Woodstock Independent 10/7/2020 by Woodstock Independent

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Oct. 7-14, 2020

Published every Wednesday | Est. 1987 | Serving Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Bull Valley, Ill. | www.thewoodstockindependent.com | $1.50

Coroner: Elect, or appoint?

Politics divides opinions on binding referendum on Nov. 3 ballot By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Support and opposition appears to follow party lines in the referendum Nov. 3 that would make the McHenry County coroner an appointed, rather than elected, position. Voters will decide in a binding

VOTERS GUIDE

Candidates on Nov. 3 ballot featured in special section

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PAGE 15

referendum whether to make that change. The last time they had the opportunity to eliminate an elected position, in March 2018, nearly 79 percent voted to make the county recorder’s office a function of the county clerk. In questionnaires The Independent recently sent to candidates for coroner

and County Board, six Republicans said they opposed the referendum and five Democrats indicated support (one did not respond). The lone Libertarian in the group, who happens to be a candidate for coroner, also voiced opposition. If a majority of voters approve the See CORONER, Page 2

CROWDED FIELD

If you haven’t taken Metra lately, you missed a free ride PAGE 13

COMMUNITY

Addressing veteran suicides involves many local agencies

PAGE 23

INDEX

Obituaries

Opinion

Schools

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Classified

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The Woodstock Independent

671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone: 815-338-8040 Fax: 815-338-8177 Thewoodstock independent.com

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Campaign signs line the road leading to the McHenry County Administrative Building in Woodstock, the only early-voting site in the county until Oct. 19, when 11 other polls – all outside Woodstock – will be opened.

Return to school set – maybe By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Students in Woodstock School District 200 will return to classrooms Oct. 19. Probably, but not yet for certain. With parental approval, of course. The Board of Education voted last week to adopt a new hybrid learning program that will combine in-school instruction with remote learning from

home. Parents still may choose fulltime remote learning for their children, which has been in effect for all D-200 students since classes resumed Aug. 17. The return to school buildings depends, however, on four COVID-19 metrics monitored by the McHenry County Department of Health. Those are rates of infection incidence and positivity tests, hospital admissions with coronavirus-like symptoms, and

weekly increases in new cases. At its regular meeting Sept. 22, the board voted to make decisions on the return to school based on those metrics. In a special meeting a week later, board members voted 5-0 to adopt a new hybrid learning program that will go into effect Oct. 19 – but only if the metrics are right and health officials have a quick and transparent dashboard to report them to the public.

See SCHOOLS, Page 2

NEWS

Oct. 7-14, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

CORONER

Continued from page 1

referendum, the change will take effect Nov. 30 – before a newly elected coroner can be sworn in.

Who should choose coroner?

The idea to allow the County Board to appoint the coroner came from Board Chairman Jack Franks after the resignation last year of Coroner Anne Majewski, whose departure revealed disarray in the record keeping and evidence security of the office. Majewski resigned for health reasons, and the functions of the position were given to the sheriff’s office on an interim basis. “Decades of mismanagement by previous elected coroners has left the office in a shambles that puts McHenry County, to quote an outside report, at an ‘incalculable liability exposure,’” Franks wrote in his response. Franks, a former nine-term member of the Illinois House, pointed out that state law required no qualifications for the coroner other than being a registered voter who is at least 18 years old. “The coroner’s office desperately needs to be professionalized, and politics taken out of it,” Franks wrote. “... The COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing opioid epidemic, have proven that we need a full-time, accountable medical professional in that office. It’s long past time for our method of selecting a coroner to catch up with modern practices.” But Mike Buehler, a Republican who is challenging Franks’ attempt at a second four-year term as chairman, disagrees. “I don’t think it’s ever a good idea to hand your power to vote over to a politician,” he wrote. “... The office needs to be kept independent of political influence, and the voters should be the ones to hold the office accountable should the need arise. Don’t vote to give your right to vote away.”

SCHOOLS Continued from Page 1

Board President Carl Gilmore was a reluctant vote, pausing several seconds before casting the fifth “yes” vote. Two members were absent, and one attended remotely. “I don’t know that we’re in a position to say we’re starting on the 19th,” Gilmore said before the vote. “It could be the 26th. If the metrics change, this isn’t going to be implemented.”

Looking for direction

The board has a regular meeting on Tuesday this week, when conditions could change.

INDEPENDENT STAFF PHOTO

Yard signs throughout McHenry County oppose the referendum to change the county coroner’s position from elected to appointed.

Coroner candidates agree Both candidates for coroner oppose the change. Democrats failed to field a candidate, but Libertarian Kelly Liebmann obtained enough signatures to get on the ballot by petition. She is opposing Michael Rein, a former County Board member who finished second in the Republican primary for coroner but was chosen by the party to fill the ballot vacancy after primary winner Mark Justen died just days after he won the nomination in March. “Continuing to elect the coroner in McHenry County helps to ensure the separation of powers and duties of all the agencies (coroner, law enforcement, and state’s attorney) involved in a death investigation,” Rein wrote, “and eliminates any bias or outside influence from the few who would have the power to appoint the coroner.. Rein, a chiropractor, noted the coroner’s office was among those agencies with a specific role in investigation of

an unnatural or suspicious death. “If one of those roles can be influenced by any outside influences, even remotely, these separation of powers fail to work as constructed,” Rein wrote. An elected coroner is the preference of the Illinois Coroner and Medical Examiners Association, Rein reported, which believes “the best way to keep separation of powers during death investigation is to have a coroner’s office elected by the citizens. ...” Liebmann, director of North American Logistics, likened an appointed coroner to committee assignments by embattled Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. “Do you think members of the Illinois General Assembly are vulnerable to political pressure and intimidation with regards to those appointments? Of course!” she wrote. “... [T]he appointed coroner will no longer be elected by voters or be accountable to residents and taxpayers. An appointed coroner will be selected by bureaucrats and politicians already entrenched in government.” She pointed out that voters couldn’t remove “a derelict appointed coroner.” “An appointed coroner will be chosen by the same politicians who, in 2014, were stripped of their power to choose their own chairman,” she wrote. “Do we really trust them to make the choice for coroner?”

Board candidates differ

Four Republicans and three Democrats campaigning for County Board seats are divided along party lines. Both districts that represent the Woodstock area have four candidates each for two open seats. Their positions: n Damon Hill of Woodstock, Republican in District 5: “Illinois has a lack of accountability in politics – instead of another appointed bureaucrat, the county coroner should remain elected, and therefore accountable, to the citizens of McHenry County.

n Michael Skala of Huntley, Republican incumbent in District 5: “I believe the position should remain elected by the people because I believe we need to allow ‘democracy’ to happen. I also believe that the requirements for the office of Coroner should be amended by the state legislature to ensure the requirements of the job align more directly with the needs of the job.” n Larry Spaeth of Harvard, Democrat in District 6: “The current statutory qualifications do not delineate the proper qualifications for this office. If made an appointed position the Board can specify the qualifications and do a proper recruitment search.” n Nancy Glissman of Huntley, Democrat in District 6: “I would like to see this position become one based on skill and qualifications, not political party. I would like to see the position run for 5-10 years, and I would also like to see someone in it with both applicable experience and college education. A 5-10 year term would give the County continuity.” n Tracie Von Bergen of Hebron, Republican in District 6: “It should remain a decision by the people. If getting a qualified person is the concern, the state can add prequalification requirements before a petition is accepted to be on the ballot, as is the case for the township assessors.” n Paula Yensen of Lake in the Hills, Democratic incumbent in District 5: “When we have a coroner who is unqualified in forensic medicine, they have to contract with a third party to do the actual work. That adds a layer of cost and bureaucracy to our government. A qualified medical examiner would bring a level of competence, independence and professionalism to our county that is sorely needed.” n Jim Kearns of Huntley, a Republican incumbent in District 6, indicated he also opposed the referendum. n Lynn Gray, a Democratic candidate in District 5, did not respond to the questionnaire.

But administrators were looking for some direction last week to begin the complex process of reopening schools. A survey has been sent to parents so school officials will know how many students plan to return to class and how many will continue with remote learning. In a similar survey in July, about 70 percent of parents said they would send their children back into classrooms. The new information from parents also will allow planning of bus routes under the new hybrid learning system, which is different from the one devised for the return to school See SCHOOLS, Page 3

n For details of the hybrid learning plan, visit woodstockschools.org.

Flu shots should last about 6 months, county medical adviser Laura Buthod said, and this year’s flu vaccine combines new strains of influenza to better “match” the expected flu virus in our community. “The time to get the vaccine is now,” Buthod said. “The vaccine takes about 2 weeks to start working and we want to get ahead of this potentially deadly virus.” As a pediatrician, Buthod assured parents that flu vaccines are safe and effective for everyone 6 months and older. To protect younger infants, it is

Time for annual flu shots, health officials suggest Annual flu shots should be administered by November, when the flu season typically begins, according to a reminder from the McHenry County Department of Health. According to a news release, the flu vaccine can protect high-risk people, including babies and the elderly.

“If you’re not feeling well, stay home.”

Continued from Page 2

Mike Moan, superintendent Woodstock School District 200

out there.” Administrators hoped to have survey results this week to begin mapping out the return to school on Oct. 19 – if the metrics are right. That will depend on whether health officials can provide reliable data quickly. A return to school would involve the safety protocols announced earlier

with the plan to go back to school in mid-August: a temperature check for students and staff upon entering the building, mandatory mask wearing, and social distancing. But Moan said one clear message would be sent to students and parents. “If you’re not feeling well,” he said, “stay home.”

Report

03/29 04/05 04/12 04/19 04/26 05/03 05/10 05/17 05/24 05/31 06/07 06/14 06/21 06/28 07/05 07/12 07/19 07/26 08/02 08/09 08/16 08/23 08/30 09/04 09/11 09/18 09/25 10/02

Infections

52 133 (+81) 234 (+101) 348 (+114) 503 (+155) 703 (+200) 953 (+250) 1,175 (+223) 1,407 (+232) 1,584 (+177) 1,733 (+149) 1,849 (+116) 1,911 (+62) 2,002 (+91) 2,119 (+117) 2,268 (+149) 2,470 (+202) 2,703 (+233) 2,946 (+243) 3,210 (+264) 3,396 (+186) 3.598 (+202) 3,828 (+230) 4,002 (+174) 4,199 (+197) 4,343 (+144) 4,527 (+184) 4,705 (+178)

Deaths

2 3 (+1) 7 (+4) 16 (+9) 28 (+12) 39 (+11) 50 (+11) 61 (+11) 69 (+8) 73 (+4) 83 (+10) 87 (+4) 90 (+3) 96 (+6) 97 (+1) 101 (+4) 106 (+5) 108 (+2) 112 (+4) 113 (+1) 113 (+0) 113 (+0) 115 (+2) 116 (+1) 116 (+0) 118 (+2) 118 (+0) 119 (+1)

SUNDAY

Does not include two “probable” deaths SOURCE: McHenry County Department of Health

June 10-16, 2020

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St., 671 E. Calhoun 60098 Woodstock, IL 8-8040 Phone: 815-33 Fax: 815-338-8177 Thewoodstock om independent.c

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20 students in District 200 receive 2020 PRIDE awards

had been for a Saturday as it 6 t, was as busy OpiniOn use of coronavirus of Cass Stree time this season. Beca 4 Obituaries 9 by this photo rounds. It will nced the first schOOls nry County 6Fairg stock, as evide return the Square for OpiniOn et a&e ed to at11its winter home at the McHe Downtown Wood Farmers Mark et had d ay and Saturday. the staye Tuesd when each while 8 schOOls open 13 producers mark uleaceof being Marketpl concerns, the normal summer sched 11 a&e 19 cOMMunity now resume the

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All net proceeds from the 5k Run/Walk go to Family Health Partnership Clinic’s Breast Cancer Fund. Family Health Partnership Clinic is a 501(c)3 non-profit.

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in August before the board reversed course to remote learning for all. Instead of shuffling students in and out of schools in a.m. and p.m. shifts, the new plan has students attending in-person classes on alternating A and B days, with classes divided between live in-person lessons from teachers and live-remote lessons. Details of the plan are available on the D-200 website, woodstockschools. org. “There are a million different plans,” Superintendent Mike Moan said of conducting classes during the pandemic. “There are lots of viable plans

WEEKLY COVID-19 CASES FOR McHENRY COUNTY

Oct. 7-14, 2020

SCHOOLS

recommended that pregnant women get the inactivated flu vaccine to “begin building the baby’s defense against the flu in the mother’s womb.” To get a flu shot, contact a primary care physician or use the Vaccine Finder by visiting vaccinefinder.org/find-vaccine. Mercyhealth in Woodstock, 2000 Lake Ave., is offering a flu clinic through Nov. 21. Hours are 4 to 6 p.m. Monday and Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. People should bring insurance cards or be prepared to pay.

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OBITUARIES Charles E. Leucht, 92

Charles E. Leucht, 92, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully in his sleep late Thursday afternoon, Sept. 17, 2020. He was born June 9, 1928, in Peoria to William and Lona (Schneider) Hammitt and adopted by Walter H. Leucht in 1938 after his mother remarried. Several of his early years were spent at Guardian Angels Orphanage durCharles E. ing the DepresLeucht sion years. He was a member of the 1947 class of Spalding Institute and a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1948. Chuck married Jacquelyn Conger on July 9, 1950, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Chicago and served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Reserves for four years during the Korean War. In 1953, he founded the SchneiderLeucht Funeral Home in Woodstock with his in-laws, Elmer and Wanda Schneider. The firm grew into the Schneider-LeuchtMerwin-Cooney Funeral Home, and he was very proud of the care given to all the families they were proud to serve. He was a member of the McHenry County Illinois and National Funeral Directors

Association, the Elks, Moose, and Lions clubs, the Knights of Columbus and cofounder of Leo F. Cooney Livery Associates. He was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock and believed in Catholic school education, sending all five of his kids through St. Mary and Marian Central. In his retirement, he was a member of St. Mary Church in Brownsville, Texas. An avid golfer, he was a 40-year member of the Woodstock Country Club and enjoyed nearly 30 years at Rancho Viejo Country Club in Texas. He was a former senior champion and was very proud of his nine holes-in-one. He loved sports and was a fifth- and sixth-grade boys’ basketball coach for St. Mary’s. He loved it and was very proud of the performance and success of his teams. In his retirement, he served as an alderman of the town of Rancho Viejo for six years, two years as mayor pro-tem. He is survived by his wife, Jackie; five children, Charles (Patricia), Regina (Wiley) Bell, Walter (Judy), Teresa (John) Pappas, and John (Cathy); and “Big Daddy” to 25 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Our dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather will be dearly missed by all of us who loved him for his kindness, a man with a good heart and very supportive with his family. Preceding him in death were his parents;

son, Kevin Christopher in 1956; and a sister, Jane (Linc) Williston. A private Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 Lincoln Ave., Woodstock. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery in Woodstock. Public visitation was on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions if desired should be directed to the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society or The Guardian Angel Program of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. The Fredrick Funeral Home in Hampshire assisted the family. Info: 847-6832711 or online at fredrickfuneralhome. com.

Steven M. Lilja, 60

Steven M. Lilja, age 60, of Woodstock, passed away Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, at Northwestern Hospital-McHenry. He was born in Harvard on May 21, 1960, to George and Marilyn (Nelson) Lilja. He was a man of faith and opened his heart to many people. As owner of Final Phase Construction company, he prided himself in doing fine work. He was loved and will be missed by all. He is survived by his parents; a son,

Christopher (Rebecca) Lilja; two granddaughters, Savannah and Sienna Lilja; a brother, Scott (Doreen) Lilja; two nieces, Rhiannon Lilja and Tyler (Jaime) Cassidy; a great-niece, Hadleigh; and greatnephew, Noah. Services will be Steven M. at a later date. Lilja For more information, contact the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock, at 815-338-1710, or visit slmcfh. com.

