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f Urge Support Of Governor's Road Funding Program Road funding choices facing the state could affect the quality of life and the future economic well being of residents, warned Hal C. Lowrey, field Engineer for the Illinois Department of Tran­ sportation (IDOT), speaking to mayors and village presidents at their meeting April 25. Urging support of the gover­ nor's program to increase fuel taxes and license fees to fund required road improvements, he said that the $20 per year increase for each motorist would be a good investment in the state's future. Dramatizing the need, Lowrey emphasized that the funding choice is an economic decision to preserve the one job in five in Illinois that depends directly on the state's tran­ sportation system; a safety decision because of the 600,000 accidents in Illinois each year (good roads mean less ac­ cidents); and it's a tough decision because if funding isn't accomplished and the roads continue to deteriorate, "We'll live with that, but we'll all suffer" -- loss of lives, high car repair costs, loss of jobs and probably the eventual loss of a multi-billion dollar tran­ sportation system." Backing up his assertions, Lowery quoted figures for District 1 which includes this area and for McHenry county. District 1 contains 22,400 miles of roads and streets which are 17 percent of the total in the state. Over 3,250 of these are on the state system for which the state is responsible. In this system is a backlog of 310 miles of rough and narrow pavement and 160 inadequate bridges. In addition, to keep ahead of deterioration the districts must repair 100 miles of state road each year at cost exceeding $60 million. This has come about because more than two-thirds of the state system was built before World War II and in the last 23 years the emphasis has been on the completion of the interstate system, delaying the upkeep and bridge replacement on the older roads. In the case of McHenry county, the total mileage is 1,750, of which the state maintains 210 miles. This part of the state road system represents an investment of a quarter billion dollars and would require $1.25 billion to replace. Lowrey pointed out that thousands of jobs depend on the daily functioning of the roads which all realized this past winter when the heavy snow crippled the road system. The resulting economic losses in manufacturing and sales have been estimated for the Chicago area alone as $1.4 billion. Lowrey also noted the impact of inflation on construction and maintenance of the aging road system. "Highway construction prices are 160 percent higher than they were 10 years ago when the current statewide fuel tax and vehicle registration fees were established." This means that for the 1979 high­ way program, the $666 million allocated statewide has the purchasing power of only $260 million 10 years ago, he said. Adding to this problem, Lowrey noted, is that the growth rate of state revenue for this purpose, (motor fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees) which should increase proportionately at the 5 or 6 percent or better has dropped off to 2 or 3 percent per year, or about a 50 percent cut in pur­ chasing power. And as the vehicle fuel efficiency gets better, (as,-it must by federal edict), thex negative revenue trend will even worsen as less gasoline is used. Lowrey warned that in the next five years, Illinois is expected to lose $900 million in revenues from what could have been expected to be available if earlier trends had continued. And other states have been raising their tax rates to solve this dilemma, Lowrey con­ tinued. Federal funds available on a matching basis have partially aided in funding sizeable progranis< Lowrey said, and reduced the state money needed over the long term for road repair and construction But this lias placed even more of a strain on scarce state dollars. The state still has to provide one dollar for every three federal dollars it gains in grants. The inducement is the "use them or lose them" policy connected witny such grants, and if addftwyjaL state resources are not found, Illinois stands to lose $1.4 billion in federal moneys to other states in the next four years Lowrey said that IDOT has already made increases in productivity and operating efficiency and has. for example, reduced the work force from nearly 9,500 in 1971 to 7,500 in 1978 while the road mileage has increased He claimed that further reductions in force would affect adversely routine maintenance and pothole patching To meet the revenue shortfall a program has been proposed that would cost the average driver $20 more per year Lowrey said that they propose to raise the MFT from 7.5 cepfs per gallon to 9 cents and put the tax on a variable rate basis which mean&Mt would be ad­ justed periodically for economic growth (indexing to people's ability to pay). Registration fees would, for under 35h p cars, presently $18, increase $3 each year through 1983 For cars over 35 h p., now $30. would increase $5 per year through 1983 Truck fees would increase an average of 13 percent each year through 1983. Lowrey said the added revenues would average to a $165 million district road program each for the next four years. It would lead to the elimination of "diversions" from the road fund and to the ability to support a new four- year bond authorization of $400 million for the state. What the added funds would mean in the next four years, Lowrey promised, would be the (Continued on page 20) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 atoarb Winning Detospaprr 1978-- Illinois Press Association New, pa per Contest VOLUME 103 NUMBER 79 WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1979 1 SECTION 22 PAGES 20' Trade Fair Opens In McHenry May 4 The fair will continue until 10 p m. opening night On Saturday. May 5, the hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday. May 6. 