History proves Grayslake had good reason for canceling bike show

It seems clear that considerable fur will be flying for quite some time over the cancellation of the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

But if Grayslake officials did yank the permit for the show because they believed members of a motorcycle gang were going to show up with violent intent, they have some significant history on their side.

In 1997, federal officials in Milwaukee indicted 17 members of the Outlaws for a host of crimes under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act.

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Included in their number was then-Gurnee resident Kevin "Spike" O'Neill, who was identified as the president of the Janesville, Wis., chapter of the gang.

O'Neill and his cohorts were charged with 34 crimes, including six murders, bombings of rival gangs' clubhouses, drug trafficking, counterfeiting and interstate and overseas transportation of stolen motor vehicles and parts.

"The indictment charges that the Outlaws are more than a motorcycle club," U.S. Attorney Tom Schneider said at the time. "They are a sophisticated and dangerous organized crime group which has repeatedly resorted to bombings and murder to protect their ongoing criminal enterprise."

Trials and pleas of the indicted bikers stretched out over the next three years, and those convicted generally received hefty prison sentences.

As did O'Neill, who was sentenced to life in December 2000 after being convicted of the RICO charges.

Law enforcement sources say that the indictment and trials did not wipe out the Outlaws and the group is still a presence in the underworld.

Law Day: More than 250 teenagers and teachers came to the courthouse in Waukegan for the annual Law Day activities.

The visitors attended presentations on voting from County Clerk Willard Helander's office, a re-enactment of a reckless homicide sentencing hearing, an information seminar on identity theft and a tour of the jail.

Students also participated in a mock trial of a case taken right out of recent headlines.

Associate judges Brian Hughes and Michael Fusz conducted a trial of a case against several teens who bullied a fellow student over the Internet, then lured her to a beating that they filmed and posted the video online.

Tax freeze: Applications for senior citizen property tax freezes have been mailed out by the county assessment office.

County residents 65 or older can apply to have their taxes frozen if they lived in their houses all of last year and have a total household income of $50,000 or less.

To get the freeze, it is important to fill out the application by July 31 and return it to the county assessment office in Waukegan.

The office also has outreach workers available to work with seniors on their applications.

For more information, call (847) 377-2050.

Heard in the hallway:#338;Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Irene Curran, chief of the child support division, has been installed as the president of the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County.