future.

Even though we give them $700K a year for park district. (Unfortunately by law we cannot repeal that decision) President Smith told the board that if we rejected the CMAP money it would set a precedent that our village was not willing to move forward.

I reminded the board and President (Erin) Smith that Ford Motors Companies rejection of federal stimulus money did not hurt them. In fact they are the #1 car company in America right now according to some leading reports.

But unfortunately when the vote was counted Julie (Richardson), Blake (Hobson), Carl (Davis) all voted yes. I voted no.

Erin Smith cast the deciding yes vote.

As I have previously stated I would love to see more bike paths and trails throughout the village and the county. But as we can see, this path is going to cost us the residents more money than was originally intended.

The motion passed, and the next phase of engineering work will be done. Once that is complete, the results are presented to CMAP for approval and funding. One of my biggest concerns is that the funding goes away after we spend almost $100K on engineering. Incidentally, why does it cost $100K to engineer a bike path?

The other major agenda item was the water rates. As you know when the water tower project was approved it was implied that with out triple AAA rating, favorable construction costs and some best management practices the impact to residents would be kept to a minimum.

When we first heard of the water tower project rates were expected to rise by a base of about $93.00 annually. Then it was lowered to about the $40.00 range after we received some preliminary estimates for construction. I was under the belief that through some cost saving measures, and other saving measures the impact would be significantly less than the $40.00 range.

Unfortunately that was not the case. I questioned where the costs savings disappeared.  When the motion was presented, I again voted no. Trustees Davis, Hobson and Richardson voted yes. President Smith cast the  deciding “yes”vote. Unfortunately your base water rates will be going up by about $3.50 each month. No, it is not alot of money, but if every taxing body took $3.50 each month out of your pocket, you probably would start to notice.
Many have accused me of being the “no tax increases” guy because I want people to like me. Well, there are plenty of people out there who don’t like they way I vote on certain items. Hopefully they can respect me as much as I respect them. I have always been willing to listen to them, especially when they don not agree with me.

The sports-complex is moving forward. Tuesday (tomorrow) there is a meeting at the county building to extend the deadline for the owners to get their share of the money in order to qualify for the low interest bonds.

Many people who have voiced their opinion against this complex are supposedly going to this meeting.

President Smith has asked residents (see attachment) who support this project to attend the meeting.

Unfortunately I will not be able to take time off work to attend this meeting. As you know I have been on a roller coaster with this proposed project. I originally voted yes because I wanted to give them the tools to either make this work or not.

I am not sure if the inability to raise the cash needed in time is a sign of the times, the economy or simply in the belief of the project. I recently spoke with someone from the project and the complete feasibility study still has not been completed, or at least it has not been made available. I am not sure of how things will go at the county level. Only time will tell.
As always I will do my best to represent you and your decisions.

Kenneth M Santowski

FYI -

The Styrofoam bins are in place throughout the village. They are located at village hall, public works (Haligus road), Redtail Golf course and of course my home. Feel free to drop off white Styrofoam (preferably clean, please) anytime day or night. If you have any questions feel free to contact me through email or directly by phone at 847-910-2985

Lastly, it was announced that the packets for those intended to run for the village board will be available as of Sept 21 at village hall. If you are thinking of running for office I encourage you to take one out.

Two western McHenry County accidents are reported by the Sheriff’s Department:

Vehicle/Bicycle Accident with Injuries

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today the investigation of a vehicle versus bicycle accident that occurred on August 2, 2010 at approximately 8:00 P.M. at 14910 Kishwaukee Valley Road.

The victim, Steve D. Keller, was riding a bicycle on Kishwaukee Valley Road while intoxicated and drove his bicycle in front of a passing vehicle.

Woodstock Rescue responded to the scene and advised that Keller was transported to Condell Memorial Hospital in Libertyville by Flight For Life.

Keller’s injuries consisted of a laceration to head and abrasion to his back. His injuries were reported to be nonlife threatening.

Keller’s blood alcohol level was .364 as reported by emergency room personnel.

Bicyclist: Steve D. Keller, age 54, 1411 Kishwaukee Valley Road. Woodstock, IL

ATV Accident with Injuries

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today that at approximately 6:18 P.M. on August 2, 2010 members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Marengo Rescue responded to the scene of an ATV accident at 18912 River Road in Marengo.  

The victim, Carmina Moro, was driving an ATV on the property and failed to complete a turn causing the ATV to roll over.  The victim sustained a shoulder injury and lost consciousness.

Marengo Rescue advised that Moro was flown to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford. Her injuries did not appear to be life threatening.

ATV: Carmina Moro, age 41. 1804 49th Court, Chicago, IL

They’re looking for a blue Hyundai. Here’s the press release

FOX RIVER GROVE POLICE INVESTIGATING HIT AND RUN,

PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENT INVOLVING A BICYCLIST

On 07/11/10 at 12:52 A.M. Fox River Grove Police Department responded to a hit and run personal injury accident involving a bicyclist at Northwest Highway and North River Road.

The victim, a 19 year old Cary resident, was transported to Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington for injuries suffered in the accident.

The offending vehicle fled the scene westbound Northwest highway.

Based on witness statements and evidence recovered at the scene, the offending vehicle has been identified as a blue Hyundai with the passenger side rear view mirror missing.

