NWH-4-14-2013

Page 1

Cary-Grove baseball coach Don Sutherland gets his 500th win

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2013 *

WWW.NWHERALD.COM

The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.

Sports, C1

$1.50

ROBERT IRVINE • PLANIT STYLE, INSIDE

OPEN FOR THE SEASON • BUSINESS, D1

‘Restaurant: Impossible’ looks to redo Angelo’s

Seasonal business owners prepare for spring rush

‘377 board’ advocates not giving up

DEALING WITH ADMINISTRATIVE IMPOUND FEES

FINE LINE OF DRIVING

Despite referendum’s defeat, supporters continue to lobby By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com

Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com

Sgt. Paul McNamara (right) with the Bull Valley Police Department signs off on some paperwork for John Youngs, with D&L Towing, after arresting a driver with no valid Illinois license and calling the company to impound the car. The Bull Valley Police Department has made more than $85,000 in administrative tow fees since October 2011. Offenders must pay a $500 fee to retrieve their car.

Some call fees a deterrent; foes say it is a money grab By JIM DALLKE jdallke@shawmedia.com

O

n Monday night, a Cary police officer pulled over a vehicle and arrested the motorist for driving with a suspended license. The car was towed, and the driver was taken to the police station. It is common practice for Cary police officers, but for the first time in department history, the driver was fined a $500 administration fee. Cary started using the fine, known as an administrative impound fee, Monday. And similar fines are being used increasingly by McHenry County municipalities when a driver is cited in connection with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended

or revoked license, an outstanding warrant or other felonies resulting in an impounded vehicle. And they’re collecting tens, sometimes hundreds, of thousands of dollars doing so. Since 2007, 15 police departments in McHenry County have implemented administrative impound fees, which most municipalities have set at $500. It is separate from any towing charges or court fines. Two of the towns that first implemented it – Lake in the Hills and Crystal Lake – have generated more than $500,000 each since starting the fees in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Police departments say the fee acts as a deterrent and recoups costs from pros-

Ill. GOP chair holds on to seat

$250

court costs

increases in insurance

See TOWING, page A10

$5,215

Patrick Maynard, president and CEO of Pioneer Center for Human Services, is not ready to stop pushing to pass the referendum that would help fund developmental disability agencies.

See REFERENDUM, page A10

$500 fines

ecuting the individual, but others argue the fees are nothing more than an opportunity for police departments to cash in on a person who has made a mistake. “It’s a flat-out money grabber,” said Raymond Flavin, a DUI attorney in McHenry County. “There comes a point where it just isn’t fair.” Flavin said his clients rarely get the administrative impound fee returned, even if charges are dropped. “It’s all about money,” said Andrew Green, a Crystal Lake resident who has received three DUIs since 2005. “They don’t want people to drink and drive, but they’re trying to make a buck off of it. I don’t think it’s fair.”

VOICE YOUR OPINION: Has a city ever towed your vehicle? Vote at NWHerald.com. ON THE NET: View data at NWHerald.com of the tow fee revenue received by villages.

LOCALLY SPEAKING

DUI COST BREAKDOWN

Despite a 2-to-1 defeat at the polls Tuesday, proponents of a property tax that would help fund developmental disability agencies aren’t calling it quits. If the referendum had passed, it would have created a “377 board” in charge of disbursing money to agencies that pay for things such as residential programs, respite programs or day programs. “Obviously, the challenges and the needs of people with disabilities have not abated at all, so we are not going to give up,” said Patrick Maynard, president and CEO of Pioneer Center for Human Services. “We have planted some seeds and began a process. We did not have enough time or resources to get the necessary education out to the public.”

$2,500

By SARA BURNETT The Associated Press

attorney fees

$250

towing fees

$1,200 $200

other transportation

$75 clinical evaluation

$240

course fees

Source: Northwest Community Counseling Services in Woodstock for a person in the“significant risk” category.

TINLEY PARK – Illinois’ GOP chairman emerged from another ouster attempt Saturday and said his party must be more welcoming of diversity and inclusive of people who disagree if it’s going to grow and win future elections. More conservative members of Illinois’ Republican Party have been trying to oust Pat Brady for months, largely because he took a position in favor of gay marriage when a bill to legalize it was before the Legislature earlier this year. About 50 party members attended Saturday’s meeting of the GOP’s State Central Committee to ask that Brady step down or that the committee fire him. After a tense, hourslong session, Brady remained as the party’s chairman. He said

Pat Brady, Illinois GOP chairman, recently expressed support for the legalization of gay marriage. More conservative members of Illinois’ Republican Party have been trying to oust Brady for months.

See CHAIRMAN, page A10

DISTRICT 300

SPECIAL EDUCATION IDEA ON HOLD A District 300 board panel has encountered resistance from some parents about a proposal that could expand the number of special education students placed in regular classrooms. The “70/30” rule stipulates that no more than 30 percent of a regular classroom can have special education students. The state may do away with the rule. For more, see B1.

Zoe Fixemer Monica Maschak – mmaschak@shawmedia.com

HIGH

LOW

69 47 Complete forecast on A12

CARPENTERSVILLE: D-300 hosted its third annual Adapted Physical Education Track and Field Meet. Local, B1

Where to find it Advice Planit, 6 Business D1-6 Classified F1-6 Crossword F3

Vol. 28, Issue 102 Local&Region B1-8 Lottery A2 Movies Planit, 15 Obituaries B7

Opinion A11 Planit Style Inside Puzzles Planit, 10 Sports C1-12

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