Preservation Focus 2002 Was the Most Productive in County History, Evans Said

The five-year period ending in Preservation focus 2002 was the most productive in county history, Evans said. Kane County has invested at least $14million to benefit his- By William Presecky toric buildings, programs and Tribune staff reporter heritage tourism, board Chair- man Mike McCoy said, about Unlikely as it is to spawn a tit- $11 million of it from riverboat illating movie-plot, as in the funds. current movie "Calendar Sincereceiving its first allot- Girls," Kane County's 2004 pic- ment from the Elgin casino in torial calendar nevertheless of- 1997, Kane County has accepted fers an exposé of sorts. -. and doled out about $74 million The calendar features a doz- in riverboat grants, primarily en of the most prominent pres- for capital projects that benefit ervation projects the county the environment, economic de- has underwritten in the last velopment or education. several years, in part by uti- Inmaking its funding deci- lizing millions of dollars in riv- sions, the County Board early erboat casino revenue. on defined historic preserva- Since 1997 Kane County has tion as having an educational invested more than $14 million benefit, McCoy said, in a campaign to preserve its "And we consider farmland heritage that may be the most protection as historic preserva- ambitious in the state in scope tion," he said. and size, according to Julia Like . the 2002 calendar, Evans, the county's preserva- McCoy said, the 2004 offering is tion planner. intended spread public aware- "As far as counties go, there ness. probably isn't any in Illinois "We don't do a county news- that has given more than Kane letter or anything like that. We County," Evans said. thought this would be a good The county is using a calen- way to showcase the preserva- dar to illustrate its point, as it tion projects we've done. Some- did two years ago in touting its times it isn't until you actually rural Rustic Roads volunteer list them out or put them to- program. This calendar depicts gether that you realize how im- some of the "bricks and mor- pressive it is." tar" preservation funded since Among the landmarks fea- 1997. About 15,000 copies are tured in the new calendar are available at the county govern- the Plato Center and Wasco ment center in Geneva and oth- train depots; the Mongerson er locations. and Fidler farms; the Beith, The Kane County Board, Benton, Bliss, Peaslee and Far- along with several organiza- ley houses; the Batavia Depot tions, has accomplished much Museum; Eakin and Center- preservation with the aid of vile Schools; the Fox River profit-sharing funds from the Trolley Museum; Big Rock Gra- Grand Victoria casino in Elgin. nary; and Teeple Barn. 1• 2 0oE © h Cd C a 'Q00 C4= flihhIPP C- a' b10

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21, was convicted in October Courts after a 10-day trial of at- Continued from page 1 tempted murder, animal tor- lure and other offenses for a 8. rampage in 2000 that terror- •2 ao& Joseph Flauschild, 19. was 2 sentenced on May 28 to 65 ized Elgin and Carpentei-sville. Edwardsen, who joked 0 ,?t'°'PP OflC years in Allahk C, that he was the "hatchet man' 0;(50a) prison for a and 2001 home committing the ax knife TAW 0. attacks on OØ invasion o flo -2 and shoot- , 9b0 ing or an 2 C executive at Del nor- ti;and C 0 m m - up unity Hospital in H1iiifl Geneva. Hauschild LT Haus- sentenced o..o€tt child and Ethan Warden, 18, this month. had planned to steal $10,000 Ramsey Edwardsen that they thought was in the won a set- - Pli home and move to New York tiementin a national class-ac- .2 tion lawsuit against Poland Cityto becomerockmusicians. ai.5 Warden pleaded guilty and tes- Spring Water Co., which he -u•c . Cl sued Aug. 20. The agreement .cSflo.; tified against Hauschild in ex- awards the sheriff $12,000 and -iag change for a 12-year sentence, 2 . - - On Sept 24, former St his attorneys $1.39 million. ' Et Charles Police Chief Don Shaw A drunken brawl erupted j. sued the city. Mayor Sue during a Mexican Rodeo at the lQinkhamer. and City Kane County Fairgrounds on ist4co'5°'S Administrator Larry Mah- Sept 16, when a man lode a ollantt claiming that he was horse onto a packed dance floor fired because he refused to and was at- cover up illegal activities by tacked bYI';I friends ofthemayotThe caseis the crowd. pending in U.S. District Court Pour people -C in Chicago ______were ar- and Shaw ' - rested and remains on seven others injured. the police .' SW force as a lisle L I.'.?. sergeant Undesser, .- 4'w Steven 35, of West w ilEDtVI W Marc- Chicago. Undesser =Ei2'-.RA4 inkowski,41, - was charged - Dec. 2 with theft andforgeiyfor C CJ of 1-lamp- 8 shim falsely claiming that her 7-year- • a sent to Maminkowsia old son was dying of cancer. 25 years in Undesser received money C cd o,n C't a) C pdsononNov23forttiggetinga Md. gifts in a: campaign aflK E-S6fl shoot-out with a Kane County launched on the boys behalf before the scheme was un- covered in late October, when E HI !'fl ofaloopholeinstatelaw. people, wondered why Kane County Sheriff Ken Undesser's son did not die. And a Kane County coro- 0) C) Ramsey called the sentence a "travesty and state Rep. ner's. jury determined that Tim Schmitz, R-Batavia, said Craig M. Petropoulos. 36, of 'Elgin, became lodged in an a) .5a) ,..'ri.11e that would enhance all open window and suffocated Illinois penalties for crimes on Oct. 28 when a drug- and C-., against police, nlcohoPflieled burglary at- ZJ - U Edward W Edwardsen Jr., tempt turned into a death trap.

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tai Bill ehromde Page Looking back;. and forward • Iwas looking back on the columns I later debunked, of mismanagement -wrote in 2003, and i was surprised at how against West. West had better find his many of those stories are left unresolved footing soon and go on the offense. You as we start anew year. Today I'd like to can't fight effectively itthe other guy has take another look at the unfinished you off-balance, but that's exactly where business that will have a real effect on Hickrod has put him. 2004. In the process, maybe we can make Moving from politics, there are other a prediction or two as well. - major issues left unresolved from last 2004 is an election year, so brace year. One of the biggest is CornEd's giant yourselves. With the two highest offices in power towers; even though the towers are the county open, the campaign season no longer planned for Randall Road, the that started last summer will hit high gear project is very much alive. The question over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, now is where will it pop up. this means the mudslinging also is about The last anyone heard, ComM had to.start . . shifted the towers from Randall to Kirk The fit stncdlpredict as getting down; Road, but I've yet to see a drawing or map and dirty is the primary battle to become that shows exactly where these things are the Republican candidate for chairman of supposed to go. In any setting they're still the Kane County Board. Already one ugly as sin, so expect a fight when the political operative is trying to label Karen details become clear. McConnaughay a "liberal" and is.. The Batavia dam issue has to be describing the contest as being for "the resolved this year, but I'll be darned if! heart and soul of the Republican Party" know whom to trust onhis one. I know It's a toss-up which claim is more I'm not the only person to feel this way laughable, but when this is just the it's common when you have dueling openiig salvo, look for future experts supporting totally opposing pronouncements to be even more off the views. However, I lean toward fixing the wall. old dam for the simple reason that we I expect opponents of the only other know what the river and surrounding candidate in the race, Dave Rickert, to shoreline is like with a dam. We don't stop giving him a pass and start attacking. know for certain, and neither do the Rickert's campaign, under-funded and experts, what it will be like without one. understaffed, is due for a rude awakening The push for a municipally owned and into the real world of rough-and-tumble operated broadband system by a vocal, politics. dedicated minority didn't show any signs Despite several other names on the of lessening last year, and it's doubtful ballot, the Republican prirriary race for they'll abandon the cause this year. state's attorney is really between John Expect renewed calls for a city-owned. Barsanti andTim O'Neil. So far, this has system every time the cable goes out for been a relatively civil contest, but cracks more than 20 minutes, or when "Matlock" are emerging.. re-runs are cancelled. Supporters of both men are now Space won't let us delve into some starting to drop little bomblets of other carry-over issues: teardowns in "information" about the other candidate. Most of the time these are ignored, but as Geneva, the "no books" experiment in this race tightens up I expect to'receive a District 303, the screaming need for a new • few more breathless phone calls telling jail, or a hundred other stories. However, me how O'Neil doesn't part his hair right, our promise to you all is we'll keep an eye or that Barsanti eats with the wrong fork. on them— as well as all the new issues Oh, joy. that are sure to come up, in the next lZ I don't knowwhy there's a Republican months. primary race for coroner, but there is one. Stay tuned. it's going to be avery Incumbent Chuck West is being interesting year. challenged by crematory owner Stan • Bill Page lives in St. Charles and Hickrpd, and Hickrod has made it clear writes about local issues on TUesday and he's out to win. He's filed numerous Thursday. Calls and e-mails answered at requests for information from West's (630) 584-0809 or - office and has made at least one charge, [email protected]. FIhiiEn. 1-4?-U4 '-" "CArojilde irons out. Metra deal, construction ByDANCHAI4ZIT Kent Cassnty Otranlels' Construction began on houses in the Blackberry Creek subdivision, Metes cemented a deal to bring a eta- don to town and village coffers filled with impact fees. It was a busyyear for Elburn. A jook back at the year's most memorable stories: Metra plans approved: After years oldiscusslon, Me" officials In October signed an agreement with the village to bring a train station to thivil]age. The ElbIam Mena station will replace Geneva as the last stop, on the Union Pacific West tine It will be on 50 acres west of Blackberry Creek and north of Kesliager Road. The property will include a 300-space parking lot, coach- si yard and warm' inghouse - ______Construct- - ion and grading REVIEW began in July. The annexation agreement bars Metra from using the coachyard to store fee trains. The coachyard will be used to store commuter trains instead, and train operators will turn off the en- gincsatnlghr, Still under discussion is the to- eusa extension ofAnderson Road and abridge over the train tracks. Building the extension will require an intergovernmental agreement between the village and Kane County It is unclear who will maintain and owls she bridge The pet- posed four-lane roadwould connect Route 38 and Kesllnger Road, Metia agreed to work with the Illinois Commerce Commissionto install video cameras downtown to that trains wlllasot need to blare their whlstleswhen passing through Metaw officials said they will work toward placing the cameras at First SIster and Route 47 as part of its annexation agreement. State mid federal law requires train operators to sound their horns at crossings to warn motorists and pedestrians. Vlders cameras would allow conductors to see thst'crossings are clear, Me= officials said, Installing cameras in Elburst Is subject 101CC approval. butdolngso would turn the village into a "quiet - anne on the UnlnnpaciflcWestLine extension, - •I franstt-osienled housing Village nificlals In July reviewed plans by Pulle Rome which pro- poses to build a high-density real- .denllal neighborhood to border the Metro station. PisIte's last revision called for about 1,300 units onabout2so acres. - lallovember, village ptsnnerxon Savoy presented to plan cosnnsls- sloners sIte village's proposed com- prosnise: shorter blocks, varied lot sizes and lots of green space. • Village officials want high-density resIdential uses to mingle with space for specialty retail and reese- Orion. That could mean three-story townhouses with shops ro occupy the first floor. See ELBURN. page turn Continued from page 1 Pulte is expected to return with an updated proposal later this spring, village of- flàials said. • Power shift: There was a lot of shuf- fling among village officials after the April election. Former zoning board of appeals member Gordon Dierschow and foimer plan commission chairman Bill Graberek took their seats on the village board, as did Jeff Metcalf who was re-elected. Three familiar faces left Dennis Ricke did not seek another term because he was retiring from teaching atWredlingMiddle School. WaltThpy lost his seat Jeff Flumm was appointed to fill the seat vacated by John Peterson. Peterson resigned in March after • being charged twice with drunken driving. Chronicle file photo The board confirmed two plan corn- Route 47's railroad crossing was closed this year in July, while railroad offi- mission appointments. cials upgraded the Union Pacific tracks. More closures are slated for this year. llaiñtommission member Pat Sthuberg was named chairperson. Elburn business Ion exchange would require the village sale would benefit future leaders by giving to build about $4.5 million in improvements them more property to work with, village owner Sue Fllekwas tapped to fill an op en seat. to its water system. That is in addition to the officials said. In January Mike Greenenwas appointed estimated $500,000 yearly materials cost Village officials heard a proposal by to the planning commission. He replaced WRT's method involves sending • wafer FGM Architects of Oak Brook. The firm former cOmniissiorjer Bob Miller, who re- through pipes and filters made of the min- suggested moving the police department sigijedinNovember2002 for health reasons. eral zeolite. Radium is trapped by the fil- or village offices into the old ambulance • , Impact fees released: Local govern- ters; because it clings to the zeolite. building. This year, the fire and ambu- nientsbegan to feel the relief only impact. The village had faced a Dec. 8 deadline lance companies combined into one fees can bring; to bring its water into compliance. In building across the street from it. • iii'April,'tiie village released more than August, the IEPA announced that it was re- The vacant ambulance building is not $1 million in fees collected from develop- laxing its demand. for sale, and discussions are ongoing.. ers for new construction in the Blackberry Residents pay $2 per 100 cubic feet of Garbage vaults: In March, village of- Creek subdivision. water. Costs to implement WRT's zeolite ficials revealed a dirty little secret about Elbum imposed the fees on developer filtering method would tack on another some residents' front porches. B&8 Enterprises for the 625-acre, 1,250' $1.11 per 100 cubic feet, officials said. Some village houses in the Cambridge unit, development , approved in 2001. But, village officials said the method subdivision have construction gathage buried Crnistruction began this year. would save residents $9.7 million over 20 underneath their concrete front stoops. The fees help new growth pay for its years, which is how much more it would Rather than put the waste into a dump- impact on infrastructure, schools, libraries cost to implement ion exchange. ster, village officials said at least one builder - and village services. Route 47 railroad closure: 'Itaffic was dumped his waste into the foundation. The Icaneland schools received $531,000, crippled in July when Metra and the practice is not common, and village officials and theTown and Country LibraryDistrict Illinois Department of Transportation said only a handful of houses are affected. received $8,600. closed the railroad crossing at Route 47. Construction garbage includes wood, The wastewater treatment fund received The $155,000 project upgraded the roofing shingles, tiles, metal scraps and $285,000 andtheAndexsonmadfund received UnionPaciflctracksjwo additional closures conduit. TIle waste is placed into a con- $183,000 The fire distnctmceived $24,000;. this year will complete the project, which crete vault that can be as deep as the foun- first round of fees was collected on will prepare the village for the Metra station. dation and as large as the front steps. Once 2d6. houses in the subdivision's first three Village buys house: In October, the rubbish is placed in the hole, it is cov- pMtThedevelopmenthasl2phases, and trustees discussed what to do with a house ered with gravel and sealed with cement. Vjllge äfficiais said millions more in impact that they bought that borders the village's That has prompted the village to draft feS will be collected in the next few years. municipal campus. anew ordinance specifically prohibiting , Radium removal: In September, vil- The house at 9 S. First St. could be the dumping. lage officials reviewed two proposals for re- razed, or it could be fixed up and rented. Village attornfeyBob Britz.said the village moving radium from Elbum's water supply. Trustees have yet to decide. did not have a law to enforce ethical build- Federal and state officials have asked. Initily, trustees agreed to buy the property ing. He said a new ordinance would protect municipalities to lower concentrations of for $155,000 because it borders the village's home buyers and stop the dumping. the naturally occurringelement. municipal campus. The campus includes the The penalty for sealing waste in a -. The village might select either ion ex- village hall, public works, police department, basement vault is $25 per day. The fine can change or. Colorado-based Water Remed- fire station, library and Veteran's Memorial. go up to $750 per day until the garbage is iationTechnology's zeolite filtering method. Grabbing nearby land as it goes up for removed;

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0 - . C 0 0 ta) C aj • • L 00.00(0V0 r •D cJU - Zco_U,22Z 0 0 EHRco H.003 fl!* ,iq-Oq -8POc&n ,'zD5 • Unpredictable year ahead F for Kane County Board I hard-fought Republican primary between BY Steve Lord board member Karen McConnaughay, R-St. I STAFF WRITER Charles, and Treasurer David Rickert of GENEVA - predicting the movements of Elgin. the Kane County Board in 2004 is a little like Waiting in the wings will be a Democratic • forecasting the weather—it's inexact science, Party challenker, Thomas Meadath of St. at its best Charles. • That's because the board faces the conflu- If McCoy were running again, the forecast • I ence of the unpredictabilityof lame duck lead- would be easier. Politics would dictate the chair- ershipi and an election, a rare combination the man stick to an agenda to facilitate re-election. board has not faced in eight years. But with McCoy a lame duck, he is more • County Board Chairman Mike McCoy's de- likely to move an agenda consistent with his cision not to seek a third term has led to an un- 4• Turn to BOARD, AS.-- predictable election featuring a potentially

There alo is the matter of whether or not the county will have to deal with finding an acting state's BOARD attorney to fill in for Meg Gorecki, if From Page Al a suspension of her law license legacy - regardless of how it jibes forces her to vacate her office. It with others' political motives. At the could be that the county will see very least, he will try to move for- three state's attorneys during 2004. ward the things he sees as most im- One thing is sure. There will be portant on his final to-do list —farm- new leadership on the board by the land preservations dealing with the end of the coming year, and specu- overcrowded jail and other issues. lation for 2005 can begin anew. • (-1-i-0 4 'Seac Aurora mayoral camapaign not lacking in storylines

By Dave Parro STAFF WRITER FORECAST 2004 The political stolylines will make for an inter- Stories to watch in the coming year esting campaign year as the race to replace Au- rora's outgoing mayor heats up in 2004. So fr, the field of candidates includes a well- Tom Weisner, Aurora's director of commu- known local Democrat who has worked at City nity services, was the first to announce his Hall for 18 years, a conservative Republican candidacy in May, about six months after seeking to become Aurora's first black mayor, a Mayor David Stover announced he won't seek two-term Kane County Board member, and a a third term. Weisner quickly picked up en- long-shot candidate who has been trounced dorsements from other city officials who were twice before. rumored to be considering a run, including Al- And the election is still more than a year away. 4 Turn to RACE, A2

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Bill Wyatt step down from public life and said RACE he doesn't plan on running for the mayoral job his father, Al McCoy, From Page Al once held. Finally, Angel Hernandez joined dérman Chuck Nelson and Parks the race in October, seeking to be- Director Jim Pilmer. Two months later, Richard Irvin come Aurora's first Hispanic mayor. jumped into the race, painting him- Like Irvin, Hernandez thinks resi- self as a City Hall outsider who dents here want change and will fry could better bring together a di- to portray both Weisner and Wyatt verse community. He is campaign- as political insiders. ing on the idea of change and wants Hernandez has lost mayoral voters to see Weisner as more of the races twice before in Aurora, in same. 1989 and 1993. The former community prosecu- Only Wyatt has experience hold- tor with the Kane County state's at- ing elected office, but Weisner is ex- torney's office, who was removed pected to get backing from City from the position amid controversy Hall. Irvin was a popular community and later resigned, also offers a prosecutor credited with helping at- stark contrast to Weisner as a black tack Aurora's crime problem. Her- conservative Republican. Weisner nandez is taking a page from the has been involved for years with the book of state Rep. Linda Chapa local Democratic party. LaVia,D-Aurora, and campaigning A county Republican became the heavily door to door in hope of over- third candidate in September, but it coming his underdog status. wasn't the person some people Not many shots have been fired thought it might be. Kane County yet in this race, but things will Board member Bill Wyatt joined the change quickly this year once the race as his mentor, County Board spring 2005 election is less than a Chairman Mike McCoy, decided to year away. — fl_I pOtL 0 0. Id I -o C, — 1ibDHp 'n L9 0 NJ — 0 n. CD .0 tot I C i2P ' fl 1 = • .EO8 t: o8 flo lua 0 C) ._Q. a) cP$ C, .4_i =fl - Cl) 0.00t. urn •0 C1) &!2n L-i gO) g C) to t tctQ..-to c) Cd ct C) Ufli V 0. '-' C !J Q) a 00 230 .01 tto.ct - . -,0) . rn E •0u. . Ct 0 ILI 1UU .1 n

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y . 2 5I 1'e8 aldermen to set date = A. Eta 0 s,00,0 oOcd0 0 8 • for discussion of dam C) _JOQL3ronZcZ _g Z i 'V Park board voted 4-1 last month 6 bc ."ct' 'taigct 0. 0 in favor of half dam

- t- V By MARK FOSTER meets today, Schielke will ask i : Kane Cowuy Chronicle aldermen to set a date to dis- 0) 0)Lfl I I 4 12a cuss the issue and formulate a 0 .E o BATAVIA — Mayor Jeff response to Schielke on Friday reiterated IDNR's latest :ct3' his support for replacement offer. of the north dam with the • With the \I "half-dam" option. park 9ll- flE, The Illinois Department .fl 0)00 0)0 of Natural Resources wants ½ - taken a vote, to remove the 10-foot- it now ap- E high dam, but in response pears that

'-oq dILc to a query from the city has I there will be d I UI said that it would build a re- no joint placement about 900 feet up Schielke meeting of n the river from the existing the park board and the city 2Eeo. site' council. fl .2Z.ctbac fl'a Schiellce favors replace- IDNR's $8.5 million pro- fl n•ll;•;.!0 UI" ment of the dam with a five- posal to remove the dam -- -it! foot-highstructure. would involve the impound- 120 o'a "I still think. the half dam merit of Depot Pond and the o,ca0)E,fl,Q, c t is the way to go, Schielke creation of riffles, and shore- a ar WE>. 000O said. "I don't necessarily want line treatments north to the 4-..' &g2 to lose the pond above the causeway in Pabyan Forest _= t' Fti bO dam because I think it is a Preserve, 0 nice community amenity, and The width of the river •0.0 CO0 I want to protect the integrity would be cut in half and n Et;fl-' fl_ of Depot pond." would be even narrower dur- - 0 The mayor's comments ing low flow periods. "-a) no_a te come after the Batavia The agency has about $83 :i- .c._ •u Park Board last month voted million available for dam bo' 4-1 in favor of the hall projects, but is committed IC t 000. dam, taking the same posi- to improvements of the Fox 0) ly tion it had more than a year River dam in Yorkville. te ago. Schielke believes that with o2 0.,ct 1- Last Ajxil. residents voted the state's current financial U a" 00) Ct against dam removal in an condition, it is unlikely that ,zt,C te advisory referendum by an IDNR will be able to fund any a overwhelming margin. of the options proposed for 'a The previous year, alder- Batavia, flU Is I men had voted to remove the "I'm kind of numb about I — te t dam. the whole deal," Schielke said. C tg The referendum caused "All you do with all this stuff Ct . •0h INDR to put its plans on is continue the debate for hold. three more years. I don't

q1fill When the city council see closure."

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(- q-oq Greg Rivara The thin I think Although the holidays are drawing down, visions of sugarplums still fog the y should you care? TWo reasons: brain. A few things I think I think as win- M chairman sets the agenda. ter actually arrives Although the chairman has only one vote the position holds the bully pulpit to es- CoinEd really is sticking It to central tablish priorities and direction for the Kane County, especially the 'flj5 next four year. If someone wants a problem addressed, they must have the bless- Years ago, Batavia, Geneva and St. ing of the chairman Charles made an agreement with the electricity giant to build 138kv power lines Politically, Kane County still is split through the area. A corridor near Randall three ways - those to the north in the Elgin area, those to th ,e south in the Road was chosen and the agreement in- Aurora area, and those in the ever-grow- cluded wording that-, shall we say, encour- i aged Iii-Cities leaders to support the ng middle. In the Past; north didn't like plan. - south, south didn't like north, and the middle didn't pay attention to either Theagreement was made years before north or south. TheMcConnaughay Randall Road became -a retail corridor Rickert race, as well as the state's attorney - and a signature street for the Th-Cities, race, could test that time-honored axiom. Now, CornEd wants Batavia, Geneva - - and St. Charles to fund a $50,000 study of The talking heads on television were an alternative route for the power lines. tripping over themselves this past week in Forcing the cities to pay is allowable, ac- the wake of Dick Jauron's mercy killing. cording to CornEd, because the cities are • considered wholesale consumers In five years, Jau.ton compiled a 3545 Just one question. regular season record for the Chicago - Bears, including the irnprobablelswth Although state laws mandate CornEd season in 2001. - - to pursue the most cost-effective route Like him or hate him, Jauron clearly is when building new utility lines, the laws - a leader. Although he could rally his team - also require utilities to show why the and his staff, for some inexplicable reason route is the most-cost effective. That certainly would suggest that ComEd already he refused to replace John Shoop when it has been clear for years that the offensive has studied alternative routes. Obtaining coordinator was not ready for the job. such details, however, is a bit difficult. Television's talking heads analyzed the And yes, ComEd, I will call again... firing from every conceivable angle, screaming over and over again that the William Scardainaglla is the first vic- NFL is a business, and if you don't suc- tim of the Election 2004. Scardamaglia, a - ceed, you simply must leave. - candidate for Kane County Board chair- And I'm thinking, what business ac- man, decided not to fight challenges to cepts failure? his petitions and withdrew from the race. That leaves county board member • Greg Rivara lives in St. Charles and • Karen McConnaughay of St. Charles is the Kane County Chronicle managing editor He can be contacted directly at against Kane Countylitasurer David - (630) 845-5355, or by e-mail at Rickert of Elgin for the GOP nomination. grivara@Jc&hronjcie0 . Our Viewpoint Determine Gorecki's fate now The ane County residents expected in January. longer Lisa continue to wait for the There is no doubt that a • J( Illinois Supreme Court person must be licetised to Madigan's to decide when the suspen- practice law in Illinois in office waits, sion of Meg Gorecki's law order to be the state's license should begin. attorney. However, just as the greater Such delays are expected Gorecki broke new ground the in the judicial process and, as when she became the first such, must be endured. female state's attorney disservice What is confusing, elected in Kane County, she that is however, is the waiting game also is breaking new ground being played by the Illinois for being the first sitting shown to the Attorney General's office. state'&attorney in Illinois to • residents And the longer Lisa have her license suspended. Madigan's office waits, the The question before the of Kane greater the disservice that is attorney general's offiëe is a County. shown to the residents of • simple one: Can Gorecki Kane County. serve her four-month suspen- Gorecki, the Kane County sion and then return to office, state's attorney, will have her • or must she be forced to law license suspended for resign? four months because she Clearly, we do not expect a simple answer. However, it broke the ethical rules of is appropriate to expect a conduct for attorneys when timely one. It is a funda- she implied that a county mental part of the attorney transportation job could be general's role in the state of bought. Gorecki did so in Illinois to offer such legal 1998, before being elected opinions. state's attorney. Madligan's office still has Gorecki fought mightily not said whether it believes against the suspensioh, and Gorecki can return after when it was handed down serving her suspension. The and set to begin in December, delay is unnecessary and puts she asked the Illinois an unacceptable burden on Supreme Court to delay the Kane County residents, as imposition until Nov. 30, well as county government 2004, the day before she is set officials, who would have to to leave office. Gorecki, choose Gorecki's replacement elected in 2000, has decided should she be forced to not to seek re-election. resign. The state's high court has The attorney general's delayed Gorecki's punish- office needs to make its ment while it considers her opinion public. To everyone. request. The answer is Now. alley/State f_ HANE COUNTY CHRONICLE Hampshire board's decision on subdivisions could affect. other planned developments By ARACELY HERNANDEZ Kffspropertyalreadyisinthe Prairie Ridge with more than Sha* News Service village and does not need to be 1,800 homes on 1,277 acres on annexed, unlike the property for Harmony Road between Allen HAMPSHIRE - If village Crown and Van Vlissingen proj- and Melms roads, and Oakstead, board members vote to deny ects. which would have more than 800 Crown Community. Develop- District 300 officials also homes on 513 acres between ments two subdivisions, the de- would have to wait to find out Route20 and47. cision will have.a domino effect how much impact the subdivi- Concept plans for Crown's on other planned developments. sion would have on the district proposals and KB's proposal re- • Crown, KB Home and Van without a school site, Ruth said. ceived negative recommenda- Vlissingen have formed a consor- KB's development would not tions from the village's Zoning tium to build water, sewer and require a 100-acre donation to Board of Appeals and the plan- roads for their projects. The ap- the school district, Ruth said. ning commission because lot proach would cut costs because Lincolnshire-based Van sizes were too small. developers would pay engineers Vlissingen Co., has not brought They also were met with re- only once to review the entire in- its concept plan to build Brier Hill sistance from residents and frastructure project, Trustee Tom Crossing to the village board. Citizens After Responsible Brown said. That developmentwould include Expansion who want the village The strategy allowed for more a 7 million-square-foot office and to keep its rural atmosphere. land to be donated for schools. warehouse complex and 560 They also cited environmental 1(8 pledged 100 acres, about homes on 728 acres between factors such as possible contami- half of its property, to School Sandwald and Hennig roads. nation of an aquifer and endan- District 300 in its most recent Brown said he thinks n an- gering the existence of a pair of plan. nexation agreement for the Van nesting Swainson's hawks as rea- But if Crown's plans are de- Vlissingen property should come sons not to build.. nied, KB and VanVlissingen have before the village board during The Brier Hill Crossing plan to come up with anew strategy. the next few weeks. A concept already has met resistance from "If. Crown doesn't come in, plan could be expected to go be- Huntley and School District 158. [KB Homel has to find a different fore the board in February, he Both filed resolutions against the way to get infrastructure," Trustee said. development this summer. Orris Ruth said, who also is chair- "It's going to have an enor- Huntley officials are upset be- man of the village's planning and mous magnitude of commerce, causeVanVlissingen approached zoning committee. industry andjobs," he said. the Illinois State Toll Highway As planned with the Crown Last year, the Northeastern Authority about building ramps subdivisions, 1(8 Home would Illinois Planning Commission al- near Brier Hill Road. The region build 177 houses on 104 acres at lowed Hampshire to extend utili- would be better served if the Tamms Farm on Big Timber and ties to the property. Route 47 interchange had east- Ketchum roads: Crown's subdivisions include bound access, officials have said. fl.---. 1-5-09 4f7ew5 Challenges are democracy in action We love democracy, right down to all the at- cane ways of its processes. Take the recent flu- tAz ings for the March primary election for exam-. pie. Objections were filed to the petitions turned in by two candidates. One stays on the ballot one withdrew from the race because he said he didn't have the resources to fight the claims. We say democracy works, even if the petition-challenging feels like sniveling gamesmanship. If a candidate didn't have the resources to fight a petition challenge, how would he have the resources to run an effective campaign? THUMBS UP to democracy, and the people who practice it.

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-s s1 I 0 Fom3cAsr 2004 Stories to watch in the coming year

I D0NNELLc0LLU4S / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The Home Depot is likely just the first of major stores along Orchard Road. 2004 may be bellwether year along

Orchard ing Orchard Road sites. Industrial development in at least By Ed Fanselow ORCHARD two existing business parks near In- STAFF WRITER From PageAl terstate 88 is also expected to continue. The sounds you hear coming from On a related note, work Should Orchard Road are the sounds of shopping center at Orchard and Route 34 in Oswego and a 175-acre begin sometime in 2004 on a project progress - and they could be getting that will eventually widen Orchard much louder in 2004. mixed-use development at Oak Street in North Aurora. Road from two to four lanes be- • This could be a bellwether year for tween Indian Trail and Route 30, Orchard Road, the 10-mile stretch of In Aurora, meanwhile, stores, highway that many have said will some- banks and restaurants continue to where the average vehicle count is sprout up in several similar develop- already at more than 60,000 a day: day resemble existing retail centers Also, the long-awaited along Route 59 and Randall Road. ments between Sullivan and Indian As the housing boom continues on Trail roads. Metra/Pace park-and-Ride station Aurora's West Side and in North Auro- Over the next few months, Fox at Orchard and Mill roads in Os- ra, Sugar Grove, Montgomery, Oswego Valley shoppers will likely find out wego is expected to open in the and Yorkville, those predictions are which stores they can expect here spring. seeming all the more likely. and exactly when they can expect Buses will shuttle commuters to The past several months have them. Kohl's, Best Buy, Target and and from the park-and-Ride lot and brought the announcements of several Woodman's Food Market are just a the Aurora Transportation Center Sbitious projects, including a 60-acre few of the companies said to be eye- on North Broadway.

+ Turn to ORCHARD, A2 • /QiOQQjij(QOTt1bWtQ-.'. E'i+or/&J Gorecki lingers, toses..public n November, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled es iii April 2000. She finally came around when it thatKane County State's Atty. Meg Goreçki's evidently dawned on her the charges were seri- I law license will be suspended for four ous. and there was strong evidence of wrongdo- months for professional misconduct. ing, centering on the three recorded messages. Gorecki has admitted that before she was Investigators found no evidence Kane County elected, she falsely told someone she knew that Board Chairman Mike McCoy took a bribe or campaign contributions to the county board that Gorecki had even talked to McCoy about chairman could land agovernment job. Gorecki such a payoff. A false accusation that a public of- initially denied she had made suth a claim, but ficial is .open to bribery is 'serious misconduct she ultimately had toconfess—she had left three because it places the reputation of that inno messages on an answering machine talking cent official at risk,". McMorrow. wrote in the about the scheme. The Supreme Court foUnd Opinion. McCoy had to endure an investigation that she had "endorsed, and even encouraged, by a special prosecutor. the bribing of a public official." Gorecki has remained less than candid, rais- For most lawyers, a license suspension is good .ing more questions about her suitability to serve reason to hide under a rock for awhile and pon- in a positioi of public trust. She has stated re- der a new profession. peatedly she has no explanation for the mes- Not so with Gorecki, who now is embarrassing sages and could not "even imagine" saying such herself and Kane County in this singularly odd things. As a hearing board noted, Gorecki has case. She had the temerity to ask, in a motion chosen to stand by the troubling claim that "she filed last month, that the state high court put off has a complete and total lack of recall regarding her punishment for a year so she can serve out the timing and intent of the 'taped messages." her term as the county's top prosecutor. She has When the Supreme Court suspends a law If- also asked the Illinois attorney general's office dense, the sanction normally takes effect imme- for an opinion as to whether she could stay in of- diately unless there's a compelling reason to fice while her license is suspended. Gorecki's wait, such as a client who would be harmed by four-year term expires Nov. 30, and she is not switching lawyers midway through a complex seeking re-election. trial. Since Gorecki is prolonging the agOny here, a There's no compelling reason to prolong the few points laid out by Justice Mary Ann McMor disgraced Gorecki's time in office. There is no row in the court's 16-page opinion are worth dis- reason she should receive different treatment cussing. than any other lawyer would receive. Gorecki's admission to wrongdoing came only Gorecki should have the grace to withdraw after she made vigorous public denials. She ulti- her motion, accept her suspension and step, mately admitted she was not forthright when the down from office; And if she won't, the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Com- Supreme Court should reject her request to 4e- mission made an initial inquiry about the charg- lay her suspension and send her packing. /--ow ro,i/cIeFrorr farmland to homes - --•

Houses being built in Robert Bancroft - Chronicle photo staff Mill Creek, west of Batavia and Geneva, illustrate the pressure on one -time farmland that's ex- erted as development moves westward from the Fox Valley. Such influences also help bid up the price of farmland in other parts of Illinois, as farmers engage in federally sanctioned tax transfers by buying land elsewhere. Kane sales felt statewide ties, including Kane County is called a 1031 Exchange, for • Development pushing land "I think for the foreseeable Internal Revenue Service Rule future there is going to be farm- 1031. The farmers do not evade Prices everywhere, study finds ingin Kane County" said farm- paying capital gains taxes, land financing expert Randal Panzer said, because if they Panzer later sell the farm they bought By ROaD HASE First Farm Credit Services, a elsewhere, they have to pay the Illinois, a newstudyconcluded. farmland lending agency said capital gains taxes on that sale. Kane County Chronicle The analysis, by Normal- the federal tax policy was "the based First Farm Credit But for how, farmers do GENEVA - Development single largest driving factor in defer such tax liabilities, ob- Services, found that the aggre- land value increases:: in the 42- servers said. pressures in Kane and other ur- gate value of 18 benchmark banizing counties are not just county area. It enables farmers Panzer said alot of farmers farms in a 42-county area in- to avoid immediate capital in Kane and DuPage counties bidding up the price of area creased 4.81 percent from July gains tax payments, if they farmland. 1:2002, to July are using that policy to sell their 1 2003. apply money from land sales land here, theribUyland farther The demands for farmland Much of the growth in here to farmland purchases here - for ho using uses andre- farmland values, moreover, was away from metropolitan tall-comn-jercjal sites - also elsewhere. Chicago and rent it out to farm- attributed to federal tax policy Panzer, a vice president in are pushing up the cost of that's having a heavy impact in ers there. farmland in other parts of First Farm Credit Services' Chicago so-called collar coun- Sycamore office, said the policy See FARMLAND, page 13 stuons

Hill, the county's program coordinator for fannland protec- Continued from page 13 tion, said Clot of them (farmland protection participants) are "The majority of it is goingfor choosing to do the (tax) Sc- ient"panzersaa. changeaAppa, According to Markft they can use arm jcers ali o the exchange with the easement ofFirstFOf cretht the 1031 t Ix program? deferred exchanges are heir 19 Today, 1,426 acres in K-me are prompted "by the housing an.d part of the county's Purchase of comme1tia1builthng00 re Development Bights program Chicago collar counties. The la It' all, ii farms have been ac- interest rates for home mon t- cepted as part of the program, Optigages, coupled with continue d and the farm program has closed mism in the strength of the with the land own&Hill sakjThe economy; multiplied develop - county board also has approved ment Pressure." another five farms for pai-ticipa- The strongest impact of th tion, but the agreements haven't competition for land shows in been closed counties adjacent to Chicagb Meanwhile, 23 farms have collar counties, the study said. Jr applied for participation but have neighboring DeKaib County; for not been granted the county instance, the rise inJueofa boards OK If all these farms are benchIna&farflithere 15.63 accepted, it would mean a total of Petentduingfot 39 participation farms in the Such land exchanges, Panzer county, Hill said. added, increase the value offami- Hill said the purpose of the J land in DeKaIb and in other county's protection plan is "soil downstate counties. In turn, it protection" makes it harder for farmers in 'We won't be able to buy all those counties to buy land there the development rights to all the because of the cost increases, he agricu1turJ land ... but we will be said. For farmers farther away able to create clusters of agricul- from Chicago, the government tural land in certain areas (that) tax policies represent "a double- can be assured of land beingpro; edged sword," Panzer said. tectedinperpetuity'pJflsaid While the farmland price in- The clusters, to date, have creases help them if they want to been in the western townships of sell their land, they make it nela- tiv Kaneville and Big Rock, Hill said. elyharderfo these farmers to Mother potential cluster is in expand their holdings near their Virg Township, Hill added. home farms, Panzer said. While the amounts the A specialist on Kane County county pays for farms can vary; farmland preservation, Janice getierally speaking, the county Hill, said the 1031 Exchange rule pays $5,000 an acre to acquire a also applies to farmers who take farmer's development rights, Hill Part in the county's Purchase of said Development night. .pm "The definition . of farming In that program, farmers who can vary; broadly," Hill said. 'You agree to covenants that ill for- could have afarmerwhose home ever preserve their land in farm base is here uses, get rnoneyinretn'fl th Kane County, orhe could farni one or two townships come also qualifies for 1031 west of here, or incounties in Exchanges, enabling participat- westem Illinois," Hill said. ing farmers to defer capital gains 'We want his business to stay taxes on this form of income. viable."

A •Ivoe I Ea STC, county near deal• Fiber optics on fiber optic: Continued from page, 1 Under:' the agitement, the county also would ply an annual' fiber maintenance connections charge. The city' retains the /—&cOWcJ/7 rpii f. ability to Use the lines if needed, but is responsible Plan will link for repair of the lines: circuit clerk's office, The intergovernmental agreement is similar t . an justice. center arrangement between the St Charles school district and the city that wa .siedin 2001. By HEATH HIXSON. The district paid to con- Kane County Chronicle struct lines from at least 19 facilities to tie in with the • ST. CHARLES—Fiber optic lines are city's fiber system. The dis- likely to" soon link the Kane County trict's schools, transportation Justice Center and Circuit Court Clerks and maintenance centers office under a plan approved Monday and the: . . administration by city committee. building are linked. The dis- Members of the city's Government trict also pays 'an annual Operations Committee voted 7-0 to ap- maintenance fee to the city. prove a proposed intergovernmental Ann Fleming, school dis- agreement to extend the thy's Fiber trict director of technology, Optic Telecommunications System to said .lirilcing into the'fiber link the county offices. The plan now optic network "makes all the goes before the full city council as soon difference in the, world" in as Jan. 19 for final approval. terms of data capacity and If council members 'approve the the links provide the district plan, the two county offices would be with faster and cheaper serv- linked directly by four lines through ice than cthild'be provided the city fiber optic pipeline that runs by a private Company. down Route 38 and Prairie Street. The - j:" Fleming said she hopes project is expected to cost more than to use the fiber lines for $19,000, which the city would bill the video streaming and deliver- county. ing graphics to tlassroorns. PaulAnthoney, city information sys- The city fiber optic jys- tems network engineer, said the agree- tem was built in 1996., and ment calls for city workers to build an connects "Core" cit'facilities, extension of fiber optic lines from the such as offices and electrical clerks office, 540S. Randall Road, to the substations. The fiber lines city's pipeline on Prairie Street. are expected to last at least In addition, he said city workers 25 years, Anthoney said. would construct a link from fiber optic "For us, it gives us kind of lines on Route 38 near Peck Road to the unlimited capacity for appli- justice center property, 37W777 Route cations," he said "The data 38. capacity is long term, unlim- The county is expected to use the ited. It is limited by the fiber optic system to move toward a pa- equipment . that we buy. perless docket system. There are not recurring The 10-year deal dedicates four of costs, except for mainte- the city's 48 lines on the corridor to be nance." exclusively used by the county. The city taff uses only eight of those lines, Anthoney said. ''I

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Ca i-e-o-i 50 backs Pt Ct gth power/Iefttk, o eshrc3? study hilbLifl .clDVU, By GALA lit FIERCE Pt D* HtTatdSIJW*C 3•°0 ih If long, hot spell causes lii- J 0 a--, Cities residents to keep their air Co conditioners on next summer, transmission lines might over- load. o w- Since public opposition o caused CornEd to back off the plan of installing 130000-volt power lines along a 14-mile L - stretch of Randall Road, Tr- 0 0 201, Cities leaders are moving E W, ° forward with an east-side feasi- bilitystudy '"The clock is ticking," Batavia m Nh U Public Works Director Gary 2flh Laren said. 'We got by last cn r-2 uooc summer without it.- If we were to have a really hot summer, - we'd be In a tough sitUation? Batavia City Coundilunani- q .111lli mously approved an E intergovernmental agreement Monday to authorize them- City Interconnection Study, which would dete±mine V-4 83 whether the installation of new V transmission lines.east of Pox River is feasible. St. Charles approved the concept of a study last month and £rZ.,-.,c j!U --au 2fat 0 Geneva expects to endorse the agreement at its city council t meeting on Jan. 20. "We're trying to evaluate all options,' St. s h Charles City Administrator Larry Maholland said. t iW'"Iir:! The exact routing of the lines remains undisclosed but could IC,, 2 E be east of Kirk Road, Larsen said. -'-V The study looks at the existing og loads and the practicality of the proposed loads migrated into 0 the current lines. • Ofl The study Is estimated to cost -t $50,000, which would be split' VI 12$3 three ways and has been capped 0 at $100,090— a cost some officials are accepting with much 4-a i -2 44 chagrin. tomEdpaid for the study on Randall Road and they Cl) p-i,fl('Q looked at other alternatives such as Peck Road," Geneva City Administrator Phil Page said. We feel this eastern option is an alternative to the Randall Road corridor. Whywouldn't they also absorb the cost to explore this alternative?" Larsen said the cost of the study, which requires a $25,000 deposit, is minute compared to the cost of Installing new power lines. A year ago, Batavia and Geneva officials approved the Twin-City Study to look at an east-side connection between the two municipalities. It cost $32,000 and is almost complete, but the new study will take precedence, Larsen said.

• "We always have to be vigilant and be prepared if there is resurgence. We're cautiously optimistic it might be another year of minimal activity." Fred Carlson, Ernie County environmental health director West Nile 200400

DAILY HERALD PHOTO ILLUSTRATION In check or

' a rebound?

ing. While Illinois suffered fewer ill- Scientists already nesses, nationwide the number of West Nile cases morethàn doubled as the mosquito-bathe virus continued its human cases woszgtD keep westward expansion since its emer- 2002 2003 gence onthe East Coast in 1999' cases falling in 2004 Colorado was the-heaviest hit with Cook 634 20 2,477 human cases last year, accord- DuPage 49 3 By SUSAN STEVENS ing to the Centers for Disease Control Kane 9 0 Dai4 Hem/ti Staff W&er and Prevention. The unpredictability of West Nile Lake 8 1 ith 4.inches of snow outside has Illinois officials planning full-scale Will. 18 3 your window, you may not be preparations for spring 2004. Wthinking about mosquitoes If wi have hot, dry conditions like What On can do: right now. we did in 2002, we could see• a The best way to avoid West But local health officials are. rebound," • said Thad Icoeune, director Nile is to reduce the number In particular, they're thinking about of environmental health services for of mosquitoes around your the ones that brought a deadly out- DuPage County. "Nobody can tell you - home and take precautions to break of West Nile disease two years for sure." avoid mosquito bites. ago - then all but vanished last DuPage County will increase its summer. tracking of the virus this spring, begin- • Wear insect repellent - Entoniologists suggest a variety of ning in May with dozens of new • Wear light-colored long reasons for Illinois' dip in West Nile mosquito monitoring traps through- pants, long-sleeved shirts virus cases in 2003: cooler weather, out the county. outdoors. fewer birds, more vigilant homeown- In Kane County, officials have com- ers. piled the past two years of mosquito • Repair holes in door and Or it could be luck. data to determine the likely hot spots window screens. "We don't know, and nobody else in2004. - - Clean gutters regularly. does," said Tom Schafer, spokesman "We always have to be vigilant and for the Illinois Department of Public be prepared if there is a resurgence," • Get rid of old tires, buckets, Health- "It could be simply that the said Fred Carlson, environmental drums, bottles and containers virus moved west." health director for Kane County. with standing water. Whatever the reason, public health "We're cautiously optimistic it might • Empty plastic wading officials are thankful 2003 did not be another year of minimal activity" pools, birdbaths, etc... every bring the high death toll of 2002 - In addition to their public educa- 4 to 5 days. when 66 Illinois residents died of the tion programs about eliminating West Nile virus and 884 became ill. stagnant water and wearinginsect • Keep grass cut short, In 2003, amid frequent warnings of repellent, health officials will watch shrubs trimmed. a possible outbreak, Illinois saw only the weather closely this spring. Source: Illinois Department of Public 52 cases of humans infected with West A hot dry summer like that in 2002 Health Nile and just one death. But West Nile experts aren't rejoic- See NILE on PAGE 5 Old fineforcanjpajn donation won't keep. Cross, others off ballot

ByMattHanley had not decided Monday to delay STAFF WRITER 1116W-5 enforcement. House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego, a co- An election ethics bill that would sponsor, on the bill, and state Rep. keep candidates with unpaid State Randy Hultgren of Wheaton both Board of Elections fines off the have unpaid campaign fines. ballot has been delayed until afte'r Cross's fine came from a the March primary elections. campaign donation to a candidate - One section of House Bill 3412 running for mayor in Peoria, - which passed on Dec. 3, 2003 - according to his office. The fine was states that any person with unpaid the result of confusion over when civil penalties "shall not appear on the donation was supposed to be any ballot for any office while the reported and it is being reviewed penalty is unpaid." by the board. This section could have affected two local legislators if the board 4 Turn to CROSS-

has not been able to appeal. He said he hopes these sorts of conflicts will CROSS" help streamline appeals. From pageAl Cross and Hultgren are two of more than 50 Illinois legislators that "My fine has been stayed," Cross have been fined by the board of said. "It's kind of an interesting elections - but their penalties are on question whether there's even a fine the smaller side. For instance, the out there." campaign committee for Southern' Hultgren's "Friends for Hultgren" Illinois state Sen. Gary Forby has committee has incurred three fines incurred $40,600 in fines. totaling $2,000, with $1,400 of that Rupert Borgsmiller, director of amount stayed. Hultgren said those campaign contributions for the State fines came from problms with Board of Elections, said the board software provided by the board for chose not to force anyone off the reporting donations. The $1,400 fine ballot before the primaries because was stayed - meaning it was waived there was some question whether without an admission of guilt or candidates had been given sufficient innocence - and the $600 in fines notice. have been under appeal for several As & as whether the board would years, Hultgren said. eject a candidate such asCross with "It's pretty frustrating now," he just one unpaid fine, Borgsmiller said. 'Tve done everything I can and thought it was unlikely they would now its in their court" ban anyone with such a small -Hultgren finds himself, infraction. theoretically, in jeopardy of losing a "I definitely feel that is the position place on the ballot for a situation he the board would take," he said.

