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Police Conduct Forgery Clinic ALBERT VALES Assistant Cashier McHenry State Bank produce identification when requested" PATSTARK Teller McHenry Savings & Loan 'more able .to recognize doubtful situation' EDWARD EGELSTON Cashier First National Bank "numerous examples of fraud were cited" STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Employees of McHenry's three financial institutions participated in a Forgery clinic presentation last week, sponsored by the city police department, under the direction of Sgt. Dan Kinnerk. State's Attorney William Cowlin and Edward Downs, head of the Public Defenders office for McHenry county, took part with Sgt. Kinnerk in the informative session. The state's attorney talked about forged and altered checks and methods of avoiding them in order to protect the financial institution and its customers. An unsigned driver's license, he said, has no identification value. Cowlin emphasized that banks are not obligated to cash checks for non-customers if drawn on another bank. He added that persons with bank accounts should guard their checks and deposit slips as though they were cash. "The practice of making checks to Cash is dangerous", Cowlin emphasized, "and must be endorsed at the time of cashing". Downs elaborated on the forgery problem and carelessly written checks. He pointed to a particular case in which he saw a check that was brought into the police station, part of which appeared to have been written with crayon. Sgt. Kinnerk spoke of the problems concerned with forgery as they occur in McHenry. He commented that the majority of cases being prosecuted are from McHenry. One participant noted that this is no doubt due to the cooperation local financial institutions receive from the police department. Kinnerk responded that it is also because information is provided by the financial institutions to the department. Commenting on the Forgery clinic, Albert Vales, assistant cashier of the McHenry State bank, said, "It's the bad check passers who make it more difficult for financial institutions and merchants to cash checks for the legitimate check writer. Legitimate check writers can also help the situation and make the job easier for merchants and bank personnel by cooperating and producing identification when requested to do so". Pat Stark of the McHenry Savings & Loan commented: "The meeting was very informative and especially interesting with regard to the characteristics and tactics used by people who attempt to casti forged checks. The meeting stressed obtaining proper identification from all non-customers who wish to cash negotiates. I believe I will be more able to recognize a doubtful situation. It was really a very worthwhile program for financial institution employees'^ About the clinic, Edward D. Egelston, cashier of the First National bank of McHenry, spoke in this way: * "Our employees learned of various ways and means by which swindlers cash forged or uncollectable checks. Numerous examples of fraud were cited us not in the expectation that all of them would be remembered, but rather to assist us in developing our resourcefulness and judgment in dealing with questions of proper identification. We found the clinic most beneficial to our operations ". * 100 YEARS * WT\> THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-iAKES REGION SINCE 1875" VOLUME 100 NUMBER 40 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1975 1 SECTION 20 PAGES 15* City Passes First Obscenity Ordinance Anyone who sits behind a news desk soon becomes well aware that pressure groups are^ very often what make politicians act the way they do. Their voting records may not always please the general public, but one can be sure the strongest lobbying interests have a good chance of getting their way most of the time. One recent exception was the Illinois Education association;. Seldom have we noted as much activity in behalf of a par­ ticular view as the IEA exerted to obtain an override of the Governor s education veto by the House and Senate. When those efforts failed, the organization attributed the loss to "the politics that stole Christmas from Illinois schools." We understand well the unfortunate timing of the veto, after schools had completed their budgets. We also un­ derstand the possible political motivation behind the veto action. But more than anything, we understand that the state -for whatever reason--is in dif­ ficulty financially. The IEA president has predicted a "rash of referenda" and "un­ precedented pressure" on local taxpayers as a result of the failure of the Senate to override the veto. He also predicted that coupled with program cutbacks, these eventualities will create a "disaster the likes of which we have never seen". No one doubts that good education is one of the most important responsibilities of any community, and some hardships will undoubtedly result from the veto. But we hardly feel it could be con­ sidered the kind of disaster described. We recall well a few years ago