McHenry County Blog

The McHenry County Sheriff's Department list of press releases as of Oct. 30, 2011.

I had stopped looking at the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department’s press release page.

That’s because I always read them in the Northwest and Daily Heralds before they were posted for public consumption.

And, the press releases could not be copied and pasted.

Not much evidence there of an interest in transparency.

The Sheriff’s Department refuses to put me on its media list, so, I figure why bother to publish outdated information, especially if I was going to have to re-type the release.  Not worth the time.

Recently, however, I notice that the releases now can be copied.

Not as transparent as being on the Sheriff’s press release email list, but an improvement.

Maybe new Undersheriff Andy Zinke is making some positive changes.

So, now that I can copy and paste, I’ll do so for the last two releases. Those are the ones on the handcuffed escape of a man who may have just been seeking shelter from the rain in a barn near the eastern end of Hillside Road, northeast of Crystal Lake.

Here’s what the Sheriff’s Department had to say in its first press release on the subject, issued the day after the escaped prisoner was lurking around Crystal Lake, resulting in a call from the Grade School about children being kept inside all day:

Prisoner Escapes from Back of Squad

October 20, 2011

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced that at approximately 5:54 P.M. on October 19, 2011, Sheriff’s deputies from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a trespassing complaint in the 4000 block of Terra Cotta Road, Crystal Lake, Illinois.

The property owner contacted the Sheriff’s Office with a complaint that person(s) may be illegally occupying their barn. An investigation revealed that James R. Henson was inside the barn without legal justification. Henson was arrested for criminal trespass to real property, burglary, possession of burglary tools, and criminal damage to property.

At approximately 7:39 P.M. Henson escaped from a Sheriff’s Office squad by kicking out the rear passenger window. This occurred in the area of Hillside Road and Walkup Road, Crystal Lake. A thorough search was performed in the immediate area, but Henson was not located.

On October 20, 2011 at approximately 8:30 A.M. Henson was taken into custody by members of the Crystal Lake Police Department and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.

Henson was arrested near the area of the McHenry County Conservation District Prairie Trail bike path.

The Sheriff’s Office also received assistance from the McHenry County Conservation District.

Additional details into this investigation will be forthcoming.

Keith Nygren, Sheriff

ARRESTED:
James R. Henson (M/W 44 yoa)
5010 W. Bromley Drive
McHenry, IL 60050
CHARGES: (from October 19, 2011)
Burglary Class 2 Felony
Possession of Burglary Tools Class 4 Felony
Criminal Damage to Property Class 4 Felony
Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property Class 3 Felony
Escape Class 2 Felony

The Sheriff’s Office advises the media that the charges against the individual(s) are merely allegations against them. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

Here’s the second press release:

Additional Information: Prisoner Captured after Escape from Back of Squad

October 20, 2011

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced that on October 20, 2011 at approximately 8:30 A.M.

James R. Henson was taken into custody after escaping from the back of a Sheriff’s Office squad after he kicked out the rear window.

Henson was arrested for criminal trespass to real property, burglary, possession of burglary tools, and criminal damage to property after an investigation revealed that he had been in a barn in the 4000 block of Terra Cotta Road without legal justification.

Henson escaped in the area of Hillside Road and Walkup Road in Crystal Lake and was apprehended in a wooded area north of Knaack Boulevard near the McHenry County Conservation Prairie Trail.

A search for Henson continued through the night using additional resources including a K9 unit and ATV’s from McHenry County Conservation District.

No injuries occurred throughout the incident. Henson, who is known as a career criminal, was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.

After Henson escaped, residents in the immediate area of Hillside Road and Walkup Road in Crystal Lake were notified to be on the lookout through a phone message to their residential phones.

The Sheriff’s Office does not have any further charges for Henson forthcoming.

The Crystal Lake Police Department is investigating an incident where Henson is a suspect.

Sheriff Nygren attributes the success of Henson’s arrest to the joint effort between police agencies and the community. Sheriff Nygren appreciates the community’s efforts and for continuing to update police with suspicious activity updates.

Henson is currently in the custody of the McHenry County Correctional Facility.

As a result of this incident, the Sheriff’s Office plans to evaluate squad car security and procedures.

Keith Nygren, Sheriff

ARRESTED:
James R. Henson (M/W 44 yoa)
5010 W. Bromley Drive
McHenry, IL 600
CHARGES: (McHenry County Sheriff’s Office)
Burglary Class 2 Felony
Possession of Burglary Tools Class 4 Felony
Criminal Damage to Property Class 4 Felony
Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property Class 3 Felony
Escape Class 2 Felony

The Sheriff’s Office advises the media that the charges against the individual(s) are merely allegations against them. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

Over a week after Tri-County Pregnancy and Parenting volunteer Sonia Hume died in a head-on car crash on Tryon Grove Road near Hebron, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department charged the driver of the second car, Luis E. Raminez, with murder and reckless homicide.

