Northwest suburbs' top stories in 2010

Glance over your shoulder at the complicated year that was 2010 in the Northwest suburbs and it's difficult to find one moment, one event that sums the whole thing up.

Where is the common bond, the string that ties it all together?

There were unspeakable tragedies, problems with the economy and political change -- all of which means the suburbs were anything but dull in 2010.

Financial squeeze continues for everyone

More than 300 Elgin Area Unit District 46 teachers lost their jobs.

More than 30 Mount Prospect village jobs were eliminated.

Six officers were laid off from the Prospect Heights police force, leaving it at barely more than half the size it was at its peak.

Those were just some of the most obvious signs of the financial pinch facing local government these days. And, despite the cuts, Northwest suburban homeowners are being hit with big increases in their property tax bills.

A slow economy, falling home prices, home foreclosures and delayed payments by state and county officials all are adding to the pressure on local governments trying to make ends meet.

Six months shy of his 14-year anniversary with the Prospect Heights Police Department, Todd Godair was forced to look for a new job.

“Quite frankly, the department can't function with 15 police officers, especially not safely,” he said.

Even where local governments are holding the line, taxes are going up for homeowners as the burden of payment is shifted to them from business property, according to Cook County Assessor James Houlihan. He said $5 billion was granted in assessment reductions this year, but only $800 million of that went to residential properties.

Total taxes for suburban Cook County rose just 2.5 percent this year, but the median tax increase for homeowners in the North and Northwest suburbs was 8.13 percent, Houlihan's office reported.

Schaumburg Township homeowners had the highest median tax increase in the county, 17 percent. Among factors that contributed was that the village of Schaumburg, facing a fall off in sales tax revenue, imposed its first municipal property tax and that Schaumburg businesses got some of the biggest assessment cuts from the Cook County Board of Review.

