McHenry County Blog

Pop-Up PACs Face More Immediate Scrutiny

Posted on 05/27/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 27, 2009

I am delighted to report that Senator Matt Murphy and State Rep. Sid Mathias have sponsored a bill that will crack down on what I have called pop-up committees.

These tax hike committees announce their presence as late as possible.

Sometimes, as in this situation, the political action committees announce their appearance AFTER the election.

Under the bill just passed, the pop-up PACS “created within 30 days before an election must file its (State Board of Election) statement of organization within two days (now, within 5 business days) after its creation and must file the statement via facsimile transmission or electronic mail.”

Most recently, the Grafton Township Republican incumbents used a pop-up committee called “Citizens to Reelect Quality Leaders.”

Mike Splitt – Hero of the Day

Posted on 05/27/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 27, 2009

We’re sitting at Colonial Cafe at a Crystal Lake Kiwanis meeting discussing last week’s Little Miss Peanut contest and the meal was served.

All of a sudden I see Mike Split, President of In-Sync Systems, grab the women next to him and put her in a Heimlich hug.

He squeezed twice and the choking woman started talking. It was obvious that whatever was blocking her windpipe had been expelled.

So, let’s hear it for Mike Splitt!

The right man at the right time.

He’s the guy ringing the bell for the Salvation Army while he was club president.

Uppity Citizen and Community Internet Organizer Angered by Homosexual Legislator’s Sneaky Shortcut

Posted on 05/27/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 27, 2009

This is the one week in the legislative session to keep alert.

The taxeaters are after your money and those with ideas that need to be snuch by in order to have a chance of passing are using parliamentary shortcuts to avoid full public scrutiny of their proposals.

And, in a modernization of what community organizer Barack Obama did on the streets of Chicago, citizen activist and community internet organizer Elsie Bouc is trying to activate citizens all over Illinois by sending out this email last night:

“It doesn’t get much stranger than this in the legislative realm.

“Tonight, the House Youth and Families Committee took a senate bill regarding legal procedures for court action after the defendant has died, and replaced the bill’s entire language with the Civil Union language of HB2234.

“The number of the Senate bill (SB1716) remains the same, but the entire nature of the bill has changed since the Senate voted on it.

“Now the bill will be voted on by the House to determine if the legislators will support civil unions.

“If it passes in the House, it will go back to the Senate for another vote, and if they pass it, it goes before the Governor for his approval.

“Why are they doing it like this?

“Because they were running out of time to pass their bill in the House.

“If they stuck with the original HB2234, it would have had to be read on 3 separate days in the Senate before they could vote on it, and they could possibly run out of time since the legislative session ends May 31st.

“So, with no time left, they conveniently emptied out a senate bill that had already been read three times, and filled it up (presto change-o) with new language to legalize civil unions.

“If the House passes it, they only have to place it before the Senate for a vote (not three readings), and they have met their time deadline.

“This stinks of corruption and manipulation.

“It strikes me that the standard requirement for 3 separate readings was originally designed to ensure full time for legislators to understand the bill and to provide the public with ample time to understand the issue and contact their legislators with their views.

“This new approach completely violates the principle of democracy and is dishonest to its very core.

“Any legislator who votes for this new bill is voting to retain the corruption for which Illinois is famous.

“If you have a legislator who has said they support civil unions, please contact them and tell them they can not use a dishonest method to force this issue upon the citizens of Illinois.

“To do so, will incriminate them in the dirty politics they unitedly claimed they would reform.

“We can stand up to such dishonesty and protect our traditional values.

“Please contact both your state senator and state representative to let them know that this latest maneuver is a dishonest outrage.

“Encourage them to vote no on civil unions by any name or number.

“And, ask them to be honest in their treatment of Illinois legislative procedures. If you have a liberal legislator, now is the time to demand that they act honestly with integrity and respect for democracy and the procedures that govern it in Illinois.

“Please pass this on to others so that they too might know the dishonest means that are being attempted in Springfield.

“I have again included below information to help you identify your legislators and their contact information.

“Thank you for all you do.

“Right is still right for those who are honest at heart.

You can use the following link to identify your state legislators and their contact information: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1 (and enter your 9 digit zip code).

If this link doesn’t work, you can use the general link www.ilga.gov and then click on ” legislator lookup” near the bottom of the page, then click on “by zip+4”. Type in your zip code, and you’ll see a list of your legislators. (Or click here.)

You want your state representative and state senator as they will be the ones voting on the bill. (Many people confuse their US senator and US Congressman with their state representative and state senator).

