McHenry County Blog

Below you will see two post cards sent by Illinois Immigrant Action PAC on behalf of Dee Beaubien (Ind.-Madigan).

They are aimed at Lations, the group which turned out to be the secret weapon for Democrats in district after district.

Here’s the second piece:

Such appeals may have worked for Democratic Party candidates elsewhere, but they did not work for Dee Beaubien in her race against Republican David McSweeney.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the County’s IT Department deserve a hefty “at-a-boy” for the web site update.

Sheriff Keith Nygren and Undersheriff Andrew Zinke are featured on the masthead of the opening web page.

For the first time, people can find who is incarcerated without making a phone call.

McHenry County Blog wrote about how behind the times McHenry County was in this respect in May of 2010.

Then, I found Lake, Kane, DuPage, Cook, and Winnebago Counties had internet inmate search functions.

I filed the following Freedom of Information request:

“Most of the large counties in Illinois have an Inmate Search function.  Under the Freedom of Information Act, I request any documents that exist concerning McHenry County’s developing such a service to the public.”

Here’s the answer I got:

“The McHenry County Sheriff’s Corrections Division does not have any documents concerning the development of this service.”

With the exception of Federal prisoners and those considered juveniles, photos and charges for McHenry County Jail inmates can now be found over the internet.

On Thursday, they ranged from

• Jose Aguilar, jailed for aggregated robbery, to
• Matthew S. Zeis, behind bars for DUI/BAC and criminal damage to property.

Court dates and courtrooms are given.

Bond is given.

For some, the message, “SUBJECT MAY HAVE A HOLD FOR ANOTHER AGENCY,” appears.

I see that for Ramundo Vazquez, for instance.

It’s really a fountain of integrated information.

Information about those recently released is also on the web site.

Information about those on for whom ICE pays the county $85 a day is not similarly available.

All that exists is a link to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement web site.

It seems to me that one pretty much has to know what one is looking for to be able to find it.

This was rolled out two years ago.

The information provided on McHenry County prisoners is so, so much more useful.

The crown jewel in McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren’s crown is the top floor of the McHenry County Jail.

Constructed by a County Board that thought McHenry County’s criminal population would grow, it was not built out until Nygren came into office.

He cut a deal with Federal immigration authorities to house illegal immigrants there.

That floor has been a cash cow ever since.

Now word comes word via an article by Marc Wiley in Illinois Review that Crete, Illinois, officials are negotiating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for another place to put illegal aliens.

The $60 million facility would be privately financed, run by Corrections Corporation of America and would be on the tax rolls, village officials think.

Sounds like competition for McHenry County, maybe a way to drive ICE costs down.

A press release from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock:

Woodstock Church to Screen Film on Controversial Border Fence

Woodstock–The film The 800 Mile Wall will be shown on Friday November 11, 2011, at 7 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, 221 Dean Street. An open discussion of the film will follow the screening.

The 800 Mile Wall highlights the construction of the new border walls along the U.S.-Mexico border as well as the effect on migrants trying to cross into the U.S. “This powerful 90 minute film is an unflinching look at the failed U.S. border strategy that many believe violates fundamental human rights,” according to Sue Rekenthaler, chair of the congregation’s Social Justice Committee which is sponsoring the program.

The film is part of a new Second Friday film series featuring important documentaries of timely topics. After taking the month of December off, the series will resume in January.

The program is free and open to the public.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

FORMER MIDWAY AIRPORT CUSTOMS OFFICER SENTENCED TO 46 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR RECEIVING BRIBES FROM RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES

CHICAGO — A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervisor at Midway International Airport was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for taking bribes totaling at least $28,500 to allow foreign employees of now-closed restaurants in Chicago and Downers Grove and their spouses to extend their stays in the United States.

The defendant, William Mann, received approximately $1,500 from at least 19 restaurant employees and their spouses to alter a law enforcement database and provide false immigration and travel documents showing that the restaurant workers and their spouses had just entered the United States and were eligible to legally stay in the country for another year.

