OPENING DAY: BASEBALL SEASON UPON US n Sox’s Chris Sale can’t wait
n Who will lead the Sox in World
to throw first pitch Sports, B1 n Tom Musick: Opening Day worth watching Sports, B1
Series quest? Sports, B4 n What Cubs fans have to look forward to this season Sports, B4
Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo WWW.NWH ERALD .COM
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2013
White Sox’s Gordon Beckham
75 CENTS
Crowded field in MCC election By CHELSEA McDOUGALL
MCC is exploring the cost and scope for expanding this curricula. An initial study found that a building to house classrooms and a fitness center would cost $42 million. Results from the second phase of the study are expected this summer. The most vocal opponents of expansion are Chris Jenner and Thomas Wilbeck. The pair have argued that population projections and student enrollment don’t support expansion, and both take issue with one suggested way
On the Net
cmcdougall@shawmedia.com CRYSTAL LAKE – The most talked about and divisive issue that has been debated in the months leading up to the April 9 election for a trio of seats on the McHenry County College board has been the school’s proposed expansion plan. The multimillion-dollar proposal to grow its health and wellness programs have drawn not only criticism, but multiple candidates deter-
Visit Election Central at NWHerald.com/election to learn about the candidates and issues facing voters in the April 9 election. mined to stop it. There are nine candidates – two incumbents and seven challengers – vying for the three seats, which have six-year terms.
to pay for it. The first study outlined alternative revenue bonds, which don’t require voter approval, as a possible way to fund the expansion. “The current $42 [million] project, as proposed, does not require taxpayer approval,” Wilbeck wrote in the Northwest Herald’s candidate questionnaire. “Any project that subjects the taxpayer to payment liability should be approved by the taxpayers.” Jenner expressed a similar sentiment.
Tax deadline looms
“MCC has no plans to ask the voters to approve the project, when the funding method clearly puts property taxpayers at risk for a big tax hike,” Jenner wrote in his questionnaire. “Expansion of MCC may be warranted, but it needs to be approached with more common sense, openness and more accurate numbers.” Other candidates have tempered their criticism of the expansion.
See ELECTION, page A7
McHenry County College Board of Trustees Candidates Voters will select three to serve a six-year term n William Scott Alford n Chris Jenner n Carol Larson (Incumbent) n Erik Sivertsen n Mike Smith n Molly Walsh n Barbara Walters (I) n Arne Waltmire n Thomas Wilbeck
Quinn an obstacle to gaming expansion
Professionals offer tips for sprint to the finish
By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Mary Miller, a certified public accountant, works hard in her office Tuesday at Miller Verchota Inc. in Crystal Lake.
By LAWERENCE SYNETT lsynett@shawmedia.com Mary Miller logs a lot of work hours during tax season. The certified public accountant at Crystal Lake-based Miller Verchota Inc. works between 100 and 110 hours a week for almost three straight months preparing federal and state income tax returns for area residents. During her more than 12 years as
a CPA, she saw someone pay about $500,000 in taxes, while helped another receive more than $19,000. “We’re crazy people who love what we do,” said Miller, who works alongside her husband at the accounting firm. “The next few weeks are going to be crazy, and people need to be prepared because there isn’t much time left.” The deadline to file income-tax returns is April 15, and a late start be-
cause of the Internal Revenue Service updating its system because of recently approved legislation has residents and tax professionals making a mad dash to the finish. As the deadline looms, being educated about the filing process could mean the difference between a good or bad experience, area accountants agree. That includes being prepared
Where to turn for tax tips n Internal Revenue
Service: www.irs.gov n Illinois Department of Revenue: www.revenue.state.
CHICAGO – Lawmakers pushing to expand gambling in Illinois hope the third time is a charm with a more finely tuned proposal that could make Illinois the fourth state to allow Internet gaming. The latest proposal includes some familiar ideas: five new casinos, including one in Chicago; thousands of slot machines, including at Chicago’s two airports. But it also includes Internet gambling, which would allow Illinois residents to play games like black jack on their computers or smart phones. The biggest obstacle to expansion in Illinois has been Gov. Pat Quinn, who has twice rejected proposals sent to his desk, citing a lack of ethical safeguards, regulation and oversight. Lately, the Chicago Democrat has signaled that he’s open to the idea, even mentioning it in his March budget speech. And the new bill addresses some of Quinn’s concerns by including a ban on political contributions from the gambling industry, appointing an inspector general to monitor gaming and giving the state gaming board more authority over a Chicago casino. “The stars are probably lining up better than they’ve ever lined up,” said Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat who’s a lead sponsor of the legislation. “We’re doing a lot of the things that the governor wanted.”
See TAXES, page A7 See QUINN, page A4
LOOKING FORWARD
SUNDAY
GUITAR FEST SET FOR WOODSTOCK Strummerfest will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Offsides Sports Bar and Grill, 680 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock. The fundraiser will benefit Free Guitars for Future Stars. Admission is $10 and includes appetizers, live music and a free drink. For tickets, call 815-975-7989 or visit www.fg4fs.org.
FRIDAY: “Trance,” starring James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson opens in theaters.
James McAvoy in “Trance” Fox Searchlight
The week’s happenings in news, sports and more. Page 2A
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