Sincerely,
Elise Bouc

And a post script, posted on Illinois Review this morning:

“I’ve since been informed that normally the bill (HB2234) after it passed the House would have been required to be posted in a Senate committee with an advance notice of 6 days before committee vote.

“Once voted out of committee, it would then require two more readings (beyond the 1st reading when it was initially placed in the Senate).

“All this to allow due time for the legislators and public to understand the bill and make their thoughts known before the actual vote by the full Senate.

“This corrupt maneuver with SB1716 has dishonestly skipped that whole process deemed so necessary by the crafters of our state constitution.

“If a bill really has merit, the sponsors shouldn’t fear due process or clear public debate.

“Obviously this bill doesn’t have sufficient public support, and that is why it’s being dishonestly maneuvered through shifty means.”

= = = = =
The building on top is, of course, the Illinois State Capitol. There are two shots from last night’s Chicago TV coverage of the gay marriage, opps, civil union debate. Peter LaBarbera is seen commenting and a Halstead Street demonstration is pictured.

MCC Gives Me Belly Laugh

Posted on 05/27/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 27, 2009

This was going to be a story of praise for the new format of the McHenry County College Board Packet. You can see it above. Click to enlarge.

Now there are shortcuts to the various items on the agenda.

One does not have to scroll down through the less interesting items.

Click on the report you want to see and you go right to it.

So, I looked at the agenda on top and found

“FOIA Appeal, Board Report #09-142”

I scrolled down the index and clicked on it.

Here’s what I saw.

You can imagine why I laughed so hard.

It says,

“To be developed”

I thought the phone call I received yesterday from the MCC attorney indicated the board was ready to roll over and release the contract with ex-President Walt Packard.

You remember that contract.

The one that gives health insurance through July 21, 2012.

People are talking about it all over McHenry County.

The meeting starts at 7.

If you want to say something, the board members will give you three minutes, but don’t expect even the subject matter of what you say to show in the sanitized minutes.

Don’t believe me?

Here’s what’s in the board minutes for the February 26, 2008, meeting for public comment:

“OPEN FOR RECOGNITION OF VISITORS AND PRESENTATIONS

“Mr. Eric Snave, Mrs. Julie Snave, Mr. Phil Snave, Ms. Berghaus, and Ms. Ritter addressed the Board.”

Wouldn’t you like to know what three members of the same family thought important enough to say to the board?

That didn’t used to be the case.

Take a look at how Barry Glasgow’s scathing criticism of the baseball stadium what was mangled in the minutes.

Message of the Day – The Sky Is Falling

Posted on 05/27/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 27, 2009

Ever think the sky is falling.

That really happens in the “Chicken Little” cartoon.

Of course, it was not the sky, but the undercoating camouflage of a space ship.

There will be legislators who in the very worst way do not want to vote for tax increases later this month.

And, they will be forced to vote for the biggest income tax hike since it went from zero to 2½ percentage points.

The last time the income tax was hiked, I actually saw a legislator crying in the back of the House chambers after voting for it because it so, so went against the philosophical grain of the state representative.

Such is sometimes the price of being an insider on the House floor.

To gain the access to the leadership table, you must compromise your integrity.

The philosophical sky did fall.

And, by the way, hiking the income tax from 2½ percentage points to 3 percentage points-–a 20% hike, down from Governor Jim Thompson’s 40% request-–obviously did not result in the goal of having enough money to finance the avaricious appetite of state government.

Neither did Governor Richard Ogilvie’s imposition of the original 2½% tax rate in 1969.

= = = = =
The image you see above is looking up at the chandelier at Springfield’s Drury Inn. Only the image appears to be falling, although the Friday night before last with tornadic winds howling north of town, no one knew what was going to happen. The “would it or wouldn’t it turn into a tornado” swirling clouds you see above were taken looking north toward Lincoln from the 4th floor of the Drury Inn.

Wish I Could Read Something Like This from All the Republicans Representing McHenry County

Posted on 05/26/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2009

First there was his sign. Now in the Galesburg Register-Mail:

“We didn’t do a headcount, but there are nowhere near 60 votes (needed to pass it),” said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock. Franks is against raising the income tax.

I’ve asked via email and only Dan Duffy replied. (Maybe a reply from Mike Tryon’s legislative assistant Tina Hill counts.)

Nothing from State Senator Pam Althoff or State Rep. Mark Beaubien.

Probably time for constituents to make a call or send an email.

