FMS-12-25-2014

The Farmside THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014 | 50¢ | SERVING HUNTLEY, MARENGO & UNION | SHAWURL.COM/HUNTLEY

BRINGING IN BUSINESS New interchange helps create opportunities in Huntley PAGE 3 Kyle Grillot - kgrillot@shawmedia.com

Keeley Construction employees work on top of an entrance to the Weber-Stephen Products’ global distribution center Dec. 12 in Huntley. The construction, which started in May, is planned to be completed by the end of January. The Weber project is the largest to date near the interchange of Interstate 90 and Route 47. The 757,000-square-foot distribution center is estimated to create 500 jobs.

TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR LITERACY TUTOR PROGRAM

Vol. 53 No. 49 | MC | FMS

PAGE 2

The Farmside • shawurl.com/huntley • Thursday, December 25, 2014 • MC

| NEWS

2 The Farmside Serving the communities of Huntley, Marengo and Union.

Shaw Media shawurl.com/huntley Call: 815-459-4040 Newsroom fax: 815-459-5640 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Missed delivery & customer service: 815-459-8118 Administration Kate Weber, publisher 815-459-4400, kweber@shawmedia.com Dan McCaleb, group editor 815-459-4122, dmccaleb@shawmedia.com To place an ad: Display: 815-459-4040 Classified: 815-455-4800 Legal notice: 630-427-6275 Linda Siebolds lsiebolds@shawmedia.com

Photos by Kyle Grillot - kgrillot@shawmedia.com

Bob Gliszczynski of Huntley volunteers to sing as Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton tribute artist Karen Donaldson on Dec. 15 in the Drendel Ballroom of Del Webb’s Sun City.

A tribute to Dolly Dolly Parton tribute artist Karen Donaldson performs “I Will Always Love You” on Dec. 15. The adult community is hosting a series of tributes artists and entertainment inside the ballroom in coming months. Each performance is open to the public.

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McHenry County College offers training for literacy tutors at McHenry County College from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 4 in CRYSTAL LAKE – Free in- Room A342 or from 9 to 11 a.m. formation sessions on becom- Feb. 7 in Room A372. ing a literacy tutor for reading, MCC’s Adult Education Demath and English are available partment is in need of volun-

THE FARMSIDE

“Serving our communities to make them better places to live.”

teers to tutor adult students in A literacy volunteer tureading, math or English as a tor does not have to speak a second language. Anyone old- second language or have any er than age 18 with a desire to teaching experience to tutor make a difference in someone’s life is encouraged to attend.

See LITERACY, page 6

3 NEWS | MC • Thursday, December 25, 2014 • shawurl.com/huntley • The Farmside Kyle Grillot - kgrillot@shawmedia.com

Keeley Construction employees work to install and finish concrete flooring Dec. 12 inside the Weber-Stephen Products’ global distribution center in Huntley. The construction, which started in May, is planned to be completed by the end of January. The Weber project is the largest to date near the interchange of Interstate 90 and Route 47. The 757,000-square-foot distribution center is estimated to create 500 jobs.

Interchange brings big benefits to Huntley

By STEPHEN Di BENEDETTO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com HUNTLEY – Addressing trustees before their budget vote last week, Village Manager Dave Johnson cautioned that Huntley may never again see the $188 million companies invested into commercial and residential development during 2014.

“With the interchange being open for one year, the return on investment has been so far, so good,” JohnVictor Narusis son said. “We’ve spent a lot Village business recruitment coordinator of money on infrastructure.

We’ve done our best to reach out and work with businessThe unprecedented in- lage trying to diversify and success seen in 2014, a year es. ... We’ve been extremely vestment from the private expand its businesses. after one of Huntley’s linch- proactive with working with sector – greater than the last But village officials be- pins to economic development the state of Illinois. Yes, we five years combined – has set lieve they have the tools in opened to motorists near See INTERCHANGE, page 6 a high benchmark for a vil- place to try and replicate the Route 47 and Interstate 90.

