Game on: nhL, players reach tentative labor deal
moNday, JaNuary 7, 2013
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Can notre dame upset alabama today? Sports, B1
Cary-Grove grad Colleen smith finally healthy Sports, B1
notre dame’s everett Golson
MCC: No need to tap taxpayers College says it won’t go to referendum for proposed expansion By CHeLsea McdouGaLL
cmcdougall@shawmedia.com
CRYSTAL LAKE – McHenry County College officials maintain that a $42 million proposed expansion can move forward without using taxpayer dollars or going to a referendum. Though the college has been criticized for its plan at public meetings and in letters to this newspaper, several board members say a property-tax increase or referendum would be looked at only as a
last resort. The college is looking to expand its health and wellness curriculum with a 120,000-square-foot building for classroom space, a health clinic and a fitness center. “There’s no referendum on the table, especially in today’s economic times,” MCC Board Chairwoman Mary Miller said. “If we couldn’t build a $42 million [facility], then we would scale it down.” But recent letters to the Northwest Herald editor have blasted the college’s plan, call-
ing it a “cruel hoax” that likely will result in tax increases. One letter writer said the college’s annual levy increases already are “squeezing the taxpayers” in a difficult economy. Under the recently approved tax levy, the college asked for the maximum allowed the tax cap at a time when many municipalities sought flat, or in some cases lower, levies. A feasibility study is under way by Power Wellness, which will recommend whether the project should move forward.
GamblinG boom
The Addison-based firm will survey whether a need exists and identify potential partners to help pay for it. MCC paid Power Wellness $50,000 to conduct the study. “We’re trying to, as an institution, be very frugal and not go to the taxpayers for any kind of referendum until we’ve exhausted all sorts of possibilities of getting the facilities we need through other means,” MCC President Vicky Smith said.
see eXpansion, page a10
note to readers This article is the final part of a two-day series that explored McHenry County College’s proposed expansion plan. The first day’s article explored the need for additional health sciences facilities.
What’s next? McHenry County College’s feasibility study will continue with surveys sent to students and other targeted demographics. A commercial Realtor will explore site options at existing, vacant facilities. And Power Wellness will continue to identify potential private partnerships. College officials expect the feasibility study to be completed sometime this summer, possibly in June.
Video gaming boosting profits for local businesses
Illinois pension bill faces test vote House committee to meet today By reGina GarCia Cano and sopHia tareen The Associated Press
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
david Balk of Lakemoor gambles at one of the five video gaming machines at the Gambler on friday in McHenry. it is coming up on three months since video gambling was clicked on at a few establishments in McHenry County. By sHaWn sHinneMan
sshinneman@shawmedia.com Nearly three months after video gaming went live in Illinois, some local business owners are finding the
gambling machines live up to the hype as drivers of income. However, the controversial machines have been slower to catch on at other establishments. It’s early to draw widespread
LooKInG FoRWARD
conclusions about the effect of the machines, which are banned in unincorporated McHenry County and Crystal Lake. But a peek at Illinois
see GaMBLinG, page a10
SAtuRDAY
Larry MiLLer to perforM at raue
“An Evening With Larry Miller” will be at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Miller has appeared in film and TV hits such as “Seinfeld.” Tickets, starting at $42, are available at 815-356-9212 or www. rauecenter.org.
ryan Gosling in “Gangster squad” Warner Bros.
Voice your opinion Have you played at a video gambling machine in the county? Vote at nWHerald.com.
SPRINGFIELD – A scaledback overhaul addressing Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension problem is ready for its first test, key House lawmakers said Sunday as they entered the final stretch of the lame-duck session. The amended measure – which would mean employees chip in more and would freeze cost-of-living increases for retirees, among other provisions – was scheduled to get a committee hearing today, said Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat who has been at the heart of pension talks. “We think the bill will get out of committee,” she told reporters Sunday. “It’s been my goal throughout this entire process to not to place blame, whether it’s blame as to how we got here, blame as to why this isn’t getting done.” But Nekritz and other backers were coy about the chances on the floor for the measure during the final days of the current General Assembly, which features lame-duck lawmakers who are not returning and can vote without
see pension, page a10
FRIDAY
‘a Haunted House’ opens in tHeaters
“A Haunted House,” starring Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins and Alanna Uback, opens in theaters. Malcolm and Keisha move into their dream home, but soon learn a demon also resides there. The movie is rated R for crude and sexual content, language and some drug use.
FRIDAY: ‘Gangster Squad,’ starring Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone opens in theaters. the week’s happenings in news, sports and more. Page A2
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