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.

A press release from Congressman Joe Walsh:

Congressman Walsh Responds to Obama’s Amnesty Policy

Today the White House announced a new executive order that will halt the deportation of illegal immigrants coming over the border at a young age, while granting them work permits.

This executive order that bypasses Congress gives many illegal immigrants legal worker status.

Congressman Joe Walsh stated, “This election year move by President Obama floods the weak job market with many more workers, who will be competing with unemployed and underemployed Americans for jobs they sorely need.

“We just saw unemployment and jobless claims increase these past few weeks, and the President is willing to make it that much more difficult for Americans looking for work.”

Walsh went on to say,

“This move shows why we need an independent voice and a check on the abuse of power in Washington.

“Unlike my opponent, Tammy Duckworth, who has made it clear she is a rubber stamp for Obama’s policies, I will oppose this or any President’s power grab.

“Whether it is against this executive order or the President’s mandate that limits religious freedoms, I am committed to remaining a check on unchecked power to help return control of our government to the people.”

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.

With the help of MoveOn.org, Nunda Township resident Nancy Peterson organized a demonstration in front of 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo’s Route 14 and Woodstock Street office Wednesday at noon.

As of Sunday, when I wrote this story, thirty-five people had signed up for the event.

Look at the photos McHenry County Blogs intrepid camerawomen took and estimate the number of people who found time to attend.

“Jobs Not Cuts” was the wording on a small sign that several people were holding up so they could be seen by passing cars and trucks.

“Tax the Rich” and “Hands Off My Social Security and Medicare” were signs former Education Association of Round Lake  President Kim Kirby unloaded from his car.  He said he was representing the 10th District Progressive Democrats.

This grandmother and mother decided to bring the kids to see a bit of American democracy.

“We need more jobs not cuts.  Good jobs now.”  That was the message of this Lake in the Hills woman.

Above and below, you can see those carrying picket signs in from of Manzullo’s office from both the northwest and southeast.

A press release from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office:

ATTORNEY GENERAL MADIGAN FILES IMMIGRATION FRAUD CASES

Madigan Joins FTC Initiative in Combating Immigration Services Scams

Chicago – Attorney General Lisa Madigan today filed two lawsuits against Chicago area immigration servicers for accepting more than $30,000 from consumers but failing to help them with their immigration status.

Madigan, along with the Federal Trade Commission, filed the suits as part of a national crackdown against illegal immigration service providers found to have defrauded consumers across the country.

Madigan filed

• suit in Cook County Circuit Court against Martha Fernandez, of West Chicago, and Corrianne Chairez, of Chicago, and
• filed a second lawsuit in McHenry County Circuit Court against Calvin Meziere, of Huntley,

for using a variety of misleading and deceptive tactics to convince consumers that the government was considering their requests for a work permit, permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.

“The immigration process is often intimidating and confusing, which is why many people seek assistance,” Attorney General Madigan said. “But unfortunately, much of the help offered is expensive and illegitimate. That’s why it’s so important to know the warning signs of an immigration scam and where to find honest assistance.”

In her suit against Meziere, the Attorney General alleges the defendant duped a group of immigrant workers in 2009 into paying him large upfront fees to help them obtain work permits and thus the ability to travel freely in and out of the United States.

Madigan alleges Meziere charged the consumers for credit checks, improving their bad credit history and for fake citizenship exams – all steps he falsely claimed were necessary to gain a permit.

Consumers reported to Madigan’s office losing at least $25,000 to Meziere in the scheme.

Madigan’s suit against Fernandez and Chairez alleges they conspired to solicit upfront fees based on promises of helping two immigrants with their immigration paperwork, charging them more than $10,000 for work that was never completed. Despite Fernandez’s promises of a refund, it never arrived.

The Attorney General is asking the court to enter a permanent injunction against the three defendants barring them from providing immigration services in Illinois.

The lawsuit also asks the court to order the defendants to pay restitution to consumers, civil penalties of $50,000 for violating the Consumer Fraud Act, and an additional $50,000 for each violation committed with the intent to defraud. Assistant Attorneys General Andrew Dougherty and Vivian Velasco Paz are handling the case for Madigan’s Consumer Fraud Bureau.

Attorney General Madigan urged the public to learn how to identify potential immigration scams and find legitimate sources for help with the immigration process. By state law, immigration service providers should:

Provide you with a written contract in English and your native language
Provide you with a three-day right to cancel your contract
Return all documents to you upon demand
Register with the Illinois Attorney General’s office

Finally, immigration service providers may not provide legal advice or accept fees for legal advice unless they are licensed attorneys. To check the status of a service provider or to file a complaint, please call the Attorney General’s office at:

Chicago 1-800-386-5438
Springfield 1-800-243-0618
Carbondale 1-800-243-0607
Spanish-language Hotline: 1-866-310-8398

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