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De ce mbe r 11 , 2014 • $1 .0 0
NOSTALGIC TRADITION Club’s display in Huntley draws train enthusiasts of all ages
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JUDY BAAR TOPINKA: 1944-2014
Local leaders remember Topinka State rep.: Illinois comptroller was a ‘trailblazer’ By ALLISON GOODRICH
man service agency leaders. “It was kind of a rough meeting just because people n Scott Reeder writes that Topinwere upset; they weren’t getka liked people and pets, but loved ting payments as soon as they Illinois. PAGE A2 should,” Carter said. “I rememn Our View: Judy Baar Topinka ber I could sense this frustrawas devoted to public service in tion in her, that she wanted to Illinois. PAGE B2 do more for them.” n Outspoken Republican rememCarter said the number of bered as political pioneer. PAGE B3 stories and online posts about her Wednesday spoke to who she was and how much she’ll sion to serve fellow Illinoisans be missed. is what will stay with him. He “Even to go on Facebook described a meeting earlier and to have so many posts on this year with a group of hu- the feed about your boss ... it’s
More inside
agoodrich@shawmedia.com News of Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka’s death was met Wednesday with statewide shock and despair, and the reactions were no different in McHenry County. Topinka, who last month won a second term as the state’s comptroller, died shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday from complications of a stroke. For Topinka’s public affairs manager, Rich Carter of Cary, the memory of her fierce pas-
just remarkable,” Carter said. State Sen. Pam Althoff, R-McHenry, said she struggled to come to terms with Topinka’s death, calling it a significant loss for the state and Republicans. “She was a professional public servant,” she said, adding Topinka did a “remarkable” job as treasurer and comptroller. “From the perspective of the Republican Party, she was a woman that spoke her mind, said what everyone wanted to
See TOPINKA, page A5
Shaw Media file photo
Judy Baar Topinka (right) talks with Alice Phillips of Oak Brook during a meeting in Geneva as she campaigned for governor in 2005. Topinka died early Wednesday morning.
Rauner reviewing lotto deal
McHENRY LIBRARY PROJECT AN EXAMPLE OF STATE’S ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
Team weighs options on ending of contract By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press
H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@shawmedia.com
David Harding, facilities manager for the McHenry Area Public Library, walks between the 40 solar panels pointed south atop the flat roof of the facility on Front Street in McHenry. Library officials project the panels will save 3 to 10 percent on the library’s electricity bill, depending on how sunny it is.
Powering ahead on green goals Illinois ranks 11th in nation for energy efficiency policies
By JOSEPH BUSTOS jbustos@shawmedia.com Atop the flat roof of the McHenry Area Public Library, 40 panels are pointed south and tilted at a 33-degree angle. The dark blue panels are absorbing sunlight and transmitting the energy through a series of cords and conduits into the former Althoff Industries warehouse. Library officials project the panels, which cost about $54,000 to install, will save 3 to 10 percent
on the library’s electricity bill, depending on how sunny it is. McHenry Area Public Library Executive Director Jim Scholtz said the panels will pay themselves off in seven to 10 years, and they are expected to last at least 40 years. “We share the public’s money,”
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Scholtz said. “I want us to do our part to spend it wisely so we can have funds to do other things.” Becoming more energy efficient has been a goal in the state’s Illinois Energy Conservation Code since it became effective in 2006. Renovations, additions, repairs, and alterations to most existing
WHERE IT’S AT
More talks on TIF district
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NATION
Huntley forces Trojans into 23 turnovers en route to a 45-31 victory in a clash of past FVC Valley division winners / C1
See EFFICIENCY, page A5
LOCAL NEWS
Lakewood also considering second taxing district for area of Routes 47, 176 / A3
Red Raiders prevail over C-G
commercial and residential buildings also must follow the conservation code. The goal of the code is to protect the environment and reduce energy consumption. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Illinois ranks 11th in the country for policies and programs encouraging energy conservation. The report says Illinois is one of 14 states to make broad, long-term commitments to energy efficiency.
CHICAGO – State officials’ handling of an Illinois Lottery agreement became the latest bump in the handoff between gubernatorial administrations as Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner’s legal team said Wednesday it is weighing options to fight a contract termination deal signed by Gov. Pat Quinn that the Republican alleges hurts taxpayers. Quinn’s office and lottery officials announced Tuesday they had officially ended the state’s con- Bruce tract with Chica- Rauner go-based Northstar Lottery Group through an agreement. The private vendor didn’t reach the ambitious sales promises it used to win its bid in 2010 and the parties worked out long-term details to avoid costly lawsuits. But Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf claimed the agreement was essentially a hefty new contract binding Illinois’ hands for years and eliminating the ability to collect penalties, which would equal lost revenue. “It is essentially a state pardon for Northstar wrapped in taxpayer-funded giveaway,” Schrimpf said in a statement. Lottery Director Michael Jones dismissed the claims, saying it was a good deal for the state. The transition of power hasn’t
See LOTTO DEAL, page A5
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CIA responds to allegations Spy agency fighting back against Senate’s torture report findings / B4
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