The Illinois House of Representatives chamber from the Democratic Party side of the floor.

Someone reading my article on McHenry County College Vicky Smith’s contract language which she interprets as pretty much requiring all Trustees to go through her to ask employees questions asked if I had every heard of anything like that.

In fact, I have.

When I worked for the Illinois Department of Management Services, the third Director talked to me about a rule that said anyone talking to a legislator had to write a memo the next day informing him of the conversation.

After work, when the Illinois House was in session, I hung out over there.

I told him that and pointed out that it was unreasonable for me to be required to write memos about every topic I discussed with my friends after work and at dinner.

I told him I would be happy to write a memo if I ever talked about CMS policy or operations, but not about personal conversations.

That seemed to satisfy him, even though it clearly did not meet the letter of the departmental rules.

McHenry County Jail

A press release from the McHenry County Board:

The McHenry County Board is accepting applications from individuals interested in appointment to the McHENRY COUNTY PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION.

Incumbents may apply for reappointment. A strong financial background is preferred with engineering and/or architectural experience desirable.

One vacant position is available for a 5-year term to expire on September 1, 2018.

Application forms are available at the County Board Office, Room 209, McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL 60098 (815-334-4221) or at the County’s website at http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyboard/PDFDocs/AppointmentApp.pdf. Completed applications should be returned to the County Board office no later than 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2013. If mailing your application, certified or registered mail is recommended.

Mailed applications should be sent to the following address: McHenry County Board, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098.

MCC Board President Ron Parrish and MCC President Vicky Smith confer before the meeting.

At Thursday night’s meeting, the hottest topic was McHenry County College President Vicky Smith’s assertion that pretty much all questions about the college from Trustees had to go through her.

She cited language in her contract that said she was the “conduit.”

Page 3 of MCC President Vicky Smith’s contract, which contains the “conduit” language.

The specific language is

“The Board acknowledges that the President is the preferred conduit through which all internal constituencies of the College communicates with the Board and the preferred conduit through which the Board communicates to those internal constituencies.”

It wasn’t until “Member Comments” that Board President Ron Parrish broached the subject.

“We need some clarification with respect to communications between the Trustees and the staff and faculty.”

Vicky Smith

He asked if there were any guidelines.

“The protocol of the Board has been whenever [there are questions] that the Trustees ask the President of the institution,” Smith replied.

“It’s been the protocol at all the institutions I’ve worked at.

“The conduit is through the President.

“That doesn’t mean that a Trustee can’t stop and talk about general things before the college or the Board,” she continued.

“In fact, I’ve talked to attorneys about that.”

“The President’s office also knows the workflow, former President Mary Miller pointed out.

“We could be interrupting something they’ve been working on.

“I filter it through Vicky…I think that’s the route it should go.

Cynthia Kisser was next.

“I email Dr. Smith and carbon Ms. Kriegermeier, if I just want expedited notes from my last meeting, so Dr. Smith immediately knows what I want.

“I do the same thing if I want something from another staff member.

“I’m sending maybe two or three a day.

“I think it’s better to overload you, [rather than] making [staff members] think they may have to drop everything because [I call].”

“I do like it’s one control place,” Linda Liddell added.

“I love than,” Molly Walsh said.

Tom Wilbeck

“What’s the purpose of that?” Tom Wilbeck interjected.

“I’m an elected official. If I want an objective conversation with an employee, I want to go directly.”

“I think it’s a matter of the policies and practices that the Board has established,” one of the two attorneys sitting at the front table said.

She pointed out that Smith’s contract “names her as a conduit…I do think it means a conduit both ways.”

“If looking for special information, then I email it to Dr. Smith,” repeated Kisser. “If she tells me to call [so and so], she’s not in on the telephone call.

“I don’t interpret that I can’t have a conversation.

“Just one brief example,” Wilbeck explained. “Two people today called to find out if it [the meeting] was going to be web broadcast. [I called Laura.]”

“If would have been better if you had called me because it wasn’t Laura; it was Al.”