Where to send obituaries

You may mail obituary information to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com, or mail to or drop it off at our office, 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock IL 60098. Obituaries are posted to thewoodstockindependent.com when they are received and published in the next print issue. There is a charge for standard obituaries and use of a photo. For more information, call The Independent at 815-338-8040.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG Woodstock Police Department

■ Carolina Heredia Murray, 29, Woodstock, was arrested Sept. 19 on charges of driving with electronic communications device, driving with license suspended, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance. Court date Nov. 19. ■ Robert A. McEstes, 59, Woodstock, was arrested Sept. 21 in the 2200 block of North Seminary Avenue on a McHenry County warrant charging failure to appear. Bond $3,000. Released on personal recognizance. Court date Oct. 30. ■ Alexandria R. Murray, 18, McHenry, was arrested Sept. 22 at Church and Main streets on a charge of driving with license suspended. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance. Court date Nov. 19. ■ Nicholas A. Lopez, 25, Harvard, was arrested Sept. 23 on charges of theft and domestic battery (two counts). Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Fortino Salinas-Pluvial, 21, Chicago, was arrested Sept. 23 on U.S. 14 near the South Street bridge on charges of speeding and no valid driver’s license.

Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Oct. 29. ■ Jessica L. Miller, 21, Woodstock, was arrested Sept. 23 at South and Throop streets on a charge of driving with license suspended. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Nov. 19. ■ Angel D. Holland, 23, Woodstock, was arrested Sept. 24 in the 200 block of North Madison Street on charges of failure to signal when required and driving with license suspended. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance. Court date Nov. 19.

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office

■ Randall D. Woody, 40, Woodstock, was arrested Sept. 15 on charges of being an armed habitual criminal, felony possession/use of firearm (two counts), delivery/manufacture of cannabis 500-2,000 grams, violation of cannabis control act 500-2,000 grams, possession of controlled substance (four counts), and delivery of 5-15 grams of LSD/analog.Thomas M. Stygar, 54, Wonder Lake, was arrested Sept. 15 on a charge of battery/physical contact.

■ Kimberly L. Goffinet, 52, Woodstock, was arrested Sept. 22 on charges of aggravated battery/use of deadly weapon and battery/causing bodily harm. Charges are only accusations of crimes, and defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District EMS calls for Sept. 24-30: 55 Fire Runs Sept. 24

6:07 p.m. – 1900 block of Tappan Street, arcing/shorted electrical equipment; shift commander, two engines Sept. 25

2:20 p.m. – 2000 block of North Seminary Avenue, malfunctioning alarm system sounded; ambulance 4:38 p.m. – Square Barn Road and Reserve Road, Huntley, assist police or other agency; Expedition 8:02 p.m. – South and Hill streets, oil/ combustible liquid spill; engine Sept. 27

4:27 p.m. – Davis and Stieg roads, traffic accident with injuries; engine, shift

commander, two ambulances 5 p.m. – Hughes Road and North U.S. 14, traffic accident with no injuries; engine, shift commander, ambulance

Sept. 28

5:55 a.m. – U.S. 14 and Lily Pond Road, power line down; engine 2:39 p.m. – 1100 block of South Eastwood Drive, traffic accident with injuries; engine, ambulance 3:34 p.m. – 8200 block of Mason Hill Road, traffic accident with no injuries; engine, shift commander 7:26 p.m. – Eastwood Drive and Irving Avenue, traffic accident with injuries; engine, shift commander, ambulance Sept. 29

6:07 p.m. – 2700 block of Trillium Lane, lockout; engine 9:05 p.m. – 800 block of Zimmerman Road, unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire; shift commander, engine Sept. 30

2:38 p.m. – 900 block of Lake Avenue, unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire; shift commander, ambulance 8:36 p.m. – 400 block of South Madison Street, unintentional alarm system activation, no fire; shift commander, engine, ambulance

Trick-or-treating OK, but not on Square this year

Valley Hi Nursing Home plans to allow indoor visitation of residents in the next few weeks. According to a news release, the county-run long-term care facility will continue to follow procedures for enhanced infection control to permit a limited reopening of the facility for family visits. In July, Valley Hi began to allow outdoor visits that followed CDC guidelines, but that will become impractical as late fall and winter draw near. The tentative plan will allow for indoor visitation in the common areas and keep families out of the nursing units. Administrator Thomas Annarella said the building’s design would easily allow for that. He warned, however, that the plan was tentative and could change if local infection rates surged.

County again planning to limit its tax levy for 2021

McHenry County is on track to submit a flat property tax levy for the 2021 fiscal year for the third straight year. According to a news release by County Board Chairman Jack Franks, the board’s actions – including making the levy freezes into permanent tax cuts – had saved county taxpayers $28 million. Although the law would allow the county to levy more than $73.8 million, the proposed 2021 levy at $69.7 million is almost $10 million less than the $79.4 million the county levied in 2016, the release said. Franks urged other local taxing bodies to follow the county’s example.

NEWS

Valley Hi preparing for inside visits for residents

Oct. 7-14, 2020

Woodstock Square won’t host trick-or-treating this year because of COVID-19, the city announced, but kids can still do their door-to-door solicitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. According to state guidelines, anyone participating in trick-or-treating should maintain social distance and wear proper face coverings; travel only with household members; and wash hands before eating candy. Residents are urged to place individual candies outside and turn on their porch lights to invite trick-or-treaters. Parents should teach their children not to approach a house unless the porch light is on.

5 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

IN BRIEF

OPINION

Oct. 7-14, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Opinion

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Cheryl Wormley Publisher, Co-Owner

Paul Wormley Co-Owner

Woodstock, IL • 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Cheryl Wormley Larry Lough Sandy Kucharski Ken Farver

Let kids learn from responsible behavior

Because this is 2020, and next to nothing has been normal this year, it makes perfect sense that Woodstock School District 200 has adopted a plan that will finally return students to classrooms 12 days before Halloween. These are, indeed, scary times that are made all the more frightening by people who don’t take our national health crisis seriously. Maybe the positive diagnosis last week of the nation’s leading skeptic, President Trump, will convince some of the denialists that COVID-19 is nothing to take lightly. So, it is encouraging that the D-200 Board of Education has taken a strong stand to follow coronavirus metrics, as tracked by the McHenry County Department of Health, before giving a final green light to students’ return to school. Some board members were reluctant to go so far as to set a tentative date of Oct. 19 for resumption of in-school instruction. “If we go back,” board member John Parisi asked at the Sept. 22 meeting, “... are we going to be able to stay there?” We can’t know, of course, but D-200 administrators have assured parents that all safety protocols will be followed, including the daily temperature check of students and staff, mandatory mask wearing, and enforced social distancing. And they insist that the metrics reflecting incidence and spread of the virus will ultimately determine whether schools open their doors this month. Because it takes a village ... to keep our children safe, we all can do our part by following the advice

» YOUR VIEW

Consider sending mayor to state General Assembly Brian Sager has been an outstanding mayor in my opinion. Few conflicts, no publicity seeking, just good steady management of a wonderful town year after year. Brian Sager also has been generous with his time, a frequent local charity auctioneer like none other. He cares about people and animals. Please consider voting for this fine candidate for state representative and hope that he can help with our many problems in Springfield. Nancy Vazzano Woodstock

Email letters to the editor to pr@thewoodstockindependent. com or mail them to 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock IL 60098.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY LUKE GOINS

“When I said get your mask for school, that’s not what I meant.” of health experts with regard to use of face masks, social distancing, and crowd capacity limits, which are model behaviors for children, who need all the support they can in navigating the difficulties of

these troubling, dangerous times that are unlike anything they – or we – have experienced. Never has it been more important to be adults. Do your part.

» GUEST COLUMN

Sometimes, you can’t help but laugh

The other day on a Zoom gathering, one of the participants said, “Leslie, you look thinner. Have you lost weight?” “Yeah, I’ve lost over 15 pounds during this pandemic,” Leslie replied. Then, the first participant said, “Unfortunately, I’m the one who found them.” After a very short pause, all of us on the Zoom call laughed. Not a single one knew that moment was coming; but when it did, the laughter burst forth from everyone in unison. Right now, I’m really interested in the phenomenon of laughing. As many of you know from experience, laugh responses come in different packages: the snorts, the guffaws, the giggles, the honks – even ones that cause coffee to spurt out of your nose. During that

Zoom call, I wanted to distinguish among the laughing styles of my friends, but I was so swept up in the moment – the contagious, spontaneous nature of the laughing – Jan that I couldn’t tell Bosman you which laugh belonged to whom. Guest Columnist As you might guess, laughing is very often a social function. Researchers say that we are 30 times more likely to laugh in a group than we are by ourselves. And, according to the Mayo Clinic website, laughter that is “real” provides us with at least two benefits: increased oxygen to the heart, lungs,

and muscles as well as increased endorphins that are released by the brain and help to improve our mood and to reduce physical pain. Sometimes, though, our laughter is contrived. That kind of laughter is called etiquette or volitional laughter. Even when things aren’t funny, we laugh to fit in or to act like we get the joke when we don’t. Today, both spontaneous and volitional (fake) laughter are prevalent in almost every aspect of human life; but, evidently, they sound different. Researchers tell us spontaneous laughter is characterized by a higher pitch and shorter duration than is the sound of fake laughter. Knowing that leads me to a project I would like you to undertake.

Continued on Next page

Type into your browser, “Can you tell a fake laugh from a real one?” You will get a UCLA website that provides you with four samples of laughter. Take time to listen to each sample as many times as you feel is necessary. Then, click “fake” or “real.” This little experiment won’t take more than a few minutes. Your results will confirm that you can tell when someone is faking a laugh; yet, sometimes, social survival prescribes that we pretend. Some people who needed a little kick-start to their laughing (before social distancing began) took advantage of the roughly 5,000 laughter clubs worldwide. Around 200 exist in the United States. Laughter clubs got their start in Mumbai, India, in 1995, when Dr. Madan Kataria began to use laughter in his medical practice. Laughter clubs aren’t comedy clubs where audience members laugh

adjusting to the new plan will be taxing for many parents and teachers, and the support from the group will be “very helpful.” As students, parents, and teachers team up to be successful at a hybrid of what they’ve done in the past, the rest of us have some work to do. First, we must continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 so the metrics allow inschool learning. Nothing has changed: wear a mask, wash your hands, and social distance. Second, we need to be mindful of safety on streets and roads. Traffic will pick up Monday to Thursday mornings. On those mornings, buses will be picking up students in time to drop them off for the start of school. Elementary schools will begin at 7:30, high schools at 8:10, and middle schools at 8:30. Buses will be back on streets and roads when in-school instruction ends at 10:15 for elementary, 11:25 for high school, and 11:39 for middle school. In addition, children will be walking to and from school, and some parents will be opting to transport their children. For me, our most important responsibility as a community is the education of our children and youth. Times are changing for them. We are called to do our part: keep the metrics down and drive safely. Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Woodstock Independent. Her email address is c.wormley@ thewoodstockindependent.com.

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because they are entertained. These are clubs where people gather to laugh. Period. In the early 2000s, a Laughter Club existed in Rockford, Ill. As an article in the Rockford Register Star pointed out, up to 20 people, for free, would gather to do nothing more than laugh together. Laughter club leader Roni Golan’s belief was that laughing helped the participants to avoid getting sick. Golan used funny scenarios – such as pretending to be on a roller coaster or hitting another participant with a cream pie – to bring on laughter at the meetings. Jokes weren’t used because they required everyone to comprehend the joke. The Rockford Laughter Club seems to have closed some years ago, but clubs are still available as close as Chicago. You don’t need to seek out a laugh club, however, to enhance your ability to laugh. You can continue to read

comic strips that make you chuckle. You can cut out jokes and paste them on a bulletin board at home or create a personal joke book. You can watch funny movies with a couple of pals or continue to Zoom with people who have a sense of humor. You might even read – to a grandchild – a classic poem by Ogden Nash. The most important take away from this column is that “real” laughter is spontaneous. We really can’t stop it. Furthermore, laughter heals what ails us, and it is contagious in a very good way. What can be better than all that! And, by the way, “Did you hear that the price of duck feathers has risen? So now even down is up.” Jan Bosman of Woodstock taught English and business education in public schools for more than 30 years.

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nearly 6,500 students is being given the option of going to school two half-days a week or continuing with 100 percent eLearning. The ones who opt Cheryl for being in their Wormley classrooms will Declarations learn remotely when not at school. The return to school buildings is contingent on the area meeting four COVID-19 metrics monitored and reported by the McHenry County Department of Health. I don’t know which of the various metrics the MCDOH tracks will determine whether in-school learning begins, and, if it begins, that it can continue. Most likely the metrics will include positivity, rate of infection incidence, hospital admissions, and weekly increases in new cases. Back in mid-August as the school year was beginning, Jennifer Marsh started Woodstock District 200 Parents eLearning Support Group. “We are not affiliated with District 200. We are made up of parents, teachers, and administrators who are here to support each other,” she said at the time. I joined the group because I was curious and wanted to be supportive. It has grown to nearly 900. I talked with Jennifer last week to see whether the group would be continuing as the district shifted to hybrid learning. Her answer was a definitive, “Yes!” She said

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Oct. 7-14, 2020

Students in Woodstock School District 200 have completed one-quarter of the 2020-21 school year. I hope they are celebrating along with their teachers and parents. All can take a much-earned bow for switching from in-school teaching and learning to eLearning. I haven’t been directly involved in this new form of education. I’m not a student, teacher, or parent of a student. My understanding of what’s been happening comes from observing, listening, and seeing posts on Facebook. Students have been at home receiving their instructions from their teachers and completing their assignments and homework on computers – mostly laptops. Through the wonder of audio and video conferencing programs similar to Zoom, students have communicated with their teachers and other students. Teachers shifted from having their students gathered in a classroom to seeing their faces on computer screens. They learned to use new computer programs and revamped their lesson plans to maximize learning in a new format. And parents made space in their homes and in their days for their children’s eLearning. Parents, especially of elementary-school children, stayed home or arranged for an adult to be with their children every day. It has worked, but not without difficulty, anxiety, and an extreme amount of effort. Now it’s on to the second quarter with a new hybrid-learning program beginning Oct. 19. Each of the district’s

Woodstock

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Do your part to lower metrics

The

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Pet Week

ALYSSA GRAF

SAVING JUST ONE PET WON’T CHANGE THE WORLD BUT, SURELY, THE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOR THAT ONE PET.