Anyone having additional information regarding the offending vehicle or the identity of the driver is asked to contact the Fox River Grove Police Department at 847-639-2411 or Crime Stopper at 1-800-762-STOP.

Most old guys drive expensive cars to prove the point.

“Old Guys Rule”

"Share the Road" license plate enacted into law this year.

Why not?

I saw one from another state on our vacation in June, but the photo didn’t turn out.

July 5th, Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill to allow “Share the Road” license plates.

A minimum of 1,000 would have to be sold, according to “Roger Kremer Cycling.”

Extra money raised would go to education about safety.

The same day, Quinn signed a bill making it illegal for motorists to crowd bicyclists.

There was some blow back from commenters under the Des Moines, Iowa, TV station WHO story.

Green Party McHenry County Sheriff's candidate Gus Phil Philpott talks with gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney as he walks his bike from the Metra train door to the Woodstock station.

Here’s one of five comments:

“Yes. The bike riders need education. We used to have courses in safety in the schools. I nearly hit a woman twice when she swerved unexpectedly. She blew two stop signs and a red light.”

Since Green Party gubernatorial candidate is touring the state by bike, it is not a coincidence that Quinn would be emphasizing his connection to that mode of transportation.

Undercutting the opposition, especially one who will probably draw more votes that would otherwise go to Democrat Quinn than Republican Bill Brady, is a time honored political tactic.

Significant locally is the chairman of the House committee that approved the bill is McHenry County’s Jack Franks.

One of Franks’ big mistakes has been to cater to the pro-abortion crowd on the issue of whether Pro-Lifers and other supporters of adoption should be able to raise money from the sale of Choose Life license plates, not to mention express their opinion.

Pro-Choice residents of McHenry County do not fill pages of the Northwest and Daily Herald once a year.  Pro-Life constituents do that to commemorate the day the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton (the “health of the mother” case) were handed down.

In the early part of his career, especially when he was running against appointed incumbent Mike Brown, while always labeling himself “Pro-Choice,” Franks’ voting record and stands on abortion questions could arguably be said to be more conservative than his opponent’s.

He resisted the extreme positions that pro-abortion Personal PAC insists that candidates embrace before getting its endorsement.

This Choose Life license plate is from Ohio. I believe I found it in the parking lot of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. You will note that the license plate holder indicates its owner is a nurse.

And Personal PAC did not endorse Franks in his early years.

Some fervent Pro-Lifers, including Paul Caprio’s Family PAC, actively supported him and helped finance his campaigns with money and in-kind contributions.

As Franks’ ambitions went statewide, however, he figured out that alienating this effective campaign organization was not a bright idea for a Democrat.

For the past two election cycles, Franks has been endorsed by this group, which can be accurately be labeled as “pro-abortion.”  (See “Jack Franks Goes to the Dark Side.”)

Perhaps in response to pressure from Personal PAC, Planned Parenthood, and other supporters of abortion, Committee Chairman Franks stuck the  bill to approve Choose Life license plates in one of his subcommittees.

When he finally allowed the bill to get a hearing, it wasn’t during prime time.

And, needless to say, the bill did not make it out onto the House floor so all legislators could vote it up or down.

And, Franks deserves the credit (if you are Pro-Choice) or the blame (if you are Pro-Life) for killing the bill.

“Franks just lied about it,” said Illinois Choose Life President Jim Finnegan of Barrington, commenting on the process. “He lied about it from the beginning.”

Now, to cover his rear end, Franks is voting against license plate bills like the bike safety one.

So did Republican Mark Beaubien. Mike Tryon supported it, as did State Sen. Pam Althoff. State Senator Dan Duffy did not vote, joining 18 other senators.

Virginia has allowed both "Choose Life" and "Trust Women Respect Choice" license plates. Illinois could, too.

But, significantly, Franks did allow the bike safety license plate bill a full committee hearing—a privilege he will not allow to adoption supporters trying to advance Choose Life license plates.

Franks didn’t have to do that.

He sets the agenda for his committee.  He decides which posted bills to call.  He doesn’t have to call a bill, if he wants to kill it.

Although I only got to be a committee chairman for four of my sixteen years in the Illinois House, I know about that discretionary power.

Voting against new license plates is nothing more than a protective shield that pro-abortion legislators use to explain why they will not support authorizing a Choose Life license plate.

This "Safe Haven" sign is outside Crystal Lake City Hall.

(More about the legislative history of the Choose Life license plate fight here by Jill Stanek and by Fran Eaton here.)

Opposing all new special license plates is like the support Pro-Choice legislators gave to allowing mothers to being newborn babies to police and fire departments without any penalty.

It’s an initiative that provides protective coloring to politicians who are Pro-Choice among constituents who are Pro-Life.

Such political actors also support making adoption easier…except in the case of supporting the selling of Choose Life license plates, part of the proceeds from which would support adoption agencies.

Pro-Choice politicians and abortion providers know that the number of people who would display Choose Life license plates dwarf the number who would buy Pro-Choice plates.

The last time I looked 20,000 people had said they would buy and display Choose Life license plates.

It is not a coincidence that Franks has been endorsed by the most fervently pro-abortion political action committee in the country—Personal PAC—for the last two election cycles.  He has delivered the goods by killing Choose Life license plates.

If should be noted that Franks has a Republican opponent for the first time since 2004.  McHenry Grade School and Library District Board member John O’Neill is running against him this year.