Musick: Blackhawks have one goal, and it’s 15 wins away
013 WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
WWW.NWHERALD.COM
The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
Sports, C1
75 CENTS
VISIT TO PRAIRIE GROVE • LOCAL, B1
PREP BASEBALL • SPORTS, C1
WWE star David Otunga talks about bullying
CL South ends three-game losing streak with 13-2 win Tyler Hall
Residents want ‘private’ roads fix Coalition of homeowners hopes sit-down with county, township officials bears fruit By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com For years, residents along nondedicated roads have paid township road and bridge taxes without seeing a penny of it go toward their own roads’ maintenance. They hope that a sit-down with county and township officials Wednesday evening leads to the end of the pothole-filled road. The Non-Dedicated Roads Coali-
tion, a group of homeowners who live along such “private” roads, wants the County Board to adopt rules that would allow its roads to qualify for maintenance through the township property tax. Homeowners say the plan hit upon by county and township government – a greater share of motor-fuel tax revenue – is inadequate and misses the point of paying taxes for a service they can’t use, coalition Vice President John Reihansperger said.
The county’s nondedicated roads are found in McHenry, Nunda and Algonquin townships. The coalition will meet Wednesday with the County Board Transportation Committee, Division of Transportation and township highway commissioners. “They’re going to try to assuage us with motor-fuel tax, but what we really want is our road and bridge money we’ve been paying for years and getting nothing for,” said Reihansperger, who lives in the Fair Oaks subdivision
Speaker wants changes to Ill. pension plans
outside of McHenry. The discussion starts at 7 p.m. at the county Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. Rules to bring a private road up to township standards, and therefore putting them under township jurisdiction, include widening them to 40 feet. The expense of building and right of way acquisition aside, it is not feasible in many older neighborhoods because
See ROADS, page A7
If you go What: Non-Dedicated Roads Coalition meets with the County Board Transportation Committee, Division of Transportation and township highway commissioners. When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Where: Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock More info: Both sides will discuss “private” roads maintenance.
DIAGNOSING DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
By JOHN O’CONNOR and SARA BURNETT The Associated Press
Michael Madigan, Illinois House speaker, sought a solution to state pension problems. Currently, underfunding of five state pension programs left the state $97 billion short of what is needed for promised pensions to current and retired workers.
John Cullerton, Senate president, had his suggestions removed from the latest version of pension legislation. He insists reform will pass only if choices in his proposal are included in reform efforts.
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan sought Tuesday to tackle the pension crisis through a single piece of legislation that would require government employees and teachers to contribute more toward their retirement but receive fewer benefits in return. The proposal changes some provisions for benefits that have received House approval – both more generous and more restrictive. And it leaves out a contentious plan for shifting some pension costs to local school boards, which the Chicago Democrat has referred to as a “free lunch.” Years of underfunding five state pension programs has left the state $97 billion short of what it needs to cover promised pensions for all current and retired workers. Lawmakers have wrestled for years with the problem but it’s now costing taxpayers $6 billion a year, crowding out crucial services such as education and public safety. Madigan’s proposal ties together ideas that previously received individual debate and approval through a late-winter vetting process on the House floor. Now those ideas, supporters say, become a one-stop shop for pension reform, rather than disparate fixes requiring separate legislative approval. The bill is scheduled for a committee vote Wednesday morning. “It’s a solution that fixes the problem,” said Brooke Anderson, spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn, who said the
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Adam Wolk, 20, of Johnsburg, who is autistic, begins work on a puzzle Monday at his home in Johnsburg. When doing puzzles, Wolk usually starts with the middle pieces and can finish multiple large puzzles in a day.
Autism cases on the rise Experts agree early detection is top priority By LAWERENCE SYNETT lsynett@shawmedia.com Every day could be considered a milestone for Adam Wolk – just not the ones that most 20-year-olds are used to celebrating. He didn’t receive his driver’s license when he turned 16, won’t have his first taste of alcohol when he turns 21 and most likely won’t get married or have children.
But the parents of Wolk, who has autism, wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world. “Adam is our biggest challenge, but our biggest reward,” said his mother, Anna Wolk. “He has made us all stop and be in the moment. We don’t ask for sympathy, all we ask for is understanding and acceptance of our [autistic] child.” Adam Wolk of Johnsburg has undergone numerous treatments and deals with seizures
that require daily medication. Because of his aggressive behavior, the police also have been called to his home several times. Wolk is a student in the special education program at Woodstock North High School and is one of a growing number of children diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s syndrome or a related developmental disorder, according to the results of a
At a glance Analysis showed a drastic increase in those children ages 6 to 17 diagnosed with a developmental disorder as compared with the 2007 parent survey – up to 1 in 50 children from 1 in 86 children previously, according to a recent article in the New York Times. The increase was attributed to increased awareness of undiagnosed cases.
See AUTISM, page A7
See PENSIONS, page A7
LOCALLY SPEAKING
Lainie Koscinski (center) Lathan Goumas - lgoumas@shawmedia.com
WOODSTOCK
LAKE IN THE HILLS
DEFENSE WANTS NEW TRIAL FOR CASCIARO
BUSINESS EXPANDS INTO PADDLEBOARDS
In court documents filed Tuesday, Brian Telander, the attorney for Mario Casciaro, asked McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather to vacate the guilty verdict and grant the convicted man a new trial. In his 13-page motion, Telander argued that, among other things, the prosecution didn’t fully prove its case. For more,
Over the years, Alpine Accessories wanted a product line – in addition to skis and snowboards – that allowed the store to keep its employees year-round. Owners had talked about being a bike shop or selling patio furniture, kayaks and canoes, but then three years ago found stand-up paddleboarding. For more,
see page B1.
see page E1.
RINGWOOD: Seventh- and eighth-graders walked first-graders through science lessons. Local, B1
WEATHER HIGH
LOW
82 58 Complete forecast on A10
Where to find it Advice Business Buzz Classified Comics Local&Region
D5 E1-2 D6 E3-10 D4 B1-6
Lottery Obituaries Opinion Planit Taste Puzzles Sports
Vol. 28, Issue 121
A2 B5 A9 D1-6 E7 C1-6