dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Constable: Stress declared winner in 2020, but we don't have to let it rule

If you are freaking out over the election results , stop it .
Why engage in a new freak-out about whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden will be named as president of the United States for the next four years when you could simply continue your old freak-out about how the coronavirus might kill 250,000 Americans by Thanksgiving and continues to separate us from loved ones , ruin our economy and threaten our very way of life ?
Then there 's always that everlasting question about what is wrong with the Chicago Bears ' offense .
Clearly , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our phones have been ringing off the wall , '' says psychologist Denise Casey , founder and director of Barrington Behavioral Health & Wellness .
`` I have spent many hours with clients discussing their fears and concerns . ''
Nearly eight in 10 adults cite the coronavirus pandemic as `` a significant source of stress , '' according to the `` Stress in America 2020 '' report by the American Psychological Association .
Another 77 % of adults say the `` future of our nation '' is the source of their stress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election drama , where half our nation is consumed with the frightening idea that the other half is a crazy and evil assortment out to destroy the country we love .
Nearly half of adults say stress has taken a physical and emotional toll .
About one in every five people report tension in their bodies , angrily `` snapping '' at people , experiencing unexpected mood swings or screaming at a loved one .
Not included in the study are the small percentage who carry an AR-15 to a peaceful protest or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven in 10 Americans ( 71 % ) say this is the lowest point in our nation 's history that they can remember , which makes me wonder if the other 29 percent are old enough to remember the Civil War .
But it 's our younger Americans who are most in danger of long-term consequences of persistent stress and trauma , according to the stress study .
Members of Generation Z , which includes everyone from age 13 to 23 , are facing `` unprecedented uncertainty '' and `` elevated stress '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study says .
It 's stressful to worry about whether you 'll ever be able to go to middle school , high school or college , get a job , travel , have a normal date , or avoid getting punched in the mask or mouth by someone with a different political view .
People initially looked at the pandemic as `` a month at home , '' Casey says .
`` That sprint turned into a marathon . ''
Piling on the stress of this election has people saying , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the psychologist adds .
In a world where we ca n't control whether the neighbors will wear masks or how the state of Pennsylvania votes , we can control our response .
`` Are we trying to escape , or are we doing things that will be life-giving ? ''
Casey asks .
`` What are your COVID bonuses ? ''
she says , noting patients found comfort in everything from comfy slippers and cooking to therapy dogs and nature walks .
Our autonomic nervous system gives us sympathetic responses known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses known as `` rest and digest . ''
One is exciting , and the other is calming .
`` We keep our foot on the pedal of stress by the perception of threat , '' she says .
Taking a nature walk , playing with a dog , cooking a tasty meal , or simply being kind and helping other people is healthier than eating a pint of ice-cream while glued to the toxicity of all those posts on social media .
`` Ultimately , people want to feel safe , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoiding anything stressful .
`` You function at your best when you have an optional level of stress , '' Casey says .
`` Stress can be good . ''
Take comfort in the fact that people are not just giving up and curling into the fetal position .
`` Regardless of what side you were on , people came out in record-breaking droves to vote , '' she says .
Things could improve .
`` One more thing that is vital to coping -- hope , '' Casey says .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Constable: Stress declared winner in 2020, but we don't have to let it rule
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden speak to supporters Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware, as the nation tries to make sense of our stressful election results. Associated Press
The election of 2020 leaves a pile of stress in its wake, as President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House, early Wednesday. Associated Press
Stress can be disruptive, but learning how to deal with it can be rewarding, says psychologist Denise Casey, founder and director of Barrington Behavioral Health & Wellness. Courtesy of Robert E. Potter III
Diane Spiteri clutches her absentee ballot before dropping it off at the city clerk's office in Warren, Mich., Wednesday. "I just can't wait until the whole thing is over. And I think it's long from over, even after Tuesday. There's just so much anxiety," she said. Associated press
If you are freaking out over the election results, stop it.
Why engage in a new freak-out about whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden will be named as president of the United States for the next four years when you could simply continue your old freak-out about how the coronavirus might kill 250,000 Americans by Thanksgiving and continues to separate us from loved ones, ruin our economy and threaten our very way of life?
Then there's always that everlasting question about what is wrong with the Chicago Bears' offense.
Clearly, we have a lot to stress about.
"Our phones have been ringing off the wall," says psychologist Denise Casey, founder and director of Barrington Behavioral Health & Wellness. "I have spent many hours with clients discussing their fears and concerns."
Nearly eight in 10 adults cite the coronavirus pandemic as "a significant source of stress," according to the "Stress in America 2020" report by the American Psychological Association. Another 77% of adults say the "future of our nation" is the source of their stress. And that was before our current election drama, where half our nation is consumed with the frightening idea that the other half is a crazy and evil assortment out to destroy the country we love.
Nearly half of adults say stress has taken a physical and emotional toll. About one in every five people report tension in their bodies, angrily "snapping" at people, experiencing unexpected mood swings or screaming at a loved one. Not included in the study are the small percentage who carry an AR-15 to a peaceful protest or loot a liquor store.
More than seven in 10 Americans (71%) say this is the lowest point in our nation's history that they can remember, which makes me wonder if the other 29 percent are old enough to remember the Civil War. But it's our younger Americans who are most in danger of long-term consequences of persistent stress and trauma, according to the stress study.
Members of Generation Z, which includes everyone from age 13 to 23, are facing "unprecedented uncertainty" and "elevated stress" and already report symptoms of depression, the study says. It's stressful to worry about whether you'll ever be able to go to middle school, high school or college, get a job, travel, have a normal date, or avoid getting punched in the mask or mouth by someone with a different political view.
People initially looked at the pandemic as "a month at home," Casey says. "That sprint turned into a marathon."
Piling on the stress of this election has people saying, "I can't believe my neighbors," the psychologist adds.
In a world where we can't control whether the neighbors will wear masks or how the state of Pennsylvania votes, we can control our response. "Are we trying to escape, or are we doing things that will be life-giving?" Casey asks.
"What are your COVID bonuses?" she says, noting patients found comfort in everything from comfy slippers and cooking to therapy dogs and nature walks.
Our autonomic nervous system gives us sympathetic responses known as "fight or flight" and parasympathetic responses known as "rest and digest." One is exciting, and the other is calming.
"We keep our foot on the pedal of stress by the perception of threat," she says.
Taking a nature walk, playing with a dog, cooking a tasty meal, or simply being kind and helping other people is healthier than eating a pint of ice-cream while glued to the toxicity of all those posts on social media.
"Ultimately, people want to feel safe," Casey says. That doesn't mean avoiding anything stressful.
"You function at your best when you have an optional level of stress," Casey says. "Stress can be good."
Take comfort in the fact that people are not just giving up and curling into the fetal position.
"Regardless of what side you were on, people came out in record-breaking droves to vote," she says. Things could improve.
"One more thing that is vital to coping -- hope," Casey says. "We always need to hold on to hope."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Elgin City Council votes against making David C Cook building a landmark

The nearly yearlong landmark saga surrounding the David C Cook building came to an end Wednesday as the Elgin City Council voted 5-4 against the designation .
The designation of landmark status was recommended by the Elgin Heritage Commission by an 11-0 vote in early October after it determined the 119-year-old neoclassical office building in the city 's historic district met nine of the 11 criteria .
The issue had been sent to the commission by the council in January .
The council avoided setting a precedent of landmarking a building against the owner 's wishes as the David C @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , strongly opposed the move .
The fate of the office building at 850 N. Grove Ave , which has been vacant since 1994 , can now be decided by the company without the complications that landmark status would confer .
The company still uses some of the warehouse space behind the office building for distribution of its Christian publishing products .
CEO Cris Doornbos , who said the company has been pursuing development opportunities for the property for 15 years , said there is new hope .
`` Another significant , sincere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of us , and their interest is high , '' he said during his comments to the council .
`` But if we get a 'yes ' vote tonight , that idea is off the table in the morning , and I would regret that tremendously . ''
A company spokesman declined to say who the potential suitor is but said Doornbos was `` pleased with the outcome of the vote . ''
The company agreed to put off demolition of the building for six months while it pursues this and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will immediately begin work to stabilize the roof , which has recently fallen into further disrepair .
The issue required a supermajority of the city council to pass , meaning six `` yes '' votes were necessary .
Council members made it apparent from their comments that the outcome of the vote was a foregone conclusion .
Councilman Baldemar Lopez , who was one of the four members to vote for landmark status Wednesday night , said , `` I understand my voting for landmark status may be symbolic , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the community and understand how important historic preservation is for the people that live in the historic district . ''
Council members Corey Dixon , Carol Rauschenberger and John Steffen also voted for the landmark designation .
Councilwoman Tish Powell , who voted to send the issue to the Heritage Commission in January but voted no on Wednesday , said that `` unless the city of Elgin is willing to purchase this property or contribute significant dollars , as we did with the Tower Building , to help ensure its redevelopment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saddle the DC Cook property owner with this designation . ''
Mayor David Kaptain said he voted no this time for the same reasons he voted yes in January .
`` Irony is never lost on me , '' Kaptain said .
`` On the same project I 'm going to vote yes and no with the same goal in mind : that you have time to make this work out . ''

