McHenry County Blog

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a data base with those who get state paychecks.

The 2008 information is arrayed from highest to lowest. It comes straight from the State Comptroller’s Office.

I remember when this information was only supplied to the county chairmen of each party. It was distributed in paper form once a month. It was right there in the state statutes.

The better to find contributors and works, it’s my guess.

Let’s take a look at the top earners. The top twenty are below.

You’ll recognize a lot of judges in the list below. All of them will get a cost of living raise on July 1st.

• HUTCHINSON, SUSAN F – $180,829.30, Judges Of Appellate Court
• O’MALLEY, JOHN M – $180,829.30, Judges Of Appellate
• CALDWELL, MICHAEL T – $165,434.17, Circuit Court Judges
• CHMIEL, MICHAEL J – $165,434.172008Circuit Court Judges
• CONDON, JOSEPH P – $165,434.17, Circuit Court Judges
• MCINTYRE, MAUREEN P – $165,434.17, Circuit Court Judges
• PRATHER, SHARON – $165,434.17, Circuit Court Judges
• SULLIVAN, MICHAEL J – $165,434.17, Circuit Court Judges
• WEECH, CHARLES P – $165,434.17, Circuit Court Judges
• LUCHETTA, DONNA – $157,437.82, Department Of Human Services
• BEADERSTADT, ROBERT – $157,137.61, Circuit Court Judges
• BOLGER, JOHN D – $157,137.61, Circuit Court Judges
• FEETTERER, MICHAEL W – $157,137.61, Circuit Court Judges
• GRAHAM, GORDON E – $157,137.61, Circuit Court Judges
• MANGIAMELE, SUZANNE – $157,137.61, Circuit Court Judges
• MEYER, THOMAS A$157,137.612008Circuit Court JudgesMcHenryDetails WILBRANDT, ROBERT A$157,137.61, Circuit Court Judges
• ZOPP, GERALD M – $157,137.61, Circuit Court Judges
• COWLIN, JAMES S – $154,642.76, Circuit Court Judges
• VEDAK, CHANDRAGUPTA – $137,002.70, Department Of Human Services

You can bet there will be thanks and rejoicing at the Miller household in Cary this Christmas.

That’s because 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Michael Feetterer dumped the Cary Police charge of obstruction of justice charge. It resulted from David Miller’s dumping a load of gravel Saturday, June 16, 2007, rather than going to a weigh station, as instructed.

Judge Feetterer ruled that the prosecution did not provide that charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

The decision freed Miller from the possibility of serving up to three years in state prison.

Feetterer did not, however, let Miller completely off the hook. He found him guilty of a business offense and fined him $2,000, the maximum amount possible. Miller also has to pay court costs in addition to the $2,000.

According to Josh Stockinger’s Daily Herald story,

“Last week, he testified that he thought the weight check was a ‘waste of time’ and an example of police targeting truckers for revenue. ‘I didn’t think I was doing anything illegal,’ he said.”

The story was featured in the Northwest Herald a month after the arrest.

The paper reported Miller’s brother, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, called his friend Judge Mike Chmiel after his brother’s Saturday arrest, which was after the regular Saturday bond hearings. He sought another bond hearing, so his brother would not have to spend the weekend in jail.

Chmiel held such a bond hearing.

The Judicial Inquiry Board got involved, filing a complaint against Chmiel and sent an investigator to interview witnesses in McHenry County.

No action has resulted from what presumably is the resulting report. The next move is by the Illinois Courts Commission, to which any report from the Judicial Inquiry Board would be submitted.

David Miller’s niece (Bob Miller’s daughter) Rebecca Lee was the defense attorney in the case.

Some comments below the Daily Herald article and Northwest Herald story are pretty biting.

= = = = =
The McHenry County Courthouse is the building you see.

McHenry County Board member Anna Miller and her husband, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, are seen behind two unidentified women entering the Illinois Republican Party Convention in Decatur. Judge Michael Chmiel can be seen below.

You can bet there will be thanks and rejoicing at the Miller household in Cary this Christmas.

That’s because 22nd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Michael Feetterer dumped the Cary Police charge of obstruction of justice charge. It resulted from David Miller’s dumping a load of gravel Saturday, June 16, 2007, rather than going to a weigh station, as instructed.

Judge Feetterer ruled that the prosecution did not provide that charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

The decision freed Miller from the possibility of serving up to three years in state prison.

Feetterer did not, however, let Miller completely off the hook. He found him guilty of a business offense and fined him $2,000, the maximum amount possible. Miller also has to pay court costs in addition to the $2,000.

According to Josh Stockinger’s Daily Herald story,

“Last week, he testified that he thought the weight check was a ‘waste of time’ and an example of police targeting truckers for revenue. ‘I didn’t think I was doing anything illegal,’ he said.”

