dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Bears close in on playoffs with win over Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. -- Mitchell Trubisky accounted for 3 scores , including 2 touchdown passes to Jimmy Graham , and the Bears pounded the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-17 in a game that meant as much to Jacksonville 's long-term future as it did to Chicago 's short-term fate .
The Bears ( 8-7 ) , who gained control of their postseason path when Arizona lost to San Francisco on Saturday , can make the NFC playoffs for the second time in three years by beating Green Bay next week at home .
The Jaguars ( 1-14 ) , who set a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure the top pick for the first time in franchise history by losing at Indianapolis next week .
Jacksonville 's latest loss was over long before the clock ran out .
Chicago scored 28 unanswered points to start the second half , getting so far in front that Nick Foles got to close out the game against his former team .
Trubisky completed 24 of 35 passes for 265 yards , with 2 touchdowns and an interception .
He also ran for a score .
Trubisky 's performance was far from perfect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ late in the first half -- he inexplicably scrambled and threw into a crowd -- with the Bears in field-goal range , and he nearly had another early in the third .
But safety Jarrod Wilson dropped the ball and then dropped to the ground to do 10 pushups .
Allen Robinson finished with 10 catches for 103 yards against his former team .
Robinson spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Jaguars .
Graham had four receptions for 69 yards .
Former Bears quarterback Mike Glennon made his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had 2 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions .
Glennon nearly had a third turnover , but nose tackle Bilal Nichols dropped a ball at the line of scrimmage that hit him in the chest .
David Montgomery and rookie Artavis Pierce each scored on the ground .
Chicago scored 30 or more points for the fourth consecutive week , the first time the Bears have accomplished the feat since 1965 .
The Bears can clinch a playoff berth by beating Green Bay at Soldier Field next Sunday .

Bears close in on playoffs with win over Jaguars
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) celebrates his touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars with teammate tight end Jimmy Graham during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Mitchell Trubisky accounted for 3 scores, including 2 touchdown passes to Jimmy Graham, and the Bears pounded the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-17 in a game that meant as much to Jacksonville's long-term future as it did to Chicago's short-term fate.
The Bears (8-7), who gained control of their postseason path when Arizona lost to San Francisco on Saturday, can make the NFC playoffs for the second time in three years by beating Green Bay next week at home.
The Jaguars (1-14), who set a franchise record for consecutive losses, can secure the top pick for the first time in franchise history by losing at Indianapolis next week.
Jacksonville's latest loss was over long before the clock ran out. Chicago scored 28 unanswered points to start the second half, getting so far in front that Nick Foles got to close out the game against his former team.
Trubisky completed 24 of 35 passes for 265 yards, with 2 touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for a score. Trubisky's performance was far from perfect. His interception came in the end zone late in the first half -- he inexplicably scrambled and threw into a crowd -- with the Bears in field-goal range, and he nearly had another early in the third.
But safety Jarrod Wilson dropped the ball and then dropped to the ground to do 10 pushups.
Allen Robinson finished with 10 catches for 103 yards against his former team. Robinson spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Jaguars.
Graham had four receptions for 69 yards.
Former Bears quarterback Mike Glennon made his fourth start of the season for Jacksonville and had 2 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. Glennon nearly had a third turnover, but nose tackle Bilal Nichols dropped a ball at the line of scrimmage that hit him in the chest.
David Montgomery and rookie Artavis Pierce each scored on the ground.
Chicago scored 30 or more points for the fourth consecutive week, the first time the Bears have accomplished the feat since 1965.
The Bears can clinch a playoff berth by beating Green Bay at Soldier Field next Sunday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Images: Daily Herald readers share photos of their pandemic pets

Carter Bangit of Bartlett makes a nice resting spot for their rescued pigeon Skye .
Erica Bangit saw the pigeon @ @ @ @ @ .
It was tagged and did n't fly away .
They posted a photo on @ @ @ @ @ asking if anyone had lost a bird .
From there they learned it was a @ @ @ @ @ was in danger outside .
The organization of Great Lakes pigeon rescue asked them to @ @ @ @ @ and keep her safe .
After a few days they were able to .
They @ @ @ @ @ and had her checked by a vet and did a DNA test to determine her @ @ @ @ @ she was a girl and that she was a baby pigeon .
The owners were @ @ @ @ @ to adopt her .
The Bangit family also got a dog , Toby , in @ @

Courtesy of Erica Bangit
Carter Bangit of Bartlett makes a nice resting spot for their rescued pigeon Skye. Erica Bangit saw the pigeon in their yard while gardening. It was tagged and didn't fly away. They posted a photo on a local Facebook community page asking if anyone had lost a bird. From there they learned it was a domesticated pigeon and that it was in danger outside. The organization of Great Lakes pigeon rescue asked them to try and trap the bird and keep her safe. After a few days they were able to. They tried to find the owner and had her checked by a vet and did a DNA test to determine her gender. They found out she was a girl and that she was a baby pigeon. The owners were never found and they decided to adopt her. The Bangit family also got a dog, Toby, in November.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Big ideas, small screens -- Dann Gire's Top 10 movies of 2020

As the old saying goes , hindsight is 2020 .
And movie fans are among the throngs of people who want to see 2020 in hindsight .
It was a year in which COVID-19 brought movie theaters to the brink of extinction , causing many of Hollywood 's expensive tentpole pictures to flee from their 2020 release dates to the presumed economic safety of 2021 .
It was a year in which the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences scrapped its longtime rule that films must have a theatrical release to qualify for the Oscars .
It was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgo their customary press viewings of major motion pictures at state-of-the-art screening rooms and settle for watching them on computers or big-screen TVs .
If there can be a ray of cinematic sunshine during these gloomy times , it might be that many lesser-known movies that would otherwise fall under the radar of critics and the public now have a shot at being seen and appreciated .
With Steven Spielberg 's `` West Side Story , '' James Bond 's `` No Time to Die '' and other prestige productions out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more room this year on their annual Top 10 lists .
Few films possess the power to alter your world view , to rewire how you think and prioritize , and to increase your awareness of the tiny , miraculous details that surround you on the planet .
Chloe Zhao 's film does that and more by following a `` houseless '' woman ( impeccably created by Francis McDormand ) on a nomadic journey through the American West after losing everything during the recession .
A cliché-free movie experience .
( Not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher ( voiced by Jamie Foxx ) , left , longs for a shot at performing in the animated film `` Soul . ''
2 .
`` Soul '' Pixar 's Pete Docter directs a smart , boldly imaginative , jubilant musical animated fantasy that places highly stylized human characters against a backdrop of eye-popping photo realistic settings -- with stunning results .
Plus , it 's my favorite body-switch comedy of all time .
After an affable middle-school band director named Joe ( Jamie Foxx ) takes a fatal plunge into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mentor a rebellious , thousands-of-years-old soul called 22 .
( On Disney+ . )
3 .
`` The Trial of the Chicago 7 '' I covered a case before the infamous judge Julius Hoffman when I was a court reporter for the Daily Herald , and I can attest to how well Frank Langella nailed his narcissistic and unpredictable behavior on the bench .
Aaron Sorkin writes and directs this highly dramatized work based on the insane political trial of seven men protesting during the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Frank Langella ) presides over `` The Trial of the Chicago 7 . ''
4 .
`` Minari '' The title refers to an all-purpose edible plant that grows like a weed and can be planted just about anywhere , a suitable metaphor in this delightfully comic and endearing domestic drama about a South Korean family that moves to a rural farm in Arkansas in hopes of starting a new life .
Directed with incredible empathy and detail by Lee Isaac Chung with a stellar performance by actress Yuh-Jung Youn as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not yet available for streaming . )
Call it a feminist `` Death Wish '' set against the dark backdrop of America 's rape culture .
Emerald Fennell directs a disturbing , unapologetic character study of Cassie ( played by Carey Mulligan ) , a young woman who pretends to be blind drunk at bars , just to see if her bait can attract any rats willing to take advantage of her .
( Not yet available for streaming . )
Stellar performances by the great Delroy Lindo and the late Chadwick Boseman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that follows four African American Vietnam War vets who return to Vietnam to find and reclaim the remains of their fallen squad leader .
While there , they also look for hidden gold .
The film is slightly marred by the actors appearing way too old and hefty as their younger selves .
( On Netflix . )
A trumpet player ( Chadwick Boseman ) joins other musicians at a Chicago recording studio in `` Ma Rainey 's Black Bottom . ''
7 .
`` Ma Rainey 's Black Bottom '' George C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editing and superbly composed camerawork make this a cinematic treat , even though it looks too much like a talky stage play adapted to the movies -- which it is .
Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman provide searing performances as members of a black band trying to cut a jazz record for a white-owned Chicago recording company in 1927 .
I predict an Oscar win for Boseman and at least a nomination for Davis .
At least .
( On Netflix . )
Stolen milk propels the story of `` First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 .
`` First Cow '' The illegal act of stealing fresh milk from someone else 's cow -- a crime punishable by death in the Old West -- serves as an unusual plot device in Kelly Reichardt 's quiet , languorously detailed account of life during the 1820s on the Oregon Trail .
Two girls in the 1980s discover twin skeletons near a river , setting in motion a fascinating , minimally plotted story to explain how they got there .
Starring John Magaro and Orion Lee .
( On Showtime and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Borat Subsequent Movie Film : Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan '' The parts that fall flat and flaccid are greatly outnumbered by moments of hilariously outrageous and cringeworthy stunts for which the overused term `` jaw-dropping '' was originally created .
Borat ( played again by an unshameable Sacha Baron Cohen ) tries to win favor with the American government by offering his 15-year-old daughter ( Maria Bakalova ) as a child bride for whoever will take her .
Mike Pence and Rudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jason Woliner 's canny blend of `` Candid Camera '' and staged shtick in a take-no-prisoners satirical mockumentary .
( On Amazon Prime . )
I try to reserve the 10th slot on my annual list for a quirky , offbeat genre film that might not normally get much top-10 love .
This year , Lee Whannell 's horror remake takes the honor .
It 's a slick , unpredictable suspense thriller with excellent , organic visual effects that make the titular character totally believable .
Add Elisabeth Moss ' galvanizing performance as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anymore and you have a mini-classic on hand .
( On HBO and available for purchase . )