when a highly respected and nationally known teacher asserted on TV that if she were given a blackboard and chalk she could teach younger children as well as she could amidst the trappings of a modern classroom. (Continued On Page 19) Expenditure Studied By School Board Board members in High School District 156 spoke at length in session Tuesday evening on a report of »com- ipittees concerned with future plans. Phillip Bartmann noted that capital expenditures would doubtless have to include the purchase of driver simulators for East campus. Member Edwin Neumann countered with his opinion that "any monies we have should be put into the Vocational Education program". Neumann said he had inquired into government supplies, and that while much of it would be of no use, he believed some needed items would be available and could be purchased for 10 per cent of the usual price. It was his opinion that the district could realize considerable savings. Speaking of a Vocational Education program at West, Neumann and others said that it might not now be necessary to erect a small building as discussed earlier. With Johnsburg students scheduled to be phased out over a period of the next several years, members feel present space may be made available for the program. Member David Benrud ex­ pressed himself in agreement on the need for simulators, but said the school was badly in need of the Vocational Education program. "If the Area Career center is established", he commented, "these students will need some previous knowledge". When it became evident that the expenditure of money had become a problem of priorities, it was decided to make the discussion a basis for a future instructional board meeting. In other action, the board (Continued On Page 19) County Chapel The long awaited decision of the McHenry County board concerning a zoning charge to allow a gravel pit operation by Material Service Corp., was made at the Tuesday board meeting. The unanimous decision was to sustain the recommendation of the Zoning board to deny such use. The City Council passed an Obscenity ordinance Monday night as well as an ordinance regulating the operation of massage parlors in the city. The latter Ordinance was essentially drafted from one suggested by the Illinois Municipal league. City At­ torney Bernard Narusis examined it and compared it to some of the litigation that has confe out of these matters. He felt it was a "fairly good or­ dinance and I believe it could be enforced," he stated. The ordinance was unanimously approved as written by the six aldermen present. Aldermen Jack Pepping and LaVerne Hromec were absent from the Monday meeting. Narusis explained that the Obscenity ordinance as presented represented the efforts of the Illinois Municipal league to present an en­ forceable ordinance in the State of Illinois and also to bring this ordinance "within the framework of the recent United Board Denies Hill Gravel Pit Harry Eckland The property is owned by Leo and Evelyn Diedrich, located on the east side of Chapel Hill road. The petition of Lee and Gertrude Gladstone for reclassification of property east of Richmond road was held ovar to the January meeting to allow further study. The Zoning Numerous Crashes On Icy Bridges Monday County deputies investigated twenty-five accidents Monday night, eleven of which occurred on bridges and underpasses. Five accidents took place on Burton's bridge on Route 176 over the Fox river. A 1975 Fiat driven by Jacquelyn D. Small of 1703 W. Low, McHenry, was listed as demolished by deputies after it went out of control on ice- covered Burton's bridge. The one-car accident occurred Monday evening about 7:10. No one was injured. Patricia L. Lonergan of 1514 Pine street, McHenry, told officers she was proceeding over the bridge that same night about 6 o'clock when the car in front of her suddenly braked. When she applied her brakes, her car slid on the ice and hit the rear of the auto. However, it did not stop. Three area residents were involved in accidents on Route 31 Monday evening near the Route 14 overpass. Joanna Bauspies of 4320 Crestwood, McHenry, was south-bound on the highway when she lost control of her car on the icy surface and hit a (Continued On Page 20) board had recommended denial of the request, which would have classified a portion of the property for business use. For the second time, Member Willis Simms of McHenry spoke in favor of a vote in op­ position to the ZBA recom­ mendation. It was his opinion that within a few years the entire area will be zoned for business, and therefore ap­ proval is in order. Some members expressed their understanding that the Zoning board's action resulted from a belief that if a zoning change is made it should apply to all the property, not just a portion of it. A third zoning matter was approved, permitting the McHenry State bank, as a trust, to have a variation and reclassification that would allow the Chapel Hill Country club to install lights in the parking lot. Th^ petition was granted with certain stipulations. A