Transparency in McHenry County?

On January 16, 2014 the Northwest Herald published an article about the arrest of a suspect in the 2006 murders of Nick Romano, 71, and Gloria Romano, 65. The article reported that Michael W. Romano, 54, a son of the dead couple, had been arrested in Las Vegas on January 14. The article also reported that Romano had waived extradition to McHenry County.

So here's the question. Why don't charges against Romano show up in the records of the McHenry County Circuit Court? An online search this morning reveals no charges of any type against a Michael Romano since June 2010. The Sheriff's Dept. press release states that Romano is charged with First Degree Murder (4 counts).

The article ends with this sentence, "The decision to present the case to a grand jury was made by the State’s Attorney’s Office, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. A criminal indictment was returned earlier this month remains, but it remains sealed." (The version of the press release on the Sheriff's website now does not mention any sealing of the grand jury indictment.)

If the Grand Jury indicted Romano, issued a warrant, and Romano was arrested and jailed in Las Vegas on January 14, why is the indictment still sealed?

Is McHenry County becoming the new Guantanamo? These actions are those about which residents must be vigilant. Records must be made public as soon as possible.

What are deputies or State's Attorney investigators waiting for? Last week (Jan. 22) an extradition order was signed in Las Vegas for William J. Ross. He's available for pick-up. Romano is available for pick-up,.

Are officials in McHenry County waiting for two-week, reduced-fare, advance purchase on plane tickets to go to get them? Certainly, there must be a government rate. Who will make that trip? Deputies? State's Attorney investigators? Will the trip be out-and-back? Or will time for a little "vacation" be allowed?

Or are they waiting for clear roads, so they can hop in a van for a 1,700-mile drive there, pick them up, and drive 1,700 miles back? I doubt that.

They should pick up those prisoners without delay, before some crafty lawyer throws up a roadblock and stalls or prevents extradition of either.