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Temporary hours: M/W/F/SA 12 PM - 4 PM by appointment only 2500 Harding Lane, Woodstock (Off Rt. 14 at the Lake Shore Dr. traffic light)

Alyssa Graf is a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School. She is the daughter of Rod and Amy Graf, McHenry. “Alyssa is a beautiful young woman inside and out. Her ability to remain humble while accomplishing so much is just one of her many superpowers! She is a model student here at Marian Central,” said one of her teachers. Alyssa ranked in the top 10% of her class and is on the Principal’s List. She is member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She has earned the Marian Discipleship Award and Academic Excellence. Allysa is the co-president of the Pro-Life Club, vice-president of the National Honor Society, a council member for the freshman mentor program, and secretary of the Spanish Honor Society. She is a member of Key Club, a writing lab tutor, and she is on the volleyball team. Outside of school, she volunteers at the St. Thomas Food Pantry and Feed my Starving Children. She also coaches for the VolleyKids program at Sky High Volleyball. When asked who inspires her, Alyssa said, “Every Friday morning after 6 a.m. mass, my grandfather, a devout Catholic, would take communion to the homebound. This was characteristic of a life devoted to helping others. He taught me to always see the good in people regardless of their past or station in life.” When asked what makes her feel successful, Alyssa said, “My hard work ethic and determination meant that even in the face of obstacles, I have always persevered in both academics and athletics. However, the real payoff of any of my successes has been those moments when my roles in leadership have helped others succeed. For example, in my capacity as a mentor I have taken pride in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for freshmen at Marian.” SPONSORED BY

To see this pet or others or to volunteer to help walk dogs, call the shelter at:

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SCHOOLS

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Schools

‘Making music together again!’ For the first time since March, WHS orchestra students get together By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock High School orchestra students worked diligently in eLearning classes to rehearse music for a performance last week that was recorded as an outside performance without a live audience. It can be viewed on the orchestra’s Facebook page. The Woodstock School District 200 music staff worked with administration to create a plan for students to safely come together outside and record while the weather was nice. The students played with masks, followed social distancing, cleaned between groups, and had regular temperature/symptom checks. “Learning online is trickier and slower than it would be if we were all together in class due to lagging, but it has gone pretty well,” said Lyndra Bastian, orchestra director at Creekside Middle School and Woodstock High School. “It has allowed us to have a better understanding of each instrument’s part while forcing us to become very

Holly Maye of Wonder Lake, is among more than 130 first- and seond-year students invited to join the selective Leland F. and Helen Schubert Honors Program this fall at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. To be invited to join, incoming students are required to have a minimum 3.6 high school GPA when admitted to the university. Second-year students must have achieved at least a 3.5 GPA while at Ohio Wesleyan. The Honors Program provides students with a mentored pathway through their studies to help them develop skills in creative inquiry, pursue advanced topics within and across academic disciplines, and master complex analytical and research skills.

Kelsey Coltrane joins new conservation effort Varsity orchestra violinists rehearse in front of WHS. comfortable playing on our own. Because of lagging time, we can’t hear each other well as the students had to each stay on mute while rehearsing virtually.” The WHS performing groups involved in this concert were the chamber orchestra, varsity orchestra, freshman orchestra, and concert orchestra. The musicians rehearsed outside in two 40-minute sessions before the recording on Sept. 30. The rehearsals were the first time the orchestra played as a group since March 11. “It’s been really fun and rewarding

COURTESY PHOTO

for us all to be making music together again!” Bastian said. WHS/WNHS orchestra assistant Becky Blaho helped with the rehearsals. “The WHS orchestra students went above and beyond to make this happen,” Bastian continued. “They’ve made great usage of their eLearning classes and these two rehearsals for the performance. I am proud of them and appreciate their time and extra effort.” The recordings can be followed on the WHS/CMS Orchestra Facebook page.

Kelsey Coltrane of Woodstock, a student in the Advanced Inquiry Program of Miami University’s Project Dragonfly, is participating in a new course with conservationists from around the world to launch a conservation campaign for positive ecological and social change. Miami’s Dragonfly team developed the course, titled “Earth Expeditions: Connected Conservation,” in response to the global health crisis and as an alternative to the summer Earth Expeditions travel field courses that take place in 15 countries throughout the world. Coltrane works as a client care representative at BluePearl Veterinary Specialty and Emergency in Woodstock.

SCHOOLS

COURTESY PHOTO

Orchestra director Lyndra Bastian directs violas, cellos, and bassists of the Woodstock High School varsity orchestra as they rehearse in front of the school.

Holly Maye admitted to Ohio Wesleyan honors

Oct. 7-13, 2020

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point conferred degrees on more than 1,100 graduates for the spring 2020 semester. They included Woodstock resident Selena Cruz, who received a Bachelor of Arts in international studies with a concentration in Latin American and Caribbean studies.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

COLLEGE CURRENTS Selena Cruz earns degree from UW-Stevens Point

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Oct. 7-13, 2020

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A&E

Successful Second Act

Although it didn’t win Emmy, Jeep commercial ‘big deal’ for Woodstock By Tricia Carzoli

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

“I keep saying, it is like déjà vu,” stuntman Rick LeFevour of Woodstock said of being able to double for Bill Murray one more time. Though the TV commercial for the Super Bowl, which filmed here in January, did not win an Emmy Award at last month’s ceremonies, the nomination itself was no small feat. Olivier Francois, chief marketing officer for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, said in a statement that the nomination was “an indication that the ‘Groundhog Day’ creative resonated with consumers and with the industry.” Francois, who called the commercial “a big deal for Woodstock,” said the nomination confirmed the company’s marketing was “leading the way in automotive, nine years after our first big splash.” Chrysler won an Emmy for “Outstanding Commercial” in 2011 with rap star Eminem. Stuntman LeFevour said a lot was familiar from the original shooting of “Groundhog Day,” in the early 1990s. “Bill [Murray] didn’t forget those places he frequented,” LeFevour said. “He asked about [Swiss Maid] bakery because he remembered the ladies there giving him doughnuts and cookies all the time when he was walking around that corner, just like he did for the commercial. “I took him to the Mexican restaurant because he wanted tacos from the place we used to get them – and I don’t think they had any idea who Bill was. We tried to do the same things we did when we filmed the original.”

Been there, done that

The movie became a metaphor for living the same day over and over again, and the commercial quickly became the theme for the beginning of the new decade. It was for LeFevour. He recalled receiving a call about the commercial the day he returned to the Opera House bell tower to reminisce, ahead of Groundhog Days 2020, about his time as a stunt double for

INDEPENDENT FIRE PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Bill Murray (above) and Brian Doyle-Murray arrive on the scene in January for the shooting of Jeep’s Super Bowl commercial. (Left) Murray has company on Benton Street while awaiting action for the shoot.

Murray, which included jumping from the tower and driving both the Cadillac on the railroad tracks and the original orange Chevy truck for the movie. “When the producers of the commercial found out that I had doubled for him in the original film, I think they thought this was going to be great because I already knew what was going on,” LeFevour said. “And I got the job.” On that blustery day last January, LeFevour drove the new Jeep Gladiator as ad agency Highdive and Jeep officials looked on. Stephen Tobolowsky, the actor who

brought “Needlenose” Ned Ryerson to life in the movie, explained that Murray’s character change during the commercial had a lot to do with the Jeep. “He was ready for adventure because the Jeep gave him something to look forward to,” Tobolowsky said in a phone interview last month. LeFevour agreed. “It is the same idea about changing as a person,” he said, “but instead of Andie MacDowell changing his life [in the original film], the Jeep gladiator changed his life.” For that change, LeFevour took the Jeep to its limits in local areas. “Driving a brand-new vehicle was a little different,” said LeFevour, an experienced stunt-driver and owner of Midwest Stunt. “We were in the Chain O’ Lakes State Park, and some areas were a sheet of ice underneath. I didn’t want to be the person that took the new Jeep into a ravine.” He also drove the Gladiator the wrong way (east) on Cass Street, but it didn’t seem to bother him.

“At first it was a little strange, because I drive the Square often – the right way; but I’m a stuntman,” he said. “I’m used to doing what they tell me to do.”

Different animal

Déjà vu continued for LeFevour as he also doubled for Murray during the commercial shoot in the tent at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. “Bill had left, and I needed to fill in for him as a body double,” LeFevour recalled. “And I’d done that before, too.” For the movie, LeFevour had famously swan-dived out of the bell tower of the Woodstock Opera House dressed as Murray, too. One thing that was different, LeFevour said, was the groundhog. “Poppy was so docile,” he said of the rescued groundhog used in the commercial. “The groundhog in the original movie bit Bill. He had to wear chainmail under his gloves to protect

Continued on NEXT page

Continued from PREVIOUS page

11 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Oct. 7-13, 2020 INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Colleen Grandrath of Woodstock admires her drawing in the 20th anniversary exhibition of Real People. Her music-inspired “You Were All Light,” a white colored pencil drawing on black paper, received a Biafarin Gold Winner ribbon. The show, open through Oct. 31 at the Old Courthouse Arts Center, is an international juried fine art exhibit that includes more than 70 works from across the media spectrum to celebrate the arts through faces and figures.

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his hands. This time around, Poppy was really easy to work with.” That might be the only element that was different. Tobolowsky said that when he returned to the Square for the Groundhog Days festival in 2019, Woodstock was “one of those rare places where you can return to the set, and it feels exactly the same.” Anthony Fatigato, who worked on the original “Groundhog Day” film, said viewing the commercial evoked sentimental emotions. “Seeing Stephen [Tobolowsky], Brian [Doyle-Murray], Bill [Murray] – the snow,” he said, “it was refreshing. It was awesome to relive it. Everything was the same. “... This was an iconic movie. Just like “It’s a Wonderful Life” reminds you of Christmas, ‘Groundhog Day’ reminds you of spring. The snow, the Square, the actors… it was great to see it all again.” LeFevour felt that Emmy Award winners now are serious in content, which might be why the Jeep commercial lost out. “I enjoy funny and uplifting content,” LeFevour said,” and this commercial was entertaining in that way – and made the Jeep, and Murray, of course, the stars.”

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Peggy Magee shared a photo of four generations of her family with their masks – (from left) Cindy Magee, Emily Gomez, Peggy Magee and Lenny Wilson. The Independent invites every generation to submit a picture of family, club, office, or other group wearing masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Please email your photo to woodstock4all@thewoodstockindependent.com. We’re all in this together, Woodstock.

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Marian Central Catholic High School’s 1968-1969 varsity basketball squad. Front, from left: Tom Blenner, Mark Peasley, John Spitzen, Rich Jukubowski, and Coach Bud Grover. Middle row: Tony Gumma, Tim Reitinger, Marty Torren, Tim Althoff, Pat Neisen, and Randy Jackson. Back row: Phil Kiefer, John Dehn, Rick Zeller, Charles Luecht, C. J. Ludford, and Gene Hester.

Tickets are now available for the McHenry County Historical Society’s 2020 Heritage Quilters Raffle Quilt, “Fit to be Tied.” The new quilt is a bow-tie pattern made from reproduction 1930’s pastel prints. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased at www.mchenrycountyhistory.org.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

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The free ride on Metra is over By Susan W. Murray

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

When the pandemic hit in March, Metra stopped collecting cash fares, thereby eliminating any risk in person-to-person transactions. In June, Metra and BNSF resumed collecting fares on eight of 11 lines that they operate. Union Pacific, however, did not allow its conductors to collect fares or monitor the cars on its three lines out of “an abundance of caution,” South said. Metra spokesperson Michael Gillis said that when eight of its lines resumed having conductors take fares in June, the step was in line with CDC guidelines, including

Woodstock-to-Chicago riders on Metra have had a lonely experience since COVID-19 restrictions were enacted last spring. At least they haven’t had to pay a fare for the ride. That changed Monday. enhanced cleaning procedures and requirements for face masks and social distancing. Gillis said that Metra disagreed with Union Pacific’s stance on not collecting fares or monitoring the train cars for the past four months. “The other lines are safely operating,” Gillis said. “We make our systems safe for our employees and our riders.”

And if you don’t go to Ogilvie? While 90 percent of riders might get on or get off the Northwest line at Ogilvie, what about those who ride between Woodstock and Arlington Heights, for example? Conductors will still not collect fares on board the train, and those commuters never reach the concourses at Ogilvie. “Violators will be subject to the law,” South said. And how will those riders be identified and their payment

collected? “Union Pacific is requesting that Metra police ride the trains and enforce the law,” South said. Metra police would ask riders boarding or disembarking anywhere but Ogilvie for proof of purchase. Asked whether Metra would agree to put its police officers on the trains for that purpose, Gillis said the plan does not fulfill UP’s contractual obligation to collect all fares on its trains. “It does not call for the resumption of ticket sales and ticket validation by conductors,” Gillis said in a statement. “It does not even call for conductors to resume walking through the passenger cars. This not only results in a loss of revenue to the Metra system, but also results in the erosion of customer safety and security.” Repeated passes by conductors See METRA Page 13

■ Residence at 1220 Tappan St., Woodstock, was sold by Decker Construction LLC, Sheridan, Wyo., to Kabir Pramukh Reality, Inc., Woodstock, for $162,500. ■ Residence at 2901 Brahms Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Aaron D. Ackerman, Woodstock, to David James Carlisle, Woodstock, for $205,000. ■ Residence at 12207 Baker Terrace, Woodstock, was sold by The Scott P. Miller and Sally J. Miller Revocable Trust, Woodstock, to Iva Corinee Folk, Woodstock, for $297,000. ■ Farm, approximately 18.5 acres, at 2411 Country Club Road, Woodstock, was sold by 2411 Country Club LLC, Elgin, to Jigsaw Jake LLC, Lake Barrington, for $1,700,000. ■ Residence at 2121 Serenity Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Thomas J. Wasberg, Crystal Lake, to David Snitkowski, Woodstock, for $272,000. ■ Residence at 2605 Stacy Court, Woodstock, was sold by William Streng, Grand Haven, Mich., to Colleen Connolly, Woodstock, for $531,000. ■ Residence at 2400 Applewood Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Amy M. Balcer, Crystal Lake, to Francisco Chapel, Woodstock, for $120,000. ■ Residence at 3205 Pond End Lane, Wonder Lake, was sold by Tammy M. Flick, McHenry, to Amanda Gallagher, Wonder Lake, for $273,000. ■ Residence at 1615 Wheeler St., Woodstock, was sold by The Carole J. Bartman Trust, Marengo, to Matthew J. and Barbara J. Kempster, Woodstock, for $155,000. ■ Residence at 8806 Acorn Path, See REAL ESTATE Page 14

Presented by: Kim Keefe REALTOR® 110 1/2 N Benton St, Woodstock, IL 60098 815-333-0014 • 815.790.4852 (call or text) Kim@TeamOpenDoors.com

MARKETPLACE

Dispute over fares

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY SUSAN W. MURRAY

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Aug. 14 to 27.

Oct. 7-13, 2020

If you boarded a Metra train in Woodstock during the past six months without a ticket to ride, you were in the clear. Union Pacific conductors on the Northwest line did not leave the front of the train to sell paper tickets or to validate passes purchased on the Ventra app. The free ride ended this week. Beginning Monday, Union Pacific is collecting fares for the Northwest line, as well as its UP North and West lines, from several plexiglass booths that are set up on the concourses at Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago and on the lower level near the French Market. All riders boarding or disembarking the trains “will be required to show a valid ticket,” said Kristen M. South, senior director for Union Pacific’s corporate communications and media relations. South said the procedure for checking tickets at the plexiglass booths would be “streamlined and efficient.” She noted that 90 percent of the riders on those three lines boarded or disembarked at Ogilvie. Reporting of the new system began Sept. 28 with intercom announcements on the trains. On the same day, ticket sales resumed at Ogilvie and the outlying stations.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Marketplace

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

10% OFF ALL SERVICES WITH THIS AD FREE PICK-UP AND DELIVERY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY SUSAN W. MURRAY

This sign was merely a hollow threat on Metra’s northwest line from Chicago, as no fares have been collected since the coronavirus struck in March. But starting this week, riders will have to pay up.

METRA

MARKETPLACE

Continued from Page 13

E R O EF

B W KNO

! E T O V U YO The

Woodstock

check out our voters guide

I NDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER READERS ARE VOTERS! Jen Wilson: 815.701.9258 • jen@thewoodstockindependent.com Katy O’Brien: 815.701.9268 • katy@thewoodstockindependent.com

through the cars encourages good social behavior, Gillis wrote, and the conductor can quickly summon police if witnessing illegal and unsafe behavior, medical emergencies or passengers needing assistance.” Metra also has “serious concerns” about the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of Union Pacific’s new collection process, Gillis wrote. “... We will be carefully monitoring the implementation of their plan ... to ensure our concerns do not materialize. ... Metra continues to consider its options to compel UP to fulfill its contractual obligations.”