Big ideas, small screens -- Dann Gire's Top 10 movies of 2020
As the old saying goes, hindsight is 2020.
And movie fans are among the throngs of people who want to see 2020 in hindsight.
It was a year in which COVID-19 brought movie theaters to the brink of extinction, causing many of Hollywood's expensive tentpole pictures to flee from their 2020 release dates to the presumed economic safety of 2021.
It was a year in which the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences scrapped its longtime rule that films must have a theatrical release to qualify for the Oscars.
It was a year in which film critics had to forgo their customary press viewings of major motion pictures at state-of-the-art screening rooms and settle for watching them on computers or big-screen TVs.
If there can be a ray of cinematic sunshine during these gloomy times, it might be that many lesser-known movies that would otherwise fall under the radar of critics and the public now have a shot at being seen and appreciated.
With Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story," James Bond's "No Time to Die" and other prestige productions out of the running, film critics have a lot more room this year on their annual Top 10 lists.
Here's mine:
1. "Nomadland"
Few films possess the power to alter your world view, to rewire how you think and prioritize, and to increase your awareness of the tiny, miraculous details that surround you on the planet. Chloe Zhao's film does that and more by following a "houseless" woman (impeccably created by Francis McDormand) on a nomadic journey through the American West after losing everything during the recession. A cliché-free movie experience. (Not yet available for streaming.)
A band teacher (voiced by Jamie Foxx), left, longs for a shot at performing in the animated film "Soul." - Courtesy of Disney-Pixar
Pixar's Pete Docter directs a smart, boldly imaginative, jubilant musical animated fantasy that places highly stylized human characters against a backdrop of eye-popping photo realistic settings -- with stunning results. Plus, it's my favorite body-switch comedy of all time. After an affable middle-school band director named Joe (Jamie Foxx) takes a fatal plunge into a manhole, his spiritual essence is assigned to mentor a rebellious, thousands-of-years-old soul called 22. (On Disney+.)
3. "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
I covered a case before the infamous judge Julius Hoffman when I was a court reporter for the Daily Herald, and I can attest to how well Frank Langella nailed his narcissistic and unpredictable behavior on the bench. Aaron Sorkin writes and directs this highly dramatized work based on the insane political trial of seven men protesting during the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. (On Netflix.)
Judge Julius Hoffman (Frank Langella) presides over "The Trial of the Chicago 7." - Courtesy of Netflix
The title refers to an all-purpose edible plant that grows like a weed and can be planted just about anywhere, a suitable metaphor in this delightfully comic and endearing domestic drama about a South Korean family that moves to a rural farm in Arkansas in hopes of starting a new life. Directed with incredible empathy and detail by Lee Isaac Chung with a stellar performance by actress Yuh-Jung Youn as the world's least grandmotherly grandmother. (Not yet available for streaming.)
Cassie (Carey Mulligan) plays a dangerous game in "Promising Young Woman." - Courtesy of Focus Features
Call it a feminist "Death Wish" set against the dark backdrop of America's rape culture. Emerald Fennell directs a disturbing, unapologetic character study of Cassie (played by Carey Mulligan), a young woman who pretends to be blind drunk at bars, just to see if her bait can attract any rats willing to take advantage of her. (Not yet available for streaming.)
6. "Da 5 Bloods"
Stellar performances by the great Delroy Lindo and the late Chadwick Boseman highlight Spike Lee's pensive action drama that follows four African American Vietnam War vets who return to Vietnam to find and reclaim the remains of their fallen squad leader. While there, they also look for hidden gold. The film is slightly marred by the actors appearing way too old and hefty as their younger selves. (On Netflix.)
A trumpet player (Chadwick Boseman) joins other musicians at a Chicago recording studio in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." - Courtesy of Netflix
George C. Wolfe's spare direction coupled with crisp editing and superbly composed camerawork make this a cinematic treat, even though it looks too much like a talky stage play adapted to the movies -- which it is. Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman provide searing performances as members of a black band trying to cut a jazz record for a white-owned Chicago recording company in 1927. I predict an Oscar win for Boseman and at least a nomination for Davis. At least. (On Netflix.)
Stolen milk propels the story of "First Cow," starring John Magaro. - Courtesy of A24 Films
The illegal act of stealing fresh milk from someone else's cow -- a crime punishable by death in the Old West -- serves as an unusual plot device in Kelly Reichardt's quiet, languorously detailed account of life during the 1820s on the Oregon Trail. Two girls in the 1980s discover twin skeletons near a river, setting in motion a fascinating, minimally plotted story to explain how they got there. Starring John Magaro and Orion Lee. (On Showtime and on demand.)
9. "Borat Subsequent Movie Film: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"
The parts that fall flat and flaccid are greatly outnumbered by moments of hilariously outrageous and cringeworthy stunts for which the overused term "jaw-dropping" was originally created. Borat (played again by an unshameable Sacha Baron Cohen) tries to win favor with the American government by offering his 15-year-old daughter (Maria Bakalova) as a child bride for whoever will take her. Mike Pence and Rudy Giuliani are among the nonactors duped by Jason Woliner's canny blend of "Candid Camera" and staged shtick in a take-no-prisoners satirical mockumentary. (On Amazon Prime.)
10. "The Invisible Man"
I try to reserve the 10th slot on my annual list for a quirky, offbeat genre film that might not normally get much top-10 love. This year, Lee Whannell's horror remake takes the honor. It's a slick, unpredictable suspense thriller with excellent, organic visual effects that make the titular character totally believable. Add Elisabeth Moss' galvanizing performance as a victim who won't take it anymore and you have a mini-classic on hand. (On HBO and available for purchase.)


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Johnny Weir among three elected to skating Hall of Fame

COLORADO SPRINGS , Colo. -- Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir has been elected to the U.S .
Figure Skating Hall of Fame .
Also elected to the Class of 2021 are Sandy Schwomeyer Lamb and Gale Tanger .
Due to the COVD-19 pandemic , their inductions will be postponed until the 2022 U.S .
Figure Skating Championships in Nashville .
Weir , currently NBC 's lead analyst along with 1998 Olympic champion Tara Lipinski , is a two-time Olympian who wound up sixth in the 2010 games .
He won a 2008 world championships bronze medal .
His national titles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first female president of the Professional Skaters Association .
Lamb developed the Special Olympics Skating Program in 1985 and served as its longtime skating director .
Before dedicating her career to coaching those with intellectual disabilities , she coached U.S. ice dancers Judi Genovesi and Kent Weigle during the first Olympic ice dance competition , held at the 1976 Innsbruck Games .
Lamb , whose coaching career spanned 40 years , died in June at age 73 .
Tanger has served as a figure skating judge and official for over 50 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's prestigious Gold Medal of Honor for outstanding contribution and distinguished service , she is a three-time PSA Official of the Year .
She has served at six Olympic Games .

Johnny Weir among three elected to skating Hall of Fame
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir has been elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
Also elected to the Class of 2021 are Sandy Schwomeyer Lamb and Gale Tanger.
Due to the COVD-19 pandemic, their inductions will be postponed until the 2022 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Nashville.
Weir, currently NBC's lead analyst along with 1998 Olympic champion Tara Lipinski, is a two-time Olympian who wound up sixth in the 2010 games. He won a 2008 world championships bronze medal. His national titles came in 2004-06.
Lamb was the first female president of the Professional Skaters Association. Lamb developed the Special Olympics Skating Program in 1985 and served as its longtime skating director. Before dedicating her career to coaching those with intellectual disabilities, she coached U.S. ice dancers Judi Genovesi and Kent Weigle during the first Olympic ice dance competition, held at the 1976 Innsbruck Games. Lamb, whose coaching career spanned 40 years, died in June at age 73.
Tanger has served as a figure skating judge and official for over 50 years. The recipient of the International Skating Union's prestigious Gold Medal of Honor for outstanding contribution and distinguished service, she is a three-time PSA Official of the Year. She has served at six Olympic Games.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Chiefs clinch AFC's top seed, Steelers win AFC North

