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D-428 considers moving adult-living classBy BRITTANY KEEPERMAN [email protected]

DeKALB The administra-tor in charge of special educa-tion at DeKalb School District 428 wants to move its transi-tional education program to an empty building at the Kish-waukee Education Consortium

on the campus of Kishwaukee Community College.

It creates an environment where opportunities for voca-tional skill development are more accessible, said Cristy Meyer, the districts director of special education. We have janitorial, child care and food service all right there in walk-

ing distance. Threshholds: Stepping Into

Life is District 428s program for 18- to 21-year-old students with special needs. Every stu-dent who has an individualized education program is eligible for the transitional education program until age 22. The pro-gram is housed at DeKalb High

School and has 11 students. Meyer would like to move

the class to an unused mass communications classroom, which has an additional con-nected space that could be modeled as a studio apartment where students could focus on independent living skills, Mey-er said.

Im really excited about this possibility, she said. It puts all the skills our students need to transition successfully to the adult world in one space.

The relocation plan would need approval from, the District 428 school board as well as the Kishwaukee Education Con-sortium board. Officials would

need to secure funding to trans-form the classroom as well.

A lot needs to be worked out before the program is approved, said Jamie Craven, KEC board member and superintendent of Rochelles Township High

Photos by Danielle Guerra - [email protected]

Cuddling under a blanket, Jessica Gorham puts daughter Sofia Doktor, 2, on her lap Friday while daughter Avery Gorham (right), 6, waits for the Waterman Holiday Lights Train to start along the tracks in Waterman Lions Park.

HOLIDAY FUN GETTING ON TRACK Power grid vulnerable to foreign hacks

Brighter than everWaterman Holiday Lights Train makes a comeback

By KATIE SMITH [email protected]

WATERMAN Petes Holiday Lights Train is back and bright-er than ever after suffering about $20,000 worth of damage caused by vandalism to its displays last year.

Wearing a train conductors suit and a Santa hat with Mickey Mouse ears, Pete Robinson, the man behind the holiday attraction, greeted the trains passengers Sun-day with cheer seemingly unaffect-ed by last years vandalism.

We ran that night and we had 3,200 people Robinson said. And thats when I said, Now were go-ing to really kick some butt,

This year the attraction, a

free, seasonal Christmas-themed lights display and tour, and San-ta meet-and-greet, features 300,000 lights. Wire frames, bulbs and oth-er structures that were damaged have since been replaced or rebuilt entirely. Meanwhile, two new dis-plays have also been dedicated to members of owner Pete Robinsons family, he said.

By GARANCE BURKE and JONATHAN FAHEYThe Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. Security researcher Brian Wallace was on the trail of hackers who had snatched a California universi-tys housing files when he stumbled into a larger nightmare: Cyberattackers had opened a pathway into the networks run-ning the United States power grid.

Digital clues pointed to Iranian hack-ers. And Wallace found that they had already taken passwords, as well as en-gineering drawings of dozens of power plants, at least one with the title Mission Critical. The drawings were so detailed that experts said skilled attackers could have used them, along with other tools and malicious code, to knock out electrici-ty flowing to millions of homes.

Wallace was astonished. But this breach, The Associated Press has found, was not unique.

About a dozen times in the past decade, sophisticated foreign hackers have gained enough remote access to control the oper-ations networks that keep the lights on, according to top experts who spoke only on condition of anonymity due to the sen-sitive nature of the subject matter.

The public almost never learns the de-tails about these types of attacks theyre rarer but also more intricate and poten-tially dangerous than data theft. Informa-tion about the governments response to these hacks is often protected and some-times classified; many are never even re-ported to the government.

These intrusions have not caused the kind of cascading blackouts that are feared by the intelligence community. But so many attackers have stowed away in the systems that run the U.S. electric grid that experts said they likely have the ca-pability to strike at will.

And thats what worries Wallace and other cybersecurity experts most.

If the geopolitical situation changes and Iran wants to target these facilities, if they have this kind of information it will make it a lot easier, said Robert M. Lee, a former U.S. Air Force cyberwarfare oper-ations officer.

In 2012 and 2013, in well-publicized attacks, Russian hackers successfully sent and received encrypted commands to U.S. public utilities and power gen-erators; some private firms concluded this was an effort to position interlopers to act in the event of a political crisis. And the Department of Homeland Se-curity announced about a year ago that a separate hacking campaign, believed by some private firms to have Russian

Peering over his cup of hot chocolate, Elliot Kupp, 7, of Lee, tries to fog his glass-es with the steam while waiting his turn Friday for the Waterman Holiday Lights Train in Waterman Lions Park.

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See GRID, page A8See TRAIN, page A8

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December 21, 2015Daily Chronicle

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Illinois LotterySundayPick 3-Midday: 7-4-4 Pick 3-Evening: 9-1-3Pick 4-Midday: 4-3-2-0 Pick 4-Evening: 3-2-9-2 Lotto (Sat.): 2-15-23-36-46-50 (24)Lucky Day Lotto-Midday: 5-6-15-22-24Lucky Day Lotto-Evening: 4-23-26-28-43Lotto jackpot: $17.75 million

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DeKALBBig Book Study AA (C)Time: 9:30 a.m. MondayPlace: 312 E. Taylor St.Information: 800-452-7990 or

www.dekalbalanoclub.com

Overeaters AnonymousTime: 10 a.m. MondayPlace: DeKalb Senior Services

Center, 330 Grove St.Information: 815-758-4718

Alzheimers/ Dementia Support Group for Caregivers

Time: 1 p.m. MondayPlace: DeKalb Adult Day Center,

126 S. Fourth St.Information: 815-484-1300

Kiwanis Club of DeKalbTime: 5:30 p.m. MondayPlace: Elks DeKalb Lodge, 209 S.

Annie Glidden RoadInformation: [email protected]

or 815-501-9985, www.dekalbki-wanis.org

DeKalb Rotary ClubTime: 6 p.m. MondayPlace: Ellwood House Museum,

509 N. First St.Information: 815-787-0800

DeKalb Evening Lions ClubTime: 6:30 p.m. MondayPlace: Junction Eating Place,

816 W. Lincoln HighwayInformation: 815-758-6706 or

[email protected]

H.O.P.E. Narcotics Anonymous Group

Time: 7:30 p.m. MondayPlace: 251 E. Lincoln HighwayInformation: 815-299-2803

We Are Not Saints AA (C)Time: 8 p.m. MondayPlace: 312 E. Taylor St.Information: 800-452-7990 or


GENOAKishwaukee Valley

Heritage SocietyTime: 7 p.m. MondayPlace: 622 Park Ave.Information: 815-784-5559

KIRKLANDExpect a Miracle AA (C)Time: 8 p.m. MondayPlace: United Methodist, Third and

South streetsInformation: 800-452-7990 or


MALTAPeer Assistance Network

for Nurses (PANN)Time: 4:30 p.m. MondayPlace: Kishwaukee College, B Wing

Room 1300Information: 815-981-6832 or

[email protected]

SANDWICHIndian Valley Community Band

RehearsalsTime: 6 to 7:20 p.m. MondayPlace: Sandwich Middle School

band room, 600 S. Wells St.Information: 630-552-3875 or

[email protected] community band is made up of anyone 18 or older who has ever played an instrument. Recent graduates are welcome, as is anyone who wants to pick up their instrument again. The band partic-ularly needs trumpets, percussion, trombones and a bassoon.

SOMONAUKBack to Basics AA (C)Time: 7 p.m. MondayPlace: Union Congregational,

305 S. Gage St.Information: 800-452-7990 or


SYCAMORESycamore Food PantryTime: Noon to 4 p.m. MondayPlace: Sycamore United Methodist

Church, 160 Johnson Ave.Information: 815-895-9113To receive assistance, be prepared to show a photo ID and two pieces of mail proving Sycamore residen-cy. On the second Monday of the month, the pantry is open until 7 p.m.

12 & 12 AA (C)Time: 6 p.m. MondayPlace: Salem Lutheran Church,

1145 DeKalb Ave.Information: 800-452-7990

What is your favorite sport to play across a net?

Volleyball: 42 percentBadminton: 14 percentTennis: 18 percentTable tennis: 22 percentOther: 4 percent

Total votes: 114

Have you ever taken a ride on the Holiday Lights Train in Waterman?

