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Residents fight home for troubled youth Opposition to a proposed residential school and treatment facility for maladjusted youth has continued since the McHeury County Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the petition be granted. The proposed facility, known as The Willows, which has also been endorsed by the McHenry County Mental Health Board, would be located at 3116 Thompson Road, Wonder Lake. At a hearing before the zoning board on Oct. 17, The Willows Executive Director Candice Chorjel explained that the facility would serve about 20-25 young adults, ages 11-21, in the residential program, and another 15 to 20 youths, who would participate in the day school program. According to a review statement submitted to the board by the mental health board and the petitioners, the youths to be served are described as having difficulties relating to family and peers and may be withdrawn, lack self- confidence or have a low self- image and self-esteem. The report also states that the youths are described as being average or above-average in in­ telligence. According to the Special Education District of McHenry County, there currently are 28 McHenry County youths in residential schools outside the county . The report says about 50 percent or more are placed because of emotional or behavioral disturbances. Presently, 16 to 18 youths are in this category. Of these, the report says, all but one or two would be candidates for a facility such as The Willows. At the Oct. 17 hearing, many residents expressed concern about the security of the facility and the possible effect on property values in the area. Chorjel stated at the hearing that the students would be non­ violent, depressed or malad­ justed youths who would have to go through an extensive screening process before being admitted. She also said youths who display active "psychiatric symptomology," uncontrolled acting out behavior, substance abuse problems or organic mental disorders, would be excluded from consideration. The zoning board, in recommending to the county board a conditional use for the facility, attached eight stipulations to the recom­ mendation, including a statement that McHenry County residents receive preference for admission to the program, that no new buildings be erected on the site and a unclimbable fence to be maintained along the borders of the site. In an effort to influence the decision of the county board, several residents of Wonder Lake have begun a petition and letter-writing campaign to halt the proposed facility. In a leaflet sent to area residents, concern is expressed about the effect the facility will have on property values and potential safety hazards. • Former county board member A1 Collins of Wonder Lake said the group is concerned about where funding for the facility will come from. "They've told us that costs will come from local school district funds. We're concerned how this will effect school districts like District 200 who are already in bad shape financially," Collins said. Collins said 350 letters in regard to the facility have been sent to county board members already, and a petition is being circulated around Wonder Lake to collect signitures of people opposed to facility. "There are a lot of people who are just learning about it (The Willows), and we're en­ couraging them to write letters to their county board mem­ bers," Collins said. Funding for the facility would come from the Gover­ nor's Purchase Care program, which calls for local school districts to fund two times the operating expenses for a special education student who cannot be placed in a county or school special education program. The remaining expenses are to be picked up by the state. According to John Radka, assistant superintendent for business and operations for District 200, the state has only been covering 88 percent of the remaining expenses. The county board is expected to review the zoning board's recommendation after the first of the year. MERRY CHRISTMAS & BEST WISHES fOR THE HAPPIEST OE NEW YEARS!. # ̂ f ran Kedzie * FRAN'S HIDDEN CURL 1212 N. GREEN ST. 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