From the Lake in the Hills Police:
Reply
From Algonqun Township’s Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky:
For my entire career, I have worked to advance reproductive freedom. I will always remember the horrifying story of my friend’s back-alley abortion pre-Roe v. Wade. Roe was not the beginning of women having abortions, it was the end of women dying from abortions.
Last week, the Arizona Supreme Court gave the go-ahead to enforce an antiquated law that bans nearly all abortions in the state. This cruel ban was first enacted in 1864—more than 150 years ago, before Arizona was even a state and well before women had secured the right to vote.
For me, the fight to protect reproductive freedom is about ensuring that everyone has access to the health care they need, regardless of their income or where they live. In Illinois, abortions remain legal, but the overturning of Roe has dramatically impacted our providers. Planned Parenthood of Illinois reported a 54% increase in patients seeking abortions since Roe was overturned and has seen patients travel from 38 states to get the care they need.
I will always defend Americans’ fundamental right to health care. As important as opening new clinics in pro-abortion states and recruiting additional providers is right now, it is not the long-term solution. We need to pass federal legislation to codify bodily autonomy. When we fight, we win!
Schakowsky Introduces Legislation to Make Wealthy Corporations Pay Fair Share
As corporations continue to rake in record profits, many families are struggling to put food on the table. I introduced the Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to help put the interests of everyday Americans ahead of billionaires and transnational corporations.
We live in the richest country in the world, yet many Americans are unable to feel the magnitude of our wealth. Thanks to President Joe Biden. we are growing the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, but we must go even further. To read more about my bill, click here.
Student Debt Relief Initiative
My Congressional Progressive Caucus colleagues and I have made student debt cancellation a priority in Congress. That is why I am excited to share that President Joe Biden announced a major new initiative.
If you have taken out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years, ALL of your debt will be canceled.
That is right — your loan balance could go down to zero.
To get that relief and other options for major monthly reductions to your loan payments, you need to be enrolled in the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. This is the same plan that ensures no borrower who makes less than $15 an hour will have to make any student loan payments. It will also make sure that interest does not pile up and increase your debt amount, and that your spouse’s income can’t be used to drive up your payment amount.
Sign up for the SAVE Plan today so you get this relief before your next payment is due
From the Lake in the Hills Police:
From The Center Square:
Measure requiring 120-day notice of local media sales passes Illinois Senate
(The Center Square) – A measure prohibiting local news organizations from selling to out-of-state buyers without 120 days written notice of the sale to the state and their employees has passed the Illinois Senate.
State Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, said in an effort to address what he said is a shrinking local media landscape, Illinois should pass the “Strengthening Community Media Act” found in Senate Bill 3592. One element of the bill requires 120-day written notice to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the company’s employees if a local media outlet is looking to sell.
“Private equity firms are coming and buying newspapers, consolidating them until they provide very little local news content with no local journalist and sometimes those newsrooms are shut down as what happened in southern Illinois not that long ago,” Stadelmand said Wednesday.
State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, argued the bill has nothing to do with hedge funds and could actually backfire, crippling local media.
A local media owner “has to go out and disclose to the world four months in advance that he’s thinking about selling it. He has to open up his employees and his advertisers to being poached, and it destroys the value of his business,” Plummer said.
Plummer said Stadelman’s bill doesn’t say anything about hedge funds. Instead, he said, it could cause a media outlet to be devalued.
“For that four months, when employees leave and advertisers leave … the value of that property will go down. The value of that business will go down. So our local media will be sold to hedge funds at a cheaper price because of this piece of legislation.”
The measure, which also creates a journalism scholarship program through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, can now be sent to the Illinois House. [Emhasis added.]
From a Friend of McHenry County Blog comes this smokeless fire in Johnsburg:
From Steve Koerber comes this obituary of McHenry community leader Ned Newman:
Edward J. (Ned) Neumann, Jr.
Ned passed away peacefully at his home on April 14, 2024.
He was born on April 24, 1943 in Toledo, Ohio to Edward J. Sr. and Marie Neumann. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Karl. He is survived by his brother James (Jim), his nieces Tracie (Steven) Bock, Jennifer (David) Faust, and nephews Christopher Neumann and Bryan Neumann.
