Can't tell if you're being satirical or seriously misinformed. Minooka's zoning ordinance allows up to four unrelated people to live together in a single housekeeping unit. This group home will house four people -- it fits within the definition of "family" and is a permitted use. Look it up. This type of definition is pretty commonplace throughout the country. And caregivers who do not live in the house do not count as residents -- pretty logical.

What self-centered nonsense. Nobody has any obligation to waste time running around informing you of everything they do.

You are obviously on the internet, so did you even bother to look up the information on this project provided by cornerstone? Or is it just easier to spread 'what-if' statements filled with fear as if they were somehow facts?

Your property values probably will go down, but only because nobody will want to live next to a nosy outspoken bigot. This is the internet after all, and anyone searching for 'minooka subdivision' for years to come, is going to easily stumble across the reporting in multiple newspapers of your public gossip circle.

let me rephrase "Tim". Lisa Lindaur

9:02 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Actually, since you believe you know it all, the questions answered by cornerstone using Google docs were created at 3:26pm yesterday by their PR department and And the questions were questions that I EMAILED them several days ago that they finally responded to which I was in the middle of explaining to people at the meeting with all efforts of being FAIR when an emotional woman started screaming about her daughter in a group home. It appears you post a lot Tim.....one of those guys who doesn't really do anything, but complains about everything? Good luck with that.

You do not even understand how google documents work, so forgive the rest of us for not taking your 'forensic skills' seriously.

Even if you have unquestionable proof of the age of the document(which you don't, by the way), what excuse do you have for typing the nonsense that you just did tonight, after reading that document yesterday? Would you like to 'rephrase' your attempts at spreading fear in the community even after having your questions answered?

Your words betray your true intentions Lisa, no matter how much you pretend otherwise;
"individuals with no direct ties to our neighborhood"
Really, I thought you were upset at a house being built in your neighborhood? How can people going to a house in your neighborhood, have no direct ties to your neighborhood? It is because you are trying to cover up with insincere pleasantries, the fact that you really don't feel these people 'belong' in your neighborhood.

For future reference, this is how google docs actually work;
http://support.google.com/docs/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95902
"There is also a more significant global pruning that can happen as well. When Google spreadsheets senses that the total amount of storage being used by all of your revisions is nearing our limit, it will automatically collapse some of the revisions from throughout your spreadsheet's history to save space. "

Let me explain one thing - between you and I, I am the honest one here. I stated that I personally would be concerned with residents moving in with behavioral disabilities. And I am! Because my first priority will ALWAYS be to my children. And I believe there is a risk and I don't know how you could possibly think otherwise. HOWEVER, I made many attempts to get as much information as I could from Cornerstone and our Village. I made attempts to bring my neighbors into it.
As far as "google" is concerned, you are incorrect. If you were so smart, you would know that you could open the document. "file", "download", open in Adobe - file/preferences and look at the ORIGINAL time/date that the file was created...in Microsoft Publisher. NOT the date is was revised.

But let's talk about dishonesty "Tim". Why do you have to troll people and constantly post on the Channahon Patch of all places? Is it really, SEAN GRADY, that your Bradly University degree didn't get you far enough to be challenged with an actual career? I won't be baited anymore so say what you want.

You think a file you save, that was made public on a certain date within the google docs app in its own settings, is somehow going to magically have different information on it when it is on your computer? All I see is the person who made the last revision, not the created date.You are confusing created date with revision date. The XML metadata in a PDF on your local computer is defaulted to fill in its own metadata first with creator information, and second with revision information if no creator information is present.

I write java APIs for similar applications, so I'm absolutely certain that you have no clue what you are talking about.

Tim sean whatever your name is your a tool, the cornerstone website announced the minooka residential plans the 28th after the controversy in the neighborhood started and the document has still not been edited it still shows the creation date by matt the pr coordinator for cornerstone on the 29th in the metadata originaly created in publisher sorry your programming background does not explain that away go play world of warcraft in your mommies basement.