The Sheriff’s Department belatedly posed an August 5th press release, but I didn’t run it because I couldn’t copy and paste it.  It was copy protected unless I captured it in an unsearchable format, such as the image you see below:

The Sheriff's August 5, 2011, press release.

Nothing newsworthy happened at the McHenry County Sheriff's Department over a ten-day period in August.

Apparently nothing worth talking about happened between August 5th and August 15th, because no press releases were posted between the two dates.

Today, I found an August 15th press release on the arrest of Luis E. Ramirez for murder and reckless homicide.

You see an image of it below, which can be enlarged by clicking on it.

Sheriff Keith Nygren's belatedly posted August 15, 2011, press release.

The release says that “additional interviews” led to the charges.

“During the course of the investigation it was determined it was not an accident, it was an intentional act committed by Luis E. Ramirez,” the press release says.  The release also says Ramirez did not know Sonia Hume.

Here’s what the law says about the crime of murder:

720 ILCS 5/ Criminal Code of 1961.  (720 ILCS 5/Art. 9 heading)

ARTICLE 9. HOMICIDE

(720 ILCS 5/9‑1) (from Ch. 38, par. 9‑1)
Sec. 9‑1. First degree Murder ‑ Death penalties ‑ Exceptions ‑ Separate Hearings ‑ Proof ‑ Findings ‑ Appellate procedures ‑ Reversals.

(a) A person who kills an individual without lawful justification commits first degree murder if, in performing the acts which cause the death:

1. he either intends to kill or do great bodily harm to that individual or another, or knows that such acts will cause death to that individual or another; or
2. he knows that such acts create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to that individual or another; or
3. he is attempting or committing a forcible felony other than second degree murder.

This is going to be an interesting case to watch.

When I posted Mike Tryon’s press release about the bill he and Jack Franks got passed in the House to rein in special prosecutors, I predicted it would lead to more outcry about Judge Gordon Graham’s handling of the payment of his appointee Henry Tonigan.

See “Tryon Increases Pressure on Judge Graham.”

The following front page from the Northwest Herald certainly helped do that:

It wasn’t passage of the bill. It was the press release.

Our family was out of town when the Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Sheriff released the following press release. I was so overwhelmed with emails upon returning, I let it slide.

This is the second shot I took of the verbal altercation bewteen Sheriff Kieth Nygren supporter Brent Smith and Democratic Party candidate for Sheriff Mike Mahon. Independent judicial candidate Sally Wiggins, in red top and jeans, was a bystander.

With Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Brent Smith making it clear at the County Fair that incumbent Republican Keith Nygren will make the arrest an issue in the fall campaign, I thought it would be a good idea to share that long-ago press release with readers of McHenry County Blog.

Thanks to Green Party candidate for Sheriff Gus Philpott, who writes “Woodstock Advocate,” for allowing me to copy his post.

Here is the press release:

During a McHenry Marlin's swim meet, the McHenry Business Expo was taking place next door in the gym. I found Mike Mahon gretting voters at his booth down from the Sheriff's Department booth, which was manned by a uniformed deputy.

“On my own initiative and under no requirement to do so, but in the interest of full disclosure to the voters of McHenry County, I am disclosing an 18-year-old incident with a timely lesson as the holiday season approaches.

“In December of 1991 I was charged with driving under the influence in Cook County. At the time of the incident, I was in my personal vehicle and off duty. There was no one with me in the car, no collision and no one was injured in any manner. No breathalyzer was deployed.

“I pleaded ‘no contest’ to the charge and was sentenced to six months of a suspended license. I maintained my employment with Cook County throughout.

“This incident changed my life for the better. Assisted by family and friends, I came to the conclusion that my life would be greatly improved if I stopped drinking alcohol, and did so. I have maintained that abstinence ever since and have assisted others in finding help for similar problems.

“Especially at this time of year, with its many holiday parties and get-togethers, it’s important for all of us to be aware of the temptation to drink and drive both in ourselves and our friends and family.

“Thank you and let’s all have a safe and happy holiday season.”

Hey, look at this.

I got a press release from District 300. Just like the proposed policy change suggested.

I am pleased to reproduce it:

Strategic Plan results to be unveiled

CARPENTERSVILLE – The community of District 300 is encouraged to attend the Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m. this Tuesday, May 29.

The meeting will be in the commons/cafeteria of Carpentersville Middle School, located at 100 Cleveland Avenue adjacent to the D300 Administration Center.

Tuesday evening is when D300 community and staff members will see the results of the big Strategic Planning study that was conducted this year. The 1-hour presentation will be followed by questions-and-answers by School Board members.

District 300 hired the ECRA Group last fall to scientifically conduct the study of D300 graduates, staff, parents, middle and high school students, village leaders, and community members without children in the schools. ECRA conducted surveys (phone, online, and paper) and focus groups from November 2006 to February 2007. Several thousand people chose to participate.

The report will feature community opinions on District 300 – its numerous strengths and positives, as well as its areas of concern. The report also reflects ECRA’s analysis of past D300 studies and recommendations, including the curriculum audit.

