dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine, says 'nothing to worry about'

NEWARK , Del .
( AP ) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Monday received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on live television as part of a growing effort to convince the American public the inoculations are safe .
The president-elect took a dose of Pfizer vaccine at a hospital not far from his Delaware home , hours after his wife , Jill Biden , did the same .
The injections came the same day that a second vaccine , produced by Moderna , will start arriving in states .
It joins Pfizer 's in the nation 's arsenal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now killed more than 317,000 people in the United States and upended life around the globe .
`` I 'm ready , '' said Biden , who was administered the dose at a hospital in Newark , Delaware , and declined the option to count to three before the needle was inserted into his left arm .
`` I 'm doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it 's available to take the vaccine .
There 's nothing to worry about . ''
The president-elect praised the health care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` deserves some credit getting this off the ground . ''
And Biden urged Americans to wear masks during the upcoming Christmas holiday and not travel unless necessary .
Other top government officials last week joined the first wave of Americans to be inoculated against COVID-19 as part of the largest largest vaccination campaign in the nation 's history .
Vice President Mike Pence , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and other lawmakers were given doses Friday .
They chose to publicize their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convince Americans that the vaccines are safe and effective amid skepticism , especially among Republicans .
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband are expected to receive their first shots next week .
But missing from the action has been President Donald Trump , who has spent the last week largely out of sight as he continues to stew about his election loss and floats increasingly outlandish schemes to try to remain in power .
It 's an approach that has bewildered some top aides who see his silence as a missed opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 20 , to claim credit for helping oversee the speedy development of the vaccine and to burnish his legacy .
Trump , who in the past has spread misinformation about vaccine risks , has not said when he intends to get the shot .
He tweeted earlier this month that he was `` not scheduled '' to take it , but said he looked `` forward to doing so at the appropriate time . ''
The White House has said he is still discussing timing with his doctors .
Trump was hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experimental monoclonal antibody treatment that he credited for his swift recovery .
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory board has said people who received that treatment should wait at least 90 days to be vaccinated to avoid any potential interference .
`` When the time is right , I 'm sure he will remain willing to take it , '' White House spokesperson Brian Morgenstern echoed Friday .
`` It 's just something we 're working through . ''
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , however , offered a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters last week that Trump was holding off , in part , `` to show Americans that our priority are the most vulnerable . ''
`` The President wants to send a parallel message , which is , you know , our long-term care facility residents and our frontline workers are paramount in importance , and he wants to set an example in that regard , '' she said .
The CDC 's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine , which was the first to receive authorization , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who have been infected with COVID-19 and `` should be offered regardless of history of prior symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection . ''
While there is no recommended minimum wait time between infection and vaccination , because reinfection is uncommon in the three months after a person is infected , the committee said people who tested positive in the preceding 90 days `` may delay vaccination until near the end of this period , if desired . ''
The panel also recommends that those who received Trump 's treatment put off vaccination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Currently , there are no data on the safety and efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination in persons who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma as part of COVID-19 treatment , '' they wrote , recommending that vaccination `` be deferred for at least 90 days , as a precautionary measure until additional information becomes available , to avoid interference of the antibody treatment with vaccine-induced immune responses . ''
Surgeon General Jerome Adams cited that recommendation on CBS 's `` Face the Nation '' on Sunday when asked if Trump planned to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scientific point of view , I will remind people that the president has had COVID within the last 90 days .
He received the monoclonal antibodies .
And that is actually one scenario where we tell people maybe you should hold off on getting the vaccine , talk to your health provider to find out the right time , '' Adams said .
But others , including Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious diseases expert , have recommended that Trump be vaccinated without delay .
`` Even though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has , likely , antibodies that likely would be protective , we 're not sure how long that protection lasts .
So , to be doubly sure , I would recommend that he get vaccinated , '' he told ABC News .
Colvin reported from Washington .
Associated Press writer Jonathan Lemire in New York contributed to this report .

Biden gets COVID-19 vaccine, says 'nothing to worry about'
President-elect Joe Biden announces his climate and energy nominees and appointees Saturday at The Queen Theater in Wilmington Delaware. Associated Press
NEWARK, Del. (AP) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Monday received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on live television as part of a growing effort to convince the American public the inoculations are safe.
The president-elect took a dose of Pfizer vaccine at a hospital not far from his Delaware home, hours after his wife, Jill Biden, did the same. The injections came the same day that a second vaccine, produced by Moderna, will start arriving in states. It joins Pfizer's in the nation's arsenal against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has now killed more than 317,000 people in the United States and upended life around the globe.
"I'm ready," said Biden, who was administered the dose at a hospital in Newark, Delaware, and declined the option to count to three before the needle was inserted into his left arm. "I'm doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it's available to take the vaccine. There's nothing to worry about."
The president-elect praised the health care workers and said President Donald Trump's administration "deserves some credit getting this off the ground." And Biden urged Americans to wear masks during the upcoming Christmas holiday and not travel unless necessary.
Other top government officials last week joined the first wave of Americans to be inoculated against COVID-19 as part of the largest largest vaccination campaign in the nation's history.
Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other lawmakers were given doses Friday. They chose to publicize their injections as part of a campaign to convince Americans that the vaccines are safe and effective amid skepticism, especially among Republicans.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband are expected to receive their first shots next week.
But missing from the action has been President Donald Trump, who has spent the last week largely out of sight as he continues to stew about his election loss and floats increasingly outlandish schemes to try to remain in power. It's an approach that has bewildered some top aides who see his silence as a missed opportunity for the president, who leaves office Jan. 20, to claim credit for helping oversee the speedy development of the vaccine and to burnish his legacy.
Trump, who in the past has spread misinformation about vaccine risks, has not said when he intends to get the shot. He tweeted earlier this month that he was "not scheduled" to take it, but said he looked "forward to doing so at the appropriate time."
The White House has said he is still discussing timing with his doctors.
Trump was hospitalized with COVID-19 in October and given an experimental monoclonal antibody treatment that he credited for his swift recovery. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory board has said people who received that treatment should wait at least 90 days to be vaccinated to avoid any potential interference.
"When the time is right, I'm sure he will remain willing to take it," White House spokesperson Brian Morgenstern echoed Friday. "It's just something we're working through."
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, however, offered a different explanation for the delay. She told reporters last week that Trump was holding off, in part, "to show Americans that our priority are the most vulnerable."
"The President wants to send a parallel message, which is, you know, our long-term care facility residents and our frontline workers are paramount in importance, and he wants to set an example in that regard," she said.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was the first to receive authorization, "is safe and likely efficacious" for people who have been infected with COVID-19 and "should be offered regardless of history of prior symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection."
While there is no recommended minimum wait time between infection and vaccination, because reinfection is uncommon in the three months after a person is infected, the committee said people who tested positive in the preceding 90 days "may delay vaccination until near the end of this period, if desired."
The panel also recommends that those who received Trump's treatment put off vaccination for at least 90 days.
"Currently, there are no data on the safety and efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination in persons who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma as part of COVID-19 treatment," they wrote, recommending that vaccination "be deferred for at least 90 days, as a precautionary measure until additional information becomes available, to avoid interference of the antibody treatment with vaccine-induced immune responses."
Surgeon General Jerome Adams cited that recommendation on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday when asked if Trump planned to receive the shot on camera.
"From a scientific point of view, I will remind people that the president has had COVID within the last 90 days. He received the monoclonal antibodies. And that is actually one scenario where we tell people maybe you should hold off on getting the vaccine, talk to your health provider to find out the right time," Adams said.
But others, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious diseases expert, have recommended that Trump be vaccinated without delay.
"Even though the president himself was infected, and he has, likely, antibodies that likely would be protective, we're not sure how long that protection lasts. So, to be doubly sure, I would recommend that he get vaccinated," he told ABC News.
Colvin reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Jonathan Lemire in New York contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--Opposition to West Chicago facility from St. Charles neighbors is growing

Opposition to a second waste transfer station on Powis Road in West Chicago is growing from both residents of the city and officials in neighboring St. Charles .
Those objections , however , could be premature .
As West Chicago City Administrator Michael Guttman points out , Lakeshore Recycling Systems has yet to submit its anticipated application for a station at the 27.8-acre facility .
In fact , it 's been 20 months since West Chicago approved a basic `` host community benefit agreement '' with Lakeshore that detailed the economic perks for the city if Lakeshore receives approval to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transfer station .
Local opposition began almost immediately , much of it coming from a group identifying itself as Protect West Chicago .
The opposition grew significantly last week when the St. Charles City Council , concerned about additional garbage truck traffic on its streets , unanimously passed a resolution challenging Lakeshore to show that a waste transfer station at 1655 Powis Road wo n't adversely impact its residents .
St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina and City Administrator Mark Koenen said at last Monday 's city council meeting they 'd been in contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the station .
`` The intent here is not to in any way , shape or form disparage or say that West Chicago should not put a transfer station on the property in their corporate limits , '' Rogina said .
`` What we 're saying is we want to protect our residents with respect to environmental concerns , with respect to truck traffic , etcetera . ''
Guttman , while acknowledging communication , said there is little to discuss with St. Charles .
Until an application is submitted by Lakeshore , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Chicago officials are at a standstill with the issue .
`` I do n't know if there 's going to be an increase in traffic because we have n't gotten an application , '' Guttman said .
`` The application will hopefully lend some insight into that and the public hearings associated with it will do the same . ''
Members of Protect West Chicago expressed a number of concerns in a letter to West Chicago residents .
They also questioned why the application -- expected this fall -- was not filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity would mean increased odors , more litter and wear and tear on our roads while lowering our value of our homes . ''
said Nick Dzierzanowski , a West Chicago resident and a co-signer of the letter , in a release .
Lakeshore Managing Partner Josh Connell cited a fluid situation in the industry as a reason for the delay .
He also noted the complicated nature of the application that , according to Guttman , includes several binders of information .
Guttman said once the application is submitted , there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be met , including that the facility is `` necessary to accommodate the waste needs of the area it is intended to serve . ''
At least one public hearing must be held before the West Chicago City Council decides the fate of the station .
According to the host agreement , the station would be limited to a maximum average of 1,500 tons of municipal solid waste a day and West Chicago would receive $ 2.45 per ton .
The city currently receives about $ 650,000 annually from the other waste transfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operated by Groot .
The Lakeshore facility in West Chicago currently operates a construction and demolition debris transfer station .
It also stores empty garbage trucks overnight that serve communities during the day , including St. Charles .
The waste transfer station would allow filled garbage trucks to temporarily dump refuse on the ground .
The refuse would be hauled away from the site by semi trucks to landfills , meaning no garbage would be stored at the West Chicago facility .
Even though garbage trucks already currently travel between St. Charles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the St. Charles City Council voiced concerns .
`` Although we might not be able to stop this from happening , as it is in West Chicago , I would think we might have some control over garbage truck traffic , '' said St. Charles Alderman Lora Vitek .
`` I bring this up , too , because I received some complaints recently from residents about the current garbage truck traffic , so I would assume this would compound it . ''
Other aldermen , though , questioned opposition to something that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand our concern , trust me , but we do n't even know what the plan is yet , '' said St. Charles Alderman Ron Silkaitis .
`` How can we object to something that we do n't even know what they are building ? ''
Until the application sparks the review process , Guttman said it would be irresponsible for West Chicago officials to take a stance .
`` We 'll need to judge it on its merits , '' Guttman said .
`` The city of West Chicago in these processes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want it .
We ca n't prejudice the process and express an opinion at this time . ''

Opposition to West Chicago facility from St. Charles neighbors is growing
Opposition to a second waste transfer station on Powis Road in West Chicago is growing from both residents of the city and officials in neighboring St. Charles.
Those objections, however, could be premature. As West Chicago City Administrator Michael Guttman points out, Lakeshore Recycling Systems has yet to submit its anticipated application for a station at the 27.8-acre facility.
In fact, it's been 20 months since West Chicago approved a basic "host community benefit agreement" with Lakeshore that detailed the economic perks for the city if Lakeshore receives approval to expand its operations by adding a waste transfer station.
Local opposition began almost immediately, much of it coming from a group identifying itself as Protect West Chicago.
The opposition grew significantly last week when the St. Charles City Council, concerned about additional garbage truck traffic on its streets, unanimously passed a resolution challenging Lakeshore to show that a waste transfer station at 1655 Powis Road won't adversely impact its residents.
St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina and City Administrator Mark Koenen said at last Monday's city council meeting they'd been in contact with their respective West Chicago counterparts about the station.
"The intent here is not to in any way, shape or form disparage or say that West Chicago should not put a transfer station on the property in their corporate limits," Rogina said. "What we're saying is we want to protect our residents with respect to environmental concerns, with respect to truck traffic, etcetera."
Guttman, while acknowledging communication, said there is little to discuss with St. Charles. Until an application is submitted by Lakeshore, which then instigates a rigorous review process, West Chicago officials are at a standstill with the issue.
"I don't know if there's going to be an increase in traffic because we haven't gotten an application," Guttman said. "The application will hopefully lend some insight into that and the public hearings associated with it will do the same."
Members of Protect West Chicago expressed a number of concerns in a letter to West Chicago residents. They also questioned why the application -- expected this fall -- was not filed.
"This massive increase in garbage capacity would mean increased odors, more litter and wear and tear on our roads while lowering our value of our homes." said Nick Dzierzanowski, a West Chicago resident and a co-signer of the letter, in a release.
Lakeshore Managing Partner Josh Connell cited a fluid situation in the industry as a reason for the delay. He also noted the complicated nature of the application that, according to Guttman, includes several binders of information.
Guttman said once the application is submitted, there's a list of nine criteria that must be met, including that the facility is "necessary to accommodate the waste needs of the area it is intended to serve." At least one public hearing must be held before the West Chicago City Council decides the fate of the station.
According to the host agreement, the station would be limited to a maximum average of 1,500 tons of municipal solid waste a day and West Chicago would receive $2.45 per ton. The city currently receives about $650,000 annually from the other waste transfer station on Powis Road, which is operated by Groot.
The Lakeshore facility in West Chicago currently operates a construction and demolition debris transfer station. It also stores empty garbage trucks overnight that serve communities during the day, including St. Charles.
The waste transfer station would allow filled garbage trucks to temporarily dump refuse on the ground. The refuse would be hauled away from the site by semi trucks to landfills, meaning no garbage would be stored at the West Chicago facility.
Even though garbage trucks already currently travel between St. Charles and the Lakeshore facility in West Chicago, the St. Charles City Council voiced concerns.
"Although we might not be able to stop this from happening, as it is in West Chicago, I would think we might have some control over garbage truck traffic," said St. Charles Alderman Lora Vitek. "I bring this up, too, because I received some complaints recently from residents about the current garbage truck traffic, so I would assume this would compound it."
Other aldermen, though, questioned opposition to something that hasn't even been proposed.
"I understand our concern, trust me, but we don't even know what the plan is yet," said St. Charles Alderman Ron Silkaitis. "How can we object to something that we don't even know what they are building?"
Until the application sparks the review process, Guttman said it would be irresponsible for West Chicago officials to take a stance.
"We'll need to judge it on its merits," Guttman said. "The city of West Chicago in these processes can't just say we don't want it. We can't prejudice the process and express an opinion at this time."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--FoxFire asks state Supreme Court to throw out indoor dining ban

SPRINGFIELD -- Lawyers for FoxFire Tavern in Geneva are asking the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court decision that found the governor 's indoor dining ban was lawfully imposed .
FoxFire Tavern is one of dozens of restaurants that sued Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and his administration after he issued an executive order imposing stricter restrictions on businesses , including a ban on indoor dining and bar service , in response to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout the state .
The state 's highest court has not yet weighed in on the legal arguments challenging Pritzker 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or any other restrictions implemented in his numerous executive orders .
The 2nd District Appellate Court 's decision last month that upheld Pritzker 's order prohibiting restaurants from allowing indoor dining can not stand because it `` leaves the restaurant industry out in the cold and without legal redress , '' Kevin Nelson , one of FoxFire 's attorneys , wrote in the legal brief to the Illinois Supreme Court submitted on Friday .
The brief asks the court to accept the case and reverse the appellate court 's ruling on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the court is not obligated to hear the case , the justices could reject that request and decline to rule on it .
The restaurant won an early victory after suing Pritzker in October when a Kane County judge granted the restaurant 's request for a temporary restraining order that allowed FoxFire to ignore the new indoor dining restrictions contained in the executive order .
The 2nd District Appellate Court 's decision last month overruled the Kane County judge 's decision .
The appellate court rejected the arguments from FoxFire 's legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state law , to issue one 30-day disaster proclamation , and also does not have the power to order businesses closed .
Instead , the appellate court found that state law empowers the governor to issue multiple disaster declarations .
The appellate court also ruled that Pritzker 's executive order did not amount to a `` closure '' for businesses , and therefore , Illinois Department of Public Health Act regulations governing business closures did not apply in this case .
Since that appellate court decision , the FoxFire case has been consolidated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases filed by businesses operating as restaurants that are challenging the indoor dining ban .
The consolidated cases in Sangamon County are ongoing , and no final decision has been issued .
FoxFire 's appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court is known as an `` interlocutory appeal '' because it asks a higher court to review a decision while the case is pending in a lower court .
The governor , the state health department and the Kane County Health Department , which are named in FoxFire 's appeal , have 21 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ file a response but are not required to do so .
A representative of the Illinois attorney general 's office , which represents the governor and state agencies , said its lawyers are reviewing the legal filing .
FoxFire , a steak and seafood restaurant , continues to allow seating indoors , in defiance of the governor 's executive order , as its legal case remains pending .
K.C .
Gulbro , co-owner of the restaurant , did not respond to requests for comment Monday .
A call to the restaurant Monday confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker has said his administration is relying on county health departments and local law enforcement to issue citations and fines to restaurants and bars that violate the ban on indoor dining and bar service .
A misdemeanor citation and fine are a last resort only after attempts to ensure voluntary compliance are unsuccessful .
A Kane County Health Department representative declined to comment , citing pending litigation , and referred questions to the Kane County state 's attorney 's office .

FoxFire asks state Supreme Court to throw out indoor dining ban
SPRINGFIELD -- Lawyers for FoxFire Tavern in Geneva are asking the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court decision that found the governor's indoor dining ban was lawfully imposed.
FoxFire Tavern is one of dozens of restaurants that sued Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his administration after he issued an executive order imposing stricter restrictions on businesses, including a ban on indoor dining and bar service, in response to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout the state.
The state's highest court has not yet weighed in on the legal arguments challenging Pritzker's power to impose the indoor dining ban, or any other restrictions implemented in his numerous executive orders.
The 2nd District Appellate Court's decision last month that upheld Pritzker's order prohibiting restaurants from allowing indoor dining cannot stand because it "leaves the restaurant industry out in the cold and without legal redress," Kevin Nelson, one of FoxFire's attorneys, wrote in the legal brief to the Illinois Supreme Court submitted on Friday.
The brief asks the court to accept the case and reverse the appellate court's ruling on the governor's executive order. However, since the court is not obligated to hear the case, the justices could reject that request and decline to rule on it.
The restaurant won an early victory after suing Pritzker in October when a Kane County judge granted the restaurant's request for a temporary restraining order that allowed FoxFire to ignore the new indoor dining restrictions contained in the executive order.
The 2nd District Appellate Court's decision last month overruled the Kane County judge's decision. The appellate court rejected the arguments from FoxFire's legal team that Pritzker is limited, under state law, to issue one 30-day disaster proclamation, and also does not have the power to order businesses closed.
Instead, the appellate court found that state law empowers the governor to issue multiple disaster declarations. The appellate court also ruled that Pritzker's executive order did not amount to a "closure" for businesses, and therefore, Illinois Department of Public Health Act regulations governing business closures did not apply in this case.
Since that appellate court decision, the FoxFire case has been consolidated in Sangamon County court with 18 other cases filed by businesses operating as restaurants that are challenging the indoor dining ban. The consolidated cases in Sangamon County are ongoing, and no final decision has been issued.
FoxFire's appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court is known as an "interlocutory appeal" because it asks a higher court to review a decision while the case is pending in a lower court.
The governor, the state health department and the Kane County Health Department, which are named in FoxFire's appeal, have 21 days from Friday, Dec. 18, to file a response but are not required to do so. A representative of the Illinois attorney general's office, which represents the governor and state agencies, said its lawyers are reviewing the legal filing.
FoxFire, a steak and seafood restaurant, continues to allow seating indoors, in defiance of the governor's executive order, as its legal case remains pending.
K.C. Gulbro, co-owner of the restaurant, did not respond to requests for comment Monday. A call to the restaurant Monday confirmed it is still serving customers indoors.
Pritzker has said his administration is relying on county health departments and local law enforcement to issue citations and fines to restaurants and bars that violate the ban on indoor dining and bar service. A misdemeanor citation and fine are a last resort only after attempts to ensure voluntary compliance are unsuccessful.
A Kane County Health Department representative declined to comment, citing pending litigation, and referred questions to the Kane County state's attorney's office.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--Barr undercuts Trump on election and Hunter Biden inquiries

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General William Barr used his final public appearance to undercut President Donald Trump on multiple fronts Monday , saying he saw no reason to appoint a special counsel to look into the president 's claims about the 2020 election or to name one for the tax investigation of President-elect Joe Biden 's son .
In the course of breaking with Trump on matters that have been consuming the president , Barr also reinforced the belief of federal officials that Russia was behind a massive hack of U.S. government agencies , not China as Trump had suggested .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference to announce additional criminal charges in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 , which killed 190 Americans , an issue he had worked on in his previous stint as attorney general in the early 1990s .
He chose the announcement , in a case very personal and important to him , for his last public appearance , then took questions .
Barr said the Justice Department 's existing investigation into Hunter Biden 's financial dealings was `` being handled responsibly and professionally . ''
`` I have not seen a reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no plan to do so before I leave , '' he said .
Nor for election fraud , he said .
Barr had been in lockstep with the president during much of his tenure as Trump 's attorney general .
But Trump , as he has done with many others in his inner circle , started criticizing Barr publicly .
He was particularly angry that Barr did n't announce the existence of a two-year-old investigation of Hunter Biden .
And shortly before he announced his resignation , Barr told The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread voting fraud , despite Trump 's claims to the contrary .
Trump has continued to push baseless claims even after the Electoral College made Biden 's victory formal Dec. 14 .
A special counsel would make it more difficult for the incoming attorney general and president to close investigations begun under Trump .
Doing so could lend a false legitimacy to baseless claims , particularly to the throngs of Trump supporters who believe the election was stolen because he keeps wrongly claiming it was .
Barr 's statements Monday may make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes over , Jeffrey Rosen , to resist pressure from the White House to make such appointments .
In his 2019 confirmation hearing for deputy attorney general , Rosen said he was willing to rebuff political pressure from the White House if necessary .
He told legislators that criminal investigations should `` proceed on the facts and the law '' and prosecutions should be `` free of improper political influences . ''
`` If the appropriate answer is to say no to somebody , then I will say no , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results and nearly all have been dismissed or dropped .
He 's also lost twice at the U.S. Supreme Court .
With no further tenable legal recourse , Trump has been fuming and peppering allies for options as he refuses to accept his loss .
Among those allies is Rudy Giuliani , who during a meeting Friday pushed Trump to seize voting machines in his hunt for evidence of fraud .
The Homeland Security Department made clear , however , that it had no authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear what that would accomplish .
For his part , Barr said he saw no reason to seize them .
Earlier this month , Barr also told the AP that the Justice Department and Homeland Security had looked into the claims `` that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results '' and ultimately concluded that `` so far , we have n't seen anything to substantiate that . ''
Trump has consulted on special counsels with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , White House counsel Pat Cipollone and outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and Republicans close to the White House who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were n't authorized discuss the matter publicly .
Trump was interested both in a counsel to investigate the younger Biden 's tax dealings and a second to look into election fraud .
He even floated the idea of naming attorney Sidney Powell as the counsel -- though Powell was booted from Trump 's legal team after she made a series of increasingly wild conspiratorial claims about the election .
Federal law requires that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barr also said Monday the hack of U.S. government agencies `` certainly appears to be the Russians . ''
In implicating the Russians , Barr was siding with the widely held belief within the U.S. government and the cybersecurity community that Russian hackers were responsible for breaches at multiple government agencies , including the Treasury and Commerce departments .
Hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a radio interview that Russia was `` pretty clearly '' behind the hacks , Trump sought to undercut that message and play down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the `` Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality . ''
He also said China could be responsible even though no credible evidence has emerged to suggest anyone other than Russia might be to blame .
Barr 's comments came on the 32nd anniversary of the Pan Am explosion over Lockerbie , Scotland , that killed 259 people in the air and 11 on the ground .
The Justice Department announced its case against the accused bomb-maker , Abu Agela Masud Kheir Al-Marimi , who admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago that he had built the bomb and worked with two other defendants to carry out the attack , Barr said .
Calling the news conference to announce the charges underscored Barr 's attachment to that case .
He had announced an earlier set of charges against two other Libyan intelligence officials in his capacity as acting attorney general nearly 30 years ago , vowing that the investigation would continue .
Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report .

Barr undercuts Trump on election and Hunter Biden inquiries
President Donald Trump has continued to push baseless claims even after the Electoral College formalized Biden's victory. Associated Press/Jan. 27, 2020
WASHINGTON -- Attorney General William Barr used his final public appearance to undercut President Donald Trump on multiple fronts Monday, saying he saw no reason to appoint a special counsel to look into the president's claims about the 2020 election or to name one for the tax investigation of President-elect Joe Biden's son.
In the course of breaking with Trump on matters that have been consuming the president, Barr also reinforced the belief of federal officials that Russia was behind a massive hack of U.S. government agencies, not China as Trump had suggested.
Barr made the comments at a news conference to announce additional criminal charges in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 190 Americans, an issue he had worked on in his previous stint as attorney general in the early 1990s. He chose the announcement, in a case very personal and important to him, for his last public appearance, then took questions.
Barr said the Justice Department's existing investigation into Hunter Biden's financial dealings was "being handled responsibly and professionally."
"I have not seen a reason to appoint a special counsel and I have no plan to do so before I leave," he said. Nor for election fraud, he said.
Barr had been in lockstep with the president during much of his tenure as Trump's attorney general. But Trump, as he has done with many others in his inner circle, started criticizing Barr publicly. He was particularly angry that Barr didn't announce the existence of a two-year-old investigation of Hunter Biden.
And shortly before he announced his resignation, Barr told The Associated Press that he had seen no evidence of widespread voting fraud, despite Trump's claims to the contrary. Trump has continued to push baseless claims even after the Electoral College made Biden's victory formal Dec. 14.
A special counsel would make it more difficult for the incoming attorney general and president to close investigations begun under Trump. Doing so could lend a false legitimacy to baseless claims, particularly to the throngs of Trump supporters who believe the election was stolen because he keeps wrongly claiming it was.
Barr's statements Monday may make it easier for the acting attorney general who takes over, Jeffrey Rosen, to resist pressure from the White House to make such appointments.
In his 2019 confirmation hearing for deputy attorney general, Rosen said he was willing to rebuff political pressure from the White House if necessary. He told legislators that criminal investigations should "proceed on the facts and the law" and prosecutions should be "free of improper political influences."
"If the appropriate answer is to say no to somebody, then I will say no," he said at the time.
Trump and his allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results and nearly all have been dismissed or dropped. He's also lost twice at the U.S. Supreme Court.
With no further tenable legal recourse, Trump has been fuming and peppering allies for options as he refuses to accept his loss.
Among those allies is Rudy Giuliani, who during a meeting Friday pushed Trump to seize voting machines in his hunt for evidence of fraud. The Homeland Security Department made clear, however, that it had no authority to do so. It is also unclear what that would accomplish.
For his part, Barr said he saw no reason to seize them. Earlier this month, Barr also told the AP that the Justice Department and Homeland Security had looked into the claims "that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results" and ultimately concluded that "so far, we haven't seen anything to substantiate that."
Trump has consulted on special counsels with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, White House counsel Pat Cipollone and outside allies, according to several Trump administration officials and Republicans close to the White House who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized discuss the matter publicly.
Trump was interested both in a counsel to investigate the younger Biden's tax dealings and a second to look into election fraud. He even floated the idea of naming attorney Sidney Powell as the counsel -- though Powell was booted from Trump's legal team after she made a series of increasingly wild conspiratorial claims about the election.
Federal law requires that an attorney general appoint any special counsels.
Barr also said Monday the hack of U.S. government agencies "certainly appears to be the Russians."
In implicating the Russians, Barr was siding with the widely held belief within the U.S. government and the cybersecurity community that Russian hackers were responsible for breaches at multiple government agencies, including the Treasury and Commerce departments.
Hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a radio interview that Russia was "pretty clearly" behind the hacks, Trump sought to undercut that message and play down the severity of the attack.
He tweeted that the "Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality." He also said China could be responsible even though no credible evidence has emerged to suggest anyone other than Russia might be to blame.
Barr's comments came on the 32nd anniversary of the Pan Am explosion over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 259 people in the air and 11 on the ground.
The Justice Department announced its case against the accused bomb-maker, Abu Agela Masud Kheir Al-Marimi, who admitted in an interview with Libyan officials several years ago that he had built the bomb and worked with two other defendants to carry out the attack, Barr said.
Calling the news conference to announce the charges underscored Barr's attachment to that case. He had announced an earlier set of charges against two other Libyan intelligence officials in his capacity as acting attorney general nearly 30 years ago, vowing that the investigation would continue.
Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--Lake Zurich trustee charged with domestic battery allowed to return to home

A Lake County judge agreed on Friday to allow Lake Zurich Trustee Jim Beaudoin to return to the home he shares with his girlfriend , whom he is alleged to have choked during an argument , officials said .
Beaudoin , 47 , is charged with two counts of domestic violence stemming from the Dec. 12 altercation at the home .
During a hearing last Wednesday , Beaudoin 's defense attorney , Douglas Zeit , asked Judge Reginald C. Mathews to change the terms of Beaudoin 's bail so he could return to the house .
Mathews continued that hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Attorney Kristian Nordby a chance to speak with the woman .
Lee Filas , the spokesman for the Lake County state 's attorney 's office , said Nordby objected to Beaudoin 's being allowed to return to the home but Matthews allowed it .
Matthews said Beaudoin was required not to be violent or harassing toward his girlfriend .
Police had been called to the home where Beaudoin and his girlfriend were arguing .
Beaudoin had flipped her on her back and briefly choked her , Nordby said during the hearing last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman struck Beaudoin in the face while she was pinned .
Nordby said the police officer who arrested Beaudoin observed the woman had redness on her neck and back .
At that hearing , the woman said it was an isolated incident and asked that Beaudoin be allowed to return home .
`` I do n't even know what happened , '' she said during the hearing .
`` It never should have happened .
Jim is a good person .
I would really appreciate it if you would let him come home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of weeks ago and has been having some neurological problems , including blackouts and loss of memory , in the time since .
The charges against Beaudoin are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail , if he 's convicted .
He paid 10 % of his $ 10,000 bail and was released from jail while the case is pending .
His term as village trustee is set to expire in the spring .
He has not yet filed candidacy paperwork to seek another term in the April 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said last week that Beaudoin has not offered to resign from the board .

Lake Zurich trustee charged with domestic battery allowed to return to home
A Lake County judge agreed on Friday to allow Lake Zurich Trustee Jim Beaudoin to return to the home he shares with his girlfriend, whom he is alleged to have choked during an argument, officials said.
Beaudoin, 47, is charged with two counts of domestic violence stemming from the Dec. 12 altercation at the home.
During a hearing last Wednesday, Beaudoin's defense attorney, Douglas Zeit, asked Judge Reginald C. Mathews to change the terms of Beaudoin's bail so he could return to the house. Mathews continued that hearing to Friday morning to give Assistant State's Attorney Kristian Nordby a chance to speak with the woman.
Lee Filas, the spokesman for the Lake County state's attorney's office, said Nordby objected to Beaudoin's being allowed to return to the home but Matthews allowed it. Matthews said Beaudoin was required not to be violent or harassing toward his girlfriend.
Police had been called to the home where Beaudoin and his girlfriend were arguing. Beaudoin had flipped her on her back and briefly choked her, Nordby said during the hearing last Wednesday conducted over Zoom, and the woman struck Beaudoin in the face while she was pinned.
Nordby said the police officer who arrested Beaudoin observed the woman had redness on her neck and back.
At that hearing, the woman said it was an isolated incident and asked that Beaudoin be allowed to return home.
"I don't even know what happened," she said during the hearing. "It never should have happened. Jim is a good person. I would really appreciate it if you would let him come home."
She said she had COVID-19 a couple of weeks ago and has been having some neurological problems, including blackouts and loss of memory, in the time since.
The charges against Beaudoin are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail, if he's convicted.
He paid 10% of his $10,000 bail and was released from jail while the case is pending.
His term as village trustee is set to expire in the spring. He has not yet filed candidacy paperwork to seek another term in the April 6 election. Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton said last week that Beaudoin has not offered to resign from the board.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--Antioch, Mundelein have four-way mayoral races; Gurnee and Lake Zurich also contested

Four-way mayoral races are shaping up in both Mundelein and Antioch for the April 6 , 2021 , election .
Other contested mayoral races are in Gurnee and Lake Zurich .
The filing deadline for Lake County residents hoping to gain or retain elected municipal , school , park , library , township and fire district office passed at 5 p.m. Monday .
In Mundelein , incumbent Mayor Steve Lentz is seeking a third term .
He 'll be challenged by two veteran trustees , Dawn Abernathy and Robin Meier , as well as Thomas Ouimet , who now is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District 120 board of education .
Four years ago , Lentz defeated Holly Kim by a mere five votes .
Abernathy and Meier are running with full slates of candidates for village board and clerk posts .
Abernathy 's slate is composed of trustee candidates Willie Davis McKennie , Ray Mullen and Angela Trillhaase , and clerk hopeful Heather Mullen-Gaschler .
Meier is running with trustee candidates Sol Cabachuela , Edith Reese and Tim Wilson and clerk hopeful Karen Walsh .
In Antioch , incumbent Mayor Larry Hanson , who is seeking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ village Trustee Mary Dominiak , attorney Scott Gartner and resident Stacy Ellis .
`` I 've been challenged about every time I 've ever run , '' said Hanson , a lifelong resident who served 14 years on the board before being elected mayor in 2009 .
Dominiak was elected in 2011 and is in the midst of her third term .
The two remaining years of her term would be open if she wins but if not , she would retain the seat .
There are five residents vying for three seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson and Pierce are seeking reelection .
They 're joined by Mary Priller , Brent Bluthardt and Petrina Burman .
In Gurnee , the competition to replace longtime Mayor Kristina Kovarik as top elected official is between incumbent village Trustee Tom Hood , whom Kovarik has endorsed , and David Weinstein , a lawyer who has served most recently on the Woodland School District 50 school board .
Weinstein said Monday he is not planning to run for reelection on the Woodland 50 board .
Barring a write-in candidate , there wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the board .
Incumbent Gurnee trustees Jeanne Balmes and Karen Thorstenson filed for reelection , and former police Chief Kevin Woodside , who retired as Gurnee 's top cop in 2018 after 30 years on the force , will fill the seat left by Hood .
In Lake Zurich , incumbent Tom Poynton is seeking a third term as the village 's top elected leader and is being challenged by Jeff Halen , who served two terms as a trustee before two unsuccessful village board bids in 2017 and 2019 .
Village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slate with Halen in 2019 , said Monday she will support him .
Poynton filed to run as part of a five-member slate called `` Lake Zurich Forward Slate . ''
The group includes incumbent trustees Mary Beth Euker and Greg Weider , incumbent Village Clerk Kathleen Johnson and newcomer Daniel Bobrowski .
The Lake County school district with the most board candidates is Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 , where 11 residents have filed paperwork .
The candidate pool includes nine challengers and two incumbents vying for four seats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed along with challengers Sean Gay , Kathryn `` Katy '' Talerico , Chris Coughlin , Cara Benjamin , Sonal Kulkarni , Kara Drumke , Jim Connell , Dale J. Sherman and Julie A. Brua .
Despite the large candidate count in District 128 and some others districts , the overall number of school board candidates stayed relatively flat compared to the last local election .
Among the 50 school districts , 217 candidates filed paperwork by the deadline , according to county documents .
Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor said last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run in the 2019 consolidated election .
• Daily Herald senior writer Russell Lissau and staff writer Mick Zawislak contributed to this story .

Antioch, Mundelein have four-way mayoral races; Gurnee and Lake Zurich also contested
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.comRobert Yanik of Lakemoor filed to run for Grant Community High School District 124 board last week at the Lake County clerk's office in Waukegan.
Editor's note: Dawn Abernathy is running with a full slate composed of trustee candidates Willie Davismckennie, Ray Mullen and Angela Trillhaase, and clerk hopeful Heather Mullen-Gaschler. Mayoral candidates Robin Meier and Steve Lentz each are running solo. Also running independently are trustee candidates Sol Cabachuela, Edith Reese, Tim Wilson and Jenny Ross, as are clerk hopefuls Karen Walsh and Lisa Willems.
Four-way mayoral races have materialized up in both Mundelein and Antioch for the April 6, 2021, election.
Other contested mayoral races are in Gurnee and Lake Zurich.
The filing deadline for Lake County residents hoping to gain or retain elected municipal, school, park, library, township and fire district office passed at 5 p.m. Monday.
In Mundelein, incumbent Mayor Steve Lentz is seeking a third term. He'll be challenged by two veteran trustees, Dawn Abernathy and Robin Meier, as well as Thomas Ouimet, who now is vice president of the Mundelein High School District 120 board.
Four years ago, Lentz defeated challenger Holly Kim by a mere five votes.
Meier unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2013.
Abernathy is running with a full slate composed of trustee candidates Willie Davismckennie, Ray Mullen and Angela Trillhaase, and clerk hopeful Heather Mullen-Gaschler.
Meier and Lentz each are running solo.
Also running independently are trustee candidates Sol Cabachuela, Edith Reese, Tim Wilson and Jenny Ross, as are clerk hopefuls Karen Walsh and Lisa Willems.
Cabachuela is the current clerk.
In Antioch, incumbent Mayor Larry Hanson, who is seeking a fourth term, is being challenged by village Trustee Mary Dominiak, attorney Scott Gartner and resident Stacy Ellis.
"I've been challenged about every time I've ever run," said Hanson, a lifelong resident who served 14 years on the board before being elected mayor in 2009.
Dominiak was elected in 2011 and is in the midst of her third term. The two remaining years of her term would be open if she wins but if not, she would retain the seat.
There are five residents vying for three seats on the Antioch village board. Incumbents Johnson and Pierce are seeking reelection. They're joined by Mary Priller, Brent Bluthardt and Petrina Burman.
In Gurnee, the competition to replace longtime Mayor Kristina Kovarik as top elected official is between incumbent village Trustee Tom Hood, whom Kovarik has endorsed, and David Weinstein, a lawyer who has served most recently on the Woodland School District 50 school board. Weinstein said Monday he is not planning to run for reelection on the Woodland 50 board.
Barring a write-in candidate, there won't be competition for the three upcoming vacancies on the board. Incumbent Gurnee trustees Jeanne Balmes and Karen Thorstenson filed for reelection, and former police Chief Kevin Woodside, who retired as Gurnee's top cop in 2018 after 30 years on the force, will fill the seat left by Hood.
In Lake Zurich, incumbent Tom Poynton is seeking a third term as the village's top elected leader and is being challenged by Jeff Halen, who served two terms as a trustee before two unsuccessful village board bids in 2017 and 2019. Village Trustee Janice Gannon, who ran on a slate with Halen in 2019, said Monday she will support him.
Poynton filed to run as part of a five-member slate called "Lake Zurich Forward Slate." The group includes incumbent trustees Mary Beth Euker and Greg Weider, incumbent Village Clerk Kathleen Johnson and newcomer Daniel Bobrowski.
The Lake County school district with the most board candidates is Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128, where 11 residents have filed paperwork.
The candidate pool includes nine challengers and two incumbents vying for four seats. Incumbents Don Carmichael and Kevin Huber have filed along with challengers Sean Gay, Kathryn "Katy" Talerico, Chris Coughlin, Cara Benjamin, Sonal Kulkarni, Kara Drumke, Jim Connell, Dale J. Sherman and Julie A. Brua.
Despite the large candidate count in District 128 and some others districts, the overall number of school board candidates stayed relatively flat compared to the last local election. Among the 50 school districts, 217 candidates filed paperwork by the deadline, according to county documents. Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor said last week that 218 school board candidates filed to run in the 2019 consolidated election.
• Daily Herald senior writer Russell Lissau and staff writer Mick Zawislak contributed to this story.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--La Russa: I feel deep remorse and regret

During last week 's `` virtual '' winter meetings , major league baseball made 29 of its 30 managers available to the media on Zoom calls .
Tony La Russa was the only one missing .
The White Sox 's new manager had legal issues to tend to , and he did conduct a phone interview with local reporters Monday after they were resolved .
Arrested last February in Phoenix and charged with driving under the influence , the 76-year-old La Russa pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving and wo n't be facing any jail time .
La @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence in 2007 after he was found sleeping in his running sport utility vehicle at a stop light in Florida .
This time around , he was handed a lesser charge and will pay a $ 1,300 fine , perform 20 hours of community service and spend one day in home detention .
`` The charge was reduced because Mr. La Russa was found to be over the legal threshold by a small amount , '' Lawrence Kazan , La Russa 's lawyer , said in a statement .
Before taking questions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologetic in his opening remarks .
`` I want to begin by saying I brought this on myself , '' La Russa said .
`` I know it .
I feel deep remorse and regret over what I did .
It 's impossible actually to explain how daily and deeply this gets at you and has bothered me for a long time .
Obviously , I displayed bad judgment that night in February .
I am grateful for the White Sox for standing by me , even though this happened before they hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I let them down and many others .
My family , friends and I think , starting out in Chicago , I 've let the fans down .
I think about fans in Oakland and St. Louis , many of them became friends , and now starting again in Chicago , it 's not the way I wanted to start my relationship the second time around . ''
La Russa is already a Hall of Fame manager who won two World Series rings with St. Louis and one more with Oakland .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 sent shock waves throughout the game .
Not only did La Russa last manage in 2011 , he did not fit the profile Sox general manager Rick Hahn laid out after parting ways with Rick Renteria .
Hahn said his ideal candidate would have experience with a championship organization in `` recent years . ''
White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has been close with La Russa for decades and he obviously made the call to hire the same manager he fired in 1986 .
The Sox knew about La Russa 's latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They say there will be no more chances for the manager .
`` We understand that people make mistakes and exercise poor judgment in life , '' the White Sox said in a statement .
`` In this case , Tony is fortunate his decisions that night did not injure himself or anyone else .
We also believe people deserve the opportunity , at all points in their lives , to improve .
Tony knows there is no safety net below him .
There can not be a third strike . ''
La @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alcohol abuse , and he said he does not have a drinking problem .
`` I know I do n't have a drinking problem , just like I know I made a serious mistake in February , '' La Russa said .
`` And where I am right now is to prove that I do n't have a drinking problem and to prove it every day off the field that I 'm going to handle it .
And what 's painfully clear to me is , if I have a drink , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always an alternative , have a car service , call Lyft , Uber , have a friend ( drive ) , if I 'm with somebody .
The options , the alternatives are going to help me prove that I 'm going to take care of this issue the way it should be . ''
La Russa is well aware that a sizable segment of White Sox fans were not happy when he was hired after being away from the dugout so long .
Adding on another impaired driving incident has made him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be concerned because it 's a mistake that is totally avoidable , and I 'm pleased that I 'm having a chance to talk publicly about the anger that I feel for myself for making that mistake , '' La Russa said .
`` I know how serious , when you have a drink and you decide to drive , what a mistake , how serious that mistake is .
There has n't been a day since February , and even when it became public , that I have n't been upset with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I think about the effect on the people I know , my family , friends , the fans .
It all comes together . ''

La Russa: I feel deep remorse and regret
Tony La Russa throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game in August 2014 in Chicago. Associated Press
White Sox manager Tony La Russa's driving under the influence charge from last February was downgraded to reckless driving Monday in Arizona. He accepted full responsibility for his action in remarks before taking questions at a Monday afternoon news conference. Associated Press
During last week's "virtual" winter meetings, major league baseball made 29 of its 30 managers available to the media on Zoom calls.
Tony La Russa was the only one missing.
The White Sox's new manager had legal issues to tend to, and he did conduct a phone interview with local reporters Monday after they were resolved.
Arrested last February in Phoenix and charged with driving under the influence, the 76-year-old La Russa pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving and won't be facing any jail time.
La Russa pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in 2007 after he was found sleeping in his running sport utility vehicle at a stop light in Florida.
This time around, he was handed a lesser charge and will pay a $1,300 fine, perform 20 hours of community service and spend one day in home detention.
"The charge was reduced because Mr. La Russa was found to be over the legal threshold by a small amount," Lawrence Kazan, La Russa's lawyer, said in a statement.
Before taking questions from the media Monday, La Russa was apologetic in his opening remarks.
"I want to begin by saying I brought this on myself," La Russa said. "I know it. I feel deep remorse and regret over what I did. It's impossible actually to explain how daily and deeply this gets at you and has bothered me for a long time. Obviously, I displayed bad judgment that night in February. I am grateful for the White Sox for standing by me, even though this happened before they hired me.
"I really feel like I let them down and many others. My family, friends and I think, starting out in Chicago, I've let the fans down. I think about fans in Oakland and St. Louis, many of them became friends, and now starting again in Chicago, it's not the way I wanted to start my relationship the second time around."
La Russa is already a Hall of Fame manager who won two World Series rings with St. Louis and one more with Oakland.
But his return to the Sox on Oct. 29 sent shock waves throughout the game. Not only did La Russa last manage in 2011, he did not fit the profile Sox general manager Rick Hahn laid out after parting ways with Rick Renteria.
Hahn said his ideal candidate would have experience with a championship organization in "recent years."
White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has been close with La Russa for decades and he obviously made the call to hire the same manager he fired in 1986.
The Sox knew about La Russa's latest trouble before he was brought back. They say there will be no more chances for the manager.
"We understand that people make mistakes and exercise poor judgment in life," the White Sox said in a statement. "In this case, Tony is fortunate his decisions that night did not injure himself or anyone else. We also believe people deserve the opportunity, at all points in their lives, to improve. Tony knows there is no safety net below him. There cannot be a third strike."
La Russa completed a 20-hour counseling session on alcohol abuse, and he said he does not have a drinking problem.
"I know I don't have a drinking problem, just like I know I made a serious mistake in February," La Russa said. "And where I am right now is to prove that I don't have a drinking problem and to prove it every day off the field that I'm going to handle it. And what's painfully clear to me is, if I have a drink, I will not drive.
"There's always an alternative, have a car service, call Lyft, Uber, have a friend (drive), if I'm with somebody. The options, the alternatives are going to help me prove that I'm going to take care of this issue the way it should be."
La Russa is well aware that a sizable segment of White Sox fans were not happy when he was hired after being away from the dugout so long. Adding on another impaired driving incident has made him even less popular.
"Fans should be concerned because it's a mistake that is totally avoidable, and I'm pleased that I'm having a chance to talk publicly about the anger that I feel for myself for making that mistake," La Russa said. "I know how serious, when you have a drink and you decide to drive, what a mistake, how serious that mistake is. There hasn't been a day since February, and even when it became public, that I haven't been upset with myself and feel tremendous remorse or regret. And I think about the effect on the people I know, my family, friends, the fans. It all comes together."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--Schaumburg woman dies in Bartlett crash

Schaumburg woman dies in Bartlett crash

A 24-year-old Schaumburg woman died from injuries she suffered early Sunday morning when her vehicle struck a curb , drove @ @ @ @ @ into a tree in Bartlett .
Gigi E. Robles of Schaumburg , who had been @ @ @ @ @ north on South Bartlett Road near Main Street , was taken to St. Alexius Medical @ @ @ @ @ where she died at 3 a.m. Bartlett police and Bartlett Fire Protection District paramedics were @ @ @ @ @ about 2:10 a.m. , authorities said .
The Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team of @ @ @ @ @ Reconstruction Team are investigating the crash .
Robles was identified by the Cook County medical @ @ @ @ @ the crash investigation was still awaiting autopsy results Monday morning .
Anyone with information about @ @ @ @ @ Bartlett Police Department 's Investigations Section at ( 630 ) 837-0846 .

Schaumburg woman dies in Bartlett crash
A 24-year-old Schaumburg woman died from injuries she suffered early Sunday morning when her vehicle struck a curb, drove off the road and crashed into a tree in Bartlett.
Gigi E. Robles of Schaumburg, who had been driving the 2008 Nissan Rogue north on South Bartlett Road near Main Street, was taken to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, where she died at 3 a.m.
Bartlett police and Bartlett Fire Protection District paramedics were called to the single-vehicle crash about 2:10 a.m., authorities said.
The Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team of DuPage County's Major Crash Reconstruction Team are investigating the crash.
Robles was identified by the Cook County medical examiner's office, but the crash investigation was still awaiting autopsy results Monday morning.
Anyone with information about the crash should call the Bartlett Police Department's Investigations Section at (630) 837-0846.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-21--Bills would allow state lawmakers to meet, vote remotely

SPRINGFIELD -- Two lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow the General Assembly to meet and vote remotely during a pandemic or other emergency that makes in-person meetings dangerous .
Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Robert Martwick , both Chicago Democrats , filed the legislation Monday , saying the current inability to conduct business remotely has hindered lawmakers ' ability to respond to the health crisis .
`` In March , we had no idea a pandemic would sweep the globe , bringing life as we know it to a halt , '' Williams said in a news release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a few days in May to conduct urgent business , we continue to face a crisis of epic proportions -- both on the public health front and in terms of our budget situation -- that requires legislative attention . ''
`` The governor has emergency powers to secure the health of our state , '' Martwick said .
`` However , it is the legislature 's responsibility to enact the long-term policies , in accordance with the needs of our unique and diverse constituencies , which will chart the path forward as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business in the General Assembly halted in March , around the same time Gov .
J.B. Pritzker declared a statewide disaster .
Lawmakers held a brief special session in May , mainly to pass a budget and a few other urgent pieces of legislation , but they canceled their usual fall veto session and have not conducted any official business since May 24 .
During that special session , the Senate enacted a procedural rule that allows its committees to meet remotely , but only for informational meetings .
They are not allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee that has taken official action since May has been the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules , which has held monthly in-person meetings in Springfield .
A bill that would have allowed lawmakers to meet and vote on legislation failed by a single vote in the House in May .
Under the proposed legislation , remote sessions and committee meetings would be allowed `` in times of pestilence or an emergency resulting from a domestic or foreign terrorist attack '' if the speaker of the House and Senate president issue a joint proclamation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring the meetings be accessible for the public to view .
The bill is House Bill 5868 .
As of Monday afternoon , the Senate version had not been assigned a bill number .

Bills would allow state lawmakers to meet, vote remotely
In May, members of the Illinois House met at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield instead of in their chamber in the Capitol building a few blocks away because it afforded more space for legislators to practice social distancing. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register
SPRINGFIELD -- Two lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow the General Assembly to meet and vote remotely during a pandemic or other emergency that makes in-person meetings dangerous.
Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Robert Martwick, both Chicago Democrats, filed the legislation Monday, saying the current inability to conduct business remotely has hindered lawmakers' ability to respond to the health crisis.
"In March, we had no idea a pandemic would sweep the globe, bringing life as we know it to a halt," Williams said in a news release. "While we were able to meet for a few days in May to conduct urgent business, we continue to face a crisis of epic proportions -- both on the public health front and in terms of our budget situation -- that requires legislative attention."
"The governor has emergency powers to secure the health of our state," Martwick said. "However, it is the legislature's responsibility to enact the long-term policies, in accordance with the needs of our unique and diverse constituencies, which will chart the path forward as we recover from this pandemic."
Business in the General Assembly halted in March, around the same time Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared a statewide disaster. Lawmakers held a brief special session in May, mainly to pass a budget and a few other urgent pieces of legislation, but they canceled their usual fall veto session and have not conducted any official business since May 24.
During that special session, the Senate enacted a procedural rule that allows its committees to meet remotely, but only for informational meetings. They are not allowed to take recorded votes. The only committee that has taken official action since May has been the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, which has held monthly in-person meetings in Springfield.
A bill that would have allowed lawmakers to meet and vote on legislation failed by a single vote in the House in May.
Under the proposed legislation, remote sessions and committee meetings would be allowed "in times of pestilence or an emergency resulting from a domestic or foreign terrorist attack" if the speaker of the House and Senate president issue a joint proclamation. The bill also contains a provision requiring the meetings be accessible for the public to view.
The bill is House Bill 5868. As of Monday afternoon, the Senate version had not been assigned a bill number.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-20--Rozner: Decades later, Bears still missing leader at the top

The owners may take your money and snicker when you walk out the door , but the paying customer is not as dumb as they think .
You know you 're getting a pitchfork between the shoulder blades .
But every half-decade or so , Bears fans get fed up enough to raise their voices and remember why this horror movie gets replayed over and over again -- with the same dreadful ending .
Atop the food chain sit George McCaskey and Ted Phillips , the ownership group remaining intact , perhaps planning as we speak their next great hire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have is a good one , '' George McCaskey said late on a Monday in 2014 after firing GM Phil Emery and head coach Marc Trestman .
`` The head coach reports to the GM .
The GM reports to the team president .
And the president reports to the chairman . ''
Chairman McCaskey knows it was team president Phillips using search firms and consultants to discover the likes of Jerry Angelo , Emery and Ryan Pace , and they have produced one playoff victory the last 14 years .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is an impressive record of futility .
`` We have an excellent collaboration , '' McCaskey said that day .
`` Ted keeps me informed on actions he 's taking , or will take .
We collaborate .
It 's not a voting situation . ''
But are they truly football qualified ?
`` I think Ted and I understand the history of the Bears , '' McCaskey said .
`` Ted and I have lived it .
We feel a collaborative effort is best way to go . ''
Might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control of the operation , as did Rocky Wirtz and Tom Ricketts ?
Would the Bears be better off tomorrow if they hired John McDonough , as has been suggested here so many times over the years ?
But that would mean surrendering power and allowing McDonough to spend huge dollars to go after Bill Belichick -- and those like him .
There has never been a hint that the family would be willing to do something like that , not when Phillips and McCaskey see themselves as genuine football experts .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1979 , which led to the departure of Jim Finks in 1983 and the firing of Jerry Vainisi in 1986 .
If Mugs had been around , Finks would not have bolted .
If not for Michael McCaskey , Vainisi would n't have been tossed out .
After that , Michael McCaskey famously botched the stadium negotiations , and together with the Dave McGinnis debacle , the McCaskeys had to put Ted Phillips out front and in charge just to get the city on board with the stadium .
At the height @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Hatley to run the draft in 2001 , knowing for certain that he was leaving shortly thereafter due to conflicts with Phillips .
And now here we are with Ryan Pace , Matt Nagy and Mitch Trubisky filling all three circus rings , elephants on parade and clowns throwing buckets of confetti all over the patrons .
Beating bad teams late in the season does n't change that reality , unless you carry pompoms for a living .
Bring them all back .
Do n't bring them back .
Whatever .
Seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have an NFL quarterback coached by a coordinator who can make in-game adjustments , and that coach is given players -- not projects -- by an erudite general manager , it 's all a fool 's errand .
And those things will not occur until there is genuine football leadership at the top that finds the GM , coach and QB .
The question is a rather simple one , if you own the team .
Can you envision Trubisky playing quarterback in a Super Bowl , making wise decisions and leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pressure of the biggest sporting event on the planet and makes smart calls and in-game adjustments ?
That is , after all , the point of the exercise .
It 's wonderful that the Bears beat an awful Vikings team Sunday and do n't you worry that Trubisky tried his best to give away another game .
Do n't even fret that the only reason Nagy finally fed his running back was that the kick returner he prefers at running back got hurt .
Next week , Nagy will be fired up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his players after they take out the 1-13 Jaguars .
But after finishing 8-8 a year ago , the Bears are now 7-7 in the sixth year of a rebuild that included a six-game losing streak and a single victory over a team with a winning record .
The Bears think you 're too dumb to see this for what it is , that you 'll keep forking over that season-ticket money no matter what , sheep funneled through those gates with no consideration for time and money wasted .
All while knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitchfork to the scapula .

Rozner: Decades later, Bears still missing leader at the top
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky, center, hypes up his teammates before the start of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis. Associated Press
The owners may take your money and snicker when you walk out the door, but the paying customer is not as dumb as they think.
You know you're getting a pitchfork between the shoulder blades.
But every half-decade or so, Bears fans get fed up enough to raise their voices and remember why this horror movie gets replayed over and over again -- with the same dreadful ending.
Atop the food chain sit George McCaskey and Ted Phillips, the ownership group remaining intact, perhaps planning as we speak their next great hire.
"We feel the structure we have is a good one," George McCaskey said late on a Monday in 2014 after firing GM Phil Emery and head coach Marc Trestman. "The head coach reports to the GM. The GM reports to the team president. And the president reports to the chairman."
Chairman McCaskey knows it was team president Phillips using search firms and consultants to discover the likes of Jerry Angelo, Emery and Ryan Pace, and they have produced one playoff victory the last 14 years.
In a parity-stricken league where rebuilds take two years, this is an impressive record of futility.
"We have an excellent collaboration," McCaskey said that day. "Ted keeps me informed on actions he's taking, or will take. We collaborate. It's not a voting situation."
But are they truly football qualified?
"I think Ted and I understand the history of the Bears," McCaskey said. "Ted and I have lived it. We feel a collaborative effort is best way to go."
Might it be better if the family relinquished control of the operation, as did Rocky Wirtz and Tom Ricketts? Would the Bears be better off tomorrow if they hired John McDonough, as has been suggested here so many times over the years?
Naturally.
But that would mean surrendering power and allowing McDonough to spend huge dollars to go after Bill Belichick -- and those like him.
There has never been a hint that the family would be willing to do something like that, not when Phillips and McCaskey see themselves as genuine football experts.
This began with the death of Mugs Halas in 1979, which led to the departure of Jim Finks in 1983 and the firing of Jerry Vainisi in 1986. If Mugs had been around, Finks would not have bolted. If not for Michael McCaskey, Vainisi wouldn't have been tossed out.
After that, Michael McCaskey famously botched the stadium negotiations, and together with the Dave McGinnis debacle, the McCaskeys had to put Ted Phillips out front and in charge just to get the city on board with the stadium.
Phillips led directly to Angelo, Emery and Pace.
At the height of the circus, they even allowed Mark Hatley to run the draft in 2001, knowing for certain that he was leaving shortly thereafter due to conflicts with Phillips.
And now here we are with Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy and Mitch Trubisky filling all three circus rings, elephants on parade and clowns throwing buckets of confetti all over the patrons.
Beating bad teams late in the season doesn't change that reality, unless you carry pompoms for a living.
Bring them all back. Don't bring them back. Whatever. Seriously, whatever.
Just know that until you have an NFL quarterback coached by a coordinator who can make in-game adjustments, and that coach is given players -- not projects -- by an erudite general manager, it's all a fool's errand.
And those things will not occur until there is genuine football leadership at the top that finds the GM, coach and QB.
The question is a rather simple one, if you own the team. Can you envision Trubisky playing quarterback in a Super Bowl, making wise decisions and leading his team to victory while Nagy handles the pressure of the biggest sporting event on the planet and makes smart calls and in-game adjustments?
That is, after all, the point of the exercise.
It's wonderful that the Bears beat an awful Vikings team Sunday and don't you worry that Trubisky tried his best to give away another game. Don't even fret that the only reason Nagy finally fed his running back was that the kick returner he prefers at running back got hurt.
Talk about a steep learning curve for a genius coach.
Next week, Nagy will be fired up and talk about how much he loves his players after they take out the 1-13 Jaguars.
But after finishing 8-8 a year ago, the Bears are now 7-7 in the sixth year of a rebuild that included a six-game losing streak and a single victory over a team with a winning record.
Yippee.
The Bears think you're too dumb to see this for what it is, that you'll keep forking over that season-ticket money no matter what, sheep funneled through those gates with no consideration for time and money wasted.
All while knowing that sensation in your back is a pitchfork to the scapula.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-22--Deal to bring grocery store, Raising Cane's to Arlington Heights shopping center gets OK

Arlington Heights village board members unanimously agreed Monday to give nearly $ 1.4 million in tax increment financing dollars to a shopping center owner , who has promised to bring a new fast food restaurant and still-undisclosed grocery store to town .
Eight trustees and the mayor signed off on a 22-page redevelopment agreement with Town & Country Shopping Center owner Visconsi Cos. , which says it requested the public funds to revive the brick-and-mortar retail site that 's struggled with vacancies and lower rents in recent years , only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic .
In agreeing to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said during a virtual meeting Monday night that grocery-anchored shopping centers tend to perform better than retail centers with no grocers because of the daily foot traffic they provide .
The big-box site near Arlington Heights and Palatine roads was the longtime home of a Dominick 's and , for a short time , a Joe Caputo & Sons but has remained vacant since 2015 .
Still , officials with Visconsi , the Pepper Pike , Ohio-based commercial real estate operator , declined to reveal the name of the prospective grocer with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vacant 50,000-square-foot mall space , per the terms of a nondisclosure agreement .
`` I think it 's a benefit to the community .
It 's a benefit to the shopping center , '' said Dominic Visconsi Jr. , the company 's co-chief executive officer .
`` We 're bringing in a new retailer that 's not in the area .
It benefits the community by adding competition in the grocery sector .
It keeps the center viable .
I think that 's a very important addition to the shopping center .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will provide $ 1,399,000 to partially reimburse the shopping center operator 's $ 2.4 million worth of renovation costs .
That includes upgrades to the building in preparation for the new grocer , and site improvements for the new 3,736-square-foot outlot restaurant and drive-through at 225 E. Palatine Road .
The eatery was announced in July 2019 as Raising Cane 's , a quick-service chain featuring chicken fingers and crinkle-cut fries .
The tenants will pick up the remaining $ 12.1 million in project costs , officials said .
Renovations at the grocery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacement , interior demolition , facade work , asbestos and environmental abatement , and interior buildout .
Plans call for work crews to extend utilities to the new restaurant and improve access to the site .
The shopping center owners and officials from the village 's community development department fielded questions from village trustees about terms of the deal , which was the result of more than a year of discussions .
`` I think what you guys are doing right now is important to the viability of the shopping center , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every time that the shopping center is bringing in a new tenant , '' Trustee John Scaletta said .
`` I think that these circumstances are a little bit unique .
But there 's nine of us , and if we do n't ask you questions , we would n't be doing our jobs because we are the stewards of taxpayer dollars .
And that 's what 's the most important is making sure that whatever money we put forward is in good faith and is going to be used wisely and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The village set up the TIF district that includes the shopping center in 2005 , whereby property taxes above a certain point began to be diverted to a special fund for economic development efforts , instead of local governments like schools , parks and the library .
Construction on the grocery store and restaurant is set to begin by October 2021 , with openings by June 2022 , the agreement says .

Deal to bring grocery store, Raising Cane's to Arlington Heights shopping center gets OK
Arlington Heights village board members unanimously agreed Monday to give nearly $1.4 million in tax increment financing dollars to a shopping center owner, who has promised to bring a new fast food restaurant and still-undisclosed grocery store to town.
Eight trustees and the mayor signed off on a 22-page redevelopment agreement with Town & Country Shopping Center owner Visconsi Cos., which says it requested the public funds to revive the brick-and-mortar retail site that's struggled with vacancies and lower rents in recent years, only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In agreeing to the deal, both the developer and village officials said during a virtual meeting Monday night that grocery-anchored shopping centers tend to perform better than retail centers with no grocers because of the daily foot traffic they provide. The big-box site near Arlington Heights and Palatine roads was the longtime home of a Dominick's and, for a short time, a Joe Caputo & Sons but has remained vacant since 2015.
Still, officials with Visconsi, the Pepper Pike, Ohio-based commercial real estate operator, declined to reveal the name of the prospective grocer with whom they've inked a lease for the vacant 50,000-square-foot mall space, per the terms of a nondisclosure agreement.
"I think it's a benefit to the community. It's a benefit to the shopping center," said Dominic Visconsi Jr., the company's co-chief executive officer. "We're bringing in a new retailer that's not in the area. It benefits the community by adding competition in the grocery sector. It keeps the center viable. I think that's a very important addition to the shopping center."
Under the deal, the village will provide $1,399,000 to partially reimburse the shopping center operator's $2.4 million worth of renovation costs. That includes upgrades to the building in preparation for the new grocer, and site improvements for the new 3,736-square-foot outlot restaurant and drive-through at 225 E. Palatine Road. The eatery was announced in July 2019 as Raising Cane's, a quick-service chain featuring chicken fingers and crinkle-cut fries.
The tenants will pick up the remaining $12.1 million in project costs, officials said.
Renovations at the grocery store space include a roof repair and replacement, interior demolition, facade work, asbestos and environmental abatement, and interior buildout. Plans call for work crews to extend utilities to the new restaurant and improve access to the site.
The shopping center owners and officials from the village's community development department fielded questions from village trustees about terms of the deal, which was the result of more than a year of discussions.
"I think what you guys are doing right now is important to the viability of the shopping center, but we can't be a willing participant every time that the shopping center is bringing in a new tenant," Trustee John Scaletta said. "I think that these circumstances are a little bit unique. But there's nine of us, and if we don't ask you questions, we wouldn't be doing our jobs because we are the stewards of taxpayer dollars. And that's what's the most important is making sure that whatever money we put forward is in good faith and is going to be used wisely and isn't seen as a government handout."
The village set up the TIF district that includes the shopping center in 2005, whereby property taxes above a certain point began to be diverted to a special fund for economic development efforts, instead of local governments like schools, parks and the library.
Construction on the grocery store and restaurant is set to begin by October 2021, with openings by June 2022, the agreement says.