I drafted the response regarding Cornerstone's new Minooka home. It is true that it was not released to the public until Tuesday afternoon. Our hope was to get it out there in time for the meeting that evening since Ben Stortz was unable to attend. it was a short week and we spent lot of time trying to create something that addressed Ms. Lindaur's questions. Normally, we don't do fact sheets on our homes because it generally isn't an issue.

We respect the concerns the residents of Rivers Edge have, and hope the fact sheet helps to clear some of this up. There will be another article on the Patch tomorrow which I hope will help even more. We appreciate support from people on this project, but I personally hope we can have this conversation without calling the residents of River's Edge any more names. Cornerstone is about bringing communities together--not dividing them.

Thats because my career never materialized after I got my degree at 'Bradly' (its Bradley if you want to be correct about things) University. Now I've got all this time on my hands so I figure I'll go ahead and volunteer at Cornerstone. I'd be willing to be that they could use some help.

The several 'uninvited people' were in fact invited and do live in River's Edge Landing Subdivision. Why did we come? Well, it started out as a fact finding mission, but ended up being an educational experience on the most apparent prejudices and pure ignorance of fellow neighbors.

You are incorrect JLO. You can look up the village code here: http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=489
The definition of a family is: One person or two (2) or more persons each related to the other by blood, marriage or legal adoption, or a group of not more than four (4) persons not all so related, together with his or their domestic servants, maintaining a common household in a dwelling unit. A family may include, in addition thereto, not more than two (2) roomers, boarders or permanent guests, whether or not gratuitous.

In addition, the Fair Housing Act exists to protect persons with disabilities from the type of discrimination some residents in the subdivision are exhibiting. And yes, it's discrimination. The main issue Mrs. Lindaur has been speaking about for the last week has been about the safety of her children without knowing the criminal records and types of mental illness the prospective residents will have. Of the 6 questions she had for Cornerstone, five were based on the residents: 1. being a risk to others 2. Their parents’ criminal backgrounds (i.e., sex offenders, violent) 3. Concern the residents will escape, break into other homes and take cars and hurt children 4. She has “heard” there's violence in other homes (and admitted that not one police report involved an innocent member of the community.) Only one question was related to home values and her comment above was the first time she's mentioned structure or conformity.

Mr. Burr, do you have experience with Cornerstone in particular?

Over 80 statistically sound studies have been conducted on the impacts of group homes like Cornerstone operates on property values, property turnover, and neighborhood safety. All of them, including the one I conducted for the State of Illinois, have found that as long as you don't cluster 3 or 4 group homes on a block, they have do not affect property values (even for the house next door), make it harder to sell your home, or reduce neighborhood safety. In my study we discovered that the crime rate for people with developmental disabilities (the population housed in Cornerstone's group homes) was at least 70% lower than for the general population in Illinois (and we treated the accusation of a crime, even if it was a false accusation, as a crime for the group home residents -- so the actual crime rate for group home residents is even lower than reported in the study).

Having lived next door to a group home for 12 adults with developmental disabilities, I can anecdotally report that it had no effect on my ability to sell my home and the price I got for it. But that's just annecdotal -- the studies offer much more factual, scientific evidence that group homes like the one proposesd in Minooka do not threaten the welfare of its neighbors in any way at all.

A very convincing argument. Your statement is backed up by so many facts I fail to see how it could be wrong.

My comment about Minooka's definition of a "family" referred to you claiming that the village fed Ms. Aulet incorrect information. The rest I should have specifically directed to Lisa (and other residents) who claim disabilities are not the reason they are opposed to the home. And the fact of the matter is we already have kids with developmental and BEHAVIORAL disabilities living in the neighborhood. Last I checked THEY didn't have to get permission from any other resident to purchase their home.