“In the private sector it just doesn’t happen that way and it impedes communication,” was Wilbeck’s rejoinder.

“I don’t want to be restricted when I ask a quick question.”

Liddell, calling upon her private enterprise experience, said, “The difference is that we are the Board of Directors.”

She explained that in business communications from directors “went to the chairman.”

Wilbeck still was disturbed at the effect the President would impose by passing on his questions.

Cynthia Kisser

“We are not administrators,” Kisser stressed.

“When I was CEO of a not-profit, I ran that non-profit. I constantly want to do that [here, but] it’s a different role.

“If you want to find out about web streaming [maybe there are] others who want to know.

“This has been a learning experience for me, too. I found it frustrating.

“When you see the information has already come together in Ms. Smith’s head, you find out [the answer. Calling staff members] just gets [out of hand].

“Let me give you my perspective,” Parrish said.

“Frankly, I object to his.”

Both Liddell and Kisser tried to talk, but Parrish said, “Please, may I talk?

“One of the things we’ve [he and Smith] been able to do is meet on a weekly basis.

“I have two concerns.

“First, the President of the college has a lot of things on her plate. We can get those answers personally.”

“Second,” looking at the staff at the table, “You people are out friends. I have a responsibility for the continuing growth of the college and I can’t do that with[out communicating]. I do not want you my friends to be [indebted [?]].

“I really believe it’s our responsibility to maybe talk about an approach that would provide a little more openness and get back to you with a difference proposal.”

Mary Miller

“The way we’ve been doing things has worked well over the last ten years,” former Board President Miller said. She reminded her colleagues it was in Dr. Smith’s contract.

“We need to wait for our Board retreat.”

“You object to my talking to Vicky?” Parrish asked rhetorically.

“I don’t think so.

“It means ignoring the public angst.

“The recent problems of communications, misconceptions, accusations we’ve had in the past year can be resolved with better communication,” Parrish concluded before moving to comments of other Trustees.

Illinois House Approves Compromise Concealed Carry Bill with Bipartisan Support

SPRINGFIELD….. In a landmark vote in Springfield today, members of the Illinois House approved a “shall-issue” concealed/open carry bill for the citizens of Illinois.

Senate Bill 2193 creates the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and establishes statewide standards for the issuance of licenses to carry concealed firearms in Illinois.

It allows the Illinois State Police to issue concealed carry licenses to persons who are at least 21 years old, have a valid FOID card or meet the requirements for a FOID card, complete 16 hours of training (including live firing exercises) and pass criminal background checks.

According to State Representative Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), the bill is the result of true democracy in the legislature.

“As is the case with any successful negotiation, Senate Bill 2193 includes compromises from lawmakers on both sides of the gun control issue,” Tryon said. “There are components of this bill that concealed carry advocates like and dislike and there are parts of this bill that gun control advocates like and dislike.”

Among State Representatives whose districts cover part of McHenry County, all five voted in favor of the bill.

Tryon said the main principals for which Second Amendment advocates have been fighting for years are all included in the version of the bill approved in the House on Friday.

“First of all, we have a ‘shall-issue’ bill, which many said would be impossible in Illinois due to the influence of Cook County and the City of Chicago,” Tryon said.

“This bill also has no home rule exemption, which means that the same concealed carry rules that apply in southern Illinois are also the rules that govern the State’s largest cities like Chicago. This was a huge concession on the part of gun control advocates.”

Under the provisions of SB2193, those wishing to obtain a concealed carry permit would pay a $150 licensing fee for the five-year permit.

The renewal fee would be $150.

Law enforcement personnel would have the right to object to any applicant they feel poses a threat to themselves or others or to the safety of the general public.

A seven-member bipartisan panel would review those objections.

“There are elements of this bill that are difficult for me, like the amount of the fees and the number of areas designated as ‘no carry’ zones, Tryon said.

“But in the interest of compromise and creating a bill that was able to receive the required 71 votes to exempt home rule, they were necessary.”

Action in the Illinois House is the result of a December 2012 decision by the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which declared that Illinois’ ban on concealed carry was unconstitutional.

