Grundy County Board chairman muscles neighbor

County board chairman Frank Halpin recently made an appearance in the Illinois Supreme Court.  Development of a new subdivision near his farm in South Wilmington disrupted drainage.  The solution?  A new drain tile through the farm of his neighbor, Mr. Schultz.  

Schultz didn't like the idea of Halpin tearing up his property, and refused.  Halpin sued for the right to install the tile through Schultz's farm - and won - in Grundy County circuit court.  The appellate court reversed in an opinion which you can read here:

http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/appellatecourt/2008/3rddistrict/April/3060767.pdf

Halpin then appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.  Watch the oral arguments here:

http://163.191.183.117/court/SupremeCourt/Video/2009/031209_106537.wmv

Schultz represents himself.  He names all the players and does a terrific job defending himself against the Grundy County machine.  Watch the whole video.  Schultz presents his case in the second half. 

Feeney to get high-paying city consulting job?

Dick is up to his old tricks again, scheming to keep Brian Feeney on the payroll, despite the fact that east side residents voted him out.  The police union representative has been directed by the mayor to negotiate with Brian Feeney, even though Feeney's term of office is expiring.  Feeney is like a guest who overstays his welcome.  He just doesn't know when to leave.

Sweet Deal for Coal City Administrator

The Coal City village administrator has had a stroke of extraordinary good luck.  It seems that Mr. Fritz submitted the winning bid on one of the houses in the Richard's Crossing subdivision, by the now-bankrupt Kennedy Homes.  A new house for only $85,000?  This sounds like a terrific deal.