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
-- Kansas City clinched the top seed in the AFC and the only playoff bye when Patrick Mahomes threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson with just under two minutes for a 17-14 win over Atlanta on Sunday .
The Chiefs had to watch as Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo missed a tying field-goal attempt with 9 seconds left to escape .
The Chiefs ( 14-1 ) won their NFL-record seventh straight one-possession game and matched a franchise record with their 10th straight win .
They took any seeding drama out of games involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coveted first-round AFC bye when the postseason begins in two weeks .
The Falcons ( 4-11 ) took the lead when Matt Ryan hit Laquon Treadwell for a 5-yard touchdown with 4:33 to go .
But Mahomes kept finding Travis Kelce - who had a record-setting game of his own - to set up the TD pass to Robinson .
And when the Falcons marched the other way in the closing seconds , Kansas City 's defense forced Koo 's 39-yard kick .
Instead of heading to overtime , the Falcons headed home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or less this season .
Mahomes finished with 278 yards passing and two touchdowns along with an interception .
Kelce had seven catches for 98 yards and a score , giving him 1,426 yards for the season , breaking George Kittle 's record for an NFL tight end .
PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger overcame a month-long malaise to throw for 342 yards and three second-half touchdowns as the Steelers locked up the division title .
Listless and lifeless for weeks thanks to a three-game losing streak that followed an 11-0 start , Pittsburgh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the final 25 minutes against the Colts ( 10-5 ) .
Indianapolis missed a chance to inch closer to a playoff berth when it let a 17-point third-quarter lead slip away .
Roethlisberger , who looked uneven at best and ineffective at worst during Pittsburgh 's recent slide , snapped out of it .
He ditched the dink-and-dunk approach that had worked during the early portion of the season but became far too predictable during a December swoon .
The 38-year-old quarterback kick-started the comeback with a 39-yard strike to Diontae Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a 5-yard pass to Eric Ebron .
He gave Pittsburgh its first second-half lead since Dec. 7 when he audibled into a play that ended with Roethlisberger threading the ball between two Colts to JuJu Smith-Schuster from 25 yards with 7:38 to play .
Indianapolis , so dominant during a first half in which it outgained the Steelers 206-28 , had two chances to reclaim the lead in the fourth quarter .
The first drive ended with Philip Rivers throwing an interception deep in Pittsburgh territory .
The second ended with Rivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on fourth down .
BALTIMORE -- Lamar Jackson directed four scoring drives during the decisive first half .
Baltimore 's fourth straight victory , combined with Pittsburgh 's win over Indianapolis , lifted the Ravens past the Colts in the AFC wild-card hunt .
With a victory in Cincinnati next week , the Ravens ( 10-5 ) will earn a playoff berth for the third year in a row .
The Giants ( 5-10 ) lost their third straight and were left with only a miniscule chance of making the postseason .
Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first two possessions , then took them into field-goal position on his next two drives for a 20-3 halftime lead .
That was more than enough to defeat a struggling Giants team that totaled only 13 points in its previous two games and has scored just two touchdowns over the past three weeks .
Daniel Jones started at quarterback for New York after missing two of the past three games with hamstring and ankle injuries .
His passing numbers - 24 for 41 for 252 yards - were reflective of the heavy pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Ravens had six sacks , and Jones was flushed out of the pocket on several other occasions .
EAST RUTHERFORD , N.J. -- After this loss , the Browns will need to beat the archrival Steelers next Sunday if they 're going to end the NFL 's longest playoff drought .
On fourth-and-1 with 1:18 remaining and the short-handed Browns ( 10-5 ) driving for the potential tying score , Mayfield tried to push forward for a first down .
He lost the ball when Tarell Basham smacked into him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mayfield was the only one who could advance the ball - and the quarterback was short of the first down .
The Jets ( 2-13 ) sealed their second straight victory after an 0-13 start , losing all chance for the top overall draft pick .
It was a rough week for the Browns , who have n't been in the postseason since 2002 and entered without seven players including Jarvis Landry and three other wide receivers , and rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills .
Cleveland had to call up several players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stefanski ran a walk-through in a parking lot near the team 's hotel to get some of the new players up to speed on the game plan .
Despite being short-handed , the Browns nearly erased a 20-3 deficit .
But the Jets were able to hang on .
Jamison Crowder caught a touchdown pass and threw one to Braxton Berrios on a razzle-dazzle play , and Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass to Chris Herndon .
JACKSONVILLE , Fla. -- The Jaguars took care of business , losing their 14th consecutive game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the No .
1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft .
Mitchell Trubisky accounted for three scores , including two touchdown passes to Jimmy Graham , and the Bears kept control of their postseason path .
Chicago can make the NFC playoffs for the second time in three years by beating Green Bay next week at home - despite having gone through a six-game losing streak in 2020 .
The Jaguars ( 1-14 ) , who set a franchise record for consecutive losses , locked up the top pick for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jets beat Cleveland 23-16 a few minutes later .
That means the same day Jacksonville reached its worst skid in franchise history could end up being a potential game changer for the small-market team that 's spent the better part of the last two decades searching for a franchise quarterback .
The only thing standing between Jacksonville and Lawrence is the Clemson star formally turning pro , a decision that 's expected after the Tigers end their season in the College Football Playoff .
Chicago scored 28 unanswered points to start the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Nick Foles got to close out the game against his former team .
HOUSTON -- Samaje Perine ran for two touchdowns , including a 3-yard score late , to give the Bengals their first road win in more than two years .
The Texans ( 4-11 ) were driving after Perine 's second score when Deshaun Watson was sacked by Sam Hubbard , who forced a fumble that Margus Hunt recovered .
The Bengals added a field goal to seal the victory .
It 's the first road win for second-year coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bengals ( 4-10-1 ) won away from Cincinnati since a 37-36 victory at Atlanta on Sept. 30 , 2018 .
The Bengals have won two games in a row for the first time this season after upsetting the Steelers 27-17 on Monday night .
The Texans led 31-27 after Darren Fells carried two defenders into the end zone at the end of a 22-yard reception with about six minutes to go .
Perine , who had a season-high 95 yards rushing , gave Cincinnati the lead when he bulled into the end zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two minutes to go .
Brandon Allen returned after missing last week 's game with a knee injury and threw for a career-high 371 yards with two touchdowns for the Bengals .