After graduating from University of Toledo he was hired by United Airlines as a pilot, which brought him to the Chicago area.
He moved to the town of McHenry, Illinois in 1970.
He knew that when he went to look at a house on Country Club Drive and had to wait for a family of ducks to waddle across the road that McHenry was the place for him.
Ned was a Pilot for United Airlines for 37 years.
He was very involved with the town of McHenry and looked out for neighbors and friends.
He dined out at local restaurants where everyone knew him and he always left tips in his signature two-dollar bills.
Signifying his involvement in community, he was a member of the Board of Education for the McHenry Community High School District #156 for 18 years and elected to the board six times and President of the Board for 9 years, President of the McHenry Country Club Subdivision Association for 40 years, President of the McHenry County non-dedicated roads association for 10 years, the longest serving member (23 years) of the McHenry Riverwalk foundation, past President of the City of McHenry Economic Development Corp., 12-year member of the Board of Directors of the Family Service and Community Mental Health Center for McHenry County.
Ned was also a member and past President of the McHenry County Enterprise Club.
With a never-ending curiosity and enthusiasm for projects, he was the proud owner of a train Caboose, a Duck (DUKW) boat and two houseboats.
He was an avid Bridge and Poker player and enjoyed the conviviality of the regular gatherings.
A true original, he was known for his funny and insightful ‘Nedisms’.
Ned was a great friend and also a mentor and father figure to many.
He will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Life gathering is being planned for the near future and all that knew The Ned
will be warmly invited.
As Ned would say – That Is All.
= = = = =
I think I met Ned when McHenry West High School was dedicated.
Through the years even after I was State Representative, we kept in touch.
He was deeply involved with trying to defeat McHenry Township Road Commissioner for re-election. In that effort, he failed.
It was his turn to come to lunch in Crystal Lake.
Fromthe Woodstock Police:
Frmom the Crystal Lake Police:
From theU.S. Attorney:
Chicago Chiropractor Convicted of Federal Health Care Fraud Charges
CHICAGO — A Chicago chiropractor has been convicted of federal health care fraud charges for billing a private insurer for nonexistent services.
CLARENCE W. BROWN III owned and operated Dr. CB3 Wellness, Inc. and Apex Integrated Medical Center, Ltd. in Chicago.
From 2016 to 2020, Brown submitted fraudulent claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for purported health care services that Brown knew were not actually provided to patients.
Some of the fraudulent claims were for services purportedly provided on dates when Brown was not in Illinois.
Brown prepared false patient medical records and other documents to support his fraudulent claims.
Brown billed BCBS approximately $1.3 million for services purportedly provided to members of two families that were not actually provided, and, as a result, fraudulently obtained approximately $750,000 from the carrier.
After a two-week trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago, a jury on April 12, 2024, convicted Brown, 48, of Chicago, on all nine health care fraud counts against him.
Each count is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge John F. Kness set sentencing for July 23, 2024.
The conviction was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Misty N. Wright and Andréa L. Campbell.
Below is Israeli’s response as of April 18, 2024:
I was glued to my TV set last night watching blasts in the sky above Israel.
Let’s tell what you would do if you were in charge of Israeli foreign policy?
Follow Joe Biden’s advice and call the protection from 99% of the drones and missiles “a win.”
Use the attack as an excuse to take out Iran’s nuclear faciliies.
PUll out of Gaza.
Something in between.
= = = = =
UPDATE 1: CYBER ATTACK?
April 17, 2024
Here’s a thoughtful analysis by Mark Levie.
He concludes, “If Israel wants, it can effectively shut down Iran’s military, civilian, and economic sectors.”
Of recent note, he says Israel shot down virtually all the gas stations in Iran.
From State Rep. Jeff Keicher:
Roadside Trash Problem Headed for the Dump as Rep. Keicher Bill Unanimously Passes IL House
SPRINGFIELD – The sight of trash blowing off waste-hauling trucks headed to landfills has become an all-too-common sight.
Besides the unsightly nature of blowing trash, it has raised safety and environmental concerns for many communities, as well as caused damage to local farmers’ operations and their fields.
State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) has spent more than a year working with local officials throughout the 70th House District to increase enforcement of current law and develop new policy proposals to help stop the problem.