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°Oi",tCdQ U)000$..oca ! gflR 0 V a o-uE at-Ct' ci Lr •k tp I I IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR I THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS EASTERN DIVISION IN RE: Chapter 11 EMERALD CASINO, INC., ) Case No. 02 B 22977 Chief Judge Eugene R. Wedoff Debtor. ) NOTICE OF SALE OF EMERALD CASINO, INC. Emerald Casino, Inc. ("Emerald" or the "Company"), is a debtor under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Emerald holds one of ten riverboat gaming licenses currently authorized in Illinois. Emerald's license permits the Company to operate a riverboat casino in Illinois pursuant to the Illinois Riverboat Gambling Act. Emerald has decided to sell its business through a chapter 11 plan. The sale process developed by Emerald has been approved by the Bankruptcy Court and includes, but is not limited to, the following procedures: • Submission of confidential binding proposals containing the terms required by Emerald ("Binding Proposals") • Public opening of Binding Proposals, disclosing prospec- tive purchasers' names, venture partners(s) if any, and locations of proposed development sites • Evaluation of Binding Proposals whereby certain bidders will be selected from among those who submit proposals (the "Competing Bidden") to participate in a final auction, on a date to be announced, among the Competing Bidders to determine the winning proposal to be included, iii a plan of reorganization and presented for a suitability determination THIS PROCESS IS OPEN TO ALL POTENTIAL BID- DERS AND ANY INTERESTED MUNICIPALITY IN ILLINOIS. THERE IS NO LIMITATION ON DEVELOP- MENT SITE. FOR FURTHER INPORMATIOM REGARDING EMERALD'S SALE PROCESS AND TERMS FOR BINDING PROPOSALS VISIT https://www.datasite.merrilldirectcorn/EmcraldCasino/ INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT EITHER: TODD SNYDER, Managing Director, or IRA WOLFSON, Vice President • Rothschild Inc. 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 • (212) 403-3500

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to get free t C - .oho 'o.oE C 'a) • computer 0tao,C0ft ES- awl 2 8 °'z °'- b 1 system. 2 C a • Pilot project New system will save time hu • and money, officials say flu /—g—tlq- By Steve Lard Sea CL)r' ooiIfl1 • STAFF WRETER fletL) GENEVA — The Kane County 2 coroner's office will be the guinea pig - - for a new database program that could in o °Ct%lCa) ..'d become a pilot for coroners offices o U34ttCt) ca,-,C across the country. Business Systems Engineering of Chicago will develop the program with equipment from three other b.0 uk companies. Kane County Coroner • Chuck West on Tuesday told the >tW',2b9-° '-=- County Board Public Safety .0 0 cn° -o Committee the company will provide 0,,, 3't C • the time-saving database system for uI-• ,Cb w'°1 no charge. 0') O "This will be provided at no cost to the county - for them to market it • c'$ a) • - elsewhere," West said. 'This does not Ox exist anywhere in the US. now," The idea for the pilot program came < ""a)a)0, from recent discussions of coroner's office needs. - u:!n West said the need for a better data V system were relayed through the • county's Information Technology office, which brought the need to q,. C Business Systems. 0 The company will make a formal • presentation to the Public Safety Committee next month. West said the - new program should be in place by 41 - ft March. o The program will allow the C coroner's office to enter data into the en 0'0Eb • system just once. It then will be o ,-u available to fill out any of the 22 (I) . p o,o • different forms used by the coroner's W office, 'mcludingdeath certificates and 2-o owE • burial permits. -2' 8 "Instead of having to type 20-some 0,00 U forms, we can enter things once,' I- ! ". V 40 0) West said In addition to the clerical savings, VL • the system will make statistics more • readily available, West said. oitcsoo "The system we are running is 12 years obsolete," he said. "We have '0a).Et been losing part of our database." In addition to setting up the system, a) • the companies will provide equipment - • and training for office personnel, West -s ° said. idC S Although he would not hav€ a precise cost amount for all this until a formal contract is signed, he said, the u-p 1 1 six computer notebooks the office will oUOO'-',C ,twU,cm • get would normally cost $1,300 each. cLi - Public Safety Committee member it'2 o,td • Ken Griffin, D-Aurora, who was involved in hearing the presentation • from Business Systems, said it will have "long-term benefits" for the county. - "It's very promising," Griffin told fellow committee members. "irs just time-saving, for lack of a better word." . WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 712004 /LQ 17:ocr i/U? Ti" Kane pus . g. ackp a" • for senior-tax EeferendUlfl would require a special board By William Presecky meeting. Tribune staff reporterElgin-based Senior Services Kane County voters are not Associates Inc. and other cash- likely to be asked in the March strapped agencies began prod' primary whether they favor in- ding county officials in August • creasing property taxes to help to ask voters for approval to levy I p $1000f I underwrite an array of seniorassessed ataxofuPt02,5hs valuation to supple- services, from transportation to ment public and private funding I congregatePending meals.an unexpected re- for senior services. Voters in 11 venal Wednesday by the County other Illinois counties, includ- I Board's Executive Committee, ing neighboring Kendall, De- the proposed tax referendum Kalb and McHenry have autho- question that Senior Services ri2ed a tax for senior services. I Former St. Charles Mayor Associates Inc. and the Salvationthe Fred Norris, president of the n - Army have been imploring non-profit consortium, said that e County Board to schedule willbe . deferred until atleastNoVembet without the county funding, the Members of the board's Public level of social services available I y to Kane seniors will continue to Healthneed more Committee analysis saidand morethe diminish at a time when their time to better inform voters on numbers continue to grow.tax impact r the many, complex needs of the As proposed, the county's aging population and from a countywide senior servic- I the impact and aim of an added es levy could range from $7.46 a • tax to help seniors. The commit- year for a home valued at tee voted Tuesday recommend $100,000 to $24.12 on a $300,000 the issue not be put to a binding •home,"The according [fundingi to crisis Norris. is now, referendum March 16. o et worse, Monday will be the final day and it's justist going g" boards to said Norris. "We're at the point I foradopt local a resolution governin gor ordinance where we have no choice but to I • to allow referendumy ballot. questions The full cut Public back." Health Committee on untythe primarBoard is not scheduled to Chairman Gerald Jones (D-Au- 0 rora) said thefl roughly two meet again in regularsession until Tuesday. A vote by the Ex- months remaining before the ecutive Committee, therefore, to primary election was not suffi- go forward with a senior tax ref- dent to adequately educate• vot- 1 erendum proposal in March ers on the issue. /:17OciTDQ1(Qtterct&i. Batavia I can't [have home rule, census finds By GALA M. FIERCE partial census. Officials are con- Dai Herald Staff w,jj,. fident that the numbers at the Heritage Woods assisted-living. Despite preliminary numbers facility and new housing at the surpassing the 25,000 popula- Cambridge and Icirkiand Chase tion, Batavia officials learned developments would push the last week the special summer 24,978 population past the census concluded the city is 22 25,000 threshold, which would people short of achieving grant Batavia home-rule status. home-rule statu Home-ruled cities are not Representvesatis. of the U.S. subject to the tax cap with Census Bureau discovered a property tax increases, have mistake made in the 2000 less restrictions in appointing census when 375 inmates of the high-ranking positions in the Kane County jail were incor- fire and police departments, rectly tallied in Batavia's can use the hotel/motel tax population. revenue in the general fund "Despite this, the city will still and can impose a quarter- to get about $108,000 in new rev- half-cent increase in sales tax enue from the state (annually)," revenues. Assistant City Administrator Geneva will conduct apartial Randy Recklaus told the city special census of1,600 house council's GoVernment Services holds, which will cost $5,800, Committee Tuesday. Recklaus said. The city's cost of $210,000 for "Geneva doesn't anticipate the special census was not home rule and are still doing it wasted, Mayor Jeff Schielke because it's additional state said. revenue," he said. "We will easily overcome the Prom the census, officials cost in 2 years,' he said. "It was learned Batavia's vacancy rate a wise investment on the part of on rental housing was higher the city council. I don't think than in the past, which is there's anything to regret at all." attributed to low-interest rates Staffalready has asked the that spur people to buy rather bureau for an estimation of a than rent, Recklaus said.

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a I! HIIH flsL!41h e#iin '-i- oq con n-e&t3 /-7.4L/B99COA nazX Study seeks Batavia calls alternatives special meeting • to Randall on North Dam: By Jan RammIng. power lines: SPECIAL TO THE BEACON NEWS BATAVIA—The City Council has called a special meeting Feb. 12 to further discuss By Jan Ramming the future of the North Dam. - SPECIAL TO THE BEACON NEWS The meeting will be at 7 pin, in council BATAVIA - The City Council unani- chambers at City Hall. mously approved an intergovernmedal City Administrator Bill McGrath said agreement with St Charles and Genevalto representatives from the Illinois Depart- encourage a new power study by ComEd ment of Natural Resources will be asked to The study might help determine a non- attend. residential, east-side route for 138KV high On Christmas Eve, the Batavia Park power lines as an alternative to the lines Board reaffirmed its original vote in fav0r,0f which had been suggested along Randall ahewbalf-height dam to replace the 87-yew- Road. old North Dam. McGrath said he is certain CornEd originally proposed running 16 the IDNRis hoping for the councils consen- miles of high-power lines along Randall frOm susan one of the many options from the South Elgin to North Anrora. The plan was state for removal or replacement of the dam. strongly opposed by area residents who Many City Council members said they were concerned with the safety and aesthet- hoped to take a final vote on the matter. - ics of the lines. 'We really need to have a discussion The People United for Responsible Ener- amongst the council," Alderman Jim Volk, gy (PURE) group was formed, and mem- 4th Ward, said. We've heard an inter- bers have been involved in talks with CornEd and representatives from the cities minable number of public discussiois of North Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, St. about the pros and cons on this already- Its Charles and South Elgin. Illinois U. Gov. Pat time for us to sit down and have a discus- Quinn has been involved, too. sion on these points.' St Charles, Geneva and Batavia will each pay CornEd one-third of the cost of the study, estimated to be $50,000 to $100,000. -a-----•----- St Charles has approved the study, according to city administrator Larry Mahol- lancL Geneva is expected to formally approve it at its next City Council meeting Jan. 20, City Administrator Phil Page said, adding that the study might be completed by Febru- sty.

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S Survey results: Need for aid is there, but how should it be funded?

By Steve Lord 73 CJJÜfl STAFF WRITER n'eu_)5 GENEVA - As Kane County Officials consider a tax referendum to pay for senior citizen services, they are faced with a dichotomy. • A county survey shows a great need for assistance programs for seniors, but the same survey shows that seniors themselves identify high taxes as one of the major problems in the county. Still, officials who got their first glimpse Tuesday at results of the Kane County Senior Survey said they will study putting a.025 percent tax to pay for senior services on the county ballot. Officials said, however, that it Probably is too late for the March Primary ballot. They targeted the November ballot as probable. 'We need to think how it would be worded, and what kind of money we are talking about exactly," Public Health Chairman Gerry Jones, D- Aurora, said. "In that paragraph, it has to clearly state what the question is." - Members of the Senior Services Associates thought the referendum question would be clear and simple enough to place on the March ballot Fred Norris, president of the Senior + Turn to SENIOR, A2

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•II ,nU ,, ,fl¼c*, IL flt W*,#, -J fl'n k - /••fl. fj• Lf7f' /_ Census errorf maycost1ataviac - u r4l çu* 2000 report counted inmates at county4 jai1;'s .fl aon WtheCensu8uxau' 7 • city is 22 residents . short of seeking: boine ?i(e '' 'c-i.A 'J What struckus was that we had a '5 pdfldh'thdeàse ofl,000, When we By MARK FOSTER In 2000'the Census Bureau mcorhd aif7hcteaseof,.1000,hougmg Kane County Chronicle redly credited'Batavias populationwith ,, units" Recklaus said, notmg that the 375 Kane CountyJailmmate ,x,.j bulk of new housingan Batavia is corn BATAVIA - An error by the us: City officials used the official 23,8b6 posed, of large, singlefanhily homes. Census Bureau m2000 has come back to, figure from2000 as the basetorproject ve pushed them bedause,it thdnt haunt Batavia mg a population ofabout25 500 in2003 A itake sense' '., ; The result is that the city's official The release of the preliminary census .Lat Mek, the-Census Bureau re population as eouiftdd in last year's ape- couht of2S,ls3lastfallwasthefirstindih porqd ,tø:Recldaushe error,ofincluding cial census is 24,978,22 residents short ontliatsoSethingnghlbevrong4theikI5i1Ithm5 é2000co unt,,, of the 25,009 benchmark necessary to "We thought thantm±et s.1ds<, 1linOlsqn, iupervisotyprogralthan- achieve home ,rule status under slate said Bdtavid' Asthtant City Admin-, , ..., statute.Istrator Randy Recklaus, %o,worked a' 4 See BAflI4 page 2,i - -

The 2003 special 'census 1 Batavia,performed, by the: Census Continued from page 1 Bureau, cost the city $210,000. Olson said the 24,9-8. fig- Tim Olson, supervisory, urn has been certified and for- program'analystat the Census warded to the state, meaning Bureau' headquarters that Batavia will receive an ad- Washington, D.C., confirmed ditonal $106,000 In revenues the mistake: ayear. 'Ther&was a group qua±- 1."Thespecial census is • tars population that was going to -pay for itself in two rated to Batavia thatwasacth- years,' Recldaus said. In the 'ally in the county" Olson said, next five 'years, the city will However, Kane County collect an additional $500,000 Sheriff Ken Ramsey ,said that It otherwise would not have the jail actually Is within received. Geneva citylimits. - However, the city also per- Ramsey noted that until formed the special census In - 1995, after he became sheriff, -2003 to qualify for home rule the mailing address for -the jail status, Which grants munici- was a Batavia post office box pahties additional rights and • number. , '-'. .. - powersunderstatestatutn - 'The address at 777 P. One of those powers is the Pabyan Parkway in Geneva ability to levy an addiddñal 0.5 Was not recognized by the percent municipal, sales tax post office until I asked the City officials estimate that if postmaster to change It in enacted, the 'city could add 1995,' Rainseysaid. , about $1 million a year to its Ramseysaid that the jail's revenue seam, Hoveve±, • population isgenerallycloser Recklaus. noted that the city to 500 inmates, but added that did not budget for such rev- the rated capacity of the over enues this year. crowded facility is 398. City officials believe that Populations of jails are to be with the,continued growth of credited to the jurisdictions in the community, performing a which they are located. partial special Census In desig- Olson could not confirm nated census tracts cove ring whether the jail Inmates were about 500 homes will produce • counted twice ' & assigned enough additional population only to Batavia. - .. to boost the populafioñtount The 'city performed the over the 25,000 standtiitL 'special census last year to gain 'We are very certain we official- recognition of its in- have already passed 25,000,' creasing population. Municip- ' Recldaus said. -alities receive 'state motor fuel' Recklaus said the city will tax, income tax, photo pro- seek cost estimates for a par- cessingtaxreveiiues and other tial special census. - tax money based on popula- If, a- population of more 'ton. - : than 25,000 is certified, it - - In the 1980s and 1990s, the, would be up to a vote, of the city performed several special city council to determine countE to increase revenues whether, the city assumes from the state, home rule powers. :-'-: 'dE r- 0 '0 ) to0) 00 !MO. 'a rest comes from donations and noc::9 '° Referendum. fund-misers. > Committee members said rn 0O. CoQtinued from page 1 S t •"!E they wantedtime to frame the wording of the question that v, The survey revealed 7.1 per- Li wouldappearontheballot, such 0 2 0 cent of those responding have N- as statements of how much wntemp!atedsuicideandsper- W money would go to what erv- centhaveattemptedsuicida ice. 00 c5t'0 Schoenhohz said she read Schoenholta cautioned c en the survey and, applying Ithe board members that if specific percentages in the survey to the 0 • c6a)0wo dollar amounts forspecificpm- +. rS2O,O.uO county's senior populatiout grams were hated, it aught turn U- 28,590 seniors have unmet off voters who do not see the needs. •U' service theyneed. '-.0 One issue repeatedly men-. • "We have to be careful not doned as a concern was rising make ittoonaxrowç" she said. U> es. Ken Griffin D-Aurrna, said Schoenholta said many of 18 0 the survey shows the need for the programs available to sen- seniczs, but he wondered if the C 0) e iors gounusedbecauseofalack - referendum should request less • oflcoowledga = than the 2.5 cents madmum al- • - Some of the services am lowedby statute. I 't.-c available on a donation basis, ih Voters in McHenry, Boone, and some provide up to $150 for Carroll, Coles, DelCaib, DeWitt, 00 homerepaic Franklin, Jackson, Kendall and o'a years Vt "That's seven of tax Williams counties have ap- = payments," shesaid. 'Thesenior nVco2r.a) 0• proved similar referendums " Ct who cant afford this is the wry To make it to the Nov. 2

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S I Batavia died Frhiay,j 2,2004, menus in ''a. Alter nine- Id. •t-'i-o ith O.hntc2 cé County Wants Opinions tion transportation plan Fie North Aurora Public Librar% • a Meetings set North Aurora re • 10 an. Feb: 9, hi-Cities Area, Batavia Public Library, at Bata4a GENEVA - Members of g, the public and govern • 10 ant Feb. 11, of- Elgin Area, ficials are invited to provide Elgin Community Room 123. College, DCC, d • opinions on Kane County's 2030 Transportation Plan. • 10 a.m. Feb. 18, Campton n The county will conduct an Area, Campton Township open house and 'a series of fo- Community Center. rums in January and February 0 10 a.m. Feb. 191 West Central to introduce the draft plan and Area, Elburn Public Library solicit Opinions Elbum. An evening public meet- • 10 an. Feb. 23, Northwest ing/open house will be from 4 Area, Huntley Village Hall, to 7p.m. Jan. 28 in the audito.. Huntley. riuin Of Building A in the Kane • 1 p.m. Feb. 25, Southwest County Government Center, Area, Waubonsee Community 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva. College, Bodie Hall, 11011111150. Public forums will be in Infonnatjon on the planning each of the Planning partner- process can be found at the Kane ship areas: County • Division of • ftansportaaon Web site at 10 a.m.jar 30, Upper Fox vw Area, Randall Oaks Golf Club, w.coJanjj us/dot Dundee For information, call Heidi 10 a.ni Feb. 3, Aurora AEea, iles at (630) 406-7308. $ KW2e County Chronicle nroit no c rears - Coroner's• i -o chrpnrU€.. Transportation staff office to get to consider. changes new computer along Randall Road program chroflidQ ByTOM SCHLUETER Residents fear driving Kane County Chronicle on the road north oISTC GENEVA - The Kane County Coroner's office will By HEATH HIXSON St. Charles school board be a demonstration site for a Kane County Chronicle President Stephen Cole to new computer program that call attention to the road's will be designed especially for ST CHARLES — Kane unsafe conditions- the office. - County transportation staff Cole presented his case Coroner Chuck West said are set to meet Thursday to to the county board in early Business Systems Engin- consider changes to haz- December, telling board eering of Chicago will design ardous conditions on a members that residents near for free a database that would stretch of Randall Road the stretch "fear Randall be used by the company to north of the city. Road" and cited the market their product. As part of a normal staff November death of 17-year "This would be tailor- meeting, transportation staff old Samantha Joos along made for our purposes" are expected to considervar- the road as a reason for West said. The company ious options to clear up dan- changes. would market all over the gerou conditions on the "Today the fear is Randall country" road between Red Flaw Lane Road is the ignominious Speaking on Tuesday to and Silver Glen Road. successor to Kirk (Road)," he members of the Public Safety Residents along the told the board. Committee, West said a con- stretch say speeding mo- Kirk Road was the scene tract could be signed with torists and the lack of lane of numerous fatal vehicle the company within two separation and stoplights on accidents more than 10 weeks. the road cause them to fear years ago before road im- The new database would traveling on the road. provements were added and replace the office's12- Paul Rogowski county the speed limit was de- transportationdirector, said creased. year-old computer pro- Cole wants the county gram. his staff plans to craft vari- When someone dies 23 ous solutions to help make board which controls the documents must be filled out the road safer. road, to place signage, re- bythe coroner. He said those options duce the speed limit, build a would be presented Jan. 23 steel road divider between That means the name of opposing lanes, place sig- the deceased and other per- to the Kane County Board's Transportation Committee. nals at Crane and Bulcom sonal information must be roads and enforce the speed typed in 23 times. "We believe there is a The new program will unique situation because of limit. that hill and that curve," he Cole on Monday asked change that. the city council to approve a "Once you type in the in- said. 'We need to do a lot of work and try to understand resolution supporting his ef- formation it will automati- what types of (problems) are forts and calling on the cally migrate to all the forms," happening. We are going to county to take action. West said. The council is expected It also will provide statisti- try to look at any and all options to try and help find 2 to consider the resolution cal information the office solution-" Jan. 19. currently cannot provide. The move by county offi- Cole plans to ask the St. The company tentatively cials comes in large par Charles school board has agreed to provide six Monday to do the same. notebook computers and 16 after a campaign by former hours of training for employees. The new computer program is an outgrowth of a subcommittee of the Public Safety Committee that has been studying the needs of the coronets office. Establishing an up-to- date database was one of the panel's goals. Finding more storage space for bodies is another priority. /- 1-oq'•cniW3 iRe eren um on seniors programs

faces bumpy road S 'We're virtually saying, are you • Board questions: willing to support more taxes for these programs?" board member Some Kane officials ThWojnicki, R-St. Charles, said. lukewarm about The drive for the senior citizen referendum was started by raising seniors' taxes providers of programs in the county who face cuts in federal and state BY Steve Lord funding. The 25 cents for each STAFF WRITER $100 of assessed Value for seniors dENEVA - While the Kane programs is specifically authorized County Health Department willby state law for counties, continue studying a property tax The county would collect the referendum to fund programs for money and could dole it out to Se, senior citizens, there were indica- nior citizen services providers. tions Wednesday such a referen- More need dum would get a rough reception from the County Board. Senior Services Associates Inc., Some members of the board, an organization coveting McHenry,. speaking at the Executive Commit- Kane and Kendall counties with a tee meeting, said a tax increase to budget of about $2.5 million a year, fund programs for seniors mightbe has been pushing for the referen- just the opposite of what seniors dum because of threatened budget need The board is looking at a cuts, Bette &hoenholta Senior question on the November ballot vices Associates director, said. asking voters to approve a tax in- After the meeting, Schoenholtz crease of 2.5 cents for each $100 of pointed out there are plans to cut assessed value, an increase of less many of the services Noverini re- than $20 a year on a $250,000 ferred to. As much as 60 percent of house.Senior Services' budget comes 'The seniors in my community from federal and state sources that are looking for tax relief," board could be cut as early as this year, member John Noverini, R-Carpen- and many of those services not only tersville, said. "It seems there are need a local agency to coordinate it, plenty of programs for senior citi- but to match the funding. zens. We have programs on top of "Most require at least a 15 per- programs. It doesn't make sense." cent match, Schoenholtz said, Board member Deborah Allan, "Out of our budget, we could lose R-Elgin, said a referendum might 60 percent. That leavesa lot of be "buying more bureaucracy." money to be raised, which is where Board member Don Wolfe R-Elgin, the referendum comes in said the tax might be intended togO Schoenholta said the recent to senior programs, but would end Kane County Senior Survey, pre: up feeding a list of other non-profit sented Tuesday to the Public agencies. Health Committee and distributed Other board members suggest- to other County Board members ed that program funding, and even Wednesday, showed many of the a referendum for funding, would be gaps in senior care in the county. better handled by individual town- She pointed out that by looking at ships.the survey answers, she was able to "I think seniors would rather just come up with more 'than 28,000 in- have the money, and spend it them- dividual examples of an unmet selves," Board member Lee Bar- need. rett, R-Dundee, said. "Services are there, but the That is the choice people would needs assessment shows more have at the ballot box, if the refer- needs to be done," she said. "Even endum question were approved, if we are able to maintain what we said board member Gerryjones, D- have, we need to seek funding to Aurora, chairman of the Public meet the unmetneed." Health Committee. The Health Department and the "If they vote 'no' on the referen- state's attorney's office will con- dum, then that's what they're say- tinue to study possible wording mg," he said. "It's not a sure thing, for a referendum on the Novem- just because its on the ballot" ber ballot. :- o- Fees 0 CD 'a t Continued from page 1 'l CD 3 :0 0- To calculate the fee, the fl Kane County Division of Ur Lansportation. divided the Ct county into eight regions they ia Cd) call Planning Partnership Areas E- and applied a formula that go takes into account the number -a$ of lane miles of county highways and the amount of traffic .o a: a given development is ex- a CL pected to generate. With Fabyan Parkway and Htn th-o .< Kirk and Randall roads, the .n a lb-Cities has more county oft: giCD w roads than any other region. 0rtCDCD SD '0ogD But a line must be drawn C MO somewhere, board members . ft o-g say. • . g' : •ooEt: Weigand points to theo- a:fl. rétical development on Kirk Road. rta I;h A strip mall built at Kirk QçD taCC,P and Wind Energy Pass in 0 Batavia could generate a fee that tops $500,000. For the same strip mall afewhundred feet south in the corporate limits ofAurora, the fee would tl-tiJ un ø3i S be $120,000, Weigand said. pp) CD ° Developments in the Th- 0cnP"o : z Cities should pay more because they put more traffic on CD.< • county highways, said Williath F_0 0 0 Wyatt R-Aurora, chairman of C) the Transportation Committee. g.0- "The bottom line is we - needthemoney"Wyattsaid"ff • we don't do this we have to look t)flO&no_0- at the gas tax or the property tax. Those alt people taxes. I 0:1 0 We!re going tobe he of money intheTh-Cities." n If approved, the fee is ex- 0 pected to bring in $2.6 mil- E: :- lion a year. The money must JR be spent in the PPA in which it was collected. CD CO

'a 0(0 C, -. Fee: Mayors v1Cb - "a willing to 4 go to Court -1 C • O (0 0 Co 0 p •op p p'ao - - Cl) Cities area, one of eight plan- 05 0 ning areas created in the county t03 to separately raise and spend C0 the money. i ,-i . an Aurora Republican, said the ' t? system works, but he under- o 0 stands the concern. flot.) 11 P_o C c;: 0

1 see their point," he said. C, But differences in fees from EL CoO)'Co area to area, that's to be expected." B -14 cr Om mqcnne" The alternative to(this, he 0) PPg0) a said, is collecting more taxes from residents instead of (0RN)° 0) S' - O'0Pg3 builders. 00p t0, B o -' The mayors say fair fair and 0fl• they will fight, possibly in court, 9a oc 2,o to make it that way. St. Charles Pc :1. o.0a Mayor Sue Klinkhamer said the OVO mayors have to protect their artC-i '•'0 cities' interests. (0 CO "T his will hurt us,' she said. Cft CD — The mayors are trying to - lobby county board members to a- . g revamp the formula and thus vote against the fee next week 00 If it's approved, the mayors o0'p. PI believe there is room to chal- f lenge the system. m 'We haven't reached that 0 Point yet,' Schielke said. "I'm hoping for diplomacy to win out..' g so ." 0. £ t Kane says no to... higher tax on the rich 15.Qcj VcU,1c1 By PATRICK WALDRON Daily Herald Staff Wite, ./7'eccdd The last time Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal for revisions to the state income tax system came up, in conversation around the Kane County Board table; the issue was • ridiculed, On Wednesday, when the • proposal - which Quinn says would help education funding around the state — surfaced again for final consideration, Kane leaders gave it the silent treatment. In short, the notion of supporting Quinn's call for a special advisory referendum on the subject wasnt even considered. County Board Chairman Mike McCoy said he told Quinn's representatives to expect that kind of reaction. "I didn't See it going anywhere," McCoy said: In county boardrooms across the state, Quinn is seeking support for an advisory (. referendum asking voters to a approve a plan todouble the a state income tax for people making more than $250,000 and then splitting that money t evenly between schools and i homeowners. The lieutenant governor's, office is sending staff members to all 102 Illinois counties cy askinglocal county boards to .n vote to place the question on ty the ballot. e If approved during the , March primary; Quinn's plan ci calls for a vote in November to B amend the state constitution s and make the plan law. - .7 Quinn estimates the plan r would net the state an addi- , tional $1.2 billion annually. y The tax increase would i- involve 81,343, residents, r roughly 2 percent of Illinois o, taxpayers. Of those affected, ty, 66,637— or 82 percent - live td in Cook or the collar counties. R. An aide to Quinn told McCoy - that 16 counties have approved el putting the question on the I- ballot is Quinn was not available for rt comment on the referendum drive We dnesciay. 74 o43c4njc(. County board cool. toward senior tax By TOM SCHLUETER said," Schoenholtz said. Kane County Chronicle The cuts in state and federal spending have forced the GENEVA Supporters of closure of some of the very a referendum to expand serv- programs to which the board ices for senior citizens might members were referring, she find a hard sell on the Kane said. County Board. Adult day-care programs A recent survey of the and home meal delivery have county's senior residents closed, and demonstrated a need for more Senior senior services, officials said. A Services had possible tax increase would to laylay off an help fund those services. employee A proposed senior citizens this year, referendum would ask voters leaving the to approve a 2.5-cent tax levy; agency with which would generate : $2.4 three full- million and cost the owner of a time work- $250,000 home about $20 a Mitchell year. "There are programs out Members of the Executive there, but some of them don't Committee on Wednesday have the capacity" she said. considered the survey com- Worse, those that do exist may missioned by the Health face the same fate as the ones Department of residents age that have closed, she added 60 and older to learn their The top five concerns needs, and the proposed refer- listed in the survey were af- endum. fordable prescription drugs, To many county board affordable health care, afford- members, the biggest need for. able housing, transportation seniors is lower taxes. and home health care. "Some (seniors) have told Board member Donald me why don't you just cut my Wolfe, R-Elgin, said the tax is taxes?" said Lee Barrett, R- meant to help the nonprofit East Dundee. agencies as much as the sen- James Mitchell, R-North iors themselves. Aurora, said townships pro- "Let's be very careful," vide services for senior citi- Wolfe said. zens and a county tax would John Noverini, R- have the effect of taxing resi- Carpentersville, said the best dents twice for the same thing to do for senior citizens service. is cut their taxes. "Perhaps that should be a "We have federal pro- township function. I can't sup- grams, we have state pro - port a referendum like that," grams, we have township pro- Mitchell said. grams. We have programs on Bette Schoenholtz, execu- top of programs. If we want to five director of Senior Services do something we could ex- Associates, said the health de- empt seniors earning less than partment's survey demon- $30,000 from paying taxes," strates the need for services, Noverini said. especially after state and fed- The earliest a question eral spending cuts for social could appear on the ballot is program. . H the Nov. 2 election. "It was kind of discourag- It would not appear on the ing to listen what was being March 16 ballot.

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• ' O-' 7 LF/(YIjfr'4' - Coroner canaivate vows to drop business if elected By ADAM KOVAC administration and, Hickrod's quests from Hickrod for Kane County Chronicle potential to profit from hold- records about the coroner's .ingthe post. budget use of county-owned • GENEVA—A candidate for Hikrod denied using an vehicles and the qualifications IcaneCounty coroner said he election victory to benefit his ofWest's deputies. will forfeit operation of his cre- business, noting that the de- Illinois law does not re- matory business, if he is mands of the post would require Hickrod to respond to elected to avoid the appear- quire his full-time attention. the coroner's requSt because ance of impropriety - lie said West is trying to deflect he is a private citizen. Hickrod - Stan Hickrod's comments criticism from himself. also accused West of violating on Wednesday blunted an at-., "There's no way for me to state election lawsby using tack by incumbent Corotier, profit by this, whatsoever," county funds and resources Charles .West that Hickrod Hicicrod said. "'Most likely, it • for political purposes. would use his 1\vin Pines cre- would be sold because I can't "He can't do that," he said. matoriurn in East Dundee to work both jobs." However, West said he only line his pockets while in office. Questions about Hickrod's asked for information his of- The coroner issues crema- crematorium are the latest in a fice needs to have on file, but tion permits to the two crema- series of campaign barrages acknowledged that his request toriums in Kane County, which fired in three months as West was based in part on Hickrod's includes TWin Pines, and gives and the former Streamwood campaign probing. advice on obtaining funeral. police officer target each other "He feels his questions are services when someone dies.. in the three-way primary. vital to his campaign, so I gave • "It would be very easy to On Dec. so; West used him an opportunity to re- channel things to his facility" county stationery to mail spond to the same kind of West said. 'In 26 years of coro- Hicicrod a freedom of informa- questions," West said. "It's all ners, no one has ever been in a tion request asking for acopyof about the campaign.' position to profit." his funeral director's license; a Tiballi has managed to But }Jickrod first must de- list of cremations his business avoid the contention. The GOP feat West and Bob Tiballi of performed in the last three winner is expected to face Elgin in the March 16 years and other information. Democrat Robert Moore of Republican primary, a race West's inquiry was in re- Aurora in the November gen- that appears focused on West's sponse to three - similar re- eral election. uam S U I "Youneedtoti-ytoma1it Business briefs : more attractive," plan com- fueling mission member Nancy Job club series station Bertoglio =olio told .for the new year and other planners said the IH station needs more architec- The Kane County Department of Batavia tural detail and landscaping Employment and Education (KCDEE) than was presented Wednes- holds a weekly job club series providing day. 'just for gas' 7 They also said the can assistance with finding a job in the cur- By MARK FOSTER over the six fueling islands, rent economy. Classes are held at various Kane County Chronicle each with two pumps, ñee4cls Illinois Employment and Training to be better integrated with Centers (IETC). BAThVIA —Most gasoline the station building. - stations today function as The building, described What ties people in a job dub together convenience - stores, with byAd is the need do as a kiosk, is just 24 for mutual support and everything from newspapers t square feet, and would have. encouragement. Guest speakers provide to snacks to hot coffee breW- spare only for, a single atti- information and spark conversation ing inside. - - dant and restrooms. among attendees about issues pertinent But when motorists drive Addo said at most Sam's into the Sani's Club fueling sta- Club fueling stations thereis to those who are "between careers." tion on Fahyan Parkway, thy no attendant at all, but this one People who haie been involved with a should expect one commodity is far enough across the pak- job dub report that their job-seeking It's just for gas," said Kofi ing lot from the Wal-Mart that efforts are strengthened by belonging to a Addo, a project designer with an engineering finn working - While the attendant Will group and that their job searches are for Sam's Club. - - be able to take payment (pr A shorter. The Sam's Club station will gasoline purchases, Addo said Upcoming job dub sessions are held be part of the 30-acre cow- Sam's Club is designing the fa- from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Fridays at the Elgin mercial development at the cility toencourage use of IETC, 30 DuPage Ct., Elgin: southwest corner of Randall credit cards at the pumps. Road and Fabyan Parkway%o The station Will be at 855 • Jan. 9: Reasons people don't get jobs be anchored by a 150,000- W Fabyan Parkway, east of the - - how not to get hired signalized intersection on • Jan. 16: Guest speaker from Kane Sam's Club is a branch-bf Fabyan that will be the pfl- County Health Department the Wal-Mart empire, with,a mary access to the commer- Sam's Club store on Randall cial development. The -Wa!- • Jan. 23: Positive thinking and success I Road already doing a brisk Mart will be at the west enctof - greet the New Year with a new attitude t I- business just south of the the property - - Jan. 30-. Challenges facing the experi- planned development - -. Ad do and city staff planner enced worker The Randall-Fabyan de- KdTammsthd they will work velopment also will inclue together to refine the design For more information, call Jean Duchaj two banks, two restaurar,ts before bringing it back to the - at the Elgin ETC, (847)-888-7900, Ext. 247. and numerous retail shops. - commission for further review Reservations are not required, but come The property already has Tar-urn said planning the early because seats fill up quickly. There been annexed into the city development has been a chal- is no charge for the sessions. and the project approved. lengebecause of the steep The plan commission on slope to the property and the The Kane County . Pepartment of ay Wednesday was reviewing de- grading that must be per- Employment and Education is .a proud sign plans for the fueling sta formed. lion, member of the America's Workforce - -.r. Network. Deal expectedto end battle over, subdivision

By PATRICK WALDRON the full county board on Tuesday Might sell for more than Daiiy Herald Staff Writer when the plan is expected to win $800,000. full board support. Its a departure from versions - County leaders say an envi- That vote stands to end years presented by Inland in the early ronmental permit expected any of legal battles between the 1990s that called for 280 homes day now is the only remaining county and the project's devel- on the same site. hurdle to dear before finalizing oper. County board members a deal to develop the long-dis- "Thesday's meeting is a major rejected those plans and several puted Prairie Lakes subdivision key to the settlement and we are revisions prompting a series of in Campton Township. optimistic that this will be lawsuits, including one that "I think it's a done deal," said approved," said Rick Fox, a remains in court unresolved. county board Chairman Mike spokesman for Oak Brook-based County officials reached what McCoyari Aurora Republican. Inland Real Estate Development they refer to as a settlement with The permit from the Illinois Corp. Inland in December that will Environmental Protection. • The Prairie Lakes compromise clear the way for home con- Agency authorizing use of sani- outlines plansfor 150 single- struction and put an end to the tary spray fields as part of the family homes on the 225-acre remaining lawsuit that stands Campton Township develop- site near Burlington and Bolcum ready for trial. ment was due this week but roads. Acre-plus lots would Inland officials say once the hadn't come down as ofWednes- buffer the property from sur- board approves the plan and day. Still, county leaders expect rounding areas and half-acre puts it on the path toward con- the permit to be Sued in lime lots would make up the interior. struction, that lawsuit will be for the project to be put before The homes with larger lots dropped..-

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•:$Th (I, C) U) ' - •°'° C) Q0)Q) -'J' — V 00 0)tct ••0 Ct Z'S.'— — 00o 0 — t. °ottC) UzI2 " ijlf Li no)0— (to) $1o)Q ; :flfl -nfl 4-4UC) C) Ft CflJO0-_ I•U ' .-U"o .If PCI 1. Lh iDiUj 0 04C 0 co w w bOtCY g WO Cl) ct. o •o co L - t 0cd. C w Ct County board cool toward senior tax ByTOM SCHLUETER said," Schoethol said Katie County CJiropJI The cuts in state and federal spending have forced the • GENEVA - Supporters of • a closure of some of the very referendun 0 expand sew- ices for senior citizens might Programs to which the board members were referring, she find a hard sell on the Kane said. County Board Adult day-care programs A recent survey of the 'county's senior residents and home meal delivery have • demonstrated a need for more closed, and senior services, officials said. A Senior Possible tax increase would Services had help fund those services. to lay off an A proposed senior citizens employee this year, • referendum would ask voters leaving the to approve a 2.5-cent tax levy agency with which would genetate. $2.4 million and cost the owner of a three full- $250,000 home about $20 a Mitchell time work- • year. • "There are programs out Members of the Executive there, but some of them don't • Committee on Wednesday have the capacity" she said. considered the survey com- Worse, those that do exist may missioned by the Health face the same fate as the ones Department of residents age that have closed, she added 60 and older to learn their The top five concerns needs, and the proposed referendum. listed in the survey were affordable prescription thugs; To many county board affordable health care, afford- members, the biggest need for. able housing; transportation seniors is lower taxes. and home health care. "Some (seniors) have told Board member Donald me 'why don't you just cut my• 'Wolfe, R-Elgin, said the tax is taxes?" said Lee Barrett, R- neant to help the nonprofit East Dundee igencies as much as the sen- James Mitchell, R-North iDrs themselves. Aurora; said townships pro- "Let's be very careful," vide services for senior citi- Volfe said. zens and a county tax would John Noverini, R- have the effect of taxing resi- C;arpentersvnje, said the best • dents twice for the same tiling to do for senior citizens • service. is cut their taxes. "Perhaps that should be a "We have federal pro-. township fUnction. I can't sup- girams, we have state pro- port a referendum like that," gi Mitchell said. arns, we have township pro- rams. We have programs on Bette Schoeitholtz, execu- toP of programs. If we want to five director of Senior Services di something we could ex- Associates said the health de- ernpt seniors earning less than partment's survey demon- $ 0,000 from paying taxes," strates the need for services, Ni)verinj said. especially after state and fed- The earliest a question eral spending cuts for social - co'uld appear on the ballot is Programs. the Nov. 2 election, "It was kind of discourag- It would not appear on the ing to listen what was being M;arch 16 ballot. . I

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lanEicc..a isMI n& _i •fl TWill 5V1 ICSAJJVOIJ this began. Aurora Tbwnshi$ and the sur- I am replying to some of the recent com- rounding townships interrupted their brush ments about the leaf vacuum for Aurora Pickup servicewhen the state notified them Township, especially the political rhetoric to stop. I made the decision to begin brush comment if Commissioner Burgess would Pickup this fall after the state allowed for do something about it. I am well aware of townships to decide about brush pickup. the program that Kane County is offering Fred Burgess, Highway Commissioner, Aurora some funds to offset the price of a leaf vacu- Township um At this point in time there is a special committee that was organized in the fall of taxpayer township people and township board members discussing the possible solutions to this leaf and brush issue. To just go out and buy a leaf Vacuum will not solve all the issues associated with the leaf disposal, whether it be an expensive leaf vacu- UM or free leaf bags. I have been active in trying to get this situation resolved since all

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BY GALA M. PIERCE IL Daily Herald Staff Writer "There is a lot of tS Half of the Batavia City Coun- opportunity for the Er CDfl cil will hear arguments during 0 O-' upcoming public hearings on community to see I r why the community's waste • this document." on iIUL,. — hauler should be allowed to t q a , 2 open a waste transfer station. Bill McGrath, city administrator, on Es ,1CDCD Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielice Onyx Waste Services Midwest Inc's permit application for a CDCDrt. 0 recommended members of the Ct city services committee to a waste transfer station U I serve on the pollution control c'S• CDCD CD Eo facility committee at Monday's CD o.0 city council meeting. .1. t Hunter Drive and Hubbard a-'r ' '-,Oqo-CD "City services has been the Avenue, Dec. 19. go one to oversee this since its n The public is invited to review 0 conception," Schiellce said. Onyx's hefty application, avail- '< - Members of that committee able at city hall, 100 N. island q'ca- include Jodie Wollnilc, Charles Ave. Beckman, Cathy Barnard, Jim "There is a lot of opportunity ftC, Volk, Eldon Frydendall, Mary for the community to see this ?' a C McCarter and Nancy Vance, document," Batavia City who serve the 1st through-7th Administrator Bill McGrath said. wards, respectively. An agreement between So :0 M '-iQ'CD.ot C The panel should convene Batavia and Onyx limits waste a . p- * ater this month to set dates for to an average 1,000 tons a day ' a series of public hearings, on the 5 acres in the city's 1 probably in April, on the appli- industrial park a a :ation's merits. • City officials considered The seven aldermen will building the city's own transfer E nake findings and recommen- station after Kane County CD lations, but the full city council g-g .F9;1• revised its solid waste plan in p 2, will have to give final approval. 1997 and banned more landfills MWA a-- at This week, the city council's in the area. Settler's Hill is set to a ilaUflif if overnment services committee dose by 2006. Qct' be tlso approved the hearing offi- Transfer stations temporarily 'I CD 0 CD ty :er. Attorney Glenn Sechen of store and consolidate the FE r *St. he law finn of Schain, Burney, garbage before it is transported a at toss & Citron, of Chicago, will to landfills farther away. o' .ct nt:g he erve with his rate capped at Members of the panel can g 6 ° Les ;225 an hour. discuss the process with resi- a DIQ CD jat Onyx Waste Services Midwest dents, but not the merits of the Nag go nd nc., based in Milwaukee, paid application. All discussion of q CD we 200,000 up front to cover the the transfer station's merits C- ive ees, officials said. should wait until the public wqt-CD Sechen should be officially hearings. -----r lic Lpproved at an upcoming city "When they did this in West On :ouncil meeting. Chicago, there was a lot of The company filed an appli- people who were upset ag :ation to approve a siting per- because they couldn't talk to to nit for a station at 766 Hunter members of the city council," )rive, the southeast corner of Alderman Alan Wolff said.

