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Marian Central, McHenry headed to regional finals
Sushi restaurants open in McHenry, Algonquin
The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
Gun crime bill draws praise, ire It would make illegally packing a gun at least a three-year offense By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com State lawmakers could use the two-week veto session to take up legislation stiffening sentences for gun crimes. It’s a bill that local defense attorneys are calling Draconian and a prosecutors’ power grab, while the county’s state’s attorney heralds it as being tough on
gun violence and a deterrent for would-be offenders. HB 2265 would require judges to impose a three-year prison sentence for those convicted of illegally packing a loaded gun. Felons and gang members could get 10 years in prison. The pending legislation also requires offenders to serve 85 percent of their sentences. Chicago-area lawmakers and
Inside Illinois lawmakers return for fall veto session. PAGE A3
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel hoped to take the bill to a vote during the fall veto session. It was scheduled for a committee hearing Tuesday, but the bill’s
chief sponsor, Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, called off any action in order to meet with opponents with an eye toward compromise. Emanuel made it a legislative priority because of the rampant gun violence in Chicago, especially a shooting in a South Side park that wounded 13. McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi supports the
bill, saying it only “makes sense” given the concealed-carry bill that lawmakers approved earlier this year. “We’re on the eve of allowing law-abiding citizens to carry guns,” he said. “It goes hand-inhand to send a strong message to people carrying loaded guns illegally, to make sure they know
See GUN CRIME, page A4
Gay marriage rally brings out supporters
DEER ON THE MOVE
By KERRY LESTER The Associated Press
Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com
Deer-mating season combined with hunters means more four-legged grazers near the roadways, creating a potentially hazardous situation for motorists traveling through McHenry County.
Mating season poses driving hazards for motorists in McHenry County By LAWERENCE SYNETT lsynett@shawmedia.com It happens every fall – an unsuspecting motorist is driving along and strikes a deer that is trying to cross the road. Deer-mating season, combined with hunters combing the woods for big bucks, around this time each year means more four-legged grazers frolicking near the roadways, creating a potentially hazardous situation for motorists traveling in McHenry County. “They never look both ways because
they have other things on their minds,” said Tom Micetich, deer project manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Deer figure out it’s not safe to be in the woods with the guys in orange, so they take their chances with a Buick.” Despite a decline in the number of deer-related crashes in McHenry, Lake and Kane counties combined the past two years, numbers are up in McHenry County, according to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The three-county
‘‘
They never look both ways because they have other things on their minds. Deer figure out it’s not safe to be in the woods with the guys in orange, so they take their chances with a Buick.
’’
Tom Micetich
Deer project manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
See HAZARDS, page A5
LOCALLY SPEAKING
SPRINGFIELD – Activists and supporters frustrated that Illinois still hasn’t legalized same-sex marriages demanded swift action during a rally Tuesday at the state Capitol, as lawmakers returned to Springfield to deal with several other weighty issues. Five months after the legislation stalled in the Illinois House, an estimated 3,000 turned out for the “March on Springfield,” with many waving signs and flags. Also present were some of the state’s top elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and Gov. Pat Quinn. “This is our hour, this is our moment,” Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, said while describing the legislation as the “most important civil rights measure” facing the state. Legislators returned to work with the potential for several hefty issues on the agenda, including ending gridlock on the state’s nearly $100 billion pension problem, mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes and incentives for companies to stay in Illinois. But on Tuesday, activists’ focus remained on the gay marriage issue. Those who oppose it – including mega churches in the Chicago area – vowed to protest the issue in Springfield on Wednesday, starting with a prayer vigil. “We in the last couple years have come to understand and
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45 30 Complete forecast on A8
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Rick Garcia Chicago gay marriage advocate
McHENRY
COMMITTEE EYES SUBDIVISION PLAN
Cary: District 155 teachers, supporters wonder why contract negotiations have taken four months. Local, B1 Vol. 28, Issue 296
Where to find it Advice Business Buzz Classified
“We’re within striking distance, but I’m not making a prediction because we were promised this was going to happen in May.”
See RALLY, page A5
After a proposed expansion in the Country Club subdivision raised questions about preserving the integrity of neighborhoods, city staff revived a five-member Teardown Committee, which reviews demolition and construction plans for certain residential projects. The proposed project includes demolition of an existing home. For more, see page B1.
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Lou Bianchi McHenry County state’s attorney
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