The story was featured in the Northwest Herald a month after the arrest.

The paper reported Miller’s brother, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, called his friend Judge Mike Chmiel after his brother’s Saturday arrest, which was after the regular Saturday bond hearings. He sought another bond hearing, so his brother would not have to spend the weekend in jail.

Chmiel held such a bond hearing.

The Judicial Inquiry Board got involved, filing a complaint against Chmiel and sent an investigator to interview witnesses in McHenry County.

No action has resulted from what presumably is the resulting report. The next move is by the Illinois Courts Commission, to which any report from the Judicial Inquiry Board would be submitted.

David Miller’s niece (Bob Miller’s daughter) Rebecca Lee was the defense attorney in the case.

Some comments below the Daily Herald article and Northwest Herald story are pretty biting.

= = = = =
The McHenry County Courthouse is the building you see.

McHenry County Board member Anna Miller and her husband, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Bob Miller, are seen behind two unidentified women entering the Illinois Republican Party Convention in Decatur. Judge Michael Chmiel can be seen below.

For our next look at the McHenry County Monopoly game that was introduced from a Cleveland, Ohio, mail house, we’ll look at two cards, one from COMMUNITY CHEST, the other from the CHANCE card pile.

One of the COMMUNITY CHEST and one of the CHANCE cards are flipped over on the Democrats Monopoly board.

The COMMUNITY CHEST card says,

That’s cute, but not really biting, because no new offices but the health department-animal control center in Crystal Lake have been opened in the last two years.

Considering how much that was attacked two years ago, I’m surprised there was no follow-up.

The CHANCE card is interesting.

The Get Out of Jail Free card, which is shown face up, says,

Think this one was vetted by an attorney?

Think the Democratic Party will print up this game and sell it?

If so, a copy would certainly end up in the McHenry County Historical Museum in Union.

One final thought.

Wouldn’t it be something if Cook County Republicans could run a similar campaign?

For our next look at the McHenry County Monopoly game that was introduced from a Cleveland, Ohio, mail house, we’ll look at two cards, one from COMMUNITY CHEST, the other from the CHANCE card pile.

One of the COMMUNITY CHEST and one of the CHANCE cards are flipped over on the Democrats Monopoly board.

The COMMUNITY CHEST card says,

That’s cute, but not really biting, because no new offices but the health department-animal control center in Crystal Lake have been opened in the last two years.

Considering how much that was attacked two years ago, I’m surprised there was no follow-up.

The CHANCE card is interesting.

The Get Out of Jail Free card, which is shown face up, says,

Think this one was vetted by an attorney?

Think the Democratic Party will print up this game and sell it?

If so, a copy would certainly end up in the McHenry County Historical Museum in Union.

One final thought.

Wouldn’t it be something if Cook County Republicans could run a similar campaign?

I’m not sure what the last COMMUNITY CHEST substitution has to do with McHenry County Republicans.

But, what the heck.

This is a political piece and most won’t look at it as closely as I am.

Let’s cut them some slack even though it was the Clinton Administration that pushed for loosening mortgage qualifications.

It has the guy pulling his empty pants’ pockets out again with the message

Where Luxury Tax usually appears are another three monkeys.

This time it says,

Water and air pollution are under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Pollution Control Board, but the McHenry County Health Department did prepare a report that was far less than complete.

Before returning to the “STOP” game starting place, the Democrats have replaced the last CHANCE SPOT with something a bit different

A CHANCE SPOT near Boardwalk and Park Place still has a question mark, but above it is the word

That’s what the advertising piece is designed to push people toward, isn’t it?

Voting Democrat, rather than Republican.

Change.

And between Boardwalk and Park Place is another card with a bag of money.

$5,000 this time.

What’s that?

Who’s it from?

Tomorrow – Part 5 of McHenry County Monopoly – How Is Your Town Ranked by Local Democrats?

I’m not sure what the last COMMUNITY CHEST substitution has to do with McHenry County Republicans.

But, what the heck.

This is a political piece and most won’t look at it as closely as I am.

Let’s cut them some slack even though it was the Clinton Administration that pushed for loosening mortgage qualifications.

It has the guy pulling his empty pants’ pockets out again with the message

Where Luxury Tax usually appears are another three monkeys.

This time it says,

Water and air pollution are under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Pollution Control Board, but the McHenry County Health Department did prepare a report that was far less than complete.

Before returning to the “STOP” game starting place, the Democrats have replaced the last CHANCE SPOT with something a bit different

A CHANCE SPOT near Boardwalk and Park Place still has a question mark, but above it is the word

That’s what the advertising piece is designed to push people toward, isn’t it?

Voting Democrat, rather than Republican.

Change.

And between Boardwalk and Park Place is another card with a bag of money.

$5,000 this time.