“The interchange has helped us convert these introductory conversations into people looking at sites. That’s what the interchange has done for us.”

The Farmside • shawurl.com/huntley • Thursday, December 25, 2014 • MC

| NEWS

4

Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com

Michael Brandt of Huntley (from left) donates to The Salvation Army while Crystal Lake firefighters Darrell Cook and Chris Bedore ring bells Saturday outside of Jewel-Osco in Crystal Lake. The Crystal Lake fire department has been volunteering with The Salvation Army for the past nine years and raises thousands of dollars for the organization each year.

’Tis the season for charitable giving

By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com

“What you find at most nonprofits is once the end of the year comes about, people tend to think of giving at that time of year more than they do typically in the rest of the year.”

‘The end is near for area nonprofits.

The end of the year, that Steve Otten is. And as many charity orgaExecutive director of the United Way of McHenry County nizations know, the holiday season is the time to capitalize – whether it’s on the generos“What you find at most time of year more than they of McHenry County. Before ity brought on by this time of year, or simply on those who nonprofits is once the end of do typically in the rest of the that, Otten led the Challengare motivated by another sea- the year comes about, people year,” said Steve Otten, exec- er Learning Center in Woodtend to think of giving at that utive director the United Way stock, another nonprofit. son: tax season.

“A lot of it has to do with tax incentives, and people trying to get it in by the end of the year,” Otten said, adding, “Folks here are pretty generous all year round with the United Way.” Crystal Lake based financial planner Mike Piershale said his most important piece of advice is this: Don’t forget.

See GIVING, page 6

5 NEWS |

Mobile food pantry in county

MC • Thursday, December 25, 2014 • shawurl.com/huntley • The Farmside

Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com

DeAnn Workmon of Richmond drags a basket full of donated fresh and frozen food that she picked up from the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s mobile food pantry Dec. 16 during the annual Holiday Food Giveaway sponsored by Sage Products and Allendale in McHenry. Typically, 200 to 300 people in need receive food at the giveaway.

Grafton Township agrees to sell land for defunct town hall to developer

By STEPHEN Di BENEDETTO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com LAKE IN THE HILLS – Grafton Township officials have agreed to sell the land once slotted for a defunct, $3.5 million town hall project to a developer, who wants to build a 20-unit apartment complex.

Both parties said they could close on the deal in early 2015, depending on whether Lake in the Hills officials approve the proposed apartment project near Haligus Road and Grafton Farm Drive.

As part of the agreement, Grafton officials agreed to sell the 1.8 acres in Lake in the Hills to Joe Billitteri, owner of Billitteri Enterprises, for $80,000. Officials would use the money to pay off the debt outstanding in Grafton from the era of infighting and lawsuits that nearly bankrupted the township in 2013.

“We need the money to pay off debt,” Supervisor Jim Kearns said. “Once we sell this property, we will be debt free.”

Grafton originally acquired the land from Lake in the Hills for $99,900 in 2008, when offi-

cials eyed the location for a new $3.5 million town hall. Former Supervisor Linda Moore consequently swept into office in 2009, after she successfully launched a lawsuit with other residents to block construction on the project.

The issue set the tone for the infamous infighting and lawsuits between Moore and the board during her four-year stint as supervisor. With almost an entirely new board, Kearns took office in spring 2013 on the platform to restore Grafton and fix its broken finances.

With a tentative land deal in place, Kearns said the proceeds would primarily go toward the remaining debt used to buy back Grafton’s current office along Vine Street in Huntley. The remaining debt totals $140,000, he said.

Meanwhile, a potential apartment complex at the location would fulfill a housing need for an area lacking quality rental options, Billitteri said. The apartment complex could feature 16 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units.

Billitteri Enterprises

would market the complex – if approved – to the incoming health care workers at Centegra Health System’s Huntley Hospital, located about a mile south from Haligus Road and Grafton Farm Drive, Billitteri said.

Under construction, the hospital is set to open in fall 2016.

