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Crystal Lake South’s 6-foot-9 senior center leads team to victory against Wauconda with 19 points / C1
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Ill. offers Fabrik Plastics tax credit
Move meant to encourage business to expand, add jobs in McHenry instead of relocating By STEPHEN Di BENEDETTO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com McHENRY – State officials delivered unlikely news Tuesday to a major area manufacturer that has entertained out-of-state offers to relocate, announcing Fabrik Molded Plastics will receive state tax credits to expand and add jobs within McHenry. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
named McHenry-based Fabrik Plastics and two other companies in Northbrook and Rockford as the first recipients slated to receive Illinois EDGE tax credits since Gov. Bruce Rauner suspended the program in the spring because of the ongoing budget impasse with Democratic legislative leaders. The three companies cannot receive the tax credits until lawmakers and Rauner agree on a budget.
If a budget deal is reached, Fabrik Plastics could receive payroll tax credits to help the local plastics manufacturer launch a $5 million expansion within McHenry and offset the cost to add at least 25 full-time jobs. Pam The latest anCumpata nouncement from the state doesn’t guarantee Fabrik will
grow in McHenry County. But it does significantly boost the local efforts that have unfolded since the spring to try to persuade the company to stay, said Pam Cumpata, president of the McHenry County Economic Development Corp. “For us, it keeps us in the game and keeps us in the running for that expansion to happen here in the county,” Cumpata said. Fabrik Plastics has been weighing
whether to expand within its home base of McHenry or agree to more lucrative relocation offers from states such as Alabama, Indiana and Kentucky. Employing about 400 people, including 264 full-time workers, Fabrik Plastics has seen demand grow for its custom-molded parts primarily from clients in the automotive industry.
See FABRIK, page A8
Officer facing murder charge
ENROLLMENT IN NEW SCHOOLING METHOD ON THE RISE
Video of Chicago shooting released By DON BABWIN and JASON KEYSER The Associated Press
Photos by Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com
Students work independently Nov. 17 inside the Hub at Huntley High School in Huntley. According to the Illinois Report Card, about 2,773 students are enrolled in Huntley High School’s blended learning program, which allows a student to learn in part at a brick-and-mortar facility, as well as through online delivery, according to District 158 literature.
Choosing their path to education Huntley High School’s blended learning takes off By ALLISON GOODRICH agoodrich@shawmedia.com HUNTLEY – In his sophomore year at Huntley High School, Jason Zobott was one of only 600 students who had a red “B” on his school ID. Two years later, he rarely sees a student without one. The mark represents participation in Huntley Community School District 158’s Blended Learning program, which allows a student to learn in part at a brick-and-mortar facility, as well as through online delivery, according to district literature. For Zobott, because his first class of the day is blended, it means a few days out of the week he doesn’t physically have to be at school until second hour. “Sometimes I get some extra sleep,” he said. “Sometimes I come in if I have a lot of homework and just sit in the library.” Teachers and administrators have said the program has given the school a college campus-like feel, and gives students a head start into
See LEARNING, page A9
Whitney Branch, 16, studies Nov. 17 with optional work for her blended anatomy and physiology class inside the Hub at Huntley High School in Huntley. Branch normally would be in a classroom at this time, but by participating in the blended learning program, she is free to learn independently outside of the classroom.
CHICAGO – A white Chicago police officer who shot a black teenager 16 times last year was charged with first-degree murder Tuesday, hours before the city released a video of the killing that many people fear could spark unrest. City officials and community leaders had been bracing for the release of the dash-cam video, fearing the kind of turmoil that occurred in cities such as Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri, after young black men were slain by police or died in police custody. A judge ordered the recording be made public by Wednesday. Moments before it was released, the mayor and the police chief appealed for calm. “People have a right to be angry. People have a right to protest. People have a right to free speech. But they do not have a right to ... criminal acts,” Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said. The relevant portion of the video runs for less than 40 seconds and has no audio. Laquan McDonald, 17, swings into view on a four-lane street where police vehicles are stopped in the middle of the roadway. As he jogs down an empty lane, he appears to pull up his pants and then slows to a brisk walk, veering away from two officers who are emerging from a vehicle and drawing their guns. Almost immediately, one of the officers appears to fire from close range. McDonald spins around and crumples to the pavement. The car with the camera continues to roll forward until the officers are out of the frame. Then McDonald can be seen lying on the ground, moving occasionally. At least two small puffs of smoke are seen coming off his body as the officer continues firing. In the final moments, an officer kicks something out of McDonald’s hands.
See OFFICER, page A7
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These recipes can spice up the leftovers from your holiday meal / D1
Police accuse IDOT safety educator of setting string of Algonquin fires / A3
NIU loses to Ohio, will find out championship fate Friday / C1
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