11 a m to 5 p.m. Numerous prizes will be awarded throughout the three days Sandwiches will be available and refreshments will be served Hundreds of products will be conveniently displayed at the various booths. They include products and services for the home, farm and business, as well as for recreation Household items, from small helps around the home to the more important appliances, are included Recreational items to be displayed range from musical products to vehicles that have both a leisure and a utilitarian purpose Farm needs are not forgotten, with both products and services of the latest type displayed as rural McHenry enters into the planting season. Attire is included: industry will be represented; and there will be information on l>oth sales and rentals Financial institutions will have personnel on hand with information on their product which is of general interest Families are encouraged to attend the Trade fair one of the three days it is in progress Charge Murder Attempt "There will be something for everyone at the sixth annual free Trade fair". That was the word from Executive Director Bob Prendergast of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce as he announced the C of C- sponsored event which opens Friday, May 4, at 6 p.m in Parkland Junior high school, located near the corner of Rt 120 and Ringwood road Bob Prendergast, executive director of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, puts finishing touches on the sign at the intersection of Rt. 120 and Ringwood road that advertises the sixth annual free Trade fair. It is scheduled May 4, 5 and 6 at Parkland Junior high school, located just north of the intersection. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Garnett S. Creger, 44, of 3706 W. John street, McHenry, was arrested early Saturday morning for the attempted murder of his wife. According to McHenry Police Chief George Pasenelli, Creger had an argument with his wife and then took a shot at her with a sawed-off, 12-guage shotgun. SEDOM Students Recommend 29 For Summer School With growing rumblings from the public aimed at protecting the guilty at the expense of the innocent, lawmakers who depend on that same public's vote are resolving to do something about it. There is a measure in the state Legislature now to en­ courage judges to think twice before letting convicted criminals off easy. The proposal is to compile a judicial performance index that would require the sentencing record of each Illinois judge to be kept chronologically and readily available to the media and public. It would in some way be like the Roll Call appearing on the Plaindealer's editorial page each Wednesday, letting people know how their congressmen and senators vote on important issues. The thrust of the new legislation proposal is to satisfy people who are just sick and tired of being victimized by thugs who are set free to commit another crime. Legislators from both political parties are supporting the proposal, apparently prodded by a public weary of the "guy with the black hat" walking away from his criminal act with only a slap on the wrist. Even white collar crime is coming in for more attention, as well it should. This 40 billion dollar a year anti-industry will be respon­ sible for closing at least one in five companies this year. These figures reflect non-violent crimes only. Bombings, robberies and threats add a separate insult to industry. "Corporate Security" is a three-day meeting to be held later this Spring and Summer to help organizations form prevention programs. The expansion of compute programs and increasing reliance on the information stored in computer memory banks has opened a new door to potential fraud, theft and other crimes. Proposed legislation would make it a criminal offense to use a computer or alter or destroy computer programs without the consent of the system's owner. For the long suffering public who gnash their teeth or weep each time they see the good guys getting hurt, what we see happening is encouraging. At least it's a start! KAF Twenty-nine students out of 81 who attend Special Education (SEDOM) classes from Elementiary District 15, McHenry, have been recom­ mended for summer school this year. That word came to the board following its reorganization this past week. Program costs are not definite but will be from $213 to $250 per student. Tran­ sportation will be billed at actual cost, which currently is $5.79 a day. SEDOM believes summer transportation could run slightly more. With approval given by the board, the district will fund the program costs and 80 percent of transportation is funded by the state. - Parents of the 29 recom­ mended students will be notified and will decide whether or not they wish their children to be enrolled. A critical gasoline situation which also affects High School District 156 brought ex­ pressions of concern from board members. There were only about 5,000 gallons remaining April 18. Business Manager William Landis said he had contacted the proper agency in Washington, DC., where he was told it was a state problem. * The spokesman in Springfield informed him they would look into the matter but they were behind in their book work. Amoco, the gas supplier for both districts, told local school authorities on the day of the meeting they would get the tank filled once more, on Wednesday This will last about 10 days. A report to the board in­ dicating all educational field trips had been curtailed in