Schaumburg Township Assessor John Lawson was flooded with complaints, to the point where he kept a police officer on the premises for a few days after bills came out to keep order in the line of taxpayers waiting to see someone in his office. Palatine Tea Party brews change Palatine Tea PartyLocal politics in the Palatine Township area saw hardly a dull moment this year, with new leadership emerging and a grass-roots effort helping to pull off one of the country's biggest election upsets.One changing of the guard occurred last spring in the Palatine Township GOP committeeman post. Following a race largely focused on each candidate's character, Palatine Councilman Aaron Del Mar edged two-term incumbent Gary Skoien of Inverness.In that same election, conservative Republican Tom Morrison upset state Rep. Suzie Bassi, a moderate six-term incumbent. Morrison went on to easily defeat Democrat Matt Flamm in November.Throughout the year, the Palatine Tea Party mobilized to become one of the more active political groups around, organizing a series of well-attended rallies about taxation, the health care bill and the election.The party's efforts eventually helped garner enough support for McHenry Republican Joe Walsh that, by the narrowest of margins, he defeated U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, a Barrington Democrat, to become the 8th District's congressman.2010 both fair and foul for Schaumburg FlyersIt was a year of ups and downs for the Schaumburg Flyers, but the baseball team's biggest goal #8212; to find a new owner #8212; was still unfulfilled at the end of 2010.The Flyers' managing partner, Rich Ehrenreich, had hoped to sell the organization after starting up another team #8212; the Lake County Fielders #8212; with #8220;Field of Dreams#8221; star Kevin Costner.But Ehrenreich found himself the owner of both Northern League teams during the Fielders' inaugural season.There was hope of a resolution in midsummer when Adriano Pedrelli of Glenview was announced as president and CEO of a group of investors interested in buying the Schaumburg team. But that deal fell through by the end of the season.Though Ehrenreich reported positive progress at the end of the year with another group of investors, that news was tempered by bad financial and legal news for the Flyers.Having already been sued last summer for nonpayment of $22,230 of promotional merchandise by Bartlett-based Parley Promotions, the Flyers were then sued in November for more than $900,000 in overdue rent on Alexian Field by the village of Schaumburg and the Schaumburg Park District.Payment of the back rent is one of the conditions of the pending sale.Lift topples, killing Notre Dame student from Long GroveWhen a hydraulic lift toppled in high winds, killing a 20-year-old Long Grove student filming a University of Notre Dame football practice, it cast a cloud over the school and left people wondering how it could have happened.Declan Sullivan's Oct. 27 death remains under investigation by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, has issued a statement that he's profoundly sorry for what happened.#8220;We are conducting an investigation and we must be careful not to prejudge its results, but I will say this: Declan Sullivan was entrusted to our care, and we failed to keep him safe,#8221; Jenkins wrote. #8220;We at Notre Dame and ultimately I, as president are responsible. Words cannot express our sorrow to the Sullivan family and to all involved.#8221;Less than an hour before his death, Sullivan sent messages about the wind on Twitter and Facebook from atop the tower, which stands up to 50 feet above ground.In one message, the tweeted, #8220;This is terrifying.#8221;The National Weather Service reported wind speeds of 33 mph with gusts reaching 51 mph at the South Bend Regional Airport at 4:54 p.m. Eastern time, just four minutes after the accident.SWANCC executive director resigns after money missingThe Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, a public agency that in recent years has operated under the radar helping dispose of the area's garbage, drew unwanted attention this year after money turned up missing, prompting the chief executive to resign.Executive director C. Brooke Beal submitted a letter announcing his resignation on Oct. 25. The 47-year-old Beal had been placed on paid leave from his $160,000-per-year job a week earlier after an independent audit found a #8220;significant amount#8221; of money unaccounted for in the agency's financial records, according to SWANCC officials.While officials wouldn't confirm how much money is unaccounted for, sources have said it could be as much as $400,000.SWANCC officials say they contacted the Cook County state's attorney's office, but so far, no one has been charged in connection with the missing money.SWANCC released a memo saying its goal is #8220;to obtain a full accounting of what took place under the former executive director's watch and to seek full restitution from any culpable parties.#8221;SWANCC, with a processing plant in Glenview, helps coordinate garbage pickup for 23 North and Northwest communities. By the towns working together, SWANCC tries to reduce the costs of waste pickup for municipalities, as well as give the towns a central point for dumping.Duraco workers fight for back pay, tougher state lawFormer workers at Duraco Products Inc. in Streamwood had cause for rejoicing in August after Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill into law that provided additional protection for workers from wage theft.While the legislation was inspired in part by the allegations 34 workers made against Duraco, charging the owners of the shuttered factory refused to pay their workers, it won't go into effect until next year.Former Duraco worker Jesenya Rodriguez of Hanover Park said she views the law as a positive even though it won't help her and her co-workers. #8220;It was a struggle getting everything together; it was a struggle going down to Springfield every week talking to senators and representatives, just getting our voices out,#8221; she said.The former employees have a pending lawsuit against brothers Michael and Kevin P. Lynch, seeking what they say are $200,000 to $500,000 in lost wages and benefits. The Lynches are fighting the suit. Duraco, which made plastic garden supplies, filed for bankruptcy in 2008.According to the state department of labor, officials recovered $3.1 million in unpaid and underpaid wages last year in Illinois. But a University of Illinois at Chicago study said that workers lose about $7.3 million a week in unpaid wages.Barrington Hills lighting debate raged all yearThe saga of Barrington Hills' controversial proposed outdoor lighting ordinance began in 2009 and has carried all the way through 2010 and into 2011.But so far, the biggest change generated by the debate is an unusually high level of competition in the April 2011 village board election.The new Common Sense Party, an evolution of the protest group Homeowners Against Lighting Ordinances (HALO), has put up a slate comprised of incumbent Beth Mallen, Steve D'Amore and Diane #8220;Dede#8221; Wamberg for the three 4-year trustee seats up for election and Harold #8220;Skip#8221; Gianopulos for the sole 2-year seat.Village President Robert Abboud #8212; who's only halfway through his own current term #8212; is backing Karen Selman and Patty Meroni for two of the 4-year seats and Dawn Davis for the 2-year seat.Residents Joe Messer and David Stieper have also filed for 4-year terms.Public opinion about the proposed ordinance has been divided between those who see it as an infringement of property rights and those who believe it's