Chiefs clinch AFC's top seed, Steelers win AFC North
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) celebrates with Travis Kelce (87) and Darrel Williams (31) after catching a 25-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. Associated Press
Kansas City Chiefs' Antonio Hamilton (20) after Atlanta Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 39-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. The Chiefs defeated the Falcons 17-14. Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City clinched the top seed in the AFC and the only playoff bye when Patrick Mahomes threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson with just under two minutes for a 17-14 win over Atlanta on Sunday.
The Chiefs had to watch as Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo missed a tying field-goal attempt with 9 seconds left to escape.
The Chiefs (14-1) won their NFL-record seventh straight one-possession game and matched a franchise record with their 10th straight win. They took any seeding drama out of games involving Pittsburgh and Buffalo and will have that coveted first-round AFC bye when the postseason begins in two weeks.
The Falcons (4-11) took the lead when Matt Ryan hit Laquon Treadwell for a 5-yard touchdown with 4:33 to go. But Mahomes kept finding Travis Kelce - who had a record-setting game of his own - to set up the TD pass to Robinson. And when the Falcons marched the other way in the closing seconds, Kansas City's defense forced Koo's 39-yard kick.
Instead of heading to overtime, the Falcons headed home with their seventh loss by six points or less this season.
Mahomes finished with 278 yards passing and two touchdowns along with an interception. Kelce had seven catches for 98 yards and a score, giving him 1,426 yards for the season, breaking George Kittle's record for an NFL tight end.
STEELERS 28, COLTS 24
PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger overcame a month-long malaise to throw for 342 yards and three second-half touchdowns as the Steelers locked up the division title.
Listless and lifeless for weeks thanks to a three-game losing streak that followed an 11-0 start, Pittsburgh (12-3) somehow got it together over the final 25 minutes against the Colts (10-5). Indianapolis missed a chance to inch closer to a playoff berth when it let a 17-point third-quarter lead slip away.
Roethlisberger, who looked uneven at best and ineffective at worst during Pittsburgh's recent slide, snapped out of it. He ditched the dink-and-dunk approach that had worked during the early portion of the season but became far too predictable during a December swoon.
The 38-year-old quarterback kick-started the comeback with a 39-yard strike to Diontae Johnson and brought the Steelers within a touchdown on a 5-yard pass to Eric Ebron. He gave Pittsburgh its first second-half lead since Dec. 7 when he audibled into a play that ended with Roethlisberger threading the ball between two Colts to JuJu Smith-Schuster from 25 yards with 7:38 to play.
Indianapolis, so dominant during a first half in which it outgained the Steelers 206-28, had two chances to reclaim the lead in the fourth quarter. The first drive ended with Philip Rivers throwing an interception deep in Pittsburgh territory. The second ended with Rivers' heave to Zach Pascal sailing high on fourth down.
SEAHAWKS 20, RAMS 9
SEATTLE -- The Seahawks claimed the NFC West title, Russell Wilson throwing a 13-yard TD pass to Jacob Hollister with 2:51 left for the clinching score.
Seattle (11-4) earned its first division title since 2016 and its fifth since Pete Carroll arrived in 2010 behind a stellar defensive effort and a clutch late drive engineered by Wilson.
Seattle's quarterback scored on a 4-yard run on the opening drive of the second half for a 13-6 lead. But the final drive was Wilson at his best: Wilson was 5 for 5 for 59 yards on the drive, hitting four different receivers.
Wilson connecting with Hollister was a bit of redemption for the tight end who was stopped inches short of the same end zone on the final play a year ago in Week 17 against San Francisco. That gave the division title to the 49ers.
Wilson finished 20 of 32 for 225 yards. But unlike earlier in the season when it was Wilson that staked Seattle to a 5-0 start, this victory was carried by the defense. Seattle flustered Jared Goff, shut down the Rams' run game, and held Los Angeles (9-6) to a season low in points.
CAROLINA 20, WASHINGTON 13
LANDOVER, Md. -- Dwayne Haskins turned the ball over three times before getting benched, Steven Sims muffed a punt return that turned into a Panthers touchdown and Washington blew its first chance to clinch the NFC East.
Haskins was 14 of 28 with a fumble and two interceptions after starting in place of injured veteran Alex Smith, despite violating COVID-19 protocols last week. After being stripped of his captaincy and fined $40,000 for partying without a mask, he was stripped of the ball by Marquis Haynes in the first quarter and picked off by Tahir Whitehead and Tre Boston in the second.
Meanwhile, Washington's defense allowed two Panthers touchdown drives and 202 yards in the first half alone. Had there been fans at FedEx Field, they would have booed Washington (6-9) off the field at halftime.
Down 14 early in the fourth quarter, coach Ron Rivera pulled Haskins and handed the ball to Taylor Heinicke for his first NFL action since 2018 with Carolina. Heinicke was 12 of 19 for 137 yards in relief and threw a 29-yard TD pass to J.D. McKissic with 1:50 left.
Carolina (5-10) snapped a three-game skid.
COWBOYS 37, EAGLES 17
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Andy Dalton threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns, two to Michael Gallup, and the Cowboys stayed alive in the NFC East playoff race.
The Cowboys (6-9) won their third consecutive game and still have a chance to win the division thanks to Washington's 20-13 loss to Carolina, which guaranteed that the NFL's worst division won't have a team with a winning record.
Dallas can overtake Washington (6-9) with a win at the New York Giants and a Washington loss to the Eagles on the final weekend of the regular season. The Giants (5-10) can get in by beating the Cowboys if Washington loses.
The Eagles (4-10-1) led 14-3 in the first quarter after DeSean Jackson's 81-yard touchdown catch in his first game in two months coming off an ankle injury, and they would have controlled their playoff chances against Washington with a win.
RAVENS 27, GIANTS 13
BALTIMORE -- Lamar Jackson directed four scoring drives during the decisive first half. Baltimore's fourth straight victory, combined with Pittsburgh's win over Indianapolis, lifted the Ravens past the Colts in the AFC wild-card hunt. With a victory in Cincinnati next week, the Ravens (10-5) will earn a playoff berth for the third year in a row.
The Giants (5-10) lost their third straight and were left with only a miniscule chance of making the postseason.
Jackson guided the Ravens to touchdowns on their first two possessions, then took them into field-goal position on his next two drives for a 20-3 halftime lead.
That was more than enough to defeat a struggling Giants team that totaled only 13 points in its previous two games and has scored just two touchdowns over the past three weeks.
Daniel Jones started at quarterback for New York after missing two of the past three games with hamstring and ankle injuries. His passing numbers - 24 for 41 for 252 yards - were reflective of the heavy pressure he received from Baltimore's relentless rush.
The Ravens had six sacks, and Jones was flushed out of the pocket on several other occasions.
JETS 23, BROWNS 16
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After this loss, the Browns will need to beat the archrival Steelers next Sunday if they're going to end the NFL's longest playoff drought.
On fourth-and-1 with 1:18 remaining and the short-handed Browns (10-5) driving for the potential tying score, Mayfield tried to push forward for a first down. He lost the ball when Tarell Basham smacked into him. Kareem Hunt recovered, but by rule, Mayfield was the only one who could advance the ball - and the quarterback was short of the first down.
The Jets (2-13) sealed their second straight victory after an 0-13 start, losing all chance for the top overall draft pick.
It was a rough week for the Browns, who haven't been in the postseason since 2002 and entered without seven players including Jarvis Landry and three other wide receivers, and rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills. Cleveland had to call up several players from the practice squad and coach Kevin Stefanski ran a walk-through in a parking lot near the team's hotel to get some of the new players up to speed on the game plan.
Despite being short-handed, the Browns nearly erased a 20-3 deficit. But the Jets were able to hang on.
Jamison Crowder caught a touchdown pass and threw one to Braxton Berrios on a razzle-dazzle play, and Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass to Chris Herndon.
BEARS 41, JAGUARS 17
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jaguars took care of business, losing their 14th consecutive game and then getting some help to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Hello, Trevor Lawrence!
Mitchell Trubisky accounted for three scores, including two touchdown passes to Jimmy Graham, and the Bears kept control of their postseason path. Chicago can make the NFC playoffs for the second time in three years by beating Green Bay next week at home - despite having gone through a six-game losing streak in 2020.
The Jaguars (1-14), who set a franchise record for consecutive losses, locked up the top pick for the first time in franchise history when the New York Jets beat Cleveland 23-16 a few minutes later.
That means the same day Jacksonville reached its worst skid in franchise history could end up being a potential game changer for the small-market team that's spent the better part of the last two decades searching for a franchise quarterback.
The only thing standing between Jacksonville and Lawrence is the Clemson star formally turning pro, a decision that's expected after the Tigers end their season in the College Football Playoff.
Chicago scored 28 unanswered points to start the second half, getting so far in front that Nick Foles got to close out the game against his former team.
CHARGERS 19, BRONCOS 16
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Justin Herbert set the rookie record for most touchdown passes in a season. Michael Badgley tied a career high with four field goals, including the winning kick with 41 seconds remaining.
Herbert's 9-yard screen pass to Austin Ekeler in the second quarter was his 28th touchdown throw of the season, surpassing the 27 that Baker Mayfield had for Cleveland in 2018.
Herbert, the sixth overall pick in the April draft and third QB taken, completed 21 of 33 passes for 253 yards. He also became the fourth player to throw for over 4,000 yards as a rookie, joining Andrew Luck, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston.
Badgley came into the game making three of his last seven on field goals, but was perfect on all four of his attempts Sunday. After Brandon McManus tied it at 16 with 2:47 remaining with a 52-yard field goal, the Chargers (6-9) drove to the Broncos 19, and the third-year kicker won it from 37 yards.
Denver (5-10) had tied it with scores on three straight possessions.
BENGALS 37, TEXANS 31
HOUSTON -- Samaje Perine ran for two touchdowns, including a 3-yard score late, to give the Bengals their first road win in more than two years.
The Texans (4-11) were driving after Perine's second score when Deshaun Watson was sacked by Sam Hubbard, who forced a fumble that Margus Hunt recovered. The Bengals added a field goal to seal the victory.
It's the first road win for second-year coach Zac Taylor and the first time the Bengals (4-10-1) won away from Cincinnati since a 37-36 victory at Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2018. The Bengals have won two games in a row for the first time this season after upsetting the Steelers 27-17 on Monday night.
The Texans led 31-27 after Darren Fells carried two defenders into the end zone at the end of a 22-yard reception with about six minutes to go. Perine, who had a season-high 95 yards rushing, gave Cincinnati the lead when he bulled into the end zone for the go-ahead score with less than two minutes to go.
Brandon Allen returned after missing last week's game with a knee injury and threw for a career-high 371 yards with two touchdowns for the Bengals.
PACKERS 40, TITANS 14
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Davante Adams caught three of Aaron Rodgers' four touchdown passes as Green Bay won its fifth straight.
The Packers (12-3) already have clinched the NFC North title and can earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs if they win at Chicago (8-7) or Seattle (11-4) loses at San Francisco (6-9) next week.
Green Bay ran wild behind 124 yards and two touchdowns from A.J. Dillon and 94 yards from Aaron Jones.
Tennessee (10-5) squandered an opportunity to clinch its first AFC South championship since 2008. The Titans still can clinch a division title and their second straight playoff berth by winning at Houston (4-11) next week.
Adams' three touchdown catches gave him 17 this season, one off the Packers' single-season record that Sterling Sharpe set in 1994. Adams, who caught 11 passes for 142 yards Sunday, leads the NFL in touchdown receptions despite missing two games with a hamstring injury.
The Packers' defense also played well while picking off two passes from Ryan Tannehill, who went 11 of 24 for 121 yards. Tennessee's Derrick Henry rushed for 98 yards on 23 carries, ending his streak of nine consecutive road games in which he'd run for at least 100 yards.
___
More AP NFL: https://apne


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Suburban couple with hospitalized son gets incredible gift: their mortgage paid off