Loss on top of loss

Union Pacific’s decision not to collect fares on its trains from Chicago to Harvard, Kenosha, and Elburn resulted in a loss of revenue of $1 million for each of the past four months, Gillis said. Those losses are part of a huge drop in revenue for the

REAL ESTATE

Continued from Page 13

Wonder Lake, was sold by 596 Dunham LLC, Lake Zurich, to Olivia Camacho, Wonder Lake, for $189,999. ■ Residence at 221 Nuthatch Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Joanne O’Malley, Woodstock, to Value Properties, Inc., Des Plaines, for $116,000. ■ Residence at 1114 Queen Anne St., Woodstock, was sold by The Peter J. Bowes Living Trust, Knoxville, Tenn., to Calvin E. Huckabone, Woodstock, for $164,500.

transportation system during COVID. Collected fares and an RTA sales tax are Metra’s two sources of funding. With fewer people working in offices and others staying away from crowds, Metra’s ridership was cut by 90 percent, Gillis reported. Metra’s losses are $330.6 million this year, a combination of a 74 percent drop in fares ($244.5 million) and sales tax proceeds that are 26 percent lower ($86.1 million). Projected for 2021, Gillis said, is a $351.9 million loss. Metra assumes that fares will be off 63 percent ($220.4 million) and sales tax revenue off 37 percent ($131.5 million).

Have a pass that is expiring? Metra has extended through April 1, 2021, the validity of its one-way and 10-ride paper tickets that were due to expire anytime between March 2020 and July 2020. Those who hold mobile tickets bought through the Ventra app should contact Metra at covid19ticketinfo@metrarr.com.

■ Residence at 9212 IL Route 120, Woodstock, was sold by Thomas J. Scheel, Ocala, Fla., to Elizabeth Freeman, Woodstock, for $275,000. ■ Residence at 532-534 Bunker St., Woodstock, was sold by Chicago Title Land Trust 3585, Huntley, to Daniel Timmer, Woodstock, for $193,800. ■ Residence at 840 Bach Court, Woodstock, was sold by The MFRA Trust, Chicago, to Dare A. Falade, Woodstock, for $270,000. ■ Residence at 8609 Pebble Creek Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by Scott O’Sullivan, Ingleside, to Juan Ortega, Wonder Lake, for $250,000.

Early voting underway; it’s not too late to apply to vote by mail that day, only a couple of voters were waiting outside the conference room and the wait was only a few minutes. For now, early voting is allowed only at the Administrative Building. Any McHenry County voter can cast a ballot there, regardless of residence. On Oct. 19, those 11 other sites will open, also for any voters. For now, voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours will expand starting Oct. 19, and Saturday and Sunday hours are planned before Election Day.

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

With less than four weeks before the Nov. 3 election, you can still apply for a vote-by-mail ballot. But you better hurry. As County Clerk Joe Tirio has pointed out, having that ballot gives a voter options. With that ballot, a voter may: n Put the ballot in the mail. “If you plan to vote by mail, plan ahead,” according to a postcard sent recently by the U.S. Postal Service. “... We recommend you mail your ballot at least 7 days before Election Day.” n Drop the ballot into a secure ballot box. The only one in Woodstock is in the parking lot at the McHenry County Administrative Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. n Surrender the ballot in person at the polls – either an early voting location or at the polls on Election Day. That ballot will be voided, and you can vote in person. As of last Friday, more than 60,000 applications had been received by the clerk’s office. Applications for the ballot can be made through the clerk’s website at mchenrycountyil.gov.

Early turnout heavy

Turnout at the Administrative Building was heavier than usual the morning of Sept. 24, the first day for early voting in the Nov. 3 presidential election. Eleven other early-voting sites – all of them outside of Woodstock – will be open starting Oct. 19. While first-day voting in the clerk’s

Changes in voting sites

If you have a vote-by-mail ballot, you may deposit it in the secure drop box in the parking lot of the McHenry County Administrative Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. office at the Administrative Building normally has no more than a few dozen voters, more than 350 ballots were cast this year. The voting site for this election is set up in a second-floor conference room. Some of the earliest voters hit a snag shortly after the poll opened at 8:30 a.m. A couple from Greenwood reported they, and others, were told they already had voted.

County Clerk Joe Tirio explained some voting data that had been entered to test the system had not been purged. The problem, which didn’t affect all voters, was solved within a couple of hours, he said. The line of eager voters early on that first morning stretched down the hallway to a second-floor elevator, which caused a wait of about 30 minutes. But when The Independent visited at 2 p.m.

Woodstock North High School will no longer be the county’s universal voting site on Nov. 3. Tirio reported that site has been moved to the Administrative Building. Four precincts in Greenwood Township will, however, vote at WNHS on Election Day. Those are Greenwood precincts 2, 4, 6, and 7, which polls previously had been located at the Administrative Building. Some other Woodstock-area polling sites have also been changed for Nov. 3. n Dorr Township precincts 7 and 9 will vote at Dean Street Elementary School, 600 Dean St. Those precincts previously voted at Redeemer Lutheran Church, which will close after deciding to discontinue its ministry. n Hartland Township precinct 1 will vote at the McHenry County Department of Transportation, 16111 Nelson Road. That polling site had been at Valley Hi Nursing Home. Voting hours on Election Day will be 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

VOTERS GUIDE

Voters still have options available

Oct. 7-13, 2020

The Woodstock Independent emailed short questionnaires to candidates in contested local races to solicit information that might help voters. Candidates who responded have their replies and photos printed in this voters guide. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 200 words for each question. Some responses have been edited for length.

15 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

VOTERS GUIDE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3

VOTERS GUIDE

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 14TH DISTRICT

State Sen. Oberweis emerged from field of seven Republicans to face first-term incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood Q: What do you believe are the three defining issues in the 14th District race for Congress this year? Underwood: My immediate priority is keeping our community safe during the coronavirus pandemic. We must implement a national COVID-19 strategy to provide testing and treatment, limit community spread, prevent health disparities, and support a robust economic recovery. My responsibility in Congress is to send federal resources to northern Illinois as we navigate this crisis. Second, COVID-19 has only underscored how desperately we need highquality, affordable health care for our families. We’ve made a lot of progress to secure free COVID testing for our community, but we must also ensure free COVID treatment for those who have been infected. Out-of-pocket health care costs remain too high for many of our families. Additionally, we’re seeing the importance of a national paid family and medical leave policy as we navigate this crisis. My third priority is cleaning up Washington. The overt corruption of the Trump Administration has degraded public trust in our government. One of the first pieces of legislation I supported as a member of Congress was the most sweeping anticorruption reform bill since Watergate, to reduce the role of money in politics, strengthen ethics rules to make certain that politicians actually serve the public interest, and make it easier for Americans to vote. Oberweis: The issues I hear about the most on the campaign trail are crime, taxes, healthcare, and jobs. One of the reasons I am running for Congress is the fact that I do not want Illinois to become the example for the rest of the nation. Illinois is an example of the tremendous

Home: Naperville Age: 34 Vocation: Registered nurse, public health expert who worked in Obama administration

Lauren Underwood damage out-of-control spending and high taxes can do. We have thousands of people leaving Illinois each year because of the high taxes and outrageous spending. Illinois should serve as a reminder that sound fiscal policies and fair – not punitive – taxation is the best way to improve our economy. People want access to affordable, quality healthcare. There are free market solutions that will enable us to achieve these goals. We can lower costs, increase access all while protecting pre-existing conditions. Allowing more competition, increasing price transparency, and allowing portability of healthcare coverage are just some of the ways we can improve healthcare. When it comes to jobs, I have been a job creator for decades. I have built and run three successful businesses. I have an MBA from the University of Chicago. I understand economics, and I have created thousands of jobs in the last 10 years. Finally, while we have all witnessed some horrific mistakes by a few police officers, such mistakes do not mean we should “defund the police.” I believe we all have the right to protest wrongs that we see. I have done so myself. That should not be a political issue. But when we see people destroying businesses, rioting, and looting to protest wrongs, that is absolutely unacceptable.

Q: In a sharply divided Washington,

Home: Sugar Grove Age: 74 Vocation: Chairman of Oberweis Dairy

best interest not to talk about presidential candidates in the Democratic Party. She recognizes that the 14th Congressional District is not anywhere near as radical as so many in her party (Underwood included) seem to be. Underwood cannot be honest with her constituents about her positions on the issues because she knows they are not in line with the majority of people in the 14th.

how will you approach the challenge of being an effective member of Congress for the 14th District?

Underwood: I’m proud that I’ve been able to identify, even amongst these most contentious issues, like immigration policy, COVID-19, and health care, opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. President Trump has signed three pieces of my legislation into law. The first was the Lower Insulin Costs Now Act, which makes generic insulin available on the marketplace sooner for the families who rely on it. I wrote that legislation in direct response to the letters and emails and conversations I’ve had across the 14th district, describing how insulin costs have risen beyond reach. Next, I passed bipartisan legislation to fund an electronic health record system to prevent children from dying of preventable illnesses while in federal custody on the U.S.-Mexico border. This March, President Trump signed a piece of legislation I wrote to examine our reliance on a foreign-based medical supply chain, which really threatens our national security – particularly during a pandemic. At the end of September, the Senate passed my legislation, the Veteran’s Care Quality Transparency Act, to ensure our veterans receive highquality mental health and suicide prevention services. I’m hopeful the president will sign that legislation into law in the coming days. I’m really proud of the way my team has been able to deliver for our community.

Jim Oberweis

Oberweis: Ronald Reagan said, “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.” I have served 7 years in the Illinois Senate and currently serve as the minority whip. I know how to work across the aisle to get things done. My opponent is one of the most partisan legislators in Congress. She does not seem interested in working with Republicans on much of anything and has voted with Nancy Pelosi 100 percent of the time this year. I will be a leader for the whole district – Democrats and Republicans. I will work with Democrats just as I did with the legislation to increase the speed limit on interstate highways from 65 mph to 70 mph. I am interested in solutions – not partisan rhetoric. We have serious challenges facing our nation. We need serious solutions, and we need people in office who will put the country ahead of partisan politics. Finally, residents of the 14th District know exactly who I am and where I stand. ... I can and will be honest with the people of this district because that kind of honesty and integrity is what voters need and deserve. My opponent told the City Club of Chicago that it was probably in her

ILLINOIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 63

Two-term Republican Rep. Steven Reick is being challenged by Democrat Brian Sager, four-term mayor of Woodstock Q: What reforms do you see as necessary to restore public trust in the Illinois General Assembly and its leadership? Sager: In order to restore public trust in the Illinois General Assembly and its leadership, we must do several things: A) strengthen the

revolving-door policy so that it would prohibit retiring legislators from becoming lobbyists immediately upon leaving office and for a minimum of 10 years following their legislative careers; B) place the General Assembly, its officers and agencies under the office of the attorney general for ethics

oversight and review, rather than under the self-policing approach of a Legislative Inspector General, which is not truly independent and currently under too much political influence; and C) have mandatory face-toface training and routine follow-up sessions for all legislators and staff

conducted by the office of the Executive Inspector General rather than relying on the current basic online training module. I strongly support all of these changes.

Reick: The House has been under one-party rule for so long that people

See District 63, Page 17

Continued from page 16

Home: Woodstock Age: 67 Vocation: Retired tax attorney; fulltime legislator

Brian Sager

office when they learn, too late, that loyalty and adherence to the party line is the only thing that matters.

Q: What three issues specific to District 63 would you address as its state representative over the next two years?

at the local level, accountability to the community that’s being served. Guided by my experience with the DCFS working group and inspired by Patrick’s letter, I introduced H.B. 4886, which would create a 5-year countywide pilot program in McHenry County, paid for with state funds, to replace the local office of DCFS with the McHenry County Children and Family Services Agency. It would be responsible for investigating instances of abuse and neglect here in McHenry County, and would be responsible to the people of McHenry County. The bill has received wide bipartisan support and will be my top legislative priority in the next session. I realize that changing an entire agency from a one-size-fits-all model to one where the buck stops at the County line will be a heavy lift, but it has to be done. A little boy consigned to an anonymous grave alongside a back road deserves nothing less from us.

MCHENRY COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN

Incumbent Democrat Jack Franks, seeking a second four-year term as chairman, is challenged by Republican Mike Buehler Q: As the County Board membership is reduced from 24 members to 18, do you believe that will increase or decrease the board’s effectiveness? Is 18 members too few or too many? Franks: Reducing the County Board’s size by 25 percent will increase efficiency. In fact, I wanted to cut the size in half to 12 members – we compromised and reached a consensus of 18 members. I would like to see the County Board’s size reduced further. Voters who elected me chairman in 2016 also overwhelmingly approved an advisory referendum to reduce the size of the County Board. I made this a priority when I took office, and immediately set to work with the County Board to make it happen. We further streamlined county government by reducing the number of standing committees from 11 to six. I strongly believe that the next vital

Home: Marengo Age: 57 Vocation: Attorney, former state legislator

Home: Crystal Lake Age: 51 Vocation: Owner, construction company for 25 years

Jack Franks reform regarding County Board structure must be moving to single-member districts, rather than the fourmember districts we have now. As County Board chairman, I am directly accountable to the people. However, four-member districts allow board members to avoid accountability and hard decisions. We are represented in the General Assembly and the US House of Representatives by single-member districts.

Mike Buehler There is no reason why the County Board should be any different. If reelected, I will make this vital reform a top priority.

Buehler: At 18 members, I think the board will be just as effective as it has been in the past. I would, however, be cautious about reducing the size of the board to such a level that concentration of power into the hands of just a few becomes a problem. The best

route may be to let the board operate at 18 members for a few terms, observe the operation, and to then decide whether to reduce it further. The cost reduction of a smaller board is an obvious benefit but not the only factor to be considered.

Q: How can the County Board address high property taxes in McHenry County – both those the board controls and those controlled by other units of local government? Buehler: Reducing spending is the key to successfully reducing taxes. You can lower taxes all you want, but without reducing the spending commensurately you’ll be doing nothing more than repeating the mistakes of Springfield. This is going to be the No. 1 issue facing this board in the coming See Chairman, Page 18

VOTERS GUIDE

Reick: I’m going to focus on one, which is the issue of the total dysfunction at DCFS, which contributed to the tragic death of 5 year-old A.J. Freund here in McHenry County. After his death, I served on a legislative working group that took a deep dive into the operations of DCFS and came to the inescapable conclusion that the agency is incapable of substantive reform. Last October I received a letter from Patrick Kenneally, the McHenry County state’s attorney, in which he said the primary responsibility for protecting children in a community should belong to the community, not the state. The child welfare system will not work unless there is accountability

Steven Reick

Sager: First, District 63 residents are concerned about rising property taxes and their ability to live and work in Illinois. They want lawmakers to take specific, permanent steps to reduce the burdensome reliance on property taxes to cover costs of education. Progress was made with the recent “evidence-based funding” legislation and the state’s pledge to direct another $350 million annually to fund education. The biggest challenge remains, however; that is, the heavy reliance on local property taxes to fund education because the state has not met its statutory funding obligation. Illinois must increase its commitment to education and the graduated tax would provide that opportunity. Second is the concern for affordable health care and pharmaceuticals. This is especially true for seniors and families. The state must ensure a stable Illinois Medicare and Medicaid system with affordable healthcare alternatives. Further, Illinois must reinvest in mental health and addiction prevention and treatment programs for all ages. Third is the lingering concern over COVID-19 and future potential for similar pandemics. We must recognize future possibilities, acknowledge lessons learned, and plan for a consistent statewide response and communication plan addressing health, safety and welfare while supporting businesses, schools and families in a proactive, equitable manner.