Mann, 51, of Munster, Ind., was ordered to begin serving his sentence on Oct. 28 by U.S. District Judge Blanche M. Manning, who imposed the sentence in Federal Court in Chicago. Judge Manning also granted a preliminary order requiring Mann to forfeit $28,500 in bribe proceeds.
Mann pleaded guilty in February to one count of conspiracy, three counts of bribery, and three counts of immigration fraud, which were contained in an indictment that was unsealed in June 2010. A co-defendant, Rogerio Charu, part owner and general manager of the former Sal E Carvao restaurant, which had locations in Chicago, Downers Grove and Schaumburg, was indicted for allegedly conspiring with and aiding and abetting Mann. Charu, whose last know residence was in Downers Grove, remains a fugitive who is currently believed to be in Brazil.

The sentence was announced by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General in Chicago and the DHS Office of Professional Responsibility, Northeast.

According to court documents, in May 2005, Mann conspired to falsify the immigration records of restaurant employees to make it appear as though they were lawfully in the United States.

Mann admitted that restaurant employees and their spouses paid him approximately $1,500 each, by either handing him the money personally or by passing the money to him through another individual.

The same employees also provided their passports to Mann, who had taken an Immigration Form I-94 admission stamp from the CBP’s secure storage room at Midway Airport. Mann placed fraudulent I-94 admission stamps on the I-94 forms and placed those forms into each of the employees’ passports and wrote fraudulent exit dates next to the stamps.

After fraudulently altering the employees’ passports, Mann returned to Midway Airport and accessed the Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS.)

Once logged on to the TECS database, Mann fraudulently altered the employees’ immigration records to make it appear as though they had legally entered the United States on flights arriving after a certain date, when, in reality, they had been in the United States several months to several years prior to that date.

He also changed their required departure dates to a later date, making it appear to law enforcement and immigration officials that the employees and their spouses were legally present in the United States when, in reality, they had already overstayed their legal admission time and were subject to deportation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Grohman.

The charges again Charu are not evidence of guilt. He continues to be presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A press release from Congressman Joe Walsh:

Congressman Walsh Sends Letter to President Obama in Reaction to Yesterday’s Immigration Speech in El Paso

“Border security is national security. It’s not a joking matter.”

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Walsh (R-IL) today announced that he has sent a letter (attached) to President Obama, expressing his concern over the President’s comments in an immigration speech made yesterday in El Paso, TX.

“For years President Obama has said he is serious about dealing with America’s immigration issues, however, yesterday he reinforced the idea that he’s not taking the issue seriously by suggesting that the only way to make Republicans happy on the subject is to build ‘a moat with alligators,’” said Congressman Walsh.

“Time and time again, President Obama has proven that he’s more concerned with photo-ops with Hollywood movie stars, than real citizens who live on the border and have to deal with America’s exploding immigration crisis.”

“Border security is national security. It’s not a joking matter. Enforcing our immigration laws and holding businesses accountable for hiring illegal immigrants is a serious issue. For that reason, I have sent the President a letter, questioning his commitment to securing our borders.”

“I look forward to the President’s response, and hope that he would work with Congress to come up with a plan that first and foremost protects our borders.

“If it takes moats and alligators to secure our borders to get you to be serious – I’m game.”

Watch the whole video by clicking here.

The Palatine Tea Party has taken offense at the votes for the Illinois Dream Act by eleven Republican State Senators.

The eleven are Althoff, Bomke, Brady, Dillard, Duffy, Tom Johnson, Murphy, Radogno, Sandack, Schmidt, Syverson.

Pam Althoff and Dan Duffy represent McHenry County. Althoff has reacted and that reaction appears below the Palatine Tea Party’s press release below:

Shameful Illinois Republican State Senators

(Palatine, Illinois) – It is a sad day in Illinois when 11 Senate Republicans seek the cover of the leftist media over their ill-advised vote.

The Illinois Tea Party outrage at the passage of the Illinois Dream Act through the Illinois Senate has now made the Huffington Post.

These 11 Senators spend tax dollars like drunken sailors on shore leave, and once caught try to spin their way out of a problem they created. The Tea Party and its allies in the Illinois know that Illinois is in a financial crisis of epic proportion.