A Lake in the Hills couple celebrated their first Christmas with their 4½-month-old son Finnley by his hospital bedside .
But while the last few months have been difficult for Brandon and Taylor Swan as they cared for an infant with cardiac issues , an incredible gift -- and the help of some key agencies -- made their holiday joyous .
Brandon , an Army veteran who grew up in Carpentersville , recently learned that he was one of 11 veterans to have his mortgage paid off in full by the Missouri-based Veterans United Home Loans and its `` Make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just cried when they told me , '' Brandon says .
`` It 's such an incredible feeling . ''
The surprise was the latest twist in a hectic and emotional year .
The Swans welcomed their firstborn in August .
But one week before he came , they learned he would need immediate cardiac care and their world suddenly turned upside down .
At the time , they were in the process of buying their first house , securing their mortgage through Veterans United .
After learning about their son 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the end , they did n't and closed on the house in September .
But the family could n't move in .
Instead , Brandon and Taylor moved into the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children 's Hospital in Oak Lawn , where Finnley began receiving critical care .
On Veterans Day , officials with Veterans United asked if they could interview Brandon about his service and life as a civilian .
`` I almost did n't do it , '' says Brandon , who served as an equipment operator at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works as a crane operator in Schaumburg , `` but luckily I did . ''
Brandon learned the lending company was paying off his mortgage .
`` Growing up , you see your parents and your friends ' parents struggling to pay off their mortgage , and now I know I wo n't have that struggle , '' he said .
`` If I ever lose my job , or if something happens to me , '' he added , `` I wo n't have to worry about my wife and kids having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gift , officials with Veterans United arrived at the Ronald McDonald House in mid-December to decorate the house and yard with a spectacular light display .
Santa made an appearance with gifts for the family , and he and Mrs. Claus hosted carriage rides around the home .
The winter wonderland display has lifted the spirits of the families staying in the house and the health care workers , says Holly Buckendahl , CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana .
`` When you look at this Ronald McDonald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope for our families and the health care workers , '' Buckendahl says .
`` It 's really an incredible gift . ''
`` It was such a great surprise , '' she says .
`` The Christmas lights are so gorgeous .
They are such a blessing for all the families here . ''
`` We 're so grateful to be able to head back to the house , '' Taylor says of Ronald McDonald .
`` I barely leave the hospital and spend all my time in the unit . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ son in his pediatric unit .
At 4½ months old , Finnley now weighs 11 pounds , more than double his birth weight .
`` He 's a very active , happy baby , '' Taylor Swan says .
`` We 're just waiting on some health issues .
His breathing is a little unstable right now . ''
While the Swans continue to stay at the Ronald McDonald House , they visit their home in Lake in the Hills on Sundays , to paint and slowly add furniture .
Mostly this Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day they can bring their son home and move in as a family .

Suburban couple with hospitalized son gets incredible gift: their mortgage paid off
Santa made a surprise appearance -- and gave carriage rides -- at the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in honor of the Swan family. Veterans United Home Loans decorated the Ronald McDonald House and agreed to pay off the mortgage Brandon Swan, a military veteran with a hospitalized son, had taken out to buy a home in Lake in the Hills. Courtesy of Veterans United Home Loans
Brandon and Taylor Swan have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn while their son undergoes heart care. Courtesy of Veterans United Home Loans
Brandon and Taylor Swan have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn while their son undergoes heart care. The got a huge surprise when they found out Veterans United would be paying off the mortgage on their new home in Lake in the Hills -- and decorated their temporary Ronald McDonald House home for the holidays. Courtesy of Veterans United Home Loans
Brandon and Taylor Swan have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn while their son undergoes heart care. They got a huge surprise when they found out Veterans United Home Loans would be paying off the mortgage on their new home in Lake in the Hills -- and decorated their temporary Ronald McDonald House home for the holidays. Courtesy of Veterans United Home Loans
Finnley Swan is receiving care for cardiac issues at Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House
Taylor Swan shares a moment with her son Finnley, who is receiving critical care for cardiac issues. His parents bought a house in Lake in the Hills earlier this year, but they have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House
A Lake in the Hills couple celebrated their first Christmas with their 4½-month-old son Finnley by his hospital bedside.
But while the last few months have been difficult for Brandon and Taylor Swan as they cared for an infant with cardiac issues, an incredible gift -- and the help of some key agencies -- made their holiday joyous.
Brandon, an Army veteran who grew up in Carpentersville, recently learned that he was one of 11 veterans to have his mortgage paid off in full by the Missouri-based Veterans United Home Loans and its "Make it Mean More" campaign.
"I just cried when they told me," Brandon says. "It's such an incredible feeling."
The surprise was the latest twist in a hectic and emotional year.
The Swans welcomed their firstborn in August. But one week before he came, they learned he would need immediate cardiac care and their world suddenly turned upside down.
At the time, they were in the process of buying their first house, securing their mortgage through Veterans United. After learning about their son's health issues, they nearly backed out.
In the end, they didn't and closed on the house in September. But the family couldn't move in. Instead, Brandon and Taylor moved into the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, where Finnley began receiving critical care.
On Veterans Day, officials with Veterans United asked if they could interview Brandon about his service and life as a civilian.
"I almost didn't do it," says Brandon, who served as an equipment operator at Fort Lewis, Washington, and now works as a crane operator in Schaumburg, "but luckily I did."
Brandon learned the lending company was paying off his mortgage.
"Growing up, you see your parents and your friends' parents struggling to pay off their mortgage, and now I know I won't have that struggle," he said.
"If I ever lose my job, or if something happens to me," he added, "I won't have to worry about my wife and kids having a home."
To celebrate the gift, officials with Veterans United arrived at the Ronald McDonald House in mid-December to decorate the house and yard with a spectacular light display. Santa made an appearance with gifts for the family, and he and Mrs. Claus hosted carriage rides around the home.
The winter wonderland display has lifted the spirits of the families staying in the house and the health care workers, says Holly Buckendahl, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.
"When you look at this Ronald McDonald House, it's a beacon of hope for our families and the health care workers," Buckendahl says. "It's really an incredible gift."
Taylor Swan agrees.
"It was such a great surprise," she says. "The Christmas lights are so gorgeous. They are such a blessing for all the families here."
"We're so grateful to be able to head back to the house," Taylor says of Ronald McDonald. "I barely leave the hospital and spend all my time in the unit."
The Swans spent Christmas Day with their son in his pediatric unit. At 4½ months old, Finnley now weighs 11 pounds, more than double his birth weight.
"He's a very active, happy baby," Taylor Swan says. "We're just waiting on some health issues. His breathing is a little unstable right now."
While the Swans continue to stay at the Ronald McDonald House, they visit their home in Lake in the Hills on Sundays, to paint and slowly add furniture. Mostly this Christmas season, they look forward to the day they can bring their son home and move in as a family.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Transit predictions for 2021: Air travel rebounds, Metra has 'existentialist' crisis