This report is candid and hard-hitting. Among the D300 issues it explores are:

• Technology
• Diversity
• Curriculum
• Quality of faculty
• Impact of enrollment growth
• Academic standards
• Graduates’ experience (alumni 2001-2006)
• Safety / climate
• Communication among staff, students, and community members
• The Media’s impact on public support for District 300 schools

The point of the Strategic Plan study is to allow the district to match its energies and future spending plans, programming, and outreach efforts to the desires of stakeholders.

Tuesday’s board discussion will be the first of many by D300 leaders in determining how to put this information to use. The plan must be realistic and cost-effective. The Board and the administration will put the plan into action beginning this fall, directly affecting every staff member, student, parent, and taxpayer in the district.

The complete report will be online Wednesday, May 30, by going to www.d300.org and clicking on the resource button, “Strategic Planning.” It will also be featured in the June District 300 newsletter.

The Superintendent’s Office will visit every school in the district this fall to go over the Strategic Plan with school staff and community members.

I shall add the following information received from a friend of McHenry County Blog:

The cost of this “Stategic Plan” shows $80,000, according to a FOIA filed 3/5/07. The company is ECRA Group of 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 750, Rosemont. The contract is composed of three phases:

• Phase one surveys LEAD (teachers union), administrators, parent and community (those who wanted to participate), faculty and staff, students (but it happened in their classrooms, don’t believe they had a choice), Graduate student follow-up.
• Phase two involves analysis of surveys, development of strategic plan, and presentation (mentioned below).
• Phase three: implementation plan meeting, development, and presentation of implementation plan report.

$80,000 seems like a lot of money for surveying. A curriculum audit was performed in this district in 2003, the results were poor. It is my impression that top management in D300 is more concerned about favorable PR, than actually educating our kids.

Below are articles I have written on the process:

District 300 Surveys Parents – Part 1

District 300 Surveys Parents – Part 2

District 300 Surveys Parents – Part 3

District 300 Surveys Parents – Part 4

Hey, look at this.

I got a press release from District 300. Just like the proposed policy change suggested.

I am pleased to reproduce it:

Strategic Plan results to be unveiled

CARPENTERSVILLE – The community of District 300 is encouraged to attend the Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m. this Tuesday, May 29.

The meeting will be in the commons/cafeteria of Carpentersville Middle School, located at 100 Cleveland Avenue adjacent to the D300 Administration Center.

Tuesday evening is when D300 community and staff members will see the results of the big Strategic Planning study that was conducted this year. The 1-hour presentation will be followed by questions-and-answers by School Board members.

District 300 hired the ECRA Group last fall to scientifically conduct the study of D300 graduates, staff, parents, middle and high school students, village leaders, and community members without children in the schools. ECRA conducted surveys (phone, online, and paper) and focus groups from November 2006 to February 2007. Several thousand people chose to participate.

The report will feature community opinions on District 300 – its numerous strengths and positives, as well as its areas of concern. The report also reflects ECRA’s analysis of past D300 studies and recommendations, including the curriculum audit.

This report is candid and hard-hitting. Among the D300 issues it explores are:

• Technology
• Diversity
• Curriculum
• Quality of faculty
• Impact of enrollment growth
• Academic standards
• Graduates’ experience (alumni 2001-2006)
• Safety / climate
• Communication among staff, students, and community members
• The Media’s impact on public support for District 300 schools

The point of the Strategic Plan study is to allow the district to match its energies and future spending plans, programming, and outreach efforts to the desires of stakeholders.

Tuesday’s board discussion will be the first of many by D300 leaders in determining how to put this information to use. The plan must be realistic and cost-effective. The Board and the administration will put the plan into action beginning this fall, directly affecting every staff member, student, parent, and taxpayer in the district.

The complete report will be online Wednesday, May 30, by going to www.d300.org and clicking on the resource button, “Strategic Planning.” It will also be featured in the June District 300 newsletter.

The Superintendent’s Office will visit every school in the district this fall to go over the Strategic Plan with school staff and community members.

I shall add the following information received from a friend of McHenry County Blog:

The cost of this “Stategic Plan” shows $80,000, according to a FOIA filed 3/5/07. The company is ECRA Group of 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 750, Rosemont. The contract is composed of three phases:

• Phase one surveys LEAD (teachers union), administrators, parent and community (those who wanted to participate), faculty and staff, students (but it happened in their classrooms, don’t believe they had a choice), Graduate student follow-up.
• Phase two involves analysis of surveys, development of strategic plan, and presentation (mentioned below).
• Phase three: implementation plan meeting, development, and presentation of implementation plan report.

$80,000 seems like a lot of money for surveying. A curriculum audit was performed in this district in 2003, the results were poor. It is my impression that top management in D300 is more concerned about favorable PR, than actually educating our kids.

Below are articles I have written on the process:

District 300 Surveys Parents – Part 1

District 300 Surveys Parents – Part 2

District 300 Surveys Parents – Part 3

District 300 Surveys Parents – Part 4