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By DAN CHANZIT Kane County Chronicle ELBURN—Village officials hope to work on formal boundary agreements with their neighbors this year to aid Ind-use planning: The concept might seem premature; especially because most rural towns west of Randall Road essentially are surrounded by farmland. In fact, most of rural western Kane County is listed as - agricultural by county land- use maps. But with farmland falling to suburban sprawl. Elburn wants to make sure everyone is on the same page. Make no mistake, the area between us is completely and wholly in the county's agriculture preservation zone.Village President James Willey said. But we think it is time. Elburn has no formal agreements with its neighbors, some of which might see ex-. plosive growth, according to 2030 population projections by the Northern Illinois Planning Commission. N11'C estimates that Sugar Grove will grow to 63,889 by 2030 from 3,909 residents in County. Elbtirn wants to establish boundary agreements with surrounding communities. - 2000, Elbum Is e,pectedto jump 1021,126 residents by 2030 from other municipalities will tweenvarious municipalities. Santell said. "It makes it so a east oflllburn, 2,756 residents in 2000. adopt similar growth philoso- A pact between St. Charles and developer can't play the cities "I've seen a La Fox concept The reason for the disparity phies and tend their own Genevahas been around for 20 off of each other." plan, so there Is one out there," between the projected popula- yards before getting too close years, he said. Wiley said. tions is n difference in growth to their neighbors. Aurora has an agreement Far away neighbors Lay Lake is about five miles philosophietl Sam Santell, the county's with Sugar Grove and Mont- Elburn's situation is some- north on Route 47. Virgil Is a Sugar Grove wants to ex- development director, ap- gomery, which Santell said what different. Most of its few miles west of Lily Lake on panti. Llhurn wants to build plauded Llhurn's interest in helps Aurora concentrate on neighbors are more than five Route 64. Elburn does not have "inside the box," which refers to boundary agreements. improving established neigh- miles away. agreements with either. the stretches of creeks and wet- "Agreements allow them to borhoods and revitalizing its The nearest potential In the last year, Sugar lands that surround the village. know where their future downtown. neighbor is LaFox, anunincor- Grove officials have asked to Welch Creek forms the growth is going to be," Santell A Gilberts-Carpentersvilie Pointed settlement to the east. work on a boundary agree- southern and western part of said. "If you have an idea of pact also includes land-use A group of residents has devel- ment. The growing village is that box. Blackberry Creek is to how far you'll grow, you'll be Plans. aped a land-use map and about 10 miles south of the east and south. The Virgil able to plan for the future." "It's not only a boundary seeks to Incorporate. Harley Elbum on Route 47. Drainage Ditch is to the north. Two dozen agreements agreement, but they are Road Is the proposed western Elburn officials hope that exist around the county be-. locked into landland uses, too," bother, which is about a mile See LLBIJBN, page 6 Population projections 2000 2030 Am . 14,449 lingtoflurn ...... • .21,126 tnpshire...... 2,900 ...... 20,393 garGrove...... 3,909 ...... 6,889 Source: Northern Illinois Planning Commission

velopment isn't there, it's difficult to make boundary Iburn agreements a priority," he ntinued from page 1 said. "We - think its a Interstate 88 is about good idea to dfway between the villages, start now." id Willey has suggested that Maple boundary be somewhere• Park is about ar the highway. five miles "Somewhere north of 1-88 west of El- realistic," said Brent Eichel- burn; and village the village erger, Sugar Grove's . J.rninistrator. governments "We've had some informal Willey have agreed iscussions. The intersection to stay on f 1-88: and Route 47 is a their sides of Meredith Road. rime opportunity for some "There is no formal posi- ciixed use development, so tion," Willey said. "But, qe want to get up to the inter- Meredith is on the eastern hatige." boundary of their compre- Sugar Grove has boundary hensive plan." tgreements with Aurora, Still, Willey suggests that 'Torth Aurora, Yorkville and the village seek a formal .Vtontgomery. The village is boundary agreement. ;eeking ageementS with "Sometimes, it's good to Elburn, Big Rock, Plano • and say something like, 'You stay• Batavia, Eichelberger said. west of Meredith and we'll "When the pressure of de- stay to the east,' "he said. Lq Oh10/912mu og KANE COUNTY CHNIO.E

2004 Red Cross Hometown Heroes nominees David Anderson, Elburn Annie Collins, Batavia Becky Hoffrage, St. Charles For alifetime thousands of dolars in stolen goods For his generosity, For her drive and Susan Sherwood, Wayne humanitarianism and volunteer ' olvokin- . and enthu For their heroic four-day, four.nigfit -: teerism and Tim efforts on behalf of Delnor- siasm hire- search to return a Sinontheld Community Hospital, Kaneland - philanthropy Schmitz, invigorating 'nAlrvW puppy to its owiws to benefit Batavia Mi''9 Schools, Elburn Lions Club and the Batavia the community-at4arge countess For his Jaycees and Dr. Stephen Holtsfoid, St local causes/ dedication - spearheading Charles John Arthur Anderson, St. charities and - variety of For his tireless work as medical- including profession-. Charles community director of Southern Fox Valley For securing expanded physical Glenwood alism as a projects Emergency Medical Services as School, firefighter, facilities and programming including wel as on behalf of Tr-City Health Miller F opportunities to meet the A. Collins Northwestern firefighter Partnership, Sierra Club, Amnesty Hospital, Chicago Baseball Cancer trainer and needs of focal residents served Haunted House andajatavia,s International and Campton Charities, Special Olympics, Schmitz by the TriCities Corps of the Fourth of July Fireworks Illinois state Salvation Army Town sh Open Space Committee Pinrds Cultural Ms Center, Ronald representative - McDonald House and others Steve Collins, Deputy, Kane Hal Honean, St. Ch Jodie Averaino, Batavia Fire Chief Alan Schuflo, St Charles County Sheriffs Office For founding Creative fit and Cynthia Morales-Vasquez, St. Fire Department For quick thinking and heroic PtectKltytoovide adapted Charles, -high school freshman Kurt Baum, Batavia Fire Actions to extinguish car fire Department cycling eqiiprnent and wpixtallbes For rmtuty, strength and leadership Forhelpingthe Department resulting from a rollover accident for disabled xfviutMls mc.áig Forgoing above and beyond the that trapped two passengers in providing announcement; cy alter a all in Swish to assist English as a new arana of • call of duty in aspects of their who subsequently survived John L Flosclielt, St. Charles students work as firefighters for Batavia fire service For his dedicated to Kevin Conrad, St. Charles visionary - Jon Olson; Elgin exceeding Bruno Bartozek, Aurora - For leadership______in For establsitg St Chafes Learlig rr4 For his volunteer work in adult mentoring oistcn€r forwarding W atni nil expectatiats, literacy, as atranslator, and for local youth by the mission professional assatiation devoted to his community service with the giving up his SChullo ripros of the Forest ,,.- - social and Ixt(essntl reeds of operations and Boy Scouts of America and vacations to Preserve. numerous other social service focnuarityees olMu Pvxlersen prosfrig cutting-edge êquxrieAt, run summer District of - programming and services organizations basketball Kane County, - Bruce Parks, St. Charles camps and including For risking personal injury to Susan Sherwood, Wayne and Warren Be,th physician, serving on acquiring, Geneva - Hoscheit provide aid to the victims of a Becky iHoffrage, St. Charles the board of preserving rollover accident involving a For ther heroic four-day, four-eight For sacrificing a week of summer directors for and developing open lands - minivan accident at Route 31 return vacation to conduct a special Conrada search to a five-monthold St. Charles and Illinois Street in St. Charles "runaway' puppy to its owners medical mission to Bolivia Basketball Organizations Jerome Johnson and the Johnson Family, La Fox Harry Patterson, North Aurora Wayne R. Stevens, Batavia Judy Birkner, Geneva - Fred Doniback, Elbum For dedicating their lives and For his For providing exemplary For her tireless volunteer, For being a 'service-oriented' personal resources (financial and ' ' tsTJ leadership - Emergencyfix Medics Servicesto his lobbying and educational efforts individual who volunteers for the otherwise) to preserving open role and canmtnity more than 30 years on behalf of improving the Red Cross and Delnorommunity space, as wet as the history of and thereby saving numerous Was quality of life for develop- Hospital, assists disaster victims farming in Kane County hours of either directly or 'indirectly mentally disabled and across the country and is known handicapped individuals A service, for always 'being there" to help Gloria Klimek, St. Charles Vi counsel and Kate Sunloat, St. Charles, high neighbors in need home For her service on the St Charles physical school junior - Evan Cart, Batavia, second' Park Board and leadership role in grader labor as For her dedication, fundraising - Shayne Dwyer, St. Charles, securing new natural areas, chairman of efforts and service on the board of For sacrificing his birthday gifts fourthgrader expanding district programming Patterson The North directors to benefit Lazarus House to raise money to purchase a For It 'gift of love' to sick children and restoring native plants at Aurora sun oven for a nee' family in though par&,atic*i lithe Locks park district properties - Beautification Committee Stephen rural Haiti Spc. D. Tewell, St Oaks of Love programchildren to provide human For his commitment to protecting hair wigs for who lose their Scott Larton, Kane County - Sgt. Pat Perez, Kane County American interests and recently John Carr, Batavia hair due to ilness State's Attorney's Office serving eight months in Iraq as a - For his hard work, leadership For his dedication and Office and dedication helping fellow member of the U.S. &my Annie Fink, St. Charles professionalism in protecting the For his -. veterans and spearheading For her selfless volunteer work victims of elder and disabled distinguished Trish Uttich, registered nurse, construction of the Veterans on behalf of Lazarus House and abuse in the Fox Valley service as a Geneva Memorial in his role as St. Mark's Lutheran Church law enforce- • For her expert, professional and superintendent of Veterans Pang-Hsung Lu, physician, St. ment pro- compassionate care of Alzheimer Assistance Commission of Staff Sgt. Jacob L. Frazier Charles fessional and patients and their families Kane County Inc. and his For providing excellent service to mentor to parents, St. Use in need of pain management, local youth Charles thic" Williams Soon Ja Choi, physician, Charles oftenvithortthagiigthwnssthen thrdugh For his dedication and volunteer Warrenvile For estab- the need arises Aurora Super Perez efforts on behalf of GmevWs For being the driving force - ishinga - Stars Football League, which he Carmnnty intervention Program behind Messengers of Mercy memorial to - Karen L Maloney, physician, founded and still runs and by and Kane County Drug Retnb-- and bringing hope, healing and benefit St. Charles p serving as a volunteer coach for tatiori Court, as wel as many faith to people in Egypt, Glenwood For ru-naitanon.,orfc in the tMuai, the Kaneland School District other youthorlented programs and Nicaragua, Guatemala, North School aswel as ts involvement in 'ALigtt organizations Korea, Brazil, India and West students in I to the Nathn7 a host prograil for St. Charles Drill Team, St Charles Samoa memory of LAQ*C orphans in the Ikifted States, East and North High Schools Phil Zavltz, FP4 Jacob, who J. Frazier and'Docsai the homelessBbck,"anle For a decade of raising funds St. Charles Thomas G. Collinet, physician, was kifled in action in Afghanistan medical mil for the ($33,500 this year) to benefit For his lifelong I Uburn - the American Cancer Society's - dedication and - For providing medical care to Joe Frogs, Lieutenant, Geneva Kevin McKinoss, St. Charles annual Relay for Life accoll 1,000 Nicaraguan natives Police Department For rescuing a dying kitten and plishments during a four-day mission In For 25 years of service as a local nursing it back to health using -Jeremy Schilepsiek, St. Charles rescuing - - February 2003 with other law enforcement professional, his own money, time and effort For identifying and helping poke animals both professionals and members of FBI trainer and scouting/service - - Pursue a suspicious vehicle, here and the Assembly of God Church club/co rrmiunity volunteer Bob Miller, St. Charles apprehend crin-ii-iats and recover abroad Zavltz

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Suicide Prevention Services volunteers work with callers who are depressed and suicidal. Senior citizens often call and have problems because they are lonely. . . . Seniors in need of more services suicide and 5 percent actually at- Who to call tempted suicide, numbers that indi- • TriCity Family Services, Survey: 5 percent of cate a gap in services. Geneva "Dwindling funding for mental (630) 232-1070 county's elderly have health has affected that area," said • Fox Valley Hospice, Geneva attempted suicide Uche Onwuto, chief epidemiologist (630) 232-2233 with the health department. "They • Ecker Center for Mental have alot of need in that area." Health, Elgin By TOM ScHWETER Senior citizens can face a number (847) 695-0484 Kane County Chronicle.. of concerns, such as the Ios of friends • Association for Individual and loved ones, a feeling of isolation Development Crisis Line of Fox GENEVA-'— More mental health and dwindling physical health. Worse, Valley, Aurora services are needed to help senior cit- our society does notyalue the elderly (630) 482-9393 izens cope with feelings of isolation as other cultures do, said Stephanie . Senior Services Associates and loss that come with growing older, Weber, executive director of Suicide (847) 741-0404 experts say; Prevention Services. • Suicide Prevention Services A survey of senior citizens com- "It's a segment of society that we Depression Hot Line missioned by the Kane County Health ignore," Weber said. Department revealed that 8 percent of 24-hours, 365 days a year SeeSENIORS, page 2 (630) 482-9696. those questioned had contemplated

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CO - CO COnJ CO CO N- CY) CO - C'J 00 N- C CO CO CO - CO - CO 0- t 00 - CO CO CO CO to - Co V U, 0J F2 La f-q-oq ,,thNEWS Focus: Politics in the Valley

Elgin, and technology administrator Brandon Yant4 of Vice President Doug Fulton (from left), of Aurora; President Hint I(olzarek, of EIght, leaders of the Kane County Youn g Republicans organization, chat In Yaniz's downtown Eight business office. The group has about 50 members and hopes to expand to 200 in the coming year. They're young, they're involved and they know their politics policy analyst for the Illinois House GOP, 'Having young By Daniel Duggan Kojzarek wanted to be involved with a local STAFF WRITER chapter of the Young Republicans. After people involved will A handful of young Kane County political learning the previous organization had been invigorate the party buffs are trying to make the political world safe dormant for two years, Kojzarek - along with and invigorate the for the under-40 crowd, Doug Fulton, of Aurora: Jeff Meyer, of Elgin, With the war in Iraq evoking strong emotions and Anthony Cvek, of Batavia— decided to take older Democrats.' • on bothsides, an upcoming presidential election out a charter for a new grou p in November. and some important local races, both Since then they have organized a toy drive Brian Pollock of Aurora, Republicans and Democrats in the area are and volunteered with the Northern Illinois Food who hopes to start a looking at programs geared toward young Bank to prepare holiday meals, along with Kane CountyYoung people. holding regular meetings. Democrats group Two months ago, the Kane County chapter of Young" for the purposes of politics ranges • the Young Republicans announced it is now from 18 to 40 years old, and Kojzarck said about functioning again after two years of inactivity. In 50 area residents have become members - 'The party is getting • addition, an Aurora man has been considering including State Rep. Thn Schmitz, R-Batavia. older, the members • starting a chapter of the Young Democrats. Reaching out • Chapter president of the Young Republicans, are getting older Kurt Kojzarek, 24, of Elgin, said its time to have It may take more than rhetoric to reach out to a local program for young people. people, however. • it's time We have "l'he party is getting older, the members are Kojzarek said one goal is to help people get something for getting older; it's time we have something for more involved. The Young Republicans have younger people," he said. been holding meetings and forums to give younger people.' people a chance to debate politics, and meet According to Koizarek, too many young • people feel disenfranchised by the political political figures and others. Kurt Kojzarek of Elgin, system. But, he said, the Republican Party can To make things more relaxed, he said, some president of the Kane reach out to them and give them a voice if they of the meetings are socially oriented gatherings County Young participate. at local bars. Republicans Following his graduation from college and a return to Elgin, where he jives and works as a 4 Turn to POUflCS, A2 t

paigns, he said time may be an Poimcs issue. 'We're all trying to do 60 things From pageAl at once right now," he said. Having a group of some kind is There are also plans for a high- important, said Pollock, based on end Web site, said Brandon Yaniz, the interest in the area. 24, who runs the organization's cur- 1This is going to be an important rent Web site and owns his own election year," he said. "Having technology business. Young people involved will invigo- WillYaniz said the group's Web site rate the party and invigorate the play a large role, giving informa- older Democrats" tion for members but also having reg Despite efforts to bring more ularly-updated content; such as Young people into a political party, re-- book reviews written by members. cent polls indicate the lS-to-29-year- When local campaigns start to old crowd is most likely to be "inde- heat up, the group will also work as pendent" and not part of either party. a campaign arm for candidates who A November Gallup Poll showed need support. Kojzarek said they nearly half - 45 percent - of Will "do whatever we need to" when young adults say they are politically it comes to helping out,including independent Of those who identify handing out literature, staffing with a party, 30 percent say they are phone banks and holding forums Republican while 34 percent say for candidates. they are Democratic. Democrat group possible While Pollock and Kojzarek will never agree on who should be pres- The prospect of a Kane County ident or whether tax cuts are a good Young Democrats group has some idea, they both agree that taking interest but is still under discussion steps to reach out to young people said Brian Pollock, a 26-year-old Au- is important—. and could also mean ron resident more votes for their parties. Pollock said he hopes to pull the 'When you're old enough to vote, group together by the summer or, you have a voice," Pollock said. 'We at least, before the 2004 general can all sit back and whine about election in November. But in work- things, but it's time to do some- ing on local, state and federal cam- thing." Wflw (a C) * U 131 fisk p. a y tolio J, CD -t p. CL 0q a-?

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at M0', op o Two will avoidjail time > N for misconduct thage lii u - By Fr 2 PATRICK WALDRON. Daily Herald Staff Wnter p n t- a0 n. So Ct. Two former Kane County rt< sheriff's deputies pleaded guilty rD. to attempted misconduct Friday yr - ° in a deal that will allow them to CL 4t .-Z4D avoid jail time and more serious 2 8 felony misconduct charges. CD Michael Eurkaitis, 32, of Plainfield; and Brandon Dahike, 110 -, 27,• of MoiItgomery, where rn C charged in connection with an - o nq fl Oct. 5, 2002, incident where investigators say the men stole a rifle and a police scanner from an Aurora Township home fl while serving an arrest warrant. • Kane County sheriff's officials said the former deputiesVio- lated procedures by not inventorying the items. The rifle mmm was later found at Dahlke's home. The scanner was found • t inside Eurkaitis' home. Soc0-tq The incident resulted in the rtfl ,, .0.t,.tn0 •t'o— COrt men being fired from their jobs' t11,0,r in May 2003 and later indicted PTd on four counts of misconduct and one count of posession of a stolen gun. - - 0.fl0.Pn. 'The plea bargain wasreached IL before a scheduled court hearing Friday when both men agreed to the deal. Attempted official misconduct is a class A misdemeanor. Assistant Attorney General Robert Huiner, who prosecuted the former deputies, said

See GUILTY on PAGE 7 ,'—/d-Oq eaco nWS. Plan . C rejects zoning. at ; Orchard-Galena • Unanimous denial: thirds of it to the city for storm-' water management. The church: Aurora Community hoped to get more land in a swap with the city in 2000, but that fell Church hits setback through When residents on Hankes Road objected to the church and By Dave Parro school. Kane County also dehie'd STAFF WAITER access off Orchard Road. "I think if all the energy.that has,, AURORA - Continuing five gone into opposing us over the: years of frustration for Aurora years had gone into making out Community Church, the Plan original proposal acceptable, we'd.' Commission this week denied a have a church and school on that'' rezoning request that would allow corner today," said the Rev. Da the church to sell its disputed land Haas. on the West Side to a commercial The cffurch had commercia4 developer. development plans for the land inn Also this week, the Planning 2001 for a pharmacy and othef Commission denied a petition to businesses, but Kane County filed' turn the vacant Kmart building on a condemnation lawsuit, seekini, North Lake Street into a flea the land for storm-wate%', market management. The lawsuit was Both votes were unanimous, and settled in December when the the requests will now move on to county obtained 0.7 acres fort the City .. Council for final right-turn lane from Galena on tb consideration. Orchard, allowitig the rezoning Commissioners rejected the request to again move forward. rezoning request from Aurora Haas said he disagrees thad. Community Church for 9.8 acres at residential is a more appropriate: the southwest corner of Orchard use for the land and is hopeful th€' Road and Galena Boulevard. The City Council will be more recepfiv.. commission said the current to commercial development residential zoning is more "We have never had an' appropriate given the surrounding residential development express an' land uses. interest in this property," Haas- Aurora's planning staff is said. "I think it has something to do' opposed to commercial zoning, with it sitting on the intersection oC favoring instead low-density two four-lane highways." residential or open space at'the The Planning Commission aW&' corner, said Community denied special-use zoning for a fleC Development Director Bill Wiet. market in the 1200 block of North' The vote continues a series of Lake Street after nearby setbacks for the church that date businesses objected. Plans calle back to 1999, when residents from for a market with 116 tenants whL the surrounding subdivisions would sell new goods in the Aurora? opposed special-use zoning that Commons plaza. ut- would have allowed the Wiet said tenants in the strip construction of a new church and mall opposed the flea market' private school. The City Council because it would give people wh approved the proposal despite rent a booth an unfair economic those protests, but the church later advantage over businesses thaj abandoned its plans because of have high rent and overhead costs further obstacles. Access off Lake Street was also 'a' Aurora Community Church once concern because of the projected owned about 30 acres but sold two- traffic the market would draw. C0 QC.) Ct = .c — bflo, C) <

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By HEATH HIXSON the cothputer systems. Kane County Chronicle GIS applications allow for data sets to be layered T. CHARLES - City offi- top of each other foron a • cialsS hope the extension of more precise anaJys and a city fiber optic lines to Kane better County offices results in area. understanding of an gaining access to the • county% Geographic Infor- The St. Charles-city gov- mation System. ernment has been In the process of setting up a full- A plan to extend city fiber fledged GIS operation and Optic lines along Route 38 has budgeted for a GIS sys- and Prairie Street to the Kane tern coordinator this year as County Justice Center and well as a GIS network circuit cleric's office, which neer next year, Anthoneyengi- would provide a direct link said. between the two buildings, is Torn Nicoski, county GIS expected to receive final con- technologies director, said sideration by the city council GIS technology is very graph- Jan. 19. ical and "enables you to- see A city committee ac- the picture" of an area with cepted the proposal last precise data. week. He said the system has If approved, the county helped agencies such as the would pay for the extension county health depart- construction and an annual- merit track the West Nile maintenance fee to use the virus. city lines. "GIS is a tool that allows But city officials hope the you to have more efficiency fiber optic relationship also and productivity to do your produces a link into the job," he said county GIS data bank and computer applications The county has had a GIS operation in service since Use of the GIS system iSS, with a would help increase the effi- county departmentfull-fledged begin- ciency of city projects that ningin 1998. use GIS data, according to Paul - The county uses the Anthoney, city informa. tern to analyze plots of landsys- fleer,tion systems network engi- and provide GIS information "Th to cities and other govern e city is just on the mental entities. . verge of going heavily down But that information that road," he said, "It is just provided on compact discis a more convenient and more and not directly through an up-to-date way to use the Internet lir'.Jc county's data." • With the fiber op ic con- Governmental entities nection, Anthoney saidt he nationwide have been mov- hopes current negotiations ing toward the use of GIS op- with the countywili result in erations over the last decade the ci because of the amount of into thety being GIS able to tap data that can be analyzed by share data. system and -c---- a. -- a) C. C C.

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By Brian Shields SPECIAL TO THE BEACON NEWS AURORA - Aurora Township residents can expect to see a measure on the March primary ballot asking if they would support a tax on high wage earners to provide more money for schools and property tax relief for the less well- off. The Township Board unanimously decided to support putting the nonbinding referendum question on the ballot, as advocated by Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. Tax forum Township Supervisor Jim Murphy and Trustee set tonight John Aguilar, both De- • State Rep. Joe mocrats, and Republican Dunn, whose Trustees Michelle Whet- district includes. stone Tom Rosebush and the DuPage John Shoemaker gave County portion:: their approval to the refer- of Aurora, plant: endum question last week session at after meeting with Quinn Neuqua Valley - political director Jerry Gal- loway. High School. The advisory referen- Page 113 dum is designed to give state legislators an idea of how much support there would be if the mea sure were placed on the ballot in the fall genefr- al election. The General Assembly will have until May 2. to decide if it should be a ballot item. To be on. the November ballot, 60 percent of both the Senate and House would have to vote in favor:. Quinn, a Democrat, envisions a 3 percent surtax to be charged each year to individuals t Turn to QUINN, A2 Felthitt, Chris Paul, 91, Aurora Kules, Pete, formerly Aurora Smith, Edgar, 81, Aurora didn't want to support that" The proposal is not without its QUINN critics. From Page Al The Kane County Board refused to put the issue on the county-wide The Beacon News whose income exceeds $250,000 ballot. County Board Chairman per year, which would generate an Mike McCoy asked the board last AHollinger • estimated $1.15 billion in additional week for a motion to put the refer- • International publication state tax revenue. endum on the ballot, and was an- Office Half of this amount - an estimat- swered with silence. 101$. River St., Aurora, IL 60506 ed $575 million - would be equally In a l?ttcr to the editor in The Isbbyhoins 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. distributed each July 1 t state Beacon News, House Republican Monday-Friday. Closed holidays. homeowners who have filed for the Leader Tom Cross, R-Os*ego, said Homestead exemption, no matter • Newspaper delivery the proposal will not relieve high • Joe Weber, circulation manager what their income is. The share property tax bills, will damage the would come out to about $208. Customersenice phones. business climate in Illinois and lead I • (630) 844-5800 or (800) 244-5844 The other half would then go to to layoffs. c.n senice e-mail bolster public school funding with The 1.4 percent of taxpayers af- [email protected] . every school getting the same fected by the surtax would see their Customer service licius amount of money per student, or state income tax bills go up an aver- 5:30 am.- 6p.m.. weekdays about $277 apiece. Murphy said the age of $14,000, and there is no evi- 7-11 a.m. weekends East Aurora and West Aurora dence that spending more money - ' "5:30-10 ant holidays school districts would each get on public schools will improve Name deilvetytimes about $2.9 million per year if the them,-Cross added. 6:30 a.m. weekdays and holidays 7a.m. Saturdays. 8 am. S&ndays; measure were to pass. At least 19 counties and a number Sixty percent of voters statewide of townships and municipalities If you do not receive your paper by would have to approve the initiative our delivery deadline, please call throughout the state have agreed to customer service before 10 a.m. in November for it to take effect put the question on the ballot in weekdays (or 11 am. weekends) If everything goes the way Quinn March, Galloway said. and we will deliver your paper by and other supporters of the so- "I think both the property tax re- noon. called "school trust fund" want it to, lief and education funding that it 'subscription rates the surtax would go into affect for provides were positives," Murphy Home delivern $3.25 weekly; $2.25 the 2004 tax season and homeown- said. Friday-Sunday; $1.50 Sunday (plus intermittent holiday issues) ers and schools will get their first "We thought it should go on the, Mall subscriptions $4 weekly. checks in mid-2005. ballot as far as Aurora Township Newsstand prices: 50 cents daily, "The majority of taxpayers will voters are concerned ... I think Ws a. $1.50 Sunday. see no increase in taxes," Whet- good way to jumpstart the Legisla- stone said. "I didn't know what to ture to continue discussions in a Advertising think at first because I thought it more concrete way than has taken Display advertising was another tax increase, and I place in recent years." - Robert Wall, manager - Call (630) 844-5858 from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Classified advertIsIng Call (630) 844-5811 from 8:30 a.m. to .5 p.m. weekdays. On-line advertising GIVING TÔ be a donor Brent Albrecht manaoer - - fl

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Referendum questions Referendum The following referendum questions have been filed with the Continued from page 1 Kane County Clerk's office for the March 16 primary .election. The deadline to file questions is Thursday. In North Aurora, the vii- • Batavia and Countryside Fire Protection District: Disconnect lage board already has filed for, from the Batavia and Countryside Fire Protection District to the a a referendum asking voters North Aurora and Countryside Fire Protection District? whether the village should • Hampshire Park District: Shall the Hampshire Park District be 'is keep its partisan election sys- authorized to Iey and collect a tax of 0.12 percent for ill tem. or Village trustees voted to purpose of recreational programs? put the referendum on the • Big Rock Township: Increase the property tax extension March 16 ballot. limitation from 5 percent up to 39.55 percent for the 2003-04 es Residents will answer levy year? of "yes" or "no' to the question, • Blackberry Township Road District: Increase the property tax by "Shall the village conduct fu- rate from 0.1650 percent up to 0.33 percent for road Uy ture elections for all village of- purposes? As fices - as nonpartisan elec- • Virgil Township: 1. Increase equalized assessed valuation on 0- tions?" taxable property from 0.165 percent to a maximum of 0.33 a's The village for years has percent for road purposes? 2. Increase the property tax he handed out independent peti- extension limitation for the Virgil road fund from 2.4 percent to 4- tions, and candidates run as 198.18 percent for the 2004 tax levy? Wi. independents. • Village of Barrington Mills: Adopt article 3 of the Illinois on However, the village's Pension Plan to create police pension fund? basic election ordinance is • Village of Burlington: Increase the property tax extension he partisan. limitation from 2.4 percent up to 125 percent for the 2004 That means Democrats, s leVy.year? Republicans and local parties • Village of Carpentersville: Impose a surcharge up to $1.65 Iv- can run in North Aurora's mu- per month per network connection for the purpose of an 'nicipal election. If voters approve the refer- improving a 911 emergency telephone system? [Ce endum, the village board then • Village of East Dundee: 1. Impose a surcharge up to $1.65 would have the needed direc- per month per network connection for the purpose of vas tion to drop the partisan elec- improving a 911 emergency telephone system? 2. Shall the ser tion ordinance from the vil- Village of East Dundee become a home rule unit of in- lage books. government? eer In the Batavia and • Village of North Aurora: Shall the Village of North Aurora Countryside Fire Protection conduct future elections for all village offices as nonpartisan be District, the residents of eight elections? ian homes in the area of Deerpath • Village of Sleepy Hollow: lmpoQe a surcharge $1.65 per and Tanner roads will be month per network connection, for the purpose of improving a asked if they wish to discon- 911 emergency telephone system? nect from the Batavia district and connect with the North Aurora and Countryside Fire contiguous link to a large last six times it has been put Protection District. new subdivision planned to to voters. • Don Hubbard, and at- the north. The district wants to in- torney representing the While seven of the home- crease the tax rate to 19 cents Batavia fire district, said owners agree to the change, from 15 cents per $100 of as- the move makes sense be- Hubbard said, one is oppoèed, sessed value. Officials said the eir cause North Aurora is plan- forcing the referendum. extra money is needed for ning a new fire station at Also tonight, the Town new technology and addi- Tanner and Deerpath in the and Country Library District tional staff to meet growing future. He also said it is will decide whether to seek a demand. necessary to provide the tax increase. The referen- Contributing: Dan Chanzit North Aurora district with a dum has been rejected the and Eric Schelkopf

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ByTOM SCHLUETER than 4 feet away as Kane County Chronicle she was getting ready to leave. GENEVA - Candidate When she turned for Kane County Board around,the purse was gone, chairman Karen McCor- she said. naughay said she has re- When ceived two threatening let- a,ke,d if ters "meant to intimidate" her campaign. The letters were sent to had in- her husband John McConnaughay's business and contained threats. h e r4o One letter was received McConnaughay replied in September. "absolutely not." Another arrived Wed- "I think anonymous nesday. threats are disconcerting •McConnaughay said but serve, to motivate. I Geneva police are investi- don't get deterred by gating and that she could threats and intimidation," not divulge the nature of she said. the threats. She said she ignored the "It was meant to intimi- letter that came . in date," she said. "it was defi- September, but reported nitely related to the cam- the second letter. paign." "The second one is The latest threat came a when I decided to do some- day before McCormaughay thing. I believe you are had her purse stolen at a going over the, line when. meeting of the Aurora you go after my family," she Township Republican said. Committee. McConnaughay, a McConnaughay said county board member she does not know if the from St. Charles, seeks the theft and the letters are re- Republican nomination te lated. for county board chair- 1- "I have no way of know- man. ing," she said. "It would be freasurer David Rickert inappropriate for me to of Elgin is her opponent LS surmise to say the two are in the March 15 pri- connected." mary st Her purse contained Democrat Thomas Is two cell phones, a wallet Meadath will face the win- with $20 and personai ner of the primary in the items.. November election. She said she set it down County Board Chair- on a chair and was talking man Mike McCoy will not with someone no more seek re-election. Bill Q/yfQ/'7 ide Page Calls and e-mails and threats... oh, my!, Gate bridge was doing. Is it on track, or Your column about coaches not giving kids anyplaying time really hit home. has Wayne figured out away to hold this After months of hard work and practice project up even longer? his junior year, our son spent the football Now thatDenniS Hastert has let it be season on the bench. He, and judging known that he's had it with all the delays from the final roster, most of his friends, on all the bridges promised for the area, I didn't even bother to go out senior year. expect that things will start to move a little Their attitude was "Why should I kill faster than the glacial speed we're used to. myself if I'm not going to play?" That doesn't mean you should start Besides the boy you wrote about, there planning your trip across the Fox anytime were alot of kids who had no or very little real soon. Wayne may have lOst every playing tim,e so my question is, why challenge it has brought against the Red would afly coach deny it? Gate bridge, but don't expect that to stop Beats me. I could fill 10 columns with them from trying once again. This will parent and player complaints received happen when a town has the resources to about coaches, but all you'll hear from the finance fri volous lawsuits —you know, schools is that Idon't know what I'm "more money than brains," and all that talking about. Not much of an answer, but 5*5 typicalfrom people who are used to I don't know why you objected to the bullying teenagers. program called "Rat 'Em Out," where lcids were being paid to tell police about Your lddsbetter never go out for any underage drinking parties. Drinking is a team. It'll be a long time before they play. big problem with kids and any way to stop Thank you for that comment on itis fine with me. fairness and balance"S in high school sports. The program encourages kids to turn I'm a teacher at (St. Charles) East, so in their friends, but not to save them from PLEASE don't use my name. The dayyour the evils of underage drinking. The pitch column ran about Hilary Bell (treasurer the program makes is for kids to "get even" for St Charles East High School) and her for not being invited to a party by ratting run-in with our new principal, Bob Miller, out the hosts. Hardly the loftiest of motives.. we had a faculty meeting. During the I agree that teen drinking is a real problem, meeting, Miller claimed he never said the but you don't solve it with a creepy things you quote in your column and he progra!n like this. also said you "refuse" to meet with hint. S. S What's the real story? As an owner of a Hummer 112,1 resent I'm at a loss to explain Miller's actions your recent column that painted me as because the column quoted directly from being "selfish." LoOk, just because you his letter to Bell. As in the original, the one and your tree-hugging friends can't afford he signed. I'm willing to let him see it, but a nice car don't try and take mine away. I think he has a copy. As to refusing to meet hope! meet you on the road. I'll show you with him, all I have to say is jiou have to b who's boss. asked before you can refuse and ol'Bob • Bill Page lives in St. Charles and hasn't asked me yet. By the way, it's sad yo writes about local issues on Tuesday and have to be afraid of being identified. Thursday. Calls and e-mails answered at (63o) 584-0809 or AsI sat On Route 25 last night, stuckiit a long traffic jam I wondered how the Uc d [email protected]& /-f3 ow vczJt1 //çYzlc( Geneva. scnooi board.: backs ballot questions...

BY GARRETT ORDOWER Daity'Herald Staff i44iter The Geneva school board voted 6-1 Monday night to ask voters two funding questions in March. The board will ask for approval of a $49 million building referendum and it also will ask for a tax-rate increase of 35 cents. But in siding with urgency over certainty, board members admitted the outcome of its building referendum will depend on what answers it can offer voters before then. A key question the board must address is traffic access for building a second 1,000-student 'middle school on Viking Drive off Fabyan Parkway About $33 million of the referendum would go toward building the school. School officials said they need to push the issue in March because without voter approval, the new school would not be able open until at least fall 2007. By that time, enrollment is expected to be about 1,500 students at the current school, which has a capacity of 1,216. "Despite my belief there is a School. ' H': See BALLOT on PAGES Ballot: Board fails to reach other solutions Continued from Thge 1 gerous and a four-lane road facts," board member Susan'' would, cut through the school Shivers said. "1 understand better solution, I will support site. there's a plan, but it's not con- putting this on the ballot," While the school board had crete.' board vice president Margaret hoped it could negotiate with Shivers cast the sole vote: Selakovich said of the building the park district for affordable against the referendum. referendum, "Become informed access to the site through Peck The education fund increase and base your decision on what Farm Park, the park district of 35 cents per $100 of equal:: you know." board said in a statement at the ized assessed valuation would! The referendum includes beginning of the meeting its translate into an extra $291 a, about $800,000 fot "develop- opposition to that was "unwa- year for the owner of a $250,000' ment' of the site, which could vering and unanimous." home. include land acquisition, After an hourlong closed ses- The education rate referen- Superintendent Michael Jacoby sion to discuss possible dum seeks to make up for aloss: said. alternatives, board members of state funding and stave off,: Without additional road continued to express doubts planned cuts in the district. Bill access, traffic at the Fabyan and any solution could be reached. Wilson was the only.board' Randall roads intersection "After 18 months (of discus- member to oppose putting that would become even more dan- sion) we still don't have the hard question on the ballot. Comment. I- 13-o t/. Geneva picKspvk, to HcrctPct sought on wnnouses instead of retail buildings 2030 county By AMANDA VINICKY Dailj Herald ago, when they did their plan- COpOU&.PJ '. ning, you didn't have what you road plail. have now at Randall," 0 Tdwnhouses will likely be According to lJntch! Geneva, Kane Coñnty is developing t erected at the corner of Peck and St Charles and both cities' ,v Bricher rdsoa instead of the districts have purchased morepark thd counts 2030 transportation office and commercial buildings than two square miles of landore plan. originally intended for the area. ' intended A series of public forums were 1 f or Permanent public held in each of the eight plan- The Geneva Planning Com- use. A residential district would mission, which unanimously make for better "land use corn- ning partnership areas to review 1 approved the switch, recom- patibility" the planning process, the T mended the change at last: Aldermen Robert Pawlaic and socioeconomic forecasts and night's c discuss existing transportation ommittee of the whole Ron Singer voted against the meeting. rezoning. system deficiencies and con- John Cebrzynski, president of Pawlak, who was on the coun- cerns. Now, a public meeting - John Henry Homes Inc., said dl when developers and a second series of forums from Fisher will beheld in January and Feb- that for more than a year his Farms first made the argument ruary to introduce the initial I company has been planning on to zone the space for conijnerr i purchasing the land from the cial use in 1996, said that for the 2030 modeling results and dis- o current owner in order to build developers to change their cuss future system deficiencies 1 90 townhouses on the 22-acre agenda after having fought so and the first set of alternatives r property to address them. According to Dick iJntch, stringently for it was wrong. The public meeting will be "I gave them my word, they Geneva's commwJty develop- gave me their word," Pawlak from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the I ment director, the commission said. Kane County Government approved the plans for the In response to Untch and Center, 719 Batavia Ave., Prairie Ridge project because, Cebrzynski's statements that Geneva. Planning partnership although the area, which is part current residents in the Fisher area forums meet at 10a.m.: of Fisher Homes, was supposed Farms area would rather have • Jan. 30 at the Randall Oaks • to be for retail use, there are townhouses than commercial Golf Club, 37W361 Binnie Road, already new and vacant office property, Pawlak said West Dundee spaces in the area that should be always like that and the "itpeople was • Feb. 3 at the North Aurora used before developing more Public library; 113 Oak St. commercial centers knew so when they moved '. Pawlak said he was further • Feb. 9 at the Batavia Public Untch also said that plans for .against townhouses because Library 108. Batavia Ave. government offices to move by schools are already strained. • Feb. ii at Elgin Community the Kane County Judicial Center ' "We've overcrowded our College's Business Conference haven't advanced, and that the schools. We're faced with more Center, Room 123, 1700 Spartan retail business on Randall Road referendums There seems to be Drive, Elgin. is dominant, thereby lessening no end in sight," Pawlak said, • Feb. 18 at the Campton the need fbr two miles of two- to "We have the ability to at least Community Center, 5N082 Old three-story office buildings at control somewhat of our own LaFox Road, St Charles. PeckandBflcher • Feb. 19 at the Town and destiny, as little as it may be. "I think that land .plans Why in people? Where are we Country Public Library, 320 B. change," Cebftynslci said, "Ièass going?" North St., Elburn. • Feb. Z3 at the Huntley village hall, ll7O4 Coral St. The final forum is at 1p.m. Feb. 25 at Waubonsee Commu-' nity College, Bodie Hall, Room 150, Waubonsee Drive at Route, 47, Sugar Grove. The purpose of the 2030 transpOrtation plan is to determine major transportation projects, guide transportation decisions and identify resources to implement transportation projects. The county offers information at w'ww.co.kane.il.us/dot. The county expects to complete a draft of the plan in March and bring the plan to the board for adoption in the summer. Call,(630) 406-7308. W! qa U1 0.. (ID -. a0 I CD7 UI I 055

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/ /-Offbe headed raijz to .EibUrn BY DENISE J,@ated •.' hope to provide it." FERRY DONAVIN Village Administrator Dave Dai^ Haaidc^pmda Morrison suggested the plan should "put the ranches near - Kirk Homes President John the park areas and you can see Carroll on Tuesday presented a the woods over the rooftops." . Concept plan to the Elburn One major change from the Planning comniission for Her- first concept 'presented to the Tington Place, which could village last January is an ele- bring 850 more homes tothe mentary school site. South of Village, including sso single- Route 38, the designated 14.5• family homes and 290 town- acres of combined park and homes and duplexes, school property separates a The 358-acre site overlaps towrthorne/duplex neighbor- Route 38 heading south to the hood and single family houses V northElburn to Foresti Preserve and along Prairie Valley. It is on the the gil Ditch with the same street as the current Dessenbrook Stables Horse Kaneland North Elementary Farm marking - the western School (east of Route 47). border of the houses planned The Kirk concept plan has for north of Route 38. also added residential access to Summing up the commis- the commercial space and a sion's major concerns, walking. and bike paths Chairman Pat Schuberg said the throughout the development. project needs a greater variety However, Stewart said more oihouse styles; open space for access is needed to the school active recreation like baseball site or kids will simply walk and soccer fields; tennis and through yards basketball courts; and accessi- . There are also two big com bility to the woodland areas. . mercial boxes in the Kirk Homes "We do not want 22,000 plan, 30 acres in total. The single-family houses with five southern section of the concept different elevations. We want has a proposed Jewel shopping real variety - ranches, row- center on the eastern boundary houses, , single-story off Route 47.. towthomes, cluster houses - a The commercial plan could real mix," said Commissioner also include .a larger shop and Rich Stewart. several smaller ones, such as "How about one-acre lots banks, day-care facilities or next to the forest preserve," restaurants, Carroll suggested Commissioner Leroy Herra Joe McKeska, senior real noted. "People in town 'are estate manager for Jewel, said asking me why we are not build- that if Kirk's plan is approved,, it ing $700,000 homes." would be a positive factor in the However, Commissioner Tate timing of the store's opening. Haley countered by saying "For Asked when Jewel would be years we've talked about afford- ready to open the proposed ability." store; McKeska said that is pro- "We are largely' market- prietary information. However, driven," Carroll said. "It is he had previously said the store difficult to find a house under would likely open by 2005 or $300,000 in this area and we 2006 at the latest

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BY PATRICK WALDRON Da: Hem/ti Staff 94iter //eraP Over the protests of 'fri-Cities leaders calling the system unfair, the Kane County.Board Thesday approved a new developer-paid fee that will generate millions for future toad projects. The amount paid by the developer of a new home, store or office will be determined through a complicated formula calculating road usage based on the number car trips, distance of those trips and even where they originate. Fees will be collected in eight planning areas PAGE 10 SECTION 1 DAILY HERALD with the money from one area being spent only on projects built within its borders. Es Tuesday's split vote ends more than two years of work on the system that is expected to generate '$27 million in the next 10 years. Fee: Cities Impact of the fee - But the road fee system could face a legal challenge from opponents •- notably the Here's what developers in different mayors of Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles - areas of Kane County may have to before a single dollar is collected. could sue pay under, a new tee plan passed They say the system charges too much in by the county board. their communities compared to other places Fast food restaurant in the county. the county (per 1,000 square feet) "It creates a number of large disparities and Aurora area $1064' inequities in regard to the Tti-Cities," said Continued from Page 1 Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke. Campton Hills $3,157 Opponents of the system's formula on the Elgin area $1,799 county board, including Jan Carlson, an Elburn board Chairman Mike McCoy, Republican, tied to lobby for an overhaul of an Aurora Republican, respond- Northwest $1,150 the system but Were unable to get the votes. ing to the mayors. Southwest $4846 Throughout the debate, the issue wasn't the Road fees will start being paid fee, it was the way it was computed. in April. In the meantime, Tr-Cities $6,119 " Theflaws in that are obvious," said John Schielke said he and other Upper Fox $1,303 mayors will meet to discuss Hoscheit, a St Charles Republican. West Central $182' Supporters argued the formula is reason- options. able. Areas that have and use more county A lawsuit against the county Source: Kane County roads naturally should pay a bigger price, they could be one of those options, said. he said. McCoy and other sup- and fee system. They say part of "It is inherently fair," said Don Wolfe, an porters say they expected such a that was follOwing the pattern Elgin Republican. reaction and worked hard to used in DuPage County where a And, supporters also say, this is not a tax on follow state guidelines when similar fee has withstood legal existing residents, but on developers. putting together the formula challenges. "This is for citizens and you forget that," said

See FEE on PAGE 10

Tn Cities .civ 'foul as Kane enacts: first im pact fee • '— "-i — ow c-or ,m-Q-W5 Administrator Phil Page pointed to a • Unequal payments' number of places throughout the Tri- Mayors complain Cities where they believe the towns did ' not get enough credit in figuring the charges are not fair fees. They pointed out that, along Fabyan By Steve Lord ' andKirk, Katie County has the Settler's STAFF.WRITER, Hill Landfill, the Kane County Events GENEVA—The Kane County Board Center and Elfstrom Stadium and the Tuesday passed an impact fee for Piiblic . ety Center. These are not transportation projects despite objections generators,Schielke said, but they from'flicities officials the fee structuregenerate a lot of traffic being credited to unfair to Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles. Tr-Cities development. 'Itis the first impactfeein Kane County Klihamer said along the Smith and would charge future developers of Elgin-St. Charles border area, a residential, industrial and commercial, developer could pay $400,000 less of an properties a fee for impacting county impact fee on one side of Randall Road highways. In addition to maintenance as opposed to the other side. projects, there are 57 projects worth Transportation Committee Chairnian about $424 million planned for the next Bill Wyatt, R-Aurora, said the fee nine years that would be eligible for schedule was developed fairly, with impact fee money. ,' several public hearings and in 'These feeswill'payfor about 8 percent accordance with state statute. McCoy of these projects;' said County Board pointed out the impact fee is being Chairman Mike McCoy, R-Aurora. 'So enacted instead of a property-tax ,that's all we're asking for from increase ora gas tax developers." ' "This was not geared for the Representatives of Batavia, Geneva dealinakers," McCoy said. "You could and St Charles said that still could be too make the 'argument citizens in the Tr- much, especially as the fees apply to the Cities are getting a greater break, that it Tni.Cities. They all but said outright the would be less out of their pocket" situation will end up in a courtroom. The impact fee schedule was passed "We know we have the support of our 18-7, with the opposition coming mainly city councils to take whatever action is from board members from the Tr- necessary," said Batavia Mayor Jeff Cities. Those voting against were John Schielke. ' 'Hoscheit, Karen McConnaughay and The fees apply differently in different Caryl Van Overmeiren, all of St Charles; parts of the county. A developer building in the Tn-Cities will pay a higher county Mitchell,Rob McConnaughay, of North Aurora; of Geneva;Jan Carlsàn, Jib impact fee than one building in Aurora, or of Elbur'n, and Mary Richards; of Elgin, ' for example.Aurora. Schielke , said that becomesHoscheit pushed for impact fee particularly critical in border areas such development as a member of the Butterfieldas the roadwhichhasthreeparcels4,400-foot stretch TransportationCommittee along Klrflnd and said zoned commercial shared by both Tuesday he still supports the concdpt Batavia and Aurora. A commercial "But allocation is the problem," he said. developer seeking to build in the 842 feet "No matter where you are on Randall in Batavia could pay $40ö,000 more in Road, north end or south end, you impact fees than if that developer moved should pay the same." across Butterfield Road into Aurora. One TH-Cities representative, Doug "I think every one of us supports an Weigand, R-Batavia, voted for the fee, impact fee in some way," Schielke said, saying he was tired of the heavy traffic "but this formula as put forth has along Randall Road. disparities and inequities" . • "I was leaning toward voting no, then I spent 15 minutes goingS mph bn How much credit?.. Randall Road inmy own communitChe Schielke, St. Charles Mayor Sue said. "The developers who create the Klinkhamer and Geneva City congestion should pay for it"