report of the Public Safety committee was approved, in which Civil Defense Director John Shay of McHenry was (Continued On Page 19) States Supreme court decisions on the subject matter." "The real key language in this whole ordinance is in Section 2, where it says: 'The thing shall be deemed to be obscene if the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work taken as a whole is essentially obscene' ", Narusis explained. He stressed that the problem is going to be in application. He said this ordinance probably represents the best language you can put" together today based on the .Supreme court's consideration of these matters. Alderman George Harker commented that he felt the Council had the clear moral obligation to the community to have such a tool as this or­ dinance on the books so there would be something to work with to control and subdue obscene activities. Alderman Edward Datz asked Narusis if the city could get itself into serious trouble with some of the country's biggest publishing houses if it took action on some of their publications. Narusis replied it was possible but since the city is the prosecuting agency, it rated "X" or "R" really doesn't matter," he pointed out. "If this movie is obscene by applying contemporary community standards, it is obscene and its rating is im­ material and we could prosecute it just like we could a magazine publisher or distributor," Narusis said. Besides being fined from $50 to $500, an offender's license would be put in jeopardy if he violated this ordinance, Narusis noted. The ordinance passed by a 5 to 1 vote. Alderman Schaedel voted no.. Mayor Stanek told the Council he had received con­ siderable feedback from the public following the last meeting at which the rather ominous financial situation of the city was outlined He read a list of some of the things he felt had led the city into its present financial crisis: The addition of four policemen along with their wages and fringe benefits; Reduction from a 44 to a 40- hour work week in the police department; Mandated time and a half for overtime; Increase in salary schedule; 51 percent increase in Work­ man's Compensation; Increased cost of petro­ chemicals and other related items such as gasoline and blacktopping which have gone up 30 to 40 percent; Increased phone bills; $8,000 increase in health insurance; $15,000 increase in cost of (Continued On Page 20) Macek Charged With '74 Murder Dies Wednesday could drop the case in any stage ' alone the Harry Eckland, 77, of 1203 Oakwood drive, McHenry, was stricken with a heart attack while on a commuter train to Crystal Lake, Wednesday af­ ternoon, Dec. 17. He was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Elizabeth's hospital, Chicago. Mr. Eckland, a resident of McHenry for more than forty years, served as director of the Bureau of , Streets and Sanitation, Waterworks division, for the city of Chicago for forty-six years. After his retirement in 1968, he served as director of the Civic Center bank for two years, until 1970. Since that time he operated the Harry E. Eckland Public Relations firm, serving paper and chemical companies. Survivors are his wife, Elda E., and one brother, Orville, of Barrington. There will be no visitation, and private burial services are planned. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are being made by the Peter M. Justen & Son chapel. along the line. Alderman Walther Schaedel mentioned that some people have different opinions on what obscenity is. He wondered if people could object to a picture being shown in a movie theater even though there would be no one under 18 at an "R or X" rated showing., Narusis advised that this ordinance also applies to movies, acts (such as at the Cheetah club) and per­ formances. -"Whether or not a movie is Richard O. Macek of 2017 Woodlawn Park drive, - McHenry, was charged with the murder of a Wisconsin woman by Wisconsin authorities this week. Paula , Cupit, 24, of Fontana, Wis., was killed in a hotel room at the Abbey Hotel on Lake Geneva at through mug shots and other information developed by Wisconsin authorities. McHenry county officials charged Macek with attempted murder and aggravated bat­ tery in connection with an attack on a Woodstock woman, Sharon Kulisek, 20, in a Fontana, Aug. 15,1974. She was - Woodstock laundromat, July a maid at the resort. Walworth officials reported at the time that the woman had been stabbed, strangled and her neck was broken. State's Attorney William Cowlin reported that Macek was also wanted for the assault of a Wauwatosa, Wis., woman in October of 1974. Macek had been identified 26. Macek failed to show up for his trial in Circuit court Nov. 17 and was located in San Ber­ nardino, Calif., Dec. 4. He was extradited to Milwaukee, Wis., because those officials had first claim to Macek since the of­ fenses in their state occurred before the McHenry county charges. Special School Funding Open Employment Service Legal Opinion Clarify Unit School Status A long awaited an­ nouncement from the assistant legal