“I’m hoping to make nice apartments for local residents,” Billitteri said. “Other than buying houses, there isn’t a ton of places for people to rent. My goal is to make them affordable but nice.”

The Farmside • shawurl.com/huntley • Thursday, December 25, 2014 • MC

| NEWS

6 Bond increases for Marengo woman in alleged car, poodle theft

By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – A family dog was caught in the center of a car robbery, but since has been returned to its owners, a McHenry County prosecutor said.

Assistant State’s Attorney David Metnick asked for an $80,000 bond for the 22-year-old

Marengo woman accused of stealing a car with the poodle in it.

Judge Sharon Prather instead set the bond for Reannon L. Widmayer at $65,000, meaning Widmayer needs $6,500 to be released from custody.

In October, Widmayer and her co-defendant, Daniel R. Brevik, were accused of stealing a 2001 Toyota Corolla that

was parked at a dollar store in Marengo. The car was unlocked and left running.

Both were charged with two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, and both have pleaded not guilty.

The vehicle eventually was found in DeKalb, and a third uncharged person told authorities Widmayer and Brevik picked her up and drove to

• LITERACY

• INTERCHANGE

Continued from page 2

Continued from page 3

in the adult education literacy program. Volunteer tutors will receive free basic training that provides the information and skills needed to work with literacy students.

Training classes are held either on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings starting in February. All teaching materials are supplied to volunteers. The tutoring scheduling is flexible to meet people’s busy schedules, including those who are retired or working full time.

“People looking to make a difference in the life an adult education student should come to an orientation session to learn about this rewarding opportunity,” said Marie Day, coordinator of adult education and literary support services.

Additional information sessions are offered at 6:30 p.m.

March 4 and 9 a.m. March 7.

For,information or to register for an orientation or training session, call Marie Day at 815455-8542.

This project was made possible in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.

are on the path of seeing that return.”

That path opened in early 2014, when the maker of Weber Grills approached the village in early January about a two-fold expansion plan that would create about 500 jobs within Huntley.

Combined with construction starting on Centegra’s Health System’s new hospital, Weber-Stephen Products’ $75 million investment to expand its manufacturing facility and build a new global distribution near I-90 set the tone for a major year in the village.

In the months since the Weber project was announced, the village has seen four new retailers and restaurants open along Route 47, near Kreutzer Road. Officials also helped fill a few empty buildings closer to the interstate that had been vacant for years.

Life Spine Inc.’s decision this year to move its medical device operation from Hoff-

“People looking to make a difference in the life an adult education student should come to an orientation session to learn about this rewarding opportunity.”

Marie Day Coordinator of adult education and literary support services

• GIVING Continued from page 4 “It sounds really elementary,” said Piershale, president of Piershale Financial Group.

“Unless there’s a compelling reason to wait until next year, and usually that’s only if you’re going to be in a higher tax bracket in 2015.

“If you know you’re giving money to charity, make sure you get it in before Dec. 31. After that, it’s too late to claim for 2014.”

Perhaps the most unforgettable campaign out there this time of year is The Salvation

Chicago to buy heroin, Metnick said. At a Jewel parking lot in Chicago, the poodle jumped out and ran away.

The dog eventually was taken to a shelter in Cook County, and later reunited with its owners.

“The victim was without their dog for five or six weeks,” Metnick said after court.

On Nov. 21, Widmayer was given a limited recognizance

bond to attend in-patient treatment. By Dec. 2, a no-bond warrant was issued for her arrest, and she appeared in rights court last week, according to court records.

Possession of a stolen vehicle is a Class 2 felony, punishable by three to seven years in prison.

Brevik remains in custody in lieu of $40,000 bond.

man Estates to Huntley occupied a 58,400 square-foot facility near the interchange that had been vacant for 15 years.

“We thought nothing could be more of a detriment than somebody coming here to try and invest into our community and they see vacant buildings,” Johnson said. “One of our goals this year was to get those buildings occupied.”