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em Suspension: History. of Go . recki ls; troubles o 2 Cl 30, The case against Kane County State'sAfforney Meg Gorecki G, 4' County aa stem from allegations during the 2000 campaign 4, S. board chair -Ct March 2: Allegations surface that Meg Gorecki suggested that a family ' Mend, Kane County Sheriff's Deputy Jane Morrision, mike a campaign would name contribution to Kane County Board Chairman Mike McCoy to secure I-. ut . o 0I-. Morrlsonh then boyfriend a courityjob. Morrison turns war the tape from R 0.) o a a b 1998, which included the taped manages from Gorecki, to sheriff's o replacement offldials.Niegatlons become public three weeks before the Republican primary in which Gorecki was dialenging then Slate's Attorney David U ConJinuerffitmo Page) Ntemann, Gorecici said she offered help in getting Monison's boyfilend a C tflbo job, but denied suggesting a campaign contributions-for-job scheme. I contributions. Gorecki, who is the first Sit- March 3 Gorecki turns the focus of the allegations on how the I! ting state's attorney in state intlrmaflon was leaked to reporters. She also denies allegations and h U history to have her license sus- suggests the voice on the answering machine tape may not even be C pended. did not comment hers. 0 Tuesday on either the court Much 21: Gorecki wins the Republican primary. order orherplan& Ct Last year, Deputy Assistant UI State's Attorney Mike Coghian, Aug. 28: County Board Chairman Mike McCoy releases a transcript of 0) ' on behalf ofGorcckj, asked state the answering machine tapes. t Attorney General Lisa Madigan's • office for an opinion on whether Sept 1: Gorecki holds a press conference and admits to making the she can remain state's attorney statements. Kale County Judge Grant Wegner approves hiring aspecial :viu during the suspension. presecutor.N

By Daniel Duggan STNF WPWEJR The order issued Tuesday by the Illinois Supreme Court was clear. Kane County State's Attorney Meg Gorecki will have her law license suspended for four monthsstarting Feb. I. What that suspension will mean to the leadership of the office, however, is not as clear. Gorecid's license was suspended over a bogus jobs-for-cash scheme she proposed to a friend in 1998. The issue followed her into office and has dogged her since being elected in 2000. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office still is working on an opinion.expected to spell out what the situation will mean to Gorecki - whether she will be forced to step down for the rest of her term or someone BEAcON NEWS 11L1 FHIYIU would be appointed to serve only while in this September 2002 photo from Kane County State's Attorney Meg Gorecki shares a word with Kane County Sheriff Ken Ramsey she is suspended. Answers also are an arrest in the murder of !nna Braun. Tuesday, the illinois Supreme Court ruled Gorecid must slat- expected on the issue of who would a news conference announcing render her law license for a four4nonth suspensIon on Feb. 1. appoint a successor. • Madigan spokeswoman Melissa Men court still found that proposing a said Tuesday that the office will finish its McCoy said the legal opinions he has • courts ruling will not affect the office% analysis of the situation and issue an scheme was a violation, even if been given seem dear that the law states operations. n to Deputy Chief Assistant State's the county board will appoint a person to 'We'll continue what we're doing and The Nôveznbërruling ended a legal OpiumAttorney Michael Coghlan. serve out the term. await an opinion by the attorney general's -Illinois law requires that a state's office," he said. fight that has dragged on since the "It (the attorney general's office) matter became public in February 2000. attorney hold a license to practice law. comes out with something, we'll consider However, many have said the situation is our Appeals run out Gorecki unsuccessfully appealed every it," be said. "But feeling is that, at the in a legal gray area because the law that Tuesday's decision effectively ends ruling by several Attorney Registration point when the law license becomes and Disciplinary Commission bodies, governs the suspensions of law licenses invalid, a vacancy exists. Gorecki's string of appeals in a 1998 isvaguewhen the suspension is less than ethics flap. culiuinating.in her giving oral arguments "The county board will then declare on the wafter before the Illinois Supreme six months, that a'vacancy exists and will have 60 Last November, the Supreme Court • Compounding the problem, legal Court, days to fill it," he said. found that Gorccki violated several experts say they cannot remember a sections of the rules governing Illinois Most recently, she requested that the McCoy also said the board will move court postpone her suspension until sitting state's attorney in Illinois losing a forward on the vacancy on Feb. 1 if • attorneys when she left a message for a law license before this, meaning there is friend saying a county job could be November of this year so she could serve Madigan's office does not come out with out the rest of her term. The court denied no precedent a decision. ensured with a campaign contribution. After an investigation, however, it was that request Tuesday with no County ready to fill post Kane County First Assistant State's explanation. Attorney Bob Berlin said the Supreme found that no such scheme existed. Kane County Board Chairman Mike

"If (the attorney general's office) comes out with something, we'll consider it. But our feeling is that, at the point when the law license becomes invalid, a vacancy exists. The County Board will then declare that a vacancy exists and will have 60 days to fill it." Mike McCxnj Kane County Board chairman L C

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"I attempts to have the columns Lawsuit retracted were denied and after Page sent an e-mail to Continued from page 1 the court's press offices threatening "a nightmare Of bad "The Kane County Chron- publicity" if Thomas influ- ide categorically denies Mr. enced the Gorecki decision. Thomas' assertions, and we "It's not open season on will zealously defend both free public officials and when you speech and our newspaper,' spread a pack of lies ... he's left Publisher Mark M. Sweet- with no alternative," Power wood said in a statement to said.- "I-low far can the media the Chronicle staff, go?" Thomas seeks in excess of The lawsuit was served $50,000 in damages, claiming Tuesday. that the columns "impute the Thomas joined the illinois integrityof Justice Thomas as Supreme Court in 2000 and an officer of the Court and im- represents the 2nd District, pute the integrity of Justice which includes Kane, DuPage Thomas in the performance and 11 other counties in of his ethical duties as an riffi- northern Illinois, cer of the Court, according to Rivara, 34, has been man- documents filed Friday •in aging editor since October Kane County Circuit Court 2001. Page linked Thomas to a Page, 55, owns a consult- so-called Republican conspir- ing firm and has been a part- acyto oustKane County State's time employee at the C/von- Attorney Meg Gorecki; whose We since September 2001. misconduct case was argued "I stand by my columns." before the state Supreme Page said. Court. The court Nov. 20,2003, Shaw Suburban Media imposed ii-four-month sus- Group is a division of Dixon- pension of her law license. based Shaw Newspapers, Thomas' attorney, Joseph which owns the Chronicle, the Power of Chicago, said the for- Northwest Herald of Crystal merSears kicker filed the 20- Lake and other newspapers in page civil suit after repeated Illinois and Iowa-

chief of the criminal division, is OIeC among a short list of candi- G dates whom McCoy has Continued from page 1 tapped to serve in Gorecki's "The big question is, abence. 'What's the impact of a four- McCoythe Kane would County nominate Board to month suspension on a sifting state's attorney?'" said James Gorecki's potential successor. Grogan, a spokesman for the The board must approve Illinois Attorney Registration McCoy's choice- McCoy did not and Disciplinary Commission, retsphi0nie calls for com- which pmosecutedGorecici. ment. Just before the 2000 Gorecki is the first sitting Republican primary, tapes sur- state's attorney disciplined by the state Supreme Court, and faced of telephone calls in the future of her adminisna- which Goreckithree times sug- don could weigh on compo- gested that a county. trans- nents of the state's election portation job could be bought code or constitution. with a donation to McCoy's Illinois Attorney General- campaign fund. None Ofitwas Lisa Madigan has been asked true, to determine whether (3 edri - The court's one-paragraph can return to her job after a order allows Gorecki to coin- - leave of absence or will be plete unfinished business be- forced to resign. The legal me- fore she must leave her office search was stopped when andrein from pmct'g" Gorecki asked for the one-year during the suspension. - On Tuesday, Gorecki was m delay. Madigan spokeswomanher office at the Judicial Center Melissa Men said the decision in St - Charles and attended is not ready for release but meetings most of the thy. - would be issued to Assistant Kay Catlin, Gorecki's long- Kane County State's Attorney time friend and former cam- Michael Coghlan one of paign manager, said Gorecki Gorecki's top lieutenants. declined to comment on the "I imagine it would be re- order and instead left an an- leased sometime in the near - swering machine message in- future," Metzsaid.dicating that she would wait Coghian, Gorecid's deputy until Madigan's decision. Kane County Forest Preserve District officials Tuesday authorized condemning the Foxpatoti property In St Charles Township, which contains 200 feet of the Fox River Trail, after negotiations to buy the land broke down. Also this week, the district acquired the laOd surrounding the site., j, ot.i 'j2iJ /.feroi_Dhi

Kane County forest board.: condemns 'Foxp atch land 15-year lease granting public access to By PATRICK WA LU itoH that section of the bike trial expired. I DaiiHc&d riaff Wile Under that lease,the forest present paid Lucille Gill $10 a year for the Negotiations are over. path. The riverfront ptoperty known as last four years, Lucille Gill's - - For the Foxpatch and its tiny stretch of the 31 children have been trying to renegoti- county bike path system have been CWtRt. ate for a shorter-term lease that would surrounded. M1I Pay more money, as much as $1,000 a And now the Kane County Forest IJ year. - Preserve' ready to move in for the kill, r'- Forest preserve officials rejected orinthiscase,thehay, - 'S those offers and quickly settheir In a split vote, forest preserve corn- sightserty. on buying the entire Gill Prop- missioners Thesday opted to condemn the 1-acre St. Charles Township parcel Those talks never amounted to a on the river's eastern bank, land offi- deal and broke off this fall- rialq cay is needed to secure the future At the same time, the forest preserve StCharles Fox DAILY had been working to buy 53 acres of i The family that owns the land and River HERALD property on the northern edge of the the house that sits on it says the legal Trail former Arthur Andersen-owned a. move Is a result of the forest preserve's Center For Professional Education, unwillingness to pay a fair price for the now called the Q Center. real estate and has nothing to do with That $7.2 Million deal closed this a200-footstrip of path. controls Poxpatch- "They can move the week and essentially surrounded the a 'They don't need us; they have all bike path." the land around us," said Doug Gill, The Gills and forest preserve officials SeccONDtMNonPABE1I the trustee of the family estate that have been at odds since 2000 when a

Nearby1. land bought atueifivm Thgq 1 moving the bike path would be year ago. difficult because of hills sur- Gill says the forest preserve's Gill property with new forest rounding Foxpatch; lack of compromise will end up preserve land - which in its elf Doug Gill says it's just poor costing more in the end. strengthens the county's case to netiationsgo and a rip-off to tax- 'And it's all at the expense of Ed the land under state payers. He says the lamily has Kane County taxpayers," he guidelines. dropped its price down from said. Forest Preserve President more than $1 million to if a last minute offer isn't John 1-Ioscheit, a St. Charles $445,000 while the forest pre- accepted, legal action to con- Republican, says the Gill por- serve stays at $350,000, the demn the property could come tion is still important He says amount it was appraised at a in less than two weeks.

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0) •0. qi (U T. -a C (tJ o, 'fl U, '-I In C) C 111110 'I) a •i .0 U, • 'A -a0) V) 4i E C) D (.J0.) fl'u a. a) L tc. cz CL '') I 1-j-oq Chm/c/ I lines discontent Tr-Cities object to county impact fee ByTOMSCI-1LtJflER Kane Countychrorücle , GENEVA - Th-Cities may- - - - om likely will sue Kane County over an impact fee that they say unfairly inhibits their ability to I attract commercial develop- '' -, ' -4Wasl9a 't 4- c--.f - ment. .' Byan 18-lvoteTuesday, the 2 county board approved a transportation impact fee that Ba- tavia Mayor Jeff Schielke. St. Charles Mayor Sue Klinkhamer 't"3 411 F' I - - and Geneva City Administrator ..- - A iiP-- S*4WY P1 -. - Phil Page said is unfair.a h -c I V Schielke hinted that the de- ' t ,'},kt %t4J '&S71t\ - asion could spaiica]awsmt. i-$S I %i 7 rj "We will have significant meetings amongthoTh-Cities to discuss our options," Schielke said. well"There's some possibility ,-.. . . T that form some kind of - coalition? Governments impose im- '-',, pact fees to offset the effect of 3t - IL - development ...... -. The impact fee ordinance U splits the county into eight regions called planning partnership areas. i, -, . Af,e't I 1- 'i. The areas were used when the county developed its 2O2O II Land Resource Management Plan anriin its stonnwaterman- agement plan. Developments, and espe- - aally commercial developmentswill within the m-CitiesPPA be assessed much higher fees than : --t4 t ,, neighboring regions, such as "- • -, -, Aurora. Schielke noted that the dividing line between the Ill- I - Cities and Aurora HAS is the Bob Gerard - MOWS photo staff Auron1bwraship border, which Top: This sign marks the Aurora-Batavia boundary line on Kirk Road. Above: Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke he said is 842 feet south of speaks Tuesday before the county board in opposition to the transportation impact fee ordinance. The Batawas city limit. county later approved the fee 18-7. Officials from Batavia, St. Charles and Geneva now are considering a See LINES. page 2 lawsuit against the county, saying that the impact fees are unfair to the Tn-Cities.

How hoard members voted on the county impact ree prupusa, Kane County Yes 19 Catherine Hurlbut, Elgin 9. Jim Mitchell, North Aurora 1. Dorothy Sanchez, Aurora 20.Jack Cook, Elgin 11.Robert McConnaughay, Chronicle Ken Griffin, Aurora 21.Lee Barrett, East Dundee Geneva 3. John l-loscheit, St. Charles 4. Penelope Cameron, Aurora 22.Jackie Tredup, Elgin 12. 5, William Wyatt, Aurora 23.John Noverini, 13, Caryl VanOvermeiren, St. 6. Paul Greviskes, Aurora Carpentersville Charles The Kane County Chronicle is Gerald Jones, Aurora 24.Margaret Scaliaro, 14. Karen McConnaughay, St. 7. Charles published Sunday through Saturday. 8. Rudy Neuberger, Aurora Carpentersville lISPS No, 386190 10. Doug Weigand, Batavia 25.Bob Kudlicki, Hampshire 26- Jan Carlson, Elburn Postmaster: Send address 15, Barbara Woinicki, St. changes to: Kane County Chronicle Deborah Allen, Elgin No Absent 1000 Randall Road 2 Mary Richards, Aurora 16. Dan Walter, South Elgin Geneva, IL 60134 Donald Wolfe, Elgin Periodicals postage paid in Geneva, IL 60134 All rights reserved. Copyright 2003 Kane County Chronicle. Lines: Money to be used for transportation Published since 1881 Continued from page 1 County impact fees Susscmnlore RAIlS 3.. 6tio. VaR lane c*y 53510 $5B.50 $104 A development in Batavia Convenience Oulo(cour $45. $8430 5156 would generate a fee $350,000 Single-family housC mr1sgV * (Local rats indisie Wayne aid West Qiagol to$400,000morethananiden- .pig tical development in Aurora. Ow Oaxvrn Poucy Schielkesaid. Aurora . $156 Our policy is to deliver your paper by Schielke also noted that the $1,780 5:30 an. Monday through Friday Th-Citiesissaddled with alarge Campton Hills and by 6:30 am- Saturday and proportion of property that Greater Elgin $297 Sunday. If delivery problems occur, cannot be developed, such as Northwest $424 cal our customer service department the long stretch of Fabyan $965 before 10:30 a.m. and we will deliver parkway than fronts Settler's FIill Southwest ' your newspaper before noon. Golf Course and the Kane Tn-Cities - $1,249 $11,145 Customer service: (630) 232-9239 Couisty Jail and the east side of UpperFox $356 $3,152 Kirk Road owned by Fermilab- $297 $1,571 COrfl'AcflNti WE NEWSROOM The impact fee ordinance West Central Newsroom, dIrect 16301845-5355 "doesn't grant us much credit per unit Sound Oft (530) 232-9238 The -lb-Cities is trying to seek Source: Kane County Main number (630) 232-9255 some adjustment in the fee per 1,000 square feet NewstipSue. Ext355 schedule," he said.. Builnoss new. Ext 355 E-cnal: cnU - Page argued that the theirtripsoncountyhighWaya. Kane County planning Features - Ext 355 cities require developers , to "This formula is inherently E-ina'd: LR5'ntrSRcO410Ifl.E.Cou pay for upfront road mu- fair," Wolfe said, "You may not partnership areas Deaths, family athuni Ext. 355 provements before they are like the bou'ndaries, but there's Exnail: twathcn1CLa granted building, permits, going tobe lines somewhere' Opuiiorvedltorlals Ext 355 such as the $1.1 million that Douas Weigand was the E-mait (Thrt.J,&rotlo5Ot.00M the developers of Geneva only board member from .the Neighbors Items Ext. 355 Commons paid for Randall Th-Cities to support the ordi- E-anai: NoueotslcclF0nlcI,t,c0M Road improvements. NIanssdesht . Ext. 355 Sjvirts desk' Ext 355 He said the fee structure nance,'1 was leaning toward vot- Etnat 51SacCO4ILtt,oc*J will force developers' to move until I sat in traffic on Newsroom fax: (630)2324952 west, which would create more, Randall ' no Road coining here," congestion and Weigand said. 1 am fired of sit- Anvmnsi riG "Wefeelthemethodologyis tong in traffic over and over in Sales: (630) 232-9222, Est. 228 unfair," Pagemy commuinty said. Classified; 1-800-287-9420 Klinkhamer said theOtherTri-Cities St representa- E-mail: CLAss Eoc ortr,cc.a MondayCharles adopted City Council a resolution on fives argued against the impact Fax: (630) 2324976 fee, ' Legal notices: (630) 232-9255, opposing the ordinance, John I{oscheit, fl-St. Ext. 219 vantage,"This putsespecially us at area] with disad-South Charles, noted that the dividing bomzWr line between them-Cities and Visit our Web site, We're at Egin,"Those lUinithaniersaid. on the county board çampton Hills PM is Randall weretkcchromiicle.com who support the fees argued Road. A commercial develop- SPFMUIS *rao Tomas that the countyneeds$3SOmil- meat on the east side of "When you create an un- To schedule a speaker from the lion in road improvements and Randall would generate a fee even playingfieldforeconomic twice as much as one on the Chronicle, organizations should call Will collect $2.6 million a y west side. development, you're hurting (630) 232-9255, Ext. 307. fromCounty the fees. board Chairman"I don't care where you arm the taxpayers." she said. Available speakers include editors Mike McCoy said the fees will on Randall Road, you should 'Itansportation Committee and managers. Chairman' William matt, R- Tours of our plant at 1000 Randal cover about 8 percent of the pay the same impact fee," Aurora, said the altemative for needed projects- ' Hoscheit said. Road in Geneva may be arranged by Former Transportation revenue is increasing the gas calling (630) 232-9255, Ext. 307. "We're doing r}uis hi edst- taxorpropertytaX. Groups must have fewer than 20 ing citizens,We aren't doing Committee Chairman Karen "If you want to be the driv- people and tour hours are 8 a.m. to fordevelopersordealmakersor McComlaughay, R-St. Charles, ing force behind the tax, get be- 5p.m. Tuesday through Thursday city fathers," McCoy said. 'As a said she supports the concept citizen who uses the roads. I'd ofimpactfees.butsaid the ordl- hind it,- &att said. want to live in the area of the nancfl commercial compo- Mary Richards, K-Aurora, higiest impact fee." nent discourages economic de- Jim Mitchell, fl-North Aurora, The fees must be spent in velopment, which hurts tax- Robert McConnaughay, R- LoTtERIES re col- payers by placing more ofatact Geneva, Hoscheit, Caryl Van- thepPAin which they we Overoneiren, K-St. Charles, lected. . burden on residents. IWNOI5 Lonesy Donald Wolfe, R-Elgin. said She saidshe supports sepa- Karen McConnaulay and Ian Tots. Pica 3 MODAt 3-6-7 the fee structure was estab- rating the commercial and resi- Carlsoa, R-F,lbum, voted "no." Tars. Pact 3 Evranric: 7-9-7 lished according to state deatial components of the or- Dan Walter, R-South Elgin, Tars. Pica 4 MsoAr. 1-3-7-0 statutes that establish the num- dinance and re-evaluating the was present for the discussion Tars, PIcK 4 EvENING: 1-8-5-9 but absent for the vote. Tars. Lama LoTro: 02-04-20-21-29 her of cars and the length of commercial side. Loiro JACKPOt $9,5 nnllion • lilimallill

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>bOO.- 0U)0- o0 ...CtoC. 'Thomas' suit èlaims Ee' was: i defamed in three 'editorial 'page columns published May 15, May High court 20 and Nov. 20 last year. The columns had to do with Thomas'. 'role as a one of seven justice sues justices considering the punish- I inent for Gorecki in her ethics violation case brought by the I Chronicle Attorney Registration and Disci- plinary Commission in 2002. The Illinois,Supreme Court columnist acts as the final authority in By PATRICK WALORON lawyer discipline cases. - Daily Herald Staff Wntct Goreáki's case ended this week with 'the court ordering the Illinois Supreme Court Justice four-month suspension- 'of Robert Thomas of West Chicago Gorecki effective Feb. 1. has filed a defamation lawsuit In th columns, Page painted. I against .a suburban newspaper Thomas as a'biased judge and a, columnist who wrote that political enemy of ,Gorecki' Thomas was unfair in the han- during last year's deliberations dling of Kane County Stat&s about what punishthent, if any, Attorney Meg Gorecki's disci- she would receive for suggesting pline case. a bribes-for-jobs scheme in • The libel suit, filed Friday in 1998. Page wrote that Thomas Kane County Court; claims Bill tried to influence the court to Page, a columnist for the Kane disbar Gorecki or suspend her County Chronicle, damaged license for a year. Thomas' reputation by accusing He compromised on the four- the justice of securing a political month suspension, Page wrote endorsement for a 'Kane County in his columns, when Thomas judge candidate in exchange for was promised support for Kane a lighter punishment against County Judge Robert Spence's • Gorecki. judicial campaign: Thomas This was never Justice denies the allegations of bias or Thomas' case and he had no political trades. vendetta , against Gorecki," said - "justice Thomas never tried to Thomas'attomey, Joseph Power. influence his Supreme Court "Everything in the articles was colleagues with respect to length untrue." or severity of the sanctions in The , suit also names the the Meg Gorecki case," Power paper's parerit company, Shaw wrote in the suit. Suburban Media Group, a divi- In a one-sentence statement, sion of Dixon, 111.-based 'Shaw the paper stood by its columnist. Newspapers, and Chronicle "The Kane County Chronicle Managing Editor Greg Rivara as categorically denies Mr., defendants. Shaw also publishes Thomas' .assertions and will the Northwest Herald. Rivara' zealously defend our newspa- Was named for his refusal to per,' Chronicle Publisher Mark print retractions when the Sweetwood said. columns were objected to, Page did not 'return a phone Power said. call seeking comment. - r Thomas, a former Chicago Bears place-kicker, is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. But that sports notoriety plus his status as a justice means he'll have a higher legal threshold to meet to prove libel, as the law affords more protection to private citizens than Dublic figures. r

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McCoy said the interpretations of the law given to him make it clear GORECKI the County Board will be able to The Beacon News tries to be accu- From page Al declare a vacancy in Gorecki's office, rate and fair in every story it pub- then appoint someone to fill the tithes. When a mistake occurs, we who lived only houses away from the unexpired term within 60 days. want to fix it. To report en-on, teenager. But with the next meeting of the call the managing editor at Prosecutors are expected to base board scheduled for Feb. 10, a gap, 844-5881.. their case around Minniti's taped will exist between when Gorecki's • A story Wednesday incorrect- confession and DNA evidence suspension starts and when the ly identified Becky Morganegg's collected from Braun's home. board votes. When asked what will position with the Kendall Coun- "We're certainly completely up to happen during the gap in time, ty court system. Morganegg is speed on it," said Assistant State's McCoy said he is not sure. the Kendall County court admin- Attorney Joseph Cullen, who is "We're looking into that," he said. istrator and not an employee of expected to lead the prosecution. "I "There has to be some provision for the circuit clerk. Morganegg is know this case inside and out" that, because there could be a seeking the Republican nomina- Three prosecutors, including situation where the state's attorney tion for circuit clerk in the Gorecki, have been assigned to the has a heart attack and dies." March primary election. Minniti case throughout Most cases McCoy has been working with are tried using two prosecutors, Aurora attorney Patrick Kinnally on although Gorecki's office said the a solution. Kinnally could not be embattled state's attorney's legal reached for comment Wednesday. woes had nothing to do with adding Several options have been roceiiWatlts the extra hand - Assistant State's suggested. Attorney Divya Sarang, who has A meeting of the County Board Obituaries / Page AS specialized in juvenile prosecutions. could be called closer to Gorecki's Criminal Chief Jody Gleason said suspension date or another person Benjamin, Daniel James, 73,. the complexity of some cases could be appointed by 16th Circuit Montgomery requires additional help. Chief Judge Philip DiMarzio to serve Bennett, Neil, 69, Aurora Kane County Public Defender during the interim period1 McCoy Feldott, Chris Paul, 91, Aurora David Kliment, who is Minniti's said. Goldsbeny, Raymond B., 92, attorney, said he plans to proceed to The law appears to give the Sandwich trial as scheduled. A decision on County Board power to appoint after Hurley, Elaine F., 66, Geneva whether to seek a jury or bench trial the vacancy, but he said the King, Kirk D., 41, formerly Aurora has not been made, he said. authority to make an appointment Knickerbocker, Genevieve "I can't imagine that they went before the vacancy is declared might "Reddl," 95, Sarasota, Fla. into this thing without that go to DiMarzio, who declined Markowskl, Kiisthie, 35, Batavia possibility (of a law-license comment Wednesday. -Mayer, Betty, 71, Oswego suspension) in mind," Klirnent said. McCoy has said, however, he will Pollock, Roslyn, 89 MeaShile, a day after the Illinois take an opinion by the Illinois Tomlin, Juanita S., 94, Aurora Supreme Court announced the first- attorney general's office into term Republican's suspension over a account. It is not known when that bogus jobs-for-cash scheme, county opinion will be available. officials were still grappling with what to do next Staff writer Dan Duggan contributed to this report. The Beacon News County Board Chairman Mike

rlplf AHollinger Coroner, candidate accuse each other of being negligent I-/5_ct Uhrcm;cle Elgin physician: West did not order sufficient tests for patient

By PAUL ROCK to Hickrod challenging West. and ADAM KOVAC "This was sloppy coroner's Kane County Chronicle work," Tiballi said of the death investigation after the woman GENEVA - A candidate died Feb. 20, 2001. for Kane County coroner has Elgin police were called to accused incumbent Charles investigate the woman's West of botching a death in- death, which occurred 17 days should have contacted police vestigation he claims might after she was admitted to Coroner rwhn he learned nFt1,a have led to criminal charges. Sherman Hospital after she Continued from page 1 continuing drug use. He fur- Bob Tiballi, an Elgin physi- suffered a cocaine-related ther stated that it is not within cian, said Wednesday that stroke in her home, according "It's not something that his power to file criminal West did not order sufficient td coroner's documents. • normally happens when charges and emphasized that tests for one of Tiballi's pa- A drug test when the somebody's inside of a hospi- authority lies only with the tients who had cocaine in her woman, who is not being Kane County State's Attorney's system when she died while tal;" Wolf told a coroner's jury. identified, was admitted de- The jury ruled that the Office. hospitalized after a stroke. tected cocaine in her urine. "He documented a rise in Evidence showed that the in- woman died from corriplica- The drug was found again as tons of a • cocaine-related her cocaine letels, and he did capacitated woman ingested her health began to rapidly nothing," West said. "He has a the drug while she was in the stroke, but could not deter- deteriorate the day before she mine if legal and ethical responsibility hospital. the death was natural to do something." died. or a homicide. West refuted the allega- At a coroner's inquest that However, Tiballi said the tions and maintained that May, West said the presence of Criminal charges were final drug test results were not Tiballi was negligent because cocaine while the woman was never filed in the case, in part available until after the woman he failed to notify authbrities partially paralyzed and could because the woman's family died. when the drug was detected not talk or feed herself trig- would not cooperate with in- Tibaili recently. had hours before the woman gered "concern about the cir- vestigators, according to a avoided trading political blows died. cumstances surrounding her transcript of the inquest. in the heated primary that ap- Tiballi and West are in a death," the documents show. Tiballi claims that West pears focused on West's ad- three-way race that includes Elgin police Detective Bill should have conducted add!. ministration and Hickrod's po- Stan Hickrod, an East Dundee Wolf testified at the inquest donaltets during the woman's tential to profit from holding crematorium owner, for the that investigators think the autopsy that could have led to the post. Republican nomination in the woman was given cocaine criminal charges against In the last three months, March 16 GOP primary. sometime in the three days whomever allegedly gave co- West and Hickrod have traded The allegations, leveled at before she died, possibly caine to his patient. Freedom of Information Act a meeting between the three through a feeding or intra- But West maintains that his requests seeking records from candidates at the IQme County venous tube while in the office conducted a thorough West's office and Hickrod's Chronicle, are the latest in a hospital. investigation and leveled his business, which Hickrod has series of campaign salvos that own allegations that Tiballi said he will vacate if elected. until Wednesday were limited See CORONER, page 2 Bill Paws Obro,c,;cte Aw, H • So long, Klink I don't often usethis space for personal Cougars, and he is weighing a few other messages, but today I'm making an . offers as well) exception to give a salute to a friend. It has been a good run for Dan, but it Friday, St. Charles Police Cmdr. Dan is time to move to the next challenge. IQinJthamerwi wrap up a 29-year career Thanks, Klink, St. Charles is a better place with the department, and it's been an because of you. interesting, if not occasionally bumpy, run. * * Over the years, Dan has been involved Well now., hasn't it been an in every facet of police work, from street interesting news week? A lot of stories patrol to investigations to administration, broke that will have far-reaching impact Although he always kept up with on the county and well have our work cut technologç Dan was decidedly "old out just trying to keep up... school' when it came to his approach to The Illinois Supreme Court's imposed the job. A strong work ethic, dogged a four-month law license suspension on pursuit of details and knowledge of the Meg Gorecki, effectiveFeb. 1. However, community were the tools Dan used to that doesn't answer all the questions that close literally thousands of investigations, need answers in this affair. Does the In addition, Dan was particularly - suspension mean Gorecki must give up skilled as a hostage negotiator and used her job? Cab she stay on as an that talent to end five situations where the administrator? If she has to leave, is she subjects were barricaded. I don't know if entitled toreturn to the office she there's a connection, but in addition to rightfully won in an election after the being able to talk people into giving up, suspension is through? And so on. Most of for some reason Dan also was the guy these questions have to be answered by criminals would search out when they Attorney General Lisa Madligan's office, wanted to turn themselves in, but so far, none have, leaving the situation It won't be easy for the St. Charles up in the air. Police Department to replace Dan Not that any of those questions seem Klinkhamer; the job is different now and to bother county board Chairman Mike so are some of the younger men and McCoy, who already is moving to replace women in uniform. Dan always has lived Gorecki. It would be nice if McCoy would in town, his kids went to school here and waitfor guidance from Madigan; that way obviously his wife seems to have a sense we'd know the right decision had been of civic involvement, too. made. That isn't the case anymore. Officers * live up to 25 miles away and few have any Speaking of McCoy's decisions, what ties to the city beyond their job.When was behind his push to implement a they punch out, they leave town, but that county transportation impact fee never was the case with Dan. St. Charles schedule that brutalizes the Tr-Cities? always has been more to him than a place The new fees are 10 times higher in the to earn a paycheck, Wa his home. His Tr-Cities than Aurora, four times higher telephone number was listed, and he than Elgin, and three times more than the often took calls from neighbors, parents northwest sector ofKane County. That and other citizens who needed to talk to a much disparity will have a chilling effect cop who would listen, on business growth - and by extension, I suppose should be glad that Dan's tax revenues to cities —in the affected retiring because it means we'll be able to zones. This was not a well-thought out get in a few more games of racquetball, action, but it is of a type that is becoming but the man is left-handed and has a increasingly the norm as McCoy enters his wicked backhand. More on-court last few months in office. humiliation I don't need, (Not that U Bill Page lives in St Charles and retirement means Dan will be slowing writes about local issues on Tuesday and down much. He'll continue his gig as Thursday. Cal/Li and e-mails answered at director of security for the Kane County (630) 584-0809 or [email protected], Our Viewpoint The damage is done Now, it again eg Gorecici must Va- nearly one year. Choosing to is time to cate her position as not be in front of the Kane County state's Supreme Court's decision turn to Kane attorney on Feb. 1. might be polite in the polifi- County and That is the day the Illinois cal arena, but it does a cbs- Supreme Court has deter- service to Kane County what mined in refusing to consider Mad.igan's office has given happens to Gorecki's request to have her . County Board law license suspension de- Chairman Mike McCoy no re- its 400,000 layed until November, when course other than to be pre- residents she would leave office after pared for a vacancy. McCoy the electoral cycle, would submit possible re- now that the Gorecki's law license was placements for the county chief law. suspended for four months board's approval to fill what- after she left messages on an enforcement. ever vacancy exists given answering machine suggest- Gorecid's suspension. Officer is in big a county highway depart- Some might believe it un- ment job could be had in ex- seemly that McCoy already limbo. change for a campaign dona- has set Feb. 10 as the day he tion. Nothing ever came of the would declare Gofecki's office suggestion, and Gorecki later vacant. However, not having a said she made up the story plan in place would further f-Is- oc Gorecid's troubles have harm Kane County, been well-documented And that is where our Some would say overly so. Now, it thoughts must be today Chron ide again is time to turn to The damage has been Kane County and what hap- done regarding Gorecki. She pens to its 400,000 residents made a poor decision to leave now thai the chief law en- the taped messages. She forcement officer is in limbo, compounded that poor deci- Unfortunately, there are no answers, sion by denying the allega- dons. She inexplicably did Attorney General Lisa not respond to public in- Madigan's office still-has not quiries nor refute the criti' said whether Gorecki can re- cistris of her enemies. turn to office after serving the She did nothing to stop suspension. Another possibil- the speeding train careening ity, albeit remote) is that off the tracks. Gorecki could continue her Kane County residents administrative duties and not continue to be the passengers practice law. Her position in that train. It would be wise largely is administrative if everyone else involved We still are confused why would remember that simple Madigans office has not had a fact and act accordingly reply in hand to the questions Kane County deserves no that have been asked for less. Child waiting mom at Kane courthouse is up and running By TOM SCHLUETER part of this week attendance Kane County Chronicle has averaged two to three, he said, with a high of seven. GENEVA - The child wait- The waiting room is on the ing room is open at the Kane Judicial Center's lower level at County Judicial Center, and the the back of the cafeteria. Finance Committee on The waiting room was the Wednesday established its op- idea of the Kane County Bar erating budget. Association Foundation, Court administrator which proposed it two years Douglas Naughton said next ago. year's cost will be $70,200 and Its purpose is to have a H±1] he expects $72,200 in revenue. place for youngsters while The revenue figure might their parents are in court, as below, Naughton said, consid- well as a refuge for children ering the amount of money away from the seamier side of brought in 2003. the day-to-day activities at the "That's a conservative guess courthouse. considering we got $77,000 last Naughton said more chil- year," Naughton said. dren are in the courthouse on The money to pay for the Thursdays and Fridays when child waiting room comes from judges hold sentencing hear- an added $5 tacked on civil ings. Often entire families of case filing fees. both defendants and victims The county board in August come to court to hear the sen- 2002 approved the $5 fee in- tences read, he said. crease, which the state legisla- The waiting room is not a ture allows for establishing day-care center, which would courthouse child waiting operate under tougher legal re- rooms. strictions. The bulkof the expenses, Parents are able to drop a $68,200, will be paid to Jane child or children off and receive Stover Easter Seals, the agency a wrist band. Only by showing hired to operate the Waiting the wrist band is the child room. turned over. Because the waiting room The bar association foun-: opened last week, Naughton dation conducted a survey and said there has not been time to found an average of 12 to 15 evaluate its effectiveness. children ages 2 to 12 would use During lat week and the first the facility each day. • justice files suit: against in Page's columns, tie claimed ' .omas was part of a GOP conspir- ii ewsp ap er, r to punish Gorecki for taking on low Republican David .Akemann ,olumrnst the 2000 primary election. Page ;o implied that Thomas influ- JL tS %' Sea ced other justices in making the - By Daniel Duggan cision to suspend Goretki's law Ii- WRITER ise for four months, partly out of 'attempt to help a judicial candi- • 3k i Illinois Supreme Court justice is suing an area newspaper, claim- '.;Page also sent an e-mail to the ing several recent opinion columns Supreme Courts press office, say- bwere defamatory. ing the entire court would face a y-Robert Thomas, the Supreme .nightmare of bad publicity" if jCourt justice representing the dis- Jhómas were to influence the deci- ,,frid that includes the Fox Valley, sion of the justices; according to the' jled the four-count civil suit iii Kane County's 16th Thomas' complaint states Page's judicial Circuit columns were "false or authored 2Court last, week with a reckless disregard for their ;against local truth or falsity," with "malice to- goIumnist Bill wards the reputation of Justice ,,Page and the Thomas is seeking damages in ,,Kane County tess of $50,000 for each of the ,Chronicle, - ro counts of defamation and the Yhich publish- ó counts of "false light" 3 his columhs. Retractions for the columns were The suit also Illinois Supreme quested, but nothing Was run 'in Court justice Isiames, Shaw e newspaper, Power said, and that 'uburban Robert Thomas is tion Was followed by another DMedia Group, suing the Kane 'i sJhich owns the County Chronicle. '"this really leaves '(Thomas) 'newspaper. with no other avenue," Power said. In the 20-page complaint, "They spread a pack of lies about Thomas' attorney, Joseph Power of him. He's not looking to pick a fight, • .chiago, claims Page falsely por- but what else can he do?' :trayed Thomas' involvement in the "They're saying he's a vindictive," tecent action to suspend Kane small-minded person who will trade `County State's Attorney Meg his vote to help a friend. It's as bad ,Oorecki's license to practice law. He as what Gorecki was charged With, 'SO claims Page's columns tar-. and its false," Power added. 'ihed his reputation as 'a justice of Kane County Chronicle Publish- the state's high court. er Mark M. Sweetwood issued a ,The suit references three brief statement on the, lawsuit by e- "columns Page wrote about motiva- mail Wednesday. tions for the punishment Gorecki 'The Kane County Chronicle cat- '?ecèived from the Supreme Courtin egorically denies Mr. Thomas' as- November. The court found she vio- sertions and we will zealously de- Jafrd the ethics rules for attorneys fend our newspaper," he said. VKèft she left messages on a 'end's answering machine, laying a plan to get a transportation job $7maldngpollfical donations. • 1-1509 ?€fl(1)M / / A1-' County officials sending grant money. back to state The situation dates bath to 1998, when By Steve Lord the county got two Local Law Enforcement STAFF WRITER Block Grants at the same time. One was GENEVA - When is a tate grant not a for $13,604, and the other for $13,672. Pat- state grant? tell theorized the grants got confused be- When it is not spent, apparently. cause they were foralmost the same Kane County officials are sending a amount - $13,672 Local Law Enforcement Block "There was some sort of mix-up when Grant back to the state of Illinois because they were received," she said. no one can find any proof it ever was used. Patteili also told the Finance Committee 'We tried to get information from the Wednesday that, while final 2003 budget state with absolutely no luck," Cheryl Pat- figures are not available, it appears the tell, Kane County finance director, told the county is "going to be in abetter situation" County Board Finance and Budget Com- than was projected last September.. mittee Wednesday. 'There are no files on "It seems revenue was higher, and exit. We have concluded it was not spent be- penditures lower," she said. Committee cause there, is no evidence it was spent" members told Pattelli they want to see a list So the county will send the money back. of the departments that overspent budgets Pattelli said it will come from county con- for 2003. She said the list probably will be tingency funds because it would be impos- • no surprise to committee members. sible to find out what fund the grant money "Most departments that overspent have went into. come to you at some lime," she said.

f—fO-'tCT More layoffs a possibility in county offices Robert Sthillerstrofl says his tions vacant through attrition V BYTONAKTJNZ main priority for 2004iscontn and laid off 18 people, mostly in Dai4yHe4 Staff W- information technology and a uing to streamline county department that serves low- The employee exodus that government. income families. began last year in DuPage Last year, 304 of the county's They said the cuts were need- County government may not be 4,300 workers opted to leave under a buyout agreement ed to help slice $23 million from over.. the county budget. County board Chairman Officials left another 37 posi 1-

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Thursday was the last day for bonds to the amount of $28.4 million? • Oswego Public Library District 76 percent for the 2004 levy year? local governments tome with coun- • Minooka School District: Shall Shall the bonds of the library Dis- • Town & Country library District ty clerks to get referendums on the the maximum annual tax rate for ed- trict in the amount of $16.5 million (Elburn): Shall the annual public Ii- March 16 primary election ballot ucational purposes be increased be issued for the purpose of pur- bran' tax rate be established at .19 Issues that will be on the ballot in and established at 2.17 percent, in- chasing sites for erecting library percent instead of .15 percent? Kane, Kendall, DuPage, Will, stead of 1.62 percent, the present buildings, building an addition to • Virgil Township: Shall the equal- DeKaib and LaSalle counties: maximum rate? and repairing, remodeling and im- ized assessed valuation on taxable • Aurora Township: Advise the leg- • Minooka School District: Shall proving the existing library building, property be increased from 165 islature to raise state income tax for the district build and equip an addi- furnishing necessary equipment, ac- percent to a maximum of .330 per- those individuals who make more tion to Minooka Junior High School quiring library materials and elec- cent for road purposes? than a quarter-million dollars a year? and build and equip an elementary tronic data storage and retrieval fa- • Virgil Township: Shall the exten- • Big Rock Township: Shall the schbol building, and issue bonds to cilities and providing for the pay- sion limitation under the property tax township increase the property tax the amount of $15.5 million? mentof a mortgage executed to pay limitation law for the road Kind be in- extension limitation from 5 percent • North Aurora; Shall the village con- costs of library improvements? creased from 2.4 percent to 198.18 up to 39.55 percent for the duct future elections for all village of- • Sandwich Fire Protection District: percent for the 2004 tax levy year? fices as non-partisan elections? Shall the Fire Protection District uWarrenville: Shall the city of War- • Blackberry Township Road Dis- • North Aurora Fire Protection Dis- levy a special tax at a rate not to ex- rcnville be a home rule unit trict, Shall the district increase the trict Shall the Deer Oaks subdivi- ceed .30 percent for the purpose of • West Chicago Mosquito Abate- property tax rate from 1650 percent sion be discbnnected from the providing ambulance services? ment District: Shall the extension up to 2300 percent for mad purposes? Batavia & Countryside Fire Protec- • Sugar Grove Public library Dis- limitation under the property Lax • DeKalb County: Shall the county tion District and annexed into the trict Shall the extension limitation limitation law for the district be in- be authorized to impose a public North Aurora & Countryside Fire under the property tax limitation creased from 1.9 percent to 70 per- safety tax at the rate of one-half of Protection District? law be increased from 1.9 percent to cent for the 2004 levy year? one percent upon all retail sales for crime prevention, detention, and other public safety purposes? • Geneva School District Shall the district issue bonds in the amount of $48,972,121 for the purpose of building one new middle school and maintaining existing buildings? • Geneva School District Shall the district increase the tax rate from 3M8 percent to 3.43 percent' • Hinckley Fire Protection District: Shall the extension limitation under the property tax extension limitation law be increased from 2.4 percent to 60.264 percent for the 2003 levy yew? - • Minooka High School District: Shall the district build and equip a new high school building and issue

C).: C) C). e.' t -C)i-,O C) .-40) F; . d 0 0 0 -•ct O C) flfl:Uo g tt1 CO bC V0 v-I C. to El44—Ct C) cenCC) C)bO bb 0 en 2a 00373 % l-4 .. ct -e0,) -- StLo 0 0 ,0 G)CtC)I 2 a-iC) C)ciRO = 3 C)C) C a- Ct -" C) 0 '4 C en C) OC lnq °-'40rfl0i m z C) C) .E 0tC)oOi MC) C Ca -0E mC 00 .e th C) tri0 a-.Ct t bt Ct C) • C S St U WIa° Cti.in c3t o- LI!6 E " bO*0 fl bCL .cCctt OC)a-iE0b a0, Ct cto Ct en Lj . .C.&; __ enotE.oui WCt0 C)08t tRE 9 C) a--4 • enC) tnC)10 ° C)C) .0 th-°ritC. C) C) 0 o E . Ct — hen S El • — .4-i=4,C.:Eq C)4- U) () 0 i .t ,ffrs OC)' .tC)C)r CR h U0 I- •° 0 0) loo C 2 tctctOC us 1 S •..-r0'-- 7:C1 ' .. IP Project WW Continued from page 1 h •" 1P! en C, cotr o.E't Once the church started to develop plans for a new church a, 'C. 0. on.Main Street west of Randall F g, Road, church and city leaders b r began to discuss the potential CD a) 6 sale of the property. p. "We've got the essence of a -: amils 91 a)a' contract," Mayor Jeff Schielke C. said. "It's verbal." ,s 'h!t That verbal agreement in- F cludes a $715,000 price for the Lfl Zer lb 1.6 acres, said Jim Hooper, the C0 @) C church building committee ,!, chairman. W&m landlocked, and the building is not user-friendly any- mole, with alot of stairs," Hooper said. "It's old architecture with a lot of spaces cut up and no air- conditioning. There is not a = rn5a' whole lot you can do with that 9t [jo building. It would be as9en- sive to upgrade as too move. - - 0 o.'il C ,n The church has conception plans for a 12000-square-foot, p ' 0 $2.5 million church at the cor- o ner of Main Street and South a.- I oS'Sn.o Mill Creek Drive, on eight acres to be donated by developer CD C"'f0 Kent Shodeen, Hooper said. -th a) However, the donation is ra conditional upon the church -u and oon sa having financing a plan by C early 2005, Hooper said. .Oo=c' The church has about 90 to C 100 members attending a sin- a, gle Sunday service. Financing ZPS the new building will require = oefl . fund-raising and a loan in ad- 0 dition to themoneythe church C;6 o realizes from the sale of its 0 property, Hooper said. Aside from the citydevelop- E a) a,o ers have expressed Interest inthe fl church property, Ca - City officials say they need Ot the $250,000 grant, which is one of many Illinois FIRST o t grants secured by state Sen. Ut Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora, that have yet to be released. "Even' time I see the gover- I nor, I remind him about the $1.4 million in member initia- ci ciG)a''°. a' tives in my district that are still out there," Lauzen said.