advisor of the Illinois Office of Education has advised that the Johnsburg School unit district become a legal entity <rfi the date of successful election, which was Aug. 16, 1975. However, as also revealed in the following correspon­ dence, as a practical matter, the actual operation of the new unit district should not com­ mence until after July 1, 1976. The opinion also states that the boards of education for those school districts which make up the McHenry Community school district should continue to operate until July 1, 1976. Other correspondence fron the Illinois Office of Education indicates tfrat if the boards of education of Districts No. 12 and No. 156 could agree to an earlier effective date, this would be permissible. The complete account of the letter follows: "Dear Superintendent Hall: "Your letter of Aug 18, 1975, posed the following questions: "1. Does a community unit district go into effect as of the date of the election or after the new board of education is elected? "According to a complete reading of 11-9, the district becomes a legal entity on the date of a successful election. In no event would the existence of a community unit district hinge upon'the election of the board of education. It is my opinion, however, that as a practical matter the actual operation, of the district does rest with the board of education and the district certainly cannot operate until after the board is formed. The election of the board of education, therefore, is 'the election affecting the organization of a community school district' as referred to in 11-9 of the School code. Be advised, of course, that this particular subject has never been litigated and thus only an advisory opinion dan be ren­ dered. "2. Johnsburg Elementary School District No. 12 was part of McHenry High School District No. 156. Two members of Mchenry high School district board of education live in Johnsburg Elementary School District 12. Are these two board members automatically off the McHenry high school board as of Aug. 16, 1975? "No. The boards of education for those districts which make up the community unit district should continue to operate under the Act until such time as a board of education for the community unit district is elected. If that election is held %|ter school begins, then July I is theWpecatis^ date of the community uhit^district. "3. If' the uniKjta established as of ^ug. 16, 197?, who makes the arrangements for the payment of tuition of the Johnsburg school district high school students to McHenry High School District 156? "This question is moot due to answers one and two above. "Very truly yours, "Margaret M. McDonnell "Assistant Legal Adviser" "Illinois office of Education" The administration and Johnsburg school board of education said this week they have been considering and studying in detail a site for the new high school and the choice of an architect for the high school construction. Further information regarding this will be forthcoming in Vap- proximaely one month which is a target date for these im­ portant decisions. JERRY GUDAUSKAS McHenry District 156 officially announced Monday that Jerry Gudauskas will assume the directorship of a specially funded Placement program. This position will allow McHenry high school the opportunity to help students find employment in permanent jobs after graduating from high school. The district's Placement project is funded totally by the state of Illinois as a pilot program. It is one of ten experimental programs that has received funding for this school year. Placement has not been a service provided by public high schools in the past. The placement office will operate out of West campus. It will function much like an employment agency. Although the office will primarily focus on high school students, it is Intended that the alumni and McHenry citizens will also be served. As previously mentioned, this is one of the first projects of this type operating in the state of Illinois, even though in the future, such services may become required by law in the state. Funding will continue through June of 1976. Gudauskas had previously been employed by District 156 as a counselor at East campus. He has worked in the McHenry system for five years. Supt. Richard Swantz announced the appointment and noted that Gudauskas had excellent qualifications for the position both as an educator and a person who has been trained in the vocational area. Swantz noted that it is important the person serving as placement director be familiar with the local students and teachers in addition to having knowledge of McHenry area businesses. Jerry Gudauskas expressed pleasure and excitement in response to his appointment. He said, "A lot of work has to be done in a short while, but I think the result will help us to better provide for student and community needs." He also suggested that it would be his goal to publicize the project as much as possible so that citizens, students, and local employers will bey aware of this unique/educational program McHenry high school. \