Former Bianchi chief meets with special prosecutor

A former top lieutenant for McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi met this morning with a special prosecutor investigating allegations of criminal wrongdoing within the Bianchi administration.

Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan III confirmed that grand jurors gathered Friday to hear evidence regarding the four-month-old probe, but said he could not say whether Nichole Owens was among the witnesses to appear.

Owens, who for about four years served as Bianchi's criminal division chief, met with Tonigan for more than 30 minutes in a McHenry County courthouse conference room. Owens left Bianchi's staff early this year to take a position as a prosecutor in downstate Macon County.

Tonigan said he could not indicate how many more times the grand jury would meet or when his inquiry would conclude.

"We're making progress," he said.

Tonigan, along with former federal prosecutor Thomas McQueen, are investigating claims Bianchi used county staff and resources for political purposes. Among the allegations are that he had his former personal secretary type campaign-related letters and documents, sent her on political errands and had her set up a campaign event, all while on the clock.

That secretary, Amy Dalby of Woodstock, last year was indicted on allegations she unlawfully copied and removed computer files from the office. Dalby, who later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, claimed the files she removed proved she had done campaign work at Bianchi's behest.

Bianchi, a second-term Republican from Crystal Lake, repeatedly has denied any wrongdoing.

Last month, members of Tonigan's investigation served a search warrant on Bianchi's office and seized numerous electronic and paper files.