American Profile: Waterparks are springing up Inside
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The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co. Cary-Grove’s Justin Blair
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But emphatically voted ‘no’ on Metra severance votes. That was my first hell no.” Schaffer’s problems with the package Jack Schaffer e c h o w h a t numerous lawmakers, including state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, have argued since the board accepted Clifford’s resignation June 21. The Regional Transportation Authority is reviewing the deal, its chairman said Tuesday. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to cover the buyout beyond Clifford’s contracted salary of about $252,000, Franks said in a joint statement with state Rep. David Harris, R-Arlington Heights.
By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com CHICAGO – The outgoing Metra chief executive officer was too honest for Illinois, one Metra director said. Jack Schaffer cast the sole “no” vote against a severance package for Metra CEO Alex Clifford that could total $750,000, with $442,000 in severance plus legal fees, moving expenses and health insurance costs. “I didn’t vote no; I voted hell no,” said Schaffer, who was appointed to the Metra Board of Directors in 2006 to represent McHenry County. “I thought about it on the train on my way home. My 20 years on the state Senate, seven years on the Metra board, and my many years on different boards and committees, I have probably cast 40,000
Photos by Lathan Goumas – lgoumas@shawmedia.com
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews raises the Stanley Cup over his head Friday as he, the team and fans celebrate the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victory at a rally in Grant Park in Chicago.
Hawks fans celebrate second title in four years By JEFF ARNOLD jarnold@shawmedia.com CHICAGO – Thirty minutes before the Stanley Cup passed down Washington Street, hoisted over the head of Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, Josh Johnson and Dave Lucas steadied a pair of 6-foot ladders in the middle of LaSalle Street and waited. The two union pipe fitters had been on the clock for only a couple of hours Friday morning, but had planned all morning to take one of their “union-mandated” breaks just as the Hawks’ victory parade made its way from the United Center to Grant Park. Johnson and Lucas sat elevated behind a frenzied crowd that stood 10 rows deep behind police barricades. Those in the front rows had been there for hours, willing to wait to have the best view of the day’s festivities. As children sat perched on their father’s shoulders and girlfriends gained a better vantage point on those of their boyfriends, the two Admiral Mechanical Services workers relished their prime parade-viewing seats. “This is insane – absolutely insane. It’s like Christmas,” Johnson said. “Our bosses have no idea what we’re doing.
See METRA, page A10
Lawsuits rise after gay marriage ruling ed its freeze on same-sex marriages in California, saying the state is required to issue licenses to gay couples starting immediately. But the rulings, while hailed by gay-rights activists, did not declare a nationwide right for gays to marry. Instead, they set the stage for state-by-state battles over one of America’s most contentious social issues. Already, some of those battles are heating up. In Pennsylvania, the only Northeast state that doesn’t legally recognize same-sex couples, gay state Rep. Brian Sims, a Philadelphia Democrat, says
By DAVID CRARY The Associated Press Across the country, this week’s landmark Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage have energized activists and politicians on both sides of the debate. Efforts to impose bans – and to repeal them – have taken on new intensity, as have lawsuits by gays demanding the right to marry. The high court, in two 5-4 decisions Wednesday, opened the way for California to become the 13th state to legalize gay marriage, and it directed the federal government to recognize legally married same-sex couples. A federal appeals court Friday lift-
John Marhofke, 10, and Ray Ames, 10, of Algonquin, wait for a rally celebrating the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victory. “If they find out, we’ll probably get fired.” They likely weren’t alone in having their work interrupted on a day when Chicago celebrated its second Stanley Cup championship in four years. An estimated 2 million fans – decked out in Hawks sweaters, Stanley Cup T-shirts and other red-and-black-themed outfits – crowded along the parade route to get a glimpse of their hockey heroes. One by one, double-decker buses car-
Blackhawks on the Web To see a video from the Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory parade, visit NWHerald.com.
See MARRIAGE, page A10
LOCALLY SPEAKING
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MCC’S STEP TOWARD TRANSPARENCY McHenry County College took a step toward becoming more transparent as it debuted live, online streaming at its most recent board of trustees meeting. The broadcast can be seen at www.mchenry.edu/board and will be archived for residents to watch at their leisure. For more, see page B1.
Ken Dumovich Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com
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CRYSTAL LAKE: More than 3.5 inches of rain cause record number of street closures, sewage backups. Local, B1 Vol. 28, Issue 180
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rying Blackhawks players and coaches passed by as red, black and white confetti dropped from nearby buildings and echoes of Queen’s “We Are The Champions” echoed off an upper deck of Chicago’s City Hall building. Commuters, including those from McHenry County, flooded trains from Chicago’s neighborhoods and suburbs, all wanting to share in the Hawks
See BLACKHAWKS, page A9
More coverage inside An estimated 2 million people attended the Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory parade in Grant Park, see PAGE C1