Uncertain what 2021 will bring after a year of empty Metra trains , roads , airports and state coffers , thanks to COVID-19 ?
Fear not .
Five experts have gazed into their crystal balls and offer predictions starting with domestic air travel bouncing back in June .
Airlines suffered a hit in 2020 , but `` the confidence imbued by the ( COVID-19 ) vaccines will encourage many who had previously been reluctant to once again take to the skies , '' DePaul University professor Joseph Schwieterman said .
There are nuances .
`` Travel to densely populated cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People will still have hang-ups about traveling to major cities through late 2021 , despite vaccines , '' added Schwieterman , director of DePaul 's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development .
And , `` travelers will be pleasantly surprised at how airfares remain low . ''
Northwestern University transportation economist Ian Savage wonders why `` we have not seen more bankruptcies among international carriers .
But I think a shake-up is on its way . ''
Shifting to terra firma , Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard expects `` post-vaccine , we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ridership in 2021 .
But as peoples ' work patterns evolve , transit must continue to innovate . ''
One certainty , `` where transit goes , the economy grows , '' said Dillard , a former Republican state senator .
Savage warned , `` if people do not return to the office five days a week , then ridership will not go back to anywhere near pre-pandemic levels on the CTA 's El and on Metra .
I think we are in an existentialist crisis for Metra . ''
Annoyingly , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its ugly head , particularly in late afternoons and weekends , as work-from-home lifestyles change the way we move around , '' Schwieterman promised .
And , after a cycling renaissance in 2020 , `` suburban governments will feel pressure to provide more amenities for bicyclists and walkers , '' Schwieterman said .
State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Ram Villivalam anticipates `` we will see equity at the center of our transit and transportation improvements . ''
One early example is the Fair Transit pilot program in south Cook and northern Will counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rock Island lines and expanding Pace service , the Chicago Democrat said .
`` Additionally , we are paying close attention to ZIP codes with high COVID-19 positivity ratings and keeping transit lines that run between those communities and health care centers in operation , '' Villivalam noted .
The state 's six-year , $ 45 billion capital program predicated on a windfall from higher gas taxes hit a speed bump with the pandemic , trailing last year 's revenues by 54 % , according to Illinois comptroller 's office data .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become more nimble and , rather than building new multibillion dollar mega-highways , we must focus on improvements to our existing roads , '' Grayslake Democratic Sen. Melinda Bush said .
`` Desperately needed projects like the Routes 83 and 120 grade separation will finally begin to move ahead in the pipeline , '' added Bush , a Transportation Committee member .
Savage gave a shoutout to the logistics and supply chain industry .
`` We should all be grateful for what trucking , local delivery , air cargo and railroads have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they and their employees will do to deliver the vaccine in 2021 . ''
Got a 2021 prediction ?
Drop an email to mpyke @ dailyherald.com .
You should know If you 're flying over the holidays , Midway and O'Hare international airports both offer COVID-19 testing but at a price .
Walk-up sites are available at both airports with PCR tests costing $ 145 with results in 48 hours or rapid antigen tests for $ 120 with results in 20 minutes .
For more information or to schedule a test , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lane closures on Windsor Drive in Oak Brook in 2021 .
The Illinois tollway is rebuilding and widening the Windsor Road bridge over ramps connecting the Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway .
Work will last through 2021 .
Access to both toll roads will remain open with shoulder closures and traffic shifts .
Metra is adjusting schedules on the North Central Service , Milwaukee North and Milwaukee West lines effective Jan. 11 .
The railroad is also adding trains to the Milwaukee North and West routes after COVID-19 reductions .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Transit predictions for 2021: Air travel rebounds, Metra has 'existentialist' crisis
Warnings remind Metra riders on the BNSF Line to physically distance during train trips. The commuter railroad has seen ridership drop because of COVID-19. Daily Herald File Photo
Uncertain what 2021 will bring after a year of empty Metra trains, roads, airports and state coffers, thanks to COVID-19?
Fear not. Five experts have gazed into their crystal balls and offer predictions starting with domestic air travel bouncing back in June.
Airlines suffered a hit in 2020, but "the confidence imbued by the (COVID-19) vaccines will encourage many who had previously been reluctant to once again take to the skies," DePaul University professor Joseph Schwieterman said.
There are nuances. "Travel to densely populated cities will lag behind sunny vacation spots. People will still have hang-ups about traveling to major cities through late 2021, despite vaccines," added Schwieterman, director of DePaul's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development.
And, "travelers will be pleasantly surprised at how airfares remain low."
Northwestern University transportation economist Ian Savage wonders why "we have not seen more bankruptcies among international carriers. But I think a shake-up is on its way."
Shifting to terra firma, Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard expects "post-vaccine, we will gradually see a climb in mass transit ridership in 2021. But as peoples' work patterns evolve, transit must continue to innovate."
One certainty, "where transit goes, the economy grows," said Dillard, a former Republican state senator.
Savage warned, "if people do not return to the office five days a week, then ridership will not go back to anywhere near pre-pandemic levels on the CTA's El and on Metra. I think we are in an existentialist crisis for Metra."
Annoyingly, "more congestion on area highways will rear its ugly head, particularly in late afternoons and weekends, as work-from-home lifestyles change the way we move around," Schwieterman promised.
And, after a cycling renaissance in 2020, "suburban governments will feel pressure to provide more amenities for bicyclists and walkers," Schwieterman said.
State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Ram Villivalam anticipates "we will see equity at the center of our transit and transportation improvements." One early example is the Fair Transit pilot program in south Cook and northern Will counties offering 50% off Metra Electric and Rock Island lines and expanding Pace service, the Chicago Democrat said.
"Additionally, we are paying close attention to ZIP codes with high COVID-19 positivity ratings and keeping transit lines that run between those communities and health care centers in operation," Villivalam noted.
The state's six-year, $45 billion capital program predicated on a windfall from higher gas taxes hit a speed bump with the pandemic, trailing last year's revenues by 54%, according to Illinois comptroller's office data.
As a result, "Illinois will need to become more nimble and, rather than building new multibillion dollar mega-highways, we must focus on improvements to our existing roads," Grayslake Democratic Sen. Melinda Bush said.
"Desperately needed projects like the Routes 83 and 120 grade separation will finally begin to move ahead in the pipeline," added Bush, a Transportation Committee member.
Savage gave a shoutout to the logistics and supply chain industry. "We should all be grateful for what trucking, local delivery, air cargo and railroads have done for us in 2020, and what they and their employees will do to deliver the vaccine in 2021."
Got a 2021 prediction? Drop an email to mpyke@dailyherald.com.
You should know
If you're flying over the holidays, Midway and O'Hare international airports both offer COVID-19 testing but at a price. Walk-up sites are available at both airports with PCR tests costing $145 with results in 48 hours or rapid antigen tests for $120 with results in 20 minutes. For more information or to schedule a test, go to doctorstestcenters.com/flychi.
Gridlock alert
Expect delays and lane closures on Windsor Drive in Oak Brook in 2021. The Illinois tollway is rebuilding and widening the Windsor Road bridge over ramps connecting the Reagan Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway. Work will last through 2021. Access to both toll roads will remain open with shoulder closures and traffic shifts.
More Metra trains coming
Metra is adjusting schedules on the North Central Service, Milwaukee North and Milwaukee West lines effective Jan. 11. The railroad is also adding trains to the Milwaukee North and West routes after COVID-19 reductions. For revised schedules, go to metrarail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Trump signs pandemic relief bill, averts shutdown

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. -- President Donald Trump has signed a $ 900 billion pandemic relief package that will @ @ @ @ @ and individuals .
It also averts a government shutdown .
The massive bill includes $ @ @ @ @ @ agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems @ @ @ @ @ stamp benefits .
Democrats are promising more aid to come once President-elect Joe Biden takes @ @ @ @ @ signaling a wait-and-see approach .
Trump blindsided members of both parties and upended months of @ @ @ @ @ week that the package -- already passed the House and Senate by large margins and @ @ @ @ @ support -- be revised to include larger relief checks and scaled-back spending .

Trump signs pandemic relief bill, averts shutdown
President Donald Trump rides in a motorcade vehicle as he departs his Mar-a-Lago resort, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is en route to Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- President Donald Trump has signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals. It also averts a government shutdown.
Trump announced the signing in a statement Sunday night.
The massive bill includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems and an increase in food stamp benefits.
Democrats are promising more aid to come once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, but Republicans are signaling a wait-and-see approach.
Trump blindsided members of both parties and upended months of negotiations when he demanded last week that the package -- already passed the House and Senate by large margins and believed to have Trump's support -- be revised to include larger relief checks and scaled-back spending.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-28--After naming bombing suspect, focus turns to motive

NASHVILLE , Tenn. -- With federal officials having identified the man believed to be behind Nashville 's Christmas Day bombing , authorities now turn to the monumental task of piecing together the motive behind the explosion that severely damaged dozens of downtown buildings and injured three people .
While officials on Sunday named Anthony Quinn Warner , 63 , as the man behind the mysterious explosion in which he was killed , the motive has remained elusive .
`` These answers wo n't come quickly and will still require a lot of our team 's efforts , '' FBI Special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference .
`` Though we may be able to answer some these questions as our investigation continues , none of those answers will be enough by those affected by this event . ''
In just a few days , hundreds of tips and leads have been submitted to law enforcement agencies .
Yet thus far , officials have not provided information on what possibly drove Warner to set off the explosion .
David Rausch , the director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation , told reporters on Sunday that Warner had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furthermore , officials have not provided insight into why Warner selected the particular location for the bombing , which damaged an AT & T building and continued to wreak havoc on cellphone service and police and hospital communications in several Southern states as the company worked to restore service .
Forensic analysts were reviewing evidence collected from the blast site to try to identify the components of the explosives as well as information from the U.S .
Bomb Data Center for intelligence and investigative leads , according to a law enforcement official who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footprint and financial history , as well as a recent deed transfer of a suburban Nashville home they searched .
The official , who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity , said federal agents were examining a number of potential leads and pursuing several theories , including the possibility that the AT & T building was targeted .
Korneski said Sunday that officials were looking at any and all motives and were interviewing acquaintances of Warner 's to try to determine what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place on a holiday morning well before downtown streets were bustling with activity and was accompanied by a recorded announcement warning anyone nearby that a bomb would soon detonate .
Then , for reasons that may never be known , the audio switched to a recording of Petula Clark 's 1964 hit `` Downtown '' shortly before the blast .
Warner , who public records show had experience with electronics and alarms and who had also worked as a computer consultant for a Nashville realtor , had been regarded as a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least Saturday , when federal and local investigators converged on the home linked to him .
Federal agents could be seen looking around the property , searching the home and the backyard .
A Google Maps image captured in May 2019 had shown a recreational vehicle similar to the one that exploded parked in the backyard , but it was not at the property on Saturday , according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene .
On Sunday morning , police formally named Warner as being under investigation .
Officials said their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pieces of evidence , including DNA found at the explosion site .
Investigators had previously revealed that human remains had been found in the vicinity .
In addition , investigators from the Tennessee Highway Patrol recovered parts from the RV among the wreckage from the blast , and were able to link the vehicle identification number to an RV that was registered to Warner , officials said .
`` We 're still following leads , but right now there is no indication that any other persons were involved , '' Korneski said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ video surrounding the recreation vehicle .
We saw no other people involved . ''
Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes .
Suddenly the warning stopped , and `` Downtown '' started playing .
The RV exploded shortly afterward , sending black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville 's tourist scene , an area packed with honky-tonks , restaurants and shops .
Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by AT & T that lies one block from the company 's office tower , a landmark in downtown .
But on Sunday , just blocks from where the bombing took place , tourists had already begun to fill the sidewalks on Lower Broadway , a central entertainment district .
Some took selfies while others tried to get as close as possible to the explosion site , blocked by police barricades .
Earlier Sunday , the officers who responded provided harrowing details , at times getting choked up reliving the moments that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to tie us together forever , for the rest of my life , '' Metro Nashville police Officer James Wells , who suffered some hearing loss due to the explosion , told reporters at a news conference .
`` Christmas will never be the same . ''
Officer Brenna Hosey said she and her colleagues knocked on six or seven doors in nearby apartments to warn people to evacuate .
She particularly remembered a startled mother of four children .
`` I do n't have kids but I have cousins and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are small , '' Hosey said , adding she had to plead with the family to leave the building as quickly as possible .
Balsamo and Tucker reported from Washington .
Associated Press journalists Scott Stroud and Mark Humphrey in Nashville contributed to this report .

'We hope to get an answer': Authorities still searching for motive in Nashville bombing
This undated image posted on social media by the FBI shows Anthony Quinn Warner. Federal officials now turn to exploring the monumental task of piecing together the motive behind the Christmas Day explosion that severely damaged dozens of buildings and injured three in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. While officials have named 63-year-old Warner as the man behind the mysterious explosion in which he was killed, the motive has remained elusive. Associated Press
Investigators Sunday continue to examine the site of an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. An explosion that shook the largely deserted streets of downtown Nashville early Christmas morning shattered windows, damaged buildings and wounded multiple people. Authorities said they believed the blast was intentional. Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The man authorities believe was responsible for setting off a Christmas Day bomb that injured three people and damaged dozens of buildings in downtown Nashville left behind clues that suggest he planned and intended to kill himself in the bombing, but a clear motive remains elusive.
"We hope to get an answer. Sometimes, it's just not possible," David Rausch, the director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, said Monday in an interview on NBC's "Today" show. "The best way to find motive is to talk to the individual. We will not be able to do that in this case."
Investigators are analyzing property belonging to Anthony Quinn Warner that was collected during the investigation, including a computer and a portable storage drive, and are continuing to interview witnesses as they try to identify a potential motive for the explosion, a law enforcement official said. A review of his financial transactions also uncovered purchases of potential bomb-making components, the official said.
Warner had recently given away a vehicle and told the person he gave it to that he had been diagnosed with cancer, though it is unclear whether he indeed had cancer, the official said. Investigators used some items collected from the vehicle, including a hat and gloves, to match Warner's DNA, and DNA had also been taken from one of his family members, the official said.
The official could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
Warner also apparently gave away his home in Antioch, a Nashville suburb, to a Los Angeles woman a month before the bombing. A property record dated Nov. 25 indicates Warner transferred the home to the woman in exchange for no money after living there for decades. The woman's signature is not on that document.
Warner had worked as a computer consultant for Nashville realtor Steve Fridrich, who told the AP in a text message that Warner had said he was retiring earlier this month.
Officials said Warner had not been on their radar before Christmas. A law enforcement report released Monday showed that Warner's only arrest was for a 1978 marijuana-related charge.
"It does appear that the intent was more destruction than death, but again that's all still speculation at this point as we continue in our investigation with all our partners," Rausch added.
Furthermore, officials have not provided insight into why Warner selected the particular location for the bombing, which damaged an AT&T building and continued to wreak havoc on cellphone service and police and hospital communications in several Southern states as the company worked to restore service.
Forensic analysts were reviewing evidence collected from the blast site to try to identify the components of the explosives as well as information from the U.S. Bomb Data Center for intelligence and investigative leads, according to a law enforcement official who said investigators were examining Warner's digital footprint and financial history, as well as a recent deed transfer of a suburban Nashville home they searched.
The official, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, said federal agents were examining a number of potential leads and pursuing several theories, including the possibility that the AT&T building was targeted.
Korneski said Sunday that officials were looking at any and all motives and were interviewing acquaintances of Warner's to try to determine what may have motivated him.
The bombing took place on a holiday morning well before downtown streets were bustling with activity and was accompanied by a recorded announcement warning anyone nearby that a bomb would soon detonate. Then, for reasons that may never be known, the audio switched to a recording of Petula Clark's 1964 hit "Downtown" shortly before the blast.
Officials said their identification of Warner relied on several key pieces of evidence, including DNA found at the explosion site. Investigators had previously revealed that human remains had been found in the vicinity.
In addition, investigators from the Tennessee Highway Patrol recovered parts from the RV among the wreckage from the blast, and were able to link the vehicle identification number to an RV that was registered to Warner, officials said.
"We're still following leads, but right now there is no indication that any other persons were involved," Korneski said. "We've reviewed hours of security video surrounding the recreation vehicle. We saw no other people involved."
Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes. Suddenly the warning stopped, and "Downtown" started playing.
The RV exploded shortly afterward, sending black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville's tourist scene, an area packed with honky-tonks, restaurants and shops.
Balsamo reported from Washington, and Lavoie from Richmond, Virginia. Associated Press journalists Scott Stroud and Mark Humphrey in Nashville, Michael Kunzelman in College Park, Maryland, and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Lencioni runs for alderman, but St. Charles ordinance could keep him from taking office

Like all the other alderman candidates in St. Charles , Paul Lencioni picked up his candidate packet , gathered the required signatures and met the deadline for submitting the materials to city officials .
That 's where the comparisons end .
Unlike the others running for office , the president and CEO of Blue Goose Market faces an opponent beyond his Ward 3 challenger on the April 6 ballot : a city ordinance preventing liquor license holders from serving in an elected position .
It 's been on the books for decades and has remained there long after the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licenses in municipalities with fewer than 55,000 people .
Twice Lencioni has made an appeal to the city council to overturn the ordinance , and twice he 's been rebuked .
He and his lawyer appeared at the Dec. 14 meeting to plead with aldermen to adhere to the state statutes followed by other communities .
The response at the Zoom meeting , beyond a couple of sparse comments , was awkward silence .
It signaled a long road ahead for Lencioni and his attempt to beat both Charles Amenta -- the St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Ward 3 alderman seat -- and the ordinance .
`` This local ordinance , I do n't think there 's any way you can argue for it if you actually take a bigger picture of what a great city and great country is , '' Lencioni said .
`` You ca n't make an argument that less liberty is good . ''
Lencioni , 46 , has deep roots in the community through the family market founded by his great-grandmother in 1928 .
Despite being aware of the ordinance , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After several aldermen said they did n't support a change , no action was taken at a government operations committee meeting in August .
Lencioni also applied for the Ward 3 seat vacated when William Turner resigned in August , but Mayor Ray Rogina appointed Lucy Gruber and was backed by a unanimous city council vote .
Gruber is not running to keep the seat .
The issue , the aldermen say , is a potential conflict of interest with the many liquor-related agenda items that come before the city council .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by an alderman with a liquor license having to continually abstain .
`` It 's not just a one-off abstention due to a conflict of interest , '' said Ward 1 Alderman Ron Silkaitis .
`` This could be every other week . ''
St. Charles is not alone .
Algonquin , Carpentersville and West Chicago are nearby communities with similar ordinances .
Batavia and Geneva are among the municipalities that allow public officials to have liquor licenses .
Lencioni expects his candidacy to be challenged , but he also expects to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , however , he has no idea what follows .
`` If I stay on the ballot and I lose , I accept that , '' he said .
`` But I 've gotten a lot of great feedback on this .
I do n't know what happens if I win . ''
Lencioni has a few months to sway the city council , and some of the aldermen appear ready to offer support .
Ward 4 Alderman Lora Vitek said times have changed and smart business people should be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liquor license .
Ward 5 Alderman Ed Bessner , who is an account manager in the wine and spirits business , said he sees no harm in exploring the subject .
`` To me , the alcohol industry is not a taboo , '' Bessner said .
`` I 'm not suggesting it 's a taboo to anybody else on this council but it 's a normal way of life for myself . ''
After the April election , there will be a new mayor -- Vitek faces Ward 5 Alderman Maureen Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running for a third term -- and new aldermen who could sway the argument .
It 's possible if Lencioni wins , the city council will accept the result and change the ordinance .
It 's also possible the Ward 3 election would be voided because Lencioni ca n't be seated , and the new mayor would appoint an alderman .
`` There are so many variations on this theme that it 's hard to even try and construct a flow diagram for it , '' City Administrator Mark Koenen said .
Between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seating of newly elected officials on May 3 , time will tell .
`` I feel like I 'm fighting for St. Charles , '' Lencioni said .
`` I need to show them that this is what the people want .
There 's a real chance they do n't make the change , but I get the opportunity through this campaign to elevate the conversation . ''

Lencioni runs for alderman, but St. Charles ordinance could keep him from taking office
Like all the other alderman candidates in St. Charles, Paul Lencioni picked up his candidate packet, gathered the required signatures and met the deadline for submitting the materials to city officials.
That's where the comparisons end.
Unlike the others running for office, the president and CEO of Blue Goose Market faces an opponent beyond his Ward 3 challenger on the April 6 ballot: a city ordinance preventing liquor license holders from serving in an elected position.
It's been on the books for decades and has remained there long after the state relaxed regulations regarding public officials and liquor licenses in municipalities with fewer than 55,000 people.
Twice Lencioni has made an appeal to the city council to overturn the ordinance, and twice he's been rebuked. He and his lawyer appeared at the Dec. 14 meeting to plead with aldermen to adhere to the state statutes followed by other communities.
The response at the Zoom meeting, beyond a couple of sparse comments, was awkward silence.
It signaled a long road ahead for Lencioni and his attempt to beat both Charles Amenta -- the St. Charles city clerk and Lencioni's opponent for the Ward 3 alderman seat -- and the ordinance.
"This local ordinance, I don't think there's any way you can argue for it if you actually take a bigger picture of what a great city and great country is," Lencioni said. "You can't make an argument that less liberty is good."
Lencioni, 46, has deep roots in the community through the family market founded by his great-grandmother in 1928. Despite being aware of the ordinance, he still decided in the summer to run.
After several aldermen said they didn't support a change, no action was taken at a government operations committee meeting in August.
Lencioni also applied for the Ward 3 seat vacated when William Turner resigned in August, but Mayor Ray Rogina appointed Lucy Gruber and was backed by a unanimous city council vote. Gruber is not running to keep the seat.
The issue, the aldermen say, is a potential conflict of interest with the many liquor-related agenda items that come before the city council. Too many critical votes would be affected by an alderman with a liquor license having to continually abstain.
"It's not just a one-off abstention due to a conflict of interest," said Ward 1 Alderman Ron Silkaitis. "This could be every other week."
St. Charles is not alone. Algonquin, Carpentersville and West Chicago are nearby communities with similar ordinances. Batavia and Geneva are among the municipalities that allow public officials to have liquor licenses.
Lencioni expects his candidacy to be challenged, but he also expects to remain on the ballot. If he wins the election, however, he has no idea what follows.
"If I stay on the ballot and I lose, I accept that," he said. "But I've gotten a lot of great feedback on this. I don't know what happens if I win."
Lencioni has a few months to sway the city council, and some of the aldermen appear ready to offer support.
Ward 4 Alderman Lora Vitek said times have changed and smart business people should be allowed to run even if they hold a liquor license. Ward 5 Alderman Ed Bessner, who is an account manager in the wine and spirits business, said he sees no harm in exploring the subject.
"To me, the alcohol industry is not a taboo," Bessner said. "I'm not suggesting it's a taboo to anybody else on this council but it's a normal way of life for myself."
After the April election, there will be a new mayor -- Vitek faces Ward 5 Alderman Maureen Lewis to replace Rogina, who isn't running for a third term -- and new aldermen who could sway the argument.
It's possible if Lencioni wins, the city council will accept the result and change the ordinance. It's also possible the Ward 3 election would be voided because Lencioni can't be seated, and the new mayor would appoint an alderman.
"There are so many variations on this theme that it's hard to even try and construct a flow diagram for it," City Administrator Mark Koenen said.
Between now, the April 6 election and the seating of newly elected officials on May 3, time will tell.
"I feel like I'm fighting for St. Charles," Lencioni said. "I need to show them that this is what the people want. There's a real chance they don't make the change, but I get the opportunity through this campaign to elevate the conversation."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-27--Fall start planned for downtown Glen Ellyn apartments

Developers of a $ 30 million apartment building in downtown Glen Ellyn expect construction to begin in fall 2021 .
Holladay Properties has secured village approval for the five-story Glenwood Station , a mixed-use project seen as a catalyst for future development on the edge of the downtown core .
The property has a history of unfulfilled development proposals .
For six years , a former grocery store has sat dormant on the site at the northwest corner of Crescent Boulevard and Glenwood Avenue .
The small lot size -- less than an acre -- and rolling topography made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deliver a mix of luxury rentals , workforce housing and several affordable housing units at the request of village trustees who gave the final go-ahead and awarded financial incentives to make the project a reality .
Glenwood Station will contain 86 units and close to 1,500 square feet of retail space fronting Glenwood Avenue .
The building 's amenities will offer fiber-optic internet , smart thermostats , a fitness center , pet spa , temperature-controlled indoor parking and electric vehicle charging stations as developers target young professionals and empty-nesters opting for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin at $ 1,493 for a one-bedroom , 607-square-foot apartment and run up to $ 2,966 for a two-bedroom unit with a den .
More than half of the units -- 51 -- would meet a workforce housing classification and be available to people making 80 % to 120 % of the area 's median income .
In addition , the village will reimburse the developer up to $ 250,000 over 10 years for providing up to two affordable housing units for households making less than 80 % of the area 's median @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover the difference between the market and the affordable housing rates .
Trustees added that provision in a redevelopment agreement that also calls for reimbursing developers up to $ 2 million using tax increment financing dollars .
In a TIF district , as redevelopment boosts property values , the extra tax revenue that otherwise would go to taxing bodies such as schools and parks can be used to pay for improvements to the area .
Holladay , a firm based in South Bend , Indiana , identified a financial gap that , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project would not be financially feasible , village officials say .
The financial gap arose `` from higher property acquisition costs and higher projected property tax burden from mixed use apartment projects in Milton Township as compared to other surrounding townships , '' Village Manager Mark Franz said .
Holladay originally sought roughly $ 3.3 million in TIF incentives , but after negotiations with the village , the request was reduced .
The agreement will run through 2035 , or one year before the TIF district is set to expire .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available TIF increment for up to $ 2 million , meaning only the increment that 's generated would be returned at a 50/50 split between the developer and the village , '' Franz said .
Holladay also has addressed questions about the possibility of incorporating more retail space in the complex .
But developers said the constraints of the site , parking requirements and a volatile retail industry hampered their ability to add retail .
`` I would argue pretty fiercely that I think it should be two blocks east of us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of retailers .
`` And that it 's potentially doing a disservice to the existing retail heartbeat by trying to add additional retail further off sort of the main drag . ''
Mitchell said the project itself would spur development in what 's now a service-oriented area .
To the west is an auto repair shop .
`` What we 've seen repeatedly in these types of catalytic developments is that quality investment begets quality investment , '' Mitchell said .
`` I would not be surprised if we see some sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Auto site in four or five years . ''
`` I think the architecture improvement on this building has been significant from the first image that we saw to where it is now , '' said Trustee Craig Pryde , who 's an architect .
Revisions responded to input from village planners , the Glen Ellyn Historical Society , the Glen Ellyn Historic Preservation Commission , an ad hoc architect group and the project 's neighbors , Mitchell said .
`` We expect this development to add additional disposable income supporting retailers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Glenwood Station residents to the nearby Metra station and downtown Glen Ellyn 's myriad of offerings , '' he said in a statement last Wednesday .

Fall start planned for downtown Glen Ellyn apartments
A rendering of the 86-unit Glenwood Station apartment building planned for downtown Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of the village of Glen Ellyn
Developers of a $30 million apartment building in downtown Glen Ellyn expect construction to begin in fall 2021.
Holladay Properties has secured village approval for the five-story Glenwood Station, a mixed-use project seen as a catalyst for future development on the edge of the downtown core.
The property has a history of unfulfilled development proposals. For six years, a former grocery store has sat dormant on the site at the northwest corner of Crescent Boulevard and Glenwood Avenue. The small lot size -- less than an acre -- and rolling topography made it challenging to redevelop.
But Holladay plans to deliver a mix of luxury rentals, workforce housing and several affordable housing units at the request of village trustees who gave the final go-ahead and awarded financial incentives to make the project a reality.
Glenwood Station will contain 86 units and close to 1,500 square feet of retail space fronting Glenwood Avenue. The building's amenities will offer fiber-optic internet, smart thermostats, a fitness center, pet spa, temperature-controlled indoor parking and electric vehicle charging stations as developers target young professionals and empty-nesters opting for a lower-maintenance lifestyle.
Rents are expected to begin at $1,493 for a one-bedroom, 607-square-foot apartment and run up to $2,966 for a two-bedroom unit with a den.
More than half of the units -- 51 -- would meet a workforce housing classification and be available to people making 80% to 120% of the area's median income.
In addition, the village will reimburse the developer up to $250,000 over 10 years for providing up to two affordable housing units for households making less than 80% of the area's median income. The village each year will cover the difference between the market and the affordable housing rates.
Trustees added that provision in a redevelopment agreement that also calls for reimbursing developers up to $2 million using tax increment financing dollars.
In a TIF district, as redevelopment boosts property values, the extra tax revenue that otherwise would go to taxing bodies such as schools and parks can be used to pay for improvements to the area.
Holladay, a firm based in South Bend, Indiana, identified a financial gap that, but for the TIF assistance, meant the project would not be financially feasible, village officials say.
The financial gap arose "from higher property acquisition costs and higher projected property tax burden from mixed use apartment projects in Milton Township as compared to other surrounding townships," Village Manager Mark Franz said.
Holladay originally sought roughly $3.3 million in TIF incentives, but after negotiations with the village, the request was reduced. The agreement will run through 2035, or one year before the TIF district is set to expire.
"It's a 50/50 performance-based agreement generated by available TIF increment for up to $2 million, meaning only the increment that's generated would be returned at a 50/50 split between the developer and the village," Franz said.
Holladay also has addressed questions about the possibility of incorporating more retail space in the complex. But developers said the constraints of the site, parking requirements and a volatile retail industry hampered their ability to add retail.
"I would argue pretty fiercely that I think it should be two blocks east of us," Holladay Vice President T. Drew Mitchell said of retailers. "And that it's potentially doing a disservice to the existing retail heartbeat by trying to add additional retail further off sort of the main drag."
Mitchell said the project itself would spur development in what's now a service-oriented area. To the west is an auto repair shop.
"What we've seen repeatedly in these types of catalytic developments is that quality investment begets quality investment," Mitchell said. "I would not be surprised if we see some sort of different retail concept on the Lord's Auto site in four or five years."
Chicago's Tandem Architecture designed the building.
"I think the architecture improvement on this building has been significant from the first image that we saw to where it is now," said Trustee Craig Pryde, who's an architect.
Revisions responded to input from village planners, the Glen Ellyn Historical Society, the Glen Ellyn Historic Preservation Commission, an ad hoc architect group and the project's neighbors, Mitchell said.
"We expect this development to add additional disposable income supporting retailers in town, while providing exceptional access for Glenwood Station residents to the nearby Metra station and downtown Glen Ellyn's myriad of offerings," he said in a statement last Wednesday.
Holladay is aiming for a spring 2023 opening.