Yes, every year Yes, in the past No

Vote online at Daily-Chronicle.com

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Yesterdays Reader Poll results Todays Reader Poll question

By RHONDA GILLESPIE [email protected]

DeKALB Officials at the DeKalb Salvation Army herald Treneice Nichols, 43, as one of the nonprofit social service agencys longest serving bell ringers for its Red Kettle Cam-paign. It takes place during the Christmas season.

Monday through Friday, Nichols bundles up, and after dropping off her 7-year-old son at school, heads to her post outside of the Wal-Mart on Sycamore Road. For four hours a day, she stands outside the big box re-tail store ringing a golden bell, greeting people and soliciting donations for the red metal kettle beside her.

The organization started the program at the end of the 19th century as a way to raise money to feed poor people in San Francisco at Christmas-time, according to informa-tion on The Salvation Army website. Over the years, it has grown to a worldwide effort that helps The Salvation Army

with its work throughout the year.

Nichols cheer and smile as she chimes her bell encourag-es people to empty their purses and pockets of change and more into her shiny red kettle.

Despite her own struggles, she comes out each year in frigid temperatures or on unseasonably mild winter days to ring the bell for the holidays. The single mother said she left Chicago to settle in DeKalb, looking for a better life for herself and her son.

She said the two of them are on Santas nice list this year, but arent looking for any gifts in particular. Nichols said she not only looks forward to a merry holiday season, but also witnessing often infectious generosity as she rings her bell daily.

Rhonda Gillespie: How did

you start ringing the bell?Treneice Nichols: I went to

the food pantry one day. They had an application posted on the door hiring for bell ringer.

And they had just one appli-cation left. They gave it to me and I filled it out. And thats how I got started.

Rhonda Gillespie: What makes you come back every year?

Treneice Nichols: This is my second time working for The Salvation Army while I am looking for work. I enjoy it.

Rhonda Gillespie: What are

the qualifications to be a bell ringer?

Treneice Nichols: Just my name and address. Nothing in particular.

Rhonda Gillespie: How do

you stay warm?Treneice Nichols: I have on

layers of clothing: A thermal, sweatshirt, sweater, my coat, a T-shirt, four pairs of socks.

Rhonda Gillespie: When people stop and put money in the kettle, what does that tell you about people and the spirit of the holidays?

Treneice Nichols: I guess they are just giving from the heart. I guess thats how they feel. They are generous and kind and caring, willing to give. They want everyone to have a merry Christmas, you know, wishing the best for others.

Danielle Guerra [email protected]

DeKalb resident Treneice Nichols, a Salvation Army bell ringer for several years, rings Dec. 3 in front of Wal-Mart in DeKalb.

TRENEICE NICHOLSSalvation Army bell ringer

German church celebrates Star Wars By FRANK JORDANSThe Associated Press

BERLIN The force is strong in Berlin.

A church in the German capital invited Star Wars fans to attend a special service Sunday themed on the sci-fi blockbuster in an attempt to attract more young people into the pews.

About 500 people heeded the call and attended the ser-vice, some carrying lightsaber props or wearing Darth Vader masks. It was more than twice as many as usually come to Zion Church on a Sunday.

We were very happy to see so many people in the church today, said Protestant pas-tor Lucas Ludewig after the service. Its great that there are subjects that people are interested in. They trust us to make them part of the church service without making it too Christian or too Star Wars, but to find a good compro-mise.

With the films theme song played on the churchs or-gan still echoing around the rafters, the 30-year-old said he came up with the idea of the Star Wars service while talking with fellow pastor Ulrike Garve, 29, about how much they were looking for-ward to the seventh install-ment in the franchise Star Wars: The Force Awakens,

which opened Friday. Star Wars picks up re-

ligious images, including Christian images and maybe some from other religions, Ludewig said . In doing so, it shows that the Bible and the church are part of our culture that keeps being reworked and reinterpreted.

Churchgoer Jonathan

Wonneberger, dressed as a Jawa trader, described the service as a welcome change from tradition.

You dont have to take ev-erything thats religious too seriously. Of course, you have to treat it with respect, but when theres a global event like Star Wars, its OK to jump on the bandwagon, he

said.Scott McGuire, sporting a

Chewbacca costume, said he planned to go see the movie later.

I think the whole question of God is very interesting, but getting up early on a Sunday is one of those things. But for something like this, Ill go, he said.

AP photo

Vicars Lucas Ludewig (left) and Ulrike Garve celebrate a Star Wars-themed church service, Sunday in Berlin at the Zion Church. About 500 people, some carrying lightsaber props or wearing Darth Vader masks, attended the service, more than twice as many as usual on a Sunday.

Firefighters sue siren maker over their hearing lossBy DEEPTI HAJELAThe Associated Press

NEW YORK There were times by the end of his shift that firefighter Joseph Nar-dones head would be pound-ing, his eyes crossing from the noise of the siren on his truck.

The siren was so loud in-side the cab that it actually physically hurt, said the for-mer New York City fire bat-talion chief. Even though hes been retired for more than a decade, he said the effects of the sirens linger in hearing loss that has left him unable

to understand rapid conversa-tion or follow along in church.

Nardone is among about 4,400 current and former fire-fighters nationwide who are suing Federal Signal Corp., an Oak Brook-based company that makes sirens, claiming it didnt do enough to make them safer for those on fire trucks who have to listen to them nearly every day.

They say the company could have designed them in a way that directs the volume away from areas where fire-fighters sit in the engines, shielding them from sound

blasts that lawyers say reach 120 decibels, roughly equiv-alent to a rock concert. Said the 73-year-old Nardone: The manufacturer had the means and ability to do something about it and they didnt.

Federal Signal argues that directing the sound defeats one of the main purposes of a siren to warn motorists and pedestrians that a truck is coming. And it says it has long supported what many departments have advised its firefighters to do: wear ear protection.

The lawsuits, which began

surfacing more than a decade ago, have been in places such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, New Jersey and the Chicago area, said attorney Marc Bern, whos leading all the lawsuits. In documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said juries have de-cided in favor of Federal Sig-nal in most of the half-dozen or so suits that have gone to trial.

The company also has set-tled in some cases without ad-mitting any wrongdoing. The largest settlement, reached in

2011, required the company to pay $3.6 million to 1,069 fire-fighters for cases filed in Phil-adelphia.

Bern said Federal Signal could have made the sirens with a shroud to warn those in its path instead of a more generalized blare.

Clearly, you dont have to have sound going all the way to the rear of the fire engine, he said. If youre driving behind a fire engine and you dont see a 50-foot-long, red ... engine with lights going on and off, theres really some-thing wrong.

MONDAYLOCAL NEWS December 21, 2015Daily ChronicleSection A Page 3daily-chronicle.com Facebook.com/dailychronicle @dailychronicleCONTACT: Brett Rowland [email protected]

Have a news tip?

Email news@ daily-chronicle.com

When: Wednesday, December 23rd 48pmWhere: Flippin Eggs (831 S. 4th St.)

Who: For anyone in needof a warm, friendly meal.

10th AnnualDinner For Those In Need

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DeKalb is lled with warm, friendly faces but do you know behind those faces there are also people that donthave enough money for a warm holiday meal, and too many people who are living at our local shelters, HopeHaven, Safe Passage, and the couple others? There are others as well who live on their own but due to circumstancesdont have family in the area and might be spending the season alone.Well, its that exciting time of year again, time to celebrate the Holidays and help others as well. We will again be

having our 10th annual complimentary dinner on Wednesday, December 23. To make this possible we are askingfor donations of some wrapped gifts so that each attendee can be given something, as for some that might betheir only holiday gift. Please note that a few hours of time volunteering to help is appreciated and no monetarydonations will be accepted, though gift cards are sometimes helpful. Most importantly, if you know of anyone whowould benet from our dinner, please help us spread the word and invite them as helping as many people as wecan this Holiday season is our goal. We wouldnt have been able to make these events so joyous with out the helpof our community. Any extra food and gifts go to local shelters. Thank you in advance!

Maria, Scott, Alexus, & Flippin Eggs Family

Photos by Katie Smith [email protected]

U.S. figure skating champion, Ryan Bradley performs an upbeat, solo dance Wednesday during the Colgate Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular at Northern Illinois Universitys Convocation Center. Bradley changed the tune of his act later in night with a routine to Chicago song Mr. Cellophane.

Skaters, gymnasts put on a show

Gymnasts and ice skaters performed Wednesday at the Colgate Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular at Northern Illinois Universitys Convocation Center. The show featured performances from award-win-ning figure skaters and gymnasts from around the country. 2014 Dancing with the Stars winner, Meryl Davis and her skating partner, Charlie Whites per-formance headlined the show along with a routine by World Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles.