Elgin City Council votes against making David C Cook building a landmark
The nearly yearlong landmark saga surrounding the David C Cook building came to an end Wednesday as the Elgin City Council voted 5-4 against the designation.
The designation of landmark status was recommended by the Elgin Heritage Commission by an 11-0 vote in early October after it determined the 119-year-old neoclassical office building in the city's historic district met nine of the 11 criteria. The issue had been sent to the commission by the council in January.
The council avoided setting a precedent of landmarking a building against the owner's wishes as the David C Cook company, now based in Colorado, strongly opposed the move.
The fate of the office building at 850 N. Grove Ave, which has been vacant since 1994, can now be decided by the company without the complications that landmark status would confer. The company still uses some of the warehouse space behind the office building for distribution of its Christian publishing products.
CEO Cris Doornbos, who said the company has been pursuing development opportunities for the property for 15 years, said there is new hope.
"Another significant, sincere, credible and current opportunity is now in front of us, and their interest is high," he said during his comments to the council. "But if we get a 'yes' vote tonight, that idea is off the table in the morning, and I would regret that tremendously."
A company spokesman declined to say who the potential suitor is but said Doornbos was "pleased with the outcome of the vote."
The company agreed to put off demolition of the building for six months while it pursues this and other options. The company also said it will immediately begin work to stabilize the roof, which has recently fallen into further disrepair.
The issue required a supermajority of the city council to pass, meaning six "yes" votes were necessary. Council members made it apparent from their comments that the outcome of the vote was a foregone conclusion.
Councilman Baldemar Lopez, who was one of the four members to vote for landmark status Wednesday night, said, "I understand my voting for landmark status may be symbolic, but I also have to listen to the members of the community and understand how important historic preservation is for the people that live in the historic district."
Council members Corey Dixon, Carol Rauschenberger and John Steffen also voted for the landmark designation.
Councilwoman Tish Powell, who voted to send the issue to the Heritage Commission in January but voted no on Wednesday, said that "unless the city of Elgin is willing to purchase this property or contribute significant dollars, as we did with the Tower Building, to help ensure its redevelopment, it would be irresponsible of us to saddle the DC Cook property owner with this designation."
Mayor David Kaptain said he voted no this time for the same reasons he voted yes in January.
"Irony is never lost on me," Kaptain said. "On the same project I'm going to vote yes and no with the same goal in mind: that you have time to make this work out."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Will one-mile stretch of Meacham Road be widened, or just repaved?

Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg officials want the state to hold off on resurfacing a milelong stretch of Meacham Road in lieu of a full-scale reconstruction and widening .
But they may not be willing to pay for long-term maintenance of the road , as the state would require .
Talk of widening Meacham from Algonquin Road in Schaumburg to Emerson Avenue in Rolling Meadows has gone on since at least 2014 -- pushed mostly by Schaumburg officials .
They 've argued for the economic benefits an extra lane could provide .
And in April , they got an assist when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Council said they were open to a reconstructed three-lane road .
But it came with the caveat that the city would n't have to maintain its portion of the road to the tune of $ 375,000 over a nearly two-decade life cycle , and resurfacing would cost $ 1 million .
Officials at the Illinois Department of Transportation over the years have gone back and forth about whether they 'd agree to such a deal .
The latest word from the state , however , is that a jurisdictional transfer has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for major roadwork to be performed on an unnumbered state route like Meacham .
So the state earlier this year publicly advertised a resurfacing project for the existing two-lane road , expected to cost $ 750,000 .
That , in turn , prompted a conference call among officials in Rolling Meadows , Schaumburg and Palatine , along with state Sen. Ann Gillespie , in an effort to persuade IDOT to delay its project .
Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg staff members continue to talk about issues related to a potential full-scale reconstruction , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdiction of the bridge that goes over Salt Creek , and who would maintain it .
Who would be responsible for the road remains a major sticking point .
`` I 'm still completely against taking it over , '' Rolling Meadows Alderman Mike Cannon said during a city council meeting last week .
`` If the state wants to do what they want to do , my attitude would be let them do what they want to do .
But I do n't want to take possession of that .
We do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that road going forward . ''
With or without a jurisdictional transfer , Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg would each be on the hook for at least $ 500,000 to rebuild the road , including the addition of a middle turn lane , and installing new storm sewers and curbs and gutters .
The original cost estimate for the work was $ 7 million , with federal and state funds picking up most of the cost .

Will one-mile stretch of Meacham Road be widened, or just repaved?
Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg officials want the state to hold off on resurfacing a milelong stretch of Meacham Road in lieu of a full-scale reconstruction and widening.
But they may not be willing to pay for long-term maintenance of the road, as the state would require.
Talk of widening Meacham from Algonquin Road in Schaumburg to Emerson Avenue in Rolling Meadows has gone on since at least 2014 -- pushed mostly by Schaumburg officials. They've argued for the economic benefits an extra lane could provide.
And in April, they got an assist when four aldermen new to the Rolling Meadows City Council said they were open to a reconstructed three-lane road. But it came with the caveat that the city wouldn't have to maintain its portion of the road to the tune of $375,000 over a nearly two-decade life cycle, and resurfacing would cost $1 million.
Officials at the Illinois Department of Transportation over the years have gone back and forth about whether they'd agree to such a deal. The latest word from the state, however, is that a jurisdictional transfer has to be part of the equation, especially for major roadwork to be performed on an unnumbered state route like Meacham.
So the state earlier this year publicly advertised a resurfacing project for the existing two-lane road, expected to cost $750,000. That, in turn, prompted a conference call among officials in Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Palatine, along with state Sen. Ann Gillespie, in an effort to persuade IDOT to delay its project.
Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg staff members continue to talk about issues related to a potential full-scale reconstruction, including roadway maintenance limits, who would have jurisdiction of the bridge that goes over Salt Creek, and who would maintain it.
Who would be responsible for the road remains a major sticking point.
"I'm still completely against taking it over," Rolling Meadows Alderman Mike Cannon said during a city council meeting last week. "If the state wants to do what they want to do, my attitude would be let them do what they want to do. But I don't want to take possession of that. We don't have the financial resources to handle that road going forward."
With or without a jurisdictional transfer, Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg would each be on the hook for at least $500,000 to rebuild the road, including the addition of a middle turn lane, and installing new storm sewers and curbs and gutters. The original cost estimate for the work was $7 million, with federal and state funds picking up most of the cost.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Bears clear NFL's COVID protocol, plan to practice Friday at Halas Hall

The Bears have been cleared by the NFL to resume full activities at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Friday .
The team will continue under the league 's intensive protocol , meaning players will head home directly after practice and conduct meetings virtually .
The Bears canceled practice Thursday and sent everyone home from the team 's Halas Hall training facility out of an abundance of caution after a player tested positive for COVID-19 .
The NFL Network 's Ian Rapoport reported that Bears center Cody Whitehair had tested positive for the coronavirus .
The Bears provided a brief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Thursday 's positive test was a false positive or if the team is going to place that player and any close contacts on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
The Bears will practice at 12:30 p.m. Friday .
Coach Matt Nagy will address the media again at approximately 2:45 p.m. Friday .
The Bears are scheduled to play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville , Tennessee .
This comes two days after offensive tackle Jason Spriggs tested positive for the virus , and right guard Germain Ifedi was deemed a close contact .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday .
The Bears were in a holding pattern for much of Thursday as they awaited confirmation of the positive COVID-19 test .
`` Once we know that , then we can go ahead and decide as far as ( Friday ) what 's our plan for meetings , what 's our plan for practice , '' Nagy said .
Nagy would n't say how many close contacts could have potentially been exposed if the test was confirmed positive .
Nagy did confirm that he himself was not a close contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number right now with that , '' Nagy said .
`` We 're just waiting for answers .
That 's all we can really do . ''
Nagy confirmed that backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky was in California on Thursday having his shoulder evaluated by a specialist .
Trubisky hurt his shoulder on the one play he was on the field for against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Soldier Field .
Nagy declined to say how long Trubisky might be out .
That leaves the Bears with just two options at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squad quarterback Tyler Bray .
While the Bears have tryouts with free agent quarterbacks Jake Rudock and Kyle Sloter , the league mandates a six-day entry process for free agents due to the coronavirus .
So the Bears wo n't have either free agent quarterback by Sunday .
`` I do n't think that that can happen , '' Nagy said .
`` Even with that said , you 're talking about someone who has n't been around or knows the offense . ''
The NFL is going to do everything it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Titans , who had a COVID-19 outbreak earlier this season , have already had their bye week .
The league likely would n't push Sunday 's game to Monday or Tuesday because the Titans are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday -- already a quick turnaround .
The league kept this Thursday night 's game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers on the schedule despite the 49ers having three wide receivers placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
The 49ers elevated six players from the practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Bears clear NFL's COVID protocol, plan to practice Friday at Halas Hall
Bears center Cody Whitehair leads the offensive lineman on to the field for pregame warmups prior to their Oct. 18 game at Carolina. The Bears closed Halas Hall and canceled practice Thursday because of another positive test for COVID-19, reportedly by Whitehair. Associated Press
The Bears have been cleared by the NFL to resume full activities at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Friday. The team will continue under the league's intensive protocol, meaning players will head home directly after practice and conduct meetings virtually.
The Bears canceled practice Thursday and sent everyone home from the team's Halas Hall training facility out of an abundance of caution after a player tested positive for COVID-19.
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Bears center Cody Whitehair had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Bears provided a brief update Thursday night but did not specify whether Thursday's positive test was a false positive or if the team is going to place that player and any close contacts on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Bears will practice at 12:30 p.m. Friday. Coach Matt Nagy will address the media again at approximately 2:45 p.m. Friday. The Bears are scheduled to play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee.
This comes two days after offensive tackle Jason Spriggs tested positive for the virus, and right guard Germain Ifedi was deemed a close contact. Spriggs and Ifedi were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
The Bears were in a holding pattern for much of Thursday as they awaited confirmation of the positive COVID-19 test.
"Once we know that, then we can go ahead and decide as far as (Friday) what's our plan for meetings, what's our plan for practice," Nagy said.
Nagy wouldn't say how many close contacts could have potentially been exposed if the test was confirmed positive. Nagy did confirm that he himself was not a close contact.
"I can't get into a number right now with that," Nagy said. "We're just waiting for answers. That's all we can really do."
Nagy confirmed that backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky was in California on Thursday having his shoulder evaluated by a specialist. Trubisky hurt his shoulder on the one play he was on the field for against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Soldier Field. Nagy declined to say how long Trubisky might be out.
That leaves the Bears with just two options at quarterbacks in starter Nick Foles and practice squad quarterback Tyler Bray.
While the Bears have tryouts with free agent quarterbacks Jake Rudock and Kyle Sloter, the league mandates a six-day entry process for free agents due to the coronavirus. So the Bears won't have either free agent quarterback by Sunday.
"I don't think that that can happen," Nagy said. "Even with that said, you're talking about someone who hasn't been around or knows the offense."
The NFL is going to do everything it can to play Sunday's game as scheduled. The Titans, who had a COVID-19 outbreak earlier this season, have already had their bye week. The league likely wouldn't push Sunday's game to Monday or Tuesday because the Titans are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday -- already a quick turnaround.
The league kept this Thursday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers on the schedule despite the 49ers having three wide receivers placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The 49ers elevated six players from the practice squad Thursday prior to the game.