Once again the Illinois dream act is another spending bill that could adversely affect Illinois citizens. It has and will be the job of Tea Parties throughout the state to hold our elected officials accountable. The actions of these 11 Senators will not soon be forgotten. Many of these 11 call themselves conservatives, yet there is nothing conservative about the Illinois Dream Act.

This is a failure to the citizens of Illinois and these shameful Senators need to be held accountable for their actions. Please keep calling these numbers and keep expressing your contempt at this ill-advised vote.

Republicans that voted YES are: Althoff, Bomke, Brady, Dillard, Duffy, Tom Johnson, Murphy, Radogno, Sandack, Schmidt, Syverson.

Here’s is State Senator Pam Althoff’s response:

Recently, the Illinois Senate approved legislation (Senate Bill 2185) aimed at allowing student immigrants who have a valid taxpayer ID to invest in their college education – this legislation has been the subject of much misinformation on the Internet and in the media.

The bill requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to create an Illinois DREAM Fund that will provide scholarships funded entirely from private contributions – no Illinois tax dollars will be directed toward these scholarships. In addition, to be eligible for the program, a student must be a resident of the State of Illinois.

Contrary to some of the misinformation being spread by opponents of the measure, it is not an immigration bill – in no way, shape or form does it grant undocumented immigrants citizenship. Also, contrary to what’s been previously reported, the legislation does not permit driving certificates for undocumented immigrants.

As the Daily Herald noted in its May 6th edition:

“Note, there is a difference between the state version of the DREAM Act and the federal version, which failed during Congress’ lame-duck session late last fall. The state version, unlike the federal version, does not provide a direct path to citizenship.”

Those interested in seeing the full language of the measure can visit the Illinois Legislature’s Web site – www.ilga.gov.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact Sen. Althoff at pamela@pamelaalthoff.net

525,000 is the number of illegal immigrants that something called the Pew Hispanic Center has come up with.

4.1% of the state’s population.

That’s up from 500,000 in 2007 and up from 200,000 in 1990.

The size of the average congressional district in the next ten years will be 646,952, so Illinois might have lost two seats if it were not for our undocumented brethren.

“The number of children born to at least one unauthorized-immigrant parent in 2009 was 350,000 and they made up 8% of all U.S. births, essentially the same as a year earlier,” the study reports.

The “news” at Congressman-Elect Joe Walsh’s first post-election Town Hall meeting in McHenry County was that he would not vote for the compromise tax bill being considered in Congress.

But the take-away message was that constituents should expect a lot of opportunities to ask their Federal Representative tough questions and have dialogue on issues than has been the case with the woman he beat, Melissa Bean.

“There’s nothing more important than your Representative getting in front of the people all of the time answering any question without any aides around me,” he said at the beginning of the meeting.

“I intend to do this more than you’ll ever believe.”

Walsh intends not to settle in in Washington.

“I’m sleeping on my couch in my House office.”

The McHenry resident (he lives near the Drive-In) observed,

“Look, there’s a lot about Melissa Bean that bugged me and a lot about Phil Crane that bugged her.”

Walsh seemed to be referring to the lack of face-to-face contact that both Members of Congress had with their constituents.

“You can do telephone town halls and think that’s good enough.

“If I can’t stand before Republicans and Democrats and answer any question, I don’t deserved to be re-elected.”

Walsh said he purposely robo-called independents and Democrats.

“I want to hear what they say.”

“I don’t ever want to be in a meeting where people (all) agree with me,” were his last words.

Here’s what Republican County Board candidate Diane Evertsen mailed out just before the election.

It’s a yellow post card, almost goldenrod, it appears to me.

Evertsen provides her web site address and says,

Commonsence, conservative solutions…

for a better future in McHenry County

Here’s the message side:

If it’s important to you

• Smaller government
• Lower taxes
• Preservation of our agricultural land and open spaces
• Protecting our water resources
• Real representation of the voters

It’s important to me!

Evertsen has been campaigning hard. Besides having knocked on about 6,000 doors as of early October, Evertsen has held meet and greets at local restaurants, even one bowling alley.

