THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 • NWHERALD.COM • $1.00
HAWKS SUFFER FIRST HOME PLAYOFF LOSS
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS Blackhawks - 2 Kings - 6
Corey Crawford reacts after allowing a Los Angeles Kings goal
Series tied 1-1
EATING OUTDOORS McHenry County diners prepare for meals on the patio
Planit Play, 10
Woodstock in dispute with union Local 150 alleges city violated law in handling of public works employees’ health plan By SHAWN SHINNEMAN sshinneman@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – The union representing Woodstock’s public works employees alleges the city violated Illinois labor law when it sprung a
Redistricting group lacks signatures for map vote
meeting about a new health plan on the employees without first notifying the union. In a complaint compiled by the Illinois Labor Relations Board, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 says Woodstock
called a meeting on or about Nov. 8 to inform public works employees their health insurance coverage was changing and that benefits would be reduced. Woodstock failed to notify union representatives of the meeting, the complaint alleges.
“Health and welfare is a main subject of the bargaining agreement,” said Ed Maher, Local 150 spokesman. “If they wanted to change the benefits, they’d first have to notify the union and set up a meeting to talk about this.”
According to the complaint, the meeting was called by Woodstock Human Resources Director Deborah Schober. But in Woodstock’s written response filed last week,
See LABOR LAW, page A5
HEAD SHAVING FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Authorities say many entries were invalid By CHACOUR KOOP The Associated Press SPRINGFIELD – The group that wants to take the politically powerful process of drawing election maps away from Illinois lawmakers is facing more challenges after election authorities found that a majority of petition signatures needed to put the question to voters were invalid. By the numbers State Board of Elections executive director Rupert Borgs- signatures tested miller said less by the election than half of a 5 authorities percent sample of signatures submitted by the of the signatures “Yes for Indepen- were found to be dent Maps” cam- valid paign were valid – dealing a blow to an effort that of the signatures already faces a must be proved to court challenge belong to registered in Chicago. But voters by May 30 campaign officials say they’ve got enough valid signatures to put the constitutional amendment on the ballot in November and argue the state was “sloppy” in verifying signatures. “We believe that the state ran a rushed, uneven, and back-room signature validation process, and that’s the reason for the unacceptable validity rate,” campaign manager Michael Kolenc said. He argues that about 600 signatures were checked after work hours when campaign members weren’t present, and contends that this would have made a difference in the outcome. Election authorities tested more than 25,000 signatures and found that only 46 percent were valid. The group needs to prove by May 30 that at least 60 percent of the sampled signatures
25,000
46 percent
60 percent
Photos by Michelle LaVigne for Shaw Media
Emma Keesey (right), is seen with her 12-year-old sister, Maya, on Monday in the backyard of their McHenry home.
Girl goes bald to support sister McHenry fourth-grader raises thousands for cancer research By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com McHENRY – Ever since Maya Keesey lost her hair as a result of her chemotherapy treatment, her little sister, Emma, has wanted to shave her own head in support. The Riverwood Elementary School fourth-grader was recognized last week for raising the most money out of any grammar school student in the greater Chicago area for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “I wanted to raise money and help other kids with cancer who are going through
the same thing Maya’s going through,” Emma said. Her sister, 12-year-old Maya who attends Parkland Middle School, was diagnosed with leukemia in October 2012 after her parents, Todd and Rachel Keesey, took her to a pediatrician. She had pain in her eyes and legs and low-grade fevers, and she had been really tired, taking naps in the middle of the day – something quite out of character. She’s now halfway through her maintenance stage, which
See ST. BALDRICK’S, page A5
Todd and Rachel Keesey sit with their two daughters Emma (center back), 10, Maya, 12, and son, Jackson, 5, on Monday in the backyard of their McHenry home. Emma raised the most money of any grammar school student in the Chicago area for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and shaved her head in support for Maya, who has leukemia.
See REDISTRICTING, page A5
LOCALLY SPEAKING
Cary-Grove’s Genna Sobieszczyk (right) Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
HUNTLEY
CARY
POLICE HOST BENEFIT FOR AILING OFFICER
BOARD REVIEWS NEW DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Banding together, Huntley police have been busy collecting donations for Sgt. L.J. Marak, a 13-year veteran of the Huntley Police Department, who is stricken with a rare form of cancer that has already forced him to miss work and spend time away from his family. The donation efforts will culminate Saturday with a benefit in Woodstock. For more, see page B1.
Plans for a 60-unit apartment complex are scheduled to be presented Thursday at the village’s Zoning, Planning and Appeals Board meeting. Pedcor Investments, based out of Carmel, Indiana, wants to build a 60-unit workforce housing apartment complex on 4.5 acres at First and Pearl streets. For more, see page B1.
CARY: Offense takes over in Class 3A regional semifinal as Cary-Grove beats Grant, 5-0. Sports, C2
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