US-Pres-Sum,100

Needed to win : 270 of the 538 electoral votes ( ev ) from the 50 states and the District @ @ @

US-Pres-Sum,100
Trump 71,075,087 - 48 percent
Has won 23 states with 214 ev.
Leads in 2 states with 18 ev.
Others 2,489,909 - 2 percent
Has won 0 states with 0 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Needed to win: 270 of the 538 electoral votes (ev) from
the 50 states and the District of Columbia.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Pritzker promotes contact tracing amid 10,376 new COVID-19 cases; he self-isolates again

Illinois COVID-19 contact tracers are barely reaching half the people who have tested positive for the disease since Aug. 1 .
The news comes as Illinois recorded more than 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 in a single day for the first time Friday , raising the statewide rate of positive test results to 9.6 % , based on a seven-day average .
Cases for the day totaled 10,376 , and another 49 Illinois residents have died from COVID-19 .
That brings the state 's death toll from the respiratory disease to 10,079 .
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 97 local health departments are in contact with 90 % of those who have tested positive , Chicago and suburban Cook County contact tracing programs are significantly lagging behind .
`` Chicago and Cook County are still ramping up and looking to bring on more people , '' Pritzker said at a media briefing Friday .
Shortly after the briefing , word came that Pritzker has again been exposed to the virus during a recent meeting at the governor 's office .
He has been tested and is self-isolating while awaiting results , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pritzker 's test will be made available when it is known , officials said .
This is the third time since the outbreak began that the governor has had to quarantine because of an exposure .
Officials also noted that he was following contact-tracing protocols after his exposure .
State officials reported that between Aug. 1 and Oct. 24 , Chicago and suburban Cook County have accounted for more than 71,000 new cases , more than a third of the state 's total during that time .
Contact tracers there attempted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to IDPH records .
They managed to contact only 15,762 , just 22 % of those who tested positive .
Statewide , contact tracers have reached less than 54 % of those who have tested positive in that time frame , according to IDPH reports .
State health officials have long said a robust contact-tracing program is key to managing outbreaks and limiting exposure to the virus .
The goal is to let people know they might have been exposed to COVID-19 and to give them information about quarantining and testing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader scientific research on COVID-19 , not only guides our mitigation efforts but should serve as a resource to residents as they work to keep themselves and their families safe , '' Pritzker said .
The state is reporting contact-tracing data on a regional basis at its website , dph.illinois.gov/contact-tracing-data .
It will be updated weekly , IDPH officials said .
In the suburbs , contact tracers in Region 9 with Lake and McHenry counties are having the best luck , reaching nearly 72 % of those infected since the beginning of August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties ' Region 8 reached nearly 71 % of those infected , while less than 54 % of those who tested positive in Region 7 , which contains Will and Kankakee counties , were able to be contacted .
State health officials are urging residents to pick up the phone when they see contact tracers call , which should read `` IL COVID HELP . ''
No private information will be divulged , health officials said .
Meanwhile , the state on Friday reported 465,540 `` confirmed cases '' of the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the previous day .
Illinois Department of Public Health officials said they are now adding the 7,673 `` probable cases '' since the pandemic began to the total number of cases in the state to follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance .
But they are not adding the 318 `` probable COVID-19 deaths '' to the state 's fatality figure .
Dr. Ngozi Ezike , head of the Illinois Department of Public Health , dispelled rumors that the change was made to increase Medicare payments to hospitals that treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were symptomatic they would have been treated as a COVID patient , so it would n't change the management and would be no different from a confirmed case , '' she said .
The statewide infection rate continued its climb also , now at 9.6 % , based on a seven-day average .
Though the entire state is under some type of mitigation effort , infection rates in every region continue to climb , suggesting more restrictions are on the horizon .
Hospitals around the state added 199 additional COVID-19 patients Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized in Illinois with the virus to 4,090 .
That 's the first time more than 4,000 COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized simultaneously since May 20 .
Of those hospitalized , 786 are in intensive care .
There are 339 COVID-19 patients on ventilators , IDPH officials reported .

Pritzker promotes contact tracing amid 10,376 new COVID-19 cases; he self-isolates again
As Illinois experiences a second surge of coronavirus cases, restrictions statewide are far fewer than they were in the spring when the first cases were initially diagnosed. Associated Press File Photo/March 26
Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives a COVID-19 update Friday. Hours later the governor's office said Pritzker has been exposed and is in isolation awaiting test results. Courtesy of state of Illinois
Illinois COVID-19 contact tracers are barely reaching half the people who have tested positive for the disease since Aug. 1.
The news comes as Illinois recorded more than 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 in a single day for the first time Friday, raising the statewide rate of positive test results to 9.6%, based on a seven-day average.
Cases for the day totaled 10,376, and another 49 Illinois residents have died from COVID-19. That brings the state's death toll from the respiratory disease to 10,079.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that while 57 of the state's 97 local health departments are in contact with 90% of those who have tested positive, Chicago and suburban Cook County contact tracing programs are significantly lagging behind.
"Chicago and Cook County are still ramping up and looking to bring on more people," Pritzker said at a media briefing Friday.
Shortly after the briefing, word came that Pritzker has again been exposed to the virus during a recent meeting at the governor's office. He has been tested and is self-isolating while awaiting results, according to a news release. Results of Pritzker's test will be made available when it is known, officials said.
This is the third time since the outbreak began that the governor has had to quarantine because of an exposure.
Officials also noted that he was following contact-tracing protocols after his exposure.
State officials reported that between Aug. 1 and Oct. 24, Chicago and suburban Cook County have accounted for more than 71,000 new cases, more than a third of the state's total during that time. Contact tracers there attempted to reach only 23,891 of those infected, according to IDPH records. They managed to contact only 15,762, just 22% of those who tested positive.
Statewide, contact tracers have reached less than 54% of those who have tested positive in that time frame, according to IDPH reports.
State health officials have long said a robust contact-tracing program is key to managing outbreaks and limiting exposure to the virus. The goal is to let people know they might have been exposed to COVID-19 and to give them information about quarantining and testing.
"This information, in addition to broader scientific research on COVID-19, not only guides our mitigation efforts but should serve as a resource to residents as they work to keep themselves and their families safe," Pritzker said.
The state is reporting contact-tracing data on a regional basis at its website, dph.illinois.gov/contact-tracing-data. It will be updated weekly, IDPH officials said.
In the suburbs, contact tracers in Region 9 with Lake and McHenry counties are having the best luck, reaching nearly 72% of those infected since the beginning of August. Contact tracers in DuPage and Kane counties' Region 8 reached nearly 71% of those infected, while less than 54% of those who tested positive in Region 7, which contains Will and Kankakee counties, were able to be contacted.
State health officials are urging residents to pick up the phone when they see contact tracers call, which should read "IL COVID HELP." No private information will be divulged, health officials said.
Meanwhile, the state on Friday reported 465,540 "confirmed cases" of the virus in total, a spike of 18,049 cases from the previous day. Illinois Department of Public Health officials said they are now adding the 7,673 "probable cases" since the pandemic began to the total number of cases in the state to follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. But they are not adding the 318 "probable COVID-19 deaths" to the state's fatality figure.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, head of the Illinois Department of Public Health, dispelled rumors that the change was made to increase Medicare payments to hospitals that treated "probable cases."
"If they were symptomatic they would have been treated as a COVID patient, so it wouldn't change the management and would be no different from a confirmed case," she said.
The statewide infection rate continued its climb also, now at 9.6%, based on a seven-day average.
Though the entire state is under some type of mitigation effort, infection rates in every region continue to climb, suggesting more restrictions are on the horizon.
Hospitals around the state added 199 additional COVID-19 patients Thursday, bringing the total number of people hospitalized in Illinois with the virus to 4,090. That's the first time more than 4,000 COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized simultaneously since May 20. Of those hospitalized, 786 are in intensive care. There are 339 COVID-19 patients on ventilators, IDPH officials reported.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Geneva restaurant loses restraining order preventing state from enforcing indoor dining ban

FoxFire Restaurant in Geneva has lost the temporary restraining order that prevented state and local authorities from enforcing the governor 's recent ban on indoor dining at the business .
The Illinois 2nd District Appellate Court dissolved the TRO Friday , saying a Kane County judge was wrong to have ordered it .
According to the appellate court 's order , Judge Kevin Busch erred when he ruled FoxFire 's lawsuit against Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and the state and county health departments was likely to succeed on its merits .
`` Because both the ( Illinois Emergency Management ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's authority to issue successive proclamations arising from a single , ongoing disaster , we find that FoxFire failed to establish a probability of success on the merits , '' Presiding Justice Joseph Birkett wrote in explaining the appellate court 's unanimous three-judge order .
Success on the merits is one of four standards FoxFire had to meet to obtain the restraining order .
Birkett wrote that the law `` plainly authorizes the governor to issue successive disaster proclamations stemming from one , ongoing disaster , '' and Busch therefore abused his discretion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day Pritzker 's Executive Order 61 went in to effect .
The order , meant to tamp increasing cases of COVID-19 infections and positive tests , limits establishments to serving patrons outside .
`` We are a little upset by the ruling , '' said K.C .
Gulbro , co-owner of the steakhouse at 17 W. State St. in Geneva 's downtown , which was open for indoor dinging on Friday night .
`` We will sit down with our lawyers tomorrow and decide where we go from here , '' Gulbro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with indoor dining .
`` We 've still got a lot of fight left and we still think that we have a valid case . ''
He said that during the spring shutdown , the restaurant lost 80 % of its business .
Busch had ruled that not being able to serve diners indoors while fighting the lawsuit would irreparably harm the restaurant .
Although the case is due back in court Nov. 13 before Busch to check its status , its next court date is Feb. 9 , to determine a schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C. Morgan contributed to this report

Geneva restaurant loses restraining order preventing state from enforcing indoor dining ban
FoxFire Restaurant in Geneva has lost the temporary restraining order that prevented state and local authorities from enforcing the governor's recent ban on indoor dining at the business.
The Illinois 2nd District Appellate Court dissolved the TRO Friday, saying a Kane County judge was wrong to have ordered it.
According to the appellate court's order, Judge Kevin Busch erred when he ruled FoxFire's lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state and county health departments was likely to succeed on its merits.
"Because both the (Illinois Emergency Management) Act and subsequent statutes confirm the governor's authority to issue successive proclamations arising from a single, ongoing disaster, we find that FoxFire failed to establish a probability of success on the merits," Presiding Justice Joseph Birkett wrote in explaining the appellate court's unanimous three-judge order.
Success on the merits is one of four standards FoxFire had to meet to obtain the restraining order.
Birkett wrote that the law "plainly authorizes the governor to issue successive disaster proclamations stemming from one, ongoing disaster," and Busch therefore abused his discretion.
FoxFire filed suit Oct. 23, the day Pritzker's Executive Order 61 went in to effect. The order, meant to tamp increasing cases of COVID-19 infections and positive tests, limits establishments to serving patrons outside.
"We are a little upset by the ruling," said K.C. Gulbro, co-owner of the steakhouse at 17 W. State St. in Geneva's downtown, which was open for indoor dinging on Friday night.
"We will sit down with our lawyers tomorrow and decide where we go from here," Gulbro said when asked if FoxFire would continue with indoor dining. "We've still got a lot of fight left and we still think that we have a valid case."
He said that during the spring shutdown, the restaurant lost 80% of its business.
Busch had ruled that not being able to serve diners indoors while fighting the lawsuit would irreparably harm the restaurant.
Although the case is due back in court Nov. 13 before Busch to check its status, its next court date is Feb. 9, to determine a schedule.
• Daily Herald staff writer Scott C. Morgan contributed to this report


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Biden's leads in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada grow, getting him closer to presidency

WASHINGTON -- Democrat Joe Biden was on the cusp of winning the presidency Friday night after he opened up narrow leads over President Donald Trump in critical battleground states .
Biden had leads in Pennsylvania , Nevada and Georgia , putting him in a stronger position to capture the 270 Electoral College votes needed to take the White House .
The winner will lead a country facing a historic set of challenges , including the surging pandemic and deep political polarization .
The focus was on Pennsylvania , where Biden led Trump by more than 16,000 votes , and Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22,000 , as Americans spent a third full day after the election without knowing who will lead them for the next four years .
The prolonged process added to the anxiety of a nation whose racial and cultural divides were inflamed during the heated campaign .
Biden was at his home in Wilmington , Delaware , as the vote count continued , and aides said he would address the nation in primetime .
Trump stayed in the White House and out of sight , as more results trickled in , expanding Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Wing , televisions remained tuned to the news amid trappings of normalcy , as reporters lined up for coronavirus tests and outdoor crews worked on the North Lawn on a mild , muggy fall day .
Trump 's campaign , meanwhile , was quiet -- a dramatic difference from the day before , when it held a morning conference call projecting confidence and held a flurry of hastily arranged press conferences announcing litigation in key states .
On Thursday , he advanced unsupported accusations of voter fraud to falsely argue that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extraordinary effort by a sitting American president to sow doubt about the democratic process .
`` This is a case when they are trying to steal an election , they are trying to rig an election , '' Trump said from the podium of the White House briefing room .
He took to Twitter late Friday to pledge further legal action , tweeting `` Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the President .
I could make that claim also .
Legal proceedings are just now beginning ! ''
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Night .
He also tweeted that he had `` such a big lead in all of these states late into election night , only to see the leads miraculously disappear as the days went by , '' although it was well known that votes cast before Tuesday were still being legally counted .
Biden spent Thursday trying to ease tensions and project a more traditional image of presidential leadership .
After participating in a coronavirus briefing , he declared that `` each ballot must be counted . ''
`` I ask everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working , '' Biden said .
`` It is the will of the voters .
No one , not anyone else who chooses the president of the United States of America . ''
Trump 's erroneous claims about the integrity of the election challenged Republicans now faced with the choice of whether to break with a president who , though his grip on his office grew tenuous , commanded sky-high approval ratings from rank-and-file members of the GOP .
That was especially true for those who are eyeing presidential runs of their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larry Hogan , a potential presidential hopeful who has often criticized Trump , said unequivocally : `` There is no defense for the President 's comments tonight undermining our Democratic process .
America is counting the votes , and we must respect the results as we always have before . ''
But others who are rumored to be considering a White House run of their own in four years aligned themselves with the incumbent , including Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, who tweeted support for Trump 's claims , writing that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear , it 's that we need new election integrity laws NOW . ''
Trump 's campaign engaged in a flurry of legal activity , saying it would seek a recount in Wisconsin and had filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania , Michigan and Georgia .
But judges in the three states quickly swatted down legal action .
A federal judge who was asked to stop vote counts in Philadelphia instead forced the two sides to reach an agreement without an order over the number of observers allowed .
`` Really , ca n't we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement ? ''
an exasperated U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond said during an emergency hearing Thursday evening .
`` The whole thing could ( soon ) be moot . ''
In Pennsylvania , officials had not been allowed to process mail-in ballots until Election Day under state law , and those votes went heavily in Biden 's favor .
Mail ballots from across the state were overwhelmingly breaking in Biden 's direction .
A final vote total may not be clear for days because the use of mail-in ballots , which take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Trump campaign said it was confident the president would ultimately pull out a victory in Arizona , where votes were also still being counted , including in Maricopa County , the state 's most populous area .
The AP has declared Biden the winner in Arizona and said Thursday that it was monitoring the vote count as it proceeded .
`` The Associated Press continues to watch and analyze vote count results from Arizona as they come in , '' said Sally Buzbee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will follow the facts in all cases . ''
Trump 's campaign was lodging legal challenges in several states , though he faced long odds .
He would have to win multiple suits in multiple states in order to stop vote counts , since more than one state was undeclared .
Some of the Trump team 's lawsuits only demand better access for campaign observers to locations where ballots are being processed and counted .
A judge in Georgia dismissed the campaign 's suit there less than 12 hours after it was filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump lawsuit over whether enough GOP challengers had access to handling of absentee ballots Biden attorney Bob Bauer said the suits were legally `` meritless . ''
Their only purpose , he said `` is to create an opportunity for them to message falsely about what 's taking place in the electoral process . ''
Weissert reported from Wilmington , Delaware .
Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report .

Biden inching toward presidency: 'We're going to win this race'
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden joined by Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat, speaks Thursday at the The Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Democrat Joe Biden stood on the cusp of winning the presidency Friday night, three days after Election Day, as the long, exacting work of counting votes widened his lead over President Donald Trump in critical battleground states.
High turnout, a massive number of mail-in ballots and slim margins between the two candidates all contributed to the delay in naming a winner. But Biden held leads in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Georgia, putting him in an ever-stronger position to capture the 270 Electoral College votes needed to take the White House.
There was intense focus on Pennsylvania, where Biden led Trump by more than 27,000 votes, and Nevada, where the Democrat led by about 22,000. The prolonged wait added to the anxiety of a nation facing historic challenges, including the surging pandemic and deep political polarization.
Trump stayed in the White House and out of sight, as more results trickled in and expanded Biden's lead in must-win Pennsylvania. In the West Wing during the day, televisions remained tuned to the news amid trappings of normalcy, as reporters lined up for coronavirus tests and outdoor crews worked on the North Lawn on a mild, muggy fall day.
Biden, for his part, addressed the nation Friday night near his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and acknowledged the sluggish pace of the count "can be numbing." But he added, "Never forget the tallies aren't just numbers: They represent votes and voters."
He expressed confidence that victory ultimately would be his, saying, "The numbers tell us a clear and convincing story: We're going to win this race."
Standing alongside his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, and against a backdrop of flags, Biden wasn't able to give the acceptance speech his aides had hoped. But he hit notes of unity, seemingly aimed at cooling the temperature of a heated, divided nation.
"We have to remember the purpose of our politics isn't total unrelenting, unending warfare," he said. "No, the purpose of our politics, the work of our nation, isn't to fan the flames of conflict, but to solve problems, to guarantee justice, to give everybody a fair shot."
Trump's campaign on Friday was mostly quiet -- a dramatic difference from the day before, when officials held a morning call projecting confidence and then a flurry of press conferences announcing litigation in key states. But it was touched once again by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief of staff Mark Meadows contracted the virus, according to two senior White House officials not authorized to publicly discuss private matters. A campaign aide, Nick Trainer, also tested positive.
Trump's handling of the pandemic has been the defining issue of the campaign. The president, first lady Melania Trump and several other members of the White House staff and Trump's campaign team have fallen ill.
A handful of states remained in play Friday evening -- Georgia, North Carolina too early to call along with Pennsylvania and Nevada. In all four states the margins between Trump and Biden were too narrow and the number of ballots left to be counted too great for the AP to declare a victor.
In Pennsylvania, officials were not allowed to begin processing mail-in ballots until Election Day under state law. In Nevada, there were a number of provisional ballots cast by voters who registered on Election Day, and officials had to verify their eligibility. And recounts could be triggered in both Pennsylvania and Georgia.
With his pathway to reelection appearing to greatly narrow, Trump was testing how far he could go in using the trappings of presidential power to undermine confidence in the vote.
On Thursday, he advanced unsupported accusations of voter fraud to falsely argue that his rival was trying to seize power. It was an extraordinary effort by a sitting American president to sow doubt about the democratic process.
"This is a case when they are trying to steal an election, they are trying to rig an election," Trump said from the podium of the White House briefing room.
He took to Twitter late Friday to pledge further legal action, tweeting that "Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the President. I could make that claim also. Legal proceedings are just now beginning!"
Trump did claim that he won late on Election Night. He also tweeted that he had "such a big lead in all of these states late into election night, only to see the leads miraculously disappear as the days went by," although it was well known that votes cast before Tuesday were still being legally counted.
Biden spent Thursday trying to ease tensions and project a more traditional image of presidential leadership. After participating in a coronavirus briefing, he declared that "each ballot must be counted."
"I ask everyone to stay calm. The process is working," Biden said. "It is the will of the voters. No one, not anyone else who chooses the president of the United States of America."
Trump's erroneous claims about the integrity of the election challenged Republicans now faced with the choice of whether to break with a president who, though his grip on his office grew tenuous, commanded sky-high approval ratings from rank-and-file members of the GOP. That was especially true for those who are eyeing presidential runs of their own in 2024.
Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan, a potential presidential hopeful who has often criticized Trump, said unequivocally: "There is no defense for the President's comments tonight undermining our Democratic process. America is counting the votes, and we must respect the results as we always have before."
But others who are rumored to be considering a White House run of their own in four years aligned themselves with the incumbent, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who tweeted support for Trump's claims, writing that "If last 24 hours have made anything clear, it's that we need new election integrity laws NOW."
Trump's campaign engaged in a flurry of legal activity, saying it would seek a recount in Wisconsin and had filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia.
On Friday evening, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito approved a GOP request ordering county boards to comply with state guidance to keep the late ballots separate from those received before or on Election Day. However, Alito did not direct election officials to stop counting the ballots, as the Republicans had also sought.
But judges in three states quickly swatted down legal action. A federal judge who was asked to stop vote counts in Philadelphia instead forced the two sides to reach an agreement without an order over the number of observers allowed.
"Really, can't we be responsible adults here and reach an agreement?" an exasperated U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond said during an emergency hearing Thursday evening. "The whole thing could (soon) be moot."
The Trump campaign said it was confident the president would ultimately pull out a victory in Arizona, where votes were also still being counted, including in Maricopa County, the state's most populous area. The AP has declared Biden the winner in Arizona and said Thursday that it was monitoring the vote count as it proceeded.
"The Associated Press continues to watch and analyze vote count results from Arizona as they come in," said Sally Buzbee, AP's executive editor. "We will follow the facts in all cases."
Weissert reported from Wilmington, Delaware. Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Rozner: Marc Silverman collects the biggest win of his life

It was simply too much to bear at that hour and in that instant .
You can pretend all you want for a few moments that everything 's fine , but your mind does n't let you stray far from fear , and when the waves begin to swamp the boat you best start bailing .
So Marc Silverman swiped the remote and turned off the movie , stealthily stealing a deep breath , trying desperately to hide in plain sight , to keep from weeping .
Sitting on the couch with his wife and two young boys , Disney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trigger , a punch to the sternum .
As cruel a joke as anyone could play , it would n't release its grasp on him long enough to enjoy a few minutes with his kids .
A few minutes .
That 's all he asked .
A few minutes to escape his own mind .
But `` Onward '' is about a pair of brothers who embark on a quest to spend one more day with their late father .
This was two days after Silverman found out he was quite sick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I spent the first few days crying in my wife 's arms , '' said the 49-year-old Silverman .
`` A million things go through your mind , but mostly it 's about the family .
`` Will my kids grow up without a dad ?
Will I be replaced down the road ?
Will they even remember me ? ''
The mind can take you down some dark roads when the heart is breaking , because once you love something more than yourself , you never again look at the world through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a space that children occupy .
They are all the spaces .
What matters is their health and safety , their happiness and dreams .
And when something bad happens , they dominate your thoughts .
`` It was April .
It was cold .
With the pandemic , it 's not like we could go anywhere , '' said Silverman , the longtime host at WMVP 1000-AM .
`` We 're trying to find stuff to do with the kids and the new Disney app is out and we picked this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the movie go back in time and they 're able to bring their father back to life .
That was that .
Turned the movie off .
I was a wreck .
We found something else to watch . ''
Marc Silverman was living pretty large .
He had a job he treasured , a radio partner he adored in Tom Waddle , a wonderful wife , Allie , and two precocious boys , 6-year-old Mason and 4-year-old Braxton , romping about a lovely suburban home .
It 's not that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a way of kicking you in the teeth when you 're smiling .
Enter the fickle foot of fate .
At the flip of a switch , Silverman needed saving .
`` It was last November and I was n't feeling great .
I was tired all the time .
My doc thought maybe it was anxiety , '' Silverman said .
`` The meds did n't help .
Nothing helped me .
The blood work was good , but my workouts were n't as good and I knew something was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my neck started to swell on the right side and then the left side .
In March , the lymph node in my groin started swelling .
Still , the blood test numbers were fine . ''
Not convinced all was well , his doctor sent him to a head and neck specialist to get a thorough check and a full run of biopsies .
`` I thought I was going to get confirmation that everything was OK. That 's why I thought I was going , '' Silverman explained .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing the ultrasound on my neck , she knew right away .
I knew it was Non-Hodgkin lymphoma . ''
A year after the loss of his father , Silverman did n't know how to tell his mom , especially since COVID-19 prevented him from seeing her .
`` She was still grieving and I was worried the news would break her , '' Silverman said , choking back the tears .
`` I wanted to make sure I had a plan on how to fix this before I told her .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days are a lot of crying and you go through ...
I guess you would call it a mourning period .
You ca n't look at your wife or kids without crying , but then it changes .
You know you want to be here for them and they become your reason to fight .
They are the motivation .
`` So , now I had a plan . ''
It would be the longest six months of his life , filled with chemotherapy , scans and doctor visits , all during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from being with him .
`` I always got a seat by the window for any treatment so I could see them and they could see me , '' Silverman said .
`` My wife and kids , instead of making me cry , they became my motivation .
`` I would tell myself , 'Look at everything I have .
I have no other choice .
I have to fight . '
That 's what you do when your back is against the wall .
You fight . ''
In a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was even more so .
Drive-by birthday parties , a quiet Father 's Day , participation in most sports relegated to the backyard .
`` We never told the kids daddy was sick .
I mean , how can they understand ?
You do n't want to scare them , '' Silverman said .
`` They just know I was at the doctor for appointments .
When I lost my hair , we all got COVID haircuts .
`` My 6-year-old thinks we were just talking about how strong daddy is when 'Silvy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed the shirts .
`` Some of the things they say , you know they 're scratching around the edges .
Like , 'Why are so many people buying the shirt ?
Why is this a thing ? '
You just want to do all you can to protect them . ''
In two decades working in radio and television , the constant I saw was anger , egos run amok and the self-absorbed desperate for attention .
Not that print is any different , the maniacal fueled by hate , vitriol filling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never been one of those guys .
I worked with him at Fox-32 for years , and even while at competing radio stations we frequently laughed at the clowns and embraced the decent .
If you have something more in your life , you understand it 's just a job .
And you understand that hate destroys the hater .
`` The older you get , the more reflective you are and the more appreciative of the relationships .
Of course , I 've never felt it as much as I do now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you go through this and research the mind side of it , you know you have to get your mind right .
`` You have to have positive thoughts , and the more grateful you are and the healthier your mind , the better the body does .
`` At a time when the country was going through such a hateful time , the worst of my lifetime in this country , I was getting the most love of my life from co-workers and listeners .
It was therapeutic .
`` I 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hateful guy .
I knew I had it good and I 've been very fortunate , but then this happens and it gives you even more perspective and it has shaped me moving forward . ''
Six months after it began , it was over , with Silverman announcing a few weeks ago that he was in full and complete remission , having been through chemotherapy and an immunotherapy clinical trial .
`` My doctor at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital -- Dr. Dean Tsarwhas is the cancer chair -- said the chemo I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lymphoma treatments , '' Silverman said .
`` The immunotherapy clinical trial is the LeBron James of lymphoma treatments .
`` He said , 'We already have the best .
We have a 72-win team .
We 're going to win this .
But why not have Michael and LeBron ? '
There 's a greater chance to be cured . ''
Silverman will get his blood count checked over the holidays , and in May will receive his next scan to make sure the cancer has not returned .
From there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longer period between checkups .
`` I feel really good , but get tired a lot .
Does n't stop me from doing anything , but I 'm not quite as energetic with the kids as I had been before , '' Silverman said .
`` I 've been told by a lot of people that it could last several months or maybe even a year .
`` I 'm still seeing a therapist at the cancer center and I 've relied heavily on that .
I 'm not an expert , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 've been diagnosed , the only thing I can speak with certainty about is it 's important to get your mind right and to see a therapist .
`` If the mind is not right , the body is not right .
I believed that even before this , but now I 'm certain it 's important to talk to someone . ''
Being here for it , being healthy and being with his family is the greatest victory of Marc Silverman 's life .
`` It wo n't be perfect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID , '' Silverman said .
`` It 's still hard at times , E-learning with a 6-year-old and 4-year-old and unable to do all the things with them we should be doing , but when I get aggravated , that 's when I have to stop and appreciate how far I 've come .
`` When this started , the doc said , 'We 're going to go through this journey together and there 's going to be bad news and good news , and we 're going to take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` At one point I said , 'When do I get some of these wins you were talking about ? '
He said , 'You 've got some . '
`` When I heard 'Stage 3 ' that freaked me out .
But it meant above and below the diaphragm , meaning not in my organs or my spine .
It was a reminder that you have to stop sometimes and just relax and be thankful .
`` There have been so many wins and Thanksgiving is another one .
I 've been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's all about family and I am very aware that I went from sitting in that chair at a doctor 's office and hearing the diagnosis , to sitting in that chair in my house at a Thanksgiving meal with my family .
`` Look at what we 've been through , how far we 've come , and look at all we have to be thankful for . ''
Thanksgiving weekend might be the perfect time to try watching that movie again .
Sure , there will be tears .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a win .

Rozner: Marc Silverman collects the biggest win of his life
The Silvermans celebrated Mason's 6th birthday in late May with a parade at home it the Northwest suburbs, two days after Marc's first chemo treatment. Courtesy of Silverman family
It's the first day of chemo treatment for Marc Silverman, and wife Allie and sons Mason, far right, and Braxton "visit" him outside due to COVID-19 restrictions. Courtesy of Silverman family
Marc Silverman, host on WMVP AM-1000, with his wife Allie and sons Mason, 6, and Braxton, 4, enjoying life at a restaurant, on his last day with hair before it all fell out due to cancer treatment. Courtesy of Silverman family
It was simply too much to bear at that hour and in that instant.
You can pretend all you want for a few moments that everything's fine, but your mind doesn't let you stray far from fear, and when the waves begin to swamp the boat you best start bailing.
So Marc Silverman swiped the remote and turned off the movie, stealthily stealing a deep breath, trying desperately to hide in plain sight, to keep from weeping.
Sitting on the couch with his wife and two young boys, Disney's "Onward" was the perfect trigger, a punch to the sternum. As cruel a joke as anyone could play, it wouldn't release its grasp on him long enough to enjoy a few minutes with his kids.
A few minutes. That's all he asked. A few minutes to escape his own mind.
But "Onward" is about a pair of brothers who embark on a quest to spend one more day with their late father.
Seriously?
This was two days after Silverman found out he was quite sick.
"I got my cancer diagnosis and I spent the first few days crying in my wife's arms," said the 49-year-old Silverman. "A million things go through your mind, but mostly it's about the family.
"Will my kids grow up without a dad? Will I be replaced down the road? Will they even remember me?"
The mind can take you down some dark roads when the heart is breaking, because once you love something more than yourself, you never again look at the world through the same lens. It's not just a space that children occupy. They are all the spaces. What matters is their health and safety, their happiness and dreams.
And when something bad happens, they dominate your thoughts.
"It was April. It was cold. With the pandemic, it's not like we could go anywhere," said Silverman, the longtime host at WMVP 1000-AM. "We're trying to find stuff to do with the kids and the new Disney app is out and we picked this movie.
"And these two boys in the movie go back in time and they're able to bring their father back to life. That was that. Turned the movie off. I was a wreck. We found something else to watch."
• • •
Marc Silverman was living pretty large. He had a job he treasured, a radio partner he adored in Tom Waddle, a wonderful wife, Allie, and two precocious boys, 6-year-old Mason and 4-year-old Braxton, romping about a lovely suburban home.
It's not that he lacked for perspective, but life does have a way of kicking you in the teeth when you're smiling.
Enter the fickle foot of fate. At the flip of a switch, Silverman needed saving.
"It was last November and I wasn't feeling great. I was tired all the time. My doc thought maybe it was anxiety," Silverman said. "The meds didn't help. Nothing helped me. The blood work was good, but my workouts weren't as good and I knew something wasn't right.
"In the spring, my neck started to swell on the right side and then the left side. In March, the lymph node in my groin started swelling. Still, the blood test numbers were fine."
Not convinced all was well, his doctor sent him to a head and neck specialist to get a thorough check and a full run of biopsies.
"I thought I was going to get confirmation that everything was OK. That's why I thought I was going," Silverman explained. "But the way she reacted as she was doing the ultrasound on my neck, she knew right away. I knew it was Non-Hodgkin lymphoma."
A year after the loss of his father, Silverman didn't know how to tell his mom, especially since COVID-19 prevented him from seeing her.
"She was still grieving and I was worried the news would break her," Silverman said, choking back the tears. "I wanted to make sure I had a plan on how to fix this before I told her.
"It's weird. The first few days are a lot of crying and you go through ... I guess you would call it a mourning period. You can't look at your wife or kids without crying, but then it changes. You know you want to be here for them and they become your reason to fight. They are the motivation.
"So, now I had a plan."
It would be the longest six months of his life, filled with chemotherapy, scans and doctor visits, all during a pandemic that prevented his wife and children from being with him.
"I always got a seat by the window for any treatment so I could see them and they could see me," Silverman said. "My wife and kids, instead of making me cry, they became my motivation.
"I would tell myself, 'Look at everything I have. I have no other choice. I have to fight.' That's what you do when your back is against the wall. You fight."
In a year when nothing is normal, the abnormal was even more so. Drive-by birthday parties, a quiet Father's Day, participation in most sports relegated to the backyard.
And cancer treatments.
"We never told the kids daddy was sick. I mean, how can they understand? You don't want to scare them," Silverman said. "They just know I was at the doctor for appointments. When I lost my hair, we all got COVID haircuts.
"My 6-year-old thinks we were just talking about how strong daddy is when 'Silvy Strong' became a thing. He designed the shirts.
"Some of the things they say, you know they're scratching around the edges. Like, 'Why are so many people buying the shirt? Why is this a thing?' You just want to do all you can to protect them."
• • •
In two decades working in radio and television, the constant I saw was anger, egos run amok and the self-absorbed desperate for attention. Not that print is any different, the maniacal fueled by hate, vitriol filling an empty existence.
Marc Silverman has never been one of those guys. I worked with him at Fox-32 for years, and even while at competing radio stations we frequently laughed at the clowns and embraced the decent.
If you have something more in your life, you understand it's just a job. And you understand that hate destroys the hater.
"The older you get, the more reflective you are and the more appreciative of the relationships. Of course, I've never felt it as much as I do now," Silverman said. "When you go through this and research the mind side of it, you know you have to get your mind right.
"You have to have positive thoughts, and the more grateful you are and the healthier your mind, the better the body does.
"At a time when the country was going through such a hateful time, the worst of my lifetime in this country, I was getting the most love of my life from co-workers and listeners. It was therapeutic.
"I've never been a negative person or a hateful guy. I knew I had it good and I've been very fortunate, but then this happens and it gives you even more perspective and it has shaped me moving forward."
Six months after it began, it was over, with Silverman announcing a few weeks ago that he was in full and complete remission, having been through chemotherapy and an immunotherapy clinical trial.
"My doctor at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital -- Dr. Dean Tsarwhas is the cancer chair -- said the chemo I was on is the Michael Jordan of lymphoma treatments," Silverman said. "The immunotherapy clinical trial is the LeBron James of lymphoma treatments.
"He said, 'We already have the best. We have a 72-win team. We're going to win this. But why not have Michael and LeBron?' There's a greater chance to be cured."
Silverman will get his blood count checked over the holidays, and in May will receive his next scan to make sure the cancer has not returned. From there, each time the news is good means a longer period between checkups.
"I feel really good, but get tired a lot. Doesn't stop me from doing anything, but I'm not quite as energetic with the kids as I had been before," Silverman said. "I've been told by a lot of people that it could last several months or maybe even a year.
"I'm still seeing a therapist at the cancer center and I've relied heavily on that. I'm not an expert, but when someone comes to me after they've been diagnosed, the only thing I can speak with certainty about is it's important to get your mind right and to see a therapist.
"If the mind is not right, the body is not right. I believed that even before this, but now I'm certain it's important to talk to someone."
• • •
Thanksgiving is a victory.
Being here for it, being healthy and being with his family is the greatest victory of Marc Silverman's life.
"It won't be perfect. Won't have my mom here because of COVID," Silverman said. "It's still hard at times, E-learning with a 6-year-old and 4-year-old and unable to do all the things with them we should be doing, but when I get aggravated, that's when I have to stop and appreciate how far I've come.
"When this started, the doc said, 'We're going to go through this journey together and there's going to be bad news and good news, and we're going to take the wins when we get them.'
"At one point I said, 'When do I get some of these wins you were talking about?' He said, 'You've got some.'
"When I heard 'Stage 3' that freaked me out. But it meant above and below the diaphragm, meaning not in my organs or my spine. It was a reminder that you have to stop sometimes and just relax and be thankful.
"There have been so many wins and Thanksgiving is another one. I've been so thankful every day since this happened. It's all about family and I am very aware that I went from sitting in that chair at a doctor's office and hearing the diagnosis, to sitting in that chair in my house at a Thanksgiving meal with my family.
"Look at what we've been through, how far we've come, and look at all we have to be thankful for."
Thanksgiving weekend might be the perfect time to try watching that movie again. Sure, there will be tears. Happy tears. And happy tears are a win.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Underwood continues to close in on Oberweis in 14th Congressional race

As vote counting continues in Illinois , Republican challenger Jim Oberweis ' lead over incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood in the 14th Congressional District race keeps shrinking .
Meanwhile , both camps have acknowledged a discovery recount that would allow a losing candidate to examine a percentage of ballots is possible .
That data can be used to legally contest the election .
After The Associated Press ' totals updated Friday night , Oberweis was ahead 189,786 to 189,180 , a difference of 606 votes , unofficial results showed .
That margin is 22 votes closer than it was Thursday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,443 closer than on Election Day .
As of late Thursday , Oberweis , a state senator from Sugar Grove , had less than 50.1 % of the vote .
Underwood , a first-term congresswoman from Naperville , has more than 49.9 % .
The Associated Press has not called the contest .
With Election Day ballots counted in all 462 of the district 's precincts , the late-Thursday total reflected votes from additional mail-in ballots in Kane County , according to The Associated Press ' data .
The updated tally still does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race .
Ballots postmarked by this past Tuesday that arrive at election offices by Nov. 17 will be counted , too , as will provisional ballots .
In a news conference Thursday afternoon , Underwood announced more than 7,200 mail-in ballots from 14th District voters await counting in Lake County and even more were awaiting tabulation in McHenry County , based on data from county officials .
But on Friday , her campaign spokeswoman said the estimate given for McHenry County was incorrect .
A new total was n't available .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clerk 's office in the district and are getting updates in real time , '' Akin said .
`` Based on the reports we have received , we do n't believe there are thousands of ballots to be counted in the 14th Congressional District . ''
Although Lake and McHenry are just two of the seven counties that intersect with the 14th District , Underwood said she was confident votes there will turn the tide her way and give her a second term .
Conversely , Akin insisted Oberweis will be victorious despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory in a video released to social media Wednesday -- but Team Underwood was quick to call that premature .
The Lake County clerk 's office is expected to update its public tallies Nov. 10 and again Nov. 17 .
The McHenry County clerk is expected to release all its final totals Nov. 18 .
DuPage and Kane counties have updated totals since Election Day .
Kendall and Will counties are waiting until Nov. 17 .
DeKalb is waiting until Nov. 18 .
As of vote counts available Friday , Oberweis was leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McHenry , according to The Associated Press .
Underwood led in DuPage , Kane and Will counties .
That has n't changed since Election Day .
When asked about a possible recount , Underwood said her team has lawyers standing by and giving advice as the final votes come in .
But she said she 's focused on making sure all the votes cast in the race are counted .
The Oberweis campaign is raising money for a discovery recount , Akin said .

Underwood continues to close in on Oberweis in 14th Congressional race
Congressional candidate Jim Oberweis released a statement Wednesday in which he declared victory in the 14th District despite the race not yet being called. Facebook Video Screenshot
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood discusses the status of her 14th Congressional race against Jim Oberweis during a news conference Thursday held over Zoom. Zoom video
As vote counting continues in Illinois, Republican challenger Jim Oberweis' lead over incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood in the 14th Congressional District race keeps shrinking.
Meanwhile, both camps have acknowledged a discovery recount that would allow a losing candidate to examine a percentage of ballots is possible. That data can be used to legally contest the election.
After The Associated Press' totals updated Friday night, Oberweis was ahead 189,786 to 189,180, a difference of 606 votes, unofficial results showed.
That margin is 22 votes closer than it was Thursday night, 289 closer than on Wednesday and 2,443 closer than on Election Day.
As of Friday night, Oberweis, a state senator from Sugar Grove, had less than 50.1% of the vote. Underwood, a first-term congresswoman from Naperville, has more than 49.9%. The Associated Press has not called the contest.
With Election Day ballots counted in all 462 of the district's precincts, Friday's total reflected votes from additional mail-in ballots in Kane County, according to The Associated Press' data.
The updated tally still doesn't include all the votes cast in the race. Ballots postmarked by this past Tuesday that arrive at election offices by Nov. 17 will be counted, too, as will provisional ballots.
In a news conference Thursday afternoon, Underwood announced more than 7,200 mail-in ballots from 14th District voters await counting in Lake County and even more were awaiting tabulation in McHenry County, based on data from county officials. But on Friday, her campaign spokeswoman said the estimate given for McHenry County was incorrect. A new total wasn't available.
Oberweis spokesman Travis Akin disputed Underwood's estimates Friday.
"We have staff observers at every county clerk's office in the district and are getting updates in real time," Akin said. "Based on the reports we have received, we don't believe there are thousands of ballots to be counted in the 14th Congressional District."
Although Lake and McHenry are just two of the seven counties that intersect with the 14th District, Underwood said she was confident votes there will turn the tide her way and give her a second term.
Conversely, Akin insisted Oberweis will be victorious despite the narrowing margin. Oberweis even declared victory in a video released to social media Wednesday -- but Team Underwood was quick to call that premature.
The Lake County clerk's office is expected to update its public tallies Nov. 10 and again Nov. 17. The McHenry County clerk is expected to release all its final totals Nov. 18.
DuPage and Kane counties have updated totals since Election Day. Kendall and Will counties are waiting until Nov. 17. DeKalb is waiting until Nov. 18.
As of vote counts available Friday, Oberweis was leading in DeKalb, Kendall, Lake and McHenry, according to The Associated Press. Underwood led in DuPage, Kane and Will counties. That hasn't changed since Election Day.
When asked about a possible recount, Underwood said her team has lawyers standing by and giving advice as the final votes come in. But she said she's focused on making sure all the votes cast in the race are counted.
The Oberweis campaign is raising money for a discovery recount, Akin said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Latest repairs to Long Grove covered bridge underway

Workers on Friday were repairing the ill-fated Long Grove covered bridge after it was superficially damaged in two separate accidents @ @ @ @ @ in June 2018 by a box truck , the bridge on Robert Parker Coffin Road @ @ @ @ @ two years of costly repairs .
The celebration drew village officials , business owners and @ @ @ @ @ hours later , however , the driver of a rented school bus ignored GPS warnings @ @ @ @ @ through the bridge -- damaging both ends .
Four days after that , a box @ @ @ @ @ well .
Fortunately , changes to the bridge since its 2018 accident saved it from @ @ @ @ @ accidents , officials affixed bright yellow height signs on the bridge and vowed to examine @ @ @ @ @ n't immediately available from village officials on how long the current round of repairs would @ @

Latest repairs to Long Grove covered bridge underway
Repairs to the Long Grove covered bridge, damaged in August a day after reopeining, are beginning. Courtesy of Bob Johnson
Workers on Friday were repairing the ill-fated Long Grove covered bridge after it was superficially damaged in two separate accidents in August.
Severely damaged in June 2018 by a box truck, the bridge on Robert Parker Coffin Road reopened on Aug. 14 after two years of costly repairs. The celebration drew village officials, business owners and residents.
Less than 24 hours later, however, the driver of a rented school bus ignored GPS warnings to steer clear and drove through the bridge -- damaging both ends. Four days after that, a box truck driver hit it as well.
Fortunately, changes to the bridge since its 2018 accident saved it from structural damage. After the accidents, officials affixed bright yellow height signs on the bridge and vowed to examine other options.
Information wasn't immediately available from village officials on how long the current round of repairs would take.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Convicted killer from Des Plaines to stay in prison while bid for new trial is pending

Ronald Kliner , the former Des Plaines man convicted of the 1988 murder-for-hire of a Palatine Township woman , will remain in prison while he waits for a judge to rule on his attorneys ' motion for a new trial .
Cook County Judge Joel Greenblatt on Friday denied Kliner 's attorneys ' request that he be released in advance of the ruling because his age and health make him susceptible to COVID-19 .
`` Mr. Kliner should not die in prison for something he did n't do , '' said Tara Thompson , who acknowledged to Greenblatt the relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming as it does before the court has ruled on Kliner 's motion for a new trial .
Assistant Cook County State 's Attorney Carol Rogala disagreed , saying there `` is no basis in the law for Mr. Kliner to be released at this time . ''
No legal basis exists for the court to set aside `` a sentence which as of today has been lawfully imposed , '' she said .
`` There is an avenue for the relief he seeks , '' she said , referring to a petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's voluminous records , the lead prosecutor 's recent retirement and precautions necessitated by COVID-19 , Rogala asked for at least 60 days to respond to the defense 's latest petition .
`` There is a huge record to review , '' she said of the 111 exhibits accompanying the petition .
Kliner , 59 , attended the hearing via teleconference .
Visibly upset by the ruling , he pointed his thumb downward .
Greenblatt , who was assigned the case after another Rolling Meadows judge recused himself , set Jan. 8 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kliner `` is entitled to a disposition of this matter in a prompt fashion . ''
But he also noted the defense motion exceeds 1,000 pages with exhibits and that there are `` 10 boxes of pleadings in the clerk 's office that very well might require my attention . ''
Kliner initially received the death penalty for the shooting of 28-year-old Dana Rinaldi , but his sentence was commuted to natural life by then-Gov .
George Ryan in 2003 .
Kliner , who has persisted in his claim of innocence for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial based on prosecution witnesses he claims are not credible , the absence of DNA linking him to the crime and defense witnesses who can provide him an alibi .
According to prosecutors , Kliner shot Dana Rinaldi five times in the head in February 1988 at the behest of her husband Joseph Rinaldi , who authorities say was having marital and financial problems .
Rinaldi subsequently testified for the prosecution and was sentenced to 60 years in prison .
A third co-defendant , Michael Permanian , was also sentenced to 60 years @ @ @ @

Convicted killer from Des Plaines to stay in prison while bid for new trial is pending
Ronald Kliner, the former Des Plaines man convicted of the 1988 murder-for-hire of a Palatine Township woman, will remain in prison while he waits for a judge to rule on his attorneys' motion for a new trial.
Cook County Judge Joel Greenblatt on Friday denied Kliner's attorneys' request that he be released in advance of the ruling because his age and health make him susceptible to COVID-19.
"Mr. Kliner should not die in prison for something he didn't do," said Tara Thompson, who acknowledged to Greenblatt the relief Kliner seeks is "extraordinary," coming as it does before the court has ruled on Kliner's motion for a new trial.
Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Carol Rogala disagreed, saying there "is no basis in the law for Mr. Kliner to be released at this time."
No legal basis exists for the court to set aside "a sentence which as of today has been lawfully imposed," she said.
"There is an avenue for the relief he seeks," she said, referring to a petition to the governor.
Citing the case's voluminous records, the lead prosecutor's recent retirement and precautions necessitated by COVID-19, Rogala asked for at least 60 days to respond to the defense's latest petition.
"There is a huge record to review," she said of the 111 exhibits accompanying the petition.
Kliner, 59, attended the hearing via teleconference. Visibly upset by the ruling, he pointed his thumb downward.
Greenblatt, who was assigned the case after another Rolling Meadows judge recused himself, set Jan. 8 for the next hearing. Greenblatt acknowledged that Kliner "is entitled to a disposition of this matter in a prompt fashion." But he also noted the defense motion exceeds 1,000 pages with exhibits and that there are "10 boxes of pleadings in the clerk's office that very well might require my attention."
Kliner initially received the death penalty for the shooting of 28-year-old Dana Rinaldi, but his sentence was commuted to natural life by then-Gov. George Ryan in 2003. Kliner, who has persisted in his claim of innocence for more than 27 years, seeks a new trial based on prosecution witnesses he claims are not credible, the absence of DNA linking him to the crime and defense witnesses who can provide him an alibi.
According to prosecutors, Kliner shot Dana Rinaldi five times in the head in February 1988 at the behest of her husband Joseph Rinaldi, who authorities say was having marital and financial problems. Rinaldi subsequently testified for the prosecution and was sentenced to 60 years in prison. A third co-defendant, Michael Permanian, was also sentenced to 60 years for the murder.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Rickert concedes victory to Pierog in Kane County chairman race

Republican David Rickert conceded victory Friday to Democrat Corinne Pierog in the race for Kane County Board chairman .
`` Although not mathematically eliminated , it 's time to call this race .
Congratulations to Ms. Pierog the next county chairman , '' Rickert wrote on his Facebook page .
Pierog said Rickert first called her Thursday night to talk about how he was likely to concede .
`` I certainly appreciated that and honored that , '' she said .
When Pierog saw his Friday Facebook post , she called Rickert to confirm .
Pierog called the campaign `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn about the community and the people of the county , and noted that she and Rickert `` both voiced our unique challenges for the position and our unique attributes . ''
She wrote on her Facebook page that she looked forward to working with Rickert , who has two years left on his term as the county 's treasurer .
When she takes office in December , Pierog said , she will represent all residents , regardless of party affiliation .
`` I will work in a nonpartisan manner .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are here to work for its people , '' she said .
Rickert could not be reached for comment .
Unofficial vote totals late Friday afternoon showed Pierog had 114,192 votes , to Rickert 's 112,216 .
That included early , Election Day and vote-by-mail ballots counted thus far .
According to the state elections board , 6,828 vote-by-mail ballots have not been returned to the Kane County clerk .
Nov. 17 is the last day to count vote-by-mail ballots .
The current chairman , Republican Chris Lauzen of Aurora , did @ @ @ @

Rickert concedes victory to Pierog in Kane County chairman race
Republican David Rickert conceded victory Friday to Democrat Corinne Pierog in the race for Kane County Board chairman.
"Although not mathematically eliminated, it's time to call this race. Congratulations to Ms. Pierog the next county chairman," Rickert wrote on his Facebook page.
Pierog said Rickert first called her Thursday night to talk about how he was likely to concede. "I certainly appreciated that and honored that," she said.
When Pierog saw his Friday Facebook post, she called Rickert to confirm.
Pierog called the campaign "a wonderful opportunity" for her to learn about the community and the people of the county, and noted that she and Rickert "both voiced our unique challenges for the position and our unique attributes." She wrote on her Facebook page that she looked forward to working with Rickert, who has two years left on his term as the county's treasurer.
When she takes office in December, Pierog said, she will represent all residents, regardless of party affiliation.
"I will work in a nonpartisan manner. We are here to work for the county. We are here to work for its people," she said.
Rickert could not be reached for comment.
Unofficial vote totals late Friday afternoon showed Pierog had 114,192 votes, to Rickert's 112,216. That included early, Election Day and vote-by-mail ballots counted thus far.
According to the state elections board, 6,828 vote-by-mail ballots have not been returned to the Kane County clerk. Nov. 17 is the last day to count vote-by-mail ballots.
The current chairman, Republican Chris Lauzen of Aurora, did not seek reelection.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-06--Pending 2021 Elgin budget avoids property tax increase -- for now

Editor 's note : This story has been changed to correct Rick Kozal 's first name and add pool to Lords Park .
Slashing expenses and taking pay cuts will help Elgin close the financial books on 2020 without a deficit , but 2021 will require continued austerity and spending nearly $ 3 million in savings to keep the city from running a deficit , officials said .
No property tax increases are on the table under the 2021 budget preview City Manager Rick Kozal presented to the city council this week .
The council will spend most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vote on the budget Dec. 16 .
The budget represents a continuation of many of the measures officials put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Those measures included easing business regulations to allow owners to remodel their operations to follow Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's pandemic restrictions .
It also involved suspending $ 5 million in construction projects .
The parks and recreation department cut $ 1.4 million in costs , including mothballing the East Side Recreation Center and Lords Park Pool .
City department heads took a 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slashed their pay by 5 % .
Fire and police department employees were exempt from the cuts .
`` Elgin will not be carrying any red ink into the beginning of the 2021 budget year , '' Kozal said .
That said , with declining revenues , the city was staring at an $ 11 million deficit for the 2021 fiscal year .
Kozal said the plan he and his staff formed to address the shortfall started with a recognition that city residents have the same financial hardships right now .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its residents and businesses , '' he said .
That means the three-year financial plan will keep salary and benefit reductions in place to save $ 4.6 million , including $ 1.5 million in 2021 .
The city is also tentatively counting on receiving $ 5 million from Kane County as its portion of federal COVID-19 relief money created with the passage of the CARES Act .
Health insurance and workers ' compensation costs will be trimmed by $ 1.8 million .
But even with all the cuts , Kozal said the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenses without new income to cover those costs .
It will dip into savings to balance the remainder of the budget .
Indeed , the longer plan envisions using $ 18 million of savings over the next three years to stay out of the red .
While 2021 features no property tax increase , Kozal said a tax hike may be unavoidable come 2022 .
That 's when state-mandated contributions to the police and fire pension fund will hit a level the city ca n't afford to pay without finding new money or @ @ @ @

Pending 2021 Elgin budget avoids property tax increase -- for now
Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct Rick Kozal's first name and add pool to Lords Park.
Slashing expenses and taking pay cuts will help Elgin close the financial books on 2020 without a deficit, but 2021 will require continued austerity and spending nearly $3 million in savings to keep the city from running a deficit, officials said.
No property tax increases are on the table under the 2021 budget preview City Manager Rick Kozal presented to the city council this week.
The council will spend most of the next month reviewing the details before taking a vote on the budget Dec. 16. The budget represents a continuation of many of the measures officials put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those measures included easing business regulations to allow owners to remodel their operations to follow Gov. J.B. Pritzker's pandemic restrictions.
It also involved suspending $5 million in construction projects. The parks and recreation department cut $1.4 million in costs, including mothballing the East Side Recreation Center and Lords Park Pool. City department heads took a 10% pay cut, while other managers slashed their pay by 5%. Fire and police department employees were exempt from the cuts.
"Elgin will not be carrying any red ink into the beginning of the 2021 budget year," Kozal said.
That said, with declining revenues, the city was staring at an $11 million deficit for the 2021 fiscal year. Kozal said the plan he and his staff formed to address the shortfall started with a recognition that city residents have the same financial hardships right now.
"The city must share the economic sacrifices with its residents and businesses," he said.
That means the three-year financial plan will keep salary and benefit reductions in place to save $4.6 million, including $1.5 million in 2021.
The city is also tentatively counting on receiving $5 million from Kane County as its portion of federal COVID-19 relief money created with the passage of the CARES Act. Health insurance and workers' compensation costs will be trimmed by $1.8 million.
But even with all the cuts, Kozal said the city's plan has $2.7 million in expenses without new income to cover those costs. It will dip into savings to balance the remainder of the budget.
Indeed, the longer plan envisions using $18 million of savings over the next three years to stay out of the red.
While 2021 features no property tax increase, Kozal said a tax hike may be unavoidable come 2022. That's when state-mandated contributions to the police and fire pension fund will hit a level the city can't afford to pay without finding new money or cutting city services.