Oct. 7-13, 2020

just assume that corruption in our legislative process is a feature and not a bug. As the ongoing federal investigation of Com Ed shows, those who control the agenda in Springfield are involved up to their necks. While Republicans have succeeded in launching a House committee investigation of the Com Ed deferred prosecution agreement and its identification of the speaker as the subject of bribery attempts, the Democrats on the committee are doing their utmost to slowwalk the process beyond Election Day. Republican members have proposed numerous reform measures to bring transparency to the operation of the House and to curb the authority of the majority to control the legislative agenda for their own purposes, but those measures never see the light of day because they get stalled in the Rules Committee, which operates under the thumb of the speaker. Ethics reform needs the cooperation of the majority party in the House, and until it begins to demand accountability from its own leadership, up to and including a thorough house-cleaning, we’ll get nothing. What the Legislature does need is more members who will be vocal opponents to the status quo when it matters. instead of those who run for office saying that they’re all in favor of conversation and consensus-building, but then fall in line with the speaker’s

Home: Woodstock Age: 67 Vocation: Retired college professor and administrator; McHenry County Representative on Chicago Regional Transportation Authority Board

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

DISTRICT 63

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

CHAIRMAN

Continued from page 17

years. Especially with the large revenue shortfalls expected due to COVID19. Encouraging other units of government to follow the same path and looking into cost-saving intergovernmental agreements for overlapping areas may be one way to work together to reduce the burden on the already overtaxed citizens.

FRANKS: I ran in 2016 on a

promise to cut county government’s tax levy by 10 percent. We exceeded that goal, and have cut more than 14 percent. We’ve reduced the levy for three consecutive years, most recently turning those reductions into permanent tax cuts. We also rebated more than $8.2 million from Valley Hi Nursing Home to eligible homeowners. We did all this without cutting a single service, and there’s no reason why

other governments can’t follow our example. Two years ago, I brought together representatives from our school districts – which make up the largest share of property tax bills by far – to discuss the need to reduce their levies. Unfortunately, we can’t compel other governments to follow our lead. Homeowners and our businesses are voting with their feet and taking their

tax dollars, intellectual capital, and jobs, with them. As long as I am chairman, I will continue to fight to find every penny of savings we can through streamlining and thinking outside the box. Other local governments need to realize that we are in crisis, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and that inaction is the worst option when people are leaving for tax-friendlier places to live.

MCHENRY COUNTY CORONER

VOTERS GUIDE

With no Democratic candidate on the ballot, Libertarian Kelly Liebmann petitioned to challenge Republican Michael Rein Q: If you win the election and the

office remains an elective position, what changes in organization and operation of the office do you envision?

Rein: Top priorities would be upgrading our current computer system and taking all the old paper files and digitizing them would help with efficiency. Along with giving iPads, instead of paper notes, to deputy coroners I would require that the coroner’s office update to a bar code system for specimens and personal belongings. This system would streamline paperwork and help coordinate with local law enforcement and state’s attorney’s office. As coroner I would make sure that deputies continue advanced training/classes and updating their skills. This would include our deputies be ABMDI certified (that is national accreditation). With the increased use of opioids, fentanyl, heroin-laced drugs, and even vaping, we must try to curb these senseless deaths in our community. Having worked with the McHenry County drug coordinator on numerous occasions regarding drug deaths by examining trends both locally and nationally. I will help find ways to combat these deaths by working with our local law enforcement and state’s attorney. Suicides among veterans are over 60,000 since 2008. As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and having worked with our County Mental Health coordinator and VAC director, helping veterans find resources in a troubled time is of utmost importance.

Home: Woodstock Age: 56 Vocation: Doctor of chiropractic; former County Board member

Home: Wonder Lake Age: 43 Vocation: Director, North American Logistics

Michael Rein

Liebmann: If I am elected, resi-

dents will have a coroner who will be on duty full time to take calls from residents and support the office and its staff. Unlike my chiropractor opponent or the previous coroner, I do not have a private practice to run while also trying to maintain the position of coroner. The coroner’s office must plan and prepare for a significant increase in deaths from the long-term effects of the coronavirus, closure of businesses, and an impending economic depression. I will work toward a solution for the ever-increasing pressures of growing caseload forced upon our deputy coroners. Residents deserve a more transparent coroner’s office than the administration is currently providing. I will ensure annual death statistics are available to the public and maintained on the coroner’s webpage. I will also make public my contact information so that residents can reach out to me directly. Currently, the information on the website the administration provides to contact the coroner’s office is for a retired employee.

Kelly Liebmann If the county cannot maintain simple duties such as these right now, can voters really expect an appointed coroner to be superior to an elected coroner?

Q: State law requires no professional qualifications for a coroner. What makes you the better candidate in this race for the position McHenry County coroner? Liebmann: Both my opponent and I are capable of performing the duties of coroner in very different and unique ways. When you read or listen to me discussing the coroner’s position, you will notice I talk about others and why the coroner has a duty to residents; this stems from my training in police science and desire to serve. My education in criminal and civil law differentiates me from my opponent. Some of the major deficiencies exposed during the 2019 audit of the coroner’s office stem from the coroner having insufficient knowledge of criminal law. I pledge not to join IMRF (pension plan), potentially saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands in future benefit payments to my opponent or an

appointed coroner. My opponent joined IMRF when he was a part-time county board member; any claims or promises from him regarding not taking pension benefits are disingenuous.

Rein: I am the only candidate who holds two medicolegal and forensics death investigation certifications that are held by coroners and medical examiners. A bachelor’s degree in human biology and Doctor of Chiropractic. I have over 6,000 hours of academic and clinical training. This is including but not limited to human anatomy/diseases/pathologies, to properly diagnose and give successful treatment outcomes. I have studied thousands of X-rays/MRI’s over my medical career. Having almost 20 years of experience in the medical field, I passed multiple National boards to become licensed in the state of Illinois. Under the Medical Practice Act of Illinois I am held to the same standards as an M.D. and a D.O. I have the critical thinking skills it takes to determine the best course of action during suspicious and difficult scenarios regarding death. I served four years as a McHenry County Board member, and I am familiar with the budget process. This is a large and critical undertaking every year and the allocations that go along with the coroner’s office. Having worked with human resources, purchasing department and the county administrator gave me a great understanding on the rules and laws that govern the coroner’s office and county.

Democrats Yensen (incumbent) and Gray run against Republicans Hill and Skala (incumbent) – vote for two

Home: Woodstock Age: 42 Vocation: Software consulting (customer experience, A.I and machine learning solutions)

Q: As the County Board membership is reduced from 24 to 18, do you believe that will increase or decrease the board’s effectiveness? Are 18 members too few or too many? Yensen: The number of board members is less important than having good, dedicated members who are willing and able to do the work. However, I do believe the board can be more effective with fewer members if we can get back to using the board for oversight and setting high-level policy rather than micro-managing. Right now, many of the committee meetings last for three or more hours, which is a sign that the board has lost focus on its original mission. I don’t think we want a full-time board that encroaches on the duties of the professional staff. We simply want diverse representation from across the county to ensure that all citizens get a seat at the table. Eighteen is a reasonable number if we also redraw the board into more, smaller districts, so that all parts of the county are adequately represented on the board. I’m personally in favor of drawing nine two-member districts or 18 singlemember districts so that each district is smaller and easier for board members to represent. I think that would also encourage more people to consider running for the board, because it would be less expensive and time-consuming to mount a campaign. Hill: In general I am a supporter of smaller – and more local – government. From my years in the business world, I also know that 24 is too many members for any committee to be efficient. The concerns and rights

Michael Skala

Home: Huntley Age: 49 Vocation: Self-employed

Jim Kearns government consists in the art of being honest.

Please Vote for Jim Kearns on the March 17th Republican Primary I am a lifelong resident of McHenry County. I and My wife (Dacia) of 34 years, have raised three children and are proud Grandparents of two Grandchildren (soon to be three), all residing within McHenry County. My children and I were County 4-H members and proudly showed Beef and Swine at the McHenry County Fair for many years. My wife and I own and operate a successful pet food company within McHenry County with distribution in 30 States. In 2015, to memorialize our late daughter, Jennifer, we created Lovey’s Foundation to provide help to various pet rescues and shelters. McHenry County is a great place to live, work, andReick. raise a family. Paid for by Citizens to Elect Steven A copy of our report is or will be filed I with am the an independent thinker who places the priorities State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois. of the people over my own. I currently hold the position of Chairman of the McHenry County Transportation Committee and Chairman of the Storm Water Commission of McHenry County. I am not afraid to stand for what is good for the County Residents and will not bow to threats and pressure placed upon County Board members by self-serving politicians. As a county board member, I will continue to lead with honesty and integrity by working in a transparent manner with all government bodies to increase business/ economic growth and infrastructure with attention to lowering taxes. McHenry County must alleviate property flooding. My efforts will include jointly working with the Farm Bureau; Conservation District, and Municipalities to reactivate drainage districts to eliminate drainage problems by clearing clogged waterways thus improving our home values and increase agriculture production. McHenry County must support all Mental Health organizations while addressing the needs of our growing Senior population and also continue to lower the opioid crisis and focus on other mental health issues. I find great satisfaction in working on behalf of the citizens of McHenry County and in creating an effective, cost efficient form of government that serves the people Please Votetofor Jim Kearns onCounty the March 17th Republican Primary while aiming permantly lower the Tax Levy. This is why I am running for re-election to McHenry CountyI am Board district 6. a lifelong resident of McHenry County. I and My

- Thomas Jefferson

of citizens of McHenry County can be adequately represented with 18 board members. Anyone who tells you 18 is the magic number is being disingenuous, since there is no way to determine effectiveness until we actually pursue that route. Regardless, doing so would help decrease the burden on the taxpayers of McHenry County – and that is a step in the right direction.

Skala: The board will operate more efficiently with 18 members, but I support reducing the size of the board even further. Whereas today we have four people serving in each of six different districts for a total of 24 members, I have been a vocal advocate of re-drawing the districts to reflect 12 single-member districts. I believe single-member districts would allow each member to have a smaller constituent base, making them more effective and responsive to the needs of the people they represent. Q: How can the County Board address high property tax rates in McHenry County – both those the board controls and those controlled by other units of government in the county? Skala: The board has done a great job reducing the property taxes of the county’s taxpayers from a level close to $80 million a few years ago to a levy of $69 million this past year. At the county level, we have found ways to reduce spending without cutting any services. The board can lead by example, share our best practices with other local taxing bodies, and ask them to look at how they offer services. We See Board 5, Page 20

McHenry County Board Candidate District 6

Jim Kearns

(Dacia) of 34 years, raised three Primary. children and I ask for your vote wife in the March 17thhave Republican are proud Grandparents of two Grandchildren (soon to be

three), all residing within McHenry County. My children and I were County 4-H members and proudly showed Beef and Swine at the McHenry County Fair for many years. My wife and I own and operate a successful pet food company within McHenry County with distribution in 30 States. In 2015, to memorialize our late daughter, Jennifer, we created Lovey’s Foundation to provide help to various pet rescues and shelters. McHenry County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I am an independent thinker who places the priorities of the people over my own. I currently hold the position of Chairman of the McHenry County Transportation Committee and Chairman of the Storm Water Commission of McHenry County. I am not afraid to stand for what is good for the County Residents and will not bow to threats and pressure placed upon County Board members by self-serving politicians. As a county board member, I will continue to lead with honesty and integrity by working in a transparent manner with all government bodies to increase business/ economic growth and infrastructure with attention to lowering taxes. McHenry County must alleviate property flooding. My efforts will include jointly working with the Farm Bureau; Conservation District, and Municipalities to reactivate drainage districts to eliminate drainage problems by clearing clogged waterways thus improving our home values and increase agriculture production. McHenry County must support all Mental

VOTERS GUIDE

Home: Lake in the Hills Age: 71 Vocation: Retired United Way executive director

Damon Hill

Oct. 7-13, 2020

Paula Yensen

McHenry County Board Candidate 6 The whole artDistrict of

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

COUNTY BOARD, DISTRICT 5

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

BOARD 5 Continued from page 19

can also work with them through joint purchasing agreements to save costs. The county has many inter-governmental agreements in place that share services, goods and equipment to make each unit of government more efficient and cost effective.

Hill: In Illinois, the taxpayer is rarely present at the negotiation table when budgets and taxes are discussed. As a small-business owner, I am painfully aware of the crushing taxes and regulations that are driving Illinois’ record-level population decline for the sixth consecutive year. There

can be no “sacred cows” or “pet programs” that are considered unalterable when budgets are not balanced. These decisions are difficult, but responsible adults have to make hard choices regarding finances, and the government should start acting like responsible adults. The McHenry County Board should take a firm stand on responsible fiscal policies and be a model for other county governmental units.

Yensen: As you know, by far the largest share of property taxes goes to fund our school districts. That’s because the state is not meeting its

constitutional obligation to be the primary source of financial support for public schools. The County Board has no power to change this. Last year the state passed legislation that provides some property tax relief in some school districts. What we can do is put more pressure on the state Legislature to keep this momentum going, to reduce the burden on property owners. The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty over just how much help we can expect from Springfield, but we should still push for increased state funding. We can also continue to lead by

example. I’ve supported measures to reduce the cost of county government, including eliminating fringe benefits for part-time county board members. We can also work with the school districts to try to reduce their administrative and operating costs, as the county has done within its own domain. While I respect the independence of each school district, at some point we have to adopt shared best practices and leverage economies of scale. We can’t just say it’s the state’s fault and do nothing. Democratic candidate Lynn M. Gray did not respond to a questionnire.

VOTERS GUIDE

MCHENRY COUNTY BOARD, DISTRICT 6

Democrats Glissman and Spaeth challenging Republicans Kearns (incumbent) and Von Bergen – vote for two Home: Huntley (Sun City) Age: 60 Vocation: Retired with work experience in both customer service and social service, with a degree in social work.

Home: Harvard Age: 72 Vocation: Retired letter carrier USPS; member of NALC Branch 825

Nancy Glissman

Q: As the County Board membership is reduced from 24 to 18, do you believe that will increase or decrease the board’s effectiveness? Are 18 members too few or too many? Glissman: I have observed scores

of the various County Board meetings since deciding to run for the County Board last September. I believe that paring down the board will not only save the McHenry County taxpayers $126,000 per year in those six salaries, but also any insurance expenses possibly associated with those six additional members. The insurance costs could potentially give the taxpayer a savings of more than an additional $100,000 per year. Paring down the board could also potentially help the group dynamic: a smaller board could possibly communicate more effectively with each other. In addition, competition for the open seats could also increase incentive for board members and/or candidates to both show and convince the public they are making or will make a significant contribution to the County Board. Some believe we should make the County Board even smaller than 18 people, but I think 18 is a great place to

Larry Spaeth start. The number could be revised in the future, but making the board too small, too fast could be disruptive.

Spaeth: The reduction in the num-

ber of board members is absolutely the correct direction to move the board to a more responsive entity. I believe the proper number should be 12 members. They could be set up as two per current district or realign to 12 separate districts. The main issue is the fact that the current structure has the members as part time and many if not all currently own a business or work outside of their responsibility as a board member. It has created a culture where the board members react to issues that challenge the board rather than taking a proactive response to attack these issues with comprehensive solutions.

Kearns: Reducing to 18 members may have no effect for smaller member districts. However, I think reducing the size may lower the representation of the residents of District 6, which makes up over one half of the land mass of McHenry County. Having four members per district gives the residents better coverage, but it can

Home: Hebron Age: 47 Vocation: Farmer, Hebron Township assessor

Home: Huntley Age: 58 Vocation: Business owner, Nutri Life Pet Products

James A. Kearns be effectively accomplished by three members.

Von Bergen: I believe reducing County Board membership to 18 was a good first step in reducing spending. With 18 members, I believe they can still efficiently represent their constituents. Fewer than 18 members, I believe, will result in higher costs in the long run because of a much larger workload. Members may need staff to assist in meeting constituents, county staff, local businesses and organizations. Creating full-time County Board members is not in the best interest of McHenry County. Representation by residents and local business owners will enable our county to thrive. Q: How can the County Board address high property tax rates in McHenry County – both those the board controls and those controlled by other units of government in the county? Von Bergen: Over-taxation continues to be one of the biggest issues faced by residents and businesses of McHenry County. The McHenry County Board should address high

Tracie Von Bergen property taxes by continuing to reduce its levy. They can also ease the tax burden by encouraging the growth of new and existing businesses by addressing excessive fees and regulations. Unfortunately, the County Board can only lead by example to encourage other government bodies to reduce their spending.