I completely understand why she thinks I am you. At various times, I have been accused of working for half a dozen governments, school boards, county boards, being a lawyer, being a right-wing republican, being a left-wing democrat, etc, etc, etc. The same holds true for every accusation; The person making it already has negative feelings for a certain person or group, so anyone that disagrees with them is automatically that person in their mind. It makes it easier for their minds to categorize and direct their prejudice at them. Those with prejudices like these have personality patterns that are the same for everyone that holds them, no matter what the actual prejudice is.

I think the residents involved in this should post more. The more they post, the more it becomes obvious what their true motivations are.

(b) Statutory Definition -- With respect to an individual, the term "disability" means
(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual;
(B) a record of such an impairment; or
(C) being regarded as having such an impairment.
In addition, "the term 'individual with a disability' does not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when the covered entity acts on the basis of such use." 42 U.S.C. § 12210(a); see also 29 C.F.R. § 1630.3(a).

My opinion is one has to assume Cornerstone is aware of the "illegal drug" exception of the law and will not allow such a resident to live in the home (that's where you would actually have a valid complaint).

There are no laws requiring the Village or Cornerstone to provide neighbors with information about residents in their homes. In fact, there are laws AGAINST doing so. The village did nothing wrong (including "lying" to you.)

That being said, what are your (or any other REL residents) qualifications to analyze the severity of chronic mental and behavioral illness? Or to decide which disabilities are "acceptable" or not? And how do we go about screening every other resident in the neighborhood to find out what disabilities they have? I can tell you for a fact that there are kids with mental illnesses here (I embarrassingly admit to being a resident of REL) already...when are we going to demand that they move out?

This is disgusting. First you say that you welcome people with disabilities, but then go on to say that people with more severe disabilities are not welcome? You are a disgusting human being and a bigot. Your complaints are all unfounded and ridiculous, and you make yourself look uninformed and unintelligent in the process. These kids are just as much a danger to other children as anybody else that could potentially be moving in to the neighborhood. I hope, one day, you are able to show empathy for your fellow human being rather than try to stomp all over their rights.

Meredith, bravo! You're getting great at copy/paste. Let me try, "Violent behavior among individuals with severe mental illness has become an important focus in community-based care. This study examines the joint effect of substance abuse and medication noncompliance on the greater risk of serious violence among persons with severe mental illness." (http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/) Who monitors substance abuse Meredith? Cornerstone does, the ones receiving the checks. Or, "The study showed that patients with serious mental illness, those with schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder, were two to three times as likely as people without such an illness to be assaultive." (New England Journal of Medicine). The problem with your copy/paste is that you are defining "disability". Developmental disability is entirely different from mental or behavioral illness. I welcome developmentally disabled residents of any age. And whether or not I could stop it, I can and WILL have an opinion if the residents are "mentally ill" and pose a threat to the safety of my kids. They may very well NOT have mental illness, but we don't know and that is why we should be informed. This is not a single family moving in. Get off the idea that we should be checking every family in the neighborhood with disabled children. That's a dumb argument. This is a business who runs off of federal/state funds. That's why we should know, whether it's the law or not.

As for you saying to Kat that the village did nothing wrong, you are incorrect. The village did not need to inform anybody. The home did not need to be rezoned. Blatantly lying to residents is not okay. When people ask for information, they should have declined to give it, not completely lie to several neighbors who called in to ask. Whether the majority of politicians do it or not does not make it right, that's a dumb argument too.

Jim B. - My comment addressed the fact that illegal use of drugs is an exception and would be a valid argument for opposition.

Hi, this is Cornerstone's PR guy again. I'll try to explain this again in hopes that it will help everybody rest easy.

1. These kids have developmental disabilities. They have Autism or Down's Syndrome. They do not have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or anything like that. I don't know why that topic keeps coming up, because we've never said anything like that.

2. The kids aren't living in this home because they have violent or criminal histories. It is generally because their parents have health issues and physically can no longer provide the kind of round-the-clock care they did when the kids were smaller.