Emails re Gay Marriage Continue to Arrive

Posted on 05/26/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2009

Here’s the latest one:

“It seems there are many, many calls being made on HB 2234, the civil unions (gay marriage) bill. Worse yet, there seem to be an equal number of calls from both sides, so PLEASE MAKE YOUR CALLS IF YOU HAVEN’T AS YET.

“Each and every call is very important.

“Also, please add your Senator because if it passes the House, the Senate will then vote on it immediately and the Spring session is due to close by May 31, so it would come up quite quickly, even possibly before we had time to reach our Senators .

“Originally, this House Bill was not expected to come up for a vote in the House this session unless they were sure of support from its members, so this is another reason to MAKE YOUR CALLS.

Jack Franks – 217-782-1717- VOTE NO ON HB2234

Senator Althoff – 217-782-8000 – VOTE NO ON THE CIVIL UNIONS BILL (There is not yet a Senate Bill number for the Senate version).”

Pressure on Civil Unions Being Put on Jack Franks

Posted on 05/26/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2009

With homosexual activists planning a vote on the civil union bill that does everything but name the union a marriage, I’ve been getting emails to call Jack Franks’ office.

Apparently, he is one of the “swing” votes.

One person who called, sent me this:

“I asked at his Woodstock office if he’d been getting calls on this bill but the woman said, ‘I really can’t say, goodbye.’

“So, my guess is, yes, they are receiving calls, but maybe afraid of another prayer rally, but definitely unwilling to talk about it casually so there likely is a fear factor on their end.”

She was also kind enough to include Franks’ office phone numbers:

Woodstock – (815) 334-0063; FAX – (815) 334-9147

Springfield – (217) 782-1717, FAX – (217) 557-2118

Of course, I live in Mike Tryon’s district, so Franks’ telephone answers don’t have to worry about my calling them.

Elise Bouc took several email alerts and boiled them down to the following:

“Profamily lobbyists in Springfield are reporting that full pressure is being placed on our legislators to pass the civil unions bill this week.

“The proponents of the bill have hired 8 lobbyists to push for civil unions.

“Many of our legislators are getting phone calls from out of state legislators pressuring them to vote for the bill.

“One legislator who is a no vote on the civil union bill reported that she was told by a lobbyist that they had surveyed her district and found that 80% of her constituents support civil unions. She was mystified as everyone she speaks to in her district is against civil unions.

“Obviously those who are pushing for civil unions are not above using deceit.

“Please note that every state high court that has ruled for same-sex marriage (IA, CA and MA) has cited the passage of pro-homosexual ‘rights’ legislation – especially civil unions – as its rational for imposing same-sex marriage.”

The message is simple writes Illinois Catholic Conference Zach Wichmann:

“Please vote no on Civil Unions. House Bill 2234 equates civil unions and marriage by conferring the same rights and benefits.”

As the email says, “…the definitions inside the bill make clear the effort is geared to same-sex marriage.

“Under the legislation, any party to a civil union would be considered a spouse under Illinois law and civil unions would enjoy all the protections and rights of marriage under law.”

MCC Attorney Joe Perkowski Signals Board Back Flip On Walt Packard Contract

Posted on 05/26/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2009

This gymnast’s trampoline back flip you see from my son’s 11th birthday party is nothing compared to the one that the McHenry County College Board Freedom of Information attorney signaled this morning.

MCC attorney Joseph Perkowski of the Chicago firm of Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor, Ltd., told me this morning that he had been told to call to alert me that the board would consider my and the Northwest Herald’s appeal to the college’s refusal to release the details of ex-President Walt Packard’s honey pot contract, which, AFTER the election, was revealed to contained 3 1/2 years of health benefits (through July 21, 2011!).

Causing the change of mind was the Illinois Supreme Court decision that came down in a Wheaton Warrenville Unit School District 200 Freedom of Information case in which a 2005 school board candidate filed an FOI request for the superintendent’s contract.

Chicago Tribune reporters David Kidwell and Bob Goldsborough pulled out this direction from the decision:

The Freedom of Information Act
“is to be accorded liberal construction.”

In this instance, “liberal” doesn’t offend me.

The school superintendent, Gary Catalani was only being paid $380,000.

Does anyone think these overpaid guys and gals could get that much anywhere else?

The school board explained after the decision that it had defended the secrecy “in order to protect the personal privacy of its administrators and staff.”

The Tribune article revealed that the school board had wasted (no, that’s wasn’t in the article, but certainly is true) $62,000 on legal fees.