Kearns: I have voted to reduce county taxes each of the past three years. I continue to promote reduced county taxes in a sustainable manner by controlling expenditures. The reduced or flat tax county levy is what we as a board can control as our part of the property tax rates. McHenry County, municipalities, and townships can further reduce their tax levy by promoting intergovernmental agreements to share services such as road maintenance and purchasing to reduce cost. Under current Illinois state laws on school funding, McHenry County has no authority over school districts to reduce school districts tax levy. The state school funding formula needs to be modified to lower property taxes. See Board 6, Page 21

Spaeth: The board has done a reasonable job over the past two years in reducing the board budget, which has saved the county taxpayer money. However, the board portion of the property tax is only 10 percent of the total property tax bill, and the impact on the total bill has been around 1 percent. The real issue with property taxes is school districts. I am a supporter of the Fair Tax Amendment on the November ballot for the simple reason that it will allow the state to put its financial house in order and allow the state to begin supporting school districts statewide at a level which is required of it by the constitution, which would take the pressure off the districts to rely on local property taxes, which amount to 65 to 75 percent of the property tax bill. I would also push for a countywide commission to partner with and assist school districts’ purchasing practices to save money through cooperative efforts in purchasing and contract services. Also, I would advocate for the investment in infrastructure that would attract investment in McHenry County. Business requires fiber-optic infrastructure to be in place as one of

MCHENRY COUNTY AUDITOR

Republican Teresi (incumbent) vs. Libertarian Young Q: What have you done in your tenure as McHenry County auditor to earn another term from voters? Teresi: Master’s and bachelor’s degree in accounting, certified public accountant, certified fraud examiner, certified internal auditor, certified risk management examination. I have been a fighter to reduce taxes and have used my background as a CPA, certified fraud examiner and certified internal auditor to be the “fiscal watchdog” for McHenry County. I have accomplished this by: n Implementing a requisition and purchase order electronic approval process to comply with the auditor statute, which ensures purchases comply with board policies and funds are not wasted. n Instituting a paperless bill approval process for the County’s approximately 400 weekly invoices. n Assisting in the implementation of the County’s new financial system. n Promoting the fraud, waste, and abuse tip hotline, “Be a Hero.”

Home: Crystal Lake Age: 36 Vocation: County auditor since being appointed in 2018

Shannon Teresi n Performing numerous internal

audits including (1) user access rights of new countywide Enterprise Management System, including the vendor management system, which resulted in identifying crucial internal control weaknesses and valued recommended corrective action and (2) the Public Building Commission, which resulted in recommendation of its closure. This will result in a positive economic impact of $147,000 of savings. I am the only candidate with auditing and government experience. Libertarian candidate James “Jim” Young did not respond to a questionnaire.

Home: Harvard Age: 53 Vocation: Lead court specialist – McHenry County circuit clerk’s office

Home: Woodstock Age: 55 Vocation: County clerk of courts since elected in 2009

Renee M. Overlee

Q: What in your personal, professional, and political experience makes you qualified to be clerk of courts of McHenry County? Overlee: I have dedicated 26 years

of my life to public service and the McHenry County circuit clerk’s office. I have trained in almost every facet of the office, so I bring the hands-on experience needed to effectively manage this office. I believe it is essential that management have full working knowledge in all areas they are overseeing. Without this knowledge, how can they effectively make the right decisions for the office and the citizens of this county. I will improve relationships between management and its greatest asset, its employees. This office must be bipartisan; so I will put policies in place that will not allow for any political favors or special treatment. I will analyze the procedures and bridge the gap between all court-related offices to ensure that there is a proactive approach to all state-mandated changes. The county is in need of new ideas and elected officials that are willing to work toward a common goal. It is imperative to ensure that the future needs will be met fiscally as new laws are mandated. It is important that the county does not continue to place the burden on the taxpayers.

NO BAREFOOT VOTERS

Katherine M. Keefe

Q: What have you done in your tenure as McHenry County Circuit Court Clerk to earn another term from voters? Keefe: I have 33 years of experience in the circuit clerk’s office, having worked in some capacity in every division, with 28 of those years in management positions. I have been the elected circuit clerk for 12 years. A few major accomplishments during my 12 years as elected clerk include making court records available online to increase transparency, improved customer service with increased technology, and the elimination of paper court files. These improvements allowed us to not fill 21 vacant positions over 12 years, which currently saves county taxpayers approximately $1.2 million every year. Under my leadership, the McHenry County circuit clerk’s office has developed into one of the most technologically advanced circuit clerks offices in the state, but we have done that while always considering the cost to the taxpayer, working hard to ensure our office is operating as lean and efficiently as possible, so through our fiscal responsibility we can provide some tax relief for McHenry County taxpayers. Better service at a cost savings to the taxpayer is what I believe has earned me another term as circuit clerk.

Rules are clear to enter the McHenry County Administrative Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, the only early-voting site in the county until Oct. 19, when 11 other sites (all outside Woodstock) will open. Any county voter may cast a ballot at any of the sites, regardless of residence.

VOTERS GUIDE

Glissman: As a taxpayer, I am grateful that the board has put much work and effort into cutting costs in McHenry County over the past few years: this gives a feeling of goodwill and empathy for the taxpayers of McHenry County, and it is appreciated. The work the board has done puts us in a better position right now than we would have otherwise been in, particularly because of the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I think the board should continue to be good stewards of the McHenry County taxpayers’ monies. The board obviously cannot force other units of government to follow their lead, but they can continue to lead in a fiscally responsible manner. We live in a stunningly beautiful county, with lots of places to enjoy nature and outdoor activities, quaint towns, excellent restaurants, etc. We should be promoting our county all the time. When we promote our county, we are helping small businesses and our real estate markets. We should be showing off the physical beauty of this county to help drive our local economies and thus keep our taxes down. We should also be highlighting our many environmental groups, and make known to the Chicago metro area that we care about the environment here.

Republican (incumbent) Keefe vs. Democrat Overlee

Oct. 7-13, 2020

Continued from page 20

MCHENRY COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

BOARD 6

its top five priorities to relocate to a community.

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

At the top of the Nov. 3 ballot ...

BALLOT PROPOSITIONS Yes or No

The first question voters will find on the ballot will be a proposal to amend the Illinois Constitution to authorize the General Assembly to establish a graduated income tax to replace the state’s “flat tax,” which currently is 4.95 percent for all residents, regardless of income. A graduated scale would allow the Legislature to set higher rates for higher incomes.

Proposed amendment to the 1970 Illinois Constitution The proposed amendment grants the State authority to impose higher income tax rates on higher income levels, which is how the federal government and a majority of other states do it. The amendment would remove the portion of the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution that is sometimes referred to as the “flat tax,” that requires all taxes on income to be at the same rate. The amendment does not itself change tax rates. It gives the State the ability to impose higher tax rates on those with higher income levels and lower income tax rates on those with middle or lower income levels. You are asked to decide whether the proposed amendment should become a part of the Illinois Constitution. ___ Yes ___ No

VOTERS GUIDE

McHenry County Binding Referendum

Shall the coroner of McHenry County be eliminated as an Elected Office and be replaced by an appointed Coroner, appointed by a McHenry County Board Committee, to be effective Nov. 30, 2020? ___ Yes ___ No

NOV. 3 CANDIDATES FOR WOODSTOCK AREA President

Illinois House District 63

County Auditor

Joseph R. Biden/Kamala Harris (D) Donald R. Trump/Michael Pence (R) Howie Hawkins/AngelaWalker (G) Gloria La Viva/Leonard Peltier (PSL) Brian Carroll/Amar Patel (SCP) Jo Jorgensen/Jeremy ‘Spike’ Cohen (L)

Brian Sager (D) Steven Reick (R)

No candidate (D) Shannon L. Teresi (R) James “Jim” Young (L)

U.S. Senate Richard J. Durbin (D) Mark C. Curran Jr. (R) Willie L. Wilson (WWP) David F. Black (G) Danny Malouf (L)

Congress, 14th District Lauren Underwood (D) Jim Oberweis (R)

Congress, 6th District Sean Casten (D) Jeanne Ives (R) Bill Redpath (L)

Political parties on ballot

Illinois House District 64 Leslie Armstrong-McLeod (D) Tom Weber (R)

County Coroner

Illinois House District 66

No candidate (D) Michael R. Rein (R) Kelly Liebmann (L)

Suzanne M. Ness (D) Allen Skillicorn (R)

County Board Chairman

Circuit Clerk

Jack D. Franks (D)

Renee M. Overlee (D) Katherine M. Keefe (R)

County Board, District 5

State’s Attorney No candidate (D) Patrick Kenneally (R)

Mike Buehler (R)

(vote for 2)

Paula Yensen (D) Lynn M. Gray (D) Michael Skala (R) Damon Hill (R)

County Board District 6 (vote for 2)

Nancy Glissman (D) Larry Spaeth (D) James A. Kearns (R) Tracie Von Bergen (R)

Judge of the Circuit Court Elizabeth “Beth” Vonau (D) David Gervais (R)

Judge of the Circuit Court Third Subcircuit

Jeannie Ridings (D) Justin Hansen (R)

Judge of the Circuit Court Fourth Subcircuit

Kimberley Crum Klein (D) Mark Gerhardt (R)

(D) Democratic; (R) Republican; (G) Green; (L) Libertarian; (PSL) Party of Socialism and Liberation; (ASP) American Solidarity Party; (WWP) Willie Wilson Party

Community

Veteran suicides decline locally People are ‘making a difference’ in prevention activities By Tricia Carzoli

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The U.S. loses veterans and active duty military to suicide at the staggering number – 20 a day – according to the Department of Veteran Affairs. According to Jennifer Balleto, chairwoman of the McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force and navigator at Northwestern Medicine-Woodstock Behavioral Health Community, McHenry County lost 22 veterans to suicide between 2016 and 2020. Last year, the task force listed seven veterans among the 28 total suicides in McHenry County, while this year to date, records show one out of 18 suicides was a veteran. Mike Iwanicki, superintendent of McHenry County Veterans

Assistance Commission, said he credited a strong push to check in with others as leading to the decline in numbers from seven military suicides in 2019 to one in 2020. “People are making phone calls and sending texts or video-calling veterans,” he said. “And that is making a difference.”

Event this weekend

Despite the suicide rate decline in McHenry County, the nation is fighting a battle. BraveHearts, located in Harvard and Poplar Grove, is committed to riding 20 miles on horseback every year until the number of suicides is zero. Trial to Zero on Sunday, Oct. 11, is an offshoot of the BraveHearts’ veterans program, which offers therapeutic horseback riding to veterans and their families at no cost.

Vietnam veteran Bill Mercurio, currently the veterans relations coordinator at BraveHearts, knows first-hand how much working with horses has impacted his well-being. Drafted in 1966, he served in the 20th Engineers Battalion from 1966 to 1977. Mercurio and his wife, Nancy, are volunteers at the nonprofit organization, and as Mercurio became more immersed in volunteering, he realized his high-stress job provided a distraction from the lingering effects of combat. “Being around the horses and the veterans,” he said in a phone interview from Kentucky. “That helped me more than I knew.” In 2017, the couple lost their own son to suicide. Both subsequently spent countless hours at the farm.

See VETERANS Page 24

COMMUNITY

COURTESY PHOTO

Vietnam veteran Bill Mercurio, who is veterans relations coordinator at BraveHearts, knows first-hand how much working with horses helps veterans, it having impacted his well-being.

Parish member Juana Flores is a 2020 recipient of the annual St. Mary Catholic Church Woman of Inspiration for the Spanish Community. The award is given each year in each parish in the Rockford Diocese. Recipients are women who have given outstanding volunteer service to the parish and community over many Juana years. They are active in several Flores ministries, parish committees, and event planning. Flores has inspired fellow parishioners with her strong faith and her involvement in many St. Mary outreach ministries. Since the start of the Spanish Mass in 2000, Flores has been a eucharistic minister, lector, and member of the Hispanic Choir. She participates in the Spanish Holy Hour every Thursday and serves in the Emmaus women’s ministry. Her favorite outreach effort is with the sick, elderly, and lonely parishioners. She brings food, comforts them, reads the word of the Lord to them, and even sings a few hymns. “Juanita has been like a mother to me,” parishioner Consuelo Cruz said. “Ever since I had an accident, she has taken care of me, always making sure I am OK. She brings me to Mass and brings me food. She is like my guardian angel, and I am so thankful to God for putting her in my life.” Flores and her husband, Arturo Cruz, have a daughter and two sons. She has lived in Woodstock for 40 years and has belonged to St. Mary for 20 years. “The Woman of Inspiration award given to Juana Flores this year is well deserved,” said the Rev. Burt Absalon, pastor of St. Mary Church and School. “Juana is such a caring motherly presence to all, even to those older than her. Her life of devoted prayer and service to others is a powerful everyday witness that can truly inspire. She is our Woman of the Year for 2020.”

Oct. 7-13, 2020

By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Juana Flores is St. Mary ‘Woman of Inspiration’

COMMUNITY

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Where to turn for help If you are concerned about a loved one’s mental health, or if you are a veteran in need of help, McHenry County has numerous organization available. n The Veteran Crisis Line responds 24/7: 800-273-8255 or text 838255 for immediate assistance. n BraveHearts in Harvard provides therapeutic horseback riding and volunteer opportunities: braveheartsriding.org. n TLS Veterans provides assistance to veterans and families through food, housing , employment, and peer-to-peer support: tlsveterans.org n Vet Center in Evanston uses offices at TLS Veterans in McHenry for mental health programs and counseling: 847-332-1019 n Veterans R&R and Operation Wild Horse provides free outdoor recreational experiences in Bull Valley: veteransrandr.org n McHenry County Veterans Assistance Committee provides help with shelter, utilities, food, housing, transportation, and independent living, as well as VA claims and advocacy: 815-334-4229. n McHenry Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic offers health and wellness as well as mental health assistance: 815-759-2306 n Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center serves local veterans: 847-688-1900. n Suicide Prevention Task Force provides “Question, Persuade, Refer” courses: email education@namimchenrycounty.org or visit namimchenrrycounty.org/ classes.

VETERANS

Continued from Page 23

“For four months, we spent every day at [BraveHearts],” he recalled. “We needed to be there – I needed to be there. I had anger and grief, and I was in a dark place. … Nancy was overwrought [with grief], but found strength in grooming the horses and talking and walking with the horses in the pasture.” On his fourth Trail To Zero ride, Mercurio and a handful of veterans recently rode on a private farm in Kentucky to raise awareness about veterans suicide. The team of experienced BraveHearts riders, including Mercurio, is used to riding in big cities, including New York City and Chicago. But this year, because of COVID-19, they will ride at an undisclosed location in Bull Valley.

Horses offer therapy

The mission of Trail to Zero is to raise awareness, but also to raise money to serve more veterans through its programs, including riding, groundwork, peer support, and conference calls with leaders in the horse industry. In Harvard, Meggan Hill-McQueeney, BraveHearts president and chief operating officer, oversees the nation’s largest accredited veteran program of Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship International. She believes veterans working with horses helps to improve self-esteem, self-worth, and trust for others while decreasing symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideations. Iwanicki and Timothy Heiney, counselor at the Evanston Veterans Center said alternative therapy options like therapeutic riding could be helpful for mental health. Both have referred former military people to Veterans R&R, an organization that provides alternative resources for local veterans. Balleto said activities that provided structure, a sense of purpose, and an opportunity for contribution were key factors in maintaining positive mental health.