Today, Keicher’s latest proposal to address the trash problem, House Bill 4848, sailed through the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously and is now headed to the State Senate for consideration.
Keicher stressed the frustration he and community members have had with this issue, “For years, I’ve been frustrated with the trash that’s been windblown from waste haulers going from transfer stations to landfills through our communities.
“Besides the litter problem, trash blowing off waste trucks is a safety hazard, and it is damaging local farmers’ fields and equipment.
“House Bill 4848 will help us curb the problem by strengthening the current requirement for how waste hauling trucks must cover their loads, as well as holding the companies accountable through an updated violation and fine process.”
Current law places nominal fines on the truck driver for not having their load properly secured and debris flying off.
Through Keicher’s legislation, the truck driver is now liable for a minimum $150 fine per violation and it adds fines of $150 per violation for the trucking company that owns the trailer, and it also creates a process for the fines collected to be distributed to local governments to pay for clean-up when necessary.
Speaking about the issue back in December, DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Sullivan, whose department has stepped up enforcement efforts of current law had this to say:
“Trash blowing from garbage haulers is a major problem, particularly for our farmers,” said Sullivan.
“Not only are farmers forced to invest extra time and resources to clean up the debris, but the debris, particularly plastics, is damaging their equipment.
“While our increased enforcement of current law has helped, it’s going to require a change in policy to get this problem under control, and we appreciate the work of Rep. Keicher to help us solve this problem and reduce the harm it’s causing.”
Also speaking about the issue in December was a local farmer and Vice President of the Kane County Farm Bureau, Dale Pitstick, who has expressed similar concerns.
“On a daily basis, I see trash fly off waste trucks as they pass by my fields. It’s very disheartening to see the litter covering the landscape,” said Pitstick. “
‘The trash is getting into our water supply, which is obviously concerning, and many of us have had to till our fields again in the fall to prevent damage to our equipment.
“The current law simply isn’t doing enough, but hopefully bringing some more awareness to the problem can help make a change.”
Now that HB 4848 has passed through the House unanimously, Keicher is hopeful the legislation will receive a similarly high level of support in the State Senate and quickly be sent to the Governor for his signature.
Rep. Keicher serves the 70th District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry Counties. For more information about HB 4848 or Rep. Keicher, visit RepKeicher.com.
Reprinted from the Daily Herald with permission of its author State Rep. Marty McLaughlin:
Intentions may be good, but city, state policies aren’t fixing migrant crisis
By State Rep. Martin McLaughlin
Chicago may be the Windy City, but lately it is becoming known as the “WIBI City.”
WIBI stands for Well-Intentioned Bad Ideas.
And Chicago is working overtime to corner the market on well-intentioned bad ideas.
The most recent example of WIBI-ism is the insane decision by the City of Chicago to attempt to solve the entire country’s immigration problems.
Like all well-intentioned bad ideas, Chicago’s immigration policies are based on the foolish notion that simply throwing taxpayer money at a problem is a cure-all.
Chicago, Cook County and the State of Illinois have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on programs and services for people — many who have come to Illinois illegally — and all they have managed to do is to make Illinois an even more attractive destination for undocumented immigrants.
The idea that Chicago can solve the immigration crisis is as absurd as trying to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool using a teaspoon.
Chicago is not equipped to solve this problem and should not even try.
And the results bear this out, as the experiment to date has been a colossal failure.
Beyond the fiscal concerns (which are substantial), the city’s immigration policies have created an unprecedented healthcare crisis.
There are at least 56 documented cases of measles that have put public transportation and even some schools in jeopardy.
We are also now being informed about cases of tuberculosis springing up.
Instead of being open and honest about what is happening, Chicago leaders have attempted to conceal the full extent of the health concerns and have refused to require kids at migrant shelters to get vaccinated.
The MMR vaccine and TB shots would stop the spread of these diseases, but the rights of people here illegally trump the rights of citizens in the eyes of the confederacy of dunces running the WIBI City.
During the pandemic, schools were shut down and when in-person learning returned, our kids were forced to wear masks all day, every day.
And it was not just kids who had to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
If you wanted to go to a bar and enjoy a beverage, then you needed to show your vaccine papers before even being allowed into the establishment.
Vaccines and masks were mandatory for citizens, but come to our state illegally, and the rules no longer apply.