3. This is the truth. We cannot help it if people still do not want the home built, or if they think we're hiding something. Out of privacy for our residents, and in keeping with the spirit of giving people with disabilities the chance to live and work in the community, we normally build our houses with no fanfare, just like anybody else. As a result, we were caught off guard by this and hadn't planned a fact sheet. For that, I am sorry.

Channahon and Minooka were once tiny towns that have welcomed many thousands of people over the past decade who came here to build a better life for their families. Cornerstone believes these kids with Autism and Down's Syndrome deserve a chance to enjoy the same thing. We strive to enhance communities--not tear them apart. This is not a home to be afraid of, honestly.

They have Autism, Down Syndrome, Aspergers, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, & a "very broad spectrum of other things which may include mental or behavioral illness" -quoted from your very own CEO. I wonder if you're an expert on developmental disability or if your degree is in another field. DD individuals are more prone to violent behavior (http://phys.org/news167400248.html) - just one of many btw . Add that to the fact that there will be 5 teenage boys & adult men living together in a home w/o daily love, support, guidance, discipline from their parents. Add that to the fact that they're being taken care of by young, inexperienced, uneducated staff who like to post pictures of themselves at their part-time job at the strip club or the staff who was fired for stealing, or the staff who was fired for abuse. These aren't experienced people caring for 5 people with disability. Add that to the fact that they will see all the kids -mostly preteen girls on that street- playing outside & they will know that they aren't included by those kids, and they are at a vulnerable age. Add that to the fact that Cornerstone is a large business looking to make $ off of people with disabilities, not really caring about the residents they say they serve. Yes these teenagers & adults are there by no fault of their own. Yes it is sad, but we aren't interested in letting our own children be the social experiment of a home that isn't even evidence based.

That is why your company doesn't have "fanfare" b/c most people do have a problem with it. It's a bad idea to put a group home right in the middle of a small area with lots of little kids. It's a bad idea to make the neighbors all lose the sense of security they've worked so hard for. All of you who are so in favor of it, I wonder if you have small kids, & if you're still okay with it, then build it by them.

Right, and maybe you should consider returning to school to finish your GED.

I'd still like to know what your (or any other REL residents) qualifications are to analyze the severity of chronic mental and behavioral illness? And which disabilities will "we" allow in our neighborhood?

Kat1574 needs anger management! What a waste of a human being! Take that back - not human at all!!!!

Venom spews from you mouth!!!! I feel very sorry for YOU!! And your family! Your anger and venom needs to be controlled!!!

Tim S.
Not Tim.

Some of us have to work for what we have, we can't all fuck our way up the food chain Kat.

Hmmm, now who is being prejudice? Because I am a woman, I do not work for what I have? Funny, my name is on my mortgage, and the title to my car. I have a college degree. What do you have Tim S? A nice bedroom with Mom? "You are a disgusting human being and a bigot...and you make yourself look uninformed and unintelligent in the process."

You're obviously so informed on every detail of my life, I'm surprised you think that I have a criminal record. Sorry to inform you that this is not the case. Yes I made some stupid decisions when determining the speed that I should be driving my vehicle at, and yes I continued those stupid decisions when it came to showing up in court for said tickets. I did, in fact, pay for those mistakes by paying for all of my tickets and doing over a hundred and twenty community service hours. But the fact that you, and so many other people, believe I have a criminal record is laughable. Ask my neighbors if they feel unsafe having their children living next door to me. I'm sure they have a lot to say about how I am so rude, impolite, angry and unstable.

kat1574 is truly a WITCH - change that to a capital "B" How dare you!!!! Look in the mirror and find what a despicable human being you are! Your children must be very proud to have a mother like you - NOT!!! They must be one of the bullies that are enrolled in our schools. You should be VERY ashamed of yourself for posting such garbage. You truly are rotten to the core and I am VERY happy to NOT live near you. I count my blessings on that one.

You are one neighbor that I would be afraid to live next door to. To talk about one of your neighbors that way is horrible. You should be very ashamed of yourself. Your children should also be ashamed of you. Shame - Shame on YOU!!!

