Facebook fan page set up for Elgin street preacher

One of the more interesting stories I've covered in my time here involved Joseph Tomasino, a 41-year-old Elgin man arrested last summer for preaching the word of God too loudly on the city streets.

Tomasino, according to police reports, was arrested after defying an officer's repeated order to tone it down, as he was alarming people with his bilingual messages.

Last month, Kane County Judge Joseph Grady dismissed the case against Tomasino, due to a lack of evidence and the state's attorney's office subsequently dropped the disorderly conduct charge.

A few weeks ago on Facebook, I noticed someone started a fan page devoted to the "Shouting Bible man of Elgin," in which people mainly sing their praises of Tomasino's work - at last glance, there were more than 1,600 fans.

The page also features Daily Herald articles written about Tomasino, his booking photo and a picture of him doing his thing on State Street.

"This is a man with the Courage of his Convictions (sic)," writes one fan. "God Bless him!"

Others say he's crazy and question why he's always on the streets.

Even after the arrest, Tomasino, with Bible in hand, continued to shout messages of faith and devotion in English and Spanish to motorists - I even saw him one Saturday at 7 a.m. near Villa and Fulton streets.

Tomasino says he's stunned to hear about a Facebook page devoted to him - he told me he's never even heard of Facebook and repeatedly asked me if I was joking.

He said he's gotten a lot more attention since his arrest, mainly from high school students who talk to him and take photographs of him.

The attention humbles Tomasino, but he says his work was never about getting publicity or fame for himself.

"I just stay focused on just glorifying God and helping others, because that's the whole idea," he said. "It's not about me, it's for Him. I just enjoy being a part of what He's doing throughout the earth, throughout Elgin. Amen. That's it."

When he's not on the streets, Tomasino runs a ministry out of his east side Elgin home for adults that involves Bible study, fixing meals and collecting clothes for the needy.

If you would like to help, be sure to say something to him next time you see him on the streets.

Heading for the hills: It's almost time for Lake in the Hills' annual Run Thru the Hills, which gives you the option of running five or 10 kilometers.

The run will be held at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 11 and Kids races begin at 9:15 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit low income families living within the village.

There will be a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony after the race.

Both are scheduled to be held at village hall, 600 Harvest Gate.

Results will be posted by April 13 at www.lith.org and on www.racetime.info.

For more information, visit www.lith.org.

• Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, McHenry County College, Cary, Fox River Grove, Pingree Grove and local crime. To reach her, call (847) 608-2725 or send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com.