So, Thursday night, even though its law firm doesn’t think the FOI decision was “on point” because the college’s denial didn’t assert the same reason that Wheaton Warrenville did, the board is going to consider giving it up.

The rejection letters to me and the Northwest Herald asserted the contract contained “confidential and personal information,” Perkowski told me.

With the decision already been made to throw ex-President Packard’s privacy to the wind, I wonder if the MCC Board will waste more money by having Perkowski drive out to Crystal Lake.

I assume the college pays for the time it takes its Chicago lawyers to drive to and from Crystal Lake, but, we’ll never know because the college refuses to identify separately what is billed for handling Freedom of Information requests.

Other instances of MCC hiding information from the public (by no means a complete list of McHenry County Blog’s 55 articles mentioning “MCC” and “Freedom of Information”):

McHenry County College Stonewalls on Consultant’s Baseball Stadium Report

So, What Did the McHenry County College Board Authorize on April 26th?

Thursday at MCC Meeting: What Answers Would You Like About the Baseball Stadium’s Finances?

MCC, the Junior College That Just Keeps on Giving

“We Know Nuthin”

Junior College Refuses to Release Mega-Tower Documents that Would Prove Anyone Did Any Due Diligence

Is the Tribune Pimping for an Income Tax Hike?

Posted on 05/26/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2009

You may have noted that the Chicago Tribune is putting a story with the logo

“STATE OF
CORRUPTION”

on its front page.

Everyday, I guess, but I only looked at Friday’s and Monday’s papers for this article.

Friday the upper right hand story was entitled

Reform
heads for
frenzied
Friday

It was by Springfield Bureau Chief Ray Long, with the assistance of Ashley Rueff and Robert Becker.

It probably tilts toward the reformers’ point of view a bit, but it tells what’s happening in the State Capitol.

Monday’s article, by Rick Pearson, is not so objective.

Reform
may be
cover for
tax hike

Pearson starts with the premise that reform could be linked to an income tax hike.

As if taxpayers would willingly accept a 50% income tax hike for any change in the way of doing business that led the Democrats to hike spending by a billion dollars a year since they took control of all three branches of state government, thus, getting the state into the mess it now has.

Did you know

“rank-and-file legislators may decide the more reforms they enact, the more it could give them cover for raising the state’s income tax…”

Didn’t think so.

Having established the theme of his article, Pearson goes around and asks whether such a quid pro quo is likely.

Needless to say, he found someone to agree with the strategy he advances. And he got quoted first.

But others, like Senate President John Cullerton and House Republican Leader Tom Cross disagreed.

House Speaker Mike Madigan is the only significant voice to support Pearson’s thesis.

And the “let me continue doing what I’ve always done, but limit what others (excluding newspapers) can spend” approach to finance reform is not meaningful reform.

Pearson doesn’t even point out that most of the so-called reform folks are liberal enough to be in favor a massive income tax hike anyway.

Keep an eye the Tribune’s coverage of this strategy for passing a huge tax hike this week.

Ed and Anne Burke’s Tax Bill Lower than Ours in Crystal Lake

Posted on 05/26/2009 by Cal SkinnerOctober 22, 2009

Senior Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and his Illinois Supreme Court Justice wife Anne own a big house in Chicago.

Chicago Tribune reporter Tim Novak wrote Monday about the approval of zoning breaks that were necessary for it to be built next to the development in which it stands. Burke is an investor in the development.

What caught my attention in the article was Burke’s real estate tax bill on the family home:

$8,551.98

The home is supposed to be worth $900,000. If so, that means the Burkes will pay less than 1% of the value of their home in real estate taxes this year.

Contrast that to the

$8,831.72

the Skinner family will pay on our McHenry County home.

Our assessing officials estimate that 275 Meridian Street in Lakewood is worth about $400,000.

So, we are paying 2.2% of the value of our home in property taxes this year, while the Burkes are paying 0.95% of their home’s value.

Therein lies the dirty little secret about real estate taxes in Illinois.

Burke’s bill is probably a bit lower than it should be, but, generally, homeowners and owners of small apartments in Chicago pay about 1% of the values of their properties in real estate taxes.

Suburban Cook County residents may be a bit more, but the vast, vast majority don’t come close to a 2% level those of us outside of Cook County pay.

So, hike our income taxes 50% and we all suffer equally.

Give property tax relief and non-Cook County residents need to get twice as high a Homestead Exemption, for example, as those in Cook County to come out with the same tax relief.

If some version of the Rev. and State Senator James Meeks’ SB 750 pops up this week, I hope suburban and Downstate legislators are skillful enough to protect their already overtaxed constituents.