What’s that?

Who’s it from?

Tomorrow – Part 5 of McHenry County Monopoly – How Is Your Town Ranked by Local Democrats?

Hard to tell why there is no contest in McHenry County Board District 2.

Veteran Jim Heisler has filed for re-election. He runs Heisler’s Bootery in Downtown Crystal Lake.

One-term incumbent Marie Chmiel decided not to file. Since her 2004 election, her husband Mike was appointed judge, then, won election to the post.
Newcomer to county politics Scott Breeden is the other candidate who filed. He has served as Village President of Lakewood and President of the Crystal Lake Park Board.

No Democrat filed for county board in District 2.

Hard to tell why there is no contest in McHenry County Board District 2.

Veteran Jim Heisler has filed for re-election. He runs Heisler’s Bootery in Downtown Crystal Lake.

One-term incumbent Marie Chmiel decided not to file. Since her 2004 election, her husband Mike was appointed judge, then, won election to the post.
Newcomer to county politics Scott Breeden is the other candidate who filed. He has served as Village President of Lakewood and President of the Crystal Lake Park Board.

No Democrat filed for county board in District 2.

Nunda Township Republicans served up fresh roasted sweet corn, brats and soft drinks at their annual picnic.

One person told me that 200 ears of sweet corn were eaten. I don’t know how many kids like Jimmy O’Neill put away, but he certainly was chowing down this one. He was there with his family, which is headed by McHenry Grade School District school board member John O’Neill, who is also a McHenry Township Republican precinct committeeman.

The affair was advertised to start at 10 and end at 4, but I learned the man who prepared the corn was there closer to 7 AM. An event like this takes a lot of work.

My son and I were late because he swam at the regionals held at Boylan Catholic High School pool in Rockford. We didn’t get back to Crystal Lake until about three.

The almost-birthday boy wasn’t sure he wanted to come until he saw Ed’s Rentals Moon Walk— probably the same one that we are having for his 10th birthday party when he gets back from camp at Lake Geneva. He was the last one jumping.

Although we arrived at last part of the event, McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi didn’t make it until a little bit later.

I got this shot of him and Denny Driscoll, the unsuccessful conservative 2006 Republican primary challenger to liberal State Rep. Mark Beaubien. I asked if Beaubien had been there earlier and was told he had not made an appearance.

Driscoll told me that he had circulated this year’s Protect Marriage petition and gotten quite a positive response. (The petitions can be downloaded from the web site.)

Bianchi told me and others about how he enthusiastically went from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to being an assistant in McHenry County under Bill Cowlin. He said it was before Greylord (the first judicial corruption investigation in Chicago) and explained a little of the dishonesty he observed. He seemed repulsed by the experience.

I had my differences with Cowlin, who was elected State’s Attorney two years after I was elected County Treasurer in 1966, but I never heard any questions about his integrity. (Well, maybe that traffic ticket that went away when one of my summer college employees approached him in the hall in front of my office after I told her I wouldn’t talk to him about it myself. She came back smiling broadly.)

Bianchi said the online Northwest Herald article that I linked to last night and the print version Saturday, which floated former State’s Attorney Gary Pack’s name as a possible opponent, had resulted in quite a positive response from supporters. It seems that people would be even more enthusiastic supporters, if there were any possibility that Pack might return to the courthouse.

Pack ran for a circuit court judgeship in 2002’s GOP primary, losing Lake and McHenry Counties 47,586 to 31,196. He lost McHenry County to Bill Caldwell 16,381 to 10,856—a margin of 5,525. Pack got less than 40% of the vote in both counties, making it unlikely that he could upset an incumbent state’s attorney.

Bianchi made the rounds before he left in time to make 4:30 mass at St. Thomas.

The only other elected officials I recognized at this tail end of the picnic were Judge Mike Chmiel and his wife, county board member Marie Chmiel.

Another notable who was leaving as we were arriving was McHenry County Right-to-Life leader Irene Napier. The township garage is named after her husband, who was a village trustee.

So, I undoubtedly missed the Sinful Saints Dixieland Band, most of the politicians and the political intrigue, as prospective candidates try to win favor and position themselves, but I did have some good corn, a Diet Pepsi and a brat well-done to my liking. Thanks, Nunda Township Republicans.

= = = = =
Jimmy O’Neill can be seen attacking an earn of corn on top. Below is the John O’Neill family.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi and 2006 Republican primary candidate for state representative Denny Driscoll tried to pose for me, but I got off the shot (without a flash) too fast for them. Bianchi told me he didn’t hear the camera click. Below Bianchi talks to supporters Ron and Sue Klopack (in the middle) and (on the right) their neighbor, retired FBI agent Bob Borchert, who, as his cap indicates, is on his way to Oshkosh for the annual antique air show.