Vets helping vets

Jim Welch, founder and president of Veterans R&R, said veterans felt most comfortable around other veterans. “Sometimes they don’t want a therapist, ” he said. “What they need is someone who understands in a nonjudgmental setting. The heightened level of alertness that comes with being a vet – like sitting with your back to the wall – can be

COURTESY PHOTOS

This team of experienced BraveHearts riders takes their horses through New York City in 2019 to call attention to suicides of military veterans. The group will ride this coming weekend in Bull Valley. broken down in outdoor activities. ... Getting veterans out of isolation is key to preventing suicide.” This year, Trail to Zero will be broadcast live from Bull Valley on social media, where 20 BraveHearts veterans will ride 20 miles. Anyone who commits to completing 20 of anything – walking or running 20 miles, doing 20 jumping jacks, or even doing 20 loads of laundry – can begin a fundraiser through trailtozero.org.

Assistance available

McHenry County has many resources for veteran assistance. Kevin Russell, program manager for peerto-peer support at TLS Veterans in McHenry, said the agency’s door never closed during the COVID-19 crisis. It provides peer-to-peer counseling and crisis intervention. “All of the veteran organizations work together,” Russell explained. “We want to help veterans. While some of our veterans are experiencing isolation, we are doing more outreach to ensure these veterans are safe. … We are here for them – and so are other organizations.” Veteran assistance groups don’t compete with one another, Welch said. “There is no way just one organization can meet the needs of all of our local veterans,” he said. “Find the group that works for you. The goal of all of these organizations is to save a life.” To follow Trail to Zero on Oct. 11, visit the BraveHearts Facebook page; to donate to BraveHearts, visit braveheartsriding.org.

By Cynthia Kanner

Learning Circle Oct. 15 for women farmland owners Women who own farmland are invited to a free virtual Learning Circle co-hosted by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County and McHenryLake Soil and Water Conservation District. The online session will be from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. The deadline to register is Oct. 12 at www.ConserveMC.org. According to a news release, the discussion will focus on conservation practices to improve the health and productivity of farmland, featuring advice from local professional women conservationists. Practices such as no-till, cover crops, and pollinator habitat are examples of building soil health, managing water quality, and including wildlife habitat and beneficial insects into farmland. The event is open to women with all levels of experience, whether actively managing a farm or recently inheriting a farm and are learning about runnng a healthy and productive operation. The Land Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and preservation of natural and agricultural land in McHenry County.

! EE ION F R ISS

SAT, OCT 10TH 10AM - 5PM SUN, OCT 11TH 10AM - 4PM ON

WOODSTOCK SQUARE, WOODSTOCK, IL

Explore a variety of model railroads exhibited in storefront windows on the charming and historic Woodstock Square. Whether you are a model rail enthusiast or looking for family fun, see the trains and enjoy Woodstock’s local businesses, vintage and artisan boutiques, and independently owned restaurants.

REALWOODSTOCK.COM

COMMUNITY

In fact, The Green Spot is an environmental demonstration itself, as the books that visit our shelves awaiting just the right customer are saved from entering the waste stream and landfills. So, when you shop at The Green Spot soon, please remember that the store is owned and operated by the Environmental Defenders! And, this month, we’re having a hallway book sale to celebrate its 10th anniversary! And, when you’re in Crystal Lake, please visit our second book store – The Green Read, which is turning two years next month! Thank you to everyone out there in the community who supports us! n October hours: The Green Spot will be open once again on Wednesdays starting Oct. 7. October hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday). n October sales at The Green Spot: All science fiction/fantasy books are one-half off in October. n The Green Spot book store is marking its 10th anniversary with a hallway book sale Oct. 15 to 27.

Oct. 7-13, 2020

Sometimes I learn that folks know what the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County has accomplished over the years and connect the organization directly with that project or achievement. There are other times that I’ve found, as I have conversa- Environmental tions out in the Defenders community, The Green Scene that the project or activity is known, but not everyone realizes it was accomplished by us, the Defenders. Creating lasting change and advancing the health of our environment is worthy in and of itself, but still, it’s important to know and understand who is getting the work done. Because, in our case, it’s mostly our passionate and amazing volunteers, including our Board of Directors, carrying out the important work of preserving, protecting,

and educating with support from a very small paid staff. Case in point is your Woodstock neighborhood book store! The Green Spot is run completely on volunteer energy, from sorting the books, to arranging the work schedule, to running the store during operating hours. We cannot thank them enough! As a one-person office, soon to be two-person, being situated across the hall from The Green Spot book store and having the opportunity to greet the volunteers as well as the public, and live that connection between a project and the organization and office it supports, is huge. Did you know that the popular Green Spot used book store in the Woodstock Square Mall, 110 S. Johnson St., Suite 104, is a fundraising project of the Environmental Defenders? It is thanks to the donations from the community of good quality used books, and as mentioned our wonderful volunteers, that our book store is able to operate. This directly provides support for our office and its programs to preserve and protect the environment.

25 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Book sale helps celebrate store anniversary

IN BRIEF

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Happenings

•••PLEASE CHECK WITH SPONSORS OR VENUES ABOUT CANCELLATIONS OR POSTPONEMENTS OF EVENTS•••

calendar

12 MONDAY

8 THURSDAY

District 200, Marian, St. Mary schools closed.

TRANSPORTATION NETWORKING EVENT

1 to 2:30 p.m. mchenrycountyworkforce.com

9 FRIDAY COMMUNITY

MICROSOFT POWERPOINT COMPUTER CLASS 10 to 11 a.m. mchenrycountyworkforce.com

UPSTAGED–THE SERIES ON FACEBOOK Woodstock Square 7 p.m. Tune in on Facebook at Woodstock Opera House.

10 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

RAIL FEST

Woodstock Square 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ZOOM OPEN MIC OffSquareMusic.org 7 to 8 p.m.

11 SUNDAY RAIL FEST

Woodstock Square 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COLUMBUS DAY

PRIDE MEETING

Woodstock Chamber of Commerce 6 p.m. 127 E. Calhoun St.

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF Woodstock Police Department 656 Lake Ave. 7 p.m.

GRIEFSHARE

Grace Fellowship Church Register at griefshare.org for online sessions.

13 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. wwoodstockfarmersmarket.org Music by ThingamaJig at 9 a.m., Lara Bell at 11 a.m.

RESUME AND COVER LETTER WORKSHOP

1 to 2:30 p.m. mchenrycountyworkforce.com

14 WEDNESDAY USED BOOK DONATION DROP-OFF TIME

Woodstock Public Library foyer 414 W. Judd St. 5 to 7 p.m. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

15 THURSDAY

HISPANIC CONNECTIONS MEETING Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Noon 127 E. Calhoun St.

VIRTUAL CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Zoom meeting open to the public 4 to 5 p.m. Visit woodstockilchamber.com for website, meeting ID, and password.

16 FRIDAY

UPSTAGED–THE SERIES ON FACEBOOK Woodstock Square 7 p.m. Tune in on Facebook at Woodstock Opera House.

17 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org Music by Bad Penny at 9 a.m.

YONDER PRAIRIE WORKDAY

1150 S. Rose Farm Road 90 a.m. to noon conservemc.org

ZOOM OPEN MIC OffSquareMusic.org 7 to 8 p.m.

18 SUNDAY YONDER PRAIRIE

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com WORKDAY

mchenrycountyworkforce.com

1150 S. Rose Farm Road 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. conservemc.org

23 FRIDAY

MICROSOFT WORD COMPUTER CLASS

19 MONDAY GRIEFSHARE

Grace Fellowship Church Register at griefshare.org for online sessions.

10 to 11 a.m. mchenrycountyworkforce.com

UPSTAGED–THE SERIES ON FACEBOOK

20 TUESDAY

Woodstock Square 7 p.m. Tune in on Facebook at Woodstock Opera House.

Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

24 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

1 to 2:30 p.m. mchenrycountyworkforce.com

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL MEETING Woodstock City Hall 121 W. Calhoun St. 7 p.m.

D-200 BOARD OF EDUCATION

Woodstock High School 501 W. South St. 7 p.m.

21 WEDNESDAY

VIRTUAL: UNDERSTANDING CREDIT REPORTS & SCORES 7 to 8 p.m. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

22 THURSDAY

STRESS MANAGEMENT 10 to 11 a.m.

Resurrection Catholic Church

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

ZOOM OPEN MIC OffSquareMusic.org 7 to 8 p.m.

24 - 31

VIRTUAL: WITCHES AND WIZARDS OF WOODSTOCK

Saturday Oct. 24 to 31, all day woodstockpubliclibrary.org/library/page/ witches-wizards-woodstock-2020

26 MONDAY GRIEFSHARE

Grace Fellowship Church Register at griefshare.org for online sessions.

VIRTUAL: HOCUS POCUS TRIVIA 7 to 8 p.m. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

2918 South Country Club Road Woodstock, IL 60098

We welcome all to join us at our Mass times: Saturday at 5:00 pm & Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:30 am.

We, the members of the Resurrection Catholic Church, are a prayerful, loving community formed by the Holy Spirit, striving to be a sign of the Gospel values of Jesus Christ: justice, truth and love.

■ BAHA’I COMMUNITY OF WOODSTOCK Gatherings are open to the public the second Saturday of each month. For information: 815-337-0126 woodstock.bahais@gmail.com ■ BLUE LOTUS TEMPLE & MEDITATION CENTER 221 Dean St. • 815-337-7378 Meditation: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday; 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday ■ CASA DE BENDICION 8015 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake (Crystal Lake Christian Church) Worship: 1 p.m. Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday ■ CHRIST LIFE 13614 W. Jackson St. • 815-338-4934 Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday ■ COVENANT REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH 4609 Greenwood Road P.O. Box 463 • 815-575-9612 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ EDEN BAPTIST 1903 N. Seminary Ave. • 815-814-7847 Worship: 3 p.m. Sunday (Spanish) ■ FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 111 W. South St. • 815-338-2731 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 2018 N. Route 47 • 815-338-2627 Indoor worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday ■ FIRST UNITED METHODIST 201 W. South St. • 815-338-3310 fumcwoodstock.org Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Sunday school for children 9:45 a.m. ■ FREE METHODIST 934 N. Seminary Ave. • 815-338-3180 Worship: 10:30 a.m. ■ GOOD NEWS CHURCH Meeting at Dorr Township Community Room, 1039 Lake Ave. 815-575-9224 goodnewswoodstock.org Worship: 10:15 a.m. Sunday ■ GRACE FELLOWSHIP 200 Cairns Court • gfchurch.org Worship: 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday ■ GRACE LUTHERAN 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road 815-338-0554 Worship: Videos on website each weekend; parking lot services at 9 a.m., listen on 89.3 FM ■ HOUSE OF BLESSING 2018 N. Route 47 (First Presbyterian Church building) cbhbfil413.com

Worship: 1 p.m. Sunday

30 years ago – 1990

■ JEWISH REFORMED CONGREGATION TIKKUN OLAM 503 W. Jackson St. (St. Ann’s Episcopal Church building) Call 815-455-9236 or email tikkunolam@ hotmail.com for service information. n McHENRY COUNTY JEWISH CONGREGATION 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake 815-455-1810 Worship: 7 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Saturday n NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER 5115 Dean St. • 815-337-4673 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ RESURRECTION CATHOLIC 2918 S. Country Club Road 815-338-7330 Worship: 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; 5 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m. weekdays ■ ST. ANN’S EPISCOPAL 503 W. Jackson St. • 815-338-0950 Worship: 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday ■ ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN 401 St. John’s Road • 815-338-5159 Worship: 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. Sunday ■ ST. MARY CATHOLIC 313 N. Tryon St. • 815-338-3377 Worship: 7:30 a.m. Monday - Saturday; 12:15 p.m. Monday-Friday; 5 and 6:30 p.m. (Spanish) Saturday; 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish), 5 p.m. Sunday ■ THE BRIDGE CHRISTIAN 2620 Bridge Lane • 815-496-0548 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2016 Hartland Road • 815-334-1703 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ THE VINE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1132 N. Madison St. • 815-338-3380 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER 225 W. Calhoun St. • 815-337-3534 unitywoodstock.org Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ UPPER FOX VALLEY QUAKER MEETING 4614 Pioneer Road, McHenry 815-385-8512 Discussion and singing, 9 a.m. Sunday Worship, 10 a.m., fellowship, 11 a.m. Sunday ■ WOODSTOCK ASSEMBLY OF GOD 1201 Dean St.• 815-338-1316 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ WOODSTOCK BIBLE CHURCH 118 Benton St. Worship: 10:30 a..m. Sunday

■ Woodstock High School students Charla Burgess and George Hibbeler were named commended students in the National Merit Scholarship program. ■ Woodstock Musical Theatre Company presented “Hello Dolly,” directed by Letitia Lyon and starring Linda Kay Williams.

27 weeks in Colombia, where she was learning more about the ongoing hardships of the country’s residents. She was part of a delegation of Presbyterians from the Chicago area. “The fear of most people is that they don’t have total freedom of expression,” Legg said.

5 years ago – 2015

■ Billy Evans and Elizabeth Hadley were crowned homecoming king and queen at Marian Central Catholic High School. ■ Concorde Development Group closed La Tovola Restaurant, 108 Cass St., and Main Street Pub, 201 Main St.

■ When McHenry County Public Action to Deliver Shelter’s temporary shelters were closed between May and the end of September, First United Methodist Church was hosting Wednesday Woodsmen Barbecues for homeless people. ■ The Land Conservancy of McHenry County was collecting acorns for propagation. The public was asked to sort by species and remove the caps. Tens of thousands of oaks had been grown and planted with acorns collected in previous years. ■ The Marian Central Catholic High School varsity girls volleyball team was 18-2. The team’s only losses had been to Marist and New Trier. Coach Laura Watling said: “Our three seniors – Rachel Giustino, Alex Kaufmann, and Norah Cetera – play a big role in the leadership on and off the court. All three are captains.”

15 years ago – 2005

1 year ago – 2019

25 years ago – 1995

■ LSD made its presence knowN in Woodstock and throughout McHenry County as the North Central Narcotics Task Force noted an increase in LSD usage in the suburbs. ■ Fifteen members of the WHS Class of 1925 gathered for a reunion at Deeter’s restaurant. In the spring of 1922, as freshmen with their class numbering 126 students, they moved from the old Central School on Calhoun Street to the “new” high school on South Street.

20 years ago – 2000

■ The Woodstock City Council voted unanimously to impose a 5 percent tax on gross receipts of all hotels and motels in Woodstock. The money collected would be granted to groups, including the Opera House, that bring people to Woodstock. ■ WHS students and staff donated $11,480 to the American Red Cross to aid Hurricane Katrina victims.

10 years ago –2010

■ Almudena Garcia, a Woodstock North High School senior and foreign exchange student from Spain, was leading the Thunder tennis team with an impressive record of 12-3. WNHS athletic director Nick Kearfoot said, “She is one of the top four singles players in our [Fox Division of the Fox Valley] conference.” ■ Centegra Gavers Breast Cancer Center opened in Crystal Lake, offering a centralized location for maintaining breast health. The center received two $500,000 donations – one from Gavers Community Cancer Foundation and the other from the Auxiliary to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. ■ Retired Woodstock School District 200 teacher Ann Legg returned from six

■ Theatre 121 was in rehearsals for “Mamma Mia.” It was Theatre 121’s first production after the merger of TownSquare Players and the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company. “The name is from the resident company of the Woodstock Opera House – their address is 121 Van Buren Street,” Theatre 121 president Susan Falbo said. ■ When Woodstock School District 200 asked the public for comments on the district’s plan to spend nearly $100 million educating the community’s young people, nobody showed up. The 2019-20 spending plan included $99,473,405 in expenditures, a 4 percent increase over the previous year. ■ The Challenger Learning Center made a successful move from being part of Aurora University Woodstock Center, 222 Church St., to its new liftoff location at Olson Elementary School on West Judd Street. The move was predicated by D-200 taking over the ownership of Challenger. Under the direction of Tom Wollpert, the program’s director, upgrades were made to the spacesimulation facilities, and STEM learning opportunities were added.