.5 Schielke said that the fu- tjc—U tme of the old church has yet to be determined. 0:3 2e' •O.wcs "That would be a building o,iu cdjO 'n without a parking lot," Schielke s-c'-- said.

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Retiring animal: warden honored 146r61ReUCOh E BEACON NEWS STAFF GENEVA - As Phil ZaVitZ walked toward the front of the Kane County Board F Aurora mayoral candidate Bill room this week, Board Chairman Mike Wyatt is underwriting the McCoy quickly pointed out that two news admission fee for the Paramount photographers were following him. Theatre offerings of 'Tuesday "See?" McCoy said. "Wherever Phil Nights at the Movies" Tuesday shows up, there's always cameras." to Feb. 24. That observation even made it into the The Paramount selected three official resolution the County Board passed movies by Alfred Hitchcock and this week to honor Za- I 1 three romantic classics. vitz, who is retiring Psycho will be shown at 7:30 after 13 yeats in the - p.m. Tuesday at the theater, 23 Animal Control office. E. Galena Blvd; in Aurora The Before joining remaining movies are: The Kane's Animal Control • Birds; North by Northwest, office, he spent 14 Casablanca, Doctor Zhivago and years answering calls ' I • The Philadelphia Stoty. for animals in distress, Voter registration will be held in the lobby of the theater, or humans in distress & .; because of animals, ''' where Wyatt will greet throughout the Tn- Phil Zavitz was moviegoers. - Cities, ever since he honored Thursday Call (630) 896-666. started helping St. by the Kane Charles' animal-con- County Board. Local candidates are invited to trol officer. submit items about endorsements, And, yes, it seems his photo has made it ,fund-raisers, debates, into the newspapers a few times, with appearances or other campaign every kind of animal, including deer, baby activities to Election Watch. Mail squirrels, a lynx, pythons, alligators, items to: Election Watch, The lizards, dogs, donkeys, chickens, servals, Beacon News, 101 S. River St., bobcats andcoyotes. Aurora 60506. Fax (630) "Phil has had more photographs in the 844-1043. Or e-mail - • county's newspapers than any other county [email protected] • employee, appearing with various animals • he has saved, and some of them were almost as photogenic as his elfin self," read part of the County Board resolution. The official document also noted Zaviti "dedication to his duty is surpassed only by his willingness to serve the community in innumerable volunteer efforts." After a standing ovation from the board- and those attending the meeting, Zavitz called the resolution "quite an honor." But he added thatit belongs as much to the 'Animal Control team" as to him. "Like I always said, when you care to send the very best, call Animal Control," he said.

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By DAVID SMAROS "We want to find out What are Daiy Hevaid Qxna'on&ni the concerns of the elderly as well as the young and give them • Of the GOP candidates for all the best chance we can," Kane County posts who partici- O'Neil said. "I want to protect pated in a forum Saturday, the your family, your neighbors and sharpest contrast was among your friends because they're my the four men vying for state's family and neighbors and attorney friends too." Former Kane County prose Rago said he Was familiar cutor John Barsanti, St. Charles with the "agricultural base" of City Attorney Tim O'Neil, West the county, adding he had Dundee defense attorney Joe "plowed land in the county Rago and Michael Leuer, a cor- myself." porate consultant and former "If elected, I have a number of Cook County prosecutor, are all priorities, which include dealing vying for the GOP nomination with drugs and gangs, financial to replace Meg Gorecki, who is crimes and identity theft," Rago not seeking re-election. said. "These Sues are out prob- Democrat Renee Robinson is lems of the future." running unopposed for her Nearly 100 people attended party's nomination in the March the candidates forum at the primary. Batavia VFW hall, sponsored by Barsanti's comments left no local GOP organizations, to also doubt whom he felt was the hear from those vying for coun- most qualified.. ty board chairman, recorder, '4J1 of the people up here are circuit court clerk, coroner and qualified, but none have the Kane County Board districts 10 experience I have," he said. 'No and 14. . . one has prosecuted more crimi- County board member Karen nal cases in the areathan me. McConnaughay spoke for five This race comes down to experi- minutes about her vision, which ence." included improving the quality Leuer, who has an MBA as of life in the area and bringing well as a law degree, touted his representatives from "the coun- "unique educational experi- ty, labor, schools, environmen- ence" that would enable him to tal groups, business and citizens - "to bring fresh ideas to the together." office." Her opponent, county Trea- O'Neil noted his work on the surer David Rickert, did not first gang crimes prosecution appear.- unit and said being state's attorney is about "accessibility"

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(5 -Ct 5w are rep- their stories and p,oqMo 7rtde Kane uountbookrt r Prairie Lakes deal likely won't make everyone happy ByTOM SCHLUEItR On the down side, with Kane County Chronicle iigher state gambling taxes, ter is receiving fewer With avote on Jan. 13, the dollars from the Grand county board ended its role in Victoria Casino in Eight the seven-year-old Prairie It already has most of its Lakes lawsuit. estimated $7 million annual There will be routine ac- allocation set aside for ongo- don as the subdivision follows ing expenses, such as the the development process, but, bond payment on the Juvenile unless there comes unfore- Justice Center, the operating seen circumstances, the wran- costs of the Child Advocacy gling over the property is over. Center, the storrnwater man- The significance of the suit agement program and Water is county zoning won out over Resources Department. court-imposed zoning. This is The preservation program, either a good or a bad thing, one of the few in the Midwest depending on which side of has caught the eye of the U.S. this case you're on. Department of Agriculture. Inland Land Appreciation • Over the years, the county Fund, the developers, believe board has doled out millions the zoning process was unfair to local projects, for historical and sued. The county saw too • preservation, downtown many houses on soil that beautification and environ- could not sustain septic fields. mental protection. The developers believed Donations to other agen- they were right andfought cies have been cut backbe- cause of the lower revenue. tooth and nail in the courts. 4*t The county stuck to its density and sell requirements and Phil-Zavitz, known as "Mr. alsdfoughttooth and nail. Z" to many Kane County Some residefltswi11bedis- schoolchildren, retired Jan. 2 appointed that the property from the Animal Control will be developed at aft This Department after 13 years too is understandable. But County board Chairman Inland owns the land and is al- Mike McCoy read a resolution lowed to seek approval from of appreciation atmesday's the government to build board meeting. houses on it- The resolution read in part it is likely that Inland w that Zavitz 'has had more pho- sell the property to B&B tographs in the county's news- Enterprises andletB&B go papers than any other county through the machinations of employees appearing with van-. development. animals he has saved, and The next legal challenge to • some of them were almost as Kane Countyprobablywillbe photogenic has his elfin self." Zavitz brought a great- over its transportation impact Chronicle fee program. homed owl to the - offices one day, and another • Also onmesday, the day a boa constrictor. county board moved $2 mil- • On suggestions from some lion from its riverboat fund employees, he stayed outside with the snake. into the farmland preserva- • Toni Schlueter is the tion fund. The action will position the county repo rterfor the Kane county to receive more federal County Chronicle. He may be matching funds to leverage reached at (630) 845-5380 or at more farmland protection. [email protected] cc!oIi!t2ckie

Randy Pailaro - ChriicIs photo stall Republican candidates for county board District 14, from left, Arney Silvestri, James Neuman and Mark Davoust, outline why they should be elected at a forum on Saturday. The Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles Township Republican organizations sponsored the event at the Batavia VFW. Forum focuses on growth, taxes, transportation

By GRANT MILLER Inside Rage said. "It's nut that itwas a frivolous Wegman said Illinois law discour- Shaw News Service amount, but how it was being used." ages recorders from accepting credit -. State's attorney candidates detail Rage said property owners unnec- cards forpayment. BAtcVIA— Republican candidates their differences and similarities. essarily wait weeks to obtain docu- "The credit card companies charge for county offices were mostly cordial ments from the recorder's office, He (an extra) fee, and by statute that can- in their first forum this year. Page 2 also said the office should accept credit not be passed on to the consumer," About ISO Republican faithful - cards. Wegman said. Everyone should pay braved icy roads on Saturday to attend Wegman said she has revamped the same amount whether they're pay- the forum. Though many candidates ised to change that if elected. the office since her 2000 election. She ing cash or with credit rands." focused on growth, taxes and trans- Rage, a former Kane County Board said security measures have been Dan Gurbal also seeks the party's portation, some challengers used the member, is the party's Dundee taken to discourage identity theft or nomination, for recorder. The Geneva opportunity to criticize incumbents. Township chairman. As a board mem- hacking the office's public computers. resident said his real estate research County recorder candidate Don ber, Rage proposed eliminating the Wegnian also said she improved a data business puts him in the recorder's of- Rage said Republican incumbent recorder's office. backup system to save important fice daily as a customer. He said it's run Sandy Wegman has run the office inef- (When I was on the board), I was records in case of fire. She said her of- well, but could be better. ficiently. He said Wegman has mis- always concurred about the amount of fice typically takes just days to send spent taxpayer money, and he prom- money going to the recorder's office," documents to property owners. See FORUM. page 2 FPWMM is tensed funeral director and Forum Police officer make him the Continued from page 1 ideal candidate for the job. "I'm going to put investi- "The timeliness and accu- gations back into that office • da racy are not up to speed;" and reduce the budget," • its • Gurbalsaid. Hickrod said. The three coroner candi- Str Hickrod worked for at dates also were quick to draw eamwood Police from 1991 • clear differences on the issues. to 2002. Since then, he's run a • Challenger Bob Tiballi said small business He said his busi- :le mistakes have been made ness experience could make the under Republican incumbent Dt office fiscally respons ible Chuck West's watch. Tiballi Circuit clerk candidate Sue ) in said he would avoid such mis- n Norris said that office must be takes and improve the office's. reformed to be effective. Norris bio-terrorism awareness ii supervises felony cases in the Ml Tiballi is doctor who special- county prosecutor's office. izes in infectious diseases. "I'm in the position to see "I can bring extensive what's being done and what's knowledge to the table in what not being done," Norris Said. keeps people alive and what "The circuit clerk's office has a causes their death," Tibaj]i said. lost touch with the basics in i West said he has run the '13- the responsibilities of run- IOU office efficiently and recently ning an office." Ii upgraded the staff's computer Republican incumbent systems with state-of-the-art Deb Seyller said felony and SUl technologies He said these criminal cases only are a por- systems are a prototype that tion ofwhat her office manages. p3 will be copied by coroner's of- She said she hopes to put fices nationwide more information online for "This program will be the public and attorneys to cut marketed all over the nation, and itwili down on paperwork and cut come at zero cost to costs. Seyller said she nearly Kane County. It'll cost nothing has completed a project to cre- • to the taxpayer," West said. ate añ "electronic court room." West said he is the only The project will cut down on candidate with hands-on ex- aperworkp in the courtroom perience in disaster, such as "This will improve data the Oklahoma City Federal ntiy, improve accuracy and re- Building bombing and the duce the files that are going into Amtrak crash in suburban i Bourbonnais he courtroom," Seyller said Other candidates attend- West defended his some- irig Saturday's forum included times testy relationship with those for county board the county board. He said he I)istricts 10 and 14 and 16th is passionate about his office c and will argue at length to get b:ircuit court judges. County a fair shake from the board. oard chairman candidate E:aren McConnaughay spoke, Challenger Stan Hickrod but her opponent treasurer said his experience as a 11- t avid Rickert did not attend.

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Cd4-1 •> H U_c •0> o • ,c tO .c_c dt.c H° E 0 Q4 bOW mal Page 2 lot of people out there" who 'I'd give it about 'C' ' are acting racist. But he said Si Relations Mejia arrived in Aurora in he sometimes experiences Continued from page 1 1975 to teach Spanish-speak- "amusing" events where peq- ing children who were part of ple unknowingly commit "It has been a 180-degree a burgeoning population of prejudiced acts. turnaround" Hazelwood said. immigrants; In his first year of "Even as an adult, I see lit- teaching at then-Waldo Junior tle things in my life," he said. Segregation High, he said he taught all 56 "You will go into a school and seventh- through ninth-grade they do not know who you are Hazelwood moved to and a secretary will think you Batavia to live with relatives. Spanish-speaking students in a makeshift classroom. are either a book salesman or stal He was ordained itt 1961 and a custodian. Once they find preached at churches in At times, he and his stu- the dents felt like they were out, their (attitude) changes." 5-i) Batavia and Aurora. When he Mejia also said he experi- arrived in Batavia, a small pushed to the side and sepa- qu rated from the,white students, ences similar events at restau- shc population of blacks lived ex- rants where employees first clusively on the city's east side he said. at] "The awareness of other will talk to his wife, who is because of racial separation in white, before they will talk to the city. cultures I think has gotten wli better," he said: "Certainly, him. du In the mid-1960s, when Hazelwood said that when Fermilab was awarded to the (there is) more sensitivity to- pa wards minorities in the he drives around in his Jaguar community, Hazelwood and - his daughter is a Jaguar S others were able to get a fair- schools." na The school district eventu- saleswoman —wearing a suit, housing policy enacted in people recognize him. But 1k the city. Many white resi- ally hired other teachers to help p0 teach Spanish-speaking stu- when he is driving a truck dents opposed the plan that wearing work clothes, the re- sis banned the denial of hous- dents, and the Latino students m eventually were mixed with action is different. ing based upon race, he "If it wasn't for who I am said. English-speaking students. sai He later became dean of and what I am, how would Even after, Hazelwood they treat me?" he asked. dii. said blacks in Batavia and students at the school and di- fib rector of bilingual students in Hazelwood said that now ist 'nt Kane County still had trouble the question is more ofasepa- buying property because of the district In 1987, he joined WE • the regional superintendent's ration between the "haves and their color. have-nots." People are more cu In 1967, Hazelwood said office as an assistant superin- to] tendent. He then was elected judged on their class than his family was the first black color, he said. family to move to the west regional superintendent of Both men said people of da side of Batavia. Areal estate schools and has served in that all ethnicities should remem- pe agent sold him property from position for 10 years. ber their pasts and learn from of his personal estate because no • "I think there probably, as• history. And they said learning tie one else in the area would sell a general rule, is more toler- tolerance would improve race to blacks, he said. ance and acceptance, but we relations. But each has his in .Hazelwood said that have a long way to go," Meji2 own thoughts on how to im- pIe even though prejudice might said. "I would give it about prove race relations. tu have existed decades ago, he 'C'. We certainly could b Hazelwood said people pe has been treated well all his doing'A' and 'B' work But i should work on "family values BE life. takes time." - and their relationship with "You have to forgive peo The blatant and some- God. That is what is hurting sa pIe," he said. times visible ethnic separae us. That is what is puffing us lot S tjon bea thing ofth' But he still believes there i: might It apart U • work to do. past, but the men said tha Mejia said, "1 truly believe CA "The phyica1 and socia sometimes unconscious sub education is the key." Of struggle may be over, but no tle prejudice still is present. Dr. King's dream still • it is more a mental (state), h p, might be a dream, but with said. "The prophecy c 'How would they treat me' progress as a gauge, there is (King's) dream is being hi] )t more than just hope on the filled, but it has not peelce Mejia said he does n( I want to "paint a picture of a horizon. • vet" Ce

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Ex-Genevq mayor . I ..may have hadpoint in combating sprawl

• Past Th-Cities mayan often A quick atop I squarvdoffwithDUpageAisPOrl in the office Authority or county officials - this week About how land-use plans In - revealed - western DuPage would affect chamber Face- Kane County , %: utive Director • In the late 1980s, then- I Lori Hewitt Geneva Mayor Dick Lewis went - and her staff In so far as to claim nuPage was typical mid- • establishing open space on its Diva Hem -January mode: I • western border for 'lets dealt-. Taitofs5fltssra Working to able maC like compost areas or keep track of landfills to makeKans appear to those attend- be a no-man's tad for future ing the development Charlemagne dinner.act People who were generally Its ajuggiing to knew who I happy that homes and busi- has paid for whom and to nester weren't covering Kanes accommodate requested I eastern border pretty much lablelseating arrangements in i wrote off Lewis' thoughts as addition to all of the other silly,But!e they? details. • You can sense the smut thing - The classy reputation and happening on Kane's western success of Charlemagne. to be edge today with open space held Friday at Q Center (for- • being set aside through recent merly the Arthur Andersen land-acquisition referendums training facility) have every' And .aspastof the county'52030 thing todovnththegnsnlwOrk plan. unfolding new at the chamber - Talk of landfills and other oflics. lest drsirable uses' on open • land outwear maysurftcemnthe lleIpIng011vla fute:ur It must leave some in If the Charlemagne Awards • DeKalh Cousstywondtringwhat ate not on your calendar, then a our motives are, particularly spagj'setti dinner fund-tniser at' • with the Prairie Parkway pro-. St. John wetsinann in St. Charles Pratt certain to may be up your alley Friday night. pickupstemn. . Olivia May, a fourth-grader at

Traffic 510th555 . St. Patsick's Elementary School, - During his mayoral tenure, was diagnosed with leukemia Dick Lewis also talked to and has can in intensive care • anyone who would listen about at Children's Memoeial Hospital his vision for the county to since October. Olivia and her • govern or coordinate all land- family need help and this fund- • use plans and a county raiser, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., tssmportadonboatdthatwoldd will help thesn.Tlcket.lnfotlna- oversee all road and traffic tion is available by calling • plans. . . Maureen Niski at (630) 513- . We did not worry If we 6867. dumped traffic into St. Charles, Batavia or Elburn when I was The cold or heat? mayor in Geneva and (Geneva) What's wont for those who was also victimized by the sante work outside .-A terrible heat mentality? Lewis said recently. wave or horrific cold snap? Who 'It is absolutely impera!iv and better to ask data a UPS driven It's not too late,- that Kane Hers'stwodlltrrtflt takes: County take the responsibility Don Mabinm who delivers on to undertake that (coordination the east aide of St. Charles, and plapnkgi? - chose the heat as worse. He In addition to pamuereviewof claims you can always throw the cotsntjs 2030 road plans, ills more clothes on lathe cold. perfect time for county board Mabltss compares it to a car chairmen candidates to make engine. "When an engine over- - thelrvittvpOintskaoWn. heats, ali kinds of things can go It's plain to see that the diok- wrong.And that's wlsat happens I log srac on Randall Read cam 'Mth my body" • . be aliowed to spread to the jest leTey Hem, who delivers in . the Sugar Grove sian and west- of the county me claims the cold is for Don't shoot the doç worse. He fsures yrou body Is • Forest preserve executive alwnysloosesn the hent. John Duet has been busy with 'In the cold,' he says, 'It is en his county map. marking recent unnatural event to be lifting land acquisitions that will be heavy objects and jumping on future county forest presents. and off a truck You never really The largest pared is the Muir' get comfortable.' head property in the Plato Workshop for hen - Center area. With all of these Intuit forest An Interesting item spotted at preserves, Duerr and his stall the Home Depot In Geneva: A will be weighing the wails and posterpromotinga series oVDo needs of county residents It Herself' workshops. Duet knows that dog owners Someone has Figured out that want places en take long walks women who .Are home more withtlselrpela often and become impatient HealsolatowsmanYreatdents with their husbands (who are want mote hunting grounds. either gone most of the week or Smith led Duet to make this not so handy with tools), can obvious and humorous mm- save slot of lime and money by ment wWC cettainly can't have Inditing home improvement or forest preserves In which peoplerepakprojects.Smat a wondet- who ate walking their dogs me fuiwomid we live 'ml • In the same area as guys with Tell me your talt shotguns." I can be reached at - Getting It organized: . [email protected] , calling Ms yes, the Charlemagne (eaO)56l .i9a6. foxing (63)lOB" Award season is upon us. it's 4806, or mailing to Dave Heun, that time of year when St. Daily Herald. 3605 il Main St., • Charles bon Am its sop citizen. Suite A, St Charles, IL 60174. A which means the St. Charles reporter's only as good as his' Chamber of Cosnmette office is sources, so be a good source, ab,mal'plaCe. , 01_a) a) 1.1a a .5 0 cn a t. a) .1 - -E° F o aPi° -t C .— tto0 2 !flII 0 t oiii = I 11v .JOV oa). toti5.S- - I U o • b(i r 2.- V LEH 0 ai5t&L5 8aE.: Roaus •;a g 5

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h oa)t C') ° E I— mr 'U - CD -g at) hnn r I4ANE COUNTY CHRONICLE State's .attorney detaila similarities,• • a differences By GRANT MILLER Northwestern University. [ir\ Shaw News Service Leure said he would avoid political appointments within BATAVIA - The four his office and seek the best Republican candidates for qualified prosecutors. state's attorney tried to detail "I will recruit women and their differences during their minorities for the job," Leure 5-minute introductions. But a said. "No one will be a political question from the audience hire in my office." showed that each are alike in Leure said he hopes to at least four ways. bring the best aspects of Cook Candidates were asked and other counties to the where they stood on repro- state's attorney's office. ductive rights, the death Candidate Tim O'Neil penalty, physician, assisted spent five years in the prose- suicide and same-sex mar- cutor's office before entering riages. Each said he supports private practice in 1990. Since the death penalty and op- then, he has represented sev- poses abortion, physician as- eral municipalities and police sisted suicide and same-sex organizations. O'Neil said he marriages. was drafted into the race. Candidate John Barsanti "(My supporters) were said he has worked in every afraid things would go back to division of the prosecutor's of- the old regime," O'Neil said. fice and has extensive admin- "They were looking for inde- istrative experience. Barsanti pendent leadership, and I'm was the first assistant prose- going to accept that challenge." cutor under former state's at- O'Neil said he would focus torney David Akemann. more prosecutors on crimes Barsanti said each candi- targeting the young and old, date has significant legal ex- and he would seek to protect perience, but his knowledge the county's natural resources. of county administrative du- Candidate Joe Rago said ties sets him apart. his experience as an assistant "I've brought that budget prosecutor in Kane and lit I've hired and fired em- DeKaib counties sets him, ployees. I have the adminis- apart. While in DelCaib County trative and prosecutorial ex- Rago said the board slashed perience that they don't," the prosecutor's budget. Even Barsanti said. so, Rago said the DeKaib office Candidate T. Michael Leure successfully prosecuted said he will bring a unique out- Illinois' first GHB crime and look to the prosecutor's office. was tough on felonies. Leure previously worked for the "People who were actually Cook County State's Attorney's charged with felonies were given Office and holds an MBA from felony sentences," Rago said. US Senate'H hopefuls trY to stand out from crowd j (q-ot/ con neW5 • Aurora forum: Candidates for Kane County state's attorney among others at Prisco Center event.

By Ed Fanselow STAFF WAITER AURORA - Fourof the nine Republic4fl candidates for U.S. Senate headlined a Sunday afternoon forum here, each trying to separate themselves from the pack in a crowded rate that,s still up for grabs just two months before the March primary- Several polls of potential voters conducted within the last few weeks show that more than half of illinois 'Republicans still haven't decided- which of the Senate hopefuls will be thele choice on March 16, a sure sign that none of the candidates has separated himself from the field,. Each of those who spoke at the Prisco Community Center on Sunday tried to use theif three minutes of floor time to change that touching on the aspects of their campaigns they thought would resonate the most with Kane CountyAndy voters. McKenna, a Glenview businessman, said he's the only candidate serious about creating jobs. + Turn to SENATE, A6 -'"-c

A6 Monday, January 19, 2004 The Beacon News -

SENATE From page Al

1!1. John Boring, a retired Army general from Rockford, noted that he's the only

to only pro-choice candidate in the race. -Steve Rauschenberger, a three-term te senator from Elgin, touted the fact at he's the only candidate with significant

• Jonathati Wright, along-shot candidate om downstate Lincoln, portiayed himself tjg an independent-minded conservative 'ho's not afraid 'to take the tough votes" to cut spending in Washington. i A fifth candidate, Aurora dairy mogul Jm Oberweis, didn't attend the event, but his daughter, Julie, told the crowd that her father is the only GOP candidate who's taken a firm stance against President Bush's plan to grant temporary amnesty to illegal immigrants. - Perhaps most importantly, though, each of the men tried to convince those on hand why they represent the party's best chance at beating the Democratic nominee in November's general election. The incumbent, Republican Peter Fitzgerald, is not seeking re-election. "We need someone who has credibility with the independents and somebody - JONATHAN HOUSE / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER who's prepared and willing and able to take John Buthng, Republican candidate for US Senate, responds to a question from the audience during Sónday's forum at Prisco Commu- on the Chicago Democratic machine," nity Center In Aurora. Wafting their han are (from left) State Sen. Steve Rausehenbergei, Jonathan Wright and Andy McKenna. - Rauschenberger said, contending that his experience in previous campaigns makes him such a candidate. Barsanti, Michael Letter, Tim O'Neil and reinstituting the office's gang-prosecution programs for all prosecutors. McKenna said his plans to create and Joe Rago—each said his prosecutorial and unit would be his first priority upon taking "We need to professionalize this office," preserve jobs would will over both management experience makes him the OEM he said. Repubikan and Democratic voters, while best choice to succeed embattled State's "I want to know why that office was Rago, a former first assistant state's Burling countered that his pro-chQice Attorney Meg Gorecki, who is not seeking disbanded," he said. "We need to have attorney in DeKalb County, said he wants stance makes him the most electable re-election. specialized, trained prosecutors take care to create a unit of prosecutors that focuses Republican candidate. 'It takes a social Barsanfi, a former first assistant Kane of those cases. How many gang shootings on identity theft and internet fraud. moderate to win this in November," County state's attorney, said he is the only have there been here in Aurora in the last "It used to be that people would Boding said. "We have to worry about who candidate who has experience handling the 10 days alone?" burglarize our houses and they would can inspire the Illinois voters - state's attorney's multimillion dollar He also boasted of his wide-ranging come in through the doors and windows," Republicans and Democrats." budget experience as an attorney, saying that he is he said. "Now they come in through a wire 'I've done that job, I've worked thalbudget the only candidate in the race with and they steal thousands of dollars." state's attorney race and the breadth of my experience is experience in both civil and criminal law. Echoing an already-familiar campaign The forum; which was sponsored by the unmatched by anyone in this held," he said. Leuer stressed his experience as a mantra, he added that he would have no iron Republican Women's Club, also He promised he would be a 'hard- former Cook County prosecutor and his conflicts of interest if elected, unlike O'NeiI itured candidates for seven countywide charging" prosecutor, but said he would varied educational background that and Barsanti, both of whom work for large Irces: County Board chairman; circuit also "temper aggressiveness with includes a law degree, an MBA and a CPA law firms. erk, coroner, auditor, recorder, 16th compassion.' - certificate. One Democrat, Renee Robinson, is rcuit Court judge and state's attorney. O'Neil, meanwhile, seemed to take a He said he wants to improve the county's running unopposed in the Democratic The four men seeking the latter - John tougher line on crime, saying that conviction rates by instituting training primary. • 1-19- oq Gai CO,-i ç Second c ance

second Editors Note: This is the in a three-part sodas on Aurora Animal Control and Care FacUlty's struggle with public perception and public irresponsibility.

and stopped at one point," Williams t was a year and ahalf said. "We just told them to unload the ago, but Kane County melons to that level - and there it was: Sgt. Kevin Williams still As the head of the canine unit for Kane County, Williams is familiar with Jbrags about the time the talents of animal officers. The slier- his partner found 150 ill's office recruited Buster and the seven other dogs in the canine unit pounds of marijuana hidden from a training school in Indiana. in 10,000 pounds of melons. But the unit is funded entirely by do- (lop photo) Tracy Williams and her husband, Kane County Sheriffs nations. That meant, when Williams Department Sgt Kevin Williams, at home ntth their newb adopted To be fair, smelling a needle of pot decided to add a new patrol pooch; he dog Oakley (left) and their resident canine Buster. The couple in a haystack of melons is a pretty needed to go cheap. That's why he adopted Oakley from Aurora Anhnal Control and Care. good trick. It's not quite as magical, turned to the Aurora Animal Control (Bottom photo) Sgt. Scott floweri of the Kane County ShelIffs Pt- however, when you learn Williams' and Care Facility. parilnent trains Jake, a recently adopted potential canine officer. partner was a chocOlate Labrador re- At the center on River Street, triever named Buster. "He climbed up on top of the melons + Turn to CHANCE, 42

STORY BY MATT HANLEY PHOTOS BY DONNELL COLLINS Brent Albrecht, manager Call (815) 439-4377 from 8:30 am, to shelter there handles a few more 5p.m. weekdays animals because it collects for sev- ..obituaries CHANCE eral communities. Call (630) 844-5837 between 8a.m. From Page Al Andy Ivanicky, director of the and 8 pin, weekdays or 4-8 pm. Joliet Township Animal Control 'weekends and holidays Williams discovered Jake, a 2- to Center, said his shelter euthanizes similar percentage of animals for Newsroom 3-year-old lab ink. Police animals Jim King, managing editor have to be passive alert -which many of the same reasons as Auro- means they'll protect the officer but ra... Newsroom number (630) 844-5900 "There is a lot of education that Newsroom hE (630) 844-1043 not attack bystanders. Jake fit that qualification, and on Jan- 5, the Kane has to go on (as to) why euthanasia Send enSI to staff members at Its not that we want to first initial last name @ scnl .com County jail had a new nose inside. has to exist Example [email protected] But Williams, an animal lover do this. We have to do this." News question or complaint? Call Jim since childhood, sympathized with Some good news -King (630) 844-5881 the shelter's other dogs. The older To suggest a story or PhOW. Call City ones, especially, had seen plenty of Nationally, the numbers of dogs Editor John Russell (630) 844-5902 potential adopters pass their cage. being housed and killed in shelters To submit a press release. Call conimu- Who wants an old dog, after all. is dropping. Kate Pullen, the direc- - nities editor Jolene Kremer or Dixie tor of animal sheltering issues for Endicott at (630) 844-5880 A home for Oakley the United States Humane Society, Local news editors: John Russell (630) Kevin Williams decided he did.. said 20 years ago, more than 10 44-5902; Denise Crosby (630) 844- million animals were euthanized • 5870; Charlotte Gillette (630) 844- Thar's how Oakley, a 7-year-old shepherd mix, became the newest every year nationally. Thanks to an 5393; Jolene Kramer (630) 844-5385 aggressive spay and neuter cam- Photos Donnell Collins (630) 844- member of his house. 5917; Stove Rosenberg (630) 801- We don't know where he came paign, that number has dropped to 5413 from, but we know he was treated between three and four million. Repotteit Mike Cetera (630) 844- well when he was there," he said. While some insist low-kill shel- 5853; Jim Faber (630) 844-5889; Ed In the last two years, 58ldogs ters are feasible, others say the Fahselow (630) 844-5957; Marie- like Oakley and Jake were adopted idea of holding all animals unless Anne Hogarth (630) 8445955; Steve they are too sick is unrealistic for Lord (630) 844-5926; Mary Ellen from Aurora's shelter, a number -Moore (630) 844-5882; Dave Parve that is not high enough for some municipal shelters. (630) 801-5495; Dan Waltt (630)844- Ivanicky points out many of 5829; Malt Hanley (630) 801-5414 animal lovers. these no-kill or low-kill shelters can The responsibilities rest square- turn ani- Business: Torn Johnson (630) 844- lyon the shoulders of (pet owners), only operate because they 5888 there's no doubt about that," said mals away. Copy/design deslo Rick Nagel (630) former Aurora resident Char New- "We have to take (all of them)," 844-5840; P. Joseph Gillette (630) he said. "Jr's part of our responsibil- 344-5820; Bryan Noonan (630) 844- man, who until she moved out of - 5894; Jason Bauman (630) 301-5491 state last year, long has been one of ity." Daybreak /Go: Penny Falcon (630) this city's most vocal animal ac- It's owners' responsibility 844-5963 tivists. "But I think when they leave But the real responsibility, Nass Spoils, youth sports: Bill Kindt (630) their animals (at the city shelter), • 8445878; Jeff Long (630) 844-5954; they believe they are going to be said, lies with pet owners. Tim Wagner (630) 801-5487; Rick "It doesn't matter how long adopted." You still • Armstrong (630) 844-5912; Mike In the past, Newman and other you've worked at a facility: Knapp (630) 844-5911 ask the question, how could any- • Viewpoint Jim King (630) 544-5831 activists have attempted to turn the center into a no-kill shelter. But one do that to an animal?" she said. Soppo* Die Endicott (630) 844- y re-. Nass tries not to dwell on the sad 5969: Patricia Hard (630) 844-5384; shelter employees insist the stories. She's helped start a photo Chris Slick (630) 344-5904; Claudia lease all they can safely to the pub- 'Wennmacher (630)844-5900 album of the shelter's success sto- lic. ries that is filled with letters and Web site All must he accepted pictures of satisfied dog and cat As a city entity, says Nass, the owners. She'd like Williams' two Aurora shelter has the obligation to dogs, Oakley and lake, to become take in all the animals brought to part of that book soon. its door. Sick, abused, neglected Jake's first owner dropped him and unwanted cats and dogs are off because he couldn't get along iLburban Chicago on the counter, leaving with the other dog in the house. £ Newspapers dropped off Oakley came to the shelter in Do-- Nass's staff to deal with them. cember when his owners decided In 2003, there were 1,758 dogs they could no longer care for the The Beacon News and 1,731 cats which passed USP5 037-800 through the lobby of the shelter on old dog. Fox But within a month, Jake and Published daily for $169 per year by ao. River Street. "There just aren't Valley Publications Inc.. 3101 U.S. enough homes" for all of them," Oakley have found homes - and Plainfield IL 60544. Periodical postage paid their new owner couldn't be happi- at plainlield,' IL 60544. Postmaster: send said Nass. 101 er. :address changes to The Becon News, In 2003, 28 dogs were killed be-- •-'First0fafl,they'llbeyourbe5t S. River SL, Aurora, IL 60506. cause the shelter ran out of space. VoL 1571 No.30 contrast, 183 were euthanized 2a friend forever," he said. "If some- By thing's sad, they'll cheer you up. the owner's request, 86 because "And, he added, laughing, 'They they were too sick and 316 were not safe to be in homes with Peo- won't talk back-" ple. Aurora's situation is not unusua1. Coming Tuesday: Can you give Joliet has 50,000 less people but ftte this dog ahome? 1-19- 0'! Catcall /7ew5

THUMBS UP, THUMBS DowN Court is properly firm with Gorecki w The Illinois Supreme Court has ordered that the law license of Kane County State's Attor- ney Meg Gorecki be suspended for four months starting Feb. 1.. She cannot be state's attorney while that license is under suspension. Gorecki, accused of proposing a bogus jobs-for-cash scheme • in 1998 and then being evasive about it lost at every stage of her case before several Attorney Registra- tion and Disciplinary Commission bodies and finally the Supreme Court She had asked that her suspension be delayed until she completed her term as state's attorney. We give our THUMBS UP to the • court's ruling. For the public Gorecki serves, justice delayed would indeed be justice denied. It's good to encourage involvement Elements of both Democratic and Republican • parties in Kane County are taking steps to attract more young people - ages 18 to 40— to with meetings, become involved in politics. Along the groups are working with charities and doing vol- to any efforts unteer tasks. We give our THUMBS UP to stir interest in politics. The last presidentialelec- tion once again drove home the importance of each vote, and it has never been more important to register, become informed and get to the polls. Political parties have a role in all three. Conservation work moves ahead When the state committed $1.9 million in • grants through the Conservation 2000 Ecosystems program, two local organizations to the submitted successful applications. THUMBSUP Kane County Forest Preserve District, which will receive $50,000 for the restoration and education programs at Nelson Lake Marsh, and the Conservation Foundation, which will receive $26,250 for restoration of the Lake Renwick East Habitat near Plain- field, home to the endangered black-crowned night heron as well as several other magnificent bird species. I.J- V Fb '0 2w ,fl Hefi !B5 a— 1a C, utn i!" ill RO = Mid • C jd A— tt t'O CD W-WdhHll1.i C V Vt.O EL.E V — 41 W - i U Ct 4-04 iUu 19 C, " d 0 0 C,) — 2 1): = t'24k rg tt Pgs 2 ni

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By TOM SCHLUEThR Kane CountyChionicle GENEVA - The last day to register to voteinthe spring primary election is Feb. 17. That is just less than a month from now. The primary is March 16. Voters will select the parties' nominees to run Nov. 2 in the general election for county board, state's attorney, For informatiOfl recorder, auditor, circuit Register • To learn who your precinct ' clerk and coroner and Continued from page 1 committeeman is, or for any even-numbered county 'q other questions, call the clerk's board seats. •Those who have moved to office at (630) 232-5990. The parties' nomi- • The county clerk's Web site nees for state representa- a different address within Kane tives, U.S. representative. County can use the change of contains a list of candidates U.S. senator and president will address form on the back of and referendums, where to be chosen, and voters will decide about a their registration card and mail register, a list of polling places dozen referendum questions. it lit and requests for absentee Among them, the Geneva school dis- Director of elections Joan ballots. The address is trict seeks $48.9 million for a new middle Rennie said eligible residents http:/Awww.cO.kane.il.u5. school and an increase in the education can register at the clerk's office fund tax rate to 3.43 percent from 3.08 per- during regular business hours cent. Also, the Town & Country Library dis- between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 County. trict, based in Elburn, seeks to raise the an- p.m. Monday through Friday. Cunningham said many nual public library tax rate to .19 percent To assist with those who precinct committeemen also from .15 percent. might wait until the last minute, serve as deputy registrars.. "We urge people to get out and register the clerks office will be open To learn who your precinct to vote because it is important," Kane until8 p.m. Feb. 11 and from committeeman is, or for any County Clerk John Cunningham said. am. to 1p.m. Feb. 14. other questions, call the clerks To be eligible to vote, a person must To register, you must have office at (630) 232-5990. be a citizen of the United States, 18 years two forms of identification, The county clerksWeb site old by the date of the election and a resi- one of which must include a contains a list of candidates dent of the precinct for 30 days before the current address, Rennie said. and referendums, where to election. Also, municipal and town- register, a list of polling places Anyone who has changed names, by ship offices and many libraries andrequests for absentee bal- marriage or otherwise, must reregister in provide registration services. As of Jan. 1, 179,439 regis- lots. The address is person. Also, those who have moved to http:j/www.co.kane.ii.us . Kane County from another county must tered voters lived in Kane reregister in person.

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By Steve Lord and Daniel Duggan STAFF WRITERS Kane County Treasurer David Rické!rt will reportedly announce today that he is dropping out of the race for Kane County Board chairman. While Rickert could not be reached for comment, one local official who asked not to be identified confirmed Monday night that Rickert will exit the race. CANDDATE The official announcement is to be From pageAl made at a press conference this morning, at which both Rickert and Kane County Neither McConnaughay nor board member Karen McConnaughay, Rickert returned phone messages the other GOP candidate for board chair- Monday night man, are expected to endorse state Sen. Rickerfs departure would leave Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin, for the McConnaughay as the lone Repub- Republican U.S. Senate nomination. lican candidate for chairman, slating Sources say Kane County Treasurer Earlier Monday, a three-paragraph her for a November matchup. David Rickert is likely to how out of news release from Rauschenberger's against Thomas Meadath, a St. the race for County Board chair- campaign announced that, "In the race Charles businessman running un- man, and Karen McConnaughay will between GOP Kane County Board chair- opposed for the Democratic nomi- stay in the running. man candidates, Karen McConnaughay nation for board chairman. Rumors of Rickert pulling out of and David Rickert, one candidate will Already, one candidate has left withdraw from that race. Both will rally the race have been floating around for about a month, even before the the GOP chairman race. William around Rauschenberger and endorse Scardamaglia, of St Charles, exited him for U.S. Senate." official fling date for candidates. Both he and McConnaughay an- the race in the face of a challenge to + Turn to CANDIDATE, A2 nounced their candidacies last fall. his nominating petitions.