a necessary step in preserving Barrington Hills' countryside atmosphere and it is in keeping with the village's history of greater regulation.How stringent the ordinance's guidelines would be is something that seemed to change significantly during the course of the year, with the reach of the proposed ordinance being reduced. Of particular interest to most was what would count as #8220;security lighting,#8221; and be exempt from the regulation. By the end of the year, the village board had acknowledged the validity of a petition forcing a supermajority vote to approve the ordinance and was debating whether or not to simply grandfather in the lighting of all current residents.District 15 a magnet for controversy in 2010Two controversies left stains on Palatine Township Elementary District 15's reputation over questions of transparency and fiscal management.The school board narrowly approved taking out a $27 million loan, angering more than 7,500 residents who signed a petition forcing the bond issue to a November referendum.Despite a late promise by school officials not to use proceeds for anything other than capital projects, opponents argued the district still lacked a concrete plan.In the end, voters defeated the measure by a hefty margin, not wanting the district to raise taxes and take on more debt during such dismal economic times.The board was the target of even more criticism regarding its handling of former Superintendent Dan Lukich, who it forced to resign a year before his contract expired.The board refused to disclose why it ousted Lukich or approved giving him $185,000 as part of a separation agreement, citing a gag order in the deal.District 15 is now attempting to repair its relationship with the community, hosting a series of engagement meetings in order get input and put a strategic plan into place.The board also gave a vote of confidence to new Superintendent Scott Thompson, lauding his performance and replacing his one-year interim contract with a three-year deal.Statesman editors quit in protest over censorshipEmbroiled in a fight with administrators over censorship and other issues, seven editors of the Stevenson High School student newspaper quit the publication in January. The editor-in-chief and managing editor were among those who left.The teens left their journalistic posts by withdrawing from the class that produces the Statesman, an award-winning monthly newspaper that had been the focus of several public controversies for more than a year.A January 2009 story about teen sex at the Lincolnshire high school led to more administration oversight because of what officials said were reporting problems. A few months later, Barbara Thill left her post as the newspaper's adviser.Publication of the November 2009 issue was blocked by administrators because of content objections. School officials later forced students to publish the issue without two stories that had raised concerns. A story was pulled from the December issue because of administrative concerns.Eventually, the school developed new guidelines designed to give the journalists clear expectations for their work.Apartment refusal lands Arlington Heights in courtA refusal to approve zoning changes to allow a controversial apartment building for persons with mental illness has landed the village of Arlington Heights in federal court.Developers #8212; including a group of area parents seeking housing for their adult children #8212; filed suit in November, charging the village violated the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.In May, the village board voted 4-3 against zoning changes that would have allowed a 30-unit building at 120-122 E. Boeger Road, on the edge of the village near Buffalo Grove.The village board vote came at about 1:30 a.m. after a long meeting in packed chambers that featured presentations from people on both sides of the issue. Opponents say the project requires too big a density variance from what zoning laws allow and should not be built so close to a day care center and Buffalo Grove High School.Proponents say the housing is desperately needed, is planned for the only Arlington Heights site acceptable to the village and is not a danger to the community or as dense as portrayed.Men demonstrate their bravery at fire scenesTragedies offer the opportunity for heroic acts as two Northwest suburban residents demonstrated at fire scenes this year.In June, Myron Chorkawciw, 54, was recognized as a hero by the Des Plaines fire department and city council for pulling a neighbor out of a burning mobile home March 8.Chorkawciw said he never expected to be lauded for doing what anyone would have done. When he heard the explosion from a nearby unit in the Town and Country Mobile Home Park, he ran outside to find a neighbor was trapped inside by a natural gas explosion. #8220;I knew the guy was in there, and when the roof blew off it, I knew he had to get out,#8221; Chorkawciw said.The same month Chorkawciw was honored, Mark Jedd was able to rescue 1-year-old Rhianna from a fire at his Prospect Heights residence, but nearly died trying unsuccessfully to find and save 3-year-old Alex Jedd.A few days after the fire, Mark was in a coma, his kidneys were failing, and he was barely clinging to life. But Mark's bravery didn't go unappreciated as strangers came to the aid of Jedd's family, fiancee Brittany Meyer said. One even offered to donate a kidney. Jedd didn't come out of the coma until almost a month after the fire.Among those who organized fundraisers was Patrick Whalen, a former high school classmate of Mark Jedd's who hadn't talked to him in at least a decade.#8220;Anytime someone loses a child, it's the worst nightmare scenario,#8221; said Whalen, of Wheeling. 22232784The Palatine Tea Party holds a Taxed Enough Already rally at Volunteer Plaza in Palatine on April 15, income tax deadline day.GEORGE LECLAIRE/gleclaire@dailyherald.com Sales40002499Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.comSchaumburg Flyers owner Rich Ehrenreich, left, and potential buyer Adriano Pedrelli walk Alexian Field in July. The deal fell through. Sales 640811Mug of Declan Sullivan, Notre Dame student from Long Grove who died in campus accident. 221166C. Thomas Beal, the 47-year-old from Chicago, is Executive Director of SWANCC. He was placed on paid leave on Oct. 18 for allegedly scheming $400K from the agency. Sales40002262Dennis Gallitano, Dede Wamberg and Michael Miller are three leading members of Homeowners Against Lighting Ordinances (HALO), which protested Barrington HillsÂ’ consideration of stronger outdoor lighting regulations.Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.comSales 27761744Audience members listen during a hearing on the validity of the petition that would force a $27 million bond issue to a referendum in Palatine Township Elementary School District 15.Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com 16921170Jesenya Rodriguez, arms outstretched, thanks former Duraco employees for turning out last spring in front of the shuttered factory in Streamwood to protest what they say were unpaid wages. The company is in bankruptcyBob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com 720540Mark Jedd poses with his 3-year-old son, Alex, who died in the June 12 fire in their Prospect Heights house. Jedd was badly injured trying to rescue his son.Courtesy Brittany Meyer 31822733MADHU KRISHNAMURTHY/mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.comDes Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax, right, and Mayor Marty Moylan, center, recognize resident Myron Chorkawciw for his role in rescuing a neighbor from a mobile home fire on March 8.