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RELIGION

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Deadline: NOON Thursday for next week’s issue

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT CLASSIFIED ADS The

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YOUR AD COULD BE CALL 815-338-8040Northern ICANS - Run Date Week of 10/4/2020 HERE! to get in the classifieds! WANTED TO BUY

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CLASSIFIEDS

Social distancing is the most effective tool we have for slowing the spread of the coronavirus. And that means staying home, if you can. Work from home. Play at home. Stay at home. If you must go out, keep your social distance—six feet, or two arm-lengths apart. Young. Elderly. In between. It’s going to take every one of us. If home really is where the heart is, listen to yours and do the life-saving thing.

Visit coronavirus.gov for the latest tips and information from the CDC.

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29 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

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Oct. 7-13, 2020

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1110 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock • 815-337-8230 Mon-Sat 7 AM - 9 PM • Sundays 7 AM - 8 PM

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PUBLIC NOTICE

September 30, 2020, October 7, 2020) L11087

PUBLIC NOTICE

I SHOULD PROBABLY GET A RIDE HOME. BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as GRAPHIC PLANNERS located at 223 N. SCHOOL ST., CARY IL 60013. Owner Name & Address: TIMOTHY ALLEN and CHERYL ALLEN 223 N. SCHOOL ST., CARY IL 60013. Dated: SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent September 30, 2020, October 7, 2020)L11092

PUBLIC NOTICE

and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as TypedAnswers located at 4806 Key Lane, McHenry, IL 60050. Owner Name & Address: Ilya Sobolevsky 4806 Key Lane, McHenry, IL 60050. Dated: SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent October 7, 2020)L11093

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as WOODEN MOLE ENGRAVING located at 4202 EAST LAKE SHORE DR., WONDER LAKE IL 60097. Owner Name & Address: JOHN F. DUNCAN 7724 BEACH DR., WONDER LAKE IL 60097. Dated: SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent October 7, 2020)L11094

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address,

: e c i t o N c i l b u P

Public notices tell you, as a citzen, what is being done by your government. Public notices keep you up to date about ow!and n what’s happening withtyour city, county k o t h ur rasig school board, well as other governmental Yo bodies. Public notices tell you, as a citzen, Why wedone needbypublic notices? what is do being your government. Public notices keep you up to date about what’s happening with your city, county and school board, as well as other governmental • Public notices tell you, as a citzen, whatas is a citzen, bodies. Public notices tell you, being done by your government. what is being done by your government. • Public notices keep you up to date about what’s Public notices keep you up to date about happening with your city, county, and school what’s happening with your city, county and district, as well as other governmental bodies. school board, as well as other governmental bodies. Public notices tell you, as a citzen, what is being done by your government. Reading public notices helps you be a more informed citizen. All public notices in The Woodstock Independent are available online at publicnoticeillinois.com. The

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PUBLIC NOTICES

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as RANSOM WOODWORKING located at 606 HICKORY RD, WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: RANSOM WOODWORKING 606 HICKORY RD,

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY-IN PROBATE Case No. 20PR000273 In the Matter of the Estate of LAURA CALDWELL Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of LAURA CALDWELL Of: WOODSTOCK, IL Letters of office were issued on: 9/22/2020 to: Representative: ELIZABETH KAVENY ONE PRUDENTIAL PLAZA 130 E RANDOLPH ST STE 2800 CHICAGO, IL 60601 whose attorney is: WAGGONER LAW FIRM 4 N WALKUP AVE CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of first publication. Any claim not filed within six months from the date of first publication or claims not filed within three months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to Creditor, whichever is later, shall be barred. Claims may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at the McHenry County Government

Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, or with the representative, or both. Copies of claims filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to his attorney within ten days after it has been filed. /s/KATHERINE M KEEFE (Clerk of the Circuit Court) (Published in The Woodstock Independent September 30, 2020, October 7, 2020)L11090

Oct. 7-13, 2020

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as ANTHONY’S CONTRACTING located at 11880 NIAGRA LN, HUNTLEY IL 60142. Owner Name & Address: ANTHONY M. HERNANDEZ 11880 NIAGRA LN, HUNTLEY IL 60142. Dated: SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent September 23, 2020, September 30, 2020, October 7, 2020) L11088

WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Dated: SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent September 23, 2020, September 30, 2020, October 7, 2020) L11089

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY-IN PROBATE Case No. 20PR000210 In the Matter of the Estate of PATRICIA A. SERIO Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of PATRICIA A. SERIO Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL Letters of office were issued on: 8/24/2020 to: Representative: JAMES P. FINEFIELD 7415 COVE DR. CARY, IL 60013 whose attorney is: CLARK & MCARDLE 75 E. CRYSTAL LAKE AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of first publication. Any claim not filed within six months from the date of first publication or claims not filed within three months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to Creditor, whichever is later, shall be barred. Claims may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, or with the representative, or both. Copies of claims filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to his attorney within ten days after it has been filed. /s/KATHERINE M KEEFE (Clerk of the Circuit Court) (Published in The Woodstock Independent September 23, 2020,

SPORTS

Oct. 7-13, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Sports NN SCOREBOARD NN BOYS GOLF Sept. 29 The Woodstock boys co-op won the Kishwaukee River Conference match. Oct. 1 Marian Central boys defeated Johnsburg 159-176 at Boone Creek Golf Club, Valley Course, par 35. Dyan Yegge led the team with 39. Owen Jager (39), Mason Schwalbach (39) and Joseph Louise (43) contributed to the win. Oct. 3 the Woodstock boys co-op finished second at the Antioch Quad Tournament. GIRLS TENNIS Sept. 29 Woodstock High School girls defeated Harvard 24-35. Oct. 5 WHS girls fell to Grant Community High School 0-7. GIRLS SWIMMING Sept. 30 the Woodstock co-op team fell to Crystal Lake Central 80-48.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

Members of the Kishwaukee River Conference champion Woodstock co-op golf team stand ready to play in the conference match Sept. 29 in Marengo. Pictured (from left) are Sam Berry, Alex Wojnicki, Aidan Sivore, Brady Heeren, coach Brent Filetti, Brad Arnold, Jake Murray and Luke Trewyn.

Co-op golfers on a perfect roll Undefeated regular season ends in KRC championship title

Keys to success

By Sandy Kucharski

SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Woodstock High School senior Priyanka Bhatt returns the ball Oct. 2 against Grant.

SCOREBOARD PRESENTED BY

815.338.7830

205 E. South St. • Woodstock

Capping off an 8-0 season, the Woodstock co-op golf team won the Kishwaukee River Conference championship match Sept. 29 at Blackstone Golf Club, Marengo. And the team, heavy with underclassmen, looks to be loaded for next season. With four players in the top 10, the co-op shot 356, edging out Richmond-Burton (362). Scoring for the team were Sam Berry (third), Aidan Sivore and Luke Trewyn (tied for fourth) and Brad Arnold (seventh). “It’s neat to see how last year’s success blended into a good season this year,” head coach Brent Filetti said. In a season that might not have been, the winning streak began on

Senior Brad Arnold finished seventh as an individual in the KRC golf championship match. Aug. 19 with a victory over Harvard on the co-op’s home turf, Bull Valley Golf Club. They continued to rack up wins over other conference opponents leading up to the KRC title.

Filetti recognized the team’s home course as a key factor in its success. “[Bull Valley Golf Club] is one of the tougher courses,” Filetti said. The camaraderie among the players is another factor. Team members believe in one another, Filetti said, and if someone is having a bad day, he can rely on a teammate to step up and fill the void. The team is heavy with sophomores and juniors, and with only one senior, Brad Arnold, the team looks to be strong going into next season as well. “I’m really proud of them … battling what’s going on in the world,” Filetti said. “For us just to be able to have a season was great.” From the first practice on, Filetti said, his athletes have been all about following the protocol necessary to participate in sports this season. Part of the protocol for the golf team specifies that they can compete against only teams in their region, which, for Woodstock co-op Continued on next page

Continued from previous page

What’s next?

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY LISA KUNZIE

GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY Sept. 29 Woodstock High School girls defeated Harvard 24-35.

WHS’s Alex Wickersheim runs beside North’s Jorge Aragon Oct. 1 in the Johnsburg Tri.

SPORTS

Sophomore Aidan Sivore competes at the KRC conference meet. He tied for fourth in individual competition

BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY Sept. 26 Marian Central Catholic High School boys ran against five conference opponents. Peter Walsdorf won with a PR of 15 minutes, 9.07 seconds. Teammates Cohen Musschott, Anthony Carner, Jacob Bonnet, Matt Garrelts, and Aron Olivares all ran PRs. The team finished 5th. Sept. 29 Woodstock High School defeated Harvard 23-34. Oct. 1 WHS won the Johnsburg Tri. Oct. 1 Woodstock North High School finished third at the Johnsburg Tri.

Oct. 7-13, 2020

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Given the rules regarding play only within a given region, winning golf teams can proceed to regionals, but they will not advance players any further than sectionals, so there is no state-level competition this year. Since the co-op draws from a larger pool of players, Woodstock golfers must compete in 3A. The team was scheduled to compete in regionals at Steeplechase Golf Club in Mundelein Oct. 6. Results were not available before press time for The Woodstock Independent. The two top teams at regionals will advance to sectionals, as well as the next four top individuals not on a qualifying team.

NN SCOREBOARD NN

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

is McHenry and Lake counties. This rule affected the large invites that often include teams from outside the region, but it does allow for conference competition.

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WE WILL BE CALLING BIDS ON EACH TRACT FROM A REMOTE LOCATION: 1) Bid online at www.SchraderAuction.com. You must be registered to bid online ONE WEEK BEFORE THE AUCTION. 2) Bid by phone during the auction. Contact the auction company no later than NOON, DAY BEFORE AUCTION to schedule your call. 3) Bid by submitting an absentee bid on the tract(s) that you are interested in. Absentee bids need to be turned in no later than NOON, DAY BEFORE AUCTION. INSPECTION DATES: Fri, Oct. 2 • 9-11am cst, Sat, Oct. 10 • 9-11am cst, & Thur, Oct. 29 • 9-11am cst, Meet a Schrader Representative at the Inspection Site for additional info. INSPECTION SITE: Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Rockford • 200 S Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL 61108

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Oct. 7-13, 2020

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COVID-19 loss hits home with local athlete Woodstock resident reminisces about performing with Tommy Bartlett Show By Sandy Kucharski

At the end of the summer of ’65, she fell ill, landing in a coma with what was finally diagnosed as noninfectious rubella encephalitis caused from a mosquito. The prognosis from this potentially lethal infection was grave, suggesting if she lived she would be comatose, or she might be paralyzed and never walk again. “A lot of people prayed,” Blocksom said. “God answered everyone’s prayers.” She made a recovery that was no less than miraculous and returned to ski in the summer of ‘66. That summer, she was picked to be part of an elite team to travel to New York to do a water ski show in Central Park. Tommy Bartlett flew his personal Cessna 310 airplane from the Dells to Galt Airport in Greenwood to pick up Blocksom and flew her and two other girl skiers to New York for the historic show in Central Park and another show in Queens, New York. No one had ever skied Central Park before, as it was illegal. The city extensively promoted the one-day show, including a champagne brunch with the skiers and news media. “I had the American flag [at the front of the formation], so technically I was the first person to ski in Central Park,” Blocksom said. While she still attends reunions with her Tommy Bartlett Show family, Blocksom has stowed her skis for good. A stage 4 breast cancer

SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The recent news that the Tommy Bartlett Show would close for good after losing the 2020 season to the COVID-19 pandemic was sad for many who enjoyed the iconic Wisconsin Dells attraction. But for one Woodstock resident, it truly felt like the loss of a family member. “[The news] was very sad, like a death,” said Laura Bixby Blocksom, Woodstock. Blocksom grew up in Wonder Lake and skied with the Wonder Lake Waterski ShowTeam from 1961 to 1963. In the summer of 1963, she and her teammates went on a field trip of sorts to Wisconsin to see the famed water ski show. “I thought, ‘This is my passion,’” Blocksom said. “If I could get paid to do my passion, that would be Laura Bixby amazing.” Blocksom She applied in September 1963 her senior year in high school, and didn’t hear anything. Feeling the show must not have been interested, she asked that her photographs be sent back, and in January she received them in the mail. A couple of days after her graduation in June 1964, she received a phone call from Tommy Bartlett’s business partner, Dick Rowe, asking whether she would like to try out. “My mom and brothers drove me to the Bartlett Show site, I tried out, and they hired me on the spot,” Blocksom recalled. She had to report to work ready to perform five days later. Work was performing three shows a day, seven days a week at the popular Wisconsin Dells attraction. Her coworkers consisted of five girls, seven men, and two boat drivers. In addition to skiing, Blocksom also danced on stage with the show in 1964. In 1965 and 1966, Tahitian Dancers were added for the stage show.

A growth experience

Living away from home at age 17 all summer with two other girls from the show, she had to grow up fast, but that

Continued on next page

COURTESY PHOTOS

Laura Bixby Blocksom poses for a photo in 1964 at Wonder Lake, shortly after she landed a job performing for the Tommy Bartlett Show. Blocksom (right) was featured on promotional postcards for the show in the mid-’60s.

left her well-prepared to head off to college at Eastern Illinois University in the fall. “You learned how to work with excellence, survive the challenges, understand what teamwork looked like, and grow up,” Blocksom said. “It was a good experience. I was blessed.” She returned to perform at the Tommy Bartlett Show for the next two summers. Those two years were filled with more life-changing experiences.

CHASE CHASES

35 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Oct. 7-13, 2020

COURTESY PHOTOS

survivor for 22 years, she said the surgery and chemotherapy ended her skiing days. “God allowed me to recover,” she said. “I know he has a purpose for me. In the meantime, I have a blessed life.”

Kind of a big deal

Anyone who has driven I-90 to the Dells has no doubt seen the myriad of signs for the water show, touting the latest attractions. A popular tourist attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Tommy Bartlett’s Water Ski & Jumping Boat Thrill Show (later shortened to the Tommy Bartlett Show) was created in 1952 by Wisconsin showman Tommy Bartlett as a traveling group of entertainers, based out of Chicago. The show moved its base of

operation to Lake Delton in Wisconsin Dells, where it became a permanent attraction, bolstering tourism in the Dells area. According to the show’s official website, more than 20 million spectators have seen the show since its creation. “Apparently we were a big deal,” Blocksom said. “I didn’t comprehend it at the time.” The show weathered economic hard times and natural disasters, including a flood in 2008 that caused a washout that drained the lake. But after exhausting every effort to keep the show afloat, Tom Diehl, president of Tommy Bartlett Inc., said the complete loss of revenue in 2020 because of the pandemic closures and the ongoing uncertainty over the potential for shows in 2021 created too big of a risk to go on.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Woodstock High School junior Chase Simonton chases the ball Oct. 2 during a home match.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK PETER WALSDORF CROSS-COUNTRY

Peter Walsdorf, a senior on Marian’s cross-country team, is having a phenomenal year. On Sept. 26, Peter raced in the Grant Invite and, for the first time this season, Peter was tested in the race and he passed with excellence. Peter passed a top-seed Warren runner with 800 meters to go and never looked back, winning with an excellent time of 15:24 on a very challenging course. Peter kept the momentum going on Sept. 29 at the St. Patrick Invite with another outstanding race, winning with his personal best time of 15:09.7. Peter will be racing in his last East Suburban Catholic Conference Championship on Oct. 17 at Arlington Park. Thank you, Peter, for your years representing Marian Central Catholic cross-country team.

Woodstock Independent 10/7/2020

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