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j .th.ot.o. 0 °c vv°o0•0 Kane officials 0 C 00 °0 o bend 1egisltort 0 79 c t,. -a #' 2 5f • 0 jO• .- o ears at meeting. -c S.0E-l.c 0 44-2 12 0 By Daniel Daggan 0 Na..O>,, /19339 D STAFF WRITER . L. GENEVA— During a meeting with Fox Valley legip ziiifl.t ;n latorsThSa3 Kane County Board members asked for C, . A.t0 cso two thing& money and power. ."Planning is really the role for a county overnment) = a)o I_•_t 0•9o ovo b.'t r-. in growing, urban area," board Chairman Mike McCojr Wb said. 'We need to have teeth ... our plans cnn be totally ig-, nored by municipalities." 0o.? don ge The annual meeting is set up as a chance for IegisW L UO d) V•'O) La),Otd) - to 2 v di ° cSt2 a ton better understand the problems facing the Kanir C 81 Q'D 00a) di 0 2 • - such as the Illinois Department of Transportation. 4 is McCoy said he's had previous problems with moI; li '.14 not approving portions of the plans for pending bridge:.n L bO projects in St Charles and Dundee townships. Whil& McCoy and IDOT officials had a meeting with U.S. .ilhI!i;Ij0e Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Yorkvllle, to help Kane Couá ty's projects get priority, state Rep. Pat Undner, R&rgar- Grove, offered her help, as well. = "Sometimes the best war to deal with IDOTis to siL; them down with a group of legislators and tell them what' St 00 Os the problem is," she said. "If the problems persist, call u o.00 Eid 'a and we'll set up a meeting." a.,. ctC oa)E '. .S C 00 El Other county officials who attended Thesdays meet-,- b 0 = ing stressed the need to have finding for ohgoinghealth- and transportation projects. State Sen. Chris Lauren, R"" •iV•14 W C Aurora, said thatundertheaarentadminisfration, them . •= are many grants that have been approved and are noC OS •an

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S As developers and municipalities work out agree-.- ments to bring thousands of houses to the area, McCoy± n .26cm ae and other officials have said,the county will not be able toè.t keep up. I We bear the bi-unt of local decisions and bear the • brunt of the increasing traffic," McCoy said. "A develor, i• .co0fl o.'sPtt, >bo er can btryup600 acres and propose a plan to double the H L o.cq cs•g _- 5.- 0• I, at -= size of a community, but they have no idea what it wiil, take for the county tokeepupwith that" Sen. Steve Rausthenberger, R-Elgin—who joked that: Elgin will be eanding its borders to Iowa soon — sug- at a), - • - gested helping the county board with a law to give it'; &,EC, mn H . more power. a d) " p "Maybe we could come up with an urban countie: s •Et$ law, he said, "something to give you more statutory Ix 'o tiI h! a power—let counties have more of a say." -"a tacI .c to 5 _0, McCoy reminded the legislators about the impact of" = S higher casino taxes on Kane Cots A bill passed lnit °' at •' 0 bad) year increased a portion of the taxes paid by the Grantt PQ Victoria Casino to 70 percent, and that in turn has re- MCI duced the portion of casino profits passed onto the coue..)' '"'C"° 00 ty. While most tax dollars are spent fighting crimea; En o.c.0u c,c McCoy said, the riverboat funds haw given the board a U) a "Th. bO-C .E •-zd chance to deal with other issues. boo.0 Rep. Tim Sthmitz. R-Batavia, pointed out that Fox Va u -o ley legislators fought against the casino tax increase anth; have been scasitive to the new taes. Oct a a) Aj4re* this hasn't bmugbt the kind of money tlt U E lEct' i2 administration hoped it would bring,"-Rep. Ruth Mu•;: C &o cia 4-a Q son. R-Elgin, said of the casino tax. oLo ' a 0 C) atbo N ) ?c0.cs 'a.E C v Er v•-a)=a) 00 C) tin. an -

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00 Q)lJ I I aEflg DA) , /-'&/-090fl1 a Th Casino. tax We hits Kane funding n:.kL 14t and public health problems. I Riverboat ruyaitieE, "There's probably never a possibility of cutting back on fall, threatening taxes," McCoy said of the increased casino tax. county pEograms. The legislators told him, however, that the higher tax rates By William Presecky the General Assembly approved Tribune staff reporter to shore up the 2003 state budget included a sunset clause that With riverboat funding from ties them to the issuance of the the Grand Victoria Casino in El- state's only remaining casino li- gin expected to slip again next cense. The state's process of de- yeaii several "quality of life" ciding who gets the license be- programs that gambling reve- gan this week. nues help underwrite such as Since the higher casino tax Kane County's child advocacy rates went into effect, McCoy center and drug court may be re-- said Kane has seen its share of duced or eliminated, Board money from the Grand Victoria Chairman Mike McCoy warned reduced to $6 million from $12 Tuesday million annually. Due to the latest round of state The projected riverboat reve- tax-rate hikes on casino profits, nue for 2005 will approximate McCoy told a delegation of area the $4.5 million Kane received legislators that Kane expects to in 1997, the first year of its profit- see its share of royalties from sharing agreement with the ca- the Grand Victoria reduced to sino, according to McCoy. levels not seen since 1997. Because of declining attend-j With a projected disburse- ance and falling profits, state ment from the boat in 2005 of be- revenue from the higher tax twèen $4 million and $5 million, rates has been about half the the County Board willbe forced $200 million that was projected. to reduce or eliminate funding Since 1997, Kane has received for some of its own programs, af- more than $70 million from the ter more than a year of having Grand Victoria that it has redis- stopped grants for all but county tributed to county agencies, de- purposes, according to McCoy partments, and other public and In his final presentation of the private agencies for various ounty's state and federal legis- projects and programs. lative initiatives before he leav- The board imposed a funding es office Nov.No 30, McCoy called moratorium in October 2002 on on the legislators for help in en- all but county-sponsored suring that the increases in grants- Now some of those state taxes on the large casinos grants, for programs or projects like the Grand Victoria expire as varied as the county's farm- as scheduled- land protection program and a The initiatives centered gen- veterans memorial, are in dan- erallypn a call by the county for ger of being reduced, McCoy more authority and increased said. flexibility to be able to respond "Next year; we are going to cut to the impacts of growth, includ- into some county projects," he ing increased traffic congestion said- Trust could be factor in state's attorney race campaign has heated up this rounded candidate who would By ADAM KOVAC be tough On street gangs but also Kane County Chronicle month. Rago recently blasted. better able to advise county. GENEVA - Despite their Barsanti and O'Neil for political leaders on issues such as growth and business connections and development. background and experience, Rago, who has a Republican candidates for Kane he claims would create an" appearance ofim- j law firm in West County state's attorney think % Dundee, has en- that the campaign could boil propriety" if either is 4' elected. Zj dorsed creating spe- down to the public's trust in cial units to fight elected officials. Baranti, a for- A mer prosecutor in 47 computer crime and The four-way race to win the identity theft and has GOP nomination March 16 to Kane County for 21 years, works for a law sewed as the first assis- succeed Kane County State's tant state's attorney in Attorney Meg Gorecki com- firm that represents sev- era1highprofile criminal thents. DeKaib County. prises former proscutors with Rago and O'Neil also worked different visions for the office. - O'Neil, the St. Charles city attorney, represents several police as prosecutors in Kane County, The Republicans include The winner of the GOP pri- John Barsanti of St. Charles,and unions. T. Michael Leuer, Tim O'Neil and "People want one fair system mary likely will face Democrat Joseph Rago, all of Geneva. of justice," said Rago, 43. "It's a Renee Robinson of Aurora in matter of public perception?' November. BarsantL O'Neil and Rago met O'Neil maintains that he Gorecki, who could not be Tuesday with Kane County editors. Leuer did not would prosecute police miscon- reached for comment, is poised Chronicle duct as vigorously as criminal to begin serving her suspension • attend. cases. Barsanti said special fa- Feb. 1 for implicating Kane Because the primaryelec- vors would not be granted County Board Chairman Mike don falls while Gorecki is to under his administration and McCoy before she took office in serve a four-month suspension of her law license for miscon- noted that Rago also is backed a jobs-for-bribes scheme that by supporters in the legal pro- never existed. duct, the election might hinge Illinois Attorney General Lisa fession. on an ability to mend voter per- Indeed, state's attorneys and Madigan is researching whether ception of Kane County's legal judges often are faced with cases Gorecld is able to finish her term system. where they have aeonnection to after serving the suspension or 'Elected officials right now participants on both sides of the will be forced to resign. That de- don't have a good reputation," cision had not been reached said O'Neil , 47. "It's important to courtroomandonthebenth. Leuer, a consultant for IBM luesday. restore the integrity of the of- in Chicago, has en3phasized a While the candidates push fice." hard stance against drugs and their individual platforms Barsanti already had an- violent crime but has avoided Barsanti, O'Neil and Rago also nounced his candidacy before becoming a target of political acknowledge that voters might Gorecki decided in August not to a sniping. be more interested in seeing seek another term, infiuencin I Barsanti served as the top fresh face overseeing cases pros- the others to widen the field ol lieutenant of former state's attor- ecuted in the county's judicial candidates for the county's top ney David Akemann and has ex- center in St. Charles. law enforcement officer. perience prosecuting death- "You're reallyvoting for a guy A primary that included- penalty cases and high-level ad- who's going to do the right thing Gorecki likely would have fo i ministration of the office. He by you," said Barsanti, 52. "That's cused on her ethics. Eve'a said he can improve efficiency why it's important to look at all though the candidates hayLt O'Neil touts his experience the candidates and decide %%tho5 shifted strategies, the fallou fromher case is illustrated as the in civil law, saying he is a more the best qualified." /-oq OhroniC& I .WWc.•. •Pg0 •9;_ 0 F a°g wm

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Treasurer Chair. Some board members . I. quits. race still don't see unity in party ?fl Page 1 centered on responsible spend- CbnthwtdfrO ing of tax dollars, also a centre1 theme to Rickerts former plat- it November general election, McConnaUg ha Eight months ag6 the patty form.. 'eda UI for board. pd-. He even wished the GOP well looked headed for a bitter ConnsUghay the mary battle to secure the in its unity celebration, a con- calling county's top office between cet that itself might have only "parochial'Board Vice choice. President Cathy onnaughay, a board anoutsidechanceat5puns . chairman member since 1992, and board. County board member Lee Hurlbut, an Elgin Republican, ,-;froq Zadcj •ikmJd rrett, an EastBarrett, Dundee Repub- who couldn't be described as a By PATRICK WALDRON ChairmanBefore Mike that M ace could lican and Rickert supporter, supporter of either the Rickert develop, McCoy, an Aurora said, '1 think the party is frag- or Mcconnaughay candidacy. Dai jiceM &offwhln ced in June mented and I have never seen a said she sees a unified party in Calling for unity within the Republican. amour andidate .. who has ever terms of a U.S. Senate race but Kane County Republican Party, that he would not seek a third cworked on unity have much not on Kane County's day-to- term. dàyissues, county treasurer and underdog McCoy, who recently successwithit" . David Rickert pulled out of the described the county GOP as a The tend of disunity has tra- "The unity of support behind county board chairman race , cited his ditionally pitted the northern Steve Rauschenberer is feasi- Thesday, a move he touted as dysfunctionaldissatisfaction family with party poli- end of the county against the its ble," she said. "I don't know equally good for the county tics as one reason for not central portion or even the aboutKarenM0hh1t southern end. perceived hard Hurlbut says she is disap- board table as for lllinois' U.S. seeldngantherterm. areas such as pointed there will not be a Senate race. Within a week of that feelings be The development brought an Elgin or Dundee Township primary.'They both had different early, but not unwelcome or announcement,onnaughay entered a then versus the Tn-Cities, or even totally surprising, end to the pri- wide-open race where she was Aurora, hate hung over several qualities."and cConnaughay. she said, of "IRickert don't mary election for Karen joined the same day by Rickert, debates. saw think eitherhas the whole pack- McConnaughay, the St. Charles considered a surprise candi- Barrett said he Rickert as Republican a countywide candidate while age?' date- long-viewed by t the deadline to mans' as the. By he time file papers to get. on the ballot favorite to win passed, a third GOP candidate, the party's William Scardamaglia, had nomination. entered the race. Scardamaglia, - At the same of St. Chafles, was kicked off the time, It pulled ballot earlier this month after val J* top county his paperwoikwas challenged- David Rickert Republicans Now, Mccormaughay is left together for an . nominee and ant endQrsement of state Sen. Steve alone, the GOP le clear favorite to succeed McCoy. Rauschenberger, an Elgin No Democrat has ever been Republican, one of 14 candi- elected county board chairman- dates, including seven "I am very excited about the Republicans, running for U.S. idea of creating party unity," she Senate. said-I really believe we are at a "Therenlitywas that there are critical point here in Kane bigger issues in this county we County." can accomplish together, Rick- She said her and Rickert en said in a morning news. "agree on more things than we 1W conference attended by disagree orC and pledged to find ,McConnaughay at Rauschen- work Mlith Rickert, who has two he berger's Senate campaign years left as treasurer, in keep- om ing county finances under ce is my declhion to withdraw from this race," Rickert control. didn't have said. "The momentum and nec- much to say about her Demoe- 511. essary support is simply not thtic opponent and insisted there to continue in this elec- keen the focus on her own tion." ch p'ei Rickert said he will devote his Meadath. despite. the historic political time to electing epublican dominance, said he Rauschenbcrger tas ready for the race and .con- "My election Is over," he said. dent in his chances. I've got the opportunity to help "I personally intend to work another good representative get dlyear7Meadath said, a ejected." ,olitical unknown, and the only Eight weeks before the pri- Nay I can in this election is to mary, it leaves McConnBUgIlay et in front of the largest alone on the GOP ticket for number of voters I can." county board chairman and Meadath is running an out- headed for a run against Demo- sider campaign with a message crat Tom Meadath in the See CHNROn PAGE 5

• St.: Charles CA: ! 4 Uj opposiflg 1k 'P 11li; H new Kane - nW52' &EN i:in-cdjflI{I imbactt-ac-o eac.o'nfee -h By Mike Sullivan r}ec05 flilCit •SPECAL TO THE OOURIEfl NEWS ST. CHARLES - Higher road C 1d1 .q V impact fees might bring in a projected $27 million in new revenues • — r to Kane County over the next 8$ • decade, but also might drive out po- = 'I' tential developers. agiL- That sums up the feeling of CA - Mayor.Sue Klinkhamer, who corn- mented. at length about the fees during Monday nights City Coun- E cil meeting. cc • A resolution opposing the higher C, tOC , • road impact fees sailed through the flfl council after lQinkhamer criticized C ci last week's decision by the County Is g b0 U Board to impose them. I @ 4 a She said that happened at a = ¶ •h I.UJ meeting "where logic and common • S -ti -ti.2fl

jKlinkhamer indicated city off,- : citils from Geneva and Batavia also rJ%UiiiU were expected to approve similar = •OM -8p resolulionsTuesday night • — Residential and commercial de- .n so vlopers, under the new county plan, will kick in a fee for every L6U me or store they build. C tft!t htKlinkhamer's concern is based flIEI o& the structure of the road impact C H$ 91111k, tIII-8? han it does on Elgin orMro- CA ga- :Msa 'j IJI. nkhamer suggested a gas tax p- b ase would have been a more b-t UaN 2T 8 able way of generating rev- in lieu of higher road impact t0.' td9s iFor two hours, Klinkhamer 01: nbted, she pleaded with Kane e P m0€ Qunty . Board members at last week's meeting to consider a 2- fl smilt 'fla cent-per-gallon hike in the county's gasoline tax. - 'Their feeling is that this (ex- HAl Jt'-0 0.0 pènse) should all be on the devel- L8a ot,ers," Xlinkhamer said, p Aldermen protested the Kane 0s.E 'to. Cpunty Board's road impact fee ststem by tabling an intergovernmental agreement aimed at devel- oing high-speed underground fljer hookups between the Kane Cunty clerk's office, the Kane Cbuntv Judicial Center and the city though Klinkhamer stopped of threatening Kane County a lawsuit over the issue, she ated she might meet with city neys to explore legal options.

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oh &) E B' -. DD0DC0 tt•4-0•- owuofoS C) fl.hi g I ! q a QUCCdO' 4- 040 Ct C 0 - ° — ° •41nI U Q..4 tF.sug 4 O) 9 C hn o Eoo C 0-'Q) 0 C ca B!!!Dg I n 0-t E0 !lLji.0 •iit 'a tM t '°aiO4 o 4I-ii 0 04'tt CiflJHNiIil' 'E I a"-- . 9 g 04 10 I 0) I co 0C 0)04 04 C-,ci r.E.2t.2 2 . • 04 1i 9 . B i o Ct C d1L. ffg C t Uo 0 0 QW . Q4 Ct .0° C 3 1B:I 0 Sc) El E C t • °U iq. tooL) himEEas .aE h flN ^ C 0 6 iv H& I !flié flE so •o 0 .0 U, C t'2 u4 El El -a 72 0 04Cob0 o Ct 0 'Ct C-, 4 CL t0 C 4- I! 9 5' 0) *t flI 04°Th2 A: :I iii . pdi. 2 iUnCthc) it ot.2 C C-) disappointed. I thought Dave was a pretty good candidate," said county board member Lee Barrett, R- Rickert out East Dundee. Rickert cited a lack of support and momentum, and a desire to unite Kane County Of race for Republicans behind Rauschen- berger's Senate bid. "The necessary support is • not out there'"Rickert.said. chairman Although Rickert did not specifically cite money, Connaughay was far ahead • in campaign fund-raising. Mcconnaughay is H ,."Fund-raising is the key to anycampaign," Rickert said, GOP nominee for • McConnaughay repprted. county board spot on campaign discIosur4(dP. -a/4 ments filed July 31 for monë' 41 F '7 IC /e raised through June 30 that she ByTOM SCFILUETER had raised $46,374. Rickert Kane County Chronicle had not reached the $3,000 threshold for filing docu- ELGIN - Supporters of ments. Treasurer David Rickert's bid A- second filing period for Kane County board chair- ended Dec. 31, and documents man expressed disappoint- must be ified by Jan. 31. ment Tuesday at news he Now that Rickert, of Elgin, dropped.out of the race. and William Scardamaglia, of •Rickert made the an- St. CharlesTownship, have chopped out of the Republican primary race,cConnaughaY, Karen a county board member from McCon - I St. Charles, is the defacto GOP naughay, his nominee in the March 16 pri- former op- mary ponent in She will face. Democrat the Repub- Thomas Meadath of St. Charles lican pri- in the Nov. 2 general election. mary at the "I'm disappointed he U.S. Senate . chopped out," Meadath said. campaign of- Ruckert • "ML Rickert (in the race) gave a fice of State little broader voice." Meadath does not have an who kicked off his effort at the opponent in the Democratic • .same time. primary but he said he.wishçs "I'm disappointed. It's al- he did. way go.dd to have a race in the primary," said county board See RICKERT, page 2 thembe. qatherine Hurlbut, 11- Eight County board member = Deborah Allan, R-Elgin, said she was in "complete disbe- lief." • "Dave was the most qualified candidate to lead the county," Allan said. Cl ol

Fed aft ran Owl mv bill nat to I res chi fbi hél Nil Ad wa mi wh Wayne Ratzlall - Chronicle pnoto Stan Or, center, picks up the endorse- Its U.S. Senate candidate Steve Rauschenberger, <-ugii $2. mënt of David Rickert, left, and Karen McConnaugh on Tuesday in Elgin. During ft is dropping from the race for eat Tuesday's announcement, David Rickert stated that he is fro ;er Kane-County Board chairman. las visions among Aurora, Tn- ently served as broker be- of Cities and Bighi Republicans. tween Rickert and ne Rickert . . Huribut said. McConnaughay in discus- rel Continued from page 1 "I think there is lack of sions that culminated in A primary debate gives unity in this county." Hurlbut Thesday's announcement. Rickert said he . called 355 candidates more opportunity said.Barrett agreed. Rauschenberger and 55. to disseminate their mes- "There's no historical mdi- broached the topic of drop- sages. Also, debates also pro- ping out of the race. Rickert vide new ideas for campaigns,. cationsother thatthan anyone parochially,' will work then said he would help with 55 he said. the technical side of the cam- "I think having two candi- Barrett said. "I'm not so re- paign as a volunteer setting dates in the primary gives the sponsive to words as I am to 55 actions." up aWeb site. voters a choice," he said. Action thatwould appease McConnaughaY said .355 Meadath said he will not change his campaign now Barrett would be an "even dis- Rauschenberger called her tribution of county effort," es- "over the weekend" to see '355 that he knows his opponent. about an endorsement from "I don't think it's going to pecially in transportation her and Rickert. hurt me. It's too early to Say projects. Rickert said he made no whether it will help me. It will He said the highway proj: deal with the McCounauY be interesting to see how Mrs. ects are 'clustered around the Mcconnaughay's opinions mid-towns," meaning them- campaign to drop out of the - race. stack up against . mine,". . .Cities. McConnaughay and "This is my decision to OM Meadath said. drop out of the race. there has McConnaughay, standing . Rickert also officially en: been no agreement whtso- next to Rickert at the an- dorsed gauschenberger's bid ever," Rickert said. nouncement, thanked him to win the Republican nomi- Rickért said his only regret and stressed party unity. . nation for the U.S,. Senate seat. in drOpping out of the race is •"i'm very excited about the- beingvacate& by . Peter letting down.thoe who sup- oppoflunity to create party Fitzgerald...... Rauschenberger'S. top op 1ortedhims. ponents will. . be "I just felt I was the most Talking about GOP unity is qualfied candidate to push easier said than done, espe- Obeneis and }ackR Rauscheflberger .fnrfiinnritdal refofm." hesaid. ball cially with the geographic di-. rs nmm Bill 000nicte Page

Take ashot at Page's chin How much would you pay for a The biggest surprises that day were beard? I'm talking about the fine, salt and the comments by some other board pepper beard that presently graces my members who proclaimed themselves to chin (OK, OK... chins). What do you being "shocked" and "disappointed" by think it's worth? Before you all think-I've Rickert's decision. Coining from finally slipped that last cog, let me seasoned politicians, those are pretty explain. odd comments especiallywhen they've • This Monday, Jan.26, Avenue Two known for months that Rickert was Barber Shop in St. Charles will be the site having trouble raising funds. If they felt of a nifty fund-raiser for one of my he was the best person for the job, then absolute favorite charities. From 5 to 9 they needed to be out helping him meet • p.m. the folks at Avenue Two will donate voters and raise money Neither all of the money they make cuffing hair happened and Dave was left to fend for • to the Special Olympics. So come on out. himself. Get your ears lowered and support a There is a lesson for future terrific organization at the same time. candidates and the short version is this: What adeal! Politics, as the late Chicago alderman Since my coiffure is all but perfect, I. Paddy BaSer once said, ain't beanbag. don't need.a trim, but I've got an offer. It's rough and tumble and you'd better.. you just can't refuse. I'm putting my know who your friends really are before beard up for auction and best bid gets to you take the plunge. Rickert showed a lot wield the clippers. of courage by running and even more Now I know there has to be someone • class when he quit. Too bad the people out there Who I might have tweaked in who talked him into the campaign did one of my columns who would love to do not show the same qualities. the honors, so here's your chance to get a little revenge while helping some very Another race that a lot of observers special people. thought would lose a candidate or two is • As you might imagine, I have a few the Republican primary contest for Kane theconditions minimum attached this baby to this comes deal. offFirst, for is County state's attorney. Smart money $150, so dig deep. Second, NO RAZORS! said Mike Leuer would drop out by now, I'm not stupid enough to allow some of but as of late Monday that hasn't •you anywhere near my neck with a sharp happened. Frankly, this is puzzling, blade. Third, biddingbecause ends if Leuer really at is4p.m. in this race he Monday, with shearing at 6p.m. (or later has an odd way of showing it. if the winner insists). Make your bids via So far, Letter is the missing man at - e-mail, or by telephoning or mailing it to debates and other candidate functions. I the address below. don't know how he thinks he'll get Avenue Two is located at 204 East elected if he avoids the public, but Main Street, and their phone number is maybe it's some new political strategy (630) 584-2002. Drop by Monday, even i I'm unfamiliar with. Failing that, one has you're not getting a cut; and help us to ask why Leuer bothered to go to all the support all the wonderful Special effort of collecting petitions and forming Olympians. all election committee if he hasn't the * • $ burning desire to get elected. Leuer OnThesday, Dave Rickertdropped needs- to do• what• is commonly referred out of the race for the Republican - to as a "gut check' and decide if he's in or • nomination for chairman of the Kane -. .out. County Board. Rickert's campaign, while Bill Page lives in St. Charles and earnest never really gathered steam and writes about local issues on Tuesday and •never captured the public's imagination Thursday. Calls and e-mails answered at or financial support, so Tuesday's (630) 584-0809 or • announcement was not a total surprise. [email protected].

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-C .i\thu0c ii 0(0 CI in t 4) •n to' EoCSt0_ --C C - 1.-!,-C2 •u 0 • an'" •- b00 0..41_CO4 t, (N a tl > o.c1- 'at 9 02004 9t Our Viewpoint County board should• review • fee decision The flaw is s well-intentioned as on the west side of the road. the decision might be, That inherit unfairneás most evident Athe transportation has prodded Tr-Cities along impact fee Imposed by the officials to consider a lawsuit Kane County Board is to overturn the county's • Randall unfortunate and should be decision. Road, where changed. The county's decision will By a vote of 18-7, board do little to ease traffic a widget members enacted a fee congestion. At best, it will retail store structure that penalizes create money dedicated to central Kane County in the specific planning areas on the east general, and the Th-Cities in. that will benefit road side of particular. Board members maintenance, not new also created a system by transportation possibilities. the road which a business on one side We will wait intraffiáon would pay of the road would pay smoother roads, but we still significantly more than their will wait thousands neighboring competitor The county's decision also and across the street. will not be a tax only on •Makes sense? Not really. developers. Certainly, thousands That is why it must change.. developers will pass the cost of dollars The impact fee is along to the consumer, and in designed to create a pool of doing so, will create an odd more than money to address some$350 competitive environment the widget million in county with stores across the street transportation needs. The froth each othet competitor county was divided into eight The county's decision will • across the planning areas and the exacerbate the competition dividing lines were based on between communities vying street on the the 2020 land-use plan. The for businesses and the tax west side of plan was adopted nearly revenue they generate, quite' eight years ago, in 1996. possibly giving developers yet the road. The county's theory was another tool in their that developers in faster- negotiations between grthving areas should pay competing communities. more in fees than those in Such tools rarely help slower-growing areas because residents. the first group's projects As a philosophy, impact places more drivers on the fees are a solid instrument. road. When reasonable, they help A reasonable plan on the fund needed infrastructure @iiro,nJc/c surface. And, certainly, the improvements that lines must be drawn accompany new somewhere. In the end, developments and act as a however, the philosophy is a way to help manage growth. bit shortsighted. The county's plan, as The flaw is most evident difficult as the decision was, along Randall Road, where a directly harms central Kane,. widget retail store on the east as well as other portions of side of the road would pay the county. Although the thousands and thousands of board's intentions were dollars more than the widget admirable, the final product competitoracross the street still needs work

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Growth issues at center of State of County address Kane is second-fastest growing county in Illinois

ByTOM SCHLUETER land in the face of growth Kane CountyChronide that will bring 600,000 residents by 2020 and 700,000 ST. CHARLES—Respect for by 2030. residents and land while 'We want the new growth preparingfor tremendous to pay for itself. In some re- growth will occupy county gov- spects, we rate (existing resi- ernment for the 'next 25 years, dents) higher than the future Mike McCoy said. citizens" he said. McCoy, the Kane County McCoy mentioned the Board chairman, spoke transportation impact fee pro- Wednesday to members of the gram, which was adopted last DuKane Valley Council at the week and will take effect April H i 1 t o n - 1. The program is controversial Garden Inn .',.. because the formula that de- about the termines the cost to develop- state of the .' - ers charges developments in c o U n t y. 'f the 111-Cities at a higher rate D u Pa g e than other regions in the County 't t county. Board Vice He said Aurora has grown Chairman by 60,000 residents since he BillMaio and - has been on the board and Kendall most of that growth has taken C o u n t y McCoy place in DuPage County, Board mem- which has a transportation ber Kay Hatcher also addressed impact fee. the council. "1 guarantee it will not stop 'Almost everything we do development," he said. revolves around growth," Growth will affect the McCoy said. county's agricultural base and When McCoy first was encroach on open space, elected to the county board which increases the risk of in 1992, Kane's population flooding, he said. was about 325,000. Today the "We've learned if you don't population nears 455,000, a respect the land, it will disre- 40 percent increase in 12 spect you," he said. years. Maio spoke to DuPage's Kane is the second-fastest economic situation and growing county in Illinois and likened budget cuts to cuts in a 38th fastest in the United family's budget. States. "We felt we had to make a "That issue will dominate cut in our own house," Maio county government for, the said. next 25 years," he said. "I've Kendall will see propor- been criticized for being anti- tonately greater growth than growth. I almost have to laugh Kane, Hatcher said. Kendall's at that" tpopulation is 60,000. In 20 McCoy, who leaves office.. years it is expected to grow to Nov. 30 after two terms as 120,000. chairman, said governments "The stress put on existing must protect and respect" infrastructure will be tremen-. existing citizens and the dous," Hatcher said.

Prairie Commons -ifl I 3 I -a (I•. t.nt t1 idea moves •p.. •tO •r I 1w" OM forward 5,e ni O; r• 00 By GALA M PIERCE Dai HcMd SksffVMtes •qj P! More than two years In the 13-. making, Batavia planners p I Wednesday night approved the fl K annexation and hop development concept for the Loienz property -. Developerè outlined plans for Prairie Commons at the corner '. of Wind Energy Pass and Kirk L road. The subdivision would Js I consist of 253 two- and three- ) 2 bedroom townhouses on about . 35 acres. 1tviary acres have been tic &n designated for comniercial use. v- o.5 h 0 'I liked this concept from the uL M very beginning," plan cthnmis- . fl. sioner Gene Schneider said at Wednesday's meeting. Since lu& the develooer has Hj the fliLQ the • 1iHd • ing the property. Consultants also were hired to analyze potential intersection traffic and also water detention. A tree survey has been conducted. IM haven't been against this project," said Alan Long, an NAurora resident who lives in the Savannah subdivision, which borders the property. "We want i-IUt!1 : to be good neighbors. ... At the °-&' 5r same dine, were worried about Si u",N 2 the stoma-water issues and the wetland buffer' us 0.- Long also addressed-the planned location of the water: tower, which now would be built • on the eastern edge of the site, as -recommended by the Batavia • public works department. .'.li t It will save the tapayers and g .o the city lots of to Put it I money where the public works depart- tHI - !j ment wants it" Schneider said. • The townhouses would begin H in price at • just below the - tE . 0 $200,000 mask and would range • up to the $300000s. The neigh- c)o borhood will include several •'p_a I small gardens and parks. o No retailers have been secured 00 for the commercial end, but the city will grant space for offices 4V1 hI and restaurants. City staff mern- c. .2 ben will not permit automobile service shops or dealerships, ELI P banks, storage garages, massage or physical therapy practices, auditoriums and theaters, fast- food chains or other drive-through busInesses.

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;c.ia N. Aurora concerned over Randall. agreement Some worry about curb cuts

By ERIC SCHELKOPF But Village Trustee Mike Kane County Chronicle He did not like that the agreement also dictates NORTH AURORA— where other curb cuts can be Some village trustees are wor- located. Along with that, the ried about the conditions agreement states no curb being placed on a proposed cuts will be allowed within agreement to transfer control 500 feet of Orchard Road. of Randall Road from the "This is the first I learned county to the village. that this transfer was predi- Thistees on Wednesday re- cated on a list of curb cuts," viewed an agreement to secure Herlihy said. jurisdiction of a 1.6-mile stretch But Village President Mark of Randall Road between Rubysadhe thought the agree. Interstate 88 and Orchard mentwas"goodp1-g" Road. They - 11 think it is good planning are ex- as far as a lineup of curb cuts alongflandallRoad," Rubysaid. pected to ¶ '• vote on the y - He warned that changing agreement the agreement could put the proposed shopping center in at Monday's —j Village jeopardy Board 'If we start playing around meeting. i with this, we could jeopardize Prior to - the project," Ruby said. that meet- Village Trustee Dale ing, Berman Berman said the board should Kane County Board's accept the agreement. Transportation Committee on "I thinkwe have gotten the Friday will review the agree- best we are going to get from ment. the county" Berman said. In reply, Village Trustee As part of the proposed Maxuerwig said, "I don't dis- agreement, the county would agree, but we have to under- allow a right-in, right-out ac- stand what our limitations cess on the west side of are." Randall Road, about 1,000 feet Ruby said the village still south of ComlskeyAvenue. would have some flexibility The access would serve the 17.5-acre Randall Commons where the curb cuts are located. shopping center being pro- "It doesn't mean reason- posed at the northwest corner able adjustments can't be of Randall Road and Oak Street. made," Rubysaid, Walgreeris would be the first tenant in the center. C#) C) 4 .1.tQ 1. .• 02 Eo il 0 UIIIL o

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- t__F/1 'fl'IL I Batavfiiilanners ON townhouses land, nearest to Kirk Road, will be the site for a shopping center, Plan includes shopping complex but no proposal has yet materi- alized. "We've marketed the prop- By MARK FOSTER construction on the townhouses ert" Faganel said. "We still don't Kane County Chronicle under way this year. The plan know." - now moves to the city council The townhouse project abuts BAtAVIA - Plans moved Community Development Com- Fermilab on the east. At the east ahead Wednesday for a 253-unit mittee. end of the development, along townhouse project at the south- There will be four townhouse the Illinois Prairie Path, Faganel east corner of Kirk Road and designs of two or thee bedis donating land to the city for Wind Energy Pass. rooms, with prices ranging from the new eastside water tower. The plan commission ap- $170,000 for the 1,500-square- Faganel had wanted the proved the annexation and foot basic model to $300,000 for tower to be located on the west conditional use permit for a 2,600-square-foot unit; Faganel side of the property along Kirk developer Dave Faganel's said. Road, but city officials insisted project, which eventually is to The townhouses will cover a on the location to the east. include a shopping center. 36-acre portion of a 55-acre "I still don't like the location," Faganel said he hopes to get property, The remainder of the Faganel said.

I A1-J a. I j--Qq Fox Valley in 60 seconds zu1

Board candidate off ballot: Township sets Lincoln dinner the driver education fee from James Neuman's bid for a seat on House Speaker Dennis Hastert $50 to as much as $250 per stu- the Kane County Board ended is the invited guest speaker for dent to help cover the cost of Wednesday when he withdrew the Aurora Township Republi- the class. According to a report his name from the ballot. can Central Committee's 47th given by board Vice President Neuman, a South Elgin Republi- annual Lincoln Day Dinner. The. Neal Ormond, the class cur- can, notified the county clerk on dinner is Feb. Sat Gaslite rently costs the district about the last day to do so before the Manor, 2485 Church Road, $216 per student. Fifty dollars March 16 primary Without Aurora. A social hour begins at 6 comes from the student and the Neuman, the race to replace Dis- p.m. and dinner at 7p.m. Cost is state pays about $100 per stu- trict 14 board member Karen $50 per person or $600 for a dent, leaving the district to pay McConriaughay, who is the GOP table. Call Denny Wiggins at the rest. Ormond said he wants nominee for county board chair- (630) 892-4598 or Dick Rokop at to raise the amount the district man, remains one of the few (630) 896-7683 for tickets. can charge to $250 per student, contested races. Two St. Charles but only expects to charge stu- men, Arney Silvestri and Mark Driver ed price could go up: dents $130 next year. The Davoust, will face each other in The West Aurora school district hearing with the state is set for the Republican primary. will petition the state to increase Feb. 10. Durkin backs Rauschenberger Durkin will make the an' KANE COUNTY nouncement today at CHRONICLE events in springfield and Chicago. CHICAGO - Former State In 2002 Durkin won the Rep. Jim Durkin will endorse GOP nomination for U.S. Steven 1. Rauscbenberger for Senate against John Cox and the Republican nomination Jim OberWeis. for theU.S. Senate

• / oq r?zuq• N. Aurora wants control QQCO17 li-OLD3 Over stretch of Randall Fiecdonwatch BY DARRYL MELLEMA trol of Randall Road is the pro- Daily HeraLd ConØndtiu• posed Randall Commons Citizens to Elect Tim O'Neil business development west of will host a fund-raiser in his Randall Road from Orchard Randall and north of Orchard honor from 530 to 8 pin, today Road to 1-88 is set to become Road. at The Royal Fox Country Club. North Aurora property "At this stage of the game, we The club is located at Royal and North Aurora's village board either complete this or we forget Ancient drives in St Charles. agreed in principle at Wednes- about the development out The cost is $75 per person or day's committee of the whole there," Mayor Mark Ruby said. $125 per couple. meeting to the jurisdictional While the board was in overall O'Neil is a Republican road transfer of 1.6 miles of what agreement with the transfer candidate for Kane County is currently Kane County road- agreement, there was some con- State's Attorney in the March 16 way., cern about the list of allowed The village board is expected primary. curb cuts, designated spots All are welcome to attend and to formally approve the transfer along the road where intersec- at its Monday meeting. The tions or driveways may be meet O'Neil. To make a matter then moves to the Kane constructed. reservation, call (630) 377-0012. County Board, which is expected "Why are we agreeing now Local candidates are invited to to approve the transfer at its Jan. and forever that these are the submit items about endorsements, 30 meeting. The village and curb cuts," Trustee Mark Herlihy fund-raisers, debates, county have been in negotiations asked. Ruby explained that the appearances or other campaign for some weeksfinalizing the village was not just taking juris- activities to Election Watch. Mail transfer, which is needed so diction to take control of the items to: Election Watch, The planned village development can curb cuts. He mentioned that the Beacon News, 101 S. River St., continue along Randall Road. Randall Commons development Aurora 60506. Fax (630) Among the projects that would be "a dead issue" if the 844-1043. Or e-mail depend on North Aurora's con- transfer did not take place. [email protected] COo.0 - >.C)tJ%C)bVU, a,.wo 0 .05 U °,-F4 b -. a,- . 'C

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By PATRICK WALORON DW1'jHoaidSffb½*C Moving quickly to avoid a possible authority vacuum in the Kane County state's attorney's office come Feb. 1, county board Chairman Mike McCoy is calling a special meeting to appoint a successor to Meg Gorecki the following morning McCoy's actions come as the time of states attorney' Gorecki's Illi- nois Supreme Court-ordered • - suspension from the practice of law Is fl- away'just nine days Meg Gorecki In November, the supreme court ruled Cdrecki's law license would be suspended as punishment Continued from Page 1 FRI DAY, JANUARY 25. 2004 for ethics viola- I Lions. This y month, the • Mike Mcco court ordered that the suspension take effect Feb. 1. County: Quick action advised - What happens than at the top ofthe state's attorneys office Conthu,aifivmftgel. that vacancy, as required by Solos, then chief of the DuPage come back and no appoint- • has been on the minds of state statutes- A successor office's civil division. meat is needed, that leaves the McCoy, Gorecki, lawyers, that such an opinion would would serve as state's attorney This question poses some board with two conflicting ml- judges, defendants and resi- only be issued to the state's until Gorecki's term expires at problems since, absent an lags. At that point, they could - dents throughout the county attorney. Gorecki has asked the the end of November. immediate appointment to fill declare a vacancy or leave -'it's a serious thing,' McCoy same question, but an answer At the same meeting, likely to the vacancy, the statutory pros- things alone. • - said. '1 don't think we can have still has not come. beat 8am. Feb. 2, he will nomi- ecution and defense of cases by Whatever happens, McCoy a oeriod of time where there Tin not going to wait for it," nate a candidate to fill out a temporary or special states says he'll be ready the first day McCoy said. Gorecki's term. Under state law, attorney could be challenged.' of business following Goreckl's A year ago, McCoy asked nil- He is interested in what Math' the county board chairman has Sotos wrote. Suspension. nois Attorney General 'Lisa gan has to say but feels he must the authority to name a candi- 'Any delay, including one day Gorecki was unavailable for Madigan to advise him on the act to ensure a top prosecutor is date to fill such a vacancy with ... would result in an unneces- comment late Thursday and no future of the state's attorney in place before court opens Feb. the consent of the county sary displacement of judicial information related to the position in the event Gorecki 2, the first day of business board. resources and possible jilter- Gorecki matter had been were suspended. during the suspension. The speed of McCoy's mption offending cases.' released by the attorney gen- At issue was, and still is, Under the advisement of Spe- appointment is based on a 1995 All of this could change, eral's office. whether Gorecki can return to cial Assistant State's Attorney precedent set when Jim Ryan depending on the next nine As for successors, McCoy duty following a suspension Pat Kinnally, McCoybelieves the resined as DuPage County days. said he has not finalized any and, -regardless. who runs the office will be vacant as soon as states attorney to be sworn in as I've tried to think of every selections. office hi her absence. Gorecki is suspended. Illinois attorney general. scenario,' Mccoy said. Since Gorecki's suspension The latter question -the "1 am not a lawyer, but the McCoy and others believe Most boil down to the county was announced, McCoy has dilemma of who signs the opinion before me at this point failure to movequickly could board and the attorney general. said he prefers to select some- indictments and acts officially in time I agree with," McCoy result in potential problems In If no Madigan opinion comes, one who works in the office a as the people's lawyer—comes said. cases throughout the county the board likely would declare now and lives in Kane County. into plyFeb. I. Absent any contrary opinion judicial system, as outlined for the vacancy and the appoint- Assistants Bob Sandner and McCoy never got an answer from Madigan, he will call upon DuPage County Bond members ment would go forward. Kathy Moran remain strong and Instead was told in March the full county board to declare in January 1995 by George If Madigan says Gorecki can possibilities. See cOWlTTOn PAGE id

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By ERIC SCHELTCOpF Kane County Chronicle

NORTH AURORA — -More businesses soon could be coming to the village's west side. Aurora Christian Schools wants to de-annex: 6.7 acres it owns from Aurora and annex it to N o r t h U - , Aurora. It • wants business Zoning for the land, which is along the west side of • Ruby Deerpath nronIcIe graphic by Joshua Monninger Road and that mini-warehouses not be south of the Comld the entire property to do way. right of allowed on the land: School officials have, not something with it," President. The two lots are in the released any plans for the Mark Ruby said. Deerpath Commerce Center. land. Trustees discussed what The school, at 14 Village officials want to would happen to the current Blackhawk St., had planned to shift Deerpath 'Road to the Deerpath Road. build a new campus between west to increase the economic Village Attorney. Kevin Deerpath and Orchard roads, opportunities on the village's Drendel said the road could be but now plans to move into a western corridor. removed or used as a private road. building in Aurora. Village trustees already Plan commissioners re- have approved an agreement "1 am . concerned about cently recommended zoning with Aurora that moves the what happens to the old road, the land for business use, road 500 feet to the west. and the maintenance of the However, they recommended old road," Village Trustee Max • "It gives depth and value to Herwig said. I- -- District 14 aIZ hopefuls differ over gas tax ByTOM SCHLIJErER the district. Kane County Chronicle Both candidates said they supported the concept of the GENEVA - At first blush, Prairie Parkway, and both can- there is little difference be-. didates said the recently fin- tween Mark Davoust and posed impact fee program ArneySilvestrj in theft quest for should be revisited because of a seat on the county board. the disparity in costs through- The major difference be- out the county, tween the two is that Silvestri, Davoust, of St Charles, 35, supports runs Brasel increasing Products in the county Batavia, a gas tax by2 cents, While firm that -. man u f a c - Davoust, 45, - said he tures indus- would vote trial cohe-. sive tapes against it. _ and band- "I would- n't be pre- Davoust Silvestri Silvestri, pared to vote of St Char- on that" Davoust said. les, owns Silvestri Custom Silvestri said a 2-cent in- Homes of St Charles. crease in the gas tax would When asked what sepa- make little difference in the rates the two, Silvestri cited his pump price. He said gas prices life-long residency in St. in counties that have higher Charles and District 14, while county gas taxes, such as Davoust said he was 10 years McHenry County have lower older, which gives him more prices than some gas stations in experience, Kane. "I have roots here," Silvestri His said his only concern said. "I want to maintain the would be for the business quality of life." owner, but, "If they can com- "I've had many extra years pete up there, they can com- of dealing with issues on na- pete here." tional and international level," Kane levies a 2-cent local Davoust said. tax, but it has the authority to Both candidates believe impose two more cents. the current jail should be Dupage and McHenry coun- scrapped and that a new one ties levy 4 cents. should be built on the grounds Silvestri and Davoust are of the judicial center. seeking the position currently And both candidates said held by Karen McConnaughay, 1the county's bum ban is one who is running for county of the biggest issues in District board chairman 14, where many homes sit on District 14 includes the far 1.arge lots With numerous west sides of St. Charles and trees. Geneva. Randall Road runs James Neumann of South through the ±sthct. 3lgin has withdrawn his name In a meeting with Chron- rot the ballot. icle editors Thursday both The wilmerjn the Marth 16 candidates said transporta- ;)rlmary will face Democrat tion was one of the biggest is- Iilaine Stem in the Nov. 2 gen- sues facing the county and eral election. County: Medical contract for jail: not being followed J-a3cq &ZrozthLe Health department might take over responsibilities

ByTOM SCHLUEER the committee will investigate Kane County Chronicle other means to provide in- mate health care, such as GENEVA - Kane County through the health depart- officials might shift the re- ment. sponsibility of medical care at 'Now is the time to take. the jail to the health depart- another step toward resolving ment, saying they are un- the problem" McConnaughay happy with the company con- said. tracted to provide it. Health Department Wexford Health Sources of Executive Director Mary Lou Pittsburgh, Pa., a health-care England provider that specializes in said she has jails and prisons, has not com- not ths- plied with terms of its $1.4 '. cussed the million contract, the county ' - possibility said. Among its complaints - •. of running are a failure to document -. ______' the pro- hours worked by employees - gram, and failure to substitute for "I will be generic drugs. discussing 'All were asking is that some of the they follow the contract," said Mitchell i s s u e s James Mitchell, ft-North around tak- Aurora. ing that over," England said. Sheriff Cmdr. Pat Keady "There has to be a lot of plan- said he has sent notices to fling that goes on and re- Wexford requesting that the search into how best this gets company comply with the done." contract. The contract with Wexford Although some county of- expires in May but has a ficials favored withholding clause that continues it into payment to Wexford, Assistant November. The clause was in- State's Attorney Michelle serted to coincide contracts Niermann suggested that a with the end of the county's better initial tactic would be to fiscal year. send a letter claiming that the Jail medical services are company is in breach of con- required by state law. tract. The provider is responsi-. A represeritative from ble for routine medical care Wexford did not return phone and prescribing medication to messages Thursday. inmates with psychological Committee Chairman problems. Karen McConnaughay said See CONTRACT, page 2

. inmates might commit other I = &iitract crimes and return to iail soon Continued from page 1 "We want them on the One of the complaints right track to after-care so against Wexford is that it has they don'twind up hack in the not provided a 14-day supply jail," McConnaughay said. of these prescription drugs to McConnaughay told inmates upon their release, Keady and jail director Todd which is required in the con- Exline to keep track of when tract. Wexford employees work. - This is significant because Keeping track of their time without the thugs as part of would confirm the costs ,n nftpr-rarp nrnanm cnrnp Wp-rfnrd rhnranc di nrl '1dC)d,!,.1 WC)'d It" 9)a ,ut0C) 4, Hastert: Bush -00tJo0 to -w CtC) U oocouea0Z13 0 li W immigration g8jflo -Sll"'H w.C)goo'aew or t. !ums2 C) N - ,- EC C) plan fa ces fi a "0ft 0c, - . m 0 toll' o .Caj .010' 8E a STAFF WRITER E ••-"tC 0. 02 5" AURORA— President.Georgew. itt • r— L workBush's permits program to undocumented to grant temporary imrni- V I VanBefore ces athe tough program road can ahead. proceed, it Oto needs to pass the Congress - which tOICflfl-Ctt.c'o uba b "" wE°.flEtwo uwot probably won't happen U.S. House 5 ob h' Speaker Dennis Hastert told editorial a .ca .s 'E'-" W rJ " boat of The Beacon News and The ' Courier Ncws of Elgin this week. 'BC a ahflu -t I don think therfl support to get to that through Congress the YortMlle chanceRepublicanHastert to start saidsaid, a debate." the'Rut president I think this was is a _, 05)00 *0'"'>'O", "brave" and "bold" to bring up the highlyduthngmeiedionyear.Ifs not charged a popular issue subject" of immigration Hasten nai'8w IttLs sionsaid, because "but its wetime need to start to find the some discus- so- SpeakerHasten, R-Yortcvllle,of the House talks Dennis with The t3N. 0 lutions." Beacon News Editorial Board Thurs-'e o,co o -t00, U He acknowledged that immigrabod day afteffl000, ra 0 problems are growing in the Fox Val- = r n ley— especially in places like Aaron, thereElgin, shouldPiano and be Westa program Chicago for —and such said,thingswrapping 'We need have or naturalinfusion, to have gas a andlong to alldurablç,,run," thosC he. S& Thfl.uN- t5)eJ,' people to come to the United States, o work for afew years and be able to go pen."supply of energy to make that hap" o flj home.'Thatswhythesepeople come,"he The bill also provides for a natural - •s,aa •gt.i - C)'" said. Iute/ve got worlç the/re trying gas pipeline to run from Alaska B' through Canada to the United States.: U, atL 0 to take care of their families, and Too,n 0.00 they've got the drive to do it." Hastert said that project will have alt Ca LE immense impact on the Chicago area C &fl agid D With agricultural and factory jobs 'That's awry important piece foç S across illinois being filled by immi- d'cot'. lllinois," he said. 'You have an inS C . immigrantsgrant workers, are Hastert "doing stressed important the haustibleat our doorstep,' supply of natural gas right l) 0E0il "And they shouldn't be forced to HouselastThe Medicare year will bill also passed have bya big': the? Thu° 0.5 finnidy,stay here a lot and of hide,"these peoplehe said. do "Quite work impact locally, the speaker said. But,, C) thatStill, nobody Hastert else wantsputs tohis do," foot down ?iE0 a .r when asked if undocumented immi- U] a&en o;ptnS a' r3c5 begrants given already athnesty in tIrerather country than shouldproceed 6 0. i3 `0 10 5 through"Amnesty the is existing a problem citizenship because, vichpushing1-lastert are "flirtingto saidhave Emanuel withdrugs dynamite" from and Blagoje:Canada by, 0u ,o 2 short-circuitwhen you give the people process," amnesty he said. you importedthey wantto this to country. take 10 percent. of U U, 0 'That way, everybody who goes what (U.S. drug companies) produce..t to through the legitimate process gets 3 NV and sell to Canada, then re-impotV2 B S somebody that cuts in line in front of that to lake care of 50 percent of our,- '0 't C) •-' nal.than, You and can't I think change that's thethe wrong rules, sig-and goingneeds,' to Hastenwork. You said. can't "That's guarantee not S — C amnesty changes the rules.' these are drucs made in the United- 0Ee. -1 Medicare and energy > t C) C C _e.0 00 Hastert stressed the importance of t C Housetwo major last bills year that and passed their impact the U.S. on are counterfeit drugs or not" theHe Fox said Valley: this energyarea will and be Medicare. impacted wouldHe stressed be to have that withthe a better U.S. tradesolution: repr beingtheand mostSenate. reconciled by an energy between bill thethat House is still sharinggovenunentresentatives drugs towork andfind lowering a better the systemCanadian—.,prices. of– Valley,nesses"If you youll that go find dealup 75 and with to down80 packaging, small the busi- Fox 17Th14SStaff Writer to this Ed Fanselowt*Pt can-. )-a-ct-t eWr Advocacy Mayoral hopl::a' . Center plan advances City golf courses in Geneva should be private the elimination of about 10 full- By GARRETT ORnowEa • Follow county lead?: time city jobs and 60 seasonal jobs. Do4HonLdStaffi3fee AUrora officials Say "If you privatize it, and we A long-planned $600,00( lookedat it we'd end up charging expansion of the Kane Count) move would result higher rates," he said. 'They'd be Child Advocacy Center got th in green fee increase in it for profit We're in it to break go-ahead from Genevah histork even. preservation commission and "that's why we've got the lowest should be under construction By Dave Pain rates in the area." thisyean STAFF WRITER Wyatt said Kane County's agree- At the center, the county AURORA - Responding to a ments to have private companies Investigates sex crimes against proposal by the city to eliminate run the Settler's Hill, Hughes children, but currently victims season passes at the two municipal Creek and Deer Valley golf cours- have to travel to Debar-Com- golf courses in order to boost rev- es have worked out well. The two munity Hospital for medical enue, one candidate running for contracts— Settlers and the nine- exams. Every year the centei mayor next year is calling for pri- hole Deer Valley are managed to- works with more than 700 chil- gether -'- call for 14.5 percent of dren and their families. vatizing their operation. Bill Wyatt, a commissioner on the revenue from the courses to The existing building at 428 come back to the Kane County James St., on the same site as the the Kane County Forest Preserve Forest Preserve District planned expansion, will remain Board who praised private-man- "It just guarantees that you open during construction, Exec- agement agreements at county won't lose money," Wyatt said "I courses, said Friday thatdoing the guess the question is, do you keep in April, the commission same in the city would "guarantee -...... the prices so cheap rejected a plan for a new build- the taxpayers of Au...... that you lose money ing at 427 W. Campbell St., rora a profit, and re- 'q,1,,, vfr ould be on it?" Through three which continued a series of set- move the element of quarters of fiscal year • backsin the county's plans for risk associated with ro 1€, and 2003, the county expansion dating to the mid- this highly- competi- 1990s. At the time, the plan courses have yielded tive business." they havi been in the forest preserve tailed for a building that was too Wyatt, who has an- - Massive and rectangular, com- district about nounced his intention the past. 1 {T?re just $383,000, said district mlssionmemberasaict to run in the 2005 The commission wanted to Finance Director Bob see something more fitting with mayoral race, eacour- barely vu rlci ng our Quinlan. The county - the 19th-century homes sur- aged Mayor David doesn't have any rounding the center and the old Stover and the City bond PC maintenance or caPi- Council to explore county courthouse, V. costs, he said. • - The proposal endorsed last the option, citing 'fl- The county's week' week would bring a modern, nancial problems" at - end golf rates with 4,587-square-foot building to the Phillips Park Golf Jim I' I mer cart at the two 18- the historic downtown area, but Course and Fox Val- Aurora Par cs Director hole courses are $46 one keeping with some ofthe ley Golf Club. and $57 for residents • architectural cues of the historic But city officials or $59 and $75 for area, city planner Dick Untch said the planned rate increases and nonresidents. The city this year said. The entrance to the rectan- elimination of season passes after plans to charge residents $24 and gular building will be on the this year aren't a result of financial noaresidents $35 on weekends at narrow side of the building, in problems, only a way to ensure the the Phillips Park Golf Course, plus • keeping with design characteiis- courses break even. The city's $13 to $16 for a cart. The rate at the • ticsof the area Thewiilbeare 2003 preauditcdnuinbers show Fox Valley Golf Course is W. plus wmp-arouild porch with a short about $2.05 million in golf course cart up-step and apitched roof, expenses, including paying down Stover said he has looked at pri- • Untch said. The facade will not $393,000 in debt from the recent be flat, and the second-floor vatizing the courses but decided windows will feature dormers. - Phillips Park course upgrade, and against it so the city would main- -"This is a plan that really $2.09 million in revenue. tain control of prices and opera- works verywell and would bea The revenue includes a $225,000 tions. Privatization is unrealistic compatible structure to our his- gaming tax subsidy from the city because the city would expect the toric clis'ct' -Untch said. to cover the bond debt, meaning management company to assume The commission did suggest the actual loss was about $183,000. $4.5 million in remaining debt on several minor changes to the - Without the debt, the courses the Phillips Park upgrade, he said. o - plait which will be presented at would have made $210,000. Two of Wyatt's potential oppo- its Feb. 17 meeting. Though the 'They should be profitable, and nents in the mayor's race, Richard building permit process will go they have been in the past," said Irvin and Angel Hernandez, said ahead after that, the area will Aurora Parks Director Jim Pilmer. they don't plan on making the golf. require zoning changes to be "We're just barely making our courses a campaign issue because - approved by the plan commis- bond payments now." there are more important prob- Glen and the city council. Pilmer said letting a manage- lems facing Aurora, such as crime. ment company run the courses Candidate Tom Weisner could not would result in higher rates and be reached for comment.