When that opinion was issued, a 180-day clock began ticking, which required lawmakers to approval some sort of concealed carry bill by June 9, 2013. Of the 50 states, Illinois is the only state that today prohibits concealed carry.

The Crystal Lake Police Department today announces its plans for the 2013 “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over/Click It or Ticket” crackdown for this Memorial Day period.

The intensified enforcement effort against drunk drivers and seat belt law violators underscores the disproportionate number of traffic deaths caused by alcohol consumption and failure to buckle up.

The stepped-up enforcement will begin May 10th and run through Memorial Day being Monday May 27th.

Enforcement efforts will concentrate primarily on the nighttime hours between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Provisional numbers show that during the 2012 Memorial Day weekend there were six fatalities and almost 600 injuries on Illinois roadways.

Three of those fatalities were alcohol-related.

Remember – wearing your seat belt is your best defense against an impaired driver.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. As noted, deaths involving seat belt nonuse are more prevalent at night than during the daytime. According to NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

The Crystal Lake Police Department recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends and family drive drunk as just two of several simple steps to avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for drunk driving. Other important tips include:

Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.

If you are drunk, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement;
Wear your seat belt and make sure all passengers are buckled up. It is your best defense against a drunk driver.

The law enforcement crackdown runs concurrently with a media campaign that reminds motorists to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket,” and is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with funds made available via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The cleaning up will be done by a company called RJB Properties for the next five years, assuming that a “tighter contract” can be agreed upon.

Annual savings are estimated to be $676,000 or a total of $3.2 million over the five-year life of the contract.

Currently, the company provides similar services to Huntley School District #158, Grayslake School District #46, North Chicago School District #187, the Chicago Public School System, the University of Chicago and the
Illinois Institute of Technology.

Former MCC employee and newly-elected Trustee Molly Walsh was the lone holdout.

Molly Walsh

A college administrator pointed out the employees would be given first chance to be hired by the new custodial firm.

She asked if the twenty-one to be laid off would be offered outplacement services and was told that the college “does offer those services.”

Walsh inquired as to whether they would get free tuition.

For summer classes the answer was, “Yes,” but the Human Resources person replied that the Illinois Department of Employment Security offered such opportunities.

Walsh observed that many “have been at the college for a very long time and that’s why they are at the high end of the salary scale.

“I’m very skeptical.”

Former Cary Grade School Board member and newly-elected Board member Chris Jenner pointed out that his school district had done the same thing and “the vast majority ended up getting employed by the outsourcing company.”

“I suspect their wages are a lot lower and I don’t know whether they have benefits,” Walsh said before the vote was taken.

It’s agenda is below:

Grafton Township Agenda for Mary 23, 2013.

Lundahl Middle School

The following email was sent to Lundahl parents:

Dear Lundahl Families,

About 11:10am this morning the Fire Dept was called to Lundahl and the building was evacuated due to a faulty motor.

The Fire Dept thoroughly checked the building and students returned to their respective classes
at 11:40am.

Zachary Fardon

Zachary Fardon, one of whose claims to fame was his prosecution and conviction of former Governor George Ryan, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to replace Patrick Fitzgerald as U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois.

He is a partner with Latham & Watkins now.

Listed on the law firm’s web site is the following:

Zach Fardon chairs Latham’s Litigation Department in Chicago.

Mr. Fardon’s practice focuses on internal investigations, government investigations, white collar defense and complex business litigation.

He is a trial lawyer who has tried numerous cases, both as a federal prosecutor and a defense lawyer, including cases involving charges of financial fraud, tax crimes, money laundering, corruption, racketeering and conspiracy.

He has also briefed and argued appeals before the federal circuit courts.

Mr. Fardon routinely handles high-profile and sensitive matters for his clients.

He has extensive experience helping clients navigate legal investigations and litigation that also require crisis management and media expertise.

Mr. Fardon has conducted numerous internal investigations for private and public companies and has defended companies and individuals in connection with Justice Department and regulatory investigations. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Fardon served for nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor.