A rob-call was made on behalf of Democrat Dennis Palys criticizing her activities with the Midwest Minutemen, which she notes is a free standing organization.

The calls came from: 815-788-9540 with the name M. Bisset. Michael Bisset is the Chairman of the McHenry County Democratic Party.

Here’s what was said:

“What is County Board candidate Diane Evertsen hiding from you now. Has she told you she’s married to a Township Supervisor? Are you concerned about politicians double dipping in the public coffers? Diane calls for smaller government as long as it’s all in the family. How can she objectively represent you? What else is Diane hiding from you? Has she told you about her presidency in a radical vigilante group? Check her out, make an informed decision. There are better choices for the County Board. Paid for by citizens for Dennis Palys.”

What wasn’t said is that Palys’ daughter Jessica is an “Organizer at The Center for Faith & Community Health Transformation,” according to this web page. She has also be an

• Organizer at Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
• Federal Issues Organizer at Citizen Action/Illinois
• Faith Community Organizer at Campaign for Better Health Care

While working as an Organizer for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights from February 2010 — June 2010 (5 months), she

• Mobilized the NW Suburbs to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2010
• Added 9 buses to our Washington Trip, created the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition
• Organized a suburban May Day March and
• Organized a 54-mile Pilgrimage from Chicago to the McHenry County Jail

The younger Palys also was a scheduler for Melissa Bean in 2004 and helped recruit candidates for the radical pro-abortion Personal PAC in 2007.  Palys father is endorsed by Personal PAC for the county board.

The start of the daughter’s employment career is described like this on the web page:

In-District Staff

State Rep Jack Franks

(Government Agency; 1-10 employees; Political Organization industry)

September 1999 — November 2002 (3 years 3 months)

I have to admit that I didn’t know legislative staffers were in the “political organization industry.  If I had to characterize my legislative assistants’ work, I would say they were in the “helping people” line of work.

In response to an email request about Evertsen’s involvement with Minutemen Midwest (this request was initiated by the Carlos Acosta letter to the editor two weeks ago in the NWH), Evertsen wrote the response below:

Diane Evertsen

I know your standard answer as to why do candidates use border line slander during campaigns is that ‘it works.’

We will not slander other candidates but we do request you publish this on your blog.

We will not participate in the Chicago style politics that it appears the McHenry County Democrats want to bring into McHenry County.

Your prior post on your blog about Franks’ operatives wasting the time of John O’Neill is another classic example of Chicago style politics.

Diane can always be reached at 815-943-3298 if anyone needs further clarification.

Other than that we will let the voters decide who can best SERVE the voters in District 6 on the McHenry County Board.

I am, and have been for the past several years, the President of Minutemen Midwest. Unfortunately, there are those who write Letters to the Editor who are either misinformed or prefer to bastardize the truth for their own purposes.

What letter writers have failed to acknowledge is that there is, in fact, a huge diference between “immigrants” and “illegal aliens”.

Immigrants who have come to our country legally by respecting our processes and abiding by the laws are certainly welcome to be here and assimilate into our culture, becoming Americans.

Those who wish to sneak across our borders or remain as Visa overstays in violation of our immigration laws should be removed back to their country of origin.

The purpose of the organization is to educate the public on immigration issues regarding our borders and ports of entry in order to retain American sovereity, and to keep the election process of our country secure from fraud.

You may also wish to know that Minutemen Midwest is a free-standing organization and not a ‘franchise’ or ‘affiliate’ of any other Minuteman organization.

From the Personal PAC endorsement, we can conclude that Dennis Palys and Diane Evertsen are on opposite sides of the abortion issue.

From the robo-call and Evertsen’s involvement in the immigration issue, we can assume they differ on that issue as well.

Considering the Palys daughter’s extended employment with State Rep. Jack Franks and Franks attempt (successful to some extent) to take over some rural township governments, my guess is that the father’s campaign is Franks’ attempt to get a voice on the McHenry County Board.

Incumbent Republican Mary McCann is Evertsen’s running mate.