Maybe Sun-Times reporter Tim Novak will compare the real estate tax bills and the value of the homes of Chicago and other Cook County politicians with those of politicians outside of Cook County.

That would be a revealing story, don’t you think?

New McHenry County Seal Might Already Exist on Commemorative License Plate

Posted on 05/26/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2009

There is was all the time.

A symbol for McHenry County was sitting right there on the license plate that celebrated the sesquicentennial of the founding of McHenry County.

I’m told a variation is under consideration for a new McHenry County Seal.

Somewhere in the basement is probably the original artwork that my father submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. He didn’t design it.

I was in the room when Dixie O’Hara announced the winner of the of the design contest.

You should have seen the shock on the winning boy’s face when he looked at the way the judges had altered his submission.

He had submitted some building (maybe more than one), but the new Northern Illinois Medical Center hospital was not included.

O’Hara never really adequately answered why the design had been so radically changed from what the youth had submitted.

Maybe you can see something there that points to Crystal Lake or Algonquin or Cary or Fox River Grove.

I can’t.

I do see Woodstock’s Opera House and Old Courthouse.

I see a gazebo, which could be from either Woodstock or Huntley. (I’m not a gazebo expert.)

I think that’s St. John’s Church in Johnsburg, not surprising considering the power that Johnsburg’s Al Jourdan had in the courthouse at that time.

And, there is the new McHenry Hospital.

And lots of farm symbols.

Nothing indicating that water might have played a big role in McHenry County’s development.

Nothing about the main railroad line that cuts the county in half.

Some previous McHenry County Seal Posts:

Message of the Day – A Hawk

Posted on 05/26/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 26, 2009

Some might say this is a red tailed hawk.

But today, it is a tax hawk.

I only wish it could be flying around the Illinois House and Senate chambers ready to swoop down and peck the fingers of any legislator tempted to push his or her green button for a 50% income tax hike.

The Obama Tours – Official and Ever-So-Unofficial

Posted on 05/25/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2009

Saturday, the Chicago Sun-Times printed a map showing a tour for President Barack Obama fans.

It’s called “The Obama Trail.”

But there is another Obama tour, something like the Tour of Scandals that used to (and may still) exist in Washington, D.C. I remember it had the Reflecting Pool where Appropriations Committee Chairman Wilbur Mills is said to have skinny dipped with mistress-stripper Fanny Hill.

That tour was put together by Marathon Pundit John Ruberry.

It goes from Tony Rezko’s Wilmette mansion to the Metropolitan Correctional Center were Rezko now resides to the former Hyde Park Co-op, where the family shopped, now a Treasurer Island, where the employees threw out the union by a secret voting process that Obama wants to abolish.

Next up is “Bernardine Dohrn and Bill ‘Bomber’ Ayers’” home. That’s where Obama had his political coming out party.

The Rezko lot next door to Obama’s home is next on the tour.

Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ is a “can’t miss.”

It’s a humorous story. Consider the following:

“While approaching the church, passengers will be entertained by some comedy. Bill Moyer’s puff interview of Wright will be playing from the video consoles on the bus.”

Here’s the map of Illinois Tourism’s people newest brainchild:

Typical of state government, it doesn’t want people to concentrate on scandals related to anyone.

Reform?

Who needs reform?

Methodist Bishop Takes Lead Against Video Slot Machines

Posted on 05/25/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2009

That was in the early 1990’s when Bishop R. Sheldon Duecker was regularly on the news exhorting Illinoisians about the evils of gambling and urging the legislature not to expand it.

So, so much more appropriate a cause to promote than his successor’s crusade to legalize homosexual marriage.

I was reminded of Duecker when I saw black ministers on TV last week urging the General Assembly not to expand gambling.

No white faces.

And, unfortunately, probably little connection to suburban viewers.

Where was the cry from the increasingly enfeebled Methodist Church?

In his February 14, 1992, column in the Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Reporter, the weekly newspaper sent to leaders in the church, Duecker says,

“The gambling devices known as video slots are particularly attractive to teenagers who have grownup on video games. Experience counselors report they are (a) particularly addictive form of gambling.

“The message teen-agers have been receiving from our culture is that gambling is not a vice, but a normal form of entertainment.

“A ‘Time’ magazine article cites that fact, along with others for the surge in gambling fever among teen-agers. The promotion of lotteries by state governments, the marketing efforts of casinos, and the example of parents and other adults also contribute to this problem.

“I have only recently become aware of the extent of this problem. Like most people, I have sat quietly while the legislators and local community councils have approved gambling for economic reasons.