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JCI't-J3 -0 t04 a Stop farm pollution My wife and J moved out here west of the city to live in clean, fresh air. The Kane CotintyBoaj-d is to be com- mended for banning leaf burning in the area. However, my wife and I have noticed a big pollution problem In the Builder on the board / fall, the farmers in the area I, for one, am very ,j combine their corn and their encouraged to hear that local beans and theycause a lot of builderArney Silvestri is (J dust to be in the air. I bet that running for the Kane County dust stays in the air for weeks. Board in the 14th District. Who \ Perhaps the Kane County better to help with the planning Board could put a stop to the and growth of our community &,. pollution problem and make than someone who takes part the area livable again. Phe actual building ofthis community? Let's face it, our K) county is growing and we need Criticism unfounded to plan for it. It sounds to me I was sad to read in Sound that a builder would have the Off the attempts to discredit experience and knowledge to JonZalun. I.do not know the help and control the growth N) facts of the issues the callers that is so vital to our local mentioned but Ican say lhave economy. A builder on the known Jon for more than 15 county board is hardly a years, and the callers' com- problem. In fact, it sounds like ments were a gross mis- a solution. representation of Jon. First, like one song says, you do not Eve in a great big house and you do [Judicial system critic not drive a big fancy car. If Jon Mycominent is would like is getting paid to help J to know what gives the right to candidates, I am sure it cannot certain employees of the Kane be much. Also, from numerous County judicial system to personal experiences with blame a person, apassénger, John, if Jon sees an issue that is for injuries sustained to the a concern to the well-being or driver of a car accident. The -freedoms of Kane County Person blamed was not driving, citizens, he works tirelessly and had anything to do with the for free to fight for all of the accident. They both decided to people of Kane County. Jon is a go out that night and both were true American patriot, and I adults. They both sustained wish those who are not as serious injuries and they made dedicated and personally their own choices. It is involved and committed as Jon' unfortunate and heart- would stick to the issues and breaking when people are $ stop the personal attacks. seriously injured but an accident is an accident and maybe there is a reason for it by a higher power that we have no control of. What gives these people a right to play God with these people's lives? Everyone in this situation has been Punished more than anyone can imagine. The Kane County Board should look into 'procedures and methods of these people in their judicial system. If they cannot handle tragic situations, maybe they should not be in a power of authority. And whatever happened to forgiveness?

Wk..,evkI.f..I County to turn:.

over portion , of road to N. Aurora

By PATRICK WALDRON Daily Herald Staff Writer Kane County and North Aurora officials have reached agreement on a deal to transfer a portion of Randall Road to the village's control, but the arrangement doesn't come without cost. Later this year, a 1.6-mile stretch of Randall Road between 1-88 and Orchard Road, now under county care, will be handed over to North arranged with the city of Aurora Aurora. several years ago, has been in For the chance to give up the the works for months. road, the Kane County Trans- In December, it nearly got poration Department will pay derailed because the village the village a one-time fee of wanted permission to add $300,000, plow the lanes for the more access points to Randall next two years and pay for the Road, in the form of mall reconstruction of the Randall 'entrances and exits; than were Road bridge over I88 in about allowed under county +egula- 12 years. dons. . The county board's trans- County design standards say portation bommittee side entrances or exits on Ran- ci unanimously recommended dall ROad must be at least 630 approval of the deal Friday. The feet apart from another er matter should reach the full entrance or intersection. The county board Feb. 10. new agreement gives the village he With the transfer, the permission to drop that to 500 county's long-term , costs feet for three entrances con- :a- decrease because of less road nected to the new shopping -he to maintain and patrol, while center. ,h- the village gets the 'right to The North Aurora village ,a d, needed access points proposed board recommended accepting ng as part of the new retail devel- the terms of the deal this week to. opment, Randall Commons. and is expected to formally pi- The deal, similar to a Randall agree to the contract at its Road jurisdictional transfer meeting Monday. a•a.a a a------lElburn finds 'silver. bullet' to .sMve iidiiini problem 1-35-Oq v5uYtt Heid By DAVE ORRICJC "This is the silver bullet of tions than counterparts in begin to say, 'You're just moving all this radium around Daily Herald Staff Writer radium removal," village many other communities, but administrator David Morrison he said common sense told and not actually getting rid of Some towns have been able - says "It's better and cheaper." him that generating radioactive it,'" he..says. "Somebody was to avoid worrying about what He says he's not sure why sludge and spreading it on going to figure it out sooner or to do with radioactive radium Elburn officials appear to be farms wasn't prudent later." after removing it from the more up to speed on regula- "Our fear was the EPA would drinking water supplies. Prospect Heights is spending •about $1.3 million to switch from well water to Lake Michi- gan water, which is nearly radium-free. Other towns whose water supply comes from wells. changed theft methods of disposal to avoid the possibly hazardous practice of spreading radium-enriched sludge on farm fields. Last week, Elburn officials approved a plan to spend roughly $2 million onã process by Colorado-based Water Remediation Technology that won't just remove the radium from the water; it'll get it out of the state. Instead of flushing the sludge down the sewers, the company's process traps the radium in containers, and the company will be responsible for replacing those. containers and getting the waste to licensed disposal site. Bartlett officials also have had talks with the company. Elburn officials say two competing methods - ion exchange and water softening —would have cost $4.6 million and $9 million - and left them with radioactive sludge. -

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I I-/it-- QL/ &eclCO/) Kane seeks> public input on /'-36r0'-f r-i 2030 plan for Numbers say home•. transportation monitoring of convicts GENEVA - A series of forums will begin this week to explain progress on the Kane County 2030 saves Kane money Trans portation Plan. An open house is set for 4 to 7 pleted the program successfully, p.m. Wednesday in the auditoriñm By Steve Lord Mueller said. Since December 1992, of the Kane County Government STAFF WRITER there were 2,142 in the program, and Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva. GENEVA - Electronic monitor- 79 percent completed it successfully. Other forums will be held ing of convicted offenders works in Mueller said he considered the throughout February, one in each Kane County, and has saved the coun- program completed successfully if of the eight Planning Partnership ty millions of dollars. the offenders did what they were told Areas developed by the county. Jim Mueller, Kane court services and were not re-arrested. The purpose of the forums is to director, made that point last week to On electronic monitoring, an of- help in determining major trans- the CountyBOardCor- fendet is basically portation projects, guiding tratis- rebtions and Rehabili- confined to his home. portation decialons and identifying tat,ion Committee. And thenumbers •He wears an electron- resources to implement transporta- while Mueller has said ic bracelet that probation projects. that for a while now, tion officials can mon- The county expects to complete be brought numbers itor around the clock a draft of the plan in March and to back it up. to show that the of- bring the plan to the County Board Mueller said that 98m4`710' fender stayed where for adoption in the summer of 2004- since December 1992, Percentage of home- he was supposed to. During the past year, forums when the program - monitored offenders who Offenders are al- were held in each of the Planning started, electronic complete the program lowed to go to work, Partnership Areas. With more of monitoring has saved and do things like the plan completed, transportation Kane about $7.4 million. That is doctor's visits, but those outings must officials want more public com- money that would have been paid to be approved by probation officials, ment. -. keep those offenders in jail, and most who also monitor the trips. After the first open house, the likely being sent to the McHenry "If you put people in jail, they have Planning Partnership area forums County jail, which houses some of to quit their jobs, or drop out of will be: Kane's offenders. school," Mueller said. 'They can't is 10 a.m. Jan. 30 - Randall Oaks In addition, he said the-program support their families. They become a Golf Club, for the Upper Fox area. collected about $676,041 from those drag on society. This program has is 10a.m. Feb. 3—North Aurora offenders, who actually pay the coun- been successful, from a cost-effective Public library, for the Aurora area. tyto be in the program. standpoint" is 10 a.m. Feb. 9 - Batavia Public :'That is opposed to putting them in Not everyone is eligible for elec-. library, for the Tr-Cities area. jail, where we pay for them," Mueller tronic monitoring, but eligibility does .10 a.m. Feb. 11— Elgin Country d. not necessarily have to do with the Club, Room 123, for the Elgin area. During the past year, the county type of crime an offender committed. • 10a.m. Feb. 18— Campton Com- collected about $90,000, and used Each offender is evaluated by proba- munity Center, for the Campton about $45,000 to pay for rental of the lion officials as to whether he or she area. equipment needed. Beyond that the can enter the program or not, Mueller is 10 am. Feb. 19 - Elburn Public money goes to the county's general said. • Library, for the West Central area. fund. "There is a certain segment that • 10 am. Feb. 23— Huntley Vil- There were 232 offenders put on has to be behind bars," he said. "But lage Hall, for the Northwest area: electronic monitoring during the past there are a group of people who can • 1 p.m. Feb. 25— Waubonsee yar, and 98.4 percent of them com- be on this, and it works out well." Community College, Bodie Hall, Room 150, for the Southwest area. information about the transportation planning process is available on the Kane County Divisionof Transportation's Web site -at www.co.kaneRus/dot.

I, Kane.County Notebook IDUT moves closer to bridge approval Li) ByTOM SCHLIJEIER . . * * * Kane County Chronicle The controversy over the transportation impact fee pro- Change in administrations gram is ironic. in Springfield left some state Bata"ia, Geneva and St agencies reeling. Maxiylong- Charles officials are upset with time staffers quit or retired the county because ofwhat after Gay George Ryan left of- they consider to be an unfair fice. mandate. One of the hardest hit has The county's program been the Illinois Department would charge higher fees for of Transportation. developments in the Th-Cities • This is significant to Kane than in other parts of the County because designs for county many road projects are de- The irony comes in when layed awaiting DOT approval. the county complains about At Thesday's legislative state-imposed mandates. breakfast with county and At legislative breakfasts, the state officials, county board county people are lobbying for Chairman Mike McCoy said funding new programs or re- the county has even spent moval of unfunded mandates. money to keep projects mov- Sometimes legislators lis- ing that should have been paid ten. Scimetimes they don't by the state. In that senses county offi- • The biggest projects are the cials should understand how regional bridges. the city people feel. Land acquisition has been held up because of the delays. One unfunded mandate is The county cannot buyprop- lifetime probation for sex erty until it receives approval, fenders. • "IDOTapprOvalhasbe- No one would argue that come the critical path for sexual predators should be re- bridge projects" McCoy said. moved from society. At Friday's Transportation However, countyprobation Committee meeting, Paul officers wonder how they are Rogowsld, director of the Kane goingtopayforit County Division ofitanspor- "No one would argue that tation, said IDCYT is finishing these are high-risk people. We up reviewing the '1geometrics should do everything we can to of the project" Once that is keep them off the streets, but I complete, the county can don'tknowhowwe can do that begin to buy land. without an influx of money" "This is huge if we get it," court services director James Rogowsld said. Mueller said.

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,at/ c)g Et2CVfl /}etu> Kane, Yorkville get park grants Charles and Naperville. previous- small bikes- BEACON NEWS STAFF ly were announced for funding. Yorlçville's matching-fund re- SPRINGFIELD -The Kane The Yorkville Parks & Recre- quest was among the first grants County Forest Preserve District ation Department will receive a for which the city applied after and the City of Yorkville are $74,000 grant to develop a neigh- hiring a grant consultant earlier among the recipients of state borhood park on Poplar Drive in this spring. grants for park development and a new subdivision west of down- The Kane County Forest Pre- land acquisition. town. The development plan in- serve District received about State officials this week an- cludes a picnic shelter, play- $750,000 to acquire 531 acres nounced the release of $23 mil- ground and landscaping. southwest of Pingree Grove on lion in state grants to park dis- A preliminary concept plan Rohrsen Road. Future develop- tricts and forest preserves earlier this year for the site in ment will include habitat restora- statewide for the purchase and the River's Edge subdivision tion, wetland and creek natural- development of park facilities. called for a Big Wheel-themed ization; an interpretive shelter Parks in Aurora, Oswego, park that would include a cir- and trails; equestrian trails, and Piano, Campton Township, St. cuit designed for tricycles and parking.

OORECKI FhnnpageAl WO will Under Kinnally's opinion, McCoy said the laW requires a person to have alaw license before he or she can run for state's attorney and holds that he or she musthavea law license to replace hold that office as well, r"Th'ou don't have the license, you can't stay in;office," McCoy said. MadkIiaresruling states that Cornelius four- Gorecki?. month suspension technically does not stop r from being the state's attorney. hIRather, the suspension takes away her Attorney General Lisa power to act in any legal capacity as states at tdiney. Losing her legal power also takes Madigans opinion aQhy power any held by the prosecutors in l,dt office - also called assistant state's attor- confuses the issue n4ys— to prosecute crimes or indict those cistrged with crimes "AY-60 Cnn - All acts performed by an assistant By Daniel Dian /lgyJS state's attorney in that capacity must be re- STAFF WRITER garded as if done by the state's attorney him- • T GENEVA -.- With about one week self or herself," the opinion reads. thus, if until Kane County State's Attorney Meg the states attorney is disqualified from acting, Gorecki's license to practice law is sus- sri also are his or her assistant state's attor- pended, a legal opinion expected to clear neys." I up the situation surrounding her office Madigan: Court to appoint 1. made it even more complicated Friday. That stems from an opinion issued by ecause of the power problem, the opinion fllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, states, a special state's attorney can be ap- stating the 16th Cir- pointed for any individual case or for the office chit Court must time as a whole. a replacement for Where McCoy says there is a vacancy, Gorecki during her Madigan slates there is not a vacancy. - four-month suspen- Madiga'sopinionslatesthat,foravacancY • 51011. to be created, the state's attorney must be • The opinion, bow- under a 'legal disabllitf or some condition in which he or she is unable to act for on his or ever, to the legal ad- her own, Since Gorecki has not moved, been vice Kane County convicted, been removed from office or had Board Chairman hr election declared void, there is no vacan- • Mike McCoy has Kane County the opinion states. been following - es Attorney 'To ensure that the state's attorney's office • 4ta the e,Coup.. will continue to fulfill its duties, the circuit $ F Boardwill have the Meg ccwrt may, in its discretion, appoint a special • power to declare her law license will stte's attorney to serve during the period of office "vacant" and be suspendedon ?4 Goreckfs disciplinary suspension,' the appointasuccessor. Feb. opinion states • Both opinions can iFriday's opinion states the replacement will • be expected to clash ata special meeting taii made by the circuit cowt That designation called by McCoy for Feb. 2 - just one day after Gorecld's license is suspended. • "That meeting is going to happen no thatterwhat'McCoy said. "If it's still con- • tlictingbythen,theboardwillmakeade- when the matter comes before me, cision. - swill research and follow the law,' The Illinois Supreme Court handed But that time has not come.' • down its decision in November to sus- hl the hnard may be able to depend Gorecki's law license for four onths because she violated the ethical • ode for lawyers. In a series of taped phone messages, Aisistant prosecutor weighs in she laid out a scheme - later proved to Michael Cogtilan, the chief of the dvii dim- be bogus—where a friend could guaran- siôn of the state's attorney's office, however, tee a Kane County job for her boyfriend said the County Board will not have the au- by making political contributions to thority to make the appointment McCoy, who later was cleared of any ;l seriously doubt the County Board has authority to declare a vacancy here,' he • wrongdoing. 4 Earlier this month, the court denied said. "This opinion says they don't have the Gorecki% request to delay the suspen- authority to a000int a replacement or even an • thou until her term expires in November. The court ruled her suspension must an said lie will study the issue take effect on Feb. I. he week, since he has notread Kin- mien. He will have a resolution by Conflicting opinions ien, at the very least. Gorecki's au- McCoy obtained his opinion from The questioned. Patrick Kinnally, an Aurora-based attor- ant to be conservative to make sum ney appointed to sort out the situation. are challenged,' he said. "We will The conflict between Kinnally's and - e issues resolved by Friday.' Madigan's opinions revolves around whether them is a "vacancy."

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Kane County leaders are considering a number of safety measures to cut down on the number of accidents along this stretch of Randall Road south at Crone Road in St. Charles Township

I County fired of crashes I ti Isaders tell sheriff to slow drivers on Randall Road &cuwe 'I ci the November traffic death of a person," said board member BY PATRICK WALORON St. Charles North High School Don Wolfe, an E)gin Republican. U. Wits student in thatarea, some real- reviewing possible safety w improvements for Randall A steep hill, high speeds and dents have called for change, ht lanes that tend to collect water That prompted some county Road. IN are three traits that make the so- leaders Friday to ask drivers to But there is only so much w called Randall Road S-curve in slow down and plead for the can do." St Charles Township a danger-Kane County sheriff to make With that Sheriff Ken Ramse) hi pledged stepped up enforce Sc otis and sometimes tragic themdo it- Pa stretch of county highway. "Any death is a tragedy. espe- Because of those factors and cinlly the death of a young SeeRMIDAIL0IIPAGEI As Randall: Wet weather, frequent speeding contribute to risk Conbnuedfiomftgel - mph to 50 mph, adding more $250,000, would need to be sures to prevent the type of flashing 'slippery when wet" studied in greater detail with head-on accident that killed mcntbeginninglinmedlately. signs, installing additional engineering plans and new Joos. there "l have ordered intensive tlt reflectorsto mark lanesand the budgets. "Had a median: fic enforcement and that will center line, and stepped up But committee members say Samantha's fate could have • the support for such a project is been different," said North start this afternoon," he said speedenfprcementMore elaborate plans exam-: there, it just can't be done now. sophomore Emily Zepeta. Friday. "Itwill make an Impact" Even.with the support of But that alone won't do it, me the possibility of a 9-foot Randall Road safety came to . wide concrete median or per- center stage last month when quick action on the signs and RamseyStronger said. enforcement is only haps a 3½-foot high concrete former St. Charles schobl board exploration of a median, the talk president Steve Cole urged siillturnedtospeed. a temporary solution) Ramsey dividingwaltThe county board's trans- county board members to act Assistant county engineer said- He'd like to see slower quickly new safety Steve Pasinsld said the S-curve's -speed limits and some sort of portation committee y in installing barrier, solutions that rhyme recommended immediately measures following the death of valley and the wide open view with what was outlined by the moving forward with the new North student Samantha Joos, creates a situation where drivers speed up. county transportation depart- signs and lane matters but held 17, In November. off on lowering the speed limit On Friday, two North students Those same circumstances in mentCounty Friday transportation offi- or recommending a center line presented a petition with 200 wet weather create a condition • student signatures to board where water collects into pools daIs presented a list of upgrade, barrierThose or median,barrier options, esti-members asking them to put in at the bottom of the valley, options for Randall that include road slippery. lowering the speed limit from sS mated to cost $225,000 to a median or other safety mea- making the.

Fae q Dcf ilnid Will suburbs clean up • water by dirtying land?.

Byfllwingrádizm, some wdSfS subSs may md& 7n=pmbknn

By DAVE GarneR

From Chicago-areaosuburbs scrambling to meet a federal deadline to remove radium from drinking

But they may be maidng a danger- V

"s it I.bOkIDAlL ,.PagePag0 lo to environmental-Waste water sludge Is processed at the Batavia Water Treatment Plant before One t7 that in being sent to a landfill. cleaning I filidisblullon.a ...water of the hikes in about 100 well-water corn- simply transfer the problem from the - naturally occurring munities across the state will go up to water supply to somewhere else, p05- radioactive mater-pay tens, possibly hundreds, of mU- sibly affecting far more people? It could, wary regtllators wmn. - tal, they may wind up creating an lions of dollarsfor new water environmental hazard for a greater treatment facilities that will filter out 'Are the municipalities aware of the number of people. The problem, they the potentially hazardous element- right questions to ask?No, not really," acknowledge, is that the issue Is so Dozens of suburban communities are says Rich Allen, a top environmental regulator for the Illinois Department has yet examined the affected. . new thatno one But filtering radium from the water, Of Nuclear Safety, which regulates ramifications of a piecemeal solution has sprung a new question: Will the to address a knownfew danger. SeeRADIII40nPAGEI0 Within the next years, water bill solution in many communities

Farm r,md L I:'SM!YI4!twiAA The proem H 2:t'M Uranium in deep 4S44( 0 bedrock decays into radium, which gets into aquifer. • qfr&., - Radium-rich water pumped from deep

- ;: U Altering removes radium and Jt:M %...7 other minerals. 'A flean drinking water piped to hones. Fiombedrock U and businesses A to bean field Radium-enriched sludge from filters is U often combined withsowage sludge Northeastern Illinois has more naturally * attuning radioactive radium than most parts I A dumped in landfills or spread on arm fields. Regulators are wary of this at the country. New federal rules are forcing Part of the process. communilies to get it out of the drinking water, but many may find new problem on their hands: What to do with it Note: Drawing is schematic next. DAILY HERALD

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0j (j 0 0°°E t4 U Senior Services Asoclates case manager May tiranaDelTy uenj taxes flutes vinne uu.viii -Jrnu,.'c .. • .,-.. rtc,, i ) C - "1 jcLLL&J/ I Survey points to need for more

. : S € fliO r services in Kane County But normal day-to-day worries problem is different," says Grand- out a survey of senior needs. By Steve Lord berry, sitting on a couch next to While it may not be the perfect tend to be magnified when you're study, former St Charles Mayor STAFF WAflER "years old, you fire easily, you White in the older woman's apart- take oxygen and live on a fixed in- ment "It may or may not be some- Fred Norris, who serves as presi- GENEVA - The problems Solo- thing you've dealt with before." dent of the not-for-profit Senior Ser- ma White has to deal with might come. That's why people like White, a resident of the Senior liv- Because of the fluid nature of se- vices Associates. says it is one of sound all too familiar, niors' concerns, it sometimes is dif- the most comprehensive he has There's a troublesome credit ing Center in the YMCAbullding in Aurora, need help where others ficult to assess exactly what those seen in a long time,- card account she's got to worry concerns arc. That's why the Kane "I hope the study will be distrib- about: She's got to make sure might not. That's where May Grandberty, a County Health Department, in con- uted to our state legislators, so they there's enough cash for lunch. She junction with many of the organiza- also worries about being alone at case manager for Senior Services also will understand what seniors Associates comes in. tions that provide senior citizen pro- • Turn toSUhIOR,A2 night And she'd really like a bigger grams in the county, recently put apartment When you go out on a call, every Subscription rates •.Jtoine deliveiy $3.25 weekly; $2.25 • Friday-Sunday; $1.50 Sunday (plus drive, which speaks to independence, • interniittent holiday issues) can be depressing. jlai1subscrlptlon&$4weekly: SENIOR "It definitely is a quality-of-life Newsstaud prices 50 cents daily. From FageAr issue," Murphy says, adding that the • $1.50 Sunday. problem is particularly acute with the ce" Norris says. '1 find it very educa- World War II generation because they • Avertisirig tional" have been a self-sufficient, pull-your- Display advertising Norris and others involved with se- - self-up-byyour-bootstraps group. Robert Wall, manager Call (630) 844-5858 from 8a.m. to nior services are not just hoping the Some.prograins'existin the county p.m. weekdays. study will demonstrate the need for to provide a support system to seniors. classified advertising: continued state funding but also the Family Counseling Service in Aurora Call (630) 644-5811 from 8:30 am, to need for more local funding. They are runs Friends and Neighbors, and Tr- .5 p.m. weekdays. - pushing for a property-tax increase of City Family Services operates the • thMe advesthint 2.5 cents for each $100 of assessed Friendly Visitor program. Brent Albrecht, manager value, to be established by a county- But Murphy says "if were going to • Call (815) 439-4377 from 8:30 a.m. to wide referendum. get some of that at-risk group, we need • .5 p.m. weekdays Thetaxwou]d be an increase of less to expand." • Obituaiies than $20 a year on a $250,000 house Call (630) 844-5837 between 8a.m. but would raise about $2.5 million to Quality of life and 8p.m. weekdays or 4-8 p.m. put toward senior projects in the coun- Murphy has two suggestions. One weekends and holidays is a home visitation program that • Newsroom "Some people spend more than that would be formed and run by the coun- Jim King, managing editor in a year on fertilizer for their lawns," ty. The other is an actual senior advo- - Newsroom number (630) 844-5900 Norris says.' cate, again organized and run by the county. :ttws10011l fax: (630)844-1043 Alarming suicide rate Send "tail to staff members at Murphy's sister is a senior advo- • first iiiitial last name @ scnl .com Senior providers in the county al- cate inWallworth County, Wis. He •.([email protected] ready knew about the need for more said Kenosha County actually has two News question or complaint? Call Jim services. Bette Schoenholz, director of full-lime advocates, who operate simi- King (630) 844-5881 Senior Services, said programs go as larly to a public guardian. To suggest a story or photo: Call City far as the money goes. In Elgin, for in Again, these ideas take money. - Editor John Russell (630) 844-5902 stance, the Senior Servicesnin center One of the ironies of the survey is To submit a press rtleases Call commu- has activities almost every thy. that one of the most identified prob- nities editor Jolene Kremer or Dixie But the center here, which Aurora lems by seniors is high taxes. Endicott at (630) 844-5880 Township pays for and Senior Ser- "Please by to find ways to stop the • total news editors John Russell (630) vices runs, has activities only on constant increase in property taxes," 844-5902; Denise Crosby (630) 844- one senior wrote. "We are like most • 5870; Charlotte Gillette (630) 844- Wednesdays. Other than that, work- • 5893; Jolene Kremer (630) 844-5885 ers will assist the elderly with prob- seniors on a flxed income. It does not fl4j Donnell Collins (630) 844- lems or refer them to other agencies. grow as the inflation and taxes grow." 5917; Steve Rosenberg (630) 801- A daily lunch also is served through "1 received a call from a senior who • 5413 Salvation Army's Golden Diners pro- complained about there not being ser- Rerxnten Mike Cetera (630) 844- grain. vices," Schoenholz says. "She needed 5853; Jim Faber (630) 944-5889; Ed "The Aurora office is limited be- home-delivered meals and didn't real- • -Fansalow (630) 844-5957; Marie- Anne Hogarth (630) 844-5955; Steve cause there is limited money," ize there was a program available for • Lord (630) 844-5926: Mary Ellen SchoerTholz says. it. She also needed work done on her Moore (630) 844-5882; Dave Parts While the survey offered few sur- stairs, and there is a program for that, (630) 801-5495: Dan Watt (630) 844- prisesto those who provide services too. 5829; Man Hanley (630) 801-5414 for seniors, some were taken aback by "Her husband needed help with Business: Tom Johnson (630) 844- one particular issue. According to the computer training, and they were rais- .,5888 survey, about 7 percent of those who ing their grandchildren,and there are Copy/design desk Rick Nagel (630) responded said they have considered programs for that It will take this lady - 844-5840; P. Joseph Gillette (630) 844-5820; Bryan Noonan (630) 844- taking their own lives, with another 5 seven years of payingthese taxes just 5894; Jason Bauman (630) 801-5491 percent saying they actually had tried to equal what she will get for her stair to commit suicide. payment alone?" Web site Those numbers are very alarm- Fortunately, there are services iww.suburbanchicagoneWS.com ing," says Jerry Murphy, Mental available to help seniors. Often, it's a Health and Mental Retardation board matter of helping people access those president services. Soloma White can be as- (burban Chicago He said if that percentage held for sured of a good meal a day through }NCWSPaPCrS Kane County's entire senior popula- the lunch served by the Golden Din- tion, estimated at about 46,000 people, ers. Also, Grandben'y is making sure that means 3,266 seniors thought she Us out a form for help in paying The Beacon News about suicide and 2,300 have tried it her heating bills. USPS 037-800 Murphy pointed out many seniors "Many of us are living to an older Published doily for $169 per year by Fox Valley Publications Inc., 3101 U.S. so, have lost spouses and see friends and age, which is good news," says Kane Plainlield. IL 60544. Periodical postage paid contemporaries dying. Often, their County Public Health chairman At Plainfield, IL 60544. Postmaster: Send natural support system is gone, espe- Gerry Jones, D-Aurora. "The bad address changes to The Beacon News, 101 life is going S. River SI., Aurora, IL 60506, cially if there are no ftmily members news is, our quality of Vol. 151 / No.36 around. Al5o, losing the ability to 'down?' 'U Madm9an. Gorecki to return Attorney genera-I'S ruling pits judge vs. county çdchairrnafl1

BYADAMKOVAC Kane County Chronicle St CHARLES —Kane County State's Attorney Meg GoreCid can return to office after a foul- month suspensiOn of her law license she received for violating state ethics rules, Illinois AttorneyGene5aMS1 said Friday. InMadigan 15-page ruling, she indicated that Chief Circuit - Judge Philip L DiMarliO might oversee the selecdOn of a special state's attorney who would serve as Gorecldb replacement until June i, when she can return and finish her Lout-year term - - Gorecki Mathgans decision, however, wai disputed by Kane County Board Chairman Mike McCoy, who said he would pursue plans to solicit a new state's attorney through a meeting of the county board scheduled for Feb. 2, the day after Gorecld's suspension is to begin- Meanwhile, Gorecld, 36, continued her lence on the matter, as she generally has si nce s- the illinois Attorney Regisilation and IN ciplinary Commission prosecutedK County's first female state's attorney for implicating ,----,, ,t,t ,u.A nnt exist. Until Friday, the meaning of the suspension Gorecki received Nov. 20 by the Illinois Supreme Court was cloaked in ambiguitY because the court's rules do not address the impact of a suspension of less than six months on a disciplined attorney. See GORECIC. page 2

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County, impact fees Service Single-family, Convenience Charea house I. market Aurora $156 $1,661. Campton Hills $1,780 $5,226 Greater Elgin. $297 ... .. $3,326 Northwest $424 $946 Southwest . $965 $6,790 TriCities $1,249 . $11,145 th Upper Fox $356 ' $3,152 West Central $297 $1,571

effect that traffic in a given de- Fees velopment will have on county - Continued from page 1 Because the Th-Cities have McConnaughay, former more county roads, they have chairman of the Transporta- thehigherfees,Wyattsaid. tionCothmittee,said the num- "I entered this process bers should have been re- thinking it would be a fair and worked to prevent the clispar- equitable way of creating pub- ity that allows fees in the m- lic policy" Schiellce said. Cities to be as much as 10 The city councils of the lYi- timesmore than in tither parts Cities likely will authorize a of the county lawsuit against the county over "No one is expecting per- the issue. fed equity This kind of dispat- St. Charles Mayor Sue ity is significant," she said. Klinkhamer even called the Wyatt said there is no polit- plan "socialist." ical motivation to punish the Wyatt said DuPage Tr-Cities. County's ordinance has been The county board vote was unsuccessfully challenged by 18-7, effectively with members developers. from the Tr-Cities area voting Schielke said DuPaje's or- 'no? and members from the dinance never was challenged rest of the county voting "yes." . byamunicipality "My political motivation is 'M far as I am concerned, I have responsibility to main- there is going to be a show- tain the infrastructure in the down," Schielke said. entire, county and that in- Wyatt said that means the chides the rn-Cities," Wyatt taxpayers will bear the cost of said. the legal battle. 'I Kane's impact fee program "The developers will be sit- is'modeléd after the impact fee ring back and watching" Wyatt program adopted in DuPage said County. .. McConnaughay and Under Kane's program, the Schielke said they support the -county was divided into eight concept of countywide impact regions. Money collected-must fees. be spent in the region where it However, the program was collected. adopted by Kane is unfair, they The formula calculates the said.

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Bob Gerrard - Chronicle photo stall Deputy Cheryl Lyne1 right, watches Monday as Kane County Sheriff Ken Ramsey places a badge on the collar of her new partner Foox. Foox is a German shepherd from Hungary and is being trained in explosive devices, handler protection and tracking.

Oq Bill @krohtcie Page Here we go again When the Illinois Supreme Court Oh, man. We really did not need this. imposed a four-month suspension of Meg Three officials, each armed with their own Gorecki's law license, the justices created legal research supporting their point of more questions than they answered. view. The worst part is it appears that the Among the most pressing concerns argument does not seem to be about was determining whether the court's ruling anything other than who has the authority meant that Gorecki was out of ajob or just to =temporarytemp oraiy state's attorney. an leave from the office. On Friday Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued a In other words, this is a fight over turf. i5page ruling that seemed to put the The best interests of Kane County matter to rest, but that Was before Kane would be served if McCoy and Gorecki County Board Chairman Mike McCoy and Would back off and let Madigan's'ruling State's Attorney Gorecki had their say. Now stand unchallenged. Offhand, my guess is it seems we are in for yet another chapter that is not going to happen. Both parties of this story. believe their course is the right one, and MadigaWs ruling stated that Gorecki both say they can produce the docu- was barred only from practicing law, not mentation to holster their claim. stripped of her elected position. While Gor- Unfortunately for them, they may be the ecki will not be allowed to run the state's only ones in the entire county who care. attorney office from Feb. 1 through May 31 It is lime—no, itis way past time —for she may return on June 1 t finish her Kane County to move on. We have a term, which ends in November. As such, a decision issued by the best source in the - and this is a key word —vacancy does state, so please, in the interest of all of our not exist and there is no need to appoint a patience, let's just run with that permanent replacement to Gorecki. ** * Madigan also says that while Gorecki's All the hooting and laughter you heard license is suspended, a temporary, or care- coming from Batavia last Friday night was taker, state's attorney should be appointed. from the crowd at Dan Klinithamer's Madigan says the people who should make retirement party. The outgoing St. Charles that appointment are the judges of 16th Police Department commander was Judicial Circuit, under the guidance of honored by an overflow crowd of more Chief Circuit Judge Phil DiMarzio. than 300 well-wishers; a fitting tribute to When Madigan's opinion was released an old-school cop and his 29-year career. last week, there was for many a sense that 1** - finally we could move forward. Here at last This last item I couldn't resist... was a sensible, well-researchedall decision that would answer of those questions According to news reports, some of the that the Supreme Court had left hanging. highest paid teachers in Illinois are those More than that, it presented an easy Plan who teach driver's ed, with some and relieved the county board of any instructors making close to $100,000 a responsibility in the matter.' year. Not unexpectedly, being aced out of The article seemed to disapprove of the this decision did not sit well with McCoy, payout, but not me. I don't think there's who has stated that he and the county enough moneyin the state budget to put board, not the attorney general of the state, me in the front seat of a driver's ed car, and should have final say in this matter. McCoy I tip my hat to any man or woman brave still plans to declare Gorecki's office vacant enough to take the job. A$l0O;000 salary and nominate a replacement. isn't near enough to face death every day On Monday, Gorecki filed a lawsuit while screaming in utter fear. I get enough seeking to stop McCoy from following of that with this job already. through with his plan. At the same time, • Bill Page lives in St. Charles and however, she also challenges Madigan's writes about local issues on Tuesday and ruling and asserts that she should be the Thursday. Calls and e-mails answered at one to name her own replacement. (630)[email protected].

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BT HEATH H[XSON at the intersection were be- Kane County Chronicle cause of incidents involving turning vehicles. Four acci- St CHARLES - Nearly half dents were rear-enders, two ac- of all traffic accidents in 2003 in .cidents were because of the the city were at Randall Road angle of vehicles and one acci- and Route 64. dent involved a car side-swip- The police department on ing another. Monday released alist of the 10 The list also shows: locations where motorists • 19 accidents occurred on most likely were to be involved the 2100 block of West Main in an accident last year. Nearly Street. 47 percent of those accidents • 17 accidents occurred on were at Randall Road and the 600 block of South Randall Route 64. Road. Also at the top of the list is • 17 accidents occurred at the 2100 block of West Main the intersection of Dunham Street, the 600 block of South Road and East Main Street. Randall Road and the intersec- • 16 accidents occurred on tion of Dunham Road and East the 300 block of North Randall. Main Street. Road. Information from the list The list also names the 2000 will be used to 'determine traf- block of West Main Street, the, fic enforcement needs and to 2500 block of East Main Street, identify locations that may the 3800 block of East Main need to be examined for road Street, the intersection of configuration changes," a de- Randall Road and Route 38 and partment statement said. the 1600 block of East Main • The list shows 22 accidents Street. occurred last year at Randall At least 155 traffic acci- Road and Route 64, Four of dents occurred at the 10 loca- those crashes resulted in in- tions last year. The accidents juries. resulted in 30 injuries. At least At least 15 of those crashes three pedestrians were hit.

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gla ooS Zflo i-pcUW0V Thbfl Kane WOrKS to improve safety on Randall Road tie Venegas and Emily Zepeda, Precautions ready, Joos' tennis teammates, asked the County Board's Transporta- for site of crash tion committeey to do whatever necessar to prevent another that killed teen accident. The committee authorized a study on constructing a perma-. ly William Presecky nent barrier along Randall to 1bune staff reporter separate northbound and south- 'bound 'traffic. It also Scorn- Kane County officials took mended increasing enforce- )rellmlnary step last week to ment of the 55 m.p.h. speed lim- Lmprove safety on a stretch of it; adding more warning and ad- andafl Road near St. Charles visory signs; and placing addi- whée a high school senior died tional reflective markers along Nov. 4 after her car collided the. road's center median and head-on with a truck. edge lines. As a first step, officials said Committee member John they would . increase enforce- Hoscheit (It-St.charles). said ment of the 55 m.p.h. speed limit there's also agreement that a on the accident-prone stretch. A combination of bad weath- - traffic barrier would reduce the risk of crossover accidents. er, worn tires, rolling topogra- According to engineers with phy and S-curve of the road were the county's Division of Trans- cited as contributors to the portation, who recommend con- deadly crash. Area residents, school offi-, struction of a.barrier, there are cials and students have few other locations in Kane that more speed-limit en- have the combination of potentially dangerous factors. forcement, improved signagE According to engineer Steve and structural changes on the approximately . 3,000-foot-long Pasiuski, the Randall Road 5- 1 curve has recorded 26 accidents' high-speed segment of Randal in the past three years, com- since Samantha ,toos, 17, wa pared with about three acci- killed on the rain-slicked road. i dents, on average, in other busy The fatal accident occurred i e sections of Randall of similar an unincorporated area of Kans length. about 2 miles from St. Charle According to pasinski, recent North High School, where Jooi- traffic observations indicated was headed when she lost coti- that 75 percent of the 40,000 vehi- Itol of her,car on a curved dow!of a day that drive the S-curve grade. Jan Stark, president a- exceed Its 55 m.p.h. speed limit. the high school's PTO, and K

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Fl, I4VW'm;<_._ —Gm her job • .0 0-CD Ct) : h Prosecutor fights ' --n ']EZ 9fl9 replacement plan w tzj o., e fl By William Presecky Tribune staff reporter 8; I;V 01.mEt I _D E2' Kane County State's Atty. J 28 t-.'g Meg Gorecki filed suit Mon- day against County Board Ii on members and board Chair- man Mike McCoy to keep. P gpd :4 them from ousting her when her law, license is suspended for four months beginning ..+ rt< (0 am Sunday. Gorecki's suit is scheduled a a . to come before Kane County I scan Circuit Judge Michael Colwell 1p' on Wednesday. Her attorneys -FL, 1° will argue for an Injunction to 1' FAC block the board, from taking any action regarding the offic- VV i ufl,ra!ri flUnfl e's leadership while the law- ' suit is pending.' 2 "She is 'doing everything In E. her' power to keep her job," said McCoy, adding that he was not surprised by the law-. suit. iliPtit According to Gore cki'scom- ,fl(D'1fl..< plaint, "Any action . - to declare a vacancy in the office -. .based on the suspension of 4 tiUt •uBU Pd [her] law license would violate o both her federal and state con- t So stitutibnal rights to due process." Gorecki also alleges in the mowg Z lawsuit that she '!retains the rr EP prerogative to appoint an act- 0 a2 ing state's attorney during the - period of [her] suspension E,p' from the practice of law." The implication, although not _•p•4__'_ --.--- hose stated, is that she would . return to office and finish her term after the suspension. In November, the Illinois Su- .tlsh preme Court ordered that her 7 license be suspended for four months for professional mis- mô- conduct and later decided the NA, suspension should begin Feb. ized :i. PLEASE SEE GORECKI, PAGE 4 3rp( iBeaco new Kane might give portion of Randall to North Aurora the area and maintain the road for By Steve Lord two years after the agreement is STAFF WRITER approved. GENEVA - The Kane County • The county will continue to in- Board Transportation Committee spect and maintain the bridge over is recommending turning part of Interstate 88, until such time as Randall Road over to North Aurora. the entire bridge deck is replaced. The committee voted to cede That replacement is not scheduled part of the county highway be- until 2016, but could occur sooner tween Orchard Road and Inter- if there are problems with the state 88 to the village, which will bridge. allow North Aurora to grant itself • North Aurora will not put an ac- access to Randall for a planned cess point closer than 500 feet strip mall anchored by a Wal- from Orchard Road. green's drug store at Randall and The agreement also spells out a Oak Street. number of access points. From the county's standpoint, North Aurora was particularly the change in jurisdiction is no interested in an access point onto problem, because the regional as- Randall for the proposed Wal- pect of Randall ceases at the Or- green's at Oak and Randall, a pro- chard intersection. ject the village board has been North Aurora and the county pushing since summer. had talked previously about the The site would not have met switch in jurisdiction, but county of- county standards for access, be- ficials had rejected it. Transporta- cause there is not enough distance tion Committee members said they between a church parking lot dri- thought North Aurora wanted too veway and Oak Street. But with much to make the switch. North Aurora controlling that part But during the past month, offi- of the roadway, the county stan- cials from both governmental bod- dard will not apply. ies have been talking, and they County committee members came up with an agreement. unanimously passed the agree- Some of the key points include: ment with little discussion. • Kane County will pay North Au- Village Board members were rora $300,000 up front. expected to pass the agreement at • The county will agree to mow Monday night's meeting.