Five-time U.S. champion figure skating duo Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev perform a tango-style routine.

Ten-time World Gymnastics Champion, Simone Biles does a handstand on a balancing beam Wednesday during the Colgate Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular. Biles was one of two headlining acts at the show.

Developing peer leaders

Fourth-, fifth-graders start on path with Project KC in Kaneland School District

AL LAGATTOLA [email protected]

SUGAR GROVE It has been a little more than two years since Renee Dee helped create a movement to fight the effects of bullying in Kaneland School District 302 by spreading kindness.

The Kindness Campaign, P.E.A.K. for Kids and Project KC helped build the aware-ness. Since then, Kaneland District 302 has added Proj-ect KC as an after-school program for fourth- and fifth-graders, although Dee no longer is involved. Its something she described as bittersweet.

As my husband and I say, it took so long, Dee said. And now that its all com-ing and happening, to not be a part of it is so hard. But I look back and say, thats all I wanted. I didnt need to be in-volved. ... All we wanted was somebody who understood, and for the professionals to take charge and do what they know best.

At the fourth- and fifth-grade level, Kaneland offers Project KC, with a focus on peer leadership. It helps lead into a middle school effort, Operation Snowflake, de-scribed as a group that fo-cuses on attitude, feelings and personal growth. Sarah Mumm, the districts direc-

tor of educational services for those in kindergarten through fifth grade, said the district has really estab-lished some good community partnerships, especially with Renee, and expanded our re-sources.

Project KC meets monthly at three of the districts ele-mentary schools Blackberry Creek, McDole and Shields. Students at John Stewart El-ementary can meet at Black-berry Creek. According to the McDole PTOs website, its mission is to unite, lead and promote kindness among students. Participants start

with team-building activities, move on to lessons and end with take action opportu-nities.

Randi Christiansen is a facilitator of the program at Blackberry Creek. She also was part of the program last year at McDole. She said those in the program have helped plan activities for the entire school.

At a recent meeting, Chris-tiansen said the focus was on communication. Partici-pants shared something they are looking forward to over

Sandy Bressner - [email protected]

Kaneland John Shields Elementary School fourth-graders Annalise Guerrero (left) and Taylor Franzen play an ice-breaker game Dec. 15 during a session of Project KC. The program promotes kindness and bullying prevention.

See LEADERS, page A8

STATE Monday, December 21, 2015 Section A Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com4

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JAMES J. GEORGEBorn: March 14, 1945; in Sycamore,

ILDied: Dec. 17, 2015; in DeKalb, IL

James J. George, 70, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2015, at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb.

Born March 14, 1945, in Sycamore, the son of Joseph A. and Dorothy A. (West-field) George, Jim married Betty L. Williams on June 14, 1969, in DeKalb. A 1963 graduate of DeKalb High School, Jim was employed by Del Monte for 38 years. Jim was a master mechanic and welder who loved to tinker and could modify or fix almost anything. He was a mem-ber of St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; children, Matt (Sarah) George of Leland, Jerry (Angie) George of Oregon, Illinois, Amy (Tom) Wenzel of Chesterfield, Michigan, and Jason (Vincenza) George of Riverside; grandchildren, Derek, Ethan, Alex, Elijah, Isabella, Maxx, Joe, Marcello,

Enzo and Ally Cat; sisters, Donna Pesut, Mary Alice (Bill) Guerret-taz, Louise (Dave) Renke and Ann George; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Chuck; and sister, Joan.

The funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, De-cember 23, at Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb. Burial will follow at Fairview Park Cemetery, DeKalb. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 22, at Anderson Funeral Home, DeKalb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the James J. George Memorial Fund, sent to the George Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.

DOMINICK L. TABONEBorn: Feb. 23, 1935Died: Dec. 19, 2015

Dominick L. (Nick) Tabone, 80, of Sycamore died at his home on Saturday, December 19, 2015, after

a long battle with cancer.

He was born February 23, 1935, in Rockford. The son of Joseph and Lu-cille (Roggensack)

Tabone. He married Carrol A. Smith on April 3, 1965, in DeKalb. Nick was a graduate of East High School in Rockford. He went on to become the youngest store manager of Piggly-Wiggly, working in DeKalb, IL and Bettendorf, IA. Nick purchased his own supermarket in Genoa, IL. in 1968 (the Genoa IGA). After being in business for 17 years, he sold his store and began working for NIU, retiring from their Distribution Center.

Nick was an avid bowler, golfer and loved to play cards. He enjoyed entertaining his family by playing his harmonica. He was a member of various clubs, including the Sycamore Elks and a member of the Genoa Chamber of Commerce.

Survivors include his wife, Carrol; four children, Joseph (Mary) Tabone of Sycamore, Jill Tabone of Elgin, Tom (Lynda) Tabone of Palatine and Terri Tarsitano of Schaumburg; four grandchildren,

Christopher and Leah Tabone of Sycamore and Alexandra and Alayna Appino-Tabone of Palatine; one brother, Jim (Nancy) Lindgren of Rockford and one sister, Helene (Chuck) Valentincic of FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Donald Lindgren; and granddaughter, Theresa Tabone.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, Dec. 23rd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Butala Funeral Home and

Crematory in Sycamore. A Celebra-tion of Life service will begin at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at the Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the KishHealth Systems Hospice or to the family in care of the Butala Funeral Home and Crematory, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178.

For info or to sign the online guest book, go to www.ButalaFuneral-Homes.com or call 815-895-2833.

HOW TO SUBMITSend obituary information to [email protected]

or call 815-526-4438. Notices are accepted until 3p.m. for the next days edition. Obituaries also appear online at Daily-Chronicle.com/obits where you may sign the guest book, send flowers or make a memorial donation.

OBITUARIES

Family knows hard lessons of heroin By JOHN DYKSTRAThe Associated Press

KANKAKEE Lisa Ayres loved the holidays. She en-joyed dressing her three kids up for Halloween. She cher-ished being around her family for Thanksgiving. She gave the best Christmas presents.

When Thanksgiving re-turned this year, her ashes rested in a purple and white marble urn inside her moth-ers cabinet. Her three kids were separated from each oth-er.

This is the endgame of a heroin addiction.

I go through the motions and try to make the holidays nice for the kids, Lisas moth-er, Cindy Kennedy, said just before Thanksgiving. But theres something thats just not right. Lisa is dead.

Lisa was addicted to heroin for two years when she over-dosed at her mothers house. Her addiction started after she was prescribed a narcotic to handle stomach and head pains.

She was 30 years old, just had her third child and start-ed taking classes at Kanka-kee Community College. The stress was overwhelming, and her lifelong battle with bipo-lar disorder persisted.

A friend introduced her to heroin to alleviate pain and pressure. She got hooked af-ter that first try. It was notice-able.

She started appearing a lot different, her sister, Renee Kennedy, said. She liked to dress up, do her hair nails, makeup. She wanted to look nice. All the sudden, she stopped shaving and clean-ing herself for days. She was dirty.

Her skin didnt look clear like it used to, Cindy added. She lost her glow.

She no longer had mon-ey and was disappearing for hours at a time. People often saw her walking down the Washington Street bridge in Kankakee.

Then, a couple health screens revealed the prob-lem. Lisa was in the hospital for migraine headaches when doctors detected pot, cocaine and prescribed opiates in her system.

Cindy knocked on Lisas door one morning, and her el-ementary school-aged grand-child answered the door. Lisa was passed out on the couch. Cindy had enough.

She could no longer take care of her kids, Cindy re-called. I wasnt going to let my grandkids find her dead. I wasnt going to let that hap-pen.

So, Cindy called the kids fathers and asked them to take care of the kids. Lisa was go-ing to rehab, Cindy said.

Lisa eventually lost cus-tody of her kids, and the fa-thers filed restraining orders against her. Her oldest son never saw her again.

Child services showed up at the house. Lisa denied having a drug problem and blamed Renee for her problems. That created a rift between the two sisters.

One year into her addic-tion, she went to rehab twice and attended alcoholics anon-ymous meetings because Kankakee County didnt have many narcotics anonymous classes at the time. Renee went with her for support.

Before rehab, she recorded a video meant to be viewed by her children. She promised them she would be back and get better.

Her teeth were blackened and chipped. Her skin was gray. Her eyes were blood-shot. She was high on heroin.

The trips to rehab provided brief glimmers of hope for the Kennedys.

She came out and had that glow back in her eye, Cindy said. She had that go. Then, it would die out again.

She started hanging out with the same people, Renee added. She didnt want to change that lifestyle.

Lisa lost her car and her house. She sold all her jewelry to feed her addiction. She had nothing left. So, she moved in with her parents.

Cindy watched her daugh-ter battle through withdrawal. Its a sight no mother wants to see.

It was hard watching her be so sick, Cindy said, paus-ing to wipe away tears. The endless throwing up, sweating bullets, clothing drenched its hard to watch your child like that.

Lisa got clean, but one night changed everything as she scored heroin again. She woke up the next morning, got some coffee and went upstairs. Her parents didnt know she had heroin in her purse.

Cindy called for her, but Lisa didnt respond. Lisas fa-ther, Robert, ran upstairs and couldnt wake her up. It was too late to use the narcan the family had just in case Lisa overdosed.

Lisa died May 31, 2014. She was 32 years old. She was a mother, a daughter, a sister and an aunt.

Ever since then, the hol-idays havent been the same for the Kennedys.

Life is no longer measured in days, months or years for them.

When you lose a child, the measurement of time is differ-ent, Cindy said. Its before Lisa died and after Lisa died. You lose track of things. You live with a lot of what-ifs.

AP photo

Cindy Kennedy holds a photo of her daughter, Lisa Ayres, and Lisas daughter, Marisa McKune, at her home in Kankakee. Lisa died of a heroine overdose at the age of 32.

Illinois could tap $4B worth of special funds in budget mess

By JOHN OCONNORThe Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD Half a year into its deepening budget cri-sis, the state of Illinois is sitting on at least $4 billion in cash.

An Associated Press anal-ysis of state records finds the money in 531 separate accounts set up for special and specific purposes, but precedent shows that lawmakers and governors in less anxious times have dipped into those accounts to pay regular state expenses and stave off financial distress.

Two weeks ago, Democrat-ic lawmakers agreed with Re-publican Gov. Bruce Rauner on tapping a total of $3 billion from 112 of the special state funds albeit to finance those funds intended purposes. The short-term spending plan sent more than $1 billion owed to cities and counties in tax rev-enue from income, fuel, gam-bling and more, as well as providing $400 million to keep state agencies operating and paying other bills.

Debate on the plan resur-rected the often-pejorative term fund sweeps among Capitol chatter. Its a practice of taking money for one pur-pose to pay for something else which gained notoriety during the tenure of former Democrat-ic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who took office in 2003 amid budget woes that continue to linger.

As recently as March, Dem-ocrats and Rauner agreed on $1.3 billion in sweeps to fill a hole in last fiscal years bud-get that opened when Rauner insisted that a temporary in-come-tax hike be rolled back as planned. It was the largest of such sweeps conducted in Illinois since 2003.

The special funds cover varied, sometimes obscure, areas of interest. As of Dec. 15, the date of the state comp-trollers data the AP analyzed, there was $29 million in vari-ous whistleblower accounts raised from citizen lawsuits over bureaucratic skulldug-gery. There also was $205 mil-lion in a fund to complement regular state school spending, $3.6 million in rail-freight c a r r i e r l o a n r e p a y m e n t s , a H e a l t h y Smiles fund of $205,000 to pro-mote oral health and $12 million to assist cities in razing aban-d o n e d s t r u c -tures.

No one has suggested sweeps as a means of breaking the continuing logjam Raun-er and lawmakers have over a spending plan that should have taken effect July 1.

One lawmaker has suggest-ed the opposite. GOP Rep. Da-vid Harris of Arlington Heights is pushing legislation to free up the untouched billions not for general expenses, but for their intended targets. For example, one of the funds helps counties pay the salaries of states attor-neys; Williamson County in southern Illinois filed a lawsuit Friday seeking its share of that money.

The No. 2 House Democrat, Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, sponsored the stopgap plan that was approved this month. During debate, she ut-tered the contentious term, pointing out that Rauner had initially opposed the idea and speculated that he might be eyeing the funds for an old-fash-

ioned sweep. Rauner spokes-woman Catherine Kelly would not comment on the idea.

Currie is amenable if its done judiciously, paid out from funds that wont suffer distress and is part of a larger budget deal. But its not opti-mal, she said.

You create the special funds to serve special purpos-es, and once you begin saying, Open, Sesame we can just take whatever we like thats not a good way to run things in part because it raises expecta-tions that you have resources that you dont have next year, she said Thursday.

The AP analysis found at least 745 funds with a $6 billion balance as of early last week. But $469 million is from the federal government and has strings attached. Another $1.4 billion needs no legislative ap-proval to be spent, so theyre immune to being rerouted, ac-cording to Charles Wheeler III, a professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Wheeler, who has watched Illinois budget-making for 45 years, isnt a fan, calling the sweeps practice misleading, at best, and downright decep-tive at worst. For example, someone who, through an in-come-tax checkoff, contributes to the preservation of non-game wildlife (a fund with $1.5 million last week) might object upon learning that it paid for another service.

Harris said Rauners office asked him to hold off on his bill, but noted that hell pick up the campaign again next month, when lawmakers re-turn to session. But he knows political winds shift quickly, particularly with $4 billion or more in the mix.

Rep. David Harris

STATE BRIEFSChristmas toy giveaway back on after Belleville break-in

BELLEVILLE A Christmas toy giveaway that was scrapped after a Belleville church burglary is back on thanks to a flurry of donations following the break-in.

The Belleville News-Democrat reported vol-unteers at Law & Grace Ministries discovered the burglary at Faith Baptist Church on Tuesday morning, the day of the planned giveaway. The missing items included several dolls, board games and toys.

The missions food pantry coordinator says that no food was stolen. Another employee says that the intruder or intruders unsuccessfully attempt-ed to break into a safe.

The new gift giveaway is scheduled for Friday morning.

Cooking school that trained Julia Child to close U.S. campuses

SCHAUMBURG A French culinary school best known as the alma mater of famed chef Julia Child is closing its 16 U.S. campuses.

Career Education Corp. cites new federal regulations cracking down on for-profit career colleges for its decision to stop enrolling new students after January and to close its campuses

by September 2017.The company said that negotiations with a

potential buyer fell through.The Schaumburg, Illinois-based company

operates cooking schools in Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Las Vegas; Miami; suburban Minneapolis; Orlando, Florida; Portland, Oregon; Pasadena, Sacramento, and San Fran-cisco, California; Scottsdale, Arizona; Seattle and suburban St. Louis.

Body found in car trunk after St. Clair County crash

BROOKLYN Police in southwestern Illinois say they found a 35-year-old shooting victims lifeless body in the trunk of a car that had just crashed into a pole near a village police department out-side St. Louis.

St. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone identified the victim as Roderick Taylor of Cahokia.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that Taylor was found Thursday night after an uniden-tified motorists car struck a utility pole while attempting to avoid a police stop in the village of Brooklyn.

Brooklyn police have not yet identified the driver, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Wire reports

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In budget deal, health law foes took different pathBy RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON Republi-can foes of President Barack Obamas health care law may be able to get more by chipping away at it than trying to take the whole thing down at once.

Thats one lesson of the bud-get deal passed by Congress and signed by the president last week.

It delayed a widely criti-cized tax on high-cost employ-er health insurance plans that hasnt taken effect yet. And it temporarily suspended two taxes on industry already be-ing collected, which are also part of the health law.

In contrast to frontal attacks on Obamacare that have repeatedly failed, this tactic could well succeed. Delays and suspensions have a way of be-coming permanent.

Polls show that the public re-mains deeply divided over the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. Opponents are already looking for other provisions that could be separated from the law.

Next could be the employ-er mandate, a requirement that larger companies offer coverage or risk fines. Part of the mandate is a controversial definition of a full-time work-er as someone who averages 30 hours a week. Critics say it discourages companies from hiring full-time employees.

Maybe Republicans have

come to grips with the idea that the basic structure of the ACA has been in place long enough that simple repeal is not possi-ble, said economist Joe Antos of the American Enterprise Institute, a business-oriented think tank. Perhaps the bud-get deal is practice for more changes, he added.

Supporters of the health care law are trying to downplay the consequences of the budget deal as superficial dings. It did not touch coverage provisions that have reduced the nations uninsured rate to a historic low of 9 percent. Indeed, Obama himself announced that 6 mil-lion people have already signed up for 2016 coverage, with more than a month left in open-en-rollment season.

I think you can make too much of these particular things, said economist Paul Van de Water of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, referring to the deal. They dont actually have any effect on the ACAs coverage expan-sion. In that sense, its not a blow against the ACA at all. The center advocates on behalf of low-income people.

Yet not too long ago a top White House adviser was vig-orously defending the health laws tax on high-cost coverage, known as the Cadillac tax.

The tax is 40 percent of the value of employer-sponsored plans that exceeds certain thresholds: $10,200 for individ-

ual coverage and $27,500 for family coverage. In its first year, 2018, it would have affect-ed 26 percent of all employers and nearly half of larger com-panies, according to the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foun-dation. Since the tax is indexed to general inflation, which rises more slowly than health insurance premiums, it would have affected a growing share of health plans over time.

Proponents of the tax, in-cluding many economists, see it as a much-needed brake on

health care spending. But busi-ness and labor joined forces to oppose it. The budget deal de-layed it two years, and its fu-ture is in doubt.

The spirited defense of the tax came from Jason Furman, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Repealing the tax or delaying its scheduled implementation ... would have serious negative consequences for our health care system, Furman warned in a speech Oct. 7.

Pulling back on cost con-

trols in the health law would erode the wages of workers and add to government deficits, Furman explained, adding that the administration opposes legislation that would repeal or delay this provision.

Fast forward to a recent White House news briefing, when spokesman Josh Earnest seemed to soften that stance. While Earnest said the ad-ministration strongly opposed repealing the Cadillac tax, he didnt address the notion of de-laying it.

The health laws employer mandate is the next likely focus for opponents, said Antos, the economist.

The really large employers are not going to stop offering health insurance, since its an important benefit, he said. Even analysts on the left would agree that that mandate isnt go-ing to accomplish much.

Similar to the Cadillac tax, the employer requirement rais-es concerns on both sides of the political divide. That could put the mandate into play when Congress again tackles a bud-get bill, or some other massive piece of legislation on which lots of trades get made behind closed doors.

The step-by-step approach has led to other health law changes. Among them:

Repealing a long-term care insurance program that was fi-nancially questionable.

Blocking a change in the definition of small employ-er after businesses argued it would raise premiums.

Changing an income for-mula for determining who can get Medicaid. Originally, Social Security benefits would not have counted, meaning that some middle-class early retirees could have qualified for nearly free care meant for the poor.

Limiting the administra-tions ability to compensate insurers that signed up sick-er-than-expected customers.

AP file photo

Students cheer June 25 as they hold up signs, outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, supporting the Affordable Care Act after the Supreme Court decided that the ACA may provide nationwide tax subsidies.

Lebanese militant killed in airstrike

By BASSEM MROUE and JOSEF FEDERMAN


BEIRUT A Lebanese man convicted of one of the most notorious attacks in Israels history and who spent near-ly three decades in an Israeli prison has been killed by an Israeli airstrike near the Syr-ian capital, the Lebanese Shi-ite Hezbollah group said Sun-day.

H e z b o l l a h officials have p l e d g e d t o avenge the kill-ing of Samir Kantar, spark-i n g f e a r s o f escalation in an already vola-tile region. In a possible first response, three rockets were fired into Israel from Lebanon late Sunday.

Kantar had said that he had been working, with the back-ing of Hezbollah, to set up the Syrian resistance to liberate the Golan Heights, which Isra-el captured from Syria in 1967 and annexed 14 years later.

Hezbollah said Kantar was killed along with eight others in an airstrike in Jaramana, a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus, on Saturday night. According to Hezbollahs Al-Manar TV, two Israeli war-planes entered Syrian airspace and fired four long-range mis-siles at the residential build-ing in Jaramana. It aired footage of what it said was the building, which appeared to be destroyed. Kantars brother, Bassam, confirmed his mar-tyrdom in a Facebook post on Sunday.

In Lebanon Kantar is known as the dean of Leba-nese prisoners, a reference to his long jail sentence.

In Israel, he gained noto-riety for the kidnapping and grisly killing of a man named Danny Haran and his 4-year-old daughter, in the coastal town of Nahariya. Kantar was 16 at the time, and a member of the Palestinian militant group the Palestine Libera-

tion Front.He also killed a policeman

during the attack, and is al-leged to have beaten the four-year-old to death with a rifle butt. As the attack unfolded, the girls mother hid inside a crawl space inside their home and accidentally smoth-ered their crying two-year-old daughter, fearing Kantar would find them.

Kantar was imprisoned in 1979 in Israel and sentenced to three life terms, but was released as part of a prisoner swap with Hezbollah in 2008. While many in Israel were out-raged at his release, in Leba-non he received a heros wel-come and the following year he was awarded Syrias high-est medal by Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Israel and Hezbollah are bitter enemies. The two coun-tries battled to a stalemate during a monthlong war in 2006 during which Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel and Israels air force destroyed wide areas in Leb-anon. Since then, Israeli mil-itary officials say Hezbollah has upgraded its capabilities and now possesses tens of thousands of rockets and mis-siles capable of striking any-where in the country.

Many Israeli officials be-lieve Hezbollah is currently in no position to open a new front with Israel, as it is bogged down aiding its close ally, President Assad, in the Syrian civil war.

Nevertheless, Hezbollah legislator Ali Ammar vowed to avenge Kantars killing, saying the militant group will not allow his blood to go betrayed. Ammar said the groups military arm would determine the timing and methods chosen to punish the killers, specifically the Israeli enemy.

Samir Kantar

AP photo

An old man casts his vote at a polling station for the national elections Sunday in Pamplona, northern Spain,

Big vote for upstarts in Spains national electionsBy ALAN CLENDENNING and HAROLD HECKLE


MADRID A strong showing Sunday by a pair of upstart parties in Spains general election upended the countrys traditional two-party system, with the ruling Popular Party winning the most votes but falling far short of a parliamen-tary majority and at risk of being booted from power.

Days or weeks of negotiations will be needed to determine who will govern Spain, with the new far-left Podemos and business-friendly Ciudadanos parties producing shockwaves because of strong support from voters weary of high un-employment, a seemingly endless string of official corruption cases and disgust over the countrys political status quo.

If forced out of government, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his Popular Party would become the third Europe-

an victims this year of a voter backlash against austerity following elections in Greece and Portugal seen as ballot box rebellions against unpopular tax hikes and spending cuts invoked during the eurozones debt crisis.

In past Spanish elections, the Popular Party and the main opposition Socialists were the established powerhouses and only needed support from tiny parties to get a majority in parliament when they didnt win one from voters.

But Podemos came in a strong third place and Ciudadanos took fourth in their first election fielding national can-didates setting up a period of uncer-tainty as parties negotiate with each oth-er to see which ones may be able to form a governing alliance.

Spain is not going to be the same anymore and we are very happy, said a jubilant Pablo Iglesias, the pony-tailed leader of Podemos.

With 99.9 percent of the vote counted, the Popular Party won 123 seats in the 350-member lower house of Parliament far below the 186-seat majority it won four years ago after beating the Social-ists in a landslide.

The Socialist Party received 90 seats, while Podemos and allies won 69 and Ci-udadanos got 40.

Analysts said the outcome will make it extremely difficult for the Popular Par-ty to form a coalition or get voted into parliament as a minority government because it does not get enough seats by allying only with Ciudadanos, its closest possible ideological partner.

The Popular Party would also need support from parties that won 17 seats in the northeastern Catalonia region and are seeking independence from Spain or want more regional financial power and feel alienated by Rajoys firm rejection of their causes.

CORTLANDCrochet ClassTime: 6:30 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: Cortland Community

Library, 63 S. Somonauk RoadInformation: 815-756-7274 or

www.cortlandlibrary.com

Tuesday Evening Story TimeTime: 7 p.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: Cortland Community



Preschool Story TimeTime: 10 a.m.Date: WednesdayPlace: Cortland Community


www.cortlandlibrary.comFor children 3 and older. No regis-

tration required.

Story and CraftTime: 4:30 p.m.Date: WednesdayPlace: Cortland Community



DeKALBSalvation Army Food PantryTime: 9 a.m. to noon Monday

through WednesdayDates: Mondays to ThursdaysPlace: 830 Grove St.Call 815-756-4308 to volunteer.

Those needing food pantry assistance should be prepared to show a state-issued photo ID and proof of DeKalb County residency.

Free Blood Pressure ClinicTime: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: Kishwaukee Hospital Rob-

erts Conference CenterInformation: 815-748-8962 or

www.kishhospital.org/programsA community wellness professional

monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure infor-mation and a tracking card. No registration necessary.

Medicare MondaysTime: 1 to 3 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: Elder Care Services of

DeKalb County, 1701 E. Lincoln Highway

Information: 815-758-6550Free professional assistance for

questions about Medicare plans and benefits.

Bethlehem Feed My Sheep Food Pantry

Times and Dates: 3 to 5 p.m. Monday

Place: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1915 N. First St.

Information: 815-758-3203

New Hope Food PantryTime: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: New Hope Missionary Bap-

tist Church, 1201 Twombly Road

Free Community DinnerTime: 5 to 7 p.m.Dates: Monday and WednesdayPlace: Feedem Soup, 251 E. Lincoln

HighwayInformation: www.feedemsoup.

orgFor transportation, call 815-293-

7433. Diners pay what they can; those who cannot pay can eat for free.

Open Chess PlayTime: 6 to 8 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: First Congregational Church,

615 N. First St.Information: info@dekalbchess.

com or www.DeKalbChess.comFree, open chess game play, all

ages and skill levels are wel-come. Equipment is provided but attendees are welcome to bring their own.

Reiki Sharing CircleTime: 6 to 9 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: Wise Owl Wellness Center,

303 E. Hillcrest DriveCost: $10Information: www.wiseowlwell-

ness.comOpen to all who want to experience

the healing and relaxing energy of Reiki.

Open Mic NightTime: 7:30 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: The House Cafe, 263 E.

Lincoln HighwayInformation: 815-275-4884Sign-up begins at 7:30 p.m. and

performances begin at 8 p.m.

Job ClubTime: 9 to 11 a.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: Illinois WorkNet Center,

650B N. Peace RoadInformation: 815-901-0177, ext.

250, or [email protected]

Living with Cancer: Chair YogaTime: 9:30 a.m.Dates: TuesdayPlace: KishHealth System Cancer

CenterInformation: 815-748-2958

St. Vincent de Paul Food PantryTime: 3 to 6 p.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: St. Mary Ministry Center,

the corner of Fourth St. and Fisk Ave.

Information: 815-758-5432

Beginning and Intermediate ESL Classes

Time: 5:30 to 8:10 p.m.Dates: TuesdayPlace: Conexion Comunidad, 637

N. 11th St., use front or side entrance

Information: 815-825-2086, ext. 3180

Free English as a Second Language class taught by qualified instruc-tors. Childcare is available for children from birth to age 10.

Jazz JamTime: 7:30 p.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: The House Cafe, 263 E.

Lincoln HighwayInformation: 815-275-4884Sign-up begins at 7:30 p.m. and

performances begin at 8 p.m. Mu-sicians are welcome to bring their instruments and join the jam.

Rsum WorkshopTime: 1 to 2:30 p.m.Date: WednesdayPlace: Illinois WorkNet Center,

650B N. Peace RoadInformation: 815-901-0177, ext.

250, or [email protected]

The workshop is led by Billi Tier-ney, coordinator of the Career Resource Center at the Illinois WorkNet Center.

Society for Creative Anachro-nism Fighters Practice

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.Date: SundayPlace: Liberty Park, off Shipman

PlaceInformation: www.carraigban.orgMiddle Ages and Renaissance-era

re-enactors.

HOPE CircleTime: 6 p.m.Date: Monday, Dec. 28Place: Wise Owl Wellness Center,

303 E. Hillcrest DriveCost: $15Information: www.wiseowlwell-

ness.comClear limiting beliefs and rewire

your thoughts and feelings to live your ideal life.

GENOABingoTime: 7 p.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: Genoa Veterans Home, 311

S. Washington St.Information: 815-785-5967

Free Movie ShowingsTime: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.Date: Wednesday, Dec. 23Place: Genoa Public Library Event

Center, 232 W. Main St.Information: 815-784-2627Minions will be shown at 11 a.m.

and the original Miracle on 34th Street will be shown at 2 p.m.

LEEN.I.C.E. Food PantryTime: 8:15 to 11 a.m.Dates: SaturdayPlace: 346 S. County Line Road

SANDWICHPreschool Story TimeTime: 10:30 a.m.Date: Tuesday and WednesdayPlace: Sandwich Public Library,

925 Main St.Information: 815-785-8308Preschoolers can read, dance,

sing, play and learn at this story time geared toward children age 2-and-a-half years old to 5 years old. Registration is required.

Minecraft Gaming ClubTime: 3:30 p.m.Dates: Tuesday, Dec. 22Place: Sandwich Public Library,

925 S. Main St.Information: 815-785-8308Join the student-run club and

learn the rules of online gaming. Suggested for grades 3 and up. Registration required, must have library card with internet permis-sion to participate.

Creative YarnsTime: 6 p.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: Sandwich Public Library,

925 Main St.Information: 815-785-8308Bring your hooks and needles for a

fun evening of knit and crochet. Learn the techniques you need to create projects. All skill levels are welcome; bring your own materials.

Free Blood Pressure ClinicTime: 9 to 11 a.m.Date: WednesdayPlace: KishHealth System Physical

Therapy CenterInformation: 815-786-3962

SHABBONACommunity CoffeeTime: 10 a.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: Prairie Crossing Living and

Rehabilitation Center, 409 W. Comanche Ave.

Information: 815-824-2194 or www.prairiecrossing.net

SOMONAUKWriters GroupTime: 3:30 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: Somonauk Public Library,

700 E. LaSalle St.Information: 815-498-2440Anyone college-age and older

interested in honing their writing

skills is invited to share their work with fellow writers. Skill levels range from beginners who enjoy writing memoirs, poems and blogs to published writers. Critique is provided by members of the group.

Our Sharing PantryTime: 4 to 6 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: St. Johns Lutheran Church,

235 S. Green St.Doors open 15 minutes before

distribution begins. Our Sharing Pantry provides free food to low-income families living in Sandwich, Somonauk and Leland. A photo ID and current electric bill are required at every visit.

The Game of MagicTime: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: Somonauk Public Library,

700 E. LaSalle St.Information: 815-498-2440Play the game of Magic at the li-

brary and learn the rules and how to play the game. Join the group of players ages 13 and up. You must bring your own cards.

Story Time for ChildrenTime: 10:30 a.m.Dates: Tuesday and WednesdayPlace: Somonauk Public Library,

700 E. LaSalle St.Information: 815-498-2440Story time for children ages 2 to 5.

Registration is required.

Help for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Time: 10 a.m. to noonDate: Wednesday, Dec. 23Place: Somonauk Public Library,

700 E. LaSalle St.Information: 815-498-2440Jill Hartley, outreach worker for

Mendota Area Senior Services, will help people older than 60 and people of any age with a disability access local services, apply for programs or obtain information. This is a drop-in program; no appointments are necessary.

Dungeons & DragonsTime: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.Date: WednesdayPlace: Somonauk Public Library,

700 E. LaSalle St.

Information: 815-498-2440Veterans and newcomers can join

campaigns to play Dungeons & Dragons 3.5, a world of magic, mystery and adventure. Players must be 15 to join. Dice and char-acter sheets will be provided.

Genealogy ClubTime: 6:30 p.m.Date: Monday, Dec. 28Place: Somonauk Public Library,

700 E. LaSalle St.Information: 815-498-2440Learn how to research your family

tree.

SYCAMORESycamore Food PantryTime: Noon to 4 p.m.Date: MondayPlace: Sycamore United Methodist

Church, 160 Johnson Ave.Information: 815-895-9113To receive assistance, be prepared

to show a photo ID and two pieces of mail proving Sycamore residency. On the second Mon-day of the month, the pantry is open until 7 p.m.

Tale WeaversTime: 4 to 5 p.m.Date: Monday, Dec. 21Place: Sycamore Public Library,

103 E. State St.Information: 815-895-2500Storyteller Bruce Wallace will

share stories, songs and games. This event is for all ages and no signup is required.

Toddler TimeTime: 10 a.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: Sycamore Public Library,

103 E. State St.Information: 815-895-2500Story, music and movement for

ages 18 months to 3 and their caregivers.

Prenatal Support GroupTime: 4 to 5:30 p.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: Childrens Home + Aid, 1430

DeKalb Ave.Information: 815-899-0137This weekly group is open to all

expectant parents wanting to learn more about pregnancy and raising a baby. Partners welcome. Refreshments will be provided.

Drop-in Tech HelpTime: 5 to 7 p.m.Date: Tuesday, Dec. 22Place: Sycamore Public Library,

103 E. State St.Information: 815-895-2500This free holiday edition session

will help you set up electronic gifts so they are ready to use on Christmas morning.

Pokmon PlayersTime: 6 to 7 p.m.Date: TuesdayPlace: Sycamore Public Library,

103 E. State St.Information: 815-895-2500This program is for students

grades K-12. No betting, just fun.

Story TimeTime: 10 a.m.Dates: WednesdayPlace: Sycamore Public Library,

103 E. State St.Information: 815-895-2500Stories, conversation and activities

to encourage the development of early social and literacy skills. This story time is for indepen-dent children ages 3 to 6 years old.

BingoTime: 6 p.m. card sales start, 7:15

p.m. play beginsDate: WednesdayPlace: Sycamore Veterans Home,

121 S. California St.Information: 815-895-2931

Books and BarksTime: 6 to 7 p.m.Date: WednesdayPlace: Sycamore Public Library,

103 E. State St.Information: 815-895-2500Children can register for a 15-min-

ute slot to practice their reading skills by reading out loud to well-behaved dogs. Call or stop by youth services to register.

Bestseller Book ClubTime: 6 p.m.Date: Monday, Dec. 28Place: Sycamore Public Library,

103 E. State St.Information: 815-895-2500Each month, the book club will

read and discuss a recent New York Times best seller. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.

CONTACT: Inger Koch [email protected]

MONDAYSCENEdaily-chronicle.com Facebook.com/dailychronicle @dailychronicle

December 21, 2015Daily Chronicle

Section A Page 7

Spring STEM classes offer hands-on learningDAILY CHRONICLE

Still looking for that perfect gift for a child you know? Something ex-citing, hands-on and educational for a budding inventor? Something they will remember for years to come?

Northern Illinois Universitys STEM Outreach has a diverse new schedule of STEM Saturday classes designed to get young people fired up about science, technology, engi-neering and math.

These classes which cover ev-erything from robotics and 3D print-

ing to virtual reality and stop-mo-tion animation are designed for students age 7 and older, with some recommended for the 10 to 14 age group. Each class takes place at NIUs DeKalb campus over one or two Saturdays this winter or spring. The full list of offerings, complete with dates, locations and registra-tion information, is available at niu.edu/stem.

No matter the subject, the emphasis is on learning by doing, using trial and error to reach eureka! moments of invention

and discovery. Participants in The Science of Music will build their own instruments. Those who opt for Electronics and Soldering will wire their own functional circuits. In the popular series of Arduinos classes, students will program responsive microcomputers that translate user input into the control of lights, motors and more.

Kids excited by this winters Star Wars sequel will love the Lego Robotics series. An intro-ductory course in January teaches the basics of Lego robotics pro-

gramming. This prepares students for a two-session class in March where they design, build and pro-gram their own Star Wars-themed droids.

Three different STEM Divas classes will introduce young women ages 7 to 10 to the STEM fields. This popular series of classes gets female students engaged in STEM with activities like using 3D printers to make custom earrings.

Even the youngest innovators get a class. Stem Jr. introduces stu-dents as young as 7 to the basic con-

cepts of engineering and design with hands-on challenges. Each student will leave with a completed project. As with all STEM Saturday classes, family members are welcome to tag along and make learning a family adventure.

Visit niu.edu/stem/programs/stem-saturdays.shtml to browse the complete schedule. For more infor-mation, contact Jeremy Benson at 815-743-0533 or [email protected]. Act soon to get a registration slip with your childs name on it under the tree in time.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

School District 212.There are some consider-

ations we have to go through, Craven said. The space being requested is available today, but that doesnt necessarily mean it will be available in the

future. [KEC] programs are constantly evolving.

Meyer said that she plans to apply for grants from the DeKalb County Community Foundation, the DeKalb Edu-cation Foundation and others. Eventually the goal would be to invite other districts in the country to join the program on a fee-for-service basis. District

428 would maintain staffing, programming and material needs.

District 428 board members also had some concerns.

Im not opposed to the idea, board member Rick Smith said. But a lot of times with these things, there could be more costs than we ever dreamed.

origins, had injected software with malware that allowed the attackers to spy on U.S. energy companies.

You want to be stealth, said Lillian Ablon, a cyberse-curity expert at the RAND Cor-poration. Thats the ultimate power, because when you need to do something you are already in place.

The hackers have gained ac-cess to an aging, outdated power system. Many of the substations and equipment that move pow-er across the U.S. are decrepit and were never built with net-work security in mind; hooking them up to the Internet over the past decade has given hackers new backdoors in. Distant wind farms, home solar panels, smart meters and other networked devices must be remotely mon-itored and controlled, which opens up the broader system to fresh points of attack.

Hundreds of contractors sell software and equipment to en-ergy companies, and attackers have successfully used those outside companies as a way to get inside networks tied to the grid.

Attributing attacks is noto-riously tricky. Neither U.S. offi-cials nor cybersecurity experts

would or could say if the Islamic Republic of Iran was involved in the attack Wallace discov-ered involving Calpine Corp., a power producer with 82 plants operating in 18 states and Can-ada.

Private firms have alleged other recent hacks of networks and machinery tied to the U.S. power grid were carried out by teams from within Russia and China, some with governmental support.

Even the Islamic State group is trying to hack American pow-er companies, a top Homeland Security official told industry executives in October.

The attack involving Calpine is particularly disturbing be-cause the cyberspies grabbed so much, according to previously unreported documents and in-terviews.

Cybersecurity experts said the breach began at least as far back as August 2013.

Calpine spokesman Brett Kerr said the companys infor-mation was stolen from a con-tractor that does business with Calpine. He said the stolen dia-grams and passwords were old some diagrams dated to 2002 and presented no threat, though some outside experts disagree.

Kerr would not say whether the configuration of the power plants operations networks also valuable information re-

mained the same as when the intrusion occurred, or whether it was possible the attackers still had a foothold.

The hackers stole user names and passwords that could be used to connect remote-ly to Calpines networks, which were being maintained by a data security company. Even if some of the information was outdated, experts said skilled hackers could have found a way to update the passwords and slip past firewalls to get into the operations network. Eventual-ly, they say, the intruders could have shut down generating sta-tions, fouled communications networks and possibly caused a blackout near the plants.

They also took detailed engi-neering drawings of networks and power stations from New York to California 71 in all showing the precise location of devices that communicate with gas turbines, boilers and other crucial equipment attack-ers would need to hack specific plants.

Cylance researchers said the intruders stored their sto-len goods on seven unencrypt-ed FTP servers requiring no authentication to access details about Calpines plants. Jum-bled in the folders was code that could be used to spread mal-ware to other companies with-out being traced back to the at-

tackers computers, as well as handcrafted software designed to mask that the Internet Pro-tocol addresses they were using were in Iran.

Calpine didnt know its in-formation had been compro-mised until it was informed by Cylance, Kerr said.

Iranian U.N. Mission spokes-man Hamid Babaei did not re-turn calls or address questions emailed by AP.

Cylance notified the FBI, which warned the U.S. energy sector in an unclassified bulle-tin last December that a group using Iran-based IP addresses had targeted the industry.

Homeland Security spokes-man SY Lee said that his agen-cy is coordinating efforts to strengthen grid cybersecurity nationwide and to raise aware-ness about evolving threats to the electric sector through in-dustry trainings and risk as-sessments.

As Deputy Secretary Alejan-dro Mayorkas acknowledged in an interview, however, we are not where we need to be on cy-bersecurity.

Thats partly because the grid is largely privately owned and has entire sections that fall outside federal regulation, which experts argue leaves the sector poorly defended against a growing universe of hackers seeking to access its networks.

NEWS Monday, December 21, 2015 Section A Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com8

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LEADERSContinued from page A3

the Christmas break or some-thing they hoped to receive for Christmas. Christiansen took notes, and she quizzed the students to see how well they were listening. She said it was a lesson in how do you feel when someone isnt listening to you.

Its a lot of problem-solv-ing skills, more or less, Chris-tiansen said, adding that ac-quiring such knowledge can help students who find them-selves in a situation when they are bullied, or if they see some-one being bullied.

Mumm said fourth grade is an ideal starting point because many social issues start to

emerge among children of that age group.

The ideal long-term goal is to see this be a continuum, Mumm said, adding that stu-dents can go through Project KC, then work through Snow-flake and ultimately Oper-ation Snowball, which is a group focused on leadership development that aims to pre-vent alcohol and drug use.

Dee said she is happier than happy that Project KC can play a role to help that.

We made a difference, Dee said. We formed a sup-port system. All we needed in Kaneland was the freedom of communication and creativi-ty. We created that freedom, and one of those freedoms is Project KC, in my opinion.

Sandy Bressner - [email protected]

Kaneland John Shields Elementary School fifth-grader Billy Eby and fourth-grader Ava Keppy chat Dec. 15 during a session of Project KC. The program promotes kindness and bullying prevention.

Program leads to Operation Snowflake in middle school

Sycamore City Council to consider property tax levy

By KATIE SMITH [email protected]

SYCAMORE The City Council will vote on a pro-posed property-tax levy that would increase the average homeowners city tax bill be-tween $15 and $22 next year.

At its meeting Nov. 16, the council heard a proposed city tax levy totaling about $2,777,800 and a Sycamore Public Library levy of about $1,020,300. The proposed $3

million corporate levy would result in a tax rate of about $0.78 per $100 EAV, city docu-ments show.

After reviewing five op-tions at the last meeting, council members preferred one that would keep the amount the city collects for general operations steady at $1.4 million, while increas-ing its contribution to po-lice and firefighter pension funds by $126,200 to about $1 million.

CLASSContinued from page A1

TRAINContinued from page A1

One of Robinsons favorite additions, Florida pays hom-age to his mother with dancing flamingos, twirling dolphins and palm trees all made of Christmas lights.

My mother always wanted to be in Florida and she didnt get that until my dad died, Robinson said. . . . After my dad died she bought a condo and spend the last five years of her life down there.

Robinson also wanted to draw more attention to Chars Corner, named after his wife, Charleen Robinson, by renaming it Jason and in-cluding dancing angels to com-memorate children who died at a young age from diseases like Sudden Infant Death Syn-drome, he said.

Although melancholy times inspired parts of the display, the overall tour has a way of putting its passengers like 15-year-old Megan Hauman in the Christmas spirit with or without snow.

Its a family tradition, she said. We always come out.

This year the attraction will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as well as Saturday and Sunday, when Santa will no longer make an appearance.

Taking a ride on the Holi-day Lights Train had become a holiday tradition for a number families present at Sundays tours. In fact, Charleen and Pete Robinson consider the at-traction their Christmas gift to the world, Pete Robinson said.

Look at this look at the happy people, Pete Robinson

said. I put smiles on 20,000 peoples faces. How many peo-ple can say that?

If you go:

n WHAT: Holiday Lights Train n WHERE: 435 South Birch Street, Waterman n WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 4 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 4 to 8 p.m. Sun-days. 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21 to 23 n CONTACT: [email protected]

GRIDContinued from page A1

AP file photo

A contractor walks through a relay station in May at an AEP electrical transmission substation in Westerville, Ohio. Like most big utilities, AEPIs power plants, substations and other vital equipment are managed by a network that is separated from the companys business software with layers of authentication, and is not accessible via the Internet.

Hackers gain access to aging power system

Goal is to ask other district to join programTrain ride back after last years vandalism

Danielle Guerra - [email protected]

Lucy Wheaton, 7, excitedly looks down the train tracks while waiting for a ride with friend Jasmine Appledorn, 6, Friday on the Waterman Holiday Lights Train in Waterman Lions Park.

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Terrorism is not going away.We saw that in the closing of the Los

Angeles schools after what was deemed a credible threat. The threat turned out to be not real, but with the country under heightened alarm, local authorities have become hyper-vigilant. That was 650,000 students sent or kept home.

When a good piece of time passed without a serious terrorist attack, politi-cians went soft. Many hawks on the right switched gears, turning on big govern-ment as the predominant evil and its national security programs as an assault on the privacy of innocent Americans.

With the massacres in Paris and San Bernardino, California, still in the head-lines, many Americans are wondering what was so terrible about the federal bulk surveillance program that Congress ended in September.

Rekindled fears of terrorism have changed the conversation.

Hence the violent pendulum swinging of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz in Tuesdays debate. Cruz had cham-pioned the law that stripped the National Security Agency of the power to collect the metadata of Americans communications. He had some explaining to do on Tuesday.

Metadata refers to such information as the time and length of calls and the numbers called. It does not include the content of the conversation or even names. In the now-ended program, the NSA could delve deeper only when a disturbing pat-

tern was detected. And even then, it had to first obtain a court order.

During the debate, tweeters stuck on horse race politics thrilled to the brawl between Cruz and the other Cuban-Ameri-can candidate, Marco Rubio.

But there was real substance in their battle. Rubio, who supported the NSA pro-gram, came off as the man for all seasons. Cruz dissolved into frantic evasion.

What was Cruzs reason for supporting a bill to stop the NSA program?

It ended the federal governments bulk collection of phone metadata of millions of law-abiding citizens, he explained.

Well, yeah. Every day, security officials at American airports inspect the bag-gage of more than a million law-abiding citizens to find the one possibly carrying a bomb. The jihadi terrorists who have preyed on this country appeared to be law-abiding, even model, citizens. By what magical, mystical powers of clairvoyance does Cruz think we can spot the bad guys, as he puts them?

The candidates routinely bashed Presi-dent Obama as weak on terrorism. In truth, he fought like a tiger to retain the NSAs ability to conduct bulk surveillance. In doing so, he often butted heads with fellow

Democrats jumping on the same phony privacy-rights bandwagon as did Cruz.

(Would someone please explain why an NSA computers going through raw metadata a computer that doesnt even register our names is somehow violat-ing our privacy? Furthermore, what is so private about information the phone company has?)

Republican backers of the NSA pro-gram, such as Rubio and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also had to buck their own party. As it turned out, the program was killed by a Republican-run Senate and a Republican-led House, with considerable help from Democrats.

The collection of the metadata has already ended, and soon all the informa-tion will reside with the phone companies. To get at it, the NSA will have to obtain a warrant and take it to a phone company, of which there are thousands.

The goal of protecting both security and privacy is a worthy one, but it requires two things: One is the maturity to accept the often-difficult trade-offs. The other is an understanding of what the data collec-tion being considered actually involves.

Its unclear how we can have securi-ty without a federal bulk surveillance program. Terrorists dont walk around wearing neon bad guy signs.

Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at [email protected].

By JENNIFER RUBIN The Washington Post

On Tuesday night, CNN drew 18 million viewers for the main GOP presidential debate.

As currently scheduled, the GOP will have debates Jan. 14 and 28, with the Iowa caucuses to take place Feb 1. Here are some suggestions to improve the discussion, sharpen the race and prepare the GOP electorate to make its final decision:

1. Only one debate. There is no need for two in two weeks (each on a Fox station). We are approaching 2012-style debate overload. If the Republican Na-tional Committee wont do its job to control the number of debates, the candidates should collective-ly decide one is enough.

2. No undercard debate. Every-one has had a chance to make his or her case over and over again. If by now they dont have enough support to face the other leaders, they do not deserve airtime.

3. No national polls. It has been ridiculous from the get-go to use these notoriously useless polls.

The variation in methodology and the simple fact we do not have a national primary weigh strongly in favor of ignoring them, especially as the gap grows between national polls and the state polls that matter.

4. Top five candidates. Since candidates with no real shot refuse to get out of the race, the field is still large. If the point is to give the viewers the most informative debate among the people with a shot to win, the stage needs to shrink. Only then can there be prolonged interac-tion among the people in actual contention. Choosing candidates who are in the top five in either Iowa or New Hampshire will do this.

5. Get specific. Destroy the Islamic State is not a policy; its an aspiration. The moderators have a responsibility to zero in on what specifically the candi-dates intend to do and how they are going to accomplish it. Its not as though the candidates lack proposals on entitlements, taxes, spending and health care. There has, however, been too lit-tle interest in getting the debate

participants to defend their ideas and critique one anothers. (You have to go back months to recall a smidgen of a debate between Ben Carson and Donald Trump on the relative merits of a flat tax and a progressive tax code.)

6. No over-produced video openings. Enough said.

All that would give us a sin-gle debate within a week or so of the Iowa caucuses with Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. You could then ask questions like:

Sen. Rubio, what is wrong with a flat tax and/or a val-ue-added tax (VAT), as other candidates have proposed?

Sen. Cruz, why is that wrong?

Gov. Kasich, how can you be a budget hawk and support expanding Medicaid? (Its amaz-ing no one has really grilled him on this issue.)

Dr. Carson, one las

ddc 12-21-15

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