“If we care at all about the quality of life in our state and in our local communities, we will become informed on this issue and say,

‘Enough is enough!’

“For the sake of the future quality of life, won’t you join me in becoming acquainted with this glamorously disguised evil and speak out against it?”

I even put together a post card that was mailed to members of the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake.

Unlike this past week, when McHenry County State Reps. Mike Tryon and Mark Beaubien, plus State Senator Pam Althoff voted for video slot machines at the corner convenience store and tavern, none supported similar proposals 17 years ago.

Since the bill is now at the stage of approval or disapproval by Governor Pat Quinn, those interested should direct their communications to him. The addresses are below:

Springfield
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0244
TTY: 888-261-3336

Chicago
Office of the Governor
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-814-2121

Click to enlarge any image.

Message of the Day – A License Plate

Posted on 05/25/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 25, 2009

What you see on the car is a World War II license plate.

More important is the man next to it.

His name is Sully (Don) Sullivan.

He lives in Wonder Lake and is a buddy of my father-in-law Vince Giangrasso.

Both spent the war in the Pacific. Because he could type, Vince spent most of the war as a supply clerk, then sergeant, in Hawaii, luckily for the family tree. Not many of the buddies he went in with came back.

Sully was a pharmacists mate on the USS Barnwell setting up MASH facilities for those making the hard landings.

“It wasn’t anything like on TV,” to put it in his words.

He lent me his photo trove and you’ll be seeing some it as we approach the REAL Memorial Day.

But let me add one more thing Sully told me last week.

He was selling poppies on Thompson Road and raised a lot of money.

A young woman stopped her car and said,

“Thank you.”

“Thanks for what?” Sully replied.

“Thank you for serving our country,” she replied.

“You know,” Sully told me, “That was the first time in 50 years anyone has thanked me.”

So, when you see a Vet today, regardless of what war, thank him or her.

I think it’s probably been sixty, not fifty years since Sully was mustered out, but whose counting?

Click to enlarge any image.

Althoff Crossing Gate Camera Bill Passes

Posted on 05/24/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2009

First it was red light cameras.

Now a bill in which McHenry County State Senator Pam Althoff is the top joint sponsor would allow counties and municipalities to establish “automated enforcement of railroad crossing violations.”

When I first skimmed the legislation, I was imagining how angry commuters would be getting a ticket making a last minute dash to get the train.

They’d find out what drivers on Randall Road have discovered in Lake in the Hills and Algonquin.

But, reading the bill more carefully, I discovered, the cameras would only target cars driving around closed railroad gates.

That makes a lot more sense, although I can’t imagine how there would be enough violators to pay for the rental of the cameras.

The bill is Senate Bill 148.

The Skunk, the Meerkats and the Elephant – Part 3

Posted on 05/24/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2009

McHenry County Blog has previously written about newly sworn-in Grafton Township Trustee Gerald McMahon’s argument that borrowing over $5 million to build a new town hall is really not worth talking about.

He argued that the size of the township hall’s cost in comparison with the rest of people’s property tax bills was like comparing a meerkat to an elephant.

I have discussed how bad this analogy is from both my son’s—the meerkat lover’s—viewpoint and suggesting taxpayers should be hunting the Republican Party’s symbol. After all, every member of the Grafton Township Board is a Republican.

Yesterday, I explained how seeking to force Grafton Township taxpayers to pay an additional $5 million was the direct result of

Taxing to the Max

That is not what I want to see in elected officials who profess to be Republicans.

Speaking of which, I missed writing a story on the 325th day since Mayor Aaron Shepley’s 75% city sales tax hike took effect. That was three days ago. Shepley, you may remember, is a Republican precinct committeeman in his neighborhood and was appointed vice chairman of “Community Outreach” by McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon. (No, I won’t make a comment about how he and the all-Republican Crystal Lake City Council–except Jeff Thorsen–are reaching into Crystal Lake shoppers’ pockets every day.)

I continue to think that is such a strange message to send.

But back to the meerkats and elephants.

I suggested yesterday that McMahon’s argument is one that could and should be made in a referendum campaign.

But McMahon and the other township trustees obviously don’t trust the voters.

Otherwise they would instruct the Township Clerk Dina Frigo to file the citizen petition requesting one with the McHenry County Clerk.

And, that leads to the skunk.

The skunk stinking up the Grafton Township political arena is the refusal of the township board majority’s to seek voter approval before bull elephanting ahead.

A skunk is about the same size as a meerkat.