- —4 ------Dirty.trick •. - • 1 .Gorecki stepping On State's Attorney • down,I think this jsathTth The lady that was harassing her should be the one who gets the punishment not State's Attor- ney Gorecki. Shirley Brown, Aurora - -

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caretaker," said Coghlan. against Gorecki Gorecld's deputy chief. As part of her lawsuit, Continued from page 1 Gorecki included a memoran- duni dated May 20, 2003, six On Friday Madigan, in a months before she was disci- 15-page nonbinding opinion, plined, that states in part, that said Gorecki could return June one of her top lieutenants McCoy would serve in her place if her after she completes the sus- I- a 9- Cpj)hmaL ii pension, which snips her law license were suspended- power to practice law and, "I hereby designate the State's attorney says she, thus, oversee operation of the First Assistant Statds Attorney state's attorney's office- to serve as acting State's Attor- not court, should choose Madigan added that neyoflcane County illinois. In Gorecki's assistants would lose the event that the First Assis- her temporary replacement the authority they derive from tant State's Attorney is unable her to prosecute cases and to attend to the duties of acting called on the 16th Judicial StatstatesAttorney, I hereby desig- By ADAM KOVAC Circuit Court to select a special nate the Chief of the Civil and TOM 5CR WETER state's attorney as a surrogate- Division," the document states- Kane County Chronicle Despite Madigan's opinion McCoy previously has sig- that allows Gorecki to finish her naled that Gorecld's as- GENEVA - Kane County State's Attorney Meg four-year term that ends Nov sistants, Robert Sandner and Gorecki on Monday filed a lawsuit to block the 30, McCoy called a special Katherine Moran, could be county's attempt to replace herwhile herlawlicense county board meeting for Feb. 2 tapped for Gorecld's job. to replace her before the courts Sandner is assigned to the open for business that day. county board and Moran is But Gorecki maintains in chief of Go recld civil division, her lawsuit that her sanction McCoy said legal research does not disqualify her from on behalf of the county by holding the office and aims to Aurora attorney Pat Morallyy prevent the board from acting indicates that cases from at the special meeting- Gorecld's office during her siis- absence from her office beginning Gorecid also maintains that pension might be more vul- Sunday after the Illinois Supreme state law only allows the circuit nerable to appeal if the board Court suspended her law license court, under the direction at does not appoint a replace- for an ethical miscue that occurred Chief Judge Philip L. DiMarzio. ment before she took office in 2000. to select her temporary re - On Monday, Gorecki main- It's the first time that a sitting Gorecki placement if she is suspender tainedhersilence on the matter states attorney in Illinois has been for morn than one year. as she has since the Illinois relieved from dutyand, as such, Madigan spokeswomani Attorney Registration and has created a legal quagmire Jj55 Merz said Monday that Disciplinary Cominission pros- exactly who decides the tempo- she had not seen Gorecki's law- ecuted her for implicating rary administration of Gorecki's suit and declined to comment McCoy in a job-for-bribes office. Instead, Men restated Madi scheme that did not ejdst, In the lawsuit, Gorecki con- ? gads opinion that allow5 The state Supreme Court tends that the Kane County Board DiManlo to appoint an acting on Nov 20 suspended Gorecki and Chairman Mike McCoy do not state's attorney. for violating the Illinois Rules have the authority to declare her DiMarzio also declined to of Professional Conduct by office vacant and select a replace- comment on the lawsuit Init suggesting in 1998 that a ment at a special meeting. McCoy 0n county job could be bought Gorecki also maintains that said he would take action the matter if necessary with a contribution to McCoy's the circuit court cannot appoint a special prosecutor .d campaign fund. to act in her absence, as Madigan suggested, and Kane County judges coul a remove themselves from Go r- The sanction touched off seeks to tai an attorney of her own choosingto scrve ecld's case or deny it outright - legal debate that remains on her behalf, accordingto the lawsuit- By naming her own substi- clouded in uncertainty be- 'The statute has no application here according le cause the cour?s rules do not to the lawsuit filed on Gorecki's behalf by Geneva at- tute. Gorecki would ensure tI progression of fund-raising tf- address the impact of a sirs- torney Larry Wechter. the circuitan court d pension of less than six does not possess the authority to name acting forts that she has championl on behalf of several public months on a disciplined attor- states attorney' - nt ney. • McCoy, however, said other legal research indi- safety programs, Assista "The state constitution Kane County StatState'sAttorney cates that Gorecki's office will be vacant during her never anticipated this situa- suspension, a situation that requires him to nomi- Michael CoEXilan said. 'Legally. she remainsthe tion," McCoy said, 'Unless Meg nate a replacement for approval by the 26-member is- resigns, it will be a war of countyboard. - state's attorney during the si pension, and the into im lawyers. as it has been for (state's attorney)' is simply a years" See GORECKI, page 2 I KANE'S NINTH K-9

- DONNELL cOLLINS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Kane County Sheriff Ken Ramsey places a police badge on the collar of Foox, a police dog partnered with the unit's first female dog handler, Deputy Cheryl Lyne. German shepherd Foox joins county's first female dog handler

become self-sustaining. The Siers Feed - though the expense was paid by By Daniel Duggan store in Elgin donates all of the footh itemal Order of Police as a donation STAFF WRITER Foox will be paired with Deputy Cheryl GENEVA - Kane County Sheriff Ken Lyne, who is the department's first female Training takes nine weeks for the dog, Ramsey showcased the latest addition to his dog handler. The animal is specially trained then an additional three weeks with the offi- office's K-9 unit Monday. in detecting explosives. Others are trained cer and the dog together. Most of the train- Besides introducing Foox - the new in finding human remains. ingis done by playing with the animals. And German shepherd on the force - to local The sheriff's department places over the course of the training, the dogs do- • media, Ramsey staged an event with all hwnan/dog partners at posts in the Kane vclop a close bond with their partners. eight of the department's dogs in one room. County jail, on its SWAT team and on spe- "That dog will lay down its life for you The dogs, however, weren't as friendly to cial investigations. under my circumstances," Baloun said. their new member as their human counter- Lyne has been trying to get onto the K-9 The dogs aren't as generous, however, parts were. unit for nearly eight years. when it comes to people hiding in ware- • "They don't like each other much," said 'Tor me, this has always been 'the team' houses or back yards. Deputy Eric Fisher amidst the piercing to be on,' she said. "It's great. I love animals "It's called hold andbark" said Sgt.Scott • sound of the dogs barking at each other. and I've wanted to do this for a long time." Flowers. "The dog will sit in front of you and 'They all want to be the big dog in the Ramsey pointed out Foox also will be the bark, and if you don't move you're fine - • room." last dog the department will have to acquire but if you move, it will engage you." With the addition of Foox and another after it has been trained. Deputy Bob The officers spcnd their entire working German shepherd, Jake, now in training, Baloun has finished his education in a pro- days with the dogs, then take them home at the Kane County K-9 unit will have nine gram to train the animals at the Sheriffs De- night dogs. Ramsey said the force is among the partment's own facilities. Fisher, who works with a dog named largest in the state. "This makes it an inexpensive way to ldar,joked that he spends more time with The dogs can act as partners to the have two officers out there," he said- "Be- the dog than with his family- deputies, cuffing down on staff costs, Ram- cause it's hard to get funding for more "Between working an eight-hour day, sey said. And with most of the food and vet- deputies." then spending time playing at home," he erinary services donated, the program has The cost of Foo; Ramsey said, is nearly said, "it works out to a lot of time." -

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North Aurora mayor Michael A. Covelli, Sr. 1923 - 2004

Michael A. Covelli, Sr., 81, of I pushes for utility tax Aurora, IL passed away Fr January 23, 2004 at his home. He ,7-?Yi ø&iWn • g -a over the next decade. born ,January 23, 1923 in Aurora, II ;1By David Garbe naO5 son of Henry D. and Ruby had first proposed the utility tax in sa Covelli. He grad' STAFF WRITER May of last year, and former village admin- from West Aurora NORTH AURORA - Village President istrator Rob Nelis later called the tax "in- i School. He married Mark Ruby told trustees at Monday's vil- evitable." eme Fetzer on Apr lage board meeting that creating a 3 to 5 The utility tax proposal, which would tax 1945. Mike served i percent utility tax to fund road repairs• residents' electric, gas and telephone bills, Armed Services as has been briefly discussed by trustees sev- / f toon Sergeant in should be a top priority. War II in the Pacific • "I strongly believe, even though its not eral times since then. Trustees have never rejected the idea of the tax, but have been atre. He owned I'. popular to bring up the idea, that (a utility Place in North Aurora for 40 years C tax) is something we need to do," Ruby hesitant to take action. He was a member of Blessed :sthd. "1 am proposing this as a responsible As Ruby put the matter back on the table menichurch in North Aurora since .1 way of improving our community.!' Monday, he told trustees that with spring and a member of the North Aurora He said the village had made strong im- budget season approaching, "if we were to Club for 30 years. He was also am. provements to the village's water, sewer consider this, the time is now." of the VFW in Montgomery and Ii V. member of the Italian American Cl • and sidewalk infrastructure in the last few Trustees did not comment on the utility V years. But, in the area of road mainte- tax issue Monday night, and the matter will Mike was a loving husband and be under discussion at next Monday's voted father and grandfather. He nance, he said, "I don't believe we are avid fisherman at his cottage in keeping up." Committee of the Whole meeting. City, WI, golfer and card player. H -In making his case, Ruby cited "con- If and when trustees decide to enact a known for spinning stories related stant" complaints from residents and noted utility tax, the village would be legally enti- many life experiences. that North Aurora is the only town in the tled to begin collecting it within 90 days. He leaves to cherish his memory area without a utility tax. He said West Unlike the .5 percent sales tax increase, erne, his beloved wife of 58 years; Dundee is the closest town without one, which had to be ratified by village resi- six children, Dr. Henry (Rhonda) I Ruby also said it would be more eco- dents in a referendum last April, the proof Post Falls, Idaho, Judy (Geoff) h posed utility tax could be enacted solely by Henryville, PA, Kathryn (the late nomical to pay for regular road mainte- Stratton of Marietta, GA, Cheri ñance rather than to allow roads to deterio- decision of the Village Board. The .5 percent sales tax was North Au- Thurow of North Aurora, Michae rate and then have to make large single Covelli Jr. of North Aurora and payments to replace them. rora's most recent tax rate increase, and (Dave) Covelli-Clausen of Aurora was intended to boost the village's general i., But, given the number of already deteri- also 'survived by his sisters, M ,. orated roads, the village does not have operating budget Jenny Pendergast of Rockford, .enough money to perform proper mainte- Ruby said the sales tax has provided few Mafalda Mahoney of North Aurora ,.nance on all of them. funds so far, as it excludes food and auto- grandchildren; and a great grand That point emerged very clearly this mobile sales. It will likely continue to have ter. He was preceded in death by In little effect until the village attracts more or, Henry, mother, Teresa; broth -, summer, after village staff assembled long- sisters, Mildred Bonie and Margar' range budget projections showing the vii- retail business development Covelli. He will also be missed b' a .lage will forever be scrambling to catch up A utility tax, he said, will provide imme- friends and neighbors. with its backlog of necessary road repairs diate funds, which he proposed would be Funeral services will be Tuesda - unless a new source of revenue is found. used solely for road projects. uary 27, 2004 at 1:30 PM from The That report also projected that a 3 to 5 den Mortuary to Blessed Sac percent utility tax would provide enough Contact staff writer David Garbe at Church at 2 PM. Entombment at (630) 844-5903 or [email protected] vet Cemetery. revenue to fund all needed road repairs Visitation will be Monday, Jane 2nflA fr.,rn fl •,.,a nRA ,.a.L..

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go aroCüd," Can- said. 'When you put programs together, no matter how HOMELESS you make the guidelines, there's From page Al ' always someone on the outside:' and medical care they have coming They've earned it to them. He said it is a long-standing Can- said in addition to homeless problem for which there is no easy veterans, there are more who "are solution. hanging by their fingernails." "We have a largely mobile "For those on the verge of society," Can- said. "When people becoming homeless, we have a go from one place to another, financial assistance program," he certain benefits may not be said. 'We try to get to them before available. When veterans leave the they are evicted." military, some don't have a place to Sanchez said this should be a come back to." time particularly attune to the He pointed out that military pay is problems of veterans, with a war not hefty - there are plenty of going on and more coming home. military families who qualify for Board member Jack Cook, R-Elgin, food stamps, he said. Also, many himself a veteran, said the public is veterans suffer from mental illness "apathetic" in dealing with the or substance abuse, a key veteran population. contributor to homelessness in Carr said sometimes veterans are general, he said. their "own worst enemy'! by not - He said "a very large block of organizing, and not thinking ahead. veterans are moving through the "Clients come in when they need system" at one time. They run the hnmediate help, and didn't think gamut, from World War U veterans about something ahead of lime," he who average 80 years old, to said. Vietnam vets who avenge 54 years "We in society tend not to think old. Korean War veterans are in about things until it affects us. between. He said there are about 15 There are those,who argue that million veterans in the country who veterans are a special interest saw some type of combat group. Well, that's true, the y are. "Unfortunately, as we all know, But the difference is, they've earned , there are only so much resources to the benefits." = Judge: Assistant will run office during absence Gorecki 's 4-month suspension starts Sunday

By ADAM KOVAC This court has the author- and TOM SCHLUETER ity to appoint a special state's Kane County Chronicle attorney when the state's attorney is temporarily disqualified ST. CHARLES - One of in order to- prevent a failure of Kane County State's Attorney justice," DiMarzio wrote. Me Gorecki's senior assistants Tuesday's action is the lat- will oversee her office while she est in a flurry serves a four-month suspen- of legal activ- sion, a judge prdered Thesday. ity on Got- Katherine Moran, 51, the - ecki's suspen- • chief of Gorecki'scivil division, sion that has will begin a temporary stint as • spiked as the the county's top law enforce- deadline ap- ment officer on Sunday, the day - proaches for Gorecki must take a leave of her to vacate absence. - her pot. Moran was appointed by. Gorecki On Mon- Chief Judge Philip L. DiMarzio S - day, Gorecki, to serve until June 1, when 36, sued the Kane 'County Gorecki can return after serv- Board and Chairman Mike ing a sanction the received for McCoy to block a special meet- ethicsviolations that occurred ing set for Feb. 2 to declare her in 1998, before she took office. office vacant and vote on her DiMarzio's order comes as permanent replacement. Gorecki and county leaders Gorecki's lawsuit also ques- wrangle over the unprece- tions the opinion that Madigan dented suspension of her law issued Friday and instead seeks license that sparked a debate to tap one of her top lieu- on exactly who decides the ad- tenants to serve in her absence. ministration of the state's attor- A hearing on the lawsuit is ney's office. scheduled for today.-- In his two-page order, McCoy said he supports DiMarzio weighed -a nonbind- Moran's appointment but still ing opinion by Illinois Attorney plans to call the special meet- General Lisa Madigan that ing unless a judge rules other- called on Kane County judges wise. to select a special state's attorney until Gorecki returns. - See GORECKI, page 2

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fortherecord Gorecki assertion disputed GORECKI- In his ruling, DiMarzio also rule The Beacon News tries to be accu- out Gorecki's assertion that she ha rate and fair in every story it pub- From Page Al • - lishes. V/lien a mistake occuts the authority to appoint her owi 3 we successor. He cited a state law tha want to fir it To report errors, Does not settle dispute call the managing editor at the court where the state's attorne) 844-5881. But Kane County Board Chairman is practicing makes the appointment Mike McCoy has held that his legal - He said she cites only "past office adviser —Aurora-based attorney memoranda" in her argument that Patrick Kinnally - interprets the law she should have the appointment power. as settingy up a scenario where the count board can declare a vacancy in His ruling is in contrast to a claim recentdeathg the office in Goreckj's absence. Gorecki makes in her lawsuit against the County Board that it is her Obituaries / Page As A "vacancy" is a different situation than that laid out in DiMarzjo's order, "prerogative" to appoint an acting Bickle, Cad J. Sr., 73, Sandwich McCoy said. Gorecki could return to state's attorney during her Ewin& Kevin, 48, Ottawa her job under DiMarzio's order, but if suspension; She cites a section of Gebhardt, Claire Lonergan, 76, a vacancy is declared and the County state law regarding the authority of • Fairhope, Ala. Board fills that vacancy, Gorecki county governments in making the •Gumi, Feni 81, Aurora would not be able to return. argument Hernandez, Longino, 55, Aurora Gorecki is seeking a court order to Gorecki also notes previous ,Jacobson, Delbert G., 82, Batavia stop a special Kane County Board occasions when she transferred Neff, Cathejine V., 94, Oswego meeting McCoy has called for authority to her assistants. Included Paver; Jacqueline M., Aurora Monday, saying the process does not in the lawsuit are copies of office •Sellen, James J., 77, Oswego follow the law and disputing that the memorandums distributed to Stein, Glen Edward, 78, Aurora office is "vacant" prosecutors in 2001 and 2002 when :Wltte, Mellody A., 52, Aurora A heating on her suit is set for 9:30 she traveled to out-of-town ant today. conferences. Tuesday, McCoy said he supports. In several cases, she named the appointment of Moran - who is Assistant State's Attorney Sal among the people he had been LoPiccolo as her replacement The Beacon News considering for the appointment - Gorecki addressed what she and also supports DiMarzio's move to wanted done in the case of her Aliollinger step into the situation. He also said suspension in a memo dated May 20, International publication that DiMarzio's order 'could be 2003. Her authority should be 'Office challenged," although McCoy added transferred either to the first 101 S. River St., Aurora, IL 60508 he will not be the one to challenge it assistant state's attorney or the chief Lobby houn 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. McCoy also said Monday's special of the civil division, she wrote. • Monday-Friday. Closed holidays. meeting will move forward, and he will Two days after that memo, Illinois Newspaper derwenj leave it to the County Board either Supreme Court justices delayed a Joe Weber, circulation manager to declare the postvacant or to declare ruling on a possible suspension, that there is no vacancy. Castomer senice phones which they ultimately handed down (830) 844-5800 or (800) 244-5844 "If the board votes that there's no in November and affirmed earlier Customer service e-mail vacancy, that would bring some this month. customerservice@5cn1 .com. finality to it," McCoy said, "but I know Gorecki could not be contacted for Customer seMce horns there are board members who believe a comment Tuesday, nor could the .5:30 am.- 6p.m.. weekdays there isavacancy: private attorneys representing her. '7-I1 am. weekends 5:30-10 am, holidays linnin da p h_ --

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• 1111 Lack insurance: Cutbacks at Stroger • Hospital likely to strain local facilities •tR-.pq By Steve Lord ?d'eacorj STAFF WRITER Y\ecpJ5' • GENEVA - Hospitals in Kane County are hying to figure out how to pick up what might be an upcoming greater demand for thLajor services normally taken care • of by Cook County Hospital. • Maw Lou England, Kane County Health Department director, told the County Board Public Health Committee Tuesday it appears the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County no longer is accepting .referrals from outside Cook County. "This could be devastating," • England said. We're going to have to Jigur6 out how to pick up the load on our own." Turn to HOSPITALS, 42 C) cz flq ( ThtsE Ct - sas cu w a oj co

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Gorecki stãiid-in, selected. by judge. Top aide to fill in. during suspension for miscOnduct By William Presecky ahjcaSo Tribune siaff reponer - With Kane County State's Ally. Meg Gorecki about to be suspended from practicing law for four months, the couw ty's chief judgä Tuesday appointed one of Gorecki's top assistants to be special states attorney during that time. El' Judge Philip L. DiMarzio said Assistant State's Atty. M - Katherine Moran of Geneva would be sworn in Sunday "to handle all matters pertaining to the office commencing Feb. land ending June Moran, 51, has been chief of the office's civil division since she was hired by Gorecki in County Board from taking any January Will. She was in pri- GORECKI•- action is sot for Wednesday In vate practice for more than 14. - eneva, years],efore that. G Mccoy, who Is also n defend- Citing "the public Interest" IIeaiA rmg.. L)et ant In the lawsuit, said he wel- and the 'unique clrcwnstanc-. . corned DIMarzIo's action, es' surrounding Gorecki's "We want tomakesuretheslt pending suspension, DiMar- on Itt nation is stable as of Monday. zio said he made the appoint- Thisisa step inthatdlrectionzt ment because Gorecki bad not Inii'J ifl doesn't cover everything, but asked for a special state's at- kCI) job' b it's a good thing the chief judge torney to fill in. He also said he CONTINUED FROM Psa I appointed someone. I certainly knew Gorecki claimed In a won't dispute It and don't think factored Into his decision, Dl- the board would," McCoy said. is authority to appoints spe' Marzio said, DIManjo's order is silent on at state's attorney" "1 believe that Kane should what happens after June land. "I believe the court has an have one of its own residents said It would not be appropriate iligation to ensure that the serving in this capacity- he for him to speculate about lt lice of state's attorney is oc- mid. ' - "J think I'm safe insayingthis ipied and that there is no Moran specializes In civil lid, is an unprecedented situation," pse or gap. It is Inthe public gation, real estate transactions, he said. Lterest that there be a duly employment law, administra- The appointment of a special ithorizedperson [laplace] at tive hearings and the represen . state's attorney is the latest 1 times;" DiMattlo said. tation of elected officials and twist in neatly four years of le- In his order, the judge said a governmental units., gal maneuvers stemming from gal opinion Issued Friday by In an official statement 'rues- the professional misconduct linois Ally. Con. Lisa Mad!' day, Moran said It Is her goal "to that Gorecki admitted occurred in "oersuaslvelv asserts" maintain the current programs more than a year before she ran and policies" Instituted by Go' for state's attorney reeki. "All attorneys will re- The state Supreme Court or- "when the state's attorney Is math In the courtrooms with dered her four-month suspen. temporarily' disqualified in fell case lalids," she said. slon for having undermined order to prevent a failure of DiMarzlo declined to corn- confidence in the integrity of justice." ment on what, lfany,bearinghis government when she falsely Outside of court, DiMarzio order might have on Gorecki's suggested to a friend that described Moran as "a lawyer lawsuit in which she is challeng. McCoy could be bribed Into pro' with an excellent reputation lag the County Board's author. viding a county job. throughout the county. Every- ity to declare her office vacant In taped messages left on a - one with whom I spoke had and board Chairman Mike friend's answering machine, praise for her work and her McCoy's authority to fill the Gorecki is heard giving the out. professionalism. I believe she Post for the balance ofher term, line of a fabricated scheme Is well-qualifled." An Initial court hearing on about how tnmackthnkirfrhnrfr I Although not a legal to, tiorecici's motion for a prolimi- to look like a campaign contri' quireinent, the fact that Me, nary injunction to block the butlon, ran is a Kane resident—Go- recld's two other top assistants jive outside of Kane-

PI.EASE SEE GonEau, PAGE 7 Count Chronicle -v discusses senior tax. By TOM SCHLUETER Kane caunyGironicle GENEVA— If Kane County voters decide on a senior citizen referendum on the November ballot, they likely will see two questions. The Public Health Committee on Thesdayronsideted details ofthexefer- endum and how the services would be administered If the referendum Is successful If the county bored puts the question on the ballot, voters would two questions. One question would ask voters to approve a quarter-cent in- cease to provide services for seniors the second would ask voter approval to exceed the tax cap. Assistant State's Attorney Eobcrt Sandner said that by asking two questions, the county would avoid the legal baffle that has embroiled the Batavia school distdct which in April 2003 sought voter approval for 60-cant rate inczeasewithoutasking approval o exceed the tax cap. The case remairsin hhigatioa 'Urdess there is some enlighten- ment (from the appellate court), the safest way to do it is to have a double- handed mfciendum$ Sandnersaith Butquesiionsxemalnastowhether the issueevenwoulclappearon the ballot Some board members publicly have stated that theywould not support a tax incense because seniors already bce rising property taxes. Others am willing to let voters decide. Jackie fledup, R-Elgin, said she has received many phone calls from con- slili,ents on the issue. 'Most of them have said lust put it onthebailot and let usdectde ikedUp said. A quarter-cent tax would cost the owner ofa $250,000 hornean additional 4 $2oayear. If voters approve the-question, the j health department would administer the estimated $2.4 million that the tax would generate. Them has tobe work at the county level to decide how the money would distributed, said Gerald JonesD- Aurora, committee chairman. According to asurvey of seniors the hiest problem they face is help with prescription dnigcostslansportation isanothermajorconcem. Neither problem would be resolved with referendumapprowd,lonessaid. 'twn if we levied $1, there still wouklth be enough money to address all the needs,' Jones said. Befteilchoenhollz mccrarve dimc- tor of Senior Scrvtces Associates, said the money collected from the =could be used to leverage grants from state and federal healthagendes The agencies ate more indinedto offer grants when local money also is being used, she said. flty look very positive on that" Schoenholtz said.

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I Fence Post vaz1c1 tv Gorecki, do right n 1IIL, ti thing and resign I find it extremely ironic that Meg Gorecki would claim her tilo.E absence from the state's attor- CD&gCr ney's office would be disruptive C) E to its proceedings, while in fact, -. it is her very presence that has been an incredible distraction for the past 31/2 years. M, Gorecki has made amockery of the very system she has been cO sworn to Uphold. She has made every end run possible to escape the consequences for p3'< r+ her actions. Actions that are not in dispute and actions that vioL lated the rules she and her C-) profession are bound by jfldd eD • Are we expected to believe it ns has been business as normal at the state's attorney's office while CD. rtZC11 this atrocity continues? What about the cost? Has on anyone thought about the dollars ithis has cost the taxpayers? I 0 0 Rd ON Consider the hours, days, weeks and selfish politician. and months that have occupied Why no one in authority n,rt• the time and resources of the has called for Gorecki to leave Q,OCDoot various courts, review boards, office and let the county get on disciplinary committees, state with its work is a total mystery licensing authority county to me. Had this scenario played Cr board, etc., etc., etc.. out in the private sector, the C, My estimate of the cost is in offender would have had two CDO C Ulf the tens of thousands of dollars, choices, resign or be fired. and for what? Should we expect any less E CD I The state's attorney should from our elected officials? be the example ofintegrity and Let me be so bold as to ask honesty and have character Meg Gorecki for once in this above reproach. This is not the whole ordeal to do the right case with Gorecki, and she, for thing and ... resign! some reason, thinks her own Dick Graff agenda is more important than St. Charles the reputation of her office and of Kane County. Her actions r" have reflected poorly on all of T us. Gorecki has dominated the front page of the newspapers for more than three years and for all the wrong reasons, not as the county's top prosecutor, but as the county's top arrogant Aurora officials ...--OK planto. control

By E1C SCHELKOPF The access would serve the Kane County Chronicle 17.5-acre Randall Commons shopping center being pro- NORTH AURORA A posed for the northwest comer stretch 61 RAndall Road soon of Randall Road and Oak Street ..could bein the village's hands. Walgreens would be the first - Village trustees this week tenant in the centet / approved ,a proposed agree: But some trustees had con- menttoimnsfer control of a 1.6 cerns about the agreethent - mile stretch of Randall Road be- Trustee Mike Herlihy saidhe tween Interstate 88 and Orchard did not like that the county • Road to the village from the would dictate where Other curb v county. cuts can be placed. Also, the The Kane County Board agreement states that no curb TtanspOrtation Committee ap- cuts would be allowed within 'pmvedthe agreementlastweek. 500 feet of Orchard Road. The frill county board will vote Village President Mark Ruby in February on the agreement. disagreed. As part of the agreement 'l think itisgoodplantijngas the county.wouid pay North far as a lineup of curb cuts along Aurora $300,000 and continue Randall Road," Ruby said. • to plow snow and mow grass He warned that changing until 2006. A previOus agree- the agreement could jeopardize ment that county officials re- the proposed shopping center. jected had the county continu- • Trustee Dale Berman said ing those operations until 2008 the board should accept the The county also would re- agreement place 'the bridge deck Over • "I think we have gotten the Interstate ati in approximately best we are going to get from the .2016. county" Berman said. But the county would not • Inreply,ThisteeMaxHerwig • have to pay $190,000 to repair a said, "I don't disagree, but we r 4the mad, which also was have to understand what our part of the rejected agreement limitations are." - The county would allow 5ev- Ruby said the village still èral curb cats as part of the new wouldhave some fledbilitywith agreethent including a right-in, curb cuts. right-out access on the west side 'It doesnt mean reasonable of Randall Road. about 1,000 feet adjustments cant be made," south of GomiskeyAvenue. RubysaicL

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Wry's RMzlafl - dWOSdè photo staff as one of the areas likely to be affected by development in the west- Kane County's 2630 plan has identified the Burlington em part of the county. i _,q_QC/ ( County d1ock of the KaneCóuntyGUfl1tht Center from 4 To learn more, share opinions to 7 p.m. today to take public input on the de- • A public meeting/open house is 4p.m. today in Roadways to get busier paitnent's 2030W nsçiortation plait the auditorium of Building A, Kane County Government In addition, KnOT will conduct public fo- Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva. rums in each of the county's eit planning - partnership areas in January and February Public hearings on Kane Countls update of its By 1DM SCHLtJBTEI Visitors to the public forums will see maps Kane County Chronicle. of projected congestioit in 2030, when Kane's transportaon plan: populationwill approach 700,000. • Friday, Jan. 30, 10a.m., Upper Fox PEA, Randall One of the maps showsprojected conges- Oaks Golf Club, Dundee tion if no federal, state, county or local Improve- • Tuesday, Feb. 3, 10a.m., Aurora Area EPA, North ments are made. Two-thirds of all roads in the Aurora Public Library county are lined hired, meaning they will st • Monday, Feb. 9, 10a.m. TriCities PEA, Batavia Public severe congestion. Library Another map shows projected congestion if • Wednesday, Feb. 11, 10 am., Elgin Area PPA, Elgin ,best of projects are implemented, including Community College, Business Conference Center, two additional regional bridges over the Fox Room 123 River, the expansion to eigiitlanes for • Wednesday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m., Campton Area PEA, Inte rotates 88 and 90 in the eastern part of the Campton Community Center • countyandtoSiXIaflest0Ro47 sixlanesfor • Thursday, Feb. 19, 10a.m., West Central EPA, Elbum. Randall and Kirk roads; four lanes for Route 47; Public Library four lanes for Route 38 from Randall Road to • Monday, Feb. 23, 10 Northwest PEA, Huntley Village Route 47; and four lanes for Route 64 from statea Hall lb begin planning for the congestion and up- PandaUto new LaFox Road- • • Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m.. Southwest PEA, Waubonsee Community College, Bodie Hall, Room 150 date its 2020 transportation plan,rium representatives See GRIDLOCK page ocKnoT will bein the audito o[BUfl 1. C C C 0 woC 0, 0 E • 0) -W- C) f ° — 0 c-I, C 0 c'1 • a CE a) >5 (no C) bOO.

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-o fl . fl 2 2 I., ci) flU-t 00): Jfl g 2 di Id 1. Gorecki rulings dueling Decisions pending from county; courts Gorecki's private attorney, Larry /-ag-oqs0 Wechter, said there will be "legal fly Daniel Duggan GOEC1U uncertainty" lithe County Board STAFF WRITER From pageAl declares a vacancy. "Think about the uncertainty and GENEVA - Sixteenth Circuit Court Judge vacancy in Gorecki's office, then disruption that will result if they Michael Colwell refused Wednesday to stop a appoint a person to serve out her think they have the authority special session of the Kane County Board term. here," he said. planned for next week, despite pleas by embat- The board also could decide Judge's ruling due Friday-- tled State's Attorney Meg Gorecki. there is no vacancy. Aurora attor- At the meeting scheduled for Monday, the ney Patrick Kinnally, who is repre- Colwell now will weigh in on the County Board is expected to decide whether senting McCoy and the board, vacancy issue. He said he will make stressed that the board has the his ruling at 10 am. Friday, setting there will be a permanent replacement to the stage for what possibly could Gorecki's position after her law license is sus- power to make either decision. "They have the right to say be a contentious meeting of the pended for four months beginning Sunday. whether or not it exists," Kinnally County Board Monday. He also of- Colwell, however, will hand down his own. said in court Wednesday. "That is fered a cautionary note to McCoy, ruling on the issue Friday, in a move that could not up to the courts, and it is not up saying the board does not have to make the board's forthcoming decision moot to the attorney general." holdthe meeting. At issue is whether there will be a vacancy in Such a move, however, flies in The easiest situation would be the office requiring a permanent replacement the face of an opinion issued Friday for the board to cancel its trip down for Gorecki once her law license is suspended by Attorney General Lisa Madigan, this highway," Colwell said. or whether instead a temporary replacemetit who wrote that Gorecki can return County Board member Jan Carl- should serve during Gorecki's four-rhonth ab- to her position after the suspension son, R-Elburn, who attended sence. ends. Madigan's opinion also stated Wednesday's court hearing, said alL Wednesday's action was the latest develop- that the circuit court - and not the terward that the issue should be ment in a legal brouhaha thathas followed the county board - should appoint left up to the judicial system. Illinois Supreme Court's decision to suspend someone to hold the office until Tm not sure that the legislators Gorecki's law license. It marked the first time in then. should be performing a judicial Tuesday, 16th Circuit Chief junction," he said. 'Let the lawyers state history that the law license of a sitting handle this. It's not our job." state's attorney has been ordered suspended. Judge Philip DiMarzio followed Madigan's lead and issued an Board member Paul Greviskes, Gorecki was found to have violated the ethical order naming Katherine Moran to D-Aurora, who also was at the hear- code for lawyers when she suggested a jobs-for- act as state's attorney during ing, said he believes there is a va- bribes scheme later found to be bogus. Gorecki's absence. He did not rule cancy in the office and that it should be filled by an appointment Dispute over vacancy on whether there will be a vacancy in the office when the suspension from the County Board. Kane County Board Chairman Mike McCoy of Gorecki's law license begins When asked if hewould still hold said he called Monday's special meeting so Sunday, saying only that Moran the opinion if Colwell rules other- the board could have a chance to declare the should will serve from that day wise, Greviskes, an attorney him- until June 1 when the suspension self, said, "I always do what the I + Turn IoGORECKJ,112 iudes tell me to do." I

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'U $-' • Bid board advisedto LaO) • haft aiieinptto.ousther Ea' Z >°'3t a, S 2t- 0 a ' 00 • Y PATRICK WALDEON U 'C Dai&Hndd &aff W*c ta3 Al • A KaneCounty judgeWednes- 0) ta thy refused to block the county board from meeting next week , a' uC,CO c8S 8E and potentially throwing Kane 2 ' County State's Attorney Meg. ? Gorecki out of office. .ti nuI At the same time, Judge ca °ojt - ,Co2 Michael :;,I TO set a Friday ,E8 >%> 0•C 0 u court date to issue a ruling ll UI o addressing whether Gorecki's OR s a4s' four-month suspension, o h- ordered by the Illinois Supreme • Court as punishment for ethics •'Ct 0dSS violations and set to begin Sunday, creates avacancyin the 2 states attorney's office. 3,': 2 Cotwell's statements kept Q0.0 ?flo'.9 • Gorecki and the county board on a collision course at B am. LaO' . 0bO000O a,, • Monday, but also opened the - -- a - door to a pre-emptive final ,LaDO I answer to unprecedented legal questions that have seesawed w o'o U 0' 0 • back andorth far the last week 0 to'-' Alter providing the 48-hour 0 cdwO'S.-' window CoIwell Implied that w'Swofo a'a' ,e ' E 000 we the surest way to end the h Gorecki conflict would be for '03ba 0 0 • the county board and its chair- 03I utgd.-° • _0ctC, man, Mike McCoy, topullback E I would suggest the easiest €8 solution to this prblemo is to cancel the hip down this high- biD DO way," Co well said. 3 --' 1! 'o All • McCoy has maintained the , 'ou flbfl ,'s Oowa u • stance he has taken since last J>ies2 IN E Week when he set the Monday 2E' 'to-0 • meeting and stressed the county uoot2 ooa,a,n do board duty and right to rule on çfll the states attorney's office status. He says he wants the [3Ej4 board to vote "-yes" or "no' when • it comes to Gorecld's future, o Wednesday. started with •o, Gorecld's privately hired attor- a, neys seeking a court order 5 county • saying the board had no 01000. 'a' cetCr £°tJ, authority in the matter. CD Gorecki's team also wanted • vLa w •Sa' c 3 ''dZ 0*'0)OC . La*'vbO ab>e C ai4 0 bo°.'ll ,'-' ft't a, -?' a' See I4EARINg on PACE 8 • — • o,l "-' 0-'oE o:-,; I giUiflUila' ww Cu •aW- 2'a- . Law ^: Vofl C

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annex bid: C! 000 -.'-'-' . ' jE 0. oz 2*C) Grand may take housing/tn dfl42 e 11Ot° tto 2 C . i'too11 0,-. C) C/i th Kane County instead ofSt. Charles C t t H E 0 0 C) BY LISA SMITH - V at€ DathjHera1d Staff V4iteT- .)4e1u-0 - Cl, b- tac-A1 Ifl—. Cd, C €r/i0 The developer of a proposed 1,800-home sub- •-3 -c'S 0 bO division in LaPox Wednesday shelved plans to E Ot Cd/) i.. —• 0 pursue annexation into the city of St Charles. •0 Grand Prairie development representatives a 1i 't too told city officials they would instead submit the (C - o E'Z 1,200-acre project — which also includes some aoo11°9. o.2 commercial space — to the Kane County devel- E0 opment department. '.cht UECC)C)C) .• Wyndham Deerpoint.and Town & Country. o > •Ot•tfl® Cd)0Q0, '(t. Homes officials never officially submitted an 0—o N o000 annexation petition, instead opting to present -M 0.1 'ditC) .O11C,.E'°d '— k concept plans in July 2002 to gauge the reactions !ao of city officials and make changes accordingly -.-I But city leaders never warmed up to the plan, Iilt arguing it would put too much of a strain on the g o 11 >b city and local school districts. ii wt :- "We looked at it from all sides ... but ultimately °Z bO thereality was an annexation has to have a two thirds majority and that just was not going to I h • happen," Mayor Sue Klinkhamer said Wednes- day..: Seven of the 10 city council members are required to sign off on annexation requests. The Geneva school district would be most adversely affected, losing as much as $5.5 million Over the next 10 years if the development were built as proposed, according to a recent analysis by Northern Illinois University's center for governmental studies. The plans include a developer donation of either land or cash to the school district, but that likely would not be enough to.offsçt the costs of e.diicatine 860 more students, according to the LNIU.aLUtty.- . . - • : "Obviously the Geneva schools are ... interested in mitigating against any negative impact there would be financially,' said Geneva Superin- tendent Mike Jacoby. It is unclear whether the developers will present the same plans to Kane county officials. d Representatives of Lombard-based Town & Country Homes and North Aurora-based Wynd- Itam Deerpoint Homes would not return phone calls Wednesday. The development would be located along the southern edge of Route 38 between Brundige Road and Harley Road. - , •• -, It consists of aoo single-family homes on lots ranging from 8,000 square feet to 1 acre and

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'a C'j V q a +1 • — C• 43 0 flI1U l j0t° riD .0 , 0 0 0) C) &t=H — '0•i-i 'S V 00 V —0 'S aE-.U0'S ci 'at I C) 'S- Ii0t1ctE •!i oE h CO0. 4) - 0) E E fl oOa C) 4) .0 II = - 04 • °0oV I' o ct I tfc'' C II !>- II It 00ct 0)1kfl Bill Page Oh ronitJQ A quiet edge With the March l6 primary only afew importance of endorsements. While I dont weeks away, political campaigns are think people vote for someone just entering the crucial stretch" phase. because another politician thinks he's a Candidates are looking for every edge to swell guy, it certainly cannot hurt set them apart from their opponents. In a tight race, a few votes swayed by an For many, the edge they seek comes in endorsement can make all the difference, the form of endorsements from local so it probably would be best if endorsers elected officials, hoping that association wait until a campaign is well under way translates into votes Every candidate in before they give their public blessings to a every race is busy lining up people to say candidate. nice things about them, but in at least one If that patience had been exercised in instance, the nicest things aren't being said the 14th District race, the list of who is out loud. endorsing whom might look quite In the contest for the Kane County different. For now, Arney Silvestri will just Board's 14th District Republican have to content himself with knowing that nomination, Amey Silvestri is squaring off he really does have friends in high places... against Mark Dauvost.. Dauvost even if they cannot say so out loud. announced his candidacy first and * ,* promptlywent about the business of For the first time since July the picture locking in endorsements. By the time at the top of this column actually matches Silvestri entered the race, more than a few my real mug, for Which I heartily apologize. area notables had given Dauvost, if not an The wonderfully evil beard I'd cultivated is endorsement, at least a nod and a smile. no more, and IT have a slightly harder time Now many of those same people find scaring small children. However, I lost the themselves in a very awkward situation, whiskers for the best of all possible bound by their public promise to Dauvost, reasons, not to mention cold, hard cash. but privately supporting Silvestri. Monday evening, there was a hair- lam not a resident of the 14th District, cutting benefit for the Special Olympics at so don't have a dog in this fight. However, Avenue Two Barber Shop in St. Charles, as frequent readers of this column are with the shop donating all the proceeds to aware, I know Silvestri through his the charity. Aweek ago, I offered to give up involvement with the Kane County Eagles the beard for a minimum bid of $150, but it football team. Over the past few weeks, I turned out to be a bit better than that. noticed something odd: public officials Thanks to so many of you who called with were saying nice things about him, but pledges and donations, we were able to only in private. add $500 to the night's collection. 'Ameys a great guy, and I think he's Mayor Sue lCinkhamer did the perfect for the job," one told me the other shearing honors, and all I can say is that day. "Unfortunately, I can't come out and say so." Another said theft endorsement of she is to barbering what Jack The Ripper Dauvost was made because "There was no was to surgery. I count myself lucky to have one else in the race at the time." And both lips in approximately the same places another said "if I'd knownArney was going as they were before. (And don't listen to her to run, I would have gone with him." that the problem was "One of your chins Over and over I've heard a variation of got stuck in the clippers.") the same theme: "I want to supportAmey, By the way, the folks at Avenue Two did but I already said 'yes' to Mark." a wonderful thing by sponsoring this event None, by the way, think Dauvost would (and putting up with my foolishness). It is not be a decent county board member. the sort of community involvement and Most believe he would do a fine job. caring that only comes from locally owned However, when put against Silvestri, the businesses. The best way to thank them is feeling is that Arney would be as good, and to support them, so stop in soon. perhaps the better choice. U Bill Page lives in Si, Charles and Interesting, yes? To me, it is just another writes about local issues on Tuesday and example of how goofy politics can be, Thursday. Galls and e-mails answered at especially when it comes to the (630) 584-0809 or [email protected].

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c't ait U t•-, 0 • '—I E it uJ — LI. E Ui0 tAD C 21 C =YI o : C .YJ04.14.IW0I w. 08 0) 00) Ct m '0 Zto o Panelendj-aq-°c BEJCJO orses fla0ns tdl grant. to Aunt Martha's By Steve Lord guidelines because it receives fed- STAFF WRITER eral finding, England said. "You can't single out Aunt GENEVA - Concerns about Martha's, because this applies to -pregnancy counseling at Aunt all who get federal money," she Martha's Youth Services almost said. - .caused a holdup this week in a $400,000 grant for the agency. Needing space Kane County Board member Health Committee -Chairman - Magaret Scalfaro, R-Catpen- Gerry Jones, D-Aurora, said Aunt tersyjile, was one of two Public Martha's provides early care and Health Committee members who prevention services that "saves questioned the federal grant de- money in the long run!' -signed to pay for the agency to re- "Yet there are people at this -model a building at Broadway and table who don't want to vote for a Benton Street in downtown Auro- health clinic in downtown Aurora," ra into a bigger facility, which in- he said. "I'm amazed you want to cludes a health clinic. deny health care to needy folks." Scalfaro and board member Richards and Scalfaro eventual- Mary Richards, R-Aurora, de- ly gave their support to the mea- clined to second a motion to rec- sure. ommend the grant for the full Richards said after the meeting County Board agenda. Although she has no problem with Aunt the money comes from the federal Martha's program. She said she government, it is administered only balked at first because she through the county. had not heard anything about the -. - Scalfaro said she did not ap- grant or the expansion. prove of Aunt Martha's pregnancy "I knew nothing about this," she - counseling to. youths, which in- said. "It just seemed like all of a cludes mention of abortion. Aunt sudden this came out of nowhere." - -Martha's offers a wide array of ser- Richards said she supports vices for children, youth and farni- Aunt Martha's programs. lies in health card, crisis interven- "I know their clinic now is thy," tion, foster care, residential care, she said. "But for the people of Au- counseling, delinquency preven- rorá, its a very good thing.", tion and parenting skills educa- Theresa Heaton, of the Health tion. Department, aaid Aunt Martha's There are facilities in Aurora will be able to provide better Ser- - and Elgin, vice in a bigger building, even if Mary Lou England, Health De- there is not enough money to hire partment director, said Aunt more people. Martha's follows federal guide- "Providers have trouble if they lines for pregnancy counseling. don't have enough room to work The agency has to follow the in," she said. -

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,.-floq.:vaüt1 . ffetcuct Let's keep focus on speeds and weave into Randall gested and less dangercus, are Randall chan es Road to cross. This will hope- 45 mph. For example, Kirk gC fully be discussed atfuture Road, which is controlled by On Jan. 23, the Icane.County meetings. The meeting partici- Kane County; Route 59 from lIansportadon Department met pants all agreed changes must Route 64 to 1-90, Which is con- with the Transportation Com- be made. Tremendous pressure trolled by ITJOT; and Stems niittee to discuss safety issues was put on the sheriff to enforce Road east of Route 25, which is on Randall Road in the portion current speed limits, which can controlled by DuPage County north of Red Haw Road to Silver be exceeded by more than 20 are all four-lane highways with Glen Road. This area includes mph. Both the sheriff and the less dangerous designs and con- the infamous "5" curve where a fransportàtion Department gestion. They are all 45 mph. • St. Charles student was killed recommended a reduction in A major step forward has two months ago. The discussion speed limits. . been accomplished by gaining centered around three areas; The county committee did commitment from the sheriff to 1.The sheriff department's not act on a reduction in speed better enforce existing speed. responsibility in enforcing limits, opting to wait until the limits. The key will be ongoing speed limits overall plan is completed before execution of this commitment. 2.Changes to the "5' cui4è, determining what the speed The.. professionals believe that including warning signs, bard- . limits should be. . even an enforced 55 mph limit ers, etc. . Pressure must be maintained is still too high and should be 3.Speed limit changes. to follow the recommendation lowered. Our elected county There was no discussion on of the sheriff and theTrans- board members should make the key issue of road access at portation Department to reduce that a reality • Crane and Bolcom roads where speed limits. Comparable roads Stephen D. Cole motoristshave to "guess" at car to Randall, which are less coh- . . St. Charles

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Tn-Cities. mayors back O'Neil for prosecutor state'sattomeysintnthedMsionswherepeople By Daniel Dii wlllseethebjggestimpactHepohtedoutthe STAFF WRITER flu__.' - uAlu1tmfl&,n,nn,+,nra ausfnr L.flflLlSL'-,nv,rnnla nE a,nasrnon itinn SF. CHARLES— State'sattorneycandidate wilt TimO'Nell kicked off the opening of his cam- "Anyone who says there isn'tagang problem -: paign headquarters by announcing endorse- hasn't talked to people in Elgin and Ajirora," he • (merits from officials across the county. said. • Most notable were the endorsements of St He also vowed to spend time meeting with ..Charles Mayor Sue Klinkhamer, Geneva people in the community. Mayor Kevin Burns and Batavia Mayor Jeff "I won't be in that tower every day IT be out on the streets, meeting people like teachers and • O'Neil also had Rick Ciganekof the Elgin po- talking to them about what problems they are lice officers union and Wayne Biles of the Auro- cing,"CYNeil said. ra police officers union lend their vote of confi- While O'Neil boasted an endorsement by dence. He additionally was endotted by several Kane County Sheriff Ken Ramsey, he is not labor unions and the Fox Valley division of the alone in that designation. Ramsey endorsed Illinois Police Association. both O'Neil and Barsanti. The race for the state's attorney seat has "They're both good candidates" Ramsey been hotly contested, with the current state's at- said. "Either one could do a greatjob in that po- torney, Meg Gorecki, not running for re-elec- silion?' lion. Barsanti has picked up several key endorse- O'Neil will three other Republicans in ments as well, including former state's attor- the March 16 primary election. Joseph Rago, of neys David Akernann, Gary Johnson, Robert • - Geneva; John Barsanti, of St. Charles, and Casey and Robert Morrow. State Reps. John Michael Leuer, of Geneva Mlllner, R-Carol Steam, and Tom Cross, R-Os- - In his brief comments, O'Neilexpressedhis wego, also have endorsed him, in addition to appreciation for the support of the local officials the police officers unions in South Elgin, and organizations and promised to win the race. Batavia, Carpentexsville and Gilberts. A'7 A,.,,.- 1-A Til 1- n.d- H,rn-a l,nnGnn I ojipr he k niinliinff nruani7ations qivxra-1 jul ti Uy IcLt, £ UIJCJ I.ALLLi'_i_l1'JJflLt6 said still my rear off" he said.for their endorsements. Rago said he will an- O'Neil stressed he will put more assistant nounce his endorsements shortly.

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