During his tenure with the Department of Justice, Mr. Fardon tried several high-profile cases, including the historic corruption trial against former Illinois Governor George Ryan.

Mr. Fardon also served as First Assistant US Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville, where he supervised approximately 30 Assistant US Attorneys in all federal criminal and civil matters.

As a prosecutor, he received numerous awards, including multiple DOJ awards for superior performance, the Chicago Crime Commission Star of Distinction Award, the Frank J. McGarr Award for Excellence in Service to the United States and the Cook County Crime Fighters Excellence in Law Enforcement Award. Mr. Fardon is recognized by Chambers USA 2012 as a leading white-collar and government investigations lawyer.

In addition, Mr. Fardon is recognized by Benchmark Litigation 2013 as a “Star” among White Collar litigators. Mr. Fardon teaches Trial Advocacy at Northwestern Law School. He is active on multiple boards, including: Chairman of the Board, Legal Aid Society; Member of the Board, A Better Chicago; and Member of the Board, Metropolitan Family Services.

Is the Government Using Banks to Target Conservatives Groups?

Since the IRS scandal broke it is clear that the government knows no bounds in how it can politically go after it’s opponents. Given my recent experience with the bank account for my Political PAC being closed, I have to wonder if the government is also using banks to go after Conservatives.

Lennie Jarratt

I started a non-partisan group in March of 2012, For Our Children’s Future. It’s mission is as follows:

1. Recruit, train and help candidates who will bring fiscal sustainability and integrity to their elected office while maintaining a social safety net for those truly in need
2. Empower parents to ensure their children are not trapped in failing schools
3. Fight the efforts that limit taxpayer rights by forcing property owners to do their own tax appeals or hire a lawyer

In February 2013, I started a Political Action Committee to help fulfill our mission and opened a bank account. Our bank account was closed without notification at the end of April. I only found out it had been closed when a check I had donated to a candidate could not be cashed. You can view the timeline below for more detailed information on the closing.

Some of the additional information that was requested by my bank was the following:

• List our top 4 donors
• List the top 4 candidates/organization we donated to
• What was the purpose of our bank account
• What was our groups mission
• What is our mission/purpose
• What is our funding profile

At the time, I thought this was strange for a bank to be asking me for this information.

Especially since I had provided them my D-1 Statement of Organization at account opening.

Neither I, nor anyone else I have told about this has ever heard of a bank requesting this type of information.

Specifically the Fed already has access to all checks in/out of a bank account.

Also, the donations/expenditures are always on the State Board of Elections for all to see.

When the IRS targeting conservative scandals broke, I started questioning more about whether the government is using banks to now target conservatives as well.

It appears they very well may be.

What a chilling thought for every citizen to know that the IRS is targeting individuals who utiliize the first amendment to disagree with the President or big government.

Now the possibility is the government is also using banks as well to stifle our first amendment rights.

This should send every American citizen and politicians who believe in freedom scrambling to put on end to these intimidation tactics.

If these can be used against conservatives, it will eventually be used against anyone whose political views differ from those in power.

Timeline:

• February – Opened bank account
• End of March – Received notice from bank asking for information
• April 12th – Returned documentation requested to National and local offices
• April 30th – Account closed without notification
• May 3rd – Notified by a candidate the account was closed and his checked was not cashed
• May 3rd – Contacted local bank. Account was closed with note that I did not send back information
• May 4th – Contacted National Bank Offices.
  • Account was being researched, again stated I did not return document
  • Local branch manager called and the national office would not talk to him. He told me to call every hour until I got it resolved
  • Called national office again, account still being researched, but they received my documents on April 17.
  • National office called me back a few hours later, they claimed I had left a couple fields blank.
  • Refiled the paperwork by fax
  • Account reinstated 24 hours later
  • Was told this was due to the Patriot Act banking provisions although they could not or would not give me more specific details on the rule used to close my account without notification.

= = = = =
And the bank in question?

TCF Bank, the one located at lots of Jewel supermarkets.