With the interchange fully opened after decades of construction planning, officials are starting to see developers engaging in more advanced talks with the village, said Victor Narusis, the village’s business recruitment coordinator.

Staff from the village’s economic development department in years past attended trade shows with manufacturers and retailers to try and introduce companies to a village located on the outskirts of the Chicago area.

“The interchange has helped us convert these introductory conversations into people looking at sites,” Narusis said. “That’s what the interchange has done for us.”

Despite heightened development activity in 2014, the sluggish economy continues to play a dominant role, as village officials see and hear companies struggle for favorable financing.

In the area immediately around the interchange, the village has slotted hundreds of acres for small-to-midsize manufacturers, various industries and technological companies. Aside from the Weber and Life Spine projects, only Cargo Equipment this year completed a move closer to I-90, inside the Huntley Corporate Park.

Mike Gazzola, a broker for Entre Commercial Realty tasked with marketing the business park, said the investment is slower than the real estate company anticipated in the year since the interchange opened.

Focusing on small and mid-sized manufacturers, the company is considering lease and speculative building options for the park.

“I would like to see more [inquiries],” Gazzola said. “We got the interchange. We’ve created the environment, but we have to see if the companies want to come out here ... I think it will take a little more time for the Route 47 interchange to continue to mature.”

Army’s iconic Red Kettle campaign. Although funds last the agency throughout the year, much of their fundraising is done right now.

Locally, The Salvation Army has a goal this year of $400,000, with $150,000 targeted to come from the red kettles manned by the all-volunteer bell ringers. The remaining $250,000 is expected from in-kind donations.

“The year-end giving is so important to The Salvation Army to make sure we can continue what we do all year long,” spokeswoman Linda West said. “…The fundraising we do right now, this car-

ries us into the next year. …

We will do other fundraising throughout the year, but this is the biggest portion of what we do, and probably the most critical. If we meet our goal we know we’re going to be able to continue at the same level we did last year.”

And for all area nonprofits, be it large scale like The Salvation Army or the United Way, or any of the scores of smaller organizations both locally and beyond – any little donation goes a long way.

“There are more people in need than you can imagine,” Otten said. “... The amount of money that is out there is

sliced up thinner and thinner so people have to operate on less and less.”

As for Piershale. He couldn’t say it enough. If you want to take advantage of the tax deductions this year, write it down, set an alarm, tie a string around your finger – do what you must, just don’t forget.

“The biggest problem people have, sometimes, is they just flat forget,” he said. “And they get to Jan. 1, and they can’t get that deduction. They meant to donate but, now they cant get it.”

And surely area nonprofits will thank you, Piershale.

By the numbers Breaking down the $188 million investment into Huntley in 2014.

$150.68M $37.66M

in commercial/industrial development (roughly $141 in new construction)

in residential development (roughly $23.1 million in new construction) Source: The village of Huntley

The Farmside / classiied@shawsuburban.com • Thursday, July 24, 2014 • MC • CLASSIFIED

COMMUNITY

CLASSIFIED

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Visiting Angels of Crystal Lake provides in-home, non-medical care through hourly or live-in shifts. If you have a C.N.A. or experience caring for seniors, we invite you to

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CROSSROADS CARE CENTER If you love to work in a warm, friendly & family like atmosphere, come in & see us!

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FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER Allendale Association, a multi-service child welfare agency, is seeking a full time Foster Care Case Manager to oversee all aspects of cases in our Foster Care program. Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology or related Human Services field and two years progressively responsible social services experience. Child Welfare Employee Licensure, Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol Certification, and Certification to conduct licensing of foster homes are desired. Per DCFS regulations candidate must be 21 years of age and have a valid Illinois or Wisconsin driver's license with a good driving record. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits and an education assistance program.

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CLASSIFIED • MC • Thursday, December 25, 2014 • The Farmside / classiied@shawsuburban.com

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Publisher's Notice: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation of discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD tollfree at 1-800-669-9777. The tollfree telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

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