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SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2013
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PREP BASKETBALL The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
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PREP BASKETBALL
Tigers beat Jacobs to advance Sports, C1
Corban Murphy
Huntley doesn’t recover in state semifinal Sports, C1
Local reps pan pension hearing Franks joins House Republicans in not voting for Madigan’s proposals for House Speaker Michael Madigan’s soundly defeated proposals, calling the exercise political gamesmanship. Joining them on the sidelines of abstention was Democratic state Rep. Jack Franks, who now is pushing for Madigan to call a Committee of the Whole and suspend all other House business until a
By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com McHenry County’s representatives in the Illinois House did not have high praise for Thursday’s attempt at moving pension reform forward. Republicans joined their GOP colleagues in not voting
realistic solution is found to address the state’s $96 billion unfunded pension liability. “Our debts are crushing us. Each day we delay is costing the taxpayers another $17 million. Nothing else is more important – we have to stop the hemorrhaging,” Franks said Friday. The powerful House speak-
er called Thursday’s hearing to get legislators to openly debate and vote on four proposals he advanced – all of them draconian and none of which received more than five “yes” votes from Democratic lawmakers. One amendment would have completely eliminated automatic 3 percent cost-of-
living increases for retired state workers, and another would have eliminated them until the five state-run pension systems are 80 percent funded. Another would have raised the retirement age to 67 for current employees – the only
See PENSION, page A6
Jack Franks, D-Marengo, is pushing for Michael Madigan to call a Committee of the Whole meeting and suspend other House business until a realistic pension solution is found.
Ill. may see car phone use ban
Algonquin lends hands
Bill would call for hands-free devices By REGINA GARCIA CANO The Associated Press
Village contracts employees to other municipalities, taxing bodies By JOSEPH BUSTOS jbustos@shawmedia.com ALGONQUIN – Once a week, Kevin Crook – an Algonquin information systems employee – is at the Huntley Police Department working on the squad car computers and servers. Crook has a good understanding of how Huntley works with the county’s communications system. When
needed, he also works on municipal operations. Crook is one of Algonquin’s employees who has been contracted out to other taxing bodies. Since fiscal 2011, the village has had employees working in different municipalities or doing maintenance for other taxing bodies. When the Great Recession hit, local governments had to figure out how to do things
more efficiently. “It made sense for taxpayers,” said Mike Kumbera, Algonquin assistant to the village manager. “It brings in extra revenue and offsets having the expense of staff on hand. “It’s definitely a way to get through the recession.” So far in fiscal 2013, the village has brought in $173,200 from other taxing bodies by providing services through in-
tergovernmental agreements. In 2011, the village brought in $58,600 through the intergovernmental agreements; in 2012, it brought in $156,100. The village has intergovernmental agreements with Huntley to provide information systems assistance, building inspections and plan review services. Algonquin provides fleet
See ALGONQUIN, page A6
Algonquin’s IT employee Kevin Crook does computer maintenance on a Huntley squad car while working Thursday at the Huntley Police Department. Crook works for the village of Algonquin and is contracted out to Huntley once a week. Sarah Nader – snader@ shawmedia.com
SPRINGFIELD – Drivers would not be allowed to use their cellphones while on the road under a measure the Illinois House endorsed Friday. The measure would force drivers to use handsfree devices or a speakerphone feature for calls while motoring. A 64-46 vote sent the legislation to the Senate. Such a law could prevent accidents and fatalities by keeping drivers focused on the road, supporters said. “A hand-held cellphone is a huge distraction while driving a car,” said Rep. John D’Amico, a Chicago Democrat. D’Amico said 76 Illinois communities – including Chicago – already ban chatting and driving. Police would be able to ticket drivers holding a cellphone under the proposed legislation, which makes an exception for motorists during an emergency. Opponents said the bill is unfair to people with hearing problems and those who can’t afford high-tech gadgets such as earpieces or telecommunications systems built into automobiles.
See PHONE USE, page A6
LOCALLY SPEAKING
NO PAPER TRAIL IN CITY HIRING The city never advertised, gathered applications or conducted formal interviews for a Public Works Department opening filled last month by former Alderman Darrell Perkins. Perkins, who submitted a letter of resignation from his seat as 4th Ward alderman in early February, was hired about two weeks ago to work in the department, Mayor Jay Nolan said. For more, see page B1.
Kristen Johnson (left) and Spencer Leffelman
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
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