And, if you had a skunk in your home, you’d want to get rid of it.

The evidence of voter dissatisfaction of the way the township officials are trying to shove this township office building through without a referendum is contained in the defeat of Township Supervisor John Rossi by Linda Moore.

While Moore only won the Republican primary election by 30 votes, her efforts did elect McMahon, whether he wants to admit it or not.

Having 50% of one’s electorate dissatisfied with what one is doing—or at least the way one is doing it—should be enough to convince any rational set of public officials to change direction.

At least as far as giving their voters a say at the ballot box.

To ignore this skunk could have repercussions that township officials, whether in Grafton Township or nearby, might live to regret.

It is possible to abolish township government through a citizen-initiated referendum.

If someone contacts an attorney to draw up a township abolition petition and, then, gets 500 signatures, in the present “in your face” atmosphere epitomized by Gerry McMahon’s performance Thursday night, Grafton Township government could be toast.

And someone’s political career, based on stopping waste in government, would be launched.

This is a perfect opportunity for local Democrats, but I’m not willing to bet that they will pick up the ball and reach the County Clerk’s filling goal line.

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The skunk was found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources web site. Gerry McMahon’s picture was taken while he was trying to convince annual town meeting electors to vote to approve a new township building.

Message of the Day – The Side of an Apartment Building

Posted on 05/24/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 24, 2009

Bet you have never seen anything like this before.

When we down at the Old State Capitol Art Fair in Springfield last weekend, we saw this sign on the side of an apartment building across from a grade school north on Fifth Street.

It says,

JESUS
IS
LORD

I doubt an apartment building owner could get away with that in Crystal Lake.

Certainly, Herb Franks and his law firm are being hassled by county government for a religious message on the office facade.

Minority-Dominated, Failing Elgin School District U-46 Could Gain $10 Million a Year from SB 2283 , Will Mike Madigan Call It?

Posted on 05/23/2009 by Cal SkinnerMay 23, 2009

Elgin has the second largest Illinois school district. In the 1970’s I used to represent it.

Today it has the distinction of having all five of its high schools in failure mode.

And because of an overlapping tax district problem that allowed a clerical mistake, it will lose about $10 million in State Aid to Education next year.

Will Democratic Party State Reps. Keith Farnham and Fred Crespo and Senator Mike Noland let this opportunity slip through their fingers or seize the day, so to speak?

The bill that would do the trip is Senate Bill 2283 and former Huntley School Board member Larry Snow has made a persuasive case for how Democrats should help U-46 get the millions in state aid it would otherwise be receiving, if the technical fix in SB 2283 is passed.

Of course the bill would help Huntley School District 158, too, to the tune of $2 million a year.

State Senator Pam Althoff is the sponsor of the bill, which has yet to receive a “No” vote.

The article under which Snow commented announced that House sponsor Republican State Rep. Mike Tryon had agreed not to seek past State Aid to Education that has been lost.

Snow posted comments to the Daily Herald story that mentioned SB 2283.

Elgin-area Republicans may have a large potential campaign issue if the House Democratic Party leadership lets this bill die on the floor without its being called to a vote.

Snow is hoping the political powers wake up soon enough to realize the information that an Illinois State Board of Education staffer gave the House leadership failed to mention the huge injustice to the 25,000 minority students in U-46, 15,000 of whom are Hispanic.

When I contacted Snow he said,

“It’s ridiculous this bureaucrat from the State Board of Education may make Democrat leaders and politicians look like real jackasses by killing this bill and not allowing a vote on the House floor.

“I have met her, listened to her and anyone who listened to her committee testimony recently should be able to tell she is off the deep end wanting to preserve this injustice and not disclosing the ongoing impact to the State’s second largest school district.”

Snow’s comments in the Daily Herald are below:

posted by Larry Snow on Sat May 23, 2009 10:37 AM

Here is the amendment to SB2283 Amend Senate Bill 2283 on page 3, line 3,

“after ‘5%’, by inserting ‘and only those adjustments made after Tax Year 2008-2009 and payable in School Year 2009-2010 are eligible for a claim for reimbursement under this paragraph.’”

It is a fix for year after year, not a one-year fix. The immediate impact on U-46 is about 10 million dollars with no approval.

Superintendent Torres has been informed this has a huge impact for his school district.

Let’s see what he does about it, if anything, to prevent more cuts and help the students. Over the past years U-46 lost about 50 million in State aid.

Congrats to Sen. Michael Noland for becoming a chief co-sponsor.