an effort to conserve gas brought varied opinions. Some mem­ bers felt it was not fair to continue sports events out of town and deny educational trips. When it was learned that the gasoline delivery would be made Wednesday, it was (Continued on page 20) State-City Employees Mayor Suggests Opposition To Collective Bargaining In a discussion of pending legislation in Illinois at the meeting of mayors and village presidents this past week, Mayor Joe Stanek of McHenry spoke out in opposition. He suggested that the association oppose House Bill 800 which would provide for collective bargaining for employees of the state and municipalities. This, Stanek said, would cause the cities to lose their autonomy and could destroy the country. He noted that even today, if the teamsters struck, it could cripple the country, as they have already demon­ strated. He urged that the mayors write the legislators to try to block this legislation. Stanek claimed that the em­ ployees in the public sector are paid better than comparable employees in private industry. The McHenry mayor added that the IlliflOif Mayors' league is trying to obtain a revision of the police pension law which now permits police to retire at 50 with 20 years of service. He said the new bill would require them to work until age 55. And he noted that villages must pay into both social security and retirement funds for police. Pension requirements affect all municipalities with 5,000 or more population, he noted. John McPhee, president of Lake in the Hills, said that his village, although under 5,000, also had a pension system for police authorized by a referendum in the village. A dissenting voice, Hebron chief of police Richard Karolus, warned that under this new bill pension funds would be held in Springfield instead of in local depositories, and this would hurt local banks. He noted that other provisions would be detrimental to police wives and families and the mayors should investigate the measure thoroughly before making any endorsement. Frances Kuhn, mayor of Woodstock, said the wife issue was not settled in the measure and she suggested there was a scare campaign against the proposal by affected groups. She wouldn't oppose the 55 age requirement, and didn't believe the changes would hurt police recruitment, contrary to op­ position claims. Ray Bangert, mayor of Algonquin, urged the association to work for more patrolmen training institute (PTI) sessions for area police officers to be held at McHenry County college. He understood that some police chiefs were opposing a PTI school in the area. He noted the savings over sending recruits downstate for training. Karolus said the chiefs' association has been promoting the local sessions and would like it to be held at MCC, but added that there has been difficulty in getting a large enough group of recruits to justify it. McPhee confirmed that this was the problem. An in­ struction group wouldn't be sent to this area unless they could guarantee a sufficient size class. Bangert urged the mayors to know how their own chiefs are responding at these association meetings a few of which he has attended He also pointed out that if Lake county municipalities would cooperate (Continued on page 20) Residents of McHenry and Nunda townships are reminded that the two townships will be the topic of discussion by the Zoning commission of the county Friday, May 4, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 112 of the cour­ thouse. The public is invited to ob­ serve, but no further testimony will be taken at this time. The commission will review and make its recommendations for the individual requested map amendments of the proposed zoning ordinance The shot from the kitchen, where Creger was. did not pass into the adjacent room, where Mrs. Creger was. Rather, the blast did "considerable damage" to the wall above the door, Pasenelli said "Creger might have had second thoughts," Pasenelli said. Mrs. Creger was not hurt Mrs. Creger called the police at 2:50 a m. and Sgt. Kinnerk responded On his way, Kin­ nerk saw a car leaving the Creger house and chased it. The car was stopped about one block west of Hwy. 31, Pasenelli said In it was Creger. A gun that had been thrown from the car was recovered along with a gun in the car The shotgun was found in the Creger house Pasenelli called Kinnerk's performance a "beautiful piece of police work." Creger has been charged with attempted murder and the unlawful use of a weapon. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing, scheduled for May 23, in the county jail Bond was set at $100,000 RTA Asks Public Input A hearing on the RTA proposed annual program and budget for fiscal year 1980 and its proposed five-year transit program for 1980-84 is scheduled in McHenry. It will be held at 7:30 p.m., Wed­ nesday. May 2, in West campus high school, 4724 W Crystal Lake road. Residents of the area are urged to participate in the hearing and express opinions and ideas so they may be considered when the RTA board adopts a final budget for fiscal year 1980 The hearing is the second in a series of nine to be • held throughout the RTA six-county region Vie For Queen's Crown Township Zoning Make Recommendations For Map Amendments ANNETTE ARROYO KAREN SZUMLAS Among the lovely young contestants seeking to wear the Miss McHenry crown this year are Annette Arroyo and Karen Szumlas. Annette, daughter of Louis and Theresa Arroyo, turned 18 years old last Sunday. Her hobbies are skiing, biking and dancing. Karen, 18, is the daughter of Joseph and Dolores Szumlas. A student at Johnsburg high school, she is a cheerleader and a participant in the school musical. Her hobbies include all sports, sewing and art work.