Sentence remains for woman in Lake Zurich reckless homicide

A Lake County judge refused Tuesday to modify the sentence of a Morris woman convicted of killing a motorcyclist while painting her nails.

Lora Hunt, 50, is serving an 18-month term of periodic imprisonment for the May 2009 crash that killed Anita Zaffke, 56, of Lake Zurich.

The sentence requires Hunt to be in the Lake County jail when not at or commuting to and from her job in her hometown, receiving mental health treatment or performing public service.

Hunt's attorneys asked Circuit Judge Fred Foreman to change the jail classification for their client so she would be eligible for one 12-hour pass from the jail each week.

Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel objected to the request, telling Foreman he had found “the appropriate balance” in sentencing Hunt, who could have received up to five years in prison for her reckless homicide conviction.

Foreman denied the request, saying he wanted Hunt to serve the sentence he imposed.

“This (the original conditions) is the type of sentence I contemplated,” Foreman said. “I would have preferred that the defendant had found work in Lake County, but I want her to work because I want her to pay restitution.”

Hunt's sentence also includes orders that she pay $15,429 to Zaffke's family and perform 240 hours of public service.

Foreman also denied Hunt's request to be allowed to attend church services in Winthrop Harbor, telling her she should continue to attend services at a church across the street from the jail in Waukegan.