Now let’s see him fight to get what’s right done within his own party.

What good are you if you can’t get a technical correction fix that is huge for your district?

Which Chicago democrat would let this abuse continue for the Chicago Public schools? Go get ’em.

The local teachers union and school board have been snoozing on this for years.

Residents need your leadership, Sen. Noland. What House Democrats are going to help you get it passed?

posted by Larry Snow on Sat May 23, 2009 11:54 AM

U-46’s teachers’ union leaders and board members need to get out of snooze mode and beat the drums to get SB2283 passed. They should be in uproar over about 50 million being lost in the past because of a technical error.

If Speaker Madigan will let it be voted on in the House, after easily passing in the Senate, then U-46 will get the state aid funding it is being deprived of because of technical errors that need fixing.

Where is the Hispanic caucus in the House? Why aren’t they out in front to help their own on this bill? The fiscal office in U-46 should have been all over this, years ago. I am hoping Superintendent Torres has the guts and brains to go out and get this bill passed. It is H U G E for U-46.

Jesse Ruiz, chair of the State Board of Education should do something about one of ISBE’s employees, Toni Wagner making it her personal “job” and mission to prevent SB2283 and U-46 from recovering and receiving the millions of State Aid it rightfully deserves.

Wagner has opposed SB2283. which would help over 15,000 Hispanic students in U-46 by making a technical fix in the law. Anyone think if Wagner was Gonzalez there would be cooperation, not opposition?

posted by Larry Snow on Sat May 23, 2009 1:06 PM

Speaker Madigan was a true leader in getting referendum reform legislation passed in the past. He saw the injustice to taxpayers and got it fixed. I have praised him and the Democrats in the past for doing this and it is praise well deserved.

I disagree with any Republican sentiments to not press hard for SB2283 and let it fail because they can then potentially use its failure as a future political campaign issue.

It is a huge injustice U-46 has five out of five failing high schools for five years in a row (last time I looked) and they are being underfunded by millions in state aid because of a technical glitch in the School Code.

Speaker Madigan and Jesse Ruiz aren’t involved at this level of detail.

Good House Democrats voted it out of committee in spite of an underling ISBE employee ranting against doing so to the House committee. I didn’t need to be physically present in Springfield for that committee hearing. The committee hearing was transmitted on the internet. (continued in next comment)

posted by Larry Snow on Sat May 23, 2009 1:50 PM

If Republican legislators are afraid of publicly calling out an ISBE employee for preventing an injustice from being corrected, I am not. The injustice needs to be corrected and there’s not a lot of time left for more patty-cake politics that let’s an ISBE bureaucrat perpetuate a real injustice to the second largest school district in the State.

If this gets this injustice the publicity it deserves so it gets corrected, great. It doesn’t matter how much Wagner may be right about anything else in the past. Her opposition speaking for ISBE to SB2283 is as wrong as underfunding five out of five failing high schools in Illinois’ second largest school district.

I am hopeful if Speaker Madigan and his office get the correct information and facts and don’t rely on the biased opinion of an underling ISBE employee, the injustice to over 15,000 Hispanic students will get corrected. Properly funding education is a Democrat mantra. I am hopeful Speaker Madigan will stop the abuse and injustice once he knows that’s what is going on.

posted by Larry Snow on Sat May 23, 2009 3:43 PM

Superintendent Torres may want to direct someone in U-46’s fiscal office to take the fifteen minutes it takes to make the calculation showing the loss of state aid SB2283 will fix and get the facts straightened out with someone in Speaker Madigan’s office. Hopefully Mr. Ruiz, chair of the Illinois State Board of Education will also make sure the correct facts get to Speaker Madigan’s office.

The Democrats, with Speaker Madigan’s leadership, need to right this technical flaw wrong that is disadvantaging so many Hispanic children in U-46.

25,000 minority (including 15,000 Hispanic) children shouldn’t be receiving erroneous second rate funding because they are in second largest school district in Illinois.

Democrat leaders wouldn’t tolerate this for the largest school district in Illinois and shouldn’t tolerate this for the second largest as well.

Especially when it is on the floor of the House to pass the legislature.

Governor Quinn needs to be heard on whether he supports this technical fix in SB2283 that will help 25,000 minority children get a better education.

Even if Governor Quinn stays silent on helping these children, Speaker Madigan should make sure SB2283 is passed.

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In the photo on top newly elected State Rep. Keith Farnham (D-Elgin) was talking to Carpentersville School District 300 Chief Technology Officer Eric Willard. The head shot at the bottom is of Larry Snow.