I applaud Tim S.!!!!!!!!! Kat1574 is an ignorant woman! Very, Very HATEFUL!! I feel for anyone living next door to her.

I don't know who Meredith or Tim S. are - but maybe you should keep your mouth firmly shut - as they may know deep secrets about you!!!! I hope they tell all they know about you as a monster!!

Juanita, you sound like a crazy nut. Get a life. Maybe everyone is tired of listening to the neighbor with the psycho dog, the criminal son, and her tramping around at neighborhood parties hitting on everyone's husbands. We've all tried to be civil, if she (and her criminal son) can dish it, they should be able to take it. Nobody has ever fought a group home with developmentally disabled boys, so we're all a little tired of having this story spun and twisted with all you emotional wrecks out there looking for an argument. You are a gullible dumb fool.

Meredith and Tim S. Sue kat1574 and others for defamation of character, take their homes and then donate them to Cornerstone. Your neighbors are evil!!! Their remarks are posted for everyone to see. I would contact an attorney asap.

You go girl! Kat1574 is a sorry piece of work, a venomous person - she can't be as educated as she claims to be - no one can be that ignorant. (She makes herself sound simply put "STUPID")

Bigotry is a debatable topic to you?

Yes, you are bigoted. Unless of course you can provide the results of the meeting that took place when you moved in.

The only thing you are doing right now, is lowering your own property values by being so unaware of your own prejudice and putting it on display to the world. Stop and think about it for just one second. What are people who are looking for a new home going to see when they type in 'minooka subdivision' in a search engine? They are going to see a stream of news articles and posts about how someone who wants to build a house completely legally, is being faced with neighborhood 'meetings' to decide if they can move in, and are being selected for this treatment based on nothing but physical characteristics.

Your fear and ignorance are no excuse for your selective behavior to others. You don't even know who is moving in there yet, so how can you possibly have an idea that they will be a bad neighbor if it is not based on anything but prejudice to a group of people?

Kristy - If there weren't opposing opinions it wouldn't be a debate. You are welcome to your opinion. So am I.

Good points, Tim.

Did anyone ever consider that Meredith is right!! Did anyone ever check the Sex Offenders list - maybe one is living right next door to you! I'd say that is more dangerous than a child with disabilities.

Then join kat1574 as "stupid". Like you said people can have opinions, but that doesn't mean this Meredith doesn't listen and is rude. That is a very bad statement from you. I hope Meredith sticks by her convictions.

Good points, Michele. Most of the neighbors will welcome the home openly; some will peer through their own blinds and just wait for anything they can holler about. Can't stop that, I guess...things will eventually settle down and it will all work out.

Thanks Michele - your comments are great!

Charles, you are so right!!!!

I agree with you Elena, 100%. I am appauld at kat1574 and some other residents saying all those horrible things about their neighbor Meredith and Tim S. From reading all of these posts I can see that Meredith and Tim S are not opposed to Cornerstone building their home. Well, now I believe that I am on kat1574 shit list. Oh well.

There is plenty of diversity in Minooka. Just look at the video... there are white men, AND white women at this 'rally'.

In all seriousness, it has been great that all these bigoted neighbors have posted here. They honestly think there is nothing wrong with what they are posting, and have gone to great lengths to try to rationalize it away like it is 'normal' to think that way. Like I said earlier, the best thing to come out of this is that the residents of Minooka get to see who ALREADY lives in their neighborhood.

Skb,

You do know that there are other factors that go in to receiving money from the government, right? I'd be willing to bet that there are more than a few houses in River's Edge Landing that are receiving funds from the government. They aren't receiving these funds solely because they are a low-income family, there are other factors at play here. Every person is entitled to an opinion.

Good.

Now every single house with a Government backed mortgage doesn't get to have an opinion. And every person who takes the mortgage interest deduction on their income taxes also doesn't get an opinion.

That should leave about 0 people left to complain.