And now, the mayor is advocating for work permits for the undocumented immigrants in our state and demanding even more of our tax dollars to cover the escalating costs associated with their care.
It is time to stop trying to solve problems we can’t solve.
The desire to care for undocumented illegal immigrants may be well-intentioned, but our response to this crisis is the very essence of a bad idea.
It is time to end the Sanctuary State and Sanctuary City policies.
It is time for our leaders to demand that the federal government secure our borders.
The actions taken to house, clothe and feed undocumented and illegal immigrants fails to address the problems we are facing in a meaningful way. These short-term solutions are simply not sustainable.
We are bleeding resources at an alarming rate without even asking if what we are doing is making a difference.
Worse, a television news report found a disturbing lack of transparency about the costs the city is paying.
After reviewing one four-week billing by a company employing 400 workers on a contract to provide migrant services, the report speculated that taxpayer money could be paying the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year per employee.
How is putting people in shelters where they are being exposed to measles and other diseases and not vaccinating them a humane solution to the immigration crisis?
We are hurting not only the very people our leaders are trying to help, we’re hurting everyone else as well.
Let’s end the Well-Intentioned Bad Ideas and develop sensible, workable policies that can lead to manageable and realistic long-term solutions instead of the disastrous short-term fixes that are helping no one.
From Stephen Moore’s Unleash Prosperity Hotline #1000:
Democrats in Pennsylvania House Allow Member to Vote Remote as He Flees Warrant for His Arrest
What is it about Pennsylvania? T
hey keep electing eccentric people like Fetterman to high positions of power.
Here’s the latest bizarro story.
Kevin Boyle, a Philadelphia Democrat has gone missing after a warrant was issued for his arrest over his violating a protection from abuse order.
Boyle, who is suffering from a mental health condition, had his security privileges revoked by House Democrats two months ago, but they have continued to “ghost vote” for him using a remote voting policy that was designed only to be used during COVID.
House Republicans say that while a warrant is out for Boyle’s arrest, he should be put on leave.
Instead, on Wednesday the missing Rep. Boyle was allowed to “ghost vote” to let the Democratic Speaker keep voting on behalf of a fugitive from justice.
The Democrats need his vote because they only have a one seat majority in the House.
This all sounds like a clear “danger to democracy” tactic that the left love to accuse conservatives of. Next thing you know Boyle will be chosen as the Democratic nominee for the other PA United States Senate seat.
From State Senator Dave Syverson:
Senate Advances Legislation to Stop Governments from Charging Property Tax Penalties to Deceased Individuals
Senate Republican lawmakers have advanced legislation to alleviate the financial burdens placed on families dealing with unforeseen property tax penalties in the wake of a loved one’s passing.
Currently, even when a person has passed away, governments may still be charging their estate with interest and penalties for property taxes, leaving grieving families with unexpected expenses.
Senate Bill 2832 would allow for the estate of a deceased individual to apply for a waiver with the county treasurer that would prevent interest and penalties from being charged on delinquent property taxes.
Passed the Senate on April 9, Senate Bill 2832 now awaits action in the House of Representatives.
From the Salem Radio Network:
After serving as Chief Deputy McHenry County Treasurer under Bill LeFew, Glenda Miller ran for the office upon his retirement.
She won the 2014 Republican Primary over County Board member Jeff Thorsen.
Miller served until her retirement in 2022.
Today, she succumbed.
“She was a dear friend, McHenry County Republican Chairman Jeff Thorsen wrote.
” Donna [Kurtz] and I were planning to visit her today.
“She always attended Republican fundraisers.
“I will miss her.”
From the Sheriff’s Department:
Final Investigation of Inmate Deaths
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office recently received the final investigations of the in-custody deaths of
- Sean Grendel,
- Randy Little, and
- Timothy Mumford.
Each investigation was conducted by the Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT) and reviewed by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
In each of these cases, the State’s Attorney declined to file charges.
We’d like to extend our gratitude to the State’s Attorney’s Office, McHenry County Coroner, and members of MIAT for their assistance in completing these investigations.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office empathizes with members of our community and the families affected by these losses. The Sheriff’s Office is committed to the health and safety of each inmate and is confident in our Corrections Officers’ ability to maintain a safe environment.
The Sheriff’s Office receives guidance on best practices through the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) standards and American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditation standards.
The Sheriff’s Office’s own policies and procedures, as well as the training and professionalism of our Corrections Officers, ensure that these standards are met or exceeded.
If you’d like to review Sheriff’s Office’s procedures, you can find them here: https://public.powerdms.com/MCSO1/tree.
In the case of any inmate death, an investigation by an independent agency is always conducted. McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team has been called to act as the independent agency in recent events.
Details are not released until MIAT, in conjunction with the Coroner’s Office and the State’s Attorney’s Office, concludes the investigation. Information on Colton Sabo’s death is pending the conclusion of the investigation.
From the Lake in the Hills Police:
From Johnsburg Village President Edwin P. Hettermann:
Letter from Village President Hettermann – Spring 2024
Dear Johnsburg Residents and Business Owners,
Although we were spoiled with a mild winter this past year, it’s always refreshing to welcome the longer days and warmer weather that comes with the spring season. It feels great to be out working in the yard and soon we will be enjoying baseball games and backyard barbecues with family and friends. With the end of the school year growing near, children are eager to get outside, ride their bikes and play in the parks. Please be mindful of this and slow down and travel cautiously.
Food Truck
I’m pleased to report that the Johnsburg Food Truck event has returned, beginning tonight! The event takes place every Wednesday night from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.at the Johnsburg Community Club/Rescue Squad Park grounds. Thank you to Dave and Linda Winiarski for again coordinating the event. Come out with your family and join friends and neighbors for some great food, entertainment and outdoor fun. Go to Johnsburg Food Trucks for more information.
Pistakee Yacht Club
I would like to provide an update regarding the ongoing litigation brought by the Pistakee Yacht Club against the Village. On March 28th, the Village held a meeting with representatives of the Yacht Club in an effort to reach an amicable resolution to the conflict that has been going on for more than a year.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to key items that would be incorporated into an agreement.
The agreement was provided by the Village to the Yacht Club shortly thereafter and we were advised that some minor revisions were being made and would be provided to the Village by last Friday, April 12, 2024.
Disappointingly, no response has been received from the Yacht Club to date.
We realize what both the Pistakee Yacht Club and Community Sailing School bring to our community and wish to preserve their heritage and future however we have a responsibility to enforce ordinances and protect all of our residents from being adversely impacted by the misuse of property.
We have repeatedly expressed our willingness to work with the Yacht Club and hope that the matter can be resolved without the Village being drawn further into the litigation.
Golf Cart Registration
The warmer weather brings out non-highway vehicle enthusiasts. If you have not already done so, please make certain to renew your non-highway vehicle license plates to avoid costly fines. Also familiarize yourself with the Village’s non-highway vehicle regulations and the roads and paths on which non-highway vehicles are permitted. Regulations will be strictly enforced and citations will be issued to violators.
Farmer’s Market
The Markets of Remington Farm will also be hosting their monthly farmer’s market for a second year on the first Saturday of each month beginning May 4th. The event takes place at the corner of Chapel Hill Road and Reed Avenue next to Prem Magnetics from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thank you Josh and Sarah Hagen for bringing us this event. Go to Remington Farm (remington-farm.com) for more information.
Building Permits
We are already experiencing an increase in building permit activity. If you are planning to pursue a project this year, make certain to check to see if a building permit is necessary. Also check with the building department before ordering materials. We often encounter residents that purchase fence panels and sheds that do not meet Village ordinances. Don’t assume that your contractor knows the regulations, contact the Building Department at 815-385-6023 or at building@johnsburg.org before you commit.
With the increase in travel during the warmer weather months, I again remind you that vehicles are prohibited from turning left off of Fairview Avenue onto Chapel Hill Road. We continue to see travelers completely disregard the many signs instructing them not to turn left. The site distance at the intersection is limited and the restriction was put into place to avoid accidents. In the interest of public safety, our police department will be actively enforcing this regulation and citations will be issued so please adhere to the restriction.
Make sure to watch for eBlasts with more information regarding the annual Memorial Day Parade, Party in the Burg and other fun-filled events planned for the summer. I look forward to seeing you there.
From the Lake in the Hills Police:
