Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 75

SW Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, March 9, 1994 Section 2 3 Southwest briefing I '1 City Council backs plan for riverboat on Cal-Sag Palo Hills: The City Council has given the OK for Mayor Gerald Bennett to develop plans with the Las Vegas-based Randolph Riverboat Co. to bring a floating casino to the Cal-Sag Channel. The reasoning is that familiar mantra: goosing the economy. "It would create Jobs there's no question of that" said Aid. John Jones.

The discussion is academic at this point Riverboat gambling still isn't allowed in Cook County, and the state already has granted its 10 existing riverboat gambling licenses. Cook County isn't likely to get the go-ahead and more licenses won't tie created until the state and Chicago cut a deal Jo bring gambling to the big city. At that point Palos Hills would face competition from a fleet of other license seekers, including nearby Willow Springs. "Everybody seems to be getting in Senate President James "Pate" Philip said. The plan has the support of several of Palos Hills' fellow southwestern suburbs, which would receive 25 percent of the casino's profits under the plan being discussed.

think it would get a lot of support from the community because a lot of our residents and those in the other suburbs are supporting the other riverboats such as in Joliet)," said Orland Park Mayor Daniel McLaughlin. Mark Cam Arson restitution triggers Tezak bankruptcy filing Joliet Imprisoned Joliet businessman and former Will County Coroner Robert J. Tezak, who faces court-ordered restitution for burning down two buildings in the Joliet area, has filed for bankruptcy in Arizona. Phoenix attorney Robert M. Cook said that bankruptcy petitions have been filed on behalf of Tezak, his wife, Nancy, and Tezak -owned firms that manage his broadcasting and auto racing interests.

Cook said a primary factor in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy is the need to put aside 1400,000 in cash to help cover the court-ordered restitution in Tezak's federal arson conviction. He is also believed to owe more than $1 million In legal bills. The petitions were filed on behalf of Uno Leasing Uno Racing Inc. and Uno Broadcasting as well as Tezak and his wife. Tezak, the onetime owner of the popular card game Uno, now owns eight radio stations, Including Joliet's WJOL and WLLI-FM.

Tezak, 45, a three-term county coroner until 1988, pleaded guilty Oct 24 in federal court to charges that he arranged to burn down his Crest Hill bowling alley for the insurance money and to charges of threatening a government witness. He also admitted to engineering a second building fire to thwart a federal probe of alleged political corruption, but that charge was dropped as part of a plea agreement Tezak's sentencing has been postponed indefinitely- Bob Merrifield Well's repair is delayed by questions over hiring Joliet: Even though the city is trying to get a lawsuit by a Wisconsin company thrown out of federal court it will be unable to start repairs on a damaged water well near the Woodruff Golf Course until it can be determined if the city wrongfully hired a local firm to do the work. A temporary restraining order was issued by a federal judge last month preventing the city from starting the work until a hearing is held. On Tuesday. City Atty.

Thomas Thanas said he was waiting to hear if Municipal Well and Pump, of Brookfleld, will withdraw its lawsuit and re-file in Will County Circuit Court "This isn't a case for federal Thanas said, adding that if Municipal Well refuses he already has filed a motion asking that the case: be thrown out of federal court The conflict began last month when the City Council voted 7-0 to award an $85,729 repair con-; tract to Beecher-based Layne-Western Wheeling Co. even though the Wisconsin firm bid $68,830 for, the job. City engineers estimated the project's cost at $86,850. A week later, Municipal Well filed a lawsuit in! federal court in Chicago challenging the city's deci-; sion. Thanas said that because the case does not! involve a federal issue, and because Municipal; Well's loss would be less than $50,000, the case; should be heard locally.

The pump that needs repair is not affecting de-; livery of water to customers, officials said. City Manager John Mezera and Director of Pub-! 11c Works Dennis Duffleld had recommended that; Municipal Well be given the contract but were! overruled by a City Council that was pressured by local union officials who claimed that Municipal; Well paid lower than average wages and used non-! union labor. Will Hacker LS ft Ui. Tribune photo by John Krtngas Extra mileage: Tuesday's weather didn't deter Cyle O'Donnell, 6, from whirling about in a swing as baby-sitter Joni Hilger looks on in Tlnley Park. Police dog unit to be reinstated, with another officer find suspect is convicted in 1979 stabbing death Joliet A Will County Jury this week convicted a second person of murder in the stabbing death of an elderly Joliet man 14 years ago.

Dontalyon Jimerson, 36, was found guilty of tak-tjig part in the murder of Herman Kuntz, 84, who was killed in his home on Aug. 20, 1979. Jimerson, formerly of Joliet faces a minimum 20-year prison term when he is sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Stephen White on April 28. A co-defendant in the case, Karla Jones, was found guilty last month of similar charges and is Scheduled to be sentenced on March 30. Jimerson and Jones both told police Kuntz was killed during a burglary.

Jones also claimed, in statements to police, that Jimerson asked her to keep Kuntz upstairs while he rifled through the house. Jones indicated Jimerson committed the stabbing when the older man confronted him in the home. But Jimerson said that Jones asked him to burglarize the house and that she had a key to the front door. Jimerson said he dropped her off at the house, returning some 10 minutes later to see her dress covered with blood. Jerry Shnay Matteson: Village President Mark Strieker said he "painfully disagreed" with the Village Board's decision Monday night to reinstate Matteson's police dog unit without Canine Officer Mike Halpin at the helm.

The canine program was suspended last month after Halpin, with whom the dog was boarded, violated a residency rule for canine officers, by moving out of the village. Halpin was assigned to regular patrol duties and Bar, the German shepherd police dog, was sent back to the Indiana kennel where he was trained. Strieker said the board's decision to uphold the principle of the residency requirement over maintaining the integrity of the canine unit left him with serious doubts about the future success of the program and would have a negative impact on the morale of village employees. 'To use an old expression, I think we threw the baby out with the bath water," Strieker said. Residents at the meeting who had wanted Halpin to be reinstated as canine officer said they were angry and disappointed with the decision.

Cathleen Shaver, who had organized a petition drive calling for Halpin's reinstatement bolted from the boardroom after the meeting. "The decision was wrong, and It was totally unfair to the officer and the dog," said a visibly upset Shaver from the driver's seat of her car. "What officer that lives in the village is going to want to go ahead and be the canine officer? Can you imagine the animosity that would cause with the nther officers?" After the meeting, Trustee Nancy Dominik said she was the only board member to favor keeping Halpin and Bar together. "If Bar can be retained with another officer, and this is very doubtful, it will cost the village approximately $4,000 to retrain him," Dominik said. "It will take the new team approximately two years to reach the point that Mike and Bar have reached.

At this time Bar will have only one or two years of police work left in him. "A gross injustice has been inflicted upon the Village of Matteson, which will be felt for many years to come," Dominik said. "If one truly looks at what's in the best interest of the village, sensibilities should come before pride." Efforts to contact Halpin were not successful. Charles Stanley Village Board gives 2 bidders work on bike-trail extension Orland Parte The Village Board approved con-; struction bids for the second phase of a bike trail' that will eventually wind through Orland Town- ship and connect to a regional network of forest preserve paths in Cook and Will Counties. i Work for the $362,000 project will be divided be-; tween the two low bidders, Abbey Paving and Seal- coating of Hillside, and Asphalt of Hickory Hills, said Parks and Recreation Director Dennis DeLance.

Each company will work on half of the 3-mile segment to "speed up" the project meet a June 1994 deadline, he said. A matching grant of $180,000 from the Illinois' Department of Conservation will pay for about half of the project and the remaining cost will be paid by the village. Diana Delogu Police and fire report V. Joliet Mfg. lOT I II 11 is On All Patterns I And Borders fK Featurine StflaVH'-il WALL-TEX second man.

Police said they are looking for the two suspects. Mokena A resident of the 10700 block of Mary Lane told police Monday that someone broke Into a van that was parked in his driveway and stole various tools valued at $700. Police said they have no suspects. Palos Hills A resident In the 7900 block of West 107th Street reported her car was scratched Monday in several places. A note was left on the vehicle Indicating the incident was aimed at an acquaintance who was visiting when the incident occurred.

Police are Investigating. Palos Park Jewelry was reported stolen from a residence in the 12100 block of South 89th Avenue. A chain, earrings and wedding rings were taken sometime between Feb. 26 and Saturday. Police found no signs of forced entry.

The victim estimated the loss at $3,480. A Chicago Ridge man was released on $100 bond after being charged Saturday with driving under the Influence, police said. Mitchell T. Cooper, 28, of 10634 Oxford also was cited for speeding. Police stopped Cooper near 1 1 1th Street and La Grange Road after clocking him allegedly driving 72 m.p.h.

in a 45 m.p.h. zone. Police ordered a pickup truck towed after finding ft allegedly parked In the roadway Saturday In the 0-100 block of Old Timber Lane. Thomas R. Jordan III, of 72 Park Lane, Palos Park, was cited with obstructing traffic and having no village sticker.

Initial attempts to contact the suspect were unsuccessful. A Lockport man was released on a recognizance bond after being cited Friday with having no proof of Insurance, police said. Hasan I. Zegar, 37, of 14100 Golden Oak Drive, also was charged with driving with a suspended license. He received an April 14 court date.

Downers Grove A 30-year-old man told police four men threatened to shoot him after a traffic altercation last week. The victim said the men stepped out of a dark-colored 1979 Oldsmobile In the 1500 block of 75th Street during the altercation and threatened to shoot him before stepping back inside the car and driving away. A 19-year-old Downers Grove man was arrested March 3 after he allegedly smashed a tailllght on a Downers Grove woman's vehicle. Edward P. Mohr of 2317 60th was charged with criminal damage to property, He was released on $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear April 8 In DuPage County Circuit Court.

ElllliliS SUNWORTHV A Joliet woman was able to Jump from her car before It plunged into the Des Plaines River near Division and Bluff Streets Monday. The woman told police that her brakes went out as she entered 9 parking lot between the river and Bluff Street. No Injuries were reported. The vehicle was removed from the river by the Joliet and Channahon Fire Departments, i Lonnle M. Pinnick, 20, of 225 Barry Lockport was charged with criminal trespass and possession of marijuana Monday after police said he was stopped for not having a visitor's pass in the Evergreen Terrace apartment complex, 362 N.

Broadway St. Police said Pinnick was carrying 6.9 grams of marijuana. Pinnick was released on a recognizance bond. A resident of the 300 block of Dewey Street told police Tuesday that someone stole a dark blue, 1989 Chevrolet Caprice from his driveway. Police said they have no suspects.

A Joliet man was treated and released from Silver Cross Hospital Monday after he was cut on his right arm by a man in the 400 block of Francis Street. The victim told police that when he entered his girlfriend's house, which he thought was empty, he found a man in the house. He said that when he chased the man outside, he was slashed In the arm by a Let Our Knowledgeable nvnratinS 'I 1 Consultants Help I- 'i Coordinated I Rooms. Today's events St Sl Ends March 12 BULLETIN BOARD Cook County Cook County Board President Richard Phelan has announced that the Cook County Department of Public Health HIV prevention outreach program to the suburban gay community is one of five Illinois nominees for a national award. Orland Park Steve Ruzich, a former White Sox player and baseball coach at South Suburban College, will discuss his years with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

The discussion will be held at 10:15 a.m. at High Point School, 14825 West Ave. Call 708-349-5328. If you have news, announcements or Information about upcoming events In the southwest suburbs, please contact: Chicago Tribune, 9220 W. 159th Orland Park, 60462; or call the southwest bureau news staff: FOREST PARK Rex Paint Wallpaper 7400 W.Madison St.

(708) 366-4288 HINSDALE Drapery Connection 728 York Rd. (708)3234845 WHEATON Carlson's Paint 111 E. Front St. (708) 6684000 WILLOWBROOK Drapery Connection 6944 S. Route 83 (708)325-5542 i STREAMWOOD Mautz Paint Co.

722 S. Barrlngton Rd. (708) 830-8030 WILMETTE Prather Paint 101 Green Bay Rd. (708)251-6905 Wallbrunn Paint Co. 1177 Wilmette Ave.

(708)251-4900 WINNETKA Nelson Paint (Wallpaper 831 Elm (708)446-0344 WOODSTOCK Lloyd's Paint 'N Paper 114 N. Benton St. (815)338-1180 JUSTICE Mautz Paint Co. 7350 S. Archer Rd.

(708) 594-2800 HICKORY HILLS Southtown Paint 8655 W. 95th St. (708) 598-8688 OAK FOREST Steams Supply 15124 S. Cicero Ave. (708)687-3130 ORLAND PARK Southtown Paint 11925 W.

143rd. St. (708)460-1700 PALOS HEIGHTS Hllllg's House of Color 12345 S. Harlem (708)448-4902 BUSINESS New Lenox 4 The New Lenox Chamber of Commerce will hold a business workshop, by Judl Mack, called "Strategic Marketing Can Make You a Winner!" The workshop will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Lincoln Way High School, Central Campus, 1801 E.

Lincoln Highway. The fee is $25 for members and $40 for non-members. Call 815-485-4241. CULTURAL Southwest Area senior citizens their guests are Invited to don their green garments and pin ort a shamrock for pre-St Patrick's Day celebrations, at 2 p.m. at the Bank of Homewood, 2034 Ridge Rd Homewood.

Admission is free. Call 708-503-5400, ext. 125. EDUCATION Frankfort The Frankfort Public Library win hold a spring story time program for children 3 to 6, from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. at 21119 S.

Prelfrer Rd. Call 8 1 5-469-2423. Orland Park Moraine Valley Community College will hold a shrubs and roses spring garden class for adults, covering the many uses of shrubs and roses for borders, hedges, screens and privacy planting, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Sandburg High School, 1 33rd Street and La Grange Road. Call 708-974-21 10.

CRYSTAL LAKE Lloyd's Paint 'N Paper 73 N. Williams (815)459-1160 ELK GROVE VIL Grove Paint 94 Blesterfield Rd. (708)437-1777 GRAYSLAKE Barron Paint 207 Barron Blvd. (708) 223-3020 LIBERTYVILLE Color Corner Decorating 207 W. Peterson (708)367-7190 Mchenry McHenry Paint 3411 W.

Elm (Rt. 120) (815)385-7353 NILES Niles Color Center, Inc. 7652 Milwaukee Ave. (708) 967-9585 SCHAUMBURG Interior Designs 654 Rosalie Rd. (708) 529-8285 CHICAGO NORTH Excel Paint 2723 N.

Harlem Ave. (312) 889-2717 Paulson's Paint 5514 Milwaukee Ave. (312) 763-7337 Petersen-Lund Paint Co. 4020 W.Irving Park Rd. (312)286-3010 Plotkln Son 3704 W.

Lawrence Ave. (312) 463-1918 Sandy's Wallpaper 939 W. Armitage Ave. (312)935-5350 Wright's Paint 5301 N. Harlem Ave.

(312) 763-4100 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS Blinds, Etc. 960 W. Northwest Hwy. (708) 577-5226 BARtilNGTON Barrlngton Draperies 113 S.Cook St. (708)382-7111 333 N.

Madison St This two-session class Is designed for expectant mothers and their support persons. It covers aH aspects of breastfeeding. Call 8 15-725-9400. RECREATION Bollngbrook A craft time program for children 2 to 6 will be held at 2 p.m. at the Bollngbrook facility of the Fountaindale Public library, 300 W.

BriarcllfT Rd. Children will be assisted by their parents In making weather wheels. Call 708-759-2102. Joliet The Joliet Junior College Fine Arts Department wiH present a concert by the Simpson College Band from Indlanola, Iowa, under thewectlon of Ross Leper, at 7:30 p.m. In the Fine Arts Theatre on campus, 1215 Houbolt Rd, Admission is free.

Call 81 5-729-9020, ext. ARTS. HEALTH Cook County The Cook County Department of Public Health's Mobile Adult Health Clinic, the Wellness on Wheels van, is scheduled to visit the Human Action Community Organization, from 8 to 1 1:30 a.m. at 16028 S. Halsted Harvey.

CaH 708-445-2530 or TDD 708-445-2406. Joliet A Coping with the Loss of a Loved One support group for adults seeking support In coping with the loss of a spouse, parent significant other, sibling or child, will meet at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Medical Center, 333 N. Madison St.

Call 8 1 5-74 1 -7548. A class on breastfeeding will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, and again next Wednesday at St. Joseph Medical Center, CHICAGO SOUTH Decorator's Supply House 4019 W. 63rd.

St. (312) 735-9700 Scott-Crest Paint 5641 W. 63rd. St. (312) 767-0898 EVERGREEN PARK Southtown 3401 W.

95th St (708)424-1800 ADDISON Draperyland, Inc. 19 West 340 Lake St. (708) 628-661 1 BERWYN iJFIgatner-Scott Co. v6217W.Cermak (708)484-2800 MICHIGAN CITY Doelllng Color N' Cover 117 E. 11th St.

(219)872-6